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Kalarr?iZ88,piIeiaFif^laFi  Bypeii  G©ynties, 


CONTAINING 


Biographical  Sketches  of  Prominent  and  Representative  Citizens, 
Together  with  Biographies  of  all  the 

^OYcrriors  of  ik  itaie,  and  of  the  IrGsiderifs 

OF=    THE     UNITED     STMTES. 


CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN  BROS. 

1892. 


f 


pF(Ep/^§E. 


■^S^ -HCH- "tf?^-* 

She  greatest  of  English  historians,  Macaulat,  and  one  of  the  most  brilliant  writers  of 
the  present  century-,  has  said:  "The  history  of  a  country  is  best  told  in  a  record  of  thu 
lives  of  its  pec*)le."  In  conformity  with  this  idea  the  Portrait  and  Biooraphicai, 
Record  of  this  county  has  been  prepared.  Instead  of  going  to  musty  records,  and 
taking  therefrom  dry  statistical  matter  that  can  be  appreciated  by  but  few,  our 
corps  of  writers  have  gone  to  the  people,  the  men  and  women  who  have,  by  their 
enteritrise  and  industry-,  brought  the  county  to  rank  second  to  none  ainong  those 
comprising  this  great  and  noble  State,  and  from  their  lips  have  the  story  of  their  life 
struggles.  No  more  interesting  or  instructive  matter  could  be  presented  to  an  intelli- 
gent public.  In  this  volume  will  be  found  a  record  of  many  whose  lives  are  worthy  the 
imitation  of  coming  generations.  It  tells  how  some,  commencing  life  in  poverty,  by 
industry  and  economy  have  accumulated  wealth.  It  tells  how  others,  with  limited 
adv.ant.ages  for  securing  an  education,  have  become  learned  men  and  women,  with  an 
influence  extending  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  It  tells  of  men  whu 
have  risen  from  the  lower  walks  of  life  to  eminence  as  statesmen,  and  whose  names  have 
become  famous.  It  tells  of  those  in  every  walk  in  life  who  have  striven  to  succeed,  and 
records  how  that  success  has  usually  crowned  their  efforts.  It  tells  also  of  many,  ver}- 
many,  who,  not  seeking  the  applause  of  the  world,  have  pursued  "the  even  tenor  of  their  wa}',"  content 
to  have  it  said  of  them  as  Christ  said  of  the  woman  performmg  a  deed  of  mercy — "they  have  done  what 
they  could."  It  tells  how  that  many  in  the  pride  and  strength  of  young  manhood  left  the  plow  and  the 
anvil,  the  lawyer's  office  and  the  counting-room,  left  every  trade  and  profession,  andiit  their  country's 
call  went  forth  valiantly  "to  do  or  die,"  and  how  through  their  efforts  the  Union  was  restored  and  peace 
once  more  reigned  in  the  land.  In  the  life  of  every  man  and  of  every  woman  is  a  lesson  that  should  not 
be  lost  upon  those  who  follow  after. 

Coming  generations  will  appreciate  this  volume  and  preserve  it  as  a  sacred  treasure,  from  the  fact 
that  it  contains  so  much  that  would  never  find  its  w.ay  into  public  records,  and  which  would  otherwise  be 
inaccessible.  Great  care  has  been  taken  in  the  compilation  of  the  work  and  every  opportunity  possible 
given  to  those  represented  to  insure  correctness  in  what  has  been  written,  and  the  publishers  flatter  them- 
selves that  they  give  to  their  readers  a  work  with  few  errors  of  consequence.  In  addition  to  the  b:ograi)li- 
ical  sketches,  portraits  of  a  number  of  representative  citizens  are  given. 

The  faces  of  some,  and  biographical  sketches  of  many,  will  be  missed  in  this  volume.  For  this  the 
publishers  are  not  to  blame.  Not  having  a  proper  conception  of  the  work,  some  refused  to  give  thc 
■  information  necessary  to  compile  a  sketch,  while  others  were  indifferent.  Occasionally  some  member  of 
the  family  would  oppose  the  enterprise,  and  on  account  of  such  opposition  the  support  of  the  interested 
one  would  be  withheld.  In  a  few  instances  men  could  never  be  found,  though  repeated  calls  were  made 
at  their  residence  or  place  of  business. 

Mav,   1«'.»2.  •  CHAPMAN   BROS. 


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OF  THE 


Governors  of  Michigan, 


AND  OF  THE 


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FIRST  PRESIDENT. 


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(9 


HE  Father  of  our  Country  was 
born  in  Westmorland  Co.,  Va., 
Feb.  22,  1732.  His  parents 
were  Augustine  and  Mary 
(Ball)  Washington.  The  family 
to  wjrich  he  belonged  has  not 
been  satisfactorily  traced  in 
England.  His  great-grand- 
father, John  Washington,  em- 
igrated to  Virginia  about  1657, 
and  became  a  prosperous 
planter.  He  had  two  sons, 
Lawrence  and  John.  The 
former  married  Mildred  Warner 
and  had  three  children,  John, 
Augustine  and  Mildred.  Augus- 
tine, the  father  of  George,  first 
married  Jane  Butler,  who  bore 
him  four  children,  two  of  whom, 
Lawrence  and  Augustine,  reached 
maturity.  Of  six  children  by  his 
second  marriage,  George  was  the 
eldest,  the  others  being  Betty, 
Samuel,  John  Augustine,  Charles 
and  Mildred. 
Augustine  Washington,  the  father  of  George,  died 
in  1743,  leaving  a  large  landed  property.  To  his 
eldest  son,  Lawrence,  he  bequeathed  an  estate  on 
the  Patomac,  afterwards  known  as  Mount  Vernon, 
and  to  George  he  left  the  parental  residence.  George 
received  only  such  education  as  the  neighborhood 
schools  afforded,  save  for  a  short  time  after  he  left 
school,  when  he  received  private  instruction  in 
mathemat'cs.      His    spelling  was   rather   defectiv«. 


Remarkable  stories  are  told  of  his  great  physica* 
strength  and  development  at  an  early  age.  He  was 
an  acknowledged  leader  among  his  companions,  and 
was  early  noted  for  that  nobleness  of  character,  fair- 
ness and  veracity  which  characterized  his  whole  life. 

When  George  was  14  years  old  he  had  a  desire  to  go  to 
sea,  and  a  midshipman's  warrant  was  secured  for  him, 
but  through  the  opposition  of  his  mother  the  idea  was 
abandoned.  Two  years  later  he  was  appointed 
surveyor  to  the  immense  estate  of  Lord  Fairfax.  In 
this  business  he  spent  three  years  in  a  rough  frontier 
life,  gaining  experience  which  afterwards  proved  very 
essential  to  him.  In  175  r,  though  only  19  years  of 
age,  he  was  appointed  adjutant  with  the  rank  of 
major  in  the  Virginia  militia,  then  being  trained  for 
active  service  against  the  French  and  Indians.  Soon 
after  this  he  sailed  to  the  West  Indies  with  his  brother 
Lawrence,  who  went  there  to  restore  his  health.  They 
soon  returned,  and  in  the  summer  of  1752  Lawrence 
died,  leaving  a  large  fortune  to  an  infant  daughter 
who  did  not  long  survive  him.  On  her  demise  tlie 
estate  of  Mount  Vernon  was  given  to  George, 

U[X)n  the  arrival  of  Robert  Dinwiddle,  as  Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of  Virginia,  in  1752,  the  militia  was 
reorganized,  and  the  province  divided  into  four  mili- 
tary districts,  of  which  the  northern  was  assigned  to 
Washington  as  adjutant  general.  Shortly  after  this 
a  very  perilous  mission  was  assigned  him  and  ac- 
cepted, which  others  had  refused.  This  was  lo  pro- 
ceed to  the  French  post  near  Lake  Erie  in  North- 
western Pennsylvania.  The  distance  to  be  traversed 
was  between  500  and  600  miles,  ^\"inter  was  at  hand, 
and  the  journey  was  to  be  made  without  military 
escort,  through  a  territory  occupied  by  Indians.     The 


20 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


;rip  was  a  perilous  one,  and  several  limes  he  came  near 
losing  his  life,  yet  he  returned  in  safety  and  furnished 
a  full  and  useful  rejxjrt  of  his  e.\i)edition.  A  regiment 
of  300  men  was  raised  in  Virginia  and  put  in  com- 
mand of  Col.  Joshua  Fry,  and  Major  Washington  was 
commissioned  lieutenant-colonel.  Active  war  was 
then  begun  against  the  French  and  Indians,  in  which 
Washington  took  a  most  imix)rtant  part.  In  the 
memorable  event  of  July  9,  1755,  known  as  Brad- 
dock's  defeat,  Washington  wgs  almost  the  only  officer 
of  distinction  who  escaped  from  the  calamities  of  the 
day  with  life  and  honor.  The  other  aids  of  Braddock 
were  disabled  early  in  the  action,  and  Washington 
alone  was  left  in  that  capacity  on  the  field.  In  a  letter 
to  his  brother  he  says :  "I  had  four  bullets  through 
ray  coat,  and  two  horses  shot  under  me,  yet  I  escaped 
unhurt,  though  death  was  leveling  my  companions 
on  every  side."  An  Indian  sharpshooter  said  he  was 
not  lx)m  to  be  killed  by  a  bullet,  for  he  had  taken 
direct  aim  at  him  seventeen  times,  and  failed  to  hit 
him.  ,. 

.\fter  having  been  five  years  in  the  military  service, 
and  vainly  sought  i^romotion  in  the  royal  army,  he 
look  advantage  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Duquesne  and  the 
expulsion  of  the  French  from  ilie  valley  of  tlie  Ohio, 
CO  resign  his  commission.  Soon  after  he  entered  the 
Legislature,  where,  although  not  a  leader,  he  look  an 
active  and  im|)ortanl  part.  January  17,  1759,  he 
married  Mrs.  .Martha  (Oandridge)  Custis,  the  wealthy 
widow  of  John  Parke  Custis.  — - 

When  the  Hritisli  Parliament  had  closed  the  jxirt 
if  Boston,  the  cry  went  up  throughout  the  provinces 
that  "The  cause  of  Boston  is  the  cause  of  us  all." 
It  was  then,  at  the  suggestion  of  Virginia,  that  a  Con- 
gress of  all  the  colonies  was  called  to  meet  at  Phila- 
delphia, .Sept.  5,  1774,  to  secure  their  common  liberties, 
peaceably  if  [xjssible.  To  this  Congress  Col.  Wash- 
ington was  sent  as  a  delegate.  On  May  10,  1775,  the 
Congress  re-assembled,  when  the  hostile  intentions  of 
England  were  |)lainly  apparent.  The  battles  of  Con- 
cord and  Ixixingion  had  been  fought.  Among  the 
first  acts  of  this  ("ongr-.-ss  was  the  election  of  a  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  colonial  forces.  This  high  and 
res|Kjnsible  office  was  conferred  wyion  Waslnngton, 
who  w.is  still  a  member  of  the  Congress.  He  accepted 
it  on  June  ig,  but  u|«n  the  express  condition  that  he 
receive  no  sal.irj-.  He  would  keep  an  exact  account 
of  exjienscs  and  eX])ert  Congress  to  pay  them  and 
nothing  more.  It  is  not  the  object  of  this  sketch  to 
trace  the  military  acts  of  Washington,  to  whom  the 
fortunes  and  liberties  of  the  people  fif  this  country 
wcf«  so  long  confided.  'I'he  war  was  conducted  by 
him  under  every  |M)ssil)le  disadvantage,  and  while  his 
forces  often  met  with  reverses,  yet  he  overcame  ewry 
olistaric,  and  .nfter  seven  ye.irs  iif  hetoic  <levolion 
and  matchless  skill  he  g.iined  liberty  for  the  greatest 
nation  of  earth.  On  Dei.  2  ?,  17S3,  Washington,  in 
a  p.irting  addresti  of  siir|iassing  beauty,  lesigned  his 


commission  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  army  to 
to  the  Continental  Congress  sitting  at  Annapolis.  He 
retired  immediately  to  Mount  Vernon  and  resumed 
his  occupation  as  a  farmer  and  planter,  shunning  all 
connection  with  public  life. 

In  F"'ebruary,i789,  Washington  was  unanimously 
elected  President.  In  his  presidential  career  he  was 
subject  to  the  peculiar  trials  incidental  to  a  new 
government ;  trials  from  lack  of  confidence  on  the  part 
of  other  governments;  trials  from  want  of  harmony 
between  the  different  sections  of  our  own  country; 
trials  from  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  country, 
owing  to  the  war  and  want  of  credit;  trials  from  the 
beginnings  of  party  strife.  He  was  no  jjartisan.  His 
clear  j\idg.nent  could  discern  the  golden  mean;  and 
while  perhaps  this  alone  kept  our  government  from 
sinking  at  the  veiy  outset,  it  left  him  exposed  to 
attacks  from  both  sides,  which  were  often  bitter  and 
very  annoying. 

At  the  expiration  of  his  first  term  he  was  unani- 
mously re-elected.  At  the  end  of  this  term  many 
were  anxious  that  he  be  re-elected,  but  he  absolutely 
refused  a  third  nomination.  On  the  fourth  of  March, 
1797,  at  t!ie  expiraton  of  his  second  term  as  Presi- 
dent, he  relumed  to  his  home,  hoping  to  pass  there 
his  few  remaining  yeais  frfee  from  the  annoyances  of 
jjublic  life.  Later  in  the  year,  however,  his  repose 
seemed  likely  to  be  interrupted  by  war  with  France 
.'\t  the  prospect  of  such  a  war  he  was  again  urged  to 
take  command  of  the  armies.  He  chose  his  sub- 
ordinate officers  and  left  to  them  the  charge  of  mat- 
ters in  the  field,  which  he  superintended  from  his 
home.  In  accepting  the  command  he  made  the 
reservation  that  he  was  not  to  be  in  the  field  until 
it  was  necessary.  In  the  midst  of  these  pie])arations 
his  life  was  suddenly  cut  off.  December  1  2,  he  took 
a  seveie  cold  from  a  ride  in  tiie  rain,  which,  settling 
ill  Ills  throat,  iiroduced  inflammation,  and  terminated 
fatally  on  the  night  of  tlie  fourteenth.  On  the  eigh- 
teenth his  body  was  borne  with  military  honors  to  its 
final  resting  place,  and  interred  in  llie  family  vault  at 
Mount  Vernon. 

Of  the  character  of  Washington  it  is  impossible  to 
speak  but  in  terms  of  the  highest  respect  and  ad- 
miration. The  more  we  see  of  the  ojierations  of 
our  government,  and  the  more  deeply  we  feel  the 
(lilliciilty  of  uniting  all  opinions  in  a  common  interest, 
the  more  highly  we  must  estimate  the  force  of  his  tal- 
ent and  character,  which  have  ben  able  to  challenge 
the  reverence  of  all  parties,  and  principles,  and  na- 
tions, and  to  win  a  fame  as  extended  as  the  limits 
of  the  globe,  and  which  we  cannot  but  believe  will 
be  as  lasting  as  the  existence  of  man. 

The  ))erson  of  Washington  was  unusally  t.ui,  erect 
and  well  proixirlioned.  His  muscular  strength  was 
great.  His  features  were  fif  a  beautiful  symmetry. 
lle<ommanded  respect  without  any  appearance  ot 
haughtiness,  and  ever  serious  without  K"iu||j  dull. 


"^I^D*  w 


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SECOND  PBESIDENT. 


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— ««« »"C; 


3. 


»» 


''^ftP^i 


OHN  ADAMS,  the  second 
|,  President  and  the  first  Vice- 
''  President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  in  Braintree  ( now 
Quincy),Mass.,  and  about  ten 
miles  from  Boston,  Oct.  19, 
1735.  His  great-grandfather,  Henry 
Adams,  emigrated  from  England 
about  1 640,  with  a  family  of  eight 
.  sons,  and  settled  at  Braintree.  The 
parents  of  John  were  John  and 
Susannah  (Boylston)  Adams.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  of  limited 
means,  to  which  he  added  the  bus- 
iness of  shoemaking.  He  gave  his 
eldest  son,  John,  a  classical  educa- 
tion at  Harvard  College.  John 
graduated  in  1755,  and  at  once  took  charge  of  the 
school  in  Worcester,  Mass.  This  he  found  but  a 
■'sciiool  of  affliction,"  from  which  he  endeavored  to 
gain  relief  by  devoting  himself,  in  addition,  to  the 
study  of  law.  For  this  purpose  he  placed  himself 
under  the  tuition  of  the  only  lawyer  in  the  town.  He 
had  thought  seriously  of  the  clerical  profession 
but  seems  to  have  been  turned  from  this  by  what  he 
termed  "  the  frightful  engines  of  ecclesiastical  coun- 
jils,  of  diabolical  malice,  and  Calvanistic  good  nature,'' 
of  the  operations  of  which  he  had  been  a  witness  in 
his  native  town.  He  was  well  fitted  for  the  legal 
profession,  possessing  a  clear,  sonorous  voice,  being 
ready  and  fluent  of  speech,  and  having  quick  percep- 
tive powers.  He  gradually  gained  practice,  and  in 
1764  married  Abigail  Smith,  a  daughter  of  a  minister, 
and  a  lady  of  superior  intelligence.  Shortly  after  his 
marriage,  (1765),  the  attempt  of  Parliamentary  taxa- 
*ion  turned  him  from  law  to  politics.  He  took  initial 
steps  toward  holdin  J,  a  town  meeting,  and  the   resolu- 


tions he  offered  on  the  subject  became  very  popular 
throughout  the  Province,  and  were  adopted  word  for 
word  iiy  over  forty  different  towns.  He  moved  to  Bos- 
ton in  1768,  and  became  one  of  the  most  courageous 
and  prominent  advocatesof  the  popular  cause,  and 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  General  Court  (the  Leg- 
lislature)  in  1770. 

Mr.  Adams  was  chosen  one  of  the  first  delegates 
from  Massachusetts  to  the  first  Continental  Congreis, 
which  met  in  1774.  Here  he  distinguished  himself 
by  his  capacity  for  business  and  for  debate,  and  ad- 
vocated the  movement  for  independence  against  the 
majority  of  the  members.  In  May,  1776,  he  moved 
and  carried  a  resolution  in  Congress  that  the  Colonies 
should  assume  the  duties  of  self-government.  He 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  committee  of  nve 
appointed  June  11,  to  prepare  a  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence. This  article  was  drawn  by  Jefferson,  but 
on  Adams  devolved  tlie  task  of  battling  it  through 
Congress  in  a  three  days  debate. 

On  the  day  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  passed,  while  his  soul  was  yet  warm  with  ths 
glow  of  excited  feeling,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  his  wife 
which,  as  we  read  it  now,  seems  to  have  been  dictated 
by  the  spirit  of  prophecy.  "Yesterday,"  he  says,  "the 
greatest  question  was  decided  that  ever  was  debated 
in  America;  and  greater,  perhaps,  never  was  or  wil 
be  decided  among  men.  A  resolution  was  passed 
without  one  dissenting  colony,  '  that  these  United 
States  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  inde. 
pendent  states. '  The  day  is  passed.  The  fourth  of 
July,  1776,  will  be  a  memorable  e[;och  in  the  history 
of  America.  I  am  apt  to  believe  it  will  be  celebrated 
by  succeeding  generations,  as  the  great  anniversary^ 
festival.  It  ought  to  be  commemorated  as  the  day  of 
deliverance  by  solemn  acts  of  devotion  to  Almighty 
God.     It  ought  to  be  solemnized  with  pomp,  showsi 


'4 


JOHN  ADAMS. 


games,  sports,  guns,  bells,  bonfires,  and  illuminations 
from  one  end  of  the  continent  to  the  otiier,  from  tiiis 
time  forward  for  ever.  Vou  will  think  me  transiorted 
with  enthusiasm,  but  I  am  not.  I  am  well  aware  of 
the  toil,  and  blood  and  treasure,  that  it  will  cost  to 
maintain  this  declaration,  and  supjwrt  and  defend 
the^e  States;  yet,  through  all  the  gloom,  I  can  see  the 
rays  of  light  and  glory.  I  can  see  that  the  end  is 
wurth  more  than  all  the  means;  and  that  posterity 
will  triumph,  although  you  and  I  may  rue,  which  I 
hope  we  shall  not." 

In  November,  1777,  Mr.  .\dams  was  appointed  a 
delegate  to  France,  and  to  co-operate  with  Benijamin 
Franklin  and  Arthur  Lee,  who  were  then  in  Paris,  in 
the  endeavor  to  obtain  assistance  in  arms  and  money 
from  tiie  French  Government,  This  was  a  severe  trial 
to  his  patriotism,  as  it  separated  him  from  his  home, 
comi>clled  him  to  cross  the  ocean  in  winter,  and  ex- 
posed him  to  great  peril  of  capture  by  tiie  British  cruis- 
ers, who  were  seeking  him.  He  left  France  June  17, 
1779.  In  September  of  the  same  year  he  was  again 
cliosen  to  go  to  Paris,  and  there  hold  himself  in  readi- 
ness to  negotiate  a  treaty  of  peace  and  of  commerce 
with  Great  Britian,  as  six>n  as  the  British  Cabinet 
might  lie  found  willing  to  listen  to  such  projiosels.  He 
sailed  for  France  in  November,  from  there  he  went  to 
Holland,  where  he  negotiated  iniix)rtant  loans  and 
formed  imiwrtant  commercial  treaties 

Finally  a  treaty  of  peace  with  England  was  signed 
Jan.  21,  1 7 S3.  The  re-action  from  the  excitement, 
toil  and  anxiety  thnjugh  which  Mr.  .\damshad  passed 
threw  him  into  a  fever.  After  suffering  from  a  con- 
tinued fever  and  becoming  feeble  and  emaciated  he 
was  advised  to  go  to  England  to  drink  the  waters  of 
Bath.  \Vhilein  England,  still  drooping  anddesjwnd- 
ing,  he  received  dispatches  from  his  own  government 
urging  the  necessity  of  his  going  to  .Amsterdam  to 
negotiate  another  loan.  It  was  winter,  his  health  was 
delicate,  yet  he  immediately  set  out,  and  through 
storm,  on  sea,  on  horseback  and  foot,hemade  thetrii). 

February  24,  17S5,  Congress  ap|>oinlcd  Mr.  Adams 
envoy  to  the  Court  of  St.  James.  Here  he  met  face 
to  face  the  King  <if  England,  who  had  so  long  re- 
garded hiin  as  a  traitor.  As  England  did  not 
condcsccnil  to  ap|)oint  a  minister  to  the  United 
States,  and  as  Mr.  .\dams  felt  that  he  was  accom- 
plishing but  little,  he  sought  permission  to  return  to 
his  own  country,  where  he  arrived  in  June,  1788. 

When  W.ishingion  was  first  c  hosen  President,  John 
.Adams,  rendered  illustiious  by  his  signal  services  at 
home  and  abroad,  was  chosen  Vii  e  President.  .Again 
at  the  second  eloiion  of  W.ishingion  as  President, 
Adams  was  chosen  Vii;c  President,  In  170'''.  Wash- 
inglim  retired  from  public  life,  .ind  Mr.  A<lanis  w.ns 
cle<  ted  Pri-sidcnt,though  not  without  muchoinxisitiun. 
Serving  in  this  office  four  ycars,hc  was  succeeded  by 
.Mr.  JcfTcrson,  his  opponent  in  jjolitics. 

While   Mr.  ,\d:uns  was  Vite  President  the   great 


French  Revolution  shook  the  continent  of  Europe, 
and  it  was  upon  this  point  which  he  was  at  issue  with 
the  majority  of  his  countrymen  led  by  Mr.  Jefferson. 
Mr.  .Adams  felt  no  sympathy  with  the  French  people 
in  tlicir  struggle,  for  he  had  no  conlidence  in  tiieir 
ix)wer  of  self-government,  and  he  utterly  abhored  the 
classof  atheist  philosophers  who  he  claimed  caused  it. 
On  tiie  other  hand  Jefferson's  sympathies  were  strongly 
enlisted  in  behalf  of  tlie  French  people.  Hence  or- 
iginated the  alienation  between  these  distinguished 
men,  and  two  jx)werful  parties  were  thus  soon  organ- 
ized, Adams  at  the  head  of  the  one  whose  sympathies 
were  with  England  and  Jefferson  led  the  other  in 
sympathy  with  France. 

The  world  has  seldom  seen  a  spectacle  of  more 
moral  beauty  and  grandeur,  than  was  presented  by  the 
old  age  of  Mr.  Adams.  The  violence  of  party  feeling 
i  had  died  away,  and  he  had  begun  to  receive  that  just 
appreciation  which,  to  most  men,  is  not  accorded  till 
after  death.  No  one  could  look  upon  his  venerable 
form,  and  think  of  what  he  had  done  and  suffered, 
and  how  he  had  given  up  all  the  prime  and  strength 
of  his  life  to  the  public  good,  without  the  deepest 
emotion  of  gratitude  and  respect.  It  was  his  peculiar 
good  fortune  to  witness  the  comj)lete  success  of  the 
institution  which  he  had  been  so  active  in  creating  and 
supporting.  In  1SJ4,  his  cuj)  of  happiness  was  filled 
to  the  brim,  by  seeing  his  son  elevated  to  the  highest 
station  in  the  gift  of  the  people. 

The  fourth  of  July,  1826,  which  completed  the  half 
century  since  the  signing  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, arrived,  and  there  were  but  three  of  the 
signers  of  that  immortal  instrument  left  upon  the 
earth  to  hail  its  morning  light.  And,  as  it  is 
well  known,  on  that  day  two  of  these  finished  their 
eartlily  [)ilgrimpge,  a  coincidence  so  remarkable  as 
to  seem  miraculous.  For  a  few  days  before  Mr. 
Ailams  had  been  rapidly  failing,  and  on  the  morning 
of  the  fourth  he  found  hunself  too  weak  to  rise  from 
his  bed.  On  being  reiiuested  to  name  a  toast  for  tlie 
customary  celebration  of  the  day,  he  exclaimed  "  In- 
DF.PKNnENCE  Foui'.VFR."  When  the  day  was  ushered 
in,  by  the  ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing  of  cannons, 
he  was  asked  by  one  of  his  attendants  if  he  knew 
what  day  it  was?  He  re])lied,  "O  yes;  it  is  the  glor- 
ious fourth  of  July — God  bless  it — God  bless  you  all." 
In  the  course  of  the  day  he  said,  "It  is  a  great  and 
glorious  day."  The  last  words  he  uttered  were. 
"Jefferson  survives."  But  he  had,  at  one  o'clock,  re- 
signed his  spirit  into  the  hands  of  his  God. 

The  personal  appearance  and  manners  of  Mr. 
Adams  were  not  i).Triicnlavly  preiwssessinp.  His  face, 
as  his  )K)rlr.iit  manifest.s.was  intellectual  ard  cx])res- 
sive,  but  his  figure  was  low  and  ungraceful,  and  his 
manners  were  fre(|uently  abrupt  and  uncourteous. 
Me  had  neither  the  lofty  dignity  of  NN'ashington,  nor 
the  engaging  elegance  and  gracefulness  which  marked 
the  manners  and  address  of  Jefferson. 


# 


THIRD  PRESIDENT. 


«7 


HOMAS  JEFFERSON  was 
born  April  2,  1743,  at  Shad- 
i|*\vell,  Alliermarle  county,  Va. 
His  [)arents  were  Peter  and 
Jane  (  Randolph)  Jefferson, 
the  former  a  native  of  Wales, 
and  the  latter  born  in  Lon- 
don. To  them  were  born  six 
daughters  and  two  sons,  of 
whom  Thomas  was  the  elder. 
When  14  years  of  age  his 
father  died.  He  received  a 
most  liberal  education,  hav- 
ing been  kept  diligently  at  school 
from  the  time  he  was  five  years  of 
age.  In  1760  he  entered  William 
tnd  Mary  College.  Williamsburg  was  then  the  seat 
of  the  Colonial  Court,  and  it  was  the  obode  of  fashion 
a.id  splendor.  Young  Jefferson,  who  was  then  17 
years  old,  lived  somewhat  expensively,  keeping  fine 
horses,  and  much  caressed  by  gay  society,  yet  lie 
was  earnestly  devoted  to  his  studies,  and  irreproacha- 
able  in  his  morals.  It  is  strange,  however,  under 
such  influences,that  he  was  not  ruined.  In  the  sec- 
ond year  of  his  college  course,  moved  by  some  un- 
explained inward  impulse,  he  discarded  his  horses, 
society,  and  even  his  favorite  violin,  to  which  he  had 
previously  given  much  time.  He  often  devoted  fifteen 
hours  a  day  to  hard  study,  allowing  himself  for  ex- 
ercise only  a  run  in  the  evening  twilight  of  a  mile  out 
of  tlie  city  and  back  again.  He  thus  attained  very 
high  intellectual  culture,  alike  excellence  in  philoso- 
phy and  the  languages.  The  most  difficult  Latin  and 
Greek  authors  he  read  with  facility.  A  more  finished 
scholar  ha=  seldom  eone  forth  from  college  halls;  and 


there  was  not  to  be  found,  perhaps,  in  all  Virginia,  a 
more  pureminded,  upright,  gentlemanly  young  man. 

Immediately  upon  leaving  college  he  began  the 
study  of  law.  For  the  short  time  he  continued  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  he  rose  rapidly  and  distin- 
guished himself  by  his  energy  and  accuteness  as  a 
lawyer.  But  the  times  called  for  greater  action. 
The  policy  of  England  had  awakened  the  spirit  of 
resistance  of  the  American  Colonies,  and  the  enlarged 
views  which  Jefferson  had  ever  entertained,  soon  led 
him  into  active  political  life.  In  1769  he  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses.  In 
r772he  married  Mrs.  Martha  Skelton,  a  very  beauti- 
ful, wealthy  and  highly  accomplished  young  widow 
Upon  Mr.  Jefferson's  large  estate  at  Shadwcll,  there 
was  a  majestic  swell  of  land,  called  Monticello,  which 
commanded  a  prospect  of  wonderful  extent  and 
beauty.  This  spot  Mr.  Jefferson  selected  for  his  new 
home;  and  here  he  reared  a  mansion  of  modest  yet 
elegant  architecture,  which,  next  to  Mount  Vernon 
became  the  most  distinguished  resort  in  our  land. 

In  1775  he  was  sent  to  the  Colonial  Congress. 
where,  though  a  silent  member,  his  abilities  as  a 
writer  and  a  reasoner  soon  become  known,  and  he 
was  placed  upon  a  number  of  important  committees, 
and  was  chairman  of  tlie  one  appointed  for  the  draw- 
ing up  of  a  declaration  of  independence.  This  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Adams, 
Benjamin  Franklin,  Roger  Sherman  and  Robert  R. 
Livingston.  Jefferson,  as  chairman,  was  appointed 
to  draw  up  the  paper.  Franklin  and  Adams  suggested 
a  few  verbal  changes  before  it  was  submitted  to  Con- 
gress. On  June  28,  a  few  slight  changes  were  made 
in  it  by  Congress,  and  it  was  passed  and  signed  July 
4,  1776.     What  must  have  been  the  feelings  of  that 


28 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON. 


man — what  tlie  emotions  that  swelled  his  breast — 
who  was  charged  with  'he  preparation  of  that  Dec- 
laration, which,  wliile  it  made  known  the  wrongs  of 
America,  .vas  also  to  publish  her  to  the  world,  free, 
boverign  and  independent.  It  is  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable papers  ever  written  ;  and  did  no  other  effort 
of  the  mind  of  its  author  exist,  that  alone  would  be 
sufficient  to  stamp  his  name  with  immortality. 

In  1/79  Mr-  Jefferson  was  elected  successor  to 
PatTick  Henry,  :.s  Governor  of  Virginia.  At  one  time 
the  British  officer,  Tarleton,  sent  a  secret  expedition  to 
Moniicello,  to  capture  the  Governor.  Scarcely  five 
minutes  elapsed  after  tlie  hurried  escape  of  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson and  his  family,  ere  his  mansion  was  in  ix)sses- 
sion  of  the  British  troops.  His  wife's  health,  never 
very  good,  was  much  injured  by  this  excitement,  and 
in  the  summer  of  1782  she  died. 

Mr.  Jefferson  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1783. 
Two  yeirs  later  he  was  apiwinted  Minister  Plenipo- 
tentiary to  France.  Returning  to  the  United  States 
in  September,  1789,  he  became  Secretary  of  State 
in  Washington's  caliinet.  This  position  he  resigned 
Jan.  I,  1794.  In  1797,  he  was  chosen  Vice  Presi- 
dent, and  four  years  later  was  elected  President  over 
Mr.  Adams,  with  .\aron  Burr  as  Vice  President.  In 
1804  he  was  re-elected  with  wonderful  unanimity, 
and  George  Clinton,  Vice  President. 

The  early  part  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  second  adminstra- 
tion  was  disturbed  by  an  event  wiiich  threatened  the 
trampiilily  and  peace  of  the  Union;  this  was  tlie  con- 
spiracy of  .Aaron  Burr.  Defeated  in  the  late  election 
to  the  Vice  Presidency,  and  led  on  by  an  unprincipled 
ambition,  this  extraordinary  man  formed  the  i)lan  of  a 
militar)'  expedition  into  tlie  Spanish  territories  on  our 
louthwestern  frontier,  for  the  puriiose  of  forming  tliere 
a  new  repulOic.  This  has  l)een  generally  SMp|X)sed 
was  a  mere  pretext ;  and  althougli  it  lias  not  been 
generally  known  what  his  real  i)lans  were,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  they  were  of  a  far  more  dangerous 
character. 

In  1809,  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  term  for 
which  Mr.  Jefferson  had  bcin  elected,  he  determined 
to  retire  from  i)olitii:al  life.  For  a  period  of  nearly 
fjity  years,  he  had  been  continually  before  the  pub- 
lic, and  all  that  time  had  been  employed  in  offices  of 
the  greatest  trust  and  res|>onsibility.  Having  thus  de- 
voted the  best  part  of  his  life  to  the  service  of  his 
coimtry,  he  now  felt  desirous  of  that  rest  which  his 
ilerlininp  years  rC'|uired,  and  U|x)n  the  organization  of 
the  new  administration,  in  March,  1809,  he  bid  fare- 
well forever  to  public  life,  and  retired  to  Montii  cllo. 

Mr.  Jeffers<jii  was  iirofiise  in  his  hospitality.  Whole 
families  came  in  their  coaches  with  their  hotses, — 
fathers  and  mothers,  lK)ys  and  girls,  babies  and 
nurses, — and  remained  three  and  even  six  months. 
I.ifc  at  Monticello,  for  years,  resembled  that  at  a 
fashionable  watering-place. 

Tiic  fourth  of  July,  i8j6,  being  the  fiftieth  anniver- 


sary of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence, 
great  preparations  were  made  in  every  part  of  the 
Union  for  its  celebration,  as  the  nation's  jubilee,  and 
the  citizens  of  Washington,  to  add  to  the  solemnity 
of  the  occasion,  invited  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  the  framer 
and  one  of  the  few  surviving  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion, to  participate  in  their  festivities.  But  an  ill- 
ness, which  had  been  of  several  weeks  duration,  and 
had  been  continually  increasing,  compelled  liim  to 
decline  the  invitation. 

On  the  second  of  July,  the  disease  under  which 
he  was  laboring  left  him,  but  in  such  a  reduced 
state  that  his  medical  attendants,  entertained  no 
hoi)c  of  his  recovery.  From  this  time  he  was  perfectly 
sensible  that  his  last  hour  was  at  hand.  On  the  next 
diiy,  wliich  was  Monday,  he  asked  of  those  around 
him,  the  day  of  the  month,  and  on  being  told  it  was 
the  third  of  July,  he  expressed  the  earnest  wish  tha, 
he  might  be  permitted  to  breathe  the  airof  the  tit'tieth 
anniversary.  His  prayer  was  heard — that  day,  whose 
dawn  was  hailed  with  such  rapture  througii  our  land, 
burst  upon  his  eyes,  and  then  they  were  closed  for- 
ever. And  what  a  noble  cor.summation  of  a  noble 
life !  To  die  on  that  day, — the  birthday  of  a  nation,-  - 
the  day  which  his  own  name  and  his  own  act  had 
rendered  glorious;  to  die  amidst  the  rejoicings  and 
festivities  of  a  whole  nation,  who  looked  up  to  him, 
as  the  author,  under  God,  of  their  greatest  blessings, 
was  all  that  was  wanting  to  fill  up  the  record  his  life. 

Almost  at  the  same  hour  of  his  death,  the  kin- 
dred spirit  of  the  venerable  Adams,  as  if  to  bear 
him  company,  left  the  scene  of  his  earthly  honors. 
Hand  in  hand  they  had  stood  forth,  the  champions  of 
freedom  ;  hand  in  hand,  during  the  dark  and  desper- 
ate struggle  of  tlie  Revolution,  they  had  cheered  and 
animated  their  desponding  countrymen;  for  half  a 
century  they  had  labored  togetlicr  for  tlie  good  of 
the  country;  and  now  hand  in  liand  they  depart. 
In  their  lives  they  had  been  united  in  tlie  same  great 
cause  of  liberty,  and  in  their  deaths  they  were  not 
divided. 

In  person  Mr.  Jefferson  was  tall  and  thin,  rather 
above  six  feet  in  height,  but  well  formed;  his  eyes 
were  light,  his  hair  originally  red,  in  after  life  became 
while  and  silvery;  his  coiniilexion  was  fair,  his  fore- 
head broad,  and  his  whole  coui-tenam  e  intelligent  and 
thoughtful.  He  possessed  great  fortitude  of  mind  as 
well  .IS  personal  courage;  and  ;.':s  command  of  tem- 
per was  siu  h  that  his  oldest  and  most  intimate  friends 
never  recollected  to  have  seen  him  in  a  passion. 
His  manners,  though  dignified,  were  simple  and  un- 
affected, and  his  hospitality  was  so  unbounded  that 
all  found  at  his  house  a  ready  welcome.  In  conver- 
sation he  was  fluent,  eloquent  and  enthusiastic;  and 
his  language  was  remarkably  i»ure  and  correct.  He 
w.is  a  finisiicd  classiral  s(  holar,  and  in  his  writings  is 
discernablc  the  care  with  whi(  h  he  formed  his  style 
upon  Oie  best  models  of  antiquity. 


J  (Z/<<  ^  ■      ^tyC^  iti^i-c^i  ^"s. 


FOURTH  PRESIDENT. 


31 


g^IlQES  ni^Disoi].* 


MADISON,    "Father 
p  of  the  Constitution,"  and  fourth 
'"'  President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  March  16,  1757,  and 
^•Jo    died  at  his   home  in  Virginia, 
June  28,  1836.     The  name  of 
James  Madison  is  inseparably  con- 
nected with  most  of  the  important 
events  in  that  heroic  period  of  our 
country  during  whicli  tlie  founda- 
tions of  this  great   republic  were 
laid.  He  was  the  last  of  the  founders 
of, the   Constitution   of  the    United 
States  to   Ije   called    to    his    eternal 
reward. 

The  Madison  family  were  among 
the  early  emigrants  to  the  New  World, 
landing  upon  the  shores  of  the  Cliesa- 
peake  but  15  years  after  the  settle- 
ment of  Jamestown.  The  father  of 
James  Madison  was  an  opulent 
planter,  residing  upon  a  very  fine  es- 
tate called  "Montpelier,"  Orange  Co., 
Va.  The  mansion  was  situated  in 
the  midst  of  scenery  highly  pictur- 
esque and  romantic,  on  the  west  side 
of  South-west  Mountain,  at  the  foot  of 
It  was  but  25  miles  from  the  home  of 
Jefferson  at  Monticello.  The  closest  personal  and 
political  attachment  existed  between  these  illustrious 
men,  from  their  early  youth  until  death. 

The  early  education  of  Mr.  Madison  was  conducted 
mostly  at  home  under  a  private  tutor.  At  the  age  of 
rS  he  was  sent  to  Princeton  College,  in  New  Jersey. 
Here  lie  applied  himself  to  study  with  the  most  itn- 


Blue  Ridge. 


prudent  zeal;  allowing  himself,  for  months,  but  three 
hours'  sleep  out  of  the  24.  His  health  thus  became  so 
seriously  impaired  that  he  never  recovered  any  vigor 
of  constitution.  He  graduated  in  177  i,  with  a  feeble 
body,  with  a  character  of  utmost  purity,  and  with  a 
mind  highly  disciplined  and  richly  stored  with  learning 
which  embellished  and  gave  proficiency  to  his  subsf ' 
quent  career. 

Returning  to  Virginia,  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law  and  a  course  of  extensive  and  systematic  reading. 
This  educational  course,  the  spirit  of  the  times  in 
which  he  lived,  and  the  society  with  which  he  asso- 
ciated, all  combined  to  inspire  him  with  a  strong 
love  of  liberty,  and  to  train  him  for  his  life-work  o! 
a  statesman.  Being  naturally  of  a  religious  turn  of 
mind,  nnd  his  frail  health  leading  him  to  think  that 
his  life  was  not  to  be  long,  he  directed  especial  atten- 
tion to  theological  studies.  Endowed  with  a  mmd 
singularly  free  from  passion  and  prejudice,  and  with 
almost  unequalled  powers  of  reasoning,  he  weighed 
all  the  arguments  for  and  against  revealed  religion, 
until  his  faith  became  so  established  as  never  to 
be  shaken. 

In  the  spring  of  1776,  when  26  years  of  age,  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Convention,  to 
frame  the  constitution  of  the  State.  The  next  year 
(1777),  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  General  Assembly. 
He  refused  to  treat  the  whisky-lovir.g  voters,  and 
consequently  lost  his  election ;  but  those  who  had 
witnessed  the  talent,  energy  ^nd  public  spirit  of  the 
modest  young  man,  enlisted  themselves  in  his  behalf, 
and  he  was  appointed  to  the    Executive  Council. 

Both  Patrick  Henry  and  Thomas  Jefferson  were 
Governors  of  Virginia  while  Mr.  Madison  remained 
member  of  the  Council ;    and  their  appreciation  oi  his 


3« 


JAMES  MADISON. 


'ntcUectual,  social  and  moral  worth,  contributed  not 
a  little  to  his  subsequent  eminence.  In  the  year 
1780,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress.  Here  he  met  the  most  illustrious  men  in 
our  land,  and  he  was  immediately  assigned  to  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  positions  among  them. 

For  three  years  Mr.  Madison  continued  in  Con- 
gress, one  of  its  most  active  and  influential  members. 
In  the  year  17  84,  his  term  havnug  e.xpired,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature. 

No  man  felt  more  deeply  than  Mr.  Madison  the 
utter  inefficiency  of  the  old  confederacy,  with  no  na- 
tional government,  with  no  [xswer  to  form  treaties 
which  would  be  binding,  or  to  enforce  law.  There 
was  not  any  .State  more  prominent  than  Virginia  in 
the- declaration,  that  an  efficient  national  government 
must  be  formed.  In  Januar)',  1786,  Mr.  Madison 
carried  a  resolution  through  the  (leneral  Assembly  of 
Virginia,  inviting  the  other  States  to  api>oint  commis- 
sioners to  meet  in  convention  at  Annapolis  to  discuss 
this  subject.  Five  States  only  were  represented.  'J"he 
convention,  however,  issued  another  call,  drawn  up 
by  ^^r.  Madison,  urgmg  all  the  States  to  send  their 
delegates  to  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1787,  to  draft 
a  Constitution  for  the  United  States,  to  take  the  place 
of  that  Confederate  League.  The  delegates  met  at 
»he  time  apjKiinted.  Every  State  but  Rhode  Island 
"vas  represented.  George  Washington  was  chosen 
president  of  the  convention;  and  the  present  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States  was  then  and  there  formed. 
There  was,  perhaps,  no  mind  and  no  pen  more  ac- 
tive in  framing  this  immortal  document  llian  the  mind 
and  the  pen  of  James  Madison. 

The  Constitution,  adopted  by  a  vote  81  to  79,  was 
lo  be  presented  to  the  several  States  for  acceptance. 
But  grave  solicitude  was  felt.  Should  it  be  rejected 
we  should  be  left  but  a  conglomeration  of  independent 
States,  with  but  little  (lOwer  at  home  and  little  lespect 
abroad.  Mr.  Madifon  was  selected  by  the  conven- 
tion to  dr.iw  ii|>  an  .iddress  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  eX|>ounding  the  |)rinciplcs  of  the  Constitution, 
and  urging  its  adoption.  There  was  great  opiwsiiion 
lo  it  .It  first,  but  it  at  length  triumjihed  over  all,  and 
went  into  efTect  in  1789. 

Mr.  Madison  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
(lentatives  in  the  first  Crmgress,  and  s<xm  became  the 
avowcfl  le.idcr  of  the  Republican  party.  Uiiile  in 
New  York  attending  Congress,  he  met  Mrs  Todd,  a 
young  widow  of  remarkable  |)ower  of  fascination, 
whom  he  married.  She  was  in  i>crson  and  character 
i|ueenly,  and  jwhably  no  lady  has  thus  far  occiii)ied 
w)  prominent  a  jwsition  in  the  very  iwcnliar  society 
which  has  constituted  our  republican  court  as  Mrs. 
.M  idison. 

Mr.  Madison  served  as  Secretary  of  State  under 
Jeffervjn,  and  at  the  close  of  his  aclminisliation 
wan  cIkmcii  President.  At  this  time  the  cncmat  h- 
mcntsof  Kngland  h.id  brought  us  to  the  verge  of  war. 


British  orders  in  council  destioyed  our  commerce,  and 
our  flag  was  exposed  to  constant  insult.  Mr.  Madison 
was  a  man  of  peace.  Scholarly  in  his  taste,  retiring 
in  his  disposition,  war  had  no  charms  for  him.  But  the 
meekest  spirit  can  be  roused.  It  makes  one's  blood 
boil,  even  now,  to  think  of  an  American  ship  brought 
to,  ui)on  the  ocean,  by  the  guns  of  an  English  cruiser. 
A  young  lieutenant  steps  on  board  and  orders  the 
crew  to  be  paraded  before  him.  With  great  nonchal- 
ance he  selects  any  number  whom  he  may  please  to 
designate  as  British  subjects  ;  orders  them  down  the 
ship's  side  into  his  boat;  and  places  them  on  tlie  gun- 
deck  of  his  man-of-war,  to  fight,  by  compulsion,  the 
battles  of  England.  This  right  of  search  and  im- 
pressment, no  efforts  of  our  Government  could  induce 
the  British  cabinet  to  relinquish. 

On  the  iSth  of  June,  181 2,  President  Madison  gave 
his  approval  to  an  act  of  Congress  declaring  war 
against  Great  Britain.  Notwithstanding  the  bitter 
hostility  of  the  Federal  party  to  the  war,  the  country 
in  general  approved;  and  Mr.  Madison,  on  the  4th 
of  March,  18 13,  was  re-elected  by  a  large  majority, 
and  entered  upon  his  second  term  of  office.  This  is 
not  the  place  lo  describe  the  various  adventures  of 
this  war  on  the  land  and  on  the  water.  Our  infan'. 
navy  then  laid  the  foundations  of  its  renown  in  grap- 
pling v/iih  the  most  formidable  jwwer  which  ever 
swept  the  seas.  The  contest  commenced  in  earnest 
by  the  appearance  of  a  British  fleet,  early  in  February, 
1813,  in  Chesapeake  Bay,  declaring  nearly  the  whole 
coast  of  the  I'nited  States  under  blockade. 

The  Emperor  of  Russia  offered  his  services  as  me 
ditator.  America  accepted ;  England  refused.  A  Brit- 
ish force  of  five  thousand  men  landed  on  the  banks 
of  the  Patuxet  River,  near  its  entrance  into  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  and  marched  rapidly,  by  way  of  Bladens- 
burg,  u|X)n  Washington. 

The  straggling  little  city  of  Wasliington  was  thrown 
into  consternation.  The  cannon  of  the  brief  conflict 
at  Bladensburg  echoed  throui;h  tlie  streets  of  the 
metroix)lis.  The  whole  population  fled  from  the  city. 
The  President,  leaving  Mrs.  Madison  in  the  White 
House,  with  her  carriage  drawn  iq)  at  the  door  to 
await  his  si)eedy  return,  hurried  to  meet  the  officers 
in  a  council  of  war.  He  met  our  troojis  utterly  routed, 
and  he  could  not  go  back  without  danger  of  l>einp 
cai)turcd.  But  few  jiours  elapsed  ere  the  Presidential 
Mansion,  the  Capitol,  and  all  the  public  buildings  in 
Washington  were  in  flames. 

The  war  ( losed  after  two  years  of  fighting,  and  on 
Feb.  13,  18 15,  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  at  Ghent. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1817,  his  second  term  of 
office  expired,  and  he  resigned  the  Presidential  chair 
to  his  friend,  James  Monroe.  He  retired  to  his  beau- 
tiful home  at  Moulpelier,  and  there  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  On  June  28,  1S36,  then  at  the 
age  of  85  years,  he  fell  asleep  in  death.  Mrs.  Madi- 
son died  July  12,  1849. 


x-^ 


P    /'2'1,^   / 1  ^  c^-^ 


FIFTIf  PRESID'Ei^f. 


35 


AMES  MONROE,  the  fifth 
-Presidentof  The  United  States, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  Co., 
Va.,  April  28,  1758.  His  early 
life  was  passed  at  the  place  of 
nativity.  His  ancestors  had  for 
many  years  resided  in  the  prov- 
ince in  which  he  was  born.  When, 
at  17  years  of  age,  in  the  process 
of  completing  his  education  at 
William  and  Mary  College,  the  Co- 
lonial Congress  assembled  at  Phila- 
delphia to  deliberate  ui)on  the  un- 
just and  manifold  oppressions  of 
Great  Britian,  declared  the  separa- 
tion of  the  Colonies,  and  promul- 
gated the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence. Had  he  been  born  ten  years  before  it  is  highly 
probable  that  he  would  have  been  one  of  the  signers 
of  that  celebrated  instrument.  At  this  time  he  left 
school  and  enlisted  among  the  patriots. 

He  joined  the  army  when  everything  looked  hope- 
less and  gloomy.  The  number  of  deserters  increased 
from  day  to  day.  The  invading  armies  came  pouring 
in ;  and  the  tories  not  only  favored  the  cause  of  the 
mother  country,,  but  disheartened  the  new  recruits, 
who  were  sufficiently  terrified  at  the  prospect  of  con- 
tending with  an  enemy  whom  they  had  been  taught 
to  deem  invincible.  To  such  brave  spirits  as  James 
Monroe,  who  went  right  onward,  undismayed  through 
difficulty  and  danger,  the  United  States  owe  their 
political  emancipation.  The  young  cadet  joined  the 
ranks,  and  espoused  the  cause  of  his  injured  country, 
with  a  firm  determination  to  live  or  die  with  her  strife 


for  liberty.  Firmly  yet  sadly  he  shared  in  the  mel- 
ancholy retreat  from  Harleam  Heights  and  White 
Plains,  and  accompanied  the  dispirited  army  as  it  fled 
before  its  foes  through  New  Jersey.  In  four  months 
after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  patriots 
had  been  beaten  in  seven  battles.  At  the  battle  of 
Trenton  he  led  the  vanguard,  and,  in  the  act  of  charg- 
ing upon  the  enemy  he  received  a  wound  in  the  left 
shoulder. 

As  a  reward  for  his  bravery,  Mr.  Monroe  was  pro- 
moted a  captain  of  infantry;  and,  having  recovered 
from  his  wound,  he  rejoined  the  army.  He,  however, 
receded  from  the  line  of  promotion,  by  becoming  an 
officer  in  the  staff  of  Lord  Sterling.  During  the  cam- 
paigns of  1777  and  1778,  in  the  actions  of  Brandy 
wine,  Germantown  and  Monmouth,  he  continued 
aid-de-canip ;  but  becoming  desirous  to  regain  his 
position  in  the  army,  he  exerted  himself  to  collect  a 
regiment  for  the  Virginia  line.  This  scheme  failed 
owing  to  the  exhausted  condition  of  the  State.  Upon 
this  failure  he  entered  the  office  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  at 
that  period  Governor,  and  pursued,  with  considerable 
ardor,  the  study  of  common  law.  He  did  not,  however, 
entirely  lay  aside  the  knapsack  for  the  green  bag; 
but  on  the  invasions  of  the  enemy,  served  as  a  volun 
teer,  during  the  two  years  of  his  legal  pursuits. 

In  1782,  he  was  elected  from  King  George  county, 
a  member  of  the  Leglislature  of  Virginia,  and  by  that 
body  he  was  elevated  to  a  seat  in  the  Executive 
Council.  He  was  thus  honored  with  the  confidence 
of  his  fellow  citizens  at  23  years  of  age  ;  and  having 
at  this  early  period  displayed  some  of  that  ability 
and  aptitude  for  legislation,  which  were  afterwards 
employed  with  unremitting  energj' for  the  public  good, 


36 


JAMES  MONROE. 


he  was  in  the  succeeding  year  chosen  a  member  of 
ihe  Congress  oi  the  United  States. 
Deeplyas  Mr.  Monroefeh  the  imperl'eitionsof  theold 
Confederacy,  he  was  opposed  totlienew  Constitution, 
-.hinking,  with  many  others  of  the  Republican  parly, 
'.hat  it  gave  too  much  [xjwcr  to  the  Central  Government, 
and  not  enough  to  the  individual  States.  Still  he  re- 
tained the  esteem  of  his  friends  who  were  its  warm 
supporters,  and  who,  notwithstanding  his  opposition 
secured  its  adoption.  In  1789,  he  became  a  member 
of  the  United  States  Senate;  which  oftiic  he  held  for 
four  years.  Ever)'  month  the  line  of  distinction  be- 
tween the  two  great  |)arties  which  divided  the  nation, 
the  Federal  and  the  Reiniblican,  was  growing  more 
distinct.  The  two  prominent  iueas  which  now  sep- 
arated them  were,  that  the  Repulilican  party  was  in 
sympathy  with  France,  and  also  in  favor  of  such  a 
strict  construction  of  tlie  Constitution  as  to  give  the 
Central  Government  as  little  power,  and  tlie  State 
Governments  as  much  [wwer,  as  the  Constitution  would 
warrant.  The  Federalists  symiiathized  with  England, 
and  were  in  favor  of  a  liberal  construction  of  the  Con- 
stitution, which  would  give  as  much  jxjwer  to  the 
Central  Government  as  that  document  could  [wssibly 
authorize. 

The  leading  Federalists  and  Republicans  were 
alike  noble  men,  consecrating  all  their  energies  to  the 
good  of  the  nation.  Two  more  honest  men  or  )nore 
pure  patriots  than  John  Adams  the  Federalist,  and 
James  Monroe  the  Reiiublican,  never  breathed.  In 
building  up  this  majestic  nation,  which  is  destined 
to  eclii>se  all  Grecian  and.Vssyrian  greatness,  tlie  com- 
bination of  their  antagonism  was  needed  to  create  the 
right  eiiuilibrium.  And  yet  each  in  his  day  was  de- 
nounced as  almost  a  denion. 

Washington  was  then  President.  England  had  es- 
poused the  cause  of  the  BourlKjns  against  the  iirinci- 
ples  of  the  French  Revolution.  All  Europe  was  drawn 
into  the  conflict.  We  were  feeble  and  far  away. 
Washington  issued  a  proclamation  of  neutrality  be- 
tween these  contending  |)owers.  France  had  helpeil 
us  in  the  struggle  for  our  liberties.  All  the  despotisms 
of  Eiiro|>e  were  now  combined  to  prevent  the  French 
from  escaping  from  a  tyranny  a  thousand-fold  worse 
than  that  which  we  had  endured  Col.  Monroe,  more 
magnanimous  than  prudent,  was  anxious  that,  at 
whatever  hazard,  we  should  help  our  old  allies  in 
their  extremity.  It  was  the  impulse  of  a  generous 
and  noble  nature.  He  violently  opi)oscil  llie  I'res- 
idcnt's  proclamation  as  ungrateful  and  wanting  in 
magnanimity. 

Washington,  who  could  appreciate  such  a  character, 
develo|>ed  his  calm,  serene,  almost  divine  greatness, 
by  ap|y)iiiting  that  very  James  Monroe,  who  was  de- 
nouncing the  |Kili<y  of  the  Government,  as  the  minister 
of  that  Oovernment  to  the  Republic  of  Frnnie.  Mr. 
Monroe  was  welcomed  by  Ihe  National  Cjnvention 
in  France  with  the  most  enthusiastic  demonstrations. 


Shortly  after  his  return  to  this  country,  Mr.  Mon- 
roe was  elected  Governor  of  \"irginia,  and  held  the 
office  for  three  yeais.  He  was  again  sent  to  France  tu 
co-operate  with  Chancellor  Livingston  in  obtaining 
the  vast  territory  then  known  as  the  Province  of 
Louisiana,  which  France  had  but  shortly  before  ob- 
tained from  Spain.  Tneir  united  efforts  were  suc- 
cessful. For  the  comparatively  small  sum  of  fifteen 
millions  of  dollars,  the  entire  territory  of  Orleans  and 
district  of  Louisiana  were  added  to  tlie  United  Slates. 
This  was  probably  the  largest  transfer  of  real  estate 
which  was  ever  made  in  all  the  history  of  the  world. 

From  France  Mr.  Monroe  went  to  England  to  ob- 
tain from  that  country  some  recognition  of  out 
rights  as  neutrals,  and  to  remonstrate  against  those 
odious  impressments  of  our  seamen.  .  But  Eng- 
land was  unrelenting.  He  again  returned  to  Eng- 
land on  the  same  mission,  but  could  receive  no 
redress.  He  returned  to  his  home  and  was  again 
chosen  Governor  of  Virginia.  This  he  soon  resigned 
to  accept  the  iwsition  of  Secretary  of  State  under 
Madison.  Wiiile  in  this  office  war  with  England  was 
declared,  the  Secretary  of  War  resigned,  and  during 
these  trying  limes,  the  duties  of  the  War  Departnien; 
were  also  put  upon  him.  He  was  truly  the  armor- 
bearer  of  President  Madison,  and  the  most  efficient 
business  man  in  his  cabinet.  LTjion  the  return  of 
peace  he  resigned  the  Department  of  War,  but  con- 
tinued in  the  office  of  Secretary  of  .Stale  until  the  ex- 
piration of  Mr.  Madison's  adniinslration.  At  the  elec- 
tion held  the  previous  autumn  Mr.  Monroe  himself  had 
been  chosen  President  with  but  liule  opposition,  and 
upon  March  4,  1817,  was  inaugurated.  Four  years 
later  he  was  elected  for  a  second  term. 

Among  the  important  measures  of  his  Presidency 
were  the  cession  of  Florida  to  the  United  States;  the 
Missouri  Compromise,  and  the    "  Monroe  doctrine.' 

Tills  famous  doctrine,  since  known  as  the  "  Monroe 
doctrine,"  was  enunciated  by  him  in  1823.  At  that 
time  the  I'liited  States  jiad  recognized  llie  independ- 
ence of  the  .'^outh  American  stales,  and  did  nut  wish 
to  have  Euroiiean  powers  longer  atlempliiig  to  sub- 
due jKjrtions  of  the  American  Continent.  Tlie  doctrine 
is  as  follows:  "That  we  should  consider  any  attempt 
on  the  [lart  of  European  powers  to  extend  their  sys- 
tem to  any  portion  of  this  hemisphere  as  dangerous 
to  our  peace  and  safety,"  and  "that  we  could  not 
view  any  interposition  for  the  purjiose  of  o])pressiiig 
or  controlling  American  governments  or  jirovinces  in 
any  other  light  than  as  a  manifestation  by  Europear. 
powers  of  an  unfriendly  dis]xisition  toward  the  I'niteci 
States."  This  do(  trine  imincdialel)  ;i(Tected  the  course 
of  foreign  governments,  and  has  become  the  approved 
seinimenl  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  end  of  his  second  terhi  Mr.  Monroe  retired 
to  his  home  in  Virginia,  where  he  lived  until  1830, 
when  he  went  to  New  York  to  live  with  liis  son-in- 
l.iw.      In  thai  city  he  died, on  the  .(th  of  July,  1831 


J  ■      3  ,    '^  '  '''/'M 


SIXTH  PRESIDENT. 


39 


I 


JO^I]  Qnil]6Y  7ID:fl[n]S. 


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^Vn:^' 


is' 


OHN  QUINCY  ADAMS,  the 
sixth  President  of  the  United 
'States,  was   born  in  the   rural 
home   of  his    honored    father, 
John  Adams,  in  Quincy,  Mass., 
on  the  iith  cf  July,  1767.    His 
mother,  a  woman  of  exalted 
worth,  watched  over  his  childhood 
during   the  almost   constant   ab- 
sence of  his  father.      When   but 
eight  years  of  age,  he   stood  with 
his  mother  on  an  eminence,  listen- 
ing to  the  booming  of  the  great  bat- 
tle on  Bunker's  Hill,  and  gazing  on 
upon  the  smoke  and  flames  billow- 
ing up  from    the    conflagration    of 
Charlestown. 

When  but  eleven  years  old  he 
took  a  tearful  adieu  of  his  mother, 
to  sail  with  his  father  for  Europe, 
through  a  fleet  ot  hostile  British  cruisers.  The  bright, 
animated  boy  spent  a  year  and  a  half  in  Paris,  where 
his  father  was  associated  with  Franklin  and  Lee  as 
minister  plenipotentiary.  His  intelligence  attracted 
the  notice  of  these  distinguished  men,  and  he  received 
from  them  flattering  marks  of  attention. 

Mr.  John  Adams  had  scarcely  returned  to  this 
country,  in  1779,  ere  he  was  again  sent  abroad.  Again 
]ohn  Quincy  accompanied  his  father.  At  Paris  he 
applied  himself  with  great  diligence,  for  six  months, 
to  .-.tudy;  then  accompained  his  father  to  Holland, 
where  he  entered,  first  a  school  in  .Amsterdam,  then 
the  University  at  Leyden.  About  a  year  from  this 
time,  in  1781,  when  the  manly  loy  was  but  fourteen 
yea's  of  age,  he  was  selected  by  Mr.  Dana,  our  min- 
ister to  the  Russian  court,  as  his  private  secretary. 

In  this  school  of  incessant  labor  and  of  enobling 
culture  he  spent  fourteen  months,  and  then  returned 
to  Holland  through  Sweden,  Denmark,  Hamburg  and 
Bremen.  This  long  journey  he  took  alone,  in  the 
winter,  when  in  his  sixteenth  year,  .\gain  he  resumed 
^v'.s  studies,  under  a  pri"^te  tutor,  at  Hague.   Thence, 


•^J^ 


in  the  spring  of  1782,  he  accompanied  his  father  v: 
Paris,  traveling  leisurely,  and  forming  acquaintanct 
with  the  most  distinguished  men  on  the  Continent 
examining  architectural  remains,  galleries  of  paintings 
and  all  renowned  works  of  art.  At  Paris  he  agaii. 
became  associated  with  the  most  illustrious  men  o( 
all  lands  in  the  contemplations  of  the  loftiest  temporal 
themes  which  can  engross  the  human  mind.  Afte- 
a  short  visit  to  England  he  returned  to  Paris,  ana 
consecrated  all  his  energies  to  study  until  May,  1785, 
when  he  returned  to  America.  To  a  brilliant  young 
man  of  eighteen,  who  had  seen  much  of  the  world; 
and  who  was  familiar  with  the  etiquette  of  courts,  a 
residence  with  his  father  in  London,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, must  have  been  extremely  attractive 
but  with  judgment  very  rare  in  one  of  his  age,  he  pre- 
ferred to  return  to  America  to  complete  his  education 
in  an  American  college.  He  wished  then  to  study 
law,  that  with  an  honorable  profession,  he  might  be 
able  to  obtain  an  independent  support. 

Upon  leaving  Harvard  College,  at  theageof  twentj- 
he  studied  law  for  three  years.  In  June,  1794,  be- 
ing then  but  tvvfenty-seven  years  of  age,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Washington,  resident  minister  at  the 
Netherlands.  Sailing  from  Boston  in  July,  he  reachea 
London  in  October,  where  he  was  immediately  admit- 
ted to  the  deliberations  of  Messrs.  Jay  and  Pinckney 
assisting  them  in  negotiating  a  commercial  treaty  with 
Great  Brilian.  After  thus  spending  a  fortnight  i; 
London,  he  proceeded  to  the  Hague. 

In  July,  1797,  he  left  the  Hague  to  go  to  Portugal  a^ 
minister  plenipotentiary.  On  his  way  to  Portugal, 
upon  arriving  in  London,  he  met  with  despatches 
directing  him  to  the  court  of  Beiiin,  but  requesting 
him  to  remain  in  London  until  he  should  receive  his 
instructions.  ^\'hile  waiting  he  was  married  to  ar 
American  lady  to  whom  he  had  been  previously  en- 
gaged, — Miss  Louisa  Catherine  Johnson,  daughte' 
of  Mr.  Joshua  Johnson,  American  consul  in  london 
a  lady  endownd  with  that  beauty  and  those  accom- 
plishment which  eminently  fitted  her  to  move  in  fuc 
elevated  sphere  for  which  she  w?^  t'jts'iced. 


40 


JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 


He  reached  Berlin  with  his  wife  in  November,  1797  ; 
where  he  remained  until  July,  1799,  when,  having  ful- 
filled all  the  purix)ses  of  his  mission,  he  solicited  his 
recall. 

Soon  after  his  return,  in  1S02,  he  was  chosen  to 
Ihe  Senate  of  Massachusetts,  from  Boston,  and  then 
was  elected  Senator  of  the  United  States  for  six  years, 
from  the  4th  of  March,  1804.  His  reputation,  his 
ability  and  his  experience,  placed  him  immediately 
among  the  most  prominent  and  influential  members 
of  that  body.  Esjjecially  did  he  sustain  the  Govern- 
ment in  its  measures  of  resistance  to  the  encroach- 
ments of  England,  destroying  our  commerce  and  in- 
sulting our  flag.  Tliere  was  no  man  in  .\merica  more 
familiar  with  the  arrogance  of  the  British  court  upon 
these  jjoints,  and  no  one  more  resolved  to  present 
a  firm  resistance. 

In  1809,  Madison  succeeded  Jefl"erson  in  the  Pres- 
idential chair,  and  lie  immediately  nominated  Joliii 
Quincy  Adams  minister  to  St.  I'etersburg.  Resign- 
ing his  professorship  in  Harvard  College,  he  embarked 
at  Boston,  in  August,  1809. 

While  in  Russia,  Mr.  Adams  was  an  intense  stu- 
dent. He  devoted  his  attention  to  the  language  and 
history  of  Russia;  to  the  Chinese  trade;  to  the 
Euro[)ean  system  of  weights,  measures,  and  coins  ;  to 
the  climate  and  astronomical  observations  ;  while  he 
Kept  up  a  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  Greek  and 
Latin  classics.  In  all  the  universities  of  Europe,  a 
more  accomplished  scholar  could  scarcely  be  found. 
K\\  through  life  the  Bible  constituted  an  imixirtant 
part  of  his  studies.  It  was  liis  rule  to  read  five 
chapters  every  day. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1817,  Mr.  Monroe  look  the 
Presidential  chair,  and  immediately  apixsinted  Mr. 
.\dams  Secretary  of  .Slate.  Taking  leave  of  his  num- 
erous friends  in  public  and  private  life  in  Europe,  he 
sailed  in  June,  1819,  for  the  United  States.  ()n  the 
i8th  of  August,  he  again  crossed  the  threshold  of  his 
home  in  (Juincy.  During  the  eight  years  of  Mr.  Mon- 
roe's administration,  Mr  .\dams  continued  Secretary 
of  Stale. 

Some  lime  before  '.lie  close  of  Mr.  Monroe's  second 
term  of  office,  new  candidates  began  to  be  presented 
for  the  Presidency.  The  friends  of  Mr.  .Vdams  brought 
forward  his  name.  It  was  an  exciting  campaign. 
Parly  spirit  was  never  more  bitter.  Two  hundred  and 
sixty  electoral  votes  were  cast.  Andrew  Jackson  re- 
icived  ninety-nine;  John  Quincy  .Adams,  eighty-four; 
William  H.  ("r.iwford,  forty-one;  Henry  Cl.iy,  thirty- 
seven.  As  there  was  no  clu)i<  e  by  the  people,  the 
<|iiestion  went  to  the  House  of  Rc|iresentatives.  Mr. 
Clay  gave  the  vote  of  Kentucky  to  Mr.  .Adams,  and 
he  wat  elected. 

The  friends  of  all  the  disappointed  candidates  now 
:omiiined  in  a  venomous  and  persistent  assault  ii|Kin 
Mr.  Adams.  There  is  nothing  more  disgrateful  in 
4>«  uul  hiitory  of  our  country  than  the  abuse  which 


I  was  ix)ured  in  one  uninterrupted  stream,  upon  this 
]  iiigh-niinded.  upright,  patriotic  man.  There  neverwas 
an  administration  more  pure  in  principles,  more  con- 
scientiously devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  coun- 
try, than  that  of  John  Quincy  Adams;  and  never,  per- 
haps, was  there  an  administration  more  unscrupu- 
lously and  outrageously  assailed. 

Mr.  Adams  was,  to  a  very  remarkable  degree,  ab- 
stemious and  temperate  in  his  habits;  always  rising 
early,  and  taking  much  exercise.  When  at  his  home  in 
Quincy,  he  has  been  known  to  walk,  before  breakfast, 
seven  miles  to  Boston.  In  Washington,  it  was  said 
that  he  was  the  first  man  up  in  the  city,  lighting  his 
own  fire  and  applying  himself  to  work  in  his  library 
often  long  before  dawn. 

On  tlie  4th  of  March,  1829,  Mr.  Adams  retired 
from  tiie  Presidency,  and  was  succeeded  by  Andrew 
Jackson.  John  C.  Calhoun  was  elected  Vice  Presi- 
dent. The  slavery  question  now  began  to  assume 
jwrtentous  magnitude.  Mr.  Adams  returned  to 
Quincy  and  to  his  studies,  which  he  pursued  with  un- 
abated zeal.  But  he  was  not  long  i)ermitted  to  re- 
main in  retirement.  In  November,  1830,  he  was 
elected  representative  to  Congress.  For  seventeen 
years,  until  his  death,  he  occupied  the  jx)st  as  Repre- 
sentative, towering  above  all  his  peers,  ever  ready  to 
do  brave  battle' for  freedom,  and  winning  the  title  of 
"  the  old  man  eloquent."  Upon  taking  his  seat  in 
the  House,  he  announced  that  he  should  hold  him- 
self bound  to  no  party.  Probably  there  never  was  a 
member  more  devoted  to  his  duties.  He  was  usually 
ihe  first  in  his  place  in  the  morning,  and  the  last  to 
leave  his  seat  in  the  evening.  Not  a  measure  could 
be  brought  forward  and  escape  his  scrutiny.  The 
battle  wliich  Mr.  Adams  fought,  almost  singly,  against 
the  prosljvery  jiarty  in  the  Government,  was  sublime 
in  Us  moral  daring  and  heroism.  For  persisting  in 
presenting  petitions  for  the  alwlition  of  slavery,  he 
was  tlireatened  witli  indictment  by  the  grand  jui)', 
with  expulsion  from  the  House,  with  assassination, 
but  no  threats  could  intimidate  him,  and  his  final 
triumph  was  complete. 

It  has  been  said  of  President  Adams,  that  when  his 
body  was  bent  and  his  hair  silvered  liy  the  lapse  of 
fourscore  years,  yielding  to  the  simple  faith  of  a  little 
child,  lie  was  accustomed  to  repeat  every  night,  before 
he  slept,  llie  pra)er  whicli  liis  niotlier  taught  him  in 
his  infant  years. 

On  the  2 1  St  of  February,  184S,  he  rose  on  tiie  (loor 
of  Congress,  with  a  paper  in  his  hand,  to  address  (lie 
speaker.  Suddenly  he  fell,  again  stricken  iiy  ])araly- 
sis,  and  was  caught  in  the  arms  of  those  around  him. 
For  a  lime  he  was  senseless,  as  he  was  conveyed  to 
the  sofa  in  the  rotunda.  With  reviving  conscious- 
ness, he  opened  his  eyes,  looked  calmly  around  and 
said  "  This  is  llie  nid  of  earth  .-"then  after  a  moment's 
pause  he  adflcd,  "  f  aw  conUiil"  These  were  Ihe 
last    words  of    the    grand    "  ( )kl     Man     I'-Uiquenl." 


'^^'    c^  ^' 


C-^  ^   /  /  / 


^  /' 


'C'-^ 


SEl^ENTH  rUESIDENf. 


*■% 


NDREW     JACKSON,     the 

p»  seventh    President    of     the 
:,'■■  United   States,  was  born   in 
Waxhaw  settlement,  N.    C, 
March  15,  1767,  a  few  days 
after  his  father's  death.     His 
parents  were  poor  emigrants 
from    Ireland,   and  took  up 
their  abode  in  Waxhaw  set- 
tlement, where  they  lived  in 
deepest  poverty. 
Andrew,  or  Andy,  as  he  was 
universally  called,  grew  up  a  very 
rough,  rude,  turbulent  boy.      His 
features  were  coarse,  his  form  un- 
gainly;   and  there  was  but  very 
little  in  his  character,   made  visible,  which  was   at- 
tractive. 

When  only  thirteen  years  old  he  joined  the  volun- 
teers of  Carolina  against  the  British  invasion.  In 
1781,  he  and  his  brother  Robert  were  captured  and 
imprisoned  for  a  time  at  Camden.  A  British  officer 
ordered  him  to  brush  his  mud-spattered  boots.  "  I  am 
a  prisoner  of  war,  not  your  servant,"  was  the  reply  of 
the  dauntless  boy. 

The  brute  drew  his  sword,  and  aimed  a  desjjerate 
Dlow  at  the  head  of  the  helpless  young  prisoner. 
Andrew  raised  his  hand,  and  thus  received  two  fear- 
ful gashes, — one  on  the  hand  and  the  other  upon  the 
head.  The  officer  then  turned  to  his  brother  Robert 
with  the  same  demand.  He  also  refused,  and  re- 
ceived a  blow  from  the  keen-edged  sabre,  which  quite 
disabled  him,  and  which  probably  soon  after  caused 
his  death.  They  suffered  much  other  ill-treatment,  and 
were  finally  stricken  with  the  small-pox.  Their 
mother  was  successful  u>    Qbtaining   their  exchanj^e, 


and  took  her  sick  boys  home.  After  a  long  illness. 
Andrew  recovered,  and  the  death  of  his  mother  soon 
left  him  entirely  friendless. 

Andrew  supported  himself  in  various  ways,  such  a3 
working  at  the  saddler's  trade,  teaching  school  and 
clerking  in  a  general  store,  until  1784,  when  he 
entered  a  law  office  at  Salisbury,  N.  C.  He,  however, 
gave  more  attention  to  the  wild  amusements  of  the 
times  than  to  his  studies.  In  1788,  he  was  appointed 
solicitor  for  the  western  district  of  North  Carolina,  of 
which  Tennessee  was  then  a  part.  This  involved 
many  long  and  tedious  journeys  amid  dangers  of 
every  k-ind,  but  Andrew  Jackson  never  knew  fear, 
and  the  Indians  had  no  desire  to  repeat  a  skirmish 
with  the  Sharp  Knife. 

In  r79r,  Mr.  Jackson  was  married  to  a  woman  who 
supposed  herself  divorced  from  her  former  husband. 
Great  was  the  surprise  of  both  parties,  two  years  later, 
to  find  that  the  conditions  of  the  divorce  had  just  been 
definitely  settled  by  the  first  husband.  The  marriage 
ceremony  was  performed  a  second  time,  but  the  occur- 
rence was  often  used  by  his  enemies  to  bring  Mr. 
Jackson  into  disfavor. 

During  these  years  he  worked  hard   at   his    profes 
sion,  and  frequently  had  one  or  more  duels  on  hand, 
one  of  which,  when  he   killed  Dickenson,  was  espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In  January,  1796,  the  Territory  of  Tennessee  then 
containing  nearly  eighty  thousand  inhabitants,  the 
people  met  in  convention  at  Knoxville  to  frame  a  con- 
stitution. Five  were  sent  from  each  of  the  eleven 
counties.  Andrew  Jackson  was  one  of  the  delegates. 
The  new  State  was  entitled  to  but  one  member  io 
the  National  House  of  Representatives.  Andrew  JacT:- 
son  was  chosen  that  member.  Mounting  his  horse  he 
rode  to  Philedelphia,  where  Congress  then    held  its 


*4 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


sessions, — a  distance  of  about  eight  hundred    miles. 

Jackson  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  Demo- 
cratic p^rty.  Jefferson  was  his  idol.  He  admired 
Bonaparte,  loved  France  and  hated  England.  As  Mr. 
Jackson  took  his  seat.  Gen.  Washington,  whose 
second  term  of  office  was  then  expiring,  delivered  his 
last  speech  to  Congress.  A  committee  drew  up  a 
conaplinientary  address  in  reply.  Andrew  Jackson 
did  not  approve  of  the  address,  and  was  one  of  the 
twelve  who  voted  against  it.  He  was  not  willing  to 
say  that  Gen.  Washington's  adminstration  had  been 
"  wise,  firm  and  patriotic." 

Mr.  Jackson  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate  in  1797,  but  soon  resigned  and  returned  home. 
Soon  after  he  was  chosen  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  his  State,  which  (wsition  he  held  for  si.K  years. 

When  the  war  of  181 2  with  Great  Briiian  com- 
menced, Madison  occupied  the  Presidential  chair. 
Aaron  Burr  sent  word  to  the  President  that  there  was 
an  unknown  man  in  the  West,  Andrew  Jackson,  who 
would  do  credit  to  a  commission  if  one  were  con- 
ferred ujxjn  him.  Just  at  that  time  Gen.  Jackson 
jffeied  his  services  and  those  of  twenty-five  hundred 
volunteers.  His  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  troops 
were  assembled  at  Nashville. 

As  the  British  were  hourly  expected  to  make  an  at- 
tack ui)on  New  Orleans,  where  Gen.  Wilkinson  was 
in  command,  lie  was  ordered  to  descend  the  river 
with  fifteen  hundred  troops  to  aid  Wilkinson.  The 
expedition  reached  Natchez;  and  aftcradelay  of  sev- 
eral weeks  there,  without  accomplishing  anything, 
the  men  were  ordered  back  to  their  homes.  But  the 
energy  Gen.  Jackson  had  displayed,  and  his  entire 
devotion  to  the  conirfort  of  his  soldiers,  won  him 
golden  opinions;  and  he  became  the  most  iX)|iular 
man  in  the  Stale.  It  was  in  this  expedition  that  his 
toughness  gave  him  the  nickname  of  "Old  Hickory." 

Soon  after  this,  while  atlcm|)ting  to  horsewhip  Col. 
Thomas  H.  Benton,  for  a  remark  that  gentleman 
made  al)out  his  taking  a  part  as  second  in  a  duel,  in 
which  a  younger  brother  of  Benton's  was  engageil, 
he  received  two  severe  pistol  wounds.  While  he  was 
lingering  \\\*fn  a  bed  of  siifTering  news  came  that  the 
Indians,  who  had  combined  under  Tecumseh  from 
Florida  to  the  I..ikes,  to  exterminate  Ihe  white  set- 
tlers, were  commiiting  the  most  aw  fill  ravages.  De- 
<  isivc  action  became  necessary.  Gen.  Jackson,  with 
his  fractured  lione  just  beginning  to  heal,  his  arm  in 
a  sling,  and  unable  to  mount  his  horse  without  assis- 
tance, gave  his  amazing  energies  to  tin;  raising  of  an 
army  to  rendezvous  at  F.iveltesville,  .Mabama. 

The  Creek  Indians  had  cslalilishcd  a  strong  fori  on 
one  of  the  bendsof  the  T.illaixMisa  River,  near  the  cen- 
ter of  Alabama,  aUiut  fifty  miles  below  Fori  Strotlier. 
With  an  army  of  two  thousand  men,  Gen.  Jackson 
traversed  the  palhfcss  wilderness  in  a  manh  of  eleven 
days.  He  reached  ilieir  fori,  called  Tohopeka  or 
Horsc-^hoe,  on  the  27th  of  Man  li.  rSi.i.     The  bend 


of  the  river  enclosed  nearly  one  hundred  acres  or 
tangled  forest  and  wild  ravine.  Across  the  narrow 
neck  the  Indians  liad  constructed  a  formidable  breast- 
work of  logs  and  brush.  Here  nine  hundred  warriors, 
with  an  ample  suplyof  arms  were  assembled. 

The  fort  was  stormed.  The  fight  was  utterly  des- 
perate. Not  an  Indian  would  accept  of  quarter.  When 
bleeding  and  dying,  they  would  fight  those  who  en- 
deavored to  spare  their  lives.  From  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing until  dark,  the  battle  raged.  The  carnage  was 
awful  and  revolting.  Some  threw  themselves  into  the 
river;  but  the  unerring  bullet  struck  their  heads  as 
they  swam.  Nearly  ever)one  of  the  nine  hundred  war- 
rios  were  killed  \  few  probably,  in  the  night,  swam 
the  river  and  escaped.  This  ended  the  war.  The 
ixjwer  of  the  Creeks  was  broken  forever.  This  bold 
plunge  into  the  wilderness,  with  its  lerrithc  slaughter, 
so  ajipalled  the  savages,  that  the  haggard  remnants 
of  the  bands  caiue  to  the  camp,  begging  for  peace. 

This  closing  of  the  Creek  war  enabled  us  to  con- 
centrate all  our  militia  upon  the  British,  who  were  the 
allies  of  the  Indians  No  man  of  less  resolute  will 
than  Gen.  Jackson  could  have  conducted  this  Indian 
campaign  to  so  successful  an  issue  Immediately  he 
was  appointed  major-general. 

Late  in  August,  with  an  army  of  two  thousand 
men,  on  a  rushing  march,  Gen.  Jackson  came  to 
Mobile.  A  British  tleet  came  from  Pensacola, landed 
a  force  ujion  the  beach,  ant  bored  nocir  the  Httle  fort, 
and  from  both  shij)  and  shore  commenced  a  furious 
assault  The  battle  was  long  and  doubtful.  At  length 
one  of  the  ships  was  blown  up    and  the  rest  retired. 

Garrisoning  Mobile,  where  he  had  taken  his  little 
army,  he  moved  his  troops  to  New  Orleans, 
And  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  which  soon  ensued, 
was  in  reality  a  very  arduous  campaign.  This  won 
for  Gen.  Jackson  an  imperishable  name.  Here  his 
troops,  which  numbered  about  four  thousand  men, 
won  a  signal  victory  over  the  British  army  of  about 
nine  thousand.  His  loss  was  but  thiileen,  while  the 
loss  of  the  British  was  two  thousand  six  lunidred. 

The  name  of  Gen.  Jackson  soon  began  to  be  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  the  Presidency,  but,  in  1824, 
he  was  defeated  by  Mr.  Adams.  He  was,  however, 
successful  in  the  election  of  iSjcS,  and  was  re-elected 
for  a  second  term  in  1S32.  In  1829,  just  before  he 
assumed  the  reins  of  the  government,  he  met  with 
the  most  terrible  aflliclion  of  his  life  in  the  death  of 
his  wife,  whom  he  had  loved  with  a  devotion  which  has 
perhaps  never  been  surpassed.  From  the  shock  of 
her  death  he  never  recovered. 

His  administration  was  one  of  llic  most  );)cmora'.>ie 
in  the  annals  of  our  country;  applrnKic/f  oyone  party, 
condemned  by  the  other.  No  man  had  more  bitter 
enemies  or  warmer  friends.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
two  terms  of  office  he  retired  to  the  Hermitage,  where; 
he  died  June  8,  18.(5.  The  last  years  of  Mr.  Ja<k- 
^on's    life    were   that    of   a    devoted  Cliristian    man. 


•:p 


/  7  /^/J'^v  ^i^/JU'. 


EIGHTH  PRESIDENT. 


ARTIN  VAN  BUREN,  ihe 
eighth      President     of     the 
United  States,  was  born   at 
Kinderhook,  N.  Y.,  Dec.   5, 
17S2.     He  died  at  the  same 
place,  July    24,    1862.       His 
body   rests  in   the   cemetery 
at  Kinderhook.     Above  it  is 
a  plain  granite    shaft  fifteen   feet 
high,  bearing  a  simple  inscription 
about  halt  way  up   on   one    face. 
The  lot  is  unfenced,  unbordered 
or  unboi\nded  by  shrub  or  flower. 

There  is  but  little  in  the  life  of  Martin  Van  Buren 
of  romantic  interest.  He  fought  no  battles,  engaged 
in  no  wild  adventures.  Though  his  life  was  stormy  in 
political  and  intellectual  conflicts,  and  he  gained  many 
signal  victories,  his  days  passed  uneventful  in  those 
incidents  which  give  zest  to  biography.  His  an- 
cestors, as  his  name  indicates,  were  of  Dutch  origin, 
and  were  among  the  earliest  emigrants  from  Holland 
to  the  banks  of  the  Hudson.  His  father  was  a  farmer, 
residing  in  the  old  town  of  Kinderhook.  His  mother, 
also  of  Dutch  lineage,  was  a  woman  of  superior  intel- 
ligence and  exemplary  piety. 

.•fe  was  decidedly  a  precocious  boy,  developing  un- 
usual activity,  vigor  and  strength  of  mind.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen,  he  had  finished  his  academic  studies 
in  his  native  village,  and  commenced  the  study  of 
law.  As  he  had  not  a  collegiate  education,  seven 
years  of  study  in  a  law-office  were  required  of  him 
before  he  could  be  admitted  to  the  bar.  Inspired  with 
<L  lofty  ambition,  and  conscious  of  his  powers,  he  pur- 
sued his  studies  with  indefatigable  industry.  After 
spending  six  years  in  an  office  in  his    native  village, 


he  went  to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  prosecuted  hi^ 

studies  for  the  seventh  year. 

In  1803,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  then  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  vil- 
lage. The  great  conflict  between  the  Federal  and 
Republican  party  was  then  at  its  height.  Mr.  Van 
Buren  was  from  the  beginning  a  politician.  He  had, 
perhaps,  imbibed  that  spirit  while  listening  to  the 
many  discussions  which  had  been  carried  on  in  his 
father's  hotel.  He  was  in  cordial  sympathy  with 
Jefferson,  and  earnestly  and  eloquently  espoused  the 
cause  of  State  Rights ;  though  at  that  time  the  Fed- 
eral party  held  the  supremacy  both  in  his  town 
and  State. 

His  success  and  increasing  ruputation  led  hini 
after  six  years  of  practice,  to  remove  to  Hudson,  th.. 
county  seat  of  his  county.  Here  he  spent  seven  years 
constantly  gaining  strength  by  contending  in  th(. 
courts  with  some  of  the  ablest  men  who  have  adorned 
the  bar  of  his  State. 

Just  before  leaving  Kinderhook  for  Hudson,  Mi. 
Van  Buren  married  a  lady  alike  distinguished  for 
beauty  and  accomplishments.  After  twelve  short 
years  she  sank  into  the  grave,  the  victim  of  consump- 
tion, leaving  her  husband  and  four  sons  to  weep  over 
her  loss.  For  twenty-five  years,  Mr.  Van  Buren  was 
an  earnest,  successful,  assiduous  lawyer.  TJie  recerd 
of  those  years  is  barren  in  items  of  public  interest. 
In  18 1 2,  when  thirty  years  of  age,  he  was  chosen  to 
the  State  Senate,  and  eave  his  strenuous  support  to 
Mr.  Madison's  adminstration.  In  1815,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Attorney-General,  and  the  next  year  moved 
to  Albany,  the  capital  of  the  State. 

While  he  was  acknow'ledged  as  one  of  the   most 
,  prominent  leaders  of  the   Dc-roocratic   party,   he   had 


48 


MARTIN  VAN  BUREN. 


the  moral  courage  to  avow  that  true  democracy  did 
not  require  that 'universal  suffrage"  which  admits 
the  vile,  the  degraded,  the  ignorant,  to  the  right  of 
governing  the  State.  In  true  consistency  with  his 
democratic  principles,  he  contended  that,  while  the 
path  leading  to  the  privilege  of  roting  should  be  open 
to  ever)-  man  without  distinction,  no  one  should  be^ 
invested  with  that  sacred  prerogative,  unless  he  were 
in  some  degree  qualified  for  it  by  intelligence,  virtue 
and  some  property  interests  in  the  welfare  of  the 
State. 

In  182  I  he  was  elected  ;.  member  of  the  United 
States  Senate;  and  in  the  same  year,  he  took  a  seat 
in  the  convention  to  revise  the  constitution  of  his 
native  State.  His  course  in  this  convention  secured 
the  approval  of  men  of  all  parties.  No  one  could 
doubt  the  singleness  of  his  endeavors  to  promote  the 
interests  of  all  classes  in  the  community.  In  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  he  rose  at  once  to  a 
conspicuous  ix)sition  as  an  active  and  useful  legislator. 

In  1827,  John  Quincy  Adams  being  then  in  the 
Presidential  chair,  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  re-elected  to 
.he  .Senate.  He  had  been  from  the  beginning  a  de- 
:crmincd  opixjser  of  the  .\dniinistration,  adopting  the 
•'State  Rights "  view  in  opix)sition  to  what  was 
deemed  the  Federal  i)rotlivities  of  Mr.  .\dams. 

Soon  after  this,  in  1828,  he  was  chosen  Governor  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  accordingly  resigned  his 
seat  in  the  Senate.  Probably  no  one  in  the  United 
States  contributed  so  much  towards  ejecting  John  (j. 
Adams  from  the  Presidential  chair,  and  placing  in  it 
Andrew  Jackson,  as  did  Martin  Van  IJuren.  Whether 
entitled  to  the  reputation  or  nol,  he  certainly  was  re- 
garded thro\igiiout  the  United  States  as  one  of  the 
most  skillful,  sagacious  and  cunning  of  |xjliticians. 
!t  was  sup|«sed  that  no  one  knew  so  well  as  he  how 
to  touch  the  secret  springs  of  action;  how  to  pull  all 
the  wires  to  put  his  machinery  in  motion;  and  how  to 
organize  a  jxjlilical  army  which  would,  secreily  and 
stc'llhily  accomplish  the  most  gigantic  results.  Hy 
these  |)Owers  it  is  said  that  he  outwitted  Mr.  Adams, 
Mr,  Clay,  Mr.  Webster,  and  secured  results  which 
few  thought  then  < ould  be  accomplished. 

When  .\ndrew  Jackson  w.is  ele<  ted  President  he 
apiibinted  Mr.  Van  Hiircn  Secretary  of  State.  This 
jiosiiion  he  rcsigne<!  in  18 ji,  aiid  was  inmicdiatcly 
aptiriinlcd  Minister  to  Knglaiid,  where  he  went  the 
s.imc  autumn.  The  Scn.itf,  however,  when  it  met, 
refuted    to   ratify  the   noniinaiion.    and  In-  returned 


home,  apparently  untroubled;  was  nominated  Vice 
President  in  the  place  of  Calhoun,  at  the  re-election 
of  President  Jackson ;  and  with  smiles  for  all  and 
frowns  for  none,  he  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  that 
Senate  which  had  refused  to  confirm  his  nomination 
as  ambassador. 

His  rejection  by  the  Senate  roused  all  the  zeal  of 
President  Jackson  in  behalf  of  his  repudiated  favor- 
ite ;  and  this,  probably  more  than  any  other  cause, 
secured  his  elevation  to  the  chair  of  the  Chief  Execu 
tive.  On  the  20th  of  May,  1836,  Mr.  Van  Buren  re- 
ceived the  Democratic  nomination  to  succeed  Gen. 
Jackson  as  President  of  the  United  States.  He  was 
elected  by  a  handsome  majority,  to  the  delight  of  the 
retiring  President.  "  Leaving  New  York  out  of  the 
canvass,"  says  Mr.  Parton,  "the  election  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren  to  the  Presidency  was  as  much  the  act  of  Gen. 
Jackson  as  though  the  Constitution  had  conferred 
ujxjn  him  the  power  to  appoint  a  successor." 

His  .administration  was  filled  with  exciting  events. 
The  insurrection  in  Canada,  which  threatened  to  in- 
volve this  country  in  war  with  England,  the  agitation 
of  the  slavery  question,  and  finally  the  great  commer- 
cial panic  which  spread  over  the  country,  all  were 
trials  to  his  wisdom.  The  financial  distress  was  at- 
tributed to  the  management  of  the  Democratic  party, 
and  brought  the  President  into  such  disfavor  that  he 
failed  of  re-election. 

Willi  tlie  exception  of  being  nominated  for  the 
Presidency  by  the  "Free  Soil"  Democrats,  in  1848, 
Mr.  Van  Uuren  lived  (piietly  upon  his  estate  until 
iiis  death. 

He  had  ever  been  a  prudent  man,  of  frugal  habits. 
and  living  within  his  income,  had  now  fortunately  a 
competence  for  his  declining  years.  His  unblemished 
character,  his  commanding  abilities,  his  unquestioned 
patriotism,  and  the  distinguished  positions  which  he 
had  occupied  in  the  government  of  our  country,  se- 
cured to  him  not  only  the  homage  of  his  party,  but 
the  respect  ol  the  whole  community.  It  was  on  the 
4th  of  March,  184 1,  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  retired  from 
the  presidency.  From  his  fine  estate  at  Lindenwald. 
lie  still  exerted  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  politics 
ol  the  country.  From  this  time  until  his  death,  on 
the  24th  of  July,  1862,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  he 
resided  at  l.indenw.ihl,  a  gentleman  of  leisure,  of 
culture  and  of  wealth;  enjoying  in  a  healthy  old 
age,  prr)bably  far  more  happiness  than  he  had  before 
exiwrienccd  amid  the  stormy  scenes  of  his  active  life. 


^    'M 


^t  /^  ^ary^t 


•K^ 


NINTH  PRESIDENT. 


5« 


WILLIAM    HEXKY 

-I- 


ILLIAM  HENRY  HARRI- 
SON, the  ninth    President  of 
the   United  States,  was  born 
at  Berkeley,  Va.,  Feb.  9,  1773. 
His  father,   Benjamin   Harri- 
son, was  in  comparatively  op- 
'        ulent  circumstances,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  distinguished 
men  of  his  day.      He  was  an 
intimate    friend    of     George 
Washington,  was  early  elected 
a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress,    and  was     conspicuous 
among  the  patriots  of  Virginia  in 
resisting  the  encroachments  of  the 
British  crown.     In  the  celebrated 
Congress  of  1775,  Benjamin  Har- 
rison   and    John    Hancock   were 
both  candidates  for  the  office  of 
speaker. 

Mr  Harrison  was  subsequently 
chosen  Governor  of  Virginia,  and 
was  twice   re-elected.       His   son, 
i  William  Henry,  of  course  enjoyed 

in  childhood  all  the  advantages  which  wealth  and 
intellectual  and  cultivated  society  could  give.  Hav- 
ing received  a  thorough  common-school  education,  he 
entered  Hampden  Sidney  College,  where  he  graduated 
with  honor  soon  after  the  death  of  his  father.  He 
then  repaired  to  Philadelphia  to  study  medicine  under 
the  instructions  of  Dr.  Rush  and  the  guardianship  of 
lObert  Morris,  both  of  whom  were,  with  his  father, 
ligners  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

iJpon  the  outbreak  of  the  Indian  troubles,  and  not- 
withstanding the  remonstrances  of  his  friends,  he 
abandoned  his  medical  studies  and  entered  the  army, 
slaving  obtained  a  commission  of  Ensign  from  Presi- 


dent Washington.  He  was  then  but  19  years  old. 
From  that  time  he  passed  gradually  upward  in  rank 
until  he  became  aid  to  General  Wayne,  after  whose 
death  he  resigned  his  commission.  He  was  then  ap- 
pointed Secretary  of  the  North-western  Territory.  This 
Territory  was  then  entitled  to  but  one  member  in 
Congress  and  Capt.  Harrison  was  chosen  to  fill  that 
position. 

In  the  spring  of  1800  the  North-western  Territory 
was  divided  by  Congress  into  two  portions.  The 
eastern  portion,  comprising  the  region  now  embraced 
in  the  State  of  Ohio,  was  called  "  The  Territory 
north-west  of  the  Ohio."  The  western  portion,  which 
included  what  is  now  called  Indiana,  Illinois  and 
Wisconsin,  was  called  the  "Indiana  Territory."  Wil. 
liam  Henry  Harrison,  then  27  years  of  age,  was  ap- 
pointed by  John  Adams,  Crovernor  of  the  Indiana 
Territory,  and  immediately  after,  also  Governor  of 
Upper  Louisiana.  He  was  thus  ruler  over  almost  as 
extensive  a  realm  as  any  sovereign  upon  the  globe.  He 
was  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  was  in- 
vested with  powers  nearly  dictatorial  over  the  n&w 
rapidly  increasing  white  population.  The  ability  and 
fidelity  with  which  he  discharged  these  responsible 
duties  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  was  four 
times  appointed  to  this  office — first  by  John  Adams, 
twice  by  Thomas  Jefferson  and  afterwards  by  Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When  he  began  his  adminstration  there  were  but 
three  white  settlements  in  that  almost  boundless  region, 
now  crowded  with  cities  and  resounding  with  all  the 
tumult  of  wealth  and  traffic.  Oneof  these  settlements 
was  on  the  Ohio,  nearly  opposite  Louisville;  one  at 
Vincennes,  on  the  Wabash,  and  the  third  a  French 
settlement. 

The  vast  wilderness  over  whic4i  Gov.  Harrisou 
reigned  was  filled  with  many  tribes  of  Indians.  Abou' 


5- 


IVILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON. 


the  year  1806,  two  extraordinary  men,  twin  brothers, 
of  the  Shawnese  tribe,  rose  among  them.  Or.e  of 
these  was  called  Tecumseh,  or  "  The  Crouching 
Panther;"  the  other,  OUiwacheca,  or  "The  Prophet." 
Tecumseh  was  not  only  an  Indian  warrior,  but  a  man 
of  great  sagacity,  far-reaching  foresight  and  indomit- 
able perseverance  in  any  enterprise  in  which  he  might 
engage.  He  was  inspired  with  the  higliest  enthusiasm, 
and  had  long  regarded  with  dread  and  with  hatred 
the  encroachment  of  the  whiles  upon  the  hunting- 
grounds  of  his  fathers.  His  lirolher,  the  Prophet,  was 
anorator,  who  could  sway  the  feelings  of  the  untutored 
Indian  as  the  gale  tossed  the  tree-tops  beneath  which 
they  dwelt. 

But  the  Prophet  was  not  merely  anorator:  he  was, 
in  the  superstitious  minds  of  the  Indians,  invested 
with  the  sai>erhunian  dignity  of  a  medicine-man  or  a 
magician.  With  an  enthusiasm  unsurpassed  by  Peter 
the  Hemiit  rousing  Europe  to  the  crusades,  he  went 
from  tribe  to  tribe,  assuming  that  he  was  specially  sent 
by  the  Great  Spirit. 

Gov.  Harrison  made  many  attempts  to  conciliate 
the  Indians,  but  at  last  the  war  came,  and  at  Tii)pe- 
canoe  the  Indians  were  ro-.i ted  with  great  slaughter. 
October  28,  18 1 2,  his  anny  began  its  niarcli.  When 
near  the  Prophet's  town  three  Indians  of  rank  made 
their  appearance  and  inquired  why  Gov.  Harrison  was 
approaching  them  in  so  hostile  an  attitude.  After  a 
short  conference,  arrangements  were  made  for  a  meet- 
ing the  next  day,  to  agree  U|X}n  terms  of  peace. 

But  (iov.  Harrison  was  too  well  acquainted  with 
the  Indian  character  to  be  deceived  by  su<  h  protes- 
tations .Selecting  a  favorable  si)ot  for  his  night's  en- 
campment, he  took  every  precaution  against  surprise. 
His  tnx)i<s  were  j»sted  in  a  hollow  square,  and  sle[)t 
Ul)on  their  amis. 

The  troo|)s  threw  themselves  u|K)n  the  ground  for 
rest;  but  every  man  had  his  accourtrements  on,  his 
loaded  musket  by  his  side, and  his  bayonet  fixed.  The 
wakeful  Governor,  between  three  and  four  o'clock  in 
the  mornin).',  had  risen,  and  was  silting  in  conversa- 
tion with  his  aids  by  the  embers  of  a  waning  fire.  It 
was  a  chill,  cloudy  morning  with  a  drizzling  rain.  In 
the  d.irkncss,  the  Indians  had  crept  as  near  as  jjossi- 
l)lc,  and  j'ist  then,  with  a  savage  yell,  rushed,  with  all 
Ihe  dfsper.ilion  which  superstilion  and  passion  most 
highly  inflamed  i  ould  give,  U|xjn  llie  left  flank  of  the 
little  army.  The  savages  had  been  ani|)ly  provided 
with  guns  and  aminuiiiiinn  by  the  English.  Their 
war-whoop  was  accompnined  by  a  shower  of  bullets. 

The  c:.iin(>-fircs  were  instantly  extinguished,  as  the 
light  aided  the  Indians  in  their  aim.  With  hide- 
»u«  yells,  the  Indi.in  bands  rushe<l  on,  not  doublii.ga 
»|iccdy  and  an  entire  victory.  Hut  Gen.  Harrison's 
iroo|>s  sifxxl  as  iniinovable  as  the  rorks  arojnd  them 
until  day  dawned  :  Ihcy  then  m.ide  a  siuuillnneous 
charge  wiili  the  bayonei,  and  swept  every  thing  be- 
fore   them,    and    completely    routing    ihr    foe. 


Gov.  Harrison  now  had  all  his  energies  tasked 
to  the  utmost.  The  British  descending  from  theCan- 
adas,  were  of  themselves  a  very  formidable  force  ;  but 
with  their  savage  allies,  rushing  like  wolves  from  the 
forest,  sear.,hing  out  every  remote  farm-house,  burn- 
ing, plundering,  scalping,  torturing,  the  wide  frontier  ! 
was  plunged  into  a  state  of  consternation  which  even 
the  most  vivid  imagination  can  but  faintly  conceive. 
The  war-whoop  was  resounding  everywhere  in  the 
forest.  The  horizon  was  illuminated  with  the  conflagra- 
tion of  tlie  cabins  of  the  settlers.  Gen  Hull  had  made  ; 
the  ignominious  surrender  of  his  forces  at  Detroit. 
Under  these  despairing  circumstances.  Gov.  Harrison 
was  appointed  by  President  Madison  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  North-western  army,  with  orders  to  retake 
Detroit,  and  to  protect  the  frontiers. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  jilace  a  man  in  a  situation 
demanding  more  energy,  sagacity  and  courage;  biii 
General  Harrison  was  found  equal  to  the  position, 
and  nobly  and  triumphantly  did  he  meet  all  the  re 
sponsibilities. 

He  won  the  love  of  liis  soldiers  by  always  sharing 
with  them  their  fatigue.  His  whole  baggage,  whik 
pursuing  the  foe  up  the  Thames,  was  carried  in  a 
valise;  and  his  bedding  consisted  of  a  single  blanket 
lashed  over  his  saddle.  Thirty-five  Britisli  ofiicers, 
his  prisoners  of  war,  supped  witli  him  after  the  battle. 
The  only  fare  he  could  give  them  was  beef  roasted 
before  the  fire,  without  bread  or  salt. 

In  1816,  Gen.  Harrison  was  chosen  a  member  ot 
the  National  House  of  Representatives,  to  represent 
the  District  of  Ohio.  In  Congress  he  proved  an 
active  member;  and  whenever  he  spoke,  it  was  with 
force  of  reason  and  power  of  eloquence,  which  arrested 
the  attention  of  all  the  members. 

In  1819,  Harrison  was  elected  to  the  .Senate  of 
Ohio;  and  in  1824,  as  one  of  the  jnesidential  electors 
of  that  State,  he  gave  his  vote  for  Henry  Clay.  The 
same  year  he  was  chosen  to  the  United  States  Senate. 

In  1836,  the  friends  of  (ien.  Harrison  brought  liini 
forward  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  against 
Van  Buren,  but  he  was  defeated.  At  llie  close  of 
Mr.  Van  Buren's  term,  he  was  re-noniii-ated  by  his 
parly,  and  Mr.  Harrison  was  unaiumuusly  nominated 
by  the  Whigs,  with  John  Tyler  for  the  \'ice  Presidency. 
The  contest  was  very  animated.  Gen  Jackson  gave 
all  iiis  influence  to  prevent  Harrison's  election  ;  but 
his  triumph  was  signal. 

The  cabinet  which  he  formed,  with  Daniel  ^Vebste! 
at  its  head  as  Secretary  of  State,  was  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  with  wiiich  any  President  had  ever  been 
surrounded.  Never  were  the  pros|)ects  of  an  admin- 
istration more  flattering,  or  the  hopes  of  the  country 
more  sanguine.  In  the  midst  of  these  briglit  and 
joyous  prospects.  Gen.  Harrison  was  seized  by  a 
pleurisy-fever  and  after  a  few  days  of  violent  sick- 
ness, died  on  the  41)1  of  April ;  just  one  month  after 
his  inauguration  as  President  of  the  Uirited  Stales, 


VTL 


TENTH  PRESIDENT. 


1% 


OHN    TYLER,     the    tenth 
^'?,i,  I'residentof  the  United  States. 
He  was  born   in  Charles-city 
Co.,  Va.,  March  29, 1790.  He 
was  the   favored  child   of  af- 
fluence and  high    social    po- 
sition.    At  the   early  age   of 
twelve,  John  entered  William 
and   Mary  College  and  grad- 
uated with  much  honor  when 
but  seventeen  years  old.  After 
graduating,  he  devoted   him- 
self with    great   assiduity  to   the 
study    of    law,    partly   with    his 
father   and   partly  with   Edmund 
Randolph,  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished lawyers  of  Virginia. 

At  nineteen  years  of  age,  ne 
commenced  the  practice  of  law. 
His  success  was  rapid  and  aston- 
ishing. It  is  said  that  three 
months  had  not  elapsed  ere  there 
was  scarcely  a  case  on  the  dock- 
et of  the  court  in  which  he  was 
hot  retained.  When  but  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he 
was  almost  unanimously  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  State 
Legislature.  He  connected  himself  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  warmly  advocated  the  measures  of 
Jefferson  and  Madison.  For  five  successive  years  he 
Was  elected  to  the  Legislature,  receiving  nearly  the 
unanimous  vote  or  his  county. 

When  but  twenty-six  years  of  age,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  Congress.  Here  he  acted  earnestly  and 
ably  with  the  Democratic  party,  opposing  a  national 
bank,  internal  improvements  by  the  General  <^vern- 


me'nt,  a  protective  tariff,  and  advocatmg  a  strict  con* 
struction  of  the  Constitution,  and  the  most  careful 
vigilance  over  State  rights.  His  labors  in  Congress 
were  so  arduous  that  before  the  close  of  his  second 
term  he  found  it  necessary  to  resign  and  retire  to  his 
estate  in  Charles-city  Co.,  to  recruit  his  health.  He, 
however,  soon  after  consented  to  take  his  seat  in  the 
State  Legislature,  where  his  influence  was  powerful 
in  promoting  public  works  of  great  utility.  With  a 
reputation  thus  canstantly  increasing,  he  was  chosen 
by  a  very  large  majority  of  votes.  Governor  of  his 
native  State.  His  administration  was  signally  a  suc- 
cessful one.     His   popularity  secured   his  re-election. 

John  Randolph,  a  brilliant,  erratic,  half-crazed 
man,  then  represented  Virginia  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.  A  portion  of  the  Democratic  party 
was  displeased  with  Mr.  Randolph's  wayward  course, 
and  brought  forward  John  Tyler  as  his  opponent, 
considering  him  the  only  man  in  Virginia  of  sufficient 
popularity  to  succeed  against  the  renowned  orator  of 
Roanoke.     Mr.  Tyler  was  the  victor. 

In  accordance  with  his  professions,  upon  taking  his 
seat  in  the  Senate,  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  opposi- 
tion. He  opposed  the  tariff;  he  spoke  against  and 
voted  against  the  bank  as  unconstitutional ;  he  stren- 
uously opposed  all  restrictions  upon  slavery,  resist- 
ing all  projects  of  internal  improvements  by  the  Gen- 
eral Government,  and  avowed  his  sympath}'  with  Mr. 
Calhoun's  view  of  nullification;  he  declared  that  Gen. 
Jackson,  by  his  opposition  to  the  nullifiers,  had 
abandoned  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 
Such  was  Mr.  Tyler's  record  in  Congress, — a  record 
in  perfect  accordance  with  the  principles  which  be 
had  always  avowed. 

Returning  to  Virginia,  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
his  profession.     There  was  a  cplit  in  the    Democratic 


JOHN  TYLER. 


/art)'.  His  friends  still  regarded  him  as  a  true  Jef- 
fersonian,  gave  him  a  dinner,  and  showered  compli- 
ments ujwn  hira.  He  had  now  attained  the  age  of 
forty-six.  His  career  had  been  ver)-  brilliant.  In  con- 
sequence of  his  devotion  to  public  business,  his  pri- 
vate affairs  had  fallen  into  some  disorder;  and  it  was 
not  without  satisfaction  that  he  resumed  the  practice 
of  law,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  culture  of  iiis  plan- 
tation. Soon  after  this  he  removed  to  Williamsburg, 
for  the  better  education  of  his  children  ;  and  he  again 
look  his  scat  in  the  Legislature  of  Virginia. 

By  the  Southern  Whigs,  he  was  sent  to  the  national 
convention  at  Harrisburg  to  nominate  a  President  in 
•839.  The  majority  of  votes  were;  given  to  Gen.  Har- 
rison, a  genuine  Whig,  much  to  the  disai)ix)intmentot 
the  South,  who  wished  for  Henry  Clay.  To  concili- 
ate the  Southern  Whigs  and  to  secure  their  vote,  the 
convention  then  nominated  John  Tyler  for  Vice  Pres- 
ident. It  was  well  known  iliat  he  was  not  in  sympa- 
thy with  the  Whig  party  in  theNoilh:  but  the  Vice 
President  has  but  very  little  power  in  the  Govern- 
ment, his  main  and  almost  only  duty  being  to  pre- 
side over  the  meetings  of  the  Senate.  Thus  it  hap- 
pened that  a  Whig  President,  and,  in  reality,  a 
Democratic  Vice  President  were  chosen. 

In  1 84 1,  \ir.  Tyler  was  inaugurated  Vice  Presi- 
Jent  of  the  United  States.  In  one  short  month  from  1 
that  time.  President  Harrison  died,  and  Mr.  Tyler  | 
thus  ;und  himsell,  to  his  own  surprise  and  that  of 
the  whole  Nation,  an  occvipant  of  the  Presidential 
chair.  This  was  a  new  test  of  the  stability  of  our 
institutions,  as  it  was  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  our 
country  that  such  an  event  had  occured.  Mr.  Tyler 
was  at  home  in  Williamsburg  when  he  received  the 
unexj)ected  tidings  of  the  death  of  President  Harri- 
son. He  hastened  to  Washington,  and  on  the  6th  of 
April  was  inaugurated  to  the  high  and  resixinsible 
office.  He  was  placed  in  a  iK)siti(jn  of  exceeding 
delicacy  and  difficulty.  All  his  longlife  he  had  been 
op|>osed  tc.  ll;e  main  principles  of  the  party  which  had 
brought  him  into  power.  He  had  ever  been  a  con- 
sistent, iiom,  t  man,  with  an  unblemished  record. 
Gen.  Harrison  had  selected  a  Whig  cabinet.  Should 
he  retain  them,  and  thus  sutround  himself  with  coun- 
sellors whose  views  were  antagonistic  to  his  own.'  or, 
on  the  other  hand,  should  he  turn  ag.iinst  the  i>arty 
whicii  had  elected  him  and  select  a  cabinet  in  har- 
rr.ony  with  himself,  and  which  would  opiXDse  all  those 
views  which  the  Whigs  deemed  essential  to  the  pub- 
lic welfare?  This  was  his  fe.irful  dilemma.  He  in- 
vited the  cabinet  wliich  President  Harrison  had 
•eleclcd  to  retain  their  seats.  He  re<  cnminjnded  a 
(l.iy  of  fasting  and  i)r.-iyer,  that  Go<l  would  guide  and 
bless  us. 

The  WhigH  carried  through  ('ongrcss  a  bill  for  the 
inror|ioralion  of  a  fiscal  bank  of  the  United  States. 
'I'lic  President,  after  ten  d.iys  delay,  relumed  it  with 
hi*  veto.       M<*   4uut:eslc(l,   however,   that   he  >vould 


approve  of  a  bill  drawn  up  upon  such  a  plan  as  he 
proiX)sed.  Such  a  bill  was  accordingly  prepared,  and 
privately  submitted  to  him.  He  gave  it  his  approval. 
It  was  passed  without  alteration,  and  he  sent  it  bark 
with  his  veto.  Here  commenced  the  open  rupture. 
It  is  said  that  Mr.  Tyler  was  provoked  to  this  meas- 
ure by  a  published  letter  from  the  Hon.  John  M. 
Botts,  a  distinguished  \'irginia  Whig,  who  severely 
touched  the  pride  of  the  President. 

The  opiiosition  now  exultingly  received  the  Presi- 
dent into  their  arms.  The  party  which  elected  him 
denounced  him  bitterly.  All  the  members  of  his 
cabinet,  excepting  Mr.  Webster,  resigned.  The  Whigs 
of  Congress,  both  the  Senate  and  the  House,  held  a 
meeting  and  issued  an  address  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  proclaiming  that  all  political  alliance 
between  the  Whigs  and  President  Tyler  were  at 
an  end. 

Still  the  President  attempted  to  conciliate.  He 
appointed  a  new  cabmet  of  distinguished  Whigs  and 
Conservatives,  carefully  leaving  out  all  strong  party 
men.  Mr.  Webster  soon  found  it  necessary  to  resign, 
forced  out  by  the  pressure  of  his  Whig  friends.  Thus 
the  four  years  of  Mr.  Tyler's  unfortunate  administra- 
tion jiassed  sadly  away.  No  one  was  satisfied.  The 
land  was  filled  with  murmurs  and  vitujjeration.  \^"higs 
and  Democrats  alike  assailed  him.  More  and  more, 
however,  he  brought  himself  into  sympathy  with  his- 
old  friends,  the  Democrats,  until  at  the  close  of  his  term, 
he  gave  his  whole  influence  to  the  support  of  Mr. 
I'olk,  the  Democralie  candidate  for  his  successor. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1845,  he  retired  from  the 
harassmenls  of  office,  tothe  regret  of  neitherparty,  and 
probably  to  his  own  unsjieakable  lelief.  His  first  wife. 
Miss  Letitia  Christian,  died  in  Washington,  in  1842; 
and  in  June,  1844,  President  Tylei  was  again  married, 
at  New  York,  to  Miss  Julia  Gardiner,  a  young  lady  of 
many  personal  and  intellectual  accomplishments. 

The  remainder  of  his  days  Mr.  Tyler  passed  mainly 
in  retirement  at  his  beautiful  home, ^Sherwood  For- 
est, Cliavles  city  Co.,  Va.  A  polished  gentleman  in 
his  manners,  richly  furnished  with  information  from 
books  and  experience  in  the  world,  and  )X5ssessing 
brilliant  j)owers  of  conversation,  his  family  circle  was 
the  scene  of  unusual  attractions.  With  sufficient 
means  for  the  exercise  of  a  generous  hos])itality,  he 
might  have  enjoyed  a  serene  old  age  with  the  few 
friends  who  gathered  around  him,  were  it  not  for  the 
storms  of  civil  war  which  his  own  principles  and 
]X)licy  had  helped  to  introduce. 

When  the  great  Rebellion  rose,  which  the  State- 
rights  and  nullifying  dcx nines  of  Mr.  John  C.  Cal- 
houn had  inaugurated,  President  Tyler  renounced  his 
allegiance  to  the  United  States,  and  joined  the  Confed- 
erates He  was  chosen  a  member  of  their  Congress; 
and  while  engaged  in  active  measures  to  destroy,  by 
force  of  arms,  the  Government  over  which  he  had 
once  presided,   he   was  taken   sick   and   soon  died. 


/ 


ELEVENTH  PRESIDENT. 


59 


AMES  K.  POLK,  the  eleventh 
President  of  the  United  States, 
was  l.iorn  in  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C.,Nov.  2,  1795.     His  par- 
ents were    Samuel   and    Jane 
(Knox)  Polk,  the  former  a  son 
of  Col.  Thomas  Polk,  who  located 
at  the  above  place,  as  one  of  the 
first  pioneers,  in  1735. 

In  the  year  i3o6,  with  his  wife 
and  children,  and  soon  after  fol- 
lowed by  most  of  the  members  of 
the  Polk  farnly,  Samuel  Polk  emi- 
grated some  two  or  three  hundred 
miles  farther  west,  to  the  rich  valley 
of  the  Duck  River.  Here  in  the 
midst  of  the  wilderness,  in  a  region 
which  was  subsequently  called  Mau- 
ry Co.,  they  reared  their  log  huts, 
and  established  their  homes.  In  the 
hard  toil  of  a  new  farm  in  the  wil- 
derness, James  K.  Polk  spent  the 
early  years  of  his  childhood  and 
youth.  His  father,  adding  the  pur- 
suit of  a  surveyor  to  that  of  a  farmer, 
gradually  increased  in  wealth  until 
he  became  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  region.  His 
mother  was  a  superior  woman,  of  strong  common 
sense  and  earnest  piety. 

Very  early  in  life,  James  developed  a  taste  for 
reading  and  e.xpressed  the  strongest  desire  to  obtain 
a  liberal  education.  His  mother's  training  had  made 
him  methodical  in  his  habits,  had  taught  him  punct- 
uality and  industry,  and  bad  inspired  him  with  lofty 
principles  of  morality.  His  health  was  frail ;  and  his 
father,  fearing  that  he  might  r>ot-  be  able  to  endure  a 


sedentary  life,  got  a  situation  for  him  behind  the 
counter,  hoping  to  fit  him  for  commercial  pursuits. 

This  was  to  James  a  bitter  disaijpointment.  He 
had  no  taste  for  these  duties,  and  his  daily  tasks 
were  irksome  in  the  extreme.  He  remained  in  this 
uncongenial  occupation  but  a  few  weeks,  when  at  his 
earnest  solicitation  his  father  removed  him,  and  made 
arrangements  for  him  to  prosecute  his  studies.  Soon 
after  he  sent  him  to  Murfreesboro  Academy.  With 
ardor  which  could  scarcely  be  surpassed,  he  pressed 
forward  in  his  studies,  and  in  less  than  two  and  a  half 
years,  \\\  the  autumn  of  1815,  entered  the  sophomore 
class  in  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  at  Chapel 
Hill.  Here  he  was  one  of  the  most  exemplary  of 
scholars,  punctual  in  every  exercise,  never  allowing 
himself  to  be  absent  from  a  recitation  or  a  religious 
service. 

He  graduated  in  1818,  with  the  highest  honors,  be* 
ing  deemed  the  best  scholar  of  his  class,  both  in 
mathematics  and  the  classics.  He  was  then  twenty- 
three  years  of  age.  Mr.  Polk's  health  was  at  this 
time  much  impaired  by  the  assiduity  with  which  he 
had  prosecuted  his  studies.  After  a  short  season  of 
relaxation  he  -went  to  Nashville,  and  entered  the 
office  of  Felix  Grundy,  to  study  law.  Here  Mr.  Polk 
renewed  his  acquaintance  with  Andrew  Jackson,  who 
resided  on  his  plantation,  the  Hermitage,  but  a  few 
miles  from  Nashville.  They  had  probably  been 
slightly  acquainted  before. 

Mr.  Polk's  father  was  a  Jeffersonian  Republican, 
and  James  K.  Polk  ever  adhered  to  the  same  politi- 
cal faith.  He  was  a  popular  public  speaker,  and  was 
constantly  called  upon  to  address  the  meetings  of  his 
party  friends.  His  skill  as  a  speaker  was  such  that 
he  was  popularly  called  the  Napoleon  of  the  stump. 
He  was  a  man  of  unblemished    morals,   genial   and 


6o 


/AMES  K.  POLK. 


Munerus  in  his  bearing,  and  with  that  sympathetic 
natu'e  in  the  joj  s  and  griefs  of  others  which  ever  gave 
him  troops  of  friends.  In  1823,  Mr.  Polk  was  elected 
to  the  Legislature  of  Tennessee.  Here  he  gave  his 
strong  influence  towards  the  election  of  his  friend, 
Mr.  Jackson,  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States. 

In  January,  1824,  Mr.  Polk  married  Miss  Sarah 
Childress,  of  Rutherford  Co.,  Tenn.  His  bride  was 
altogether  worthy  of  him, — a  lady  of  beauty  and  cul- 
ture. In  the  fall  of  1825,  Mr.  Polk  was  chosen  a 
meml>cr  of  Congress.  The  satisfaction  which  he  gave 
to  his  constituents  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  tliat 
forfouneen  successive  years,  until  1839,  he  was  con- 
tinuec"  in  that  office.  He  then  voluntarily  withdrew, 
only  t'nat  he  might  accept  the  Gubernatori.il  chair 
of  Tennessee.  In  Congress  he  was  a  laborious 
member,  a  frequent  and  a  popular  speaker.  He  was 
always  in  his  seat,  always  courteous;  and  whenever 
he  spoke  it  was  always  to  the  point,  and  without  any 
ambitious  rhetorical  display. 

Durinj;  five  sessions  of  Congress,  Mr.  Polk  was 
S])caker  of  the  House.  Strong  passions  were  roused, 
and  stormy  scenes  were  witnessed  ;  but  Mr.  Polk  per- 
formed his  arduous  duties  to  a  very  general  satisfac- 
tion, and  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  to  him  was 
passed  by  the  Hoii»e  as  he  withdrew  011  the  4th  of 
March,  1839. 

In  accordance  with  .Southern  usage,  Mr.  Polk,  as  a 
candidate  for  tJoveriior,  canvassed  the  State.  He  was 
elected  by  a  large  majority,  and  on  the  J4tli  of  Octo- 
ber, iS39,took  the  oath  of  office  at  Nashville.  In  1841, 
his  term  of  offiijc  expired,  and  he  was  again  the  can- 
didate of  the  I  )emoctatic  party,  but  was  defeated. 

On  the  4th of  .March,  iS45,Mr.  Polk  was  inaugur- 
ated President  of  the  United  States.  The  verdict  of 
the  country  in  favor  of  the  anncxationof  Texas,  exerted 
its  influence  uixjn  Congress;  and  the  last  act  of  the 
administration  of  President  Tyler  was  to  affix  his  sig- 
nature to  a  joint  resolution  of  Congress,  passed  on  the 
\i\  of  March,  approving  of  the  annexation  of  Texas  to 
the  American  Union.  As  Mexico  still  claimed  Texas 
as  one  of  her  provinces,  the  Mexican  minister, 
Alinonic,  immediately  demanded  his  passinjrts  and 
left  the  country,  declaring  the  act  of  the  annexation 
to  l>c  an  net  hostile  to  Mexirr>. 

I;i  his  first  message,  President  I'olk  urged  that 
Texas  tihould  immediatel;',  by  act  of  Congress,  be  re- 
ceived into  the  Union  on  the  same  fooling  with  the 
other  Stales.  In  ihe  meantime,  Gen.  Taylor  was  sent 


with  an  army  into  Texas  to  hold  the  country.  He  \"js 
sent  first  to  Nueces,  which  the  Mexicans  said  wms  the 
western  boundary  of  Texas.  Then  he  was  sent  iieariy 
two  hundred  miles  further  west,  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
where  he  erected  batteries  which  commanded  the 
Mexican  city  of  Matamoras,  which  was  situated  on 
the  western  banks. 

The  anticipated  collision  soon  took  place,  and  wai 
was  declared  against  Mexico  by  President  Polk.  The 
war  was  pushed  forward  by  Mr.  Polk's  administration 
with  great  vigor.  Gen.  Taylor,  whose  army  wa's  first 
called  one  of  "observation,"  then  of  "occupation,' 
then  of  "  invasion,  "was  sent  forward  to  Monterey.  The 
feeble  Mexicans,  in  every  encounter,  were  hopelessly 
and  awfully  slaughtered.  The  day  of  judgement 
alone  can  reveal  the  misery  which  this  war  caused. 
It  v.'as  by  the  ingenuity  of  Mr.  Polk's  administration 
that  the  war  was  brought  on. 

'To  the  victors  belong  the  spoils."  Mexico  was 
prostrate  before  us.  Her  capital  was  in  our  hands. 
We  now  consented  to  peace  uixsn  the  condition  that 
Mexico  should  surrender  10  us,  in  adtlition  to  Texas, 
all  of  New  Mexico,  and  all  of  Upper  and  Lower  Cal- 
ifornia. This  new  deinand  embraced,  exclusive  of 
Texas,  eight  hundred  thousand  square  miles.  This 
was  an  extent  of  territory  equal  to  nine  States  of  the 
size  of  New  York.  Thus  slavery  was  securing  eighteen 
majestic  States  to  be  added  to  the  Union.  There  were 
some  Americans  who  thought  it  all  ri^ht :  there  were 
others  who  tliouglu  it  all  wrong.  In  tlie  prosecution 
of  this  war,  we  expended  twenty  thousand  lives  and 
more  than  a  hundred  million  of  dollars.  Of  this 
money  fifteen  millions  were  paid  to  Mexico. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1849,  Mr.  Polk  retired  from 
office,  having  served  one  term.  Tiie  next  day  was 
Sunday.  On  the  5th,  Gen.  Taylor  was  inaugurated 
as  his  successor.  Mr.  Polk  rode  to  the  Capitol  in  the 
same  carriage  with  Gen.  Taylor;  and  the  same  even- 
ing, with  Mrs.  Polk,  he  commenced  his  return  to 
Tennessee.  He  was  then  but  fifty-four  years  of  age. 
lie  had  ever  been  strictly  temperate  in  all  his  habits, 
and  his  health  was  good.  With  an  ample  fortune, 
a  ciioii  e  library,  a  cultivated  mind,  and  domestic  ties 
of  the  dearest  nature,  it  seemed  as  tiiough  long  years 
(if  Iranipiilily  and  liappiness  were  before  liim.  Hut  the 
tholera — that  fearful  scourge — was  then  sweeping  up 
the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi.  Th's  he  contracted, 
and  died  on  the  151)1  of  June,  1S49,  in  tlie  fiftv-fourth 
year  ol  his  age,  greatly  mourned  by  his  counuynicii. 


I' 


1^  C^.^-A^^^i^^^^y/y^-'Lyy 


TWELFTH  PRESIDENT. 


63 


- ,.  ACHARY  TAYLOR,  twelftli 
1'®)  President  of  the  United  States, 
"  was  born  on  the  24th  ot  Nov., 
1784,  in  Orange  Co.,  Va.  His 
-3Is  father,  Colonel  Taylor,  was 
a  Virginian  of  note,  and  a  dis- 
tinguished patriot  and  soldier  of 
the  Revolution.  When  Zachary 
was  an  infant,  his  father  with  his 
wife  and  two  children,  emigrated 
to  Kentucky,  where  he  settled  in 
the  pathless  wilderness,  a  few 
miles  from  Louisville.  In  this  front- 
T/i'y'  ier  home,  away  from  civilization  and 
all  its  refinements,  young  Zachary 
could  enjoy  but  few  social  and  educational  advan- 
tages. When  six  years  of  age  he  attended  a  common 
school,  and  was  then  regarded  as  a  bright,  active  boy, 
rather  remarkable  for  bluntness  and  decision  of  char- 
acter He  was  strong,  feailess  and  self-reliant,  and 
manifested  a  strong  desire  to  enter  the  army  to  fight 
the  Lidians  who  were  ravaging  the  frontiers.  There 
is  little  to  be  recorded  of  the  uneventful  years  of  his 
childhood  on  his  father's  large  but  lonely  plantation. 
\\\  iSoS,  his  father  succeeded  in  obtaining  for  him 
the  commission  of  lieutenant  in  the  United  States 
army  ;  and  he  joined  the  troops  which  were  stationed 
at  New  Orleans  under  Gen.  Wilkinson.  Soon  after 
this  he  married  Miss  Margaret  Smith,  a  young  lady 
from  one  of  the  first  families  of  Maryland. 

Immediately  after  the  declaration  of  war  with  Eng- 
land, in  18 12,  Capt.  Taylor  (for  he  had  then  been 
promoted  to  that  rank)  was  put  in  command  of  Fort 
Harrison,  on  the  Wabash,  about  fifty  miles  above 
Vincennes.  This  fort  had  been  built  in  the  wilder- 
ness by  Gen.  Harrison, on  his  march  to  Tippecanoe. 
It  was  one  of  the  first  points  of  attack  by  the  Indians, 
led  by  TecL'mseh.     Its  garrison  consisted,  of  a  broken 


company  of  infantry  numbering    fifty   men,    many  of 
whom  were  sick. 

Early  in  the  autumn  of  1812,  the  Indians,  stealthily, 
and  in  large  numbers,  moved  upon  the  fort.  Their 
approach  was  first  indicated  by  the  murder  of  two 
soldiers  just  outside  of  the  stockade.  Capt.  Taylor 
made  every  possible  preparation  to  meet  the  antici- 
pated assault.  On  the  4th  of  September,  a  band  of 
forty  painted  and  plumed  savages  came  to  the  fort, 
waving  a  white  flag,  and  informed  Capt.  Taylor  that 
in  the  morning  their  chief  would  come  to  have  a  talk 
with  him.  It  was  evident  that  their  object  was  merely 
to  ascertain  the  state  of  things  at  the  fort,  and  Capt. 
Taylor,  well  versed  in  the  wiles  of  the  savages,  kept 
them  at  a  distance. 

The  sun  went  down;  the  savages  disappeared,  the 
garrison  slept  upon  their  arms.  One  hour  before 
midnight  the  war  whoop  burst  from  a  thousand  lips 
in  the  forest  around,  followed  by  the  discharge  of 
musketry,  and  the  rush  of  the  foe.  Every  man,  sick 
and  well,  sprang  to  his  post.  Every  man  knew  that 
defeat  was  not  merely  death,  but  in  the  case  of  cap- 
ture, death  by  the  most  agonizing  and  prolonged  tor- 
ture. No  pen  can  describe,  no  immagination  can 
conceive  the  scenes  which  ensued.  The  savages  suc- 
ceeded in  setting  fire  to  one  of  the  block-houses- 
Until  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  this  awful  conflict 
continued.  The  savages  then,  baffled  at  ever}'  point, 
and  gnashing  their  teeth  with  rage,  retired.  Capt. 
Taylor,  for  this  gallant  defence,  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  major  by  brevet. 

Until  the  close  of  the  war.  Major  Taylor  was  placed 
in  such  situations  that  he  saw  but  little  more  of  active 
service.  He  was  sent  far  away  into  the  depths  of  the 
wilderness,  to  Fort  Crawford,  on  Fox  River,  which 
empties  into  Green  Bay.  Here  there  was  but  little 
to  be  done  but  to  wear  away  the  tedious  hours  as  one 
best  could.     There  were  no  books,  no  society,  no  in- 


04 


ZACHARY  TAYLOR. 


telleciual  stimulus.  Thus  with  him  the  uneventful 
veare  rolled  on  Gradually  he  rose  to  the  rank  of 
colonel.  In  the  Black-Hawk  war,  which  resulted  in 
the  capture  of  that  renowned  chieftain,  Col  Taylor 
took  a  subordinate  but  a  brave  and  etilicient  part. 

For  twenty-four  years  Col.  Taylor  was  engaged  in 
the  defence  of  the  frontiers,  in  scenes  so  remote,  and  in 
employments  so  obscure,  that  his  name  was  unknown 
beyond  the  limits  of  liis  own  immediate  acquaintance. 
In  the  year  1836,  he  was  sent  to  Florida  to  compel 
the  Seminole  Indians  to  vacate  that  region  and  re- 
lire  beyond  the  Mississippi,  as  their  chiefs  by  treaty, 
iiac'  promised  they  should  do.  The  services  rendered 
he.e  secured  for  Col.  Tayloi  the  high  appreciation  of 
the  Government;  and  as  a  reward,  he  was  elevated 
tc  .he  rank  of  brigadier-general  by  brevet;  and  soon 
after,  in  May,  1838,  was  apjwinted  to  the  chief  com- 
mand of  the  United  States  troops  in  Florida. 

.\fter  two  years  of  such  wearisome  employment 
amidst  the  evergl.idcs  of  tlie  peninsula.  Gen.  Taylor 
obtained,  at  his  own  request,  a  change  of  command, 
:.nd  was  stationed  over  the  Department  of  the  South- 
west, This  field  embraced  Ix)uisiana,  Mississippi, 
Alabama  and  Georgia.  Establishing  his  headquarters 
at  Fort  Jessup,  in  Ix)uisiana,  he  removed  his  family 
to  a  plantation  which  he  purchased,  near  Baton  Rogue. 
Here  he  remained  for  five  years,  buried,  as  it  were, 
from  the  world,  but  faithfully  discharging  every  duty 
im[)osed  u|>on  him. 

In  1S46,  Gen.  Taylor  was  sent  to  guard  tlie  land 
between  the  .N'ueccs  and  Rio  Grande,  the  latter  river 
being  the  Iwundary  of  Texas,  which  was  then  claimed 
by  the  United  States.  Soon  the  war  with  Me.\ico 
was  brought  on,  and  at  Palo  .\lto  and  Resaca  do  la 
I'alma,  Gen.  Taylor  won  brilliant  victories  over  the 
•iMcxicans.  The  rank  of  major-general  by  brevet 
was  then  conferred  uiwn  Gen.  Taylor,  and  his  name 
Was  received  with  enthusiasm  almost  everywhere  in 
the  Nation.  Then  came  the  battles  of  Monterey  and 
Ktiena  Vista  in  whi<  h  he  won  signal  victories  over 
forces  much  larger  than  he  commanded. 

His  careless  habits  of  dress  and  his  unanTecled 
simplicity,  secured  for  Gen.  Taylor  among  his  troops, 
\\\ii  sobriquet  of  "Old  Rough  and  Ready.' 

Tne  tidings  of  the  brilliant  victory  of  Buena  Vista 
:pread  the  wildest  enthusiasm  over  the  country.  The 
name  of  Gen.  Taylor  was  on  every  one's  lips.  The 
^Vhig  party  dei:ided  to  take  advantage  of  this  wonder- 
ful iwpularity  in  bringing  forward  the  un|(olishcd,  im- 

■-•■ed,  h<mest  soldier  as  their  candidate  for  tlie 
ircsidency.  Gen.  T.aylor  was  astonished  at  the  an- 
nouncement, and  for  a  time  would  not  listen  toil;  tle- 
cl.iringthat  he  was  not  at  al!  qualified  for  such  an 
ytti<  c.  .So  little  interest  had  he  taken  in  jxjlitics  that, 
'.>r  forty  years,  he  had  not  cast  a  vole.  It  was  not 
without  chagrin  that  several  distinguished  statesmen 
who  had  liccn  long  years  in  the  public  service  found 
•l..ir  claims  set  aside  in  behalf  of  one  whose   name 


had  never  been  heard  of,  save  in  connection  with  Palo 
Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey  and  Buena 
Vista.  It  is  said  that  Daniel  Webster,  in  his  haste  re- 
marked, "  It  is  a  nomination  not  fit  to  be  made." 

Gen.  Taylor  was  not  an  eloquent  speaker  nor  a  fine 
wnter  His  friends  took  possession  of  him,  and  pre- 
pared such  few  communications  as  it  was  needful 
should  be  presented  to  the  public.  The  popularity  of 
the  successful  warrior  swept  the  land.  He  was  tri- 
umphantly elected  over  two  opposing  candidates, — 
Gen.  Cass  and  Ex-President  Martin  Van  Buren. 
Tliough  he  selected  an  e.xcellent  cabinet,  the  good 
old  man  found  himself  in  a  very  uncongenial  position, 
and  was,  at  times,  sorely  perplexed  and  harassed. 
His  mental  sufferings  were  very  severe,  and  probably 
tended  to  hasten  his  death.  The  pro-slavery  party 
was  pushing  its  claims  with  tireless  energy ,  expedi- 
tions were  fitting  out  to  capture  Cuba  ;  California  was 
pleading  for  admission  to  the  Union,  while  slavery 
stood  at  the  door  to  bar  her  out.  Gen.  Taylor  found 
the  political  conflicts  in  Washington  to  be  far  more 
trying  to  the  nerves  than  battles  with  Mexicans  or 
Indians 

In  the  midst  of  all  these  troubles,  Gen.  Taylor, 
after  he  had  occupied  the  Presidential  chair  but  little 
over  a  year,  took  cold,  and  after  a  brief  sickness  of 
but  little  over  five  days,  died  on  the  9th  of  July,  1850. 
His  last  woids  were,  "  I  am  not  afraid  to  die.  I  am 
ready.  I  have  endeavored  to  do  my  duty."  He  died 
universally  respected  and  beloved.  An  honest,  un- 
pretending man,  he  had  been  steadily  growing  in  the 
affections  of  the  people;  and  the  Nation  bitterly  la- 
mented his  death. 

Gen.  Scott,  who  was  thoioughly  acquainted  with 
Gen.  Taylor,  gave  the  following  graphic  and  truthful 
dcscriiilion  of  his  character: — "  With  a  good  store  of 
common  sense,  Gen.  Taylor's  miiul  had  not  been  en- 
larged and  relreshed  by  reading,  or  much  converse 
with  the  world.  Rigidity  of  ideas  was  the  conse- 
(pience.  The  frontiers  and  small  military  posts  had 
been  his  home.  Hence  he  was  quite  ignorant  for  his 
rank,  and  cpiite  bigoted  in  his  ignorance.  His  sim- 
l^licity  was  child-like,  and  with  innumerable  preju- 
dices, amusing  and  incorrigible,  well  suited  to  the 
tender  age.  Thus,  if  a  man,  however  respectable, 
(hanccd  to  wear  a  coat  of  an  unusual  color,  or  liishal 
a  little  on  one  side  of  his  head;  or  an  officer  to  leave 
a  corner  of  his  handken  hief  dangling  from  an  out- 
side ])ocket, — in  any  such  case,  this  critic  luld  the 
offender  to  be  a  coxcomb  (perhaps  something  worse),  '. 
whom  he  would  not,  to  use  his  oft  repeated  phrase, 
'touch  with  a  jiair  of  tongs.' 

"Any  allusion  to  literature  beyond  good  old  Dil- 
worth's  spelling-book,  on  the  part  of  one  wearing  a 
sword,  was  evidence,  with  the  same  judge,  of  utter 
nnfilneiis  for  heavy  marchings  and  combats.  In  short 
few  men  have  ever  had  a  more  comforta'.y,  '-"^ir. 
saving   contempt    for  le.irnii  g  of  eveiy   kind.' 


'£/^u  f/     ^f7%r^.<ru) 


THIRTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


67 


^'MILLflRH  FILLfflnRE.'<4 


-iM- 


MilS 


i)^- 


4^ 


ILLARD  FILLMORE,  thir- 
teenth President  of  the  United 


States,  was  born  at  Summer 
Hill,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y  .,  on 
the  7th  of  January,  1800.  His 
/ '"^  father  was  a  farmer,  and  ow- 
ing to  misfortune,  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances. Of  his  mother,  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  Abiathar  Millard, 
of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  it  lias  been 
said  that  she  possessed  an  intellect 
of  very  high  order,  united  with  much 
personal  loveliness,  sweetness  of  dis- 
position, graceful  manners  and  ex- 
quisite sensibilities.  She  died  in 
1831  ;  having  lived  to  see  her  son  a 
young  man  of  distinguished  prom- 
ise, though  she  was  not  permitted  to  witness  the  high 
dignity  which  he  finally  attained. 

In  consequence  of  the  secluded  home  and  limited 
means  of  his  father,  Millard  enjoyed  but  slender  ad- 
vantages for  education  in  his  early  years.  The  com- 
mon schools,  which  he  occasionally  attended  were 
very  imperfect  institutions;  and  books  were  scarce 
and  expensive.  There  was  nothing  then  in  his  char- 
acter to  indicate  the  brilliant  career  upon  which  he 
was  about  to  enter.  He  was  a  plain  farmer's  boy ; 
intelligent,  good-looking,  kind-hearted.  The  sacred 
influences  of  home  had  taught  him  to  revere  the  Bible, 
and  had  laid  the  foundations  of  an  upright  character. 
When  fourteen  years  of  age,  his  father  sent  huii 
some  hundred  miles  from  home,  to  the  then  wilds  of 
Livingston  County,  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  clothier. 
Neai  the  mi'!  there  was  a  small   viiliage,  where  some 


enterprising  man  had  commenced  the  collection  of  a 
village  library.  This  proved  an  inestimable  blessing 
to  young  Fillmore.  His  evenings  were  spent  in  read- 
ing. Soon  every  leisure  moment  was  occupied  with 
books.  His  thirst  for  knowledge  became  insatiate 
and  the  selections  which  he  made  were  continually 
more  elevating  and  instructive.  He  read  history, 
biography,  oratory,  and  thus  gradually  there  was  en- 
kindled in  his  heart  a  desire  to  be  something  more 
than  a  mere  worker  with  his  liands;  and  he  was  be- 
coming, almost  unknown  to  himself,  a  well-informed, 
educated  man. 

The  young  clothier  had  now  attained  the  age  of 
nineteen  years,  and  was  of  fine  personal  appearance 
and  of  gentlemanly  demeanor.  It  so  happened  tha*. 
there  was  a  gentleman  in  the  neighborhood  of  ample 
pecuniary  means  and  of  benevolence, — Judge  Walter 
Wood, — who  was  struck  with  the  prepossessing  ap- 
pearance of  young  Fillmore.  He  made  his  acquaint- 
ance, and  was  so  much  impressed  with  his  ability  and 
attainments  that  he  advised  him  to  abandon  his 
trade  and  devote  himself  to  the  study  of  the  law.  The 
young  man  replied,  that  he  had  no  means  of  his  own, 
no  friends  to  help  him  and  that  his  previous  educa- 
tion had  been  very  imperfect.  But  Judge  Wood  had 
so  much  confidence  in  him  that  he  kindly  offered  to 
take  him  into  his  own  office,  and  to  loan  him  such 
money  as  he  needed.  Most  gratefully  the  generous 
offer  was  accepted. 

There  is  in  many  minds  a  strange  delusion  about 
a  collegiate  education.  A  young  man  is  supposed  to 
be  liberally  educated  if  lie  has  graduated  at  some  col- 
lege. But  many  a  boy  loiters  through  university  hal'  ■, 
ind  then  enters  a  law  office,  who  is  by  no  means  as 


G6 


MILLARD  FILLMORE. 


well  prepared  to  prosecute  his  legal  studies  as  was 
Millard  Fillmore  when  he  graduated  at  the  clothing- 
mill  at  ihe  end  of  four  years  of  manual  labor,  during 
which  every  leisure  moment  had  been  devoted  to  in- 
tense mental  culture. 

In  1S23,  when  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  He  then 
went  to  the  village  of  Aurora,  and  commenced  the 
practice  of  law.  In  this  secluded,  peaceful  region, 
his  practice  of  course  was  limited,  and  there  was  no 
opportunity  for  a  sudden  rise  in  foitune  or  in  fame. 
Here,  in  the  year  1S26,  he  married  a  lady  of  great 
moral  worth,  and  one  caj>able  of  adorning  any  station 
she  might  be  called  to  fill, — Miss  Abigail  Powers. 

His  elevation  of  character,  his  untiring  industr)-, 
his  legal  acquirements,  and  his  skill  as  an  advocate, 
gradually  attracted  attention  ;  and  he  was  invited  to 
enter  into  partnership  under  highly  advantageous 
circumstances,  with  an  elder  member  of  the  bar  in 
HufTalo.  Jus!  before  removing  to  Buffalo,  in  1829, 
he  took  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Assembly,  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  as  a  representative  from  Erie 
County.  'l"hough  lie  had  never  taken  a  very  active 
part  in  |X)litics,  his  vote  and  his  sympathies  were  with 
the  Whig  party.  The  State  was  then  Democratic, 
and  he  found  himself  in  a  helpless  minority  in  the 
I.«gislature  ,  still  the  testimony  comes  from  all  parties, 
that  his  courtesy,  ability  and  integrity,  won,  to  a  very 
unusual  degrt  e  the  resi)ect  of  his  associates. 

In  the  autumn  of  1832,  he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in 
the  United  States  Congress  He  entered  that  troubled 
uena  in  some  of  the  most  tumultuous  hours  of  our 
national  history.  The  great  conflict  respecting  the 
national  banl^  and  the  removal  of  the  deposits,  was 
then  raging. 

His  term  of  two  yea's  closed  ;  and  he  returned  to 
his  profession,  which  he  i)ur<ued  with  increasing  rep- 
utation and  success.  .After  a  lapse  of  two  years 
he  again  became  a  candidate  for  Congress ;  was  re- 
elected, and  took  his  seat  in  1837.  His  ])asl  expe- 
rience as  a  representative  gave  inm  siiength  and 
confidence.  The  first  term  of  service  in  Congress  to 
any  man  can  be  but  little  more  than  an  intrixluction. 
He  was  now  prepared  for  ai:live  duly.  All  his  ener- 
gies were  brought  to  bear  ujwn  the  public  good.  Every 
measure  received  his  impress. 

Mr.  Killmorc  was  now  a  man  of  wide  repute,  and 
hi%  |K)pul.iriiy  filled  the  Slate,  and  in  the  year  1847, 
!ic   was  elected  Comptroller  of    the   State. 


Mr.  Fillmore  had  attained  the  age  of  forty-seven 
years.  His  labors  at  the  bur,  in  the  Legislature,  in 
Congress  and  as  Comptroller,  h;id  given  him  very  con- 
siderable fame.  The  Whigs  were  casting  about  to 
find  suitable  candidates  for  President  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent at  the  apinoaching  election.  Far  away,  on  the 
waters  of  the  Rio  Grande,  there  was  a  rough  old 
soldier,  who  had  fought  one  or  two  successful  battles 
with  the  Mexicans,  which  had  caused  his  name  to  be 
proclaimed  in  trumpet-tones  all  over  the  land.  But 
it  was  necessary  to  associate  with  him  on  the  same 
ticket  some  man  of  reputation  as  a  statesman. 

Under  the  influence  of  these  considerations,  the 
namesofZachary  Taylor  and  Millard  Fillmore  became 
the  rallying-cry  of  the  Whigs,  as  their  candidates  for 
President  and  Vice-Peesident.  The  Wliig  ticket  was 
signally  triumphant.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1849, 
Gen.  Taylor  was  inaugurated  President,  and  Millard 
Fillmore  Vice-President,  of  the  United  States. 

On  tlie  9th  of  July,  1850,  President  Taylor,  but 
about  one  year  and  four  months  after  his  inaugura 
tion,  was  suddenly  taken  sick  and  died.  By  tlie  Con- 
stitution, Vice-President  Fillmore  thus  became  Presi- 
dent. He  appointed  a  very  able  cabinet,  of  which 
the  illustrious  Daniel  Webster  was  Secretary  of  State. 

Mr.  Fillniore  had  very  serious  difficulties  to  contend 
with,  since  the  opposition  had  a  majority  in  both 
Houses.  He  did  everything  in  his  power  to  conciliate 
the  Soulli ;  but  the  jiro-slavery  party  in  the  South  felt 
the  inadequacy  of  all  measuresof  transient  conciliation. 
The  ])opulation  of  the  free  States  was  so  rapidly  in- 
creasing over  that  of  the  slave  States  that  it  was  in- 
evitable that  the  power  of  the  Government  should 
soon  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  free  States.  The 
famous  compromise  measures  were  adopted  under  Mr. 
I'"illnicre's  adminstration,  and  the  Japan  Expedition 
was  sent  out.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1853,  Mr,  F'ill- 
more,  having  served  one  term,  retired. 

In  1856,  Mr.  Fillmore  was  nominated  for  the  Pres- 
idency by  the  "  Know  Nothing  "  party,  but  was  l)eaten 
by  Mr.  Buchanan.  After  that  Mr.  Fillmore  lived  in 
retirement.  During  the  terrible  conflict  of  civil  war, 
he  was  mostly  silent.  It  was  generally  sup|)osed  that 
his  sympathies  were  rather  with  those  wiio  were  en- 
deavoring to  overtlirow  our  institutions.  President 
Fillmore  kepi  .iloof  from  tlie  conflict,  without  any 
cordial  words  of  cheer  to  the  one  parly  or  the  other, 
lie  was  tlius  forgotten  by  both.  He  lived  to  a  ripe 
old  age,  and  died  in  Bulfalo.  N.  V.,  March  8,    1874. 


FOURTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


71 


S=s«^-    cagaa!^ 


^''FHflNKLIN  PIERCE. 


-f^ 


RANKLIN     PIERCE,    the 
fourteenth    President  of  the 
lir  United  States,  was  born  in 
Hillsborough,    N.    H.,    Nov. 
23,  1804.     His  father  was  a 
Revolutionary  soldier,   who, 
with    his    own     strong    arm, 
hewed   out  a    home   in    the 
wilderness.     He  was  a  man 
of    inflexible    integrity;     of 
strong,   though    uncultivated 
mind,  and  an  uncompromis- 
ing Democrat.      The    mother   of 
Franklin  Pierce  was  all  that  a  son 
could  desire, — an  intelligent,  pru- 
dent, affectionate,  Christian  wom- 
an.    Franklin  was  the  sixth  of  eight  children. 

Franklin  was  a  very  bright  and  handsome  boy,  gen- 
erous, warm-hearted  and  brave.  He  won  alike  the 
love  of  old  and  young.  The  boys  on  the  play  ground 
loved  him.  His  teachers  loved  him.  The  neighbors 
looked  upon  him  with  pride  and  affection.  He  was 
by  instinct  a  gentleman;  always  speaking  kind  words, 
doing  kind  deeds,  with  a  peculiar  unstudied  tact 
which  taught  him  what  was  agreeable.  Without  de- 
veloping any  precocity  of  genius,  or  any  unnatural 
devotion  to  books,  he  was  a  good  scholar ;  in  body, 
in  mind,  in  affections,  a  finely-developed  boy. 

When  sixteen  years  of  age,  in  the  year  1820,  he 
entered  Bowdoin  College,  at  Brunswick,  Me.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  popular  young  men  in  the  college. 
The  iiurity  cf  his  moral  character,  the  unvarying 
courtesy  of  his  demeanor,  his  rank  as  a  scholar,   and 


genial  nature,  rendered  him  a  universal  favorite. 
There  was  something  very  peculiarly  winning  in  his 
address,  and  it  was  evidently  not  in  the  slightest  de- 
gree studied  :  it  was  the  simple  outgushing  of  his 
own  magnanimous  and  loving  nature. 

Upon  graduating,  in  the  year  1824,  Franklin  Pierce 
commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Judge 
Woodbury,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  lawyers  of 
the  State,  and  a  man  of  great  private  worth.  The 
eminent  social  qualities  of  the  young  lawyer,  his 
father's  prominence  as  a  public  man,  and  the  brilliant 
political  career  into  which  Judge  Woodbury  was  en- 
tering, all  tended  to  entice  Mr.  Pierce  into  the  faci- 
nating  yet  perilous  path  of  political  life.  With  all 
the  ardor  of  his  nature  he  espoused  the  cause  of  Gen. 
Jackson  for  the  Presidency.  He  commenced  the 
practice  of  law  in  Hillsborough,  and  was  soon  elected 
to  represent  the  town  in  the  State  Legislature.  Here 
he  served  for  four  yeais.  The  last  two  years  he  was 
chosen  speaker  of  the  house  by  a  very  large  vote. 

In  1833,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  Congress.  Without  taking  an  active 
part  in  debates,  he  was  faithful  and  laborious  in  duty 
and  ever  rising  in  the  estimation  of  those  with  whom 
he  was  associatad. 

In  1837,  being  then  but  thirty-three  years  of  age, 
he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States; 
taking  his  seat  just  as  Mr.  Van  Buren  commenced 
his  administration.  He  was  the  youngest  member  in 
the  Senate.  In  the  year  1834,  he  married  Miss  Jane 
Means  Appleton,  a  lady  of  rare  beauty  and  accom- 
plishments, and  one  admirably  fitted  to  adorn  ever)' 
station  with  wiiich  her  husband  was  honoied.    Of  the 


7» 


tRANKLIN  PIERCE. 


three  sons  who  were  bom  to  them,  all  now  sleep  with 
their  parents  in  the  grave. 

In  the  year  1838,  Mr.  Pierce,  with  growing  fame 
and  increasing  business  as  a  lawyer,  took  up  his 
residence  in  Concord,  the  capital  of  New  Hampshire. 
President  Polk,  upon  his  accession  to  office,  appointed 
Mr.  Pierce  attorney-general  of  the  United  States;  but 
the  offer  was  declined,  in  consequence  of  numerous 
professional  engagements  at  home,  and  the  precariuos 
stale  of  Mrs.  Pierce's  health.  He  also,  about  the 
same  time  declined  the  nomination  for  governor  by  the 
Democratic  pany.  The  war  with  Mexico  called  Mr. 
Pierce  in  the  army.  Receiving  the  appointment  of 
brigadier-general,  he  embarked,  with  a  portion  of  his 
troops,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  on  the  27  th  of  May,  1847. 
He  took  an  im|X3rtant  part  in  this  war,  proving  him- 
self a  brave  and  true  soldier. 

When  Gen.  Pierce  reached  his  home  in  his  native 
State,  he  was  received  enthusiastically  by  the  advo- 
cates of  the  Mexican  war,  and  coldly  by  his  oppo- 
nents. He  resumed  the  practice  of  liis  profession, 
very  frequently  taking  an  active  part  in  political  ciues- 
tions,  giving  his  cordial  sup[X)rt  to  the  pro-slavery 
wing  of  the  Democratic  party.  The  compromise 
measures  met  cordially  with  his  approval ;  and  he 
strenuously  advocated  the  enforcement  of  the  infa- 
mous fugitive-slave  law,  which  so  shocked  the  religious 
sensibilities  of  the  North.  He  thus  became  distin- 
guished as  a  "  Northern  man  with  Southern  principles.'' 
The  strong  partisans  of  slavery  in  the  South  conse- 
quently regarded  him  as  a  man  whom  they  could 
•afely  trust  in  office  to  carry  out  their  plans. 

On  the  1 2th  of  June,  1852,  the  Democratic  conven- 
tion n>ct  in  Ualtimore  to  nominate  a  candidate  for  the 
I'residency.  For  four  days  they  continued  in  session, 
and  in  thirty-five  ballotings  no  one  had  obtained  a 
two-thirds  vote.  Not  a  vote  thus  far  had  been  thrown 
for  ("len.  Pierce.  Then  the  Virginia  delegation 
brought  forward  his  name.  There  were  fourteen 
more  liallotings,  during  which  (len.  Pierce  constantly 
gained  strength,  until,  at  the  forty-ninth  ballot,  he 
received  two  hundred  and  eighty-two  voles,  and  :ill 
other  candidates  eleven,  (len.  Winfield  Scott  was 
the  Whig  candidate,  (len.  Pierce  was  chosen  with 
great  unanimity.  Only  four  Slates — Vermont,  Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky  and  'I'ennessce  —  cast  their 
electoral  votes  against  him  (Jen.  F-'ranklin  Pieue 
was  therefoic  inaugurated  President  of  the  United 
alatcs   on    the  4lh  of  March,    1853. 


His  administration  proved  one  of  the  most  stormy  our 
country  had  ever  experienced.  The  controversy  be 
tween  slavery  and  freedom  was  then  approaching  its 
culminating  point.  It  became  evident  that  there  was 
an  "  irrepressible  conflict  "  between  them,  and  that 
this  Nation  could  not  long  exist  "  half  slave  and  half 
free."  President  Pierce,  during  the  whole  of  his  ad- 
ministration, did  every  thing  he  could  to  conciliate 
the  South  ;  but  it  was  all  in  vain.  The  conflict  every 
year  grew  more  violent,  and  threats  of  the  dissolution 
of  the  Union  were  borne  to  the  North  on  every  South- 
ern breeze. 

Siifth  was  the  condition  of  affairs  when  President 
Pierce  approached  the  close  of  his  four-years'  term 
of  office.  The  North  had  become  thoroughly  alien- 
ated from  him.  The  anti-slavery  sentiment,  goaded 
by  gre.it  outrages,  had  been  rapidly  increasing;  all 
the  intellectual  ability  and  social  worth  of  President 
Pierce  were  forgotten  in  deep  reprehension  of  his  ad- 
ministrative acts.  The  slaveholders  of  the  South,  also, 
unmindful  of  the  fidelity  with  which  he  had  advo- 
cated those  measures flf  Government  whi'ch  they  ap- 
proved, and  perhaps,  also,  feeling  that  he  had 
rendered  himself  so  unpopular  as  no  longer  to  be 
able  acceptably  to  serve  them,  ungratefully  dropped 
him,  and  nominated  James  Buchanan  to  succeed  him. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1857,  President  Pierce  re- 
tired to  his  home  in  Concord.  Of  three  children,  two 
had  died,  and  his  only  surviving  child  had  been 
killed  before  his  eyes  by  a  railroad  accident ;  and  his 
wife,  one  of  the  most  estimable  and  accomplished  of 
ladies,  was  rapidly  sinking  in  consumption.  The 
hour  of  dreadful  gloom  soon  came,  and  he  was  left 
alone  in  tlie  world,  without  wife  or  child. 

When  the  terrible  Rebellion  burst  forth,  which  di- 
vided our  country  into  two  parties,  and  two  only,  Mr. 
Pierce  remained  steadfast  in  the  principles  which  he 
had  always  cherished,  and  gave  his  sympathies  to 
that  pro-slavery  party  with  which  he  had  ever  been 
allied.  He  declined  to  do  aiiytiiing,  either  by  voice 
or  pen,  to  strengthen  the  hand  of  the  National  C.ov- 
erninent.  He  continued  to  reside  in  Concord  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  October, 
1869.  He  was  one  of  the  most  genial  and  social  of 
men,  an  honored  communicant  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  one  of  the  kindest  of  neighbors.  Gen- 
erous to  a  fault,  he  contributed  liberally  for  the  al- 
leviation of  suffering  and  want,  and  many  of  his  towns- 
I'COple  were  often  gladened  by   liis   material    bounty. 


pi 


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^&y7?te^  aWuo-/i€C/7t^^^^^ 


I'IFTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


ys 


«<« 


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1 1*  •.,vs3i^t^,a,ii-..i,-..'i'-.,'i';.^i^i^(^<^>a.'>:'..'  ■' ;  ■'  ."■'  ."a'^'^'^i'i^'i^t^t^'^'JSitgi 


r^t'^mi^mi^<^^mi'w^^^x^^i^m\^^i^^^'^^^i:?\^^iyy's>^^ 


^r 


— ««^ — ►— 


^y'ti 


AMES  BUCHANAN,  the  fif- 

^igteenth  President  of  the  United 

States,    was  bora    in    a    small 

frontier  town,  at  the  foot  of  the 

eastern  ridge  of  the    AUegha- 

nies,  in  Franklin  Co.,  Penn.,  on 

p   the  23d  of  April,  1791.  The  place 

where   the  hiuiible   cabin    of  his 

father   stood   was     called     Stony 

Batter.      It   was    a    wild    and   ro- 


mantic spot  in  a  gorge  of  the  moun- 
tains, with  towering  summits  rising 
grandly  all  around.  His  father 
was  a  native  of  the  north  of  Ireland  ; 
a  poor  man,  who  had  emigrated  in 
1783,  with  little  property  save  his 
own  strong  arms.  Five  years  afterwards  he  married 
Elizabeth  Spear,  the  daughter  of  a  respectable  farmer, 
and,  with  his  young  bride,  plunged  into  the  wilder- 
ness, staked  his  claim,  reared  his  log-hut,  opened  a 
clearing  with  his  axe,  and  settled  down  there  to  per- 
form his  obscure  part  in  the  drama  of  life.  In  this  se- 
cluded home,  where  James  was  born,  he  remained 
for  eight  years,  enjoying  but  few  social  or  intellectual 
advantages.  When  James  was  eight  years  of  age,  his 
father  removed  to  the  village  of  Mercersburg,  where 
his  son  was  placed  at  school,  and  commenced  a 
course  of  study  in  English,  Latin  and  Greek.  His 
progress  was  rapid,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  he 
entered  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle.  Here  he  de- 
veloped remarkable  talent,  and  took  his  stand  among 
the  first  scholars  in  the  institution.  His  application 
"to  study  was  intense,  and  yet  his  native   powers    en- 


abled him  to  master  the  most  abstruse  subjects  wi  '- 
facility. 

In  the  year  1809,  he  _graduated  with  the  highest 
honors  of  his  clast.  He  was  then  eighteen  years  of 
age;  tall  and  graceful,  vigorous  in  health,  fond  of 
athletic  sport,  an  unerring  shot,  and  enlivened  with 
an  exuberant  flow  of  animal  spirits.  He  immediately 
commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  city  of  Lancaster, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1812,  when  he  was 
but  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Verv  rapidly  he  rose 
in  his  profession,  and  at  once  took  undisputed  stand 
with  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  State.  When  but 
twenty-six  years  of  age,  unaided  by  counsel,  he  suc- 
cessfully defended  before  the  State  Senate  oie  of  the 
judges  of  the  State,  who  was  tried  upon  articles  of 
impeachment.  At  the  age  of  thirty  it  was  generally 
admitted  that  he  stood  at  the  head  of  the  bar;  and 
there  was  no  lawyer  in  the  State  who  had  a  more  lu- 
crative practice. 

In  1820,  he  reluctantly  consented  to  run  as  a 
candidate  for  Congress.  He  was  elected,  and  foi 
ten  years  he  remained  amember  of  the  Lower  House. 
During  the  vacations  of  Congress,  he  occasionally 
tried  some  important  case.  In  1831,  he  retired 
altogether  from  the  toils  of  his  profession,  having  ac- 
quired an  ample  fortune. 

Gen.  Jackson,  upon  his  elevation  to  the  Presidency, 
appointed  Mr.  Buchanan  minister  to  Russia.  The 
duties  of  his  mission  he  performed  with  ability,  which 
gave  satisfaction  to  all  parties.  L'pon  his  return,  in 
1833,  he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  United  States 
Senate.  He  there  met,  as  his  associates,  Webster. 
Clay,  Wright  and  Calhoun.  He  advocated  the  meas- 
ures proposed  by  President  Jackson,  of  ni.;t<ng  repri- 


76 


JAMES  BUCHANAN. 


sals  against  France,  to  enforce  the  payment  of  our 
claims  against  that  country;  and  detended  the  course 
of  the  President  in  his  unprecedented  and  wholesale 
removal  from  office  of  those  who  were  not  the  sup- 
porters of  his  administration.  \j\xi\\  this  question  he 
was  brought  into  direct  collision  with  Henry  Clay. 
He  also,  with  voice  and  vote,  advocated  expunging 
from  the  journal  of  the  Senate  tiie  vote  of  censure 
against  Gen.  Jackson  for  removing  the  dei>osits. 
Earnestly  he  oi)posed  the  alwlition  of  slavery  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  urged  the  prohibition  of  the 
circulation  of  anti-slavery  documents  by  the  United 
States  mails. 

.As  to  i)etitions  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  he  advo- 
cated that  they  should  be  resiiectfully  received;  and 
that  tlie  reply  should  be  returned,  that  Congress  had 
no  ix)wer  to  legislate  uiKjn  the  subject.  "  Congress," 
said  he,  "  might  as  well  undertake  to  interfere  with 
slavery  under  a  foreign  government  as  in  any  of  the 
Stales  where  it  now  e.\ists." 

\}\o\\  Mr.  Polk's  accession  to  the  Presidency,  Mr. 
Buchanan  became  Secretary  of  State,  and  as  such, 
took  his  share  of  the  resixsnsibilily  in  the  conduct  of 
the  Mexican  War.  Mr.  Polk  assumed  that  crossing 
the  -Nueces  by  the  American  troops  into  the  disputed 
lerritor)'  was  not  wrong,  but  for  the  Mexicans  to  cross 
the  Rio  Cirande  into  that  territory  was  a  declaration 
of  war.  No  candid  man  can  re.id  with  pleasure  llie 
accoimt  of  the  course  our  Ciovernment  pursued  in  that 
movement 

.Mr.  Buchanan  identified  himself  thoroughly  with 
the  i)arty  devoted  to  the  p.-rpetuation  and  extension 
of  slavery,  and  brought  all  the  energies  of  his  mind 
to  bear  ag.iiust  the  Wilmot  Proviso.  He  gave  his 
•  ordial  ap|>n)val  to  the  compromise  measures  of  1S50, 
which  included  the  fugitive-slave  law.  Mr.  Pierce, 
upon  his  election  to  the  I'residency,  honored  Mr. 
Buchanan  with  the  mission  to  P'ngland. 

In  the  year  1S56,  a  national  Hemocratic  conven- 
tion nominated  Nlr.  Buchanan  forthe  Presidency.  The 
|Mjlitical  conflict  was  one  of  the  most  severe  in  which 
our  country  has  ever  engaged.  .All  the  friends  of 
slavery  were  on  one  side;  all  the  advocates  of  its  re- 
striction an<l  final  aliolition,  on  the  other.  Mr.  Fre- 
mont, the  candidate  of  the  enenues  of  slavery,  re- 
•eived  114  electoral  votes.  Mr.  Buchanan  received 
174,  and  was  clc<:led.  The  [opnlar  vote  stood 
i,j40,6iS,  for  Fremont,  1,224,750  for  liuchanan.  On 
March    4th,    1857.  Mr.   Buchanan  was  inaugurated. 

Mr.  Buchanan  was  far  advanced  in  life.  Only  four 
vears  were  w.inting  to  fill  up  his  ihroLsc ore  years  and 
ten.  His  own  friends,  those  with  wiiom  he  had  been 
ilhi-d  in  |K>liiical  jirinciples  and  action  for  years,  were 
flocking  the  destruction  of  the  (lovernnient,  that  they 
might  rear  Ujwn  the  ruins  of  our  free  institutions  a 
nation  whose  corner-stone  should  be  human  slavery. 
In  this  emergency,  Mr.  Buchanan  was  hoi)elessly  be- 
wildered     He  could  not,  with  hi«  long-avowed  prin- 


ciples, consistently  oppose  the  State-rights  party  in 
their  assumptions.  .As  President  of  the  United  States, 
bound  by  his  oath  faithfully  to  administer  the  laws, 
he  could  not,  without  perjury  of  the  grossest  kind, 
unite  with  tliose  endeavoring  to  overthrow  the  repub- 
lic.     He  therefore  did  nothing. 

The  opponents  of  Mr.  Buclianan's  administration 
nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  as  their  standard  bearer 
in  the  next  Presidential  canvass.  The  pro-slavery 
party  declared,  that  if  he  were  elected,  and  the  con- 
trol of  the  Government  were  thus  taken  from  their 
hands,  they  would  secede  from  the  Union,  taking 
with  them,  as  they  retired,  the  National  Capitol  at 
Washington,  and  the  hon's  share  of  the  territory  of 
the  United  States. 

Mr.  Buchanan's  sympathy  with  the  pro-slavery 
party  was  such,  that  he  had  been  willing  to  offer  them 
far  more  tlian  they  had  ventured  to  claim.  All  the 
South  had  professed  to  ask  of  the  North  was  non- 
intervention upon  the  subject  of  slavery.  Mr.  Bu- 
chanan had  been  ready  to  offer  them  the  active  co- 
operation of  the  Government  to  defend  and  extend 
the  institution. 

As  the  storm  increased  in  violence,  the  slaveholders 
claiming  the  right  to  secede,  and  Mr.  Buchanan  avow- 
ing that  Congress  had  no  power  to  prevent  it,  one  of 
the  most  pitiable  exhibitions  of  governmental  im- 
becility was  exhil)ited  the  world  has  ever  seen.  He 
declared  that  Congress  had  no  power  to  enforce  its 
laws  in  any  State  which  had  withdrawn,  or  which 
was  attempting  to  withdraw  from  tlie  Union.  Tliis 
was  not  tlie  doctrine  of  Andrew  Jackson,  when,  with 
his  hand  upon  his  swordliilt,  he  exclaimed.  "The 
Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved!" 

South  Carolina  seceded  in  December,  i860;  nearly 
three  months  before  the  inauguration  of  President 
Lincoln.  Mr.  Buchanan  looked  on  in  listless  despair. 
The  rebel  flag  was  raised  in  Charleston  :  FortSumpter 
was  besieged ;  our  forts,  navy-yards  and  arsenals 
were  seized;  our  depots  of  military  stores  were  plun- 
dered ;  and  our  custom-houses  and  post-offices  were 
api)roprialed  by  the  rebels. 

The  energy  of  the  rebels,  and  the  iniliecility  of  our 
Executive,  were  alike  marvelous.  The  Nation  looked 
on  in  agony,  waiting  for  the  slow  weeks  to  glide  away, 
and  close  the  administration,  so  terrible  in  its  weak- 
ness At  lenglli  the  long-lookcd-for  hour  of  deliver- 
ance came,  when  Abraiiam  Lincoln  was  to  receive  the 
scepter. 

Tlie  administration  of  President  Buchanan  was 
certainly  the  most  calamitous  our  country  has  ex- 
perienced. His  best  friends  cannot  recall  it  with 
l>leasure.  .And  still  more  deplorable  it  is  lor  his  fame, 
th.it  in  that  dreadful  condicl  whicji  rolled  Its  billows 
of  flame  and  i>lood  over  our  whole  land,  no  word  came 
from  his  lips  to  indicate  his  wish  that  our  country's 
banner  should  triumph  over  the  llag  of  the  rebellior. 
lb-  died   at  his   Wheatland    retreat,    June    i,    1868. 


/Il 


ho^-^  X. 


<^x 


y/^^-'^  -tC 


SIXTEENTH  PRES/DET^T. 


79 


ABRAHAM) 


^^iJs,» 


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BRAHAM  LINCOLN,  the 
sixteenth  President  of  the 
Ununited  States,  was  born  in 
Hardin  Co.,  Ky.,  Feb.  12, 
1809.  About  the  year  1780,  a 
man  liy  the  name  of  Abraham 
Lincohi  left  Virginia  with  his 
family  and  moved  into  the  then 
wildsof  Kentucky.  Only  two  years 
after  this  emigration,  still  a  young 
man,  while  working  one  day  in  a 
field,  was  stealthily  approached  by 
an  Indian  and  shot  dead.  His  widow 
was  left  in  extreme  poverty  witli  five 
little  children,  three  boys  and  two 
girls.  Thomas,  the  youngest  of  the 
boys,  was  four  years  of  age  at  his 
father's  death.  This  Thomas  was 
the  father  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  the 
President  of  the  United  States 
whose  name  must  henceforth  foi-ever  be  enrolled 
with  the  most  prominent  in  the  annals  of  our  world. 
Of  course  no  record  has  been  kept  of  the  life 
of  one  so  lowly  as  Thomas  Lincoln.  He  was  among 
the  poorest  of  the  poor.  His  home  was  a  wretched 
log -cabin;  his  food  the  coarsest  and  the  meanest. 
Education  he  had  none;  he  could  never  either  read 
or  write.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  do  anything  for 
himself,  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the  cabin  of  his 
starving  mother,  and  push  out  into  the  world,  a  friend- 
.ess,  wandering  boy,  seeking  work.  He  hired  him- 
self out,  and  thus  spent  the  whole  of  his  youth  as  a 
?.iborer  in  the  fields  of  others. 

When  twenty-eight  years  of  age  he  built  a  log- 
cabin  of  his  own,  and  married  Nancy  Hanks,  the 
daughter  of  another  family  of  poor  Kentucky  emi- 
grants, who  had  also  come  from  Virginia.  Their 
second  child  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  The  mother  of  Abraham  was  a  noble 
woman,  gentle,  loving,  pensive,  created  to  adorn 
a  palace,  doomed  to  toil  and  pine,  and  die  in  a  hovel. 
"  All  that  I  am,  or  hope  to  be,"  exclaims  the  grate- 
ful son  "I  owe  to  my  angel-mother.  " 

When  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  his  father  sold  his 


cabin  and  small  farm,  and  moved  to  Indiai-.a    Wher- 
two  years  later  his  mother  died. 

Abraham  soon  became  the  scribe  of  the  uneducated 
community  around  him.  He  could  not  have  had  a 
better  school  than  this  to  teach  him  to  put  thoughts 
into  words.  He  also  became  an  eager  reader.  The 
books  he  could  obtain  were  few ;  but  these  he  ^ead 
and  re-read  until  they  were  almost  conmiitte**  tc 
memory. 

As  the  years  rolled  on,  the  lot  of  this  lowly  familj 
was  the  usual  lot  of  humanity.  Thi^re  were  joys  and 
griefs,  weddings  and  funerals.  Abraham's  sistd 
-Sarah,  to  whom  he  was  tenderly  attached,  was  niai 
ried  when  a  child  of  but  fourteen  years  of  age,  anc 
soon  died.  The  family  was  gradually  scattered.  Mr 
Thomas  Lincoln  sold  out  liis  s£|uatter's  claim  in  1830 
and  emigrated  to  Macon  Co.,  111. 

Abraham  Lincoln  was  then  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
With  vigorous  hands  he  aided  his  father  in  rearing 
another  log-cabin.  Abraham  worked  diligently  at  this 
until  he  saw  the  family  comfortably  settled,  and  theii 
small  lot  of  enclosed  prairie  planted  with  corn,  when 
he  announced  to  his  father  his  intention  to  leave 
home,  and  to  go  out  into  the  world  and  seek  his  for- 
tune. Little  did  he  or  his  friends  imagine  how  bril- 
liant that  fortune  was  to  be.  He  saw  the  value  o! 
education  and  was  intensely  earnest  to  improve  his 
mind  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  He  saw  the  ruin 
which  ardent  spirits  were  causing,  and  became 
strictly  temperate ;  refusing  to  allow  a  drop  of  intoxi- 
cating liquor  to  pass  his  lips.  And  he  had  read  in 
God's  word,  "Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  thft 
Lord  thy  God  in  vain  ;"  and  a  profane  expression  hft 
was  never  heard  to  utter.  Religion  he  revered.  Hisi 
morals  were  pure,  and  he  was  uncontaminated  by  a 
single  vice. 

Young  Abraham  worked  for  a  time  as  a  hired  laborej 
among  the  farmers.  Then  he  went  to  Springfield, 
where  he  was  employed  in  building  a  large  flat-boat. 
In  this  he  took  a  herd  of  swine,  floated  them  down 
the  Sangamon  to  the  Illinois,  and  thence  by  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  New  Orleans.  Whatever  Abraham  Lin- 
coln undertook,  he  performed  so  faithfully  as  to  give 
great  satisfaction  to  his  employers.      In  this  adven 


So 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 


ture  his  employers  were  so  well  pleased,  that  upon 
his  return  they  placed  a  store  and  mill  under  his  care. 

In  1832,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  he 
enlisted  and  was  chosen  captain  of  a  company.  He 
returned  to  Sangamon  County,  and  although  only  23 
years  of  age,  was  a  candidate  for  the  Legislature,  but 
was  defeated.  He  soon  after  received  from  Andrew 
Jackson  the  appointment  of  Postmaster  of  New  Salem, 
His  only  post-office  was  his  hat.  \\\  the  letters  he 
received  he  carried  there  ready  to  deliver  to  those 
he  chanced  to  meet.  He  studied  surveying,  and  .soon 
made  this  his  business.  In  1S34  he  again  became  a 
candidate  for  the  Legislature,  and  was  elected  Mr. 
Stuart,  of  Springfield,  advised  him  to  study  law.  He 
walked  from  New  Salem  to  Springfield,  borrowed  of 
Mr.  Stuart  a  load  of  books,  carried  them  back  and 
began  his  legal  studies.  When  the  Legislature  as- 
sembled he  trudged  on  foot  with  his  pack  on  his  back 
one  hundred  miles  to  Vandalia,  then  the  capital.  In 
1836  he  was  re-elected  to  the  Legislature.  Here  it 
was  he  first  met  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  In  1839  he  re- 
moved to  Springfield  and  began  the  practice  of  law. 
His  success  with  the  jury  was  so  great  that  he  was 
soon  engaged  in  almost  every  noted  case  in  the  circuit. 

In  1854  the  great  discussion  began  between  Mr. 
Lincoln  and  Mr.  Douglas,  on  the  slavery  question. 
In  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois, 
in  1856,  he  took  an  active  part,  and  at  once  became 
one  of  the  leaders  in  that  party.  Mr.  Lincoln's 
speeches  in  opiX)silion  to  Senator  Douglas  in  the  con- 
test in  1858  for  a  seat  in  the  Senate,  form  a  most 
notable  part  of  his  liistory.  The  issue  was  on  the 
slavery  nuestion,  and  lie  took  the  broad  ground  of 
.he  Declaration  of  Indepentlence,  that  all  men  are 
created  eipial.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  defeated  in  this  con- 
test, but  won  a  far  higher   prize. 

The  great  Republican  Qinvention  met  at  Chicago 
on  the  r6ih  of  June,  i860.  The  delegates  and 
strangers  who  crowded  the  city  amounted  to  twenty- 
five  thousand.  .\n  immense  building  called  "The 
Wigwam,"  was  reared  to  accommodate  the  Conven- 
tion. There  were  eleven  candidates  for  whom  votes 
were  thrown.  William  M  Seward,  a  man  whose  fame 
as  a  statesman  had  long  filled  the  land,  was  the  most 
prominent.  It  w.is  generally  supiwsed  lie  would  he 
the  nominee,  .'Xbrahain  Limoln,  however,  received 
the  nomination  on  the  third  ballot.  Little  did  he  then 
dream  of  the  weary  years  of  toil  and  care,  a. id  the 
bloody  death,  to  which  that  nomination  doomed  him: 
and  as  little  <lid  he  dream  that  he  w.is  to  render  services 
to  his  country,  which  would  (ix  u|Kjn  him  the  eyes  of 
the  whole  <  ivili/.ed  world,  and  wlii<h  would  give  him 
a  place  in  the  afTections  of  his  countrymen,  second 
tnly,  if  second,  to  that  of  Washington. 

Klection  day  came  and  Mr.  Lincoln  received  180 
electoral  votes  out  of  203  cast,  and  was,  therefore, 
ronstitntion.illy  elected  I'resitletit  nf  the  United  States. 
'Ilie  tirade  of  abuse  that  vas  |>oured  \\\nm   this    good 


and  merciful  man,  especially  by  the  slaveholders,  was 
greater  than  upon  any  other  man  ever  elected  to  this 
high  position.  In  February,  1861,  Mr.  Lincoln  started 
for  Washington,  stopping  in  all  the  large  cities  on  his 
way  making  speeches.  The  whole  journey  was  frought 
with  much  danger.  Many  of  the  Southern  States  hud 
already  seceded,  and  several  attempts  at  assassination 
were  afterwards  brought  to  light.  A  gang  in  Balti- 
more had  arranged,  upon  his  arrival  to  "get  up  a  row," 
and  in  the  confusion  to  make  sure  of  his  death  with 
revolvers  and  haiid-grenades.  A  detective  unravelled 
the  plot.  .\  secret  and  special  train  was  provided  to 
take  him  from  HarrisL'urg,  through  Baltimore,  at  ar 
unexpected  hour  of  the  night.  The  train  started  at 
half-past  ten  ;  and  to  prevent  any  possible  communi- 
cation on  the  part  of  the  Secessionists  with  their  Con- 
federate gang  in  15altiniore,  as  soon  as  the  train  hau 
started  the  telegraph-wires  were  cut.  Mr.  Lincoln 
reached  Washington  in  safety  and  was  inaugurated, 
although  great  anxiety  was  felt  by  all  loyal  people. 

In  the  selection  of  his  cabinet  Mr.  Lincoln  gave 
to  .Mr  Seward  the  Department  of  State,  and  to  other 
prominent  op[)onents  before  the  convention  lie  gave 
imiK)rtant  positions. 

During  no  other  administration  have  the  duties 
devolving  uiion  the  President  been  so  manifold,  and 
the  res|X)nsibihties  so  great,  as  those  which  fell  to 
the  lot  of  President  Lincoln.  Knowing  this,  and 
feeling  his  own  weakness  and  inability  to  meet,  and  in 
his  own  strength  to  cope  with,  the  difficulties,  he 
learned  early  to  seek  Divine  wisdom  and  guidance  in 
determining  liis  plans,  and  Divine  comfort  in  all  his 
trials,  bo'h  personal  and  national.  Contrary  to  his 
own  estimate  of  himself,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  one  of  the 
most  courageous  of  men.  He  went  directly  into  the 
rebel  capital  just  as  the  retreating  foe  was  leaving, 
with  no  guard  but  a  few  sailors.  From  the  time  he 
had  left  Siiringfield,  in  1861,  however,  plans  luid  been 
made  for  his  assassination, and  lie  at  last  fell  a  victim 
to  one  of  them,  .'\pril  14,  1865,  he,  with  Gen.  Grant, 
was  urgently  invited  to  attend  Fords'  Theater.  It 
was  annotinced  that  they  would  Le  present.  Gen. 
Grant,  however,  left  the  city.  President  Lincoln,  feel- 
ing, with  his  characteristic  kindliness  of  heart,  that 
it  would  be  a  disappointment  if  lie  should  fail  them, 
very  reluctantly  consented  to  go.  NN'hile  listening  to 
the  jilay  an  actor  by  the  name  of  Jojiu  \Vilkes  Booth 
entered  the  box  where  the  President  and  family  were 
seated,  and  fired  a  bullet  into  his  lirains.  He  died  the 
next  morning  at  seven  o'clock. 

Never  before,  in  the  history  of  the  world  was  a  nation 
plunged  into  such  deep  grief  by  the  death  of  its  ruler. 
.Strong  men  met  in  the  streets  and  wept  in  speechless 
anguish.  It  is  not  loo  much  to  say  that  a  nation  was 
in  tears.  His  was  a  life  which  will  filly  become  a 
model.  His  name  as  the  savior  of  his  country  will 
live  with  that  of  ^VashinglOI^s,  its  father;  his(x^v;ntry- 
meii  being  unable   to  decide    which  is    t'^e  createc. 


<— -  ^^-^^^^.^-^^  ^^:?^^'^'!^^ 


^<^^^^:lCi^^^ 


SEVENTEENTH  FRESIDEA/T. 


83 


w 


NDREW  JOHNSON,  seven^ 
tcenth  President  of  the  United 
States.  The  early  life  of 
Andrew  Johnson  contains  but 
the  record  of  poverty,  destitu- 
tion and  friendlessness.  He 
was  born  December  29,  1808, 
in  Raleigh,  N.  C.  His  parents, 
belonging  to  the  class  of  the 
"poor  whites  "  of  the  Souiii,  were 
in  such  circumstances,  that  they 
could  not  c:;nf:r  ;  .'ei\  the  slight- 
est advantages  of  education  upon 
their  child.  When  Andrew  was  five 
years  of  age,  his  father  accidentally 
lost  his  life  while  herorically  endeavoring  to  save  a 
friend  from  drowning,  '^'"ntil  teri  years  of  age,  Andrew 
was  a  ragged  boy  aboui-  the  streets,  supported  by  the 
labor  of  his  mother,  who  obtained  her  living  with 
her  own  hands. 

He  then,  having  never  attended  a  school  one  day, 
and  being  unable  either  to  read  or  write,  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a  tailor  in  his  native  town.  A  gentleman 
■was  in  the  habit  of  going  to  the  tailor's  shop  occasion- 
ally, and  reading  to  the  boys  at  work  tliere.  He  often 
read  from  the  speeches  of  distinguished  British  states- 
men. Andrew,  who  was  endowed  with  a  mind  of  more 
than  ordinary  native  ability,  became  much  interested 
m  these  speeches;  his  ambition  was  roused,  and  he 
was  inspired  with  a  strong  desire  to  learn  to  read. 

He  accordingly  applied  himself  to  the  alphabet,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  some  of  his  fellow-workmen, 
iearned  his  letters.  He  then  called  upon  the  gentle- 
man to  borrow  the  book  of  speeches.      The  owner, 


pleased  with  his  zeal,  not  only  gave  him  the  book, 
but  assisted  him  in  learning  to  combine  the  letters 
into  words.  Under  such  difficulties  he  pressed  oi. 
ward  laboriously,  spending  usually  ten  or  twelve  houre 
at  work  in  the  shop,  and  then  robbing  himself  of  rest 
and  recreation  to  devote  such  time  as  he  could  to 
reading. 

He  went  to  Tennessee  in  1826,  and  located  at 
Greenville,  where  he  married  a  young  lady  who  pos 
sessed  some  education.  Under  her  instructions  he 
learned  to  write  and  cipher.  He  became  prominent 
in  the  village  debating  society,  and  a  favorite  with 
the  students  of  Greenville  College.  In  1828,  he  or- 
ganized a  working  man's  party,  which  elected  him 
alderman,  and  in  1830  elected  him  mayor,  which 
position  he  held  three  years. 

He  now  began  to  take  a  lively  interest  in  political 
affairs ;  identifying  himself  with  the  working-classes, 
to  which  he  belonged.  In  1835,  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Tennes- 
see. He  was  then  just  twenty-seven  years  of  age. 
He  became  a  very  active  member  of  the  legislature 
gave  his  adhesion  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  ;n 
1840  "stumped  the  State,"  advocating  Martin  Van 
Buren's  claims  to  the  Presidency,  in  opposition  to  thcs^ 
of  Gen.  Harrison.  In  this  campaign  he  acquired  mucli 
readiness  as  a  speaker,  and  extended  and  increased 
his  reputation. 

In  i84r,  he  was  elected  Stale  Senator;  in  1843,  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  by  successive 
elections,  held  that  important  post  for  ten  years.  In 
1853,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Tennessee,  and 
was  re-elected  in  T855.  In  all  these  resiKjnsible  \tos,\- 
tions,  he  discharged  his  duties  with  distinguished  abi. 


ANDREW  JOHNSdl^. 


ity,  and  proved  himself  the  warm  friend  of  the  work- 
ing classes.  In  1S57,  Mr.  Johnson  was  elected 
United  States  Senator. 

Years  before,  in  1S45,  he  had  warmly  advocated 
the  annexation  of  Texas,  stating  however,  as  his 
reason,  that  he  thought  this  annexation  would  prob- 
]ibly  prove  "  to  be  the  gateway  out  of  which  tlie  sable 
sons  of  Africa  are  to  pass  from  bondage  to  freedom, 
>nd  become  merged  in  a  iwpulation  congenial  to 
themselves."  In  1850,  he  also  supiwrted  the  com- 
promise measures,  the  two  essential  features  of  which 
were,  that  the  white  (jeople  of  the  Territories  should 
be  i)enniited  to  decide  for  themselves  whether  they 
would  enslave  the  colored  people  or  not,  and  that 
the  <^ree  States  of  the  North  should  return  to  the 
Souih  [jersons  who  attempte  J  10  escape  from  slavery. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  neverashamedof  his  lowly  origin: 
on  the  contrar>',  he  often  took  ptide  in  avowing  that 
he  owed  his  distinction  to  his  own  exertions.  "Sir," 
said  he  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  "  I  do  not  forget 
that  I  am  a  mechanic  ;  neither  do  I  forget  that  .\dam 
was  a  tailor  and  sewed  fig-leaves,  and  that  our  Sav- 
ior was  the  son  of  a  carpenter." 

In  the  Charleston- Baltimore  convention  of  iSuo,  ne 
was  the  choice  of  the  Tennessee  Democrats  for  the 
Presidency.  In  i86t,  when  the  puriwse  of  the  South- 
ern Democracy  became  apparent,  he  took  a  decided 
<tand  in  favor  of  the  Union,  and  held  that  "  slavery 
must  be  held  subordinate  to  the  Union  at  whatever 
cost."  He  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  repeatedly 
imi)eriled  his  own  life  to  protect  the  Unionists  of 
Tennesee.  Tennessee  having  seceded  from  the 
Union,  President  TJncoln,  on  March  4th,  1862,  ap- 
pointed him  Military  Clovernor  of  the  State,  and  he 
established  the  most  stringent  military  rule.  His 
numerous  proclamations  attracted  wide  attention.    In 

1864,  he  was  elected  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States,  and  ujwn  the  death  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  April   15, 

1865,  liccame  President.  In  a  speech  two  days  later 
he  said,  "  The  American  people  must  be  taught,  if 
fhcy  do  not  already  feel,  that  treason  is  a  crime  and 
must  l>c  i.;:nished;  that  the  Government  will  not 
always  bcai  with  its  enemies;  that  it  is  strong  not 
only  to  protect,  but  to  jjunish.  *  *  The  people 
must  understand  that  it  (treason)  is  the  blackest  of 
crimes,  and  will  surely  be  punished."  Yet  his  whole 
administration,  the  hisior)'  of  whii  li  is  so  well  known, 
WAS  in  utter  itKonsistency  with,  and  the  most  violent 


opposition  to,  the  principles  laid  down  in  that  speech. 

In  his  loose  policy  of  reconstruction  and  general 
amnesty,  he  was  opposed  by  Congress ;  and  he  char- 
acterized Congress  as  a  new  rebellion,  and  lawlessly 
defied  it,  in  everything  possible,  to  the  utmost.  In 
the  beginning  of  1868,  on  account  of  "high  crimes 
and  misdemeanors,"  the  principal  of  which  was  the 
removal  of  Secretary  Stanton,  in  violation  of  the  Ten- 
ure of  Office  .\ct,  articles  of  impeachment  were  pre- 
ferred against  him,  and  the    trial   began    March   23. 

It  was  very  tedious,  continuing  for  nearly  three 
months.  A  test  article  of  the  impeachment  was  at  ' 
length  submitted  to  the  court  for  its  action.  It  was 
certain  that  as  the  court  voted  upon  that  article  so 
would  it  vote  upon  all.  Thirty-four  voices  pronounced 
the  President  guilty.  As  a  two-thirds  vote  was  n»;ces- 
sary  to  his  condemnation,  he  was  pronounced  ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding  the  great  majority  against 
him.  The  change  of  one  vote  from  the  iwt  guilty 
side  would  have  sustained  the  impeachment. 

The  President,  for  the  remainder  of  his  term,  was 
but  little  regarded.  He  continued,  though  impotently, 
his  conflict  with  Congress.  His  own  party  did  not 
think  it  expedient  to  renominate  him  for  the  Presi- 
dency. The  Nation  rallied,  with  enthusiasm  unpar- 
alleled since  the  days  of  Washington,  aroimd  the  name 
of  Gen.  Grant.  Andrew  Johnson  was  forgotten. 
The  bullet  of  the  assassin  introduced  him  to  the 
President's  cliair.  Notwithstanding  tliis,  never  was 
there  presented  to  a  man  a  better  opportunity  to  im- 
mortalize his  name,  and  to  win  tlie  gratitude  of  a 
nation.  He  failed  utterly.  He  retired  to  his  home 
in  Gree«ville,  Tenn.,  taking  no  very  active  part  in 
iwlitics  until  1875.  On  Jan,  26,  after  an  exciting 
struggle,  he  was  chosen  by  the  Legislature  of  Ten- 
nessee, United  States  Senator  in  the  forty-fourth  Con- 
gress, and  took  his  seat  in  that  body,  at  the  special 
session  convened  by  President  Grant,  on  the  5th  of 
March.  On  the  27th  of  July,  1875,  the  ex-President 
made  a  visit  to  his  daughter's  home,  near  Carter 
Station,  Tenn.  Wlien  he  started  on  his  journey,  he  was 
apparently  in  his  usual  vigorous  health,  but  on  reach- 
ing the  residence  of  his  child  the  following  day,  was 
stricken  with  jiaralysis,  rendering  him  unconscious. 
He  rallied  occasionally,  but  finally  passed  away  at 
2  A.M.,  July  31,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  His  fun- 
eral was  attended  at  Geenvillc,  on  the  3d  of  August, 
with  every  demonstration  of  resijcct. 


\ 


/^'  (^ 


::f 


EIGHTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


87 


LYSSES  S.  GRANT,  the 
eighteenth  President  of  the 
'•-  United  States,  was  born  on 
the  29th  of  April,  1822,  of 
Christian  parents,  in  a  humble 
home,  at  Point  Pleasant,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio.  Shortly  after 
his  father  moved  to  George- 
town, Brown  Co.,  O.  In  this  re- 
mote frontier  hamlet,  Ulysses 
received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation. At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, in  the  year  1839,  he  entered 
the  Military  Academy  at  West 
I  Point.  Here  he  was  regarded  as  a 
solid,  sensible  young  man  of  fair  abilities,  and  of 
sturdy,  honest  character.  He  took  respectable  rank 
as  a  scholar.  In  June,  1843,  he  graduated,  about  the 
middle  in  his  class,  and  was  sent  as  lieutenant  of  in- 
fantry to  one  of  the  distant  military  posts  in  the  Mis- 
souri Territory.  Two  years  he  past  in  these  dreary 
solitudes,  watching  the  vagabond  and  e.xasperating 
-ndians. 

The  war  with  Mexico  came.  Lieut.  Grant  was 
sent  with  his  regiment  to  Corpus  Christi.  His  first 
battle  was  at  Palo  Alto.  There  was  no  chance  here 
for  the  exhibition  of  either  skill  or  heroism,  nor  at 
Resaca  de  la  Pal  ma,  his  second  battle.  At  the  battle 
of  Monterey,  his  third  engagement,  it  is  said  that 
he  performed  a  signal  service  of  daring  and  skillful 
horsemanship.  His  brigade  had  exhausted  its  am- 
munition. A  messenger  must  be  sent  for  more,  along 
a  route  exposed  to  the  bullets  of  the  foe.  Lieut. 
Grant,  adopting  an  expedient  learned  of  the  Indians, 
grasped  the  mane  of  his  horse,  and  hanging  upon  one 
side  of  the  anipja-l,  ran  the   gauntlet  in  entire  safety. 


From  Monterey  he  was  sent, with  the  fourth  infantry, 
10  aid  Gen.  Scott,  at  the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz.  In 
preparation  for  the  march  to  the  city  of  Mexico,  he 
was  appointed  quartermaster  of  his  regiment.  At  the 
battle  of  Molino  del  Rey,  he  was  promoted  to  a 
first  lieutenancy,  and  was  brevetted  captain  at  Cha- 
pultepec. 

At  the  close  of  the  Mexican  War,  Capt.  Grant  re- 
turned with  his  regiment  to  New  York,  and  was  again 
sent  to  one  of  the  military  posts  on  the  frontier.  The 
discovery  of  gold  in  California  causing  an  immense 
tide  of  emigration  to  flow  to  the  Pacific  shores,  Capt. 
Grant  was  sent  with  a  battalion  to  Fort  Dallas,  in 
Oregon,  for  the  protection  of  the  interests  of  the  im- 
inigrants.  Life  was  wearisome  in  those  wilds.  Capt. 
Grant  resigned  his  commission  and  returned  to  the 
States;  and  having  married,  entered  upon  the  cultiva- 
tion of  a  small  farm  near  St.  Louis,  Mo.  He  had  but 
little  skill  as  a  farmer.  Finding  his  toil  not  re- 
munerative, he  turned  to  mercantile  life,  entering  into 
the  leather  business,  with  a  younger  brother,  at  Ga- 
lena, 111.  This  was  in  the  year  i860.  As  the  tidings 
of  the  rebels  firing  on  Fort  Sumpter  reached  the  ears 
of  Capt.  Grant  in  his  counting-room,  he  said, — 
"Uncle  Sam  has  educated  me  for  the  army:  though 
I  have  served  him  through  one  war,  I  do  not  feel  that 
I  have  yet  repaid  the  debt.  I  am  still  ready  to  discharge 
my  obligations.  I  shall  therefore  buckle  on  my  tword 
and  see  Uncle  Sam  through  this  war  too." 

He  went  into  the  streets,  raised  a  company  of  vol- 
unteers, and  led  them  as  their  captain  to  Springfield, 
the  capital  of  the  State,  where  their  services  were 
offered  to  Gov.  Yates.  The  Governor,  impressed  by 
the  zeal  and  straightforward  executive  ability  of  Capt. 
Grant,  gave  him  a  desk  in  his  office,  to  assist  in  the 
volunteer  organization  that  was  being  formed  in  the 
State  in  behalf  of  the  Government.      On  the  15  th  of 


88 


ULl'SSES  S.  GRANT. 


June,  1 86 1,  Capt.  Cirant  received  a  commission  as 
Colonel  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  of  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers. His  merits  as  a  West  Point  graduate,  who 
had  served  for  15  years  in  the  regular  army,  were  such 
that  he  was  soon  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier- 
General  and  was  placed  in  command  at  Cairo.  The 
rebels  raised  their  banner  at  Paducah,  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Tennessee  River.  Scarcely  had  its  folds  ap- 
peared in  the  breeze  ere  Gen.  Grant  was  there.  The 
rebels  fled.  Their  banner  fell,  and  the  star  and 
stripes  were  unfurled  in  its  stead. 

He  entered  the  service  with  great  determination 
and  immediately  began  active  duty.  This  was  the  be- 
ginning, and  until  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  Richmond 
he  was  ever  pushing  the  enemy  with  great  vigor  and 
effectiveness.  At  Belmont,  a  few  days  later,  he  sur- 
prised and  routed  the  rebels,  then  at  Fort  Henrj' 
won  another  victory.  Then  came  the  brilliant  fight 
at  Fort  Donelson.  The  nation  was  electrified  by  the 
victor)-,  and  the  brave  leader  of  the  boys  in  blue  was 
immediately  made  a  Mnjor-General,  and  the  military 
listrict  of  Tennessee  was  assigned  to  him. 

Like  all  great  captains.  Gen.  Grant  knew  well  how 
to  secure  the  results  of  victory.  He  immediately 
Dushed  on  to  the  enemies'  lines.  Then  came  the 
terril)le  battles  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  Corinth,  and  the 
siege  of  V'icksburg,  where  Gen.  Pemberton  made  an 
unconditional  surrender  of  the  city  with  over  thirty 
thousand  men  and  one-hundred  and  seventy-two  can- 
non. The  fall  of  Vicksburg  was  by  far  the  most 
severe  blow  which  the  rebels  h.id  thus  far  encountered, 
and  opened  up  the  .Mississippi  from  Cairo  to  the  Gulf. 

Gen.  Grant  was  next  ordered  to  co-operate  with 
Gen.  Banks  in  a  movement  ujwn  Texas,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  thiown  from 
his  horse,  and  received  severe  injuries,  from  which  he 
was  laid  up  for  months.  He  then  rushed  to  the  aid 
of  Gens.  Rosccrans  and  Thomas  at  Chattanooga,  and 
by  a  wonderful  series  of  strategic  and  technical  meas- 
ures put  the  Union  Army  in  fighting  condition.  Then 
followed  the  Liotxly  battles  at  Chattanooga,  Ixjokout 
Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridg<-,  in  which  the  rebels 
were  routed  with  great  loss.  This  won  for  him  un- 
bounded praise  in  the  North.  On  the  4lh  of  Fel)ru- 
ary,  1864,  Congress  revived  the  grade  of  lieutenant- 
general,  and  the  rank  was  conferred  on  Gen.  Grant. 
He  repaired  to  W.ishinglon  to  receive  !i's  credentials 
;iiid  enter  upon  •'><•  iluties  <if  his  new  office 


Gen.  Grant  decided  as  soon  as  he  took  charge  of 
the  army  to  concentrate  the  widely-dispersed  National 
troops  for  an  attack  upon  Richmond,  the  nominal 
capital  of  the  Rebellion,  and  endeavor  there  to  de- 
stroy the  rebel  armies  which  would  be  promptly  as- 
sembled from  all  quarters  for  its  defence.  The  whole 
continent  seemed  to  tremble  under  the  tramp  of  these 
majestic  armies,  rushing  to  the  decisive  battle  field. 
Steamers  were  crowded  with  troops.  Railway  trains 
were  burdened  with  closely  packed  thousands.  His 
plans  were  comprehensive  and  involved  a  series  of 
campaigns,  which  were  executed  with  remarkable  en- 
ergy and  ability,  an.d  were  consummated  at  the  sur- 
render of  Lee,  April  9,   1865. 

The  war  was  ended.  The  Union  was  saved.  The 
almost  unanimous  voice  of  the  Nation  declared  Gen. 
Grant  to  be  the  most  prominent  instrument  in  its  sal- 
vation. The  eminent  services  he  had  thus  rendered 
the  country  brought  him  conspicuously  forward  as  the 
Republican  candidate  for  the  Presidential  chair. 

At  the  Republican  Convention  held  at  Chicago. 
May  21,  1868,  he  was  unanimously  nominated  for  the 
Presiflency,  and  at  the  autumn  election  received  a 
majority  of  the  jxipular  vote,  and  214  out  of  294 
electoral  votes. 

The  National  Convention  of  the  Republican  parly 
which  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  5th  of  June,  1S72, 
placed  Gen.  Grant  in  nomination  for  a  second  term 
by  a  unanimous  vote.  The  selection  was  emphati- 
cally indorsed  by  the  people  five  months  later,  292 
electoral  votes  being   cast    for  him. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  his  second  term,  Gen.  Grant 
started  upon  his  famous  trip  around  the  world.  He 
visited  almost  every  country  of  the  civilized  world, 
and  was  everywhere  received  with  such  ovations 
and  demonstrations  of  respect  and  honor,  private 
as  well  as  public  and  official,  as  were  never  before 
bestowed  \\\yo\\  any  citizen  of  the  United  States. 

He  was  the  most  prominent  candidate  before  the 
Republican  National  C'onvention  in  18S0  for  a  re- 
nomination  fur  President.  He  went  to  New  York  and 
embarked  in  the  brokerage  business  under  the  firm 
nameof  Grant  &  Ward.  The  latter  pioved  a  villain, 
wrecked  Grant's  fortune,  and  for  larceny  was  sent  to 
the  penitentiary.  The  General  was  attacked  with 
cancer  in  the  throat,  but  suffered  in  his  stoic-like 
manner,  never  complaining.  He  was  re-instated  as 
General  of  the  Army  and  retired  by  Congress.  The 
cancer  soon  finished  its  deadly  work,  and  July  23, 
1885,  the  nation  wenf  in  mourning  over  the  death  of 
the  illustrious  Gener-il. 


.N. 


£.oA 


U 


M 


NINETEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


91 


RUTHERI'ORB  Be  H.aYES, 


at^t^^g'i'u  1'  .•..'.•  •'  ,  1'  .'  1'  .-  i'<^'ga>:i>JS't:^i^t^t^(^t^t^'>iS;'i^»!^l^<:^^ 


"■^J^t^X^t., 


;"^v 


m'- 


#^ 


y  ^\- 


UTHERFORD  B.    HAYES, 

'^  the    nineteenth   President    of 
"the  United  States,  was  born  ni 
Delaware,  O.,  Oct.  4,  1822,  al- 
most three    months   after   the 
''•^  death  of  his  father,  Rutherford 
Hayes.       His   ancestry   on   both 
the  paternal  and  maternal  sides, 
was  of  the  most  honorable  char- 
acter.    It  can  be  traced,  it  is  said, 
as  far  back  as  1280,  when  Hayes  and 
Rutherford  were  two  Scottish  chief- 
tains,   fighting    side    by    side    with 
Baliol,  William  Wallace  and  Robert 
Bruce.  Both  families  belonged  to  the 
nobility,   owned    extensive    estates, 
and  had  a  large  following.     Misfor- 
ione  ovirrcaking  the  family,  George   Hayes  left  Scot- 
.and  in  1680,  and  settled  in  Windsor,  Conn.     His  son 
George  wai  born   in  Windsor,  and  remained  there 
during  his  li/e.     Daniel  Hayes,  son  of  the  latter,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Lee,  and  lived  from  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage until  hJs  death  in  Simsbury,  Conn.     Ezekiel, 
son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  1724,  and  was  a  manufac- 
turer of  scythes  at  Bradford,  Conn.  Rutherfqrd  Hayes, 
son  of  Ezekiel  aud  grandfather  of  President  Hayes,  was 
born  in  New  Haven,  in  August,  1756.  He  was  a  farmer, 
blacksmith    and    tavern-keeper.       He  emigrated   to 
Vermont  at  an  unknown  date,  settling  in  Brattleboro, 
where  he  established  a  hotel.     Here    his  son    Ruth- 
erford  Hayes    the  father   of  President  Hayes,  was 


born.  He  was  married,  in  September,  1813,  to  Sophia 
Birchard,  of  Wilmington,  Vt.,  whose  ancestors  emi- 
grated thither  from  Connecticut,  they  having  been 
among  the  wealthiest  and  best  famlies  of  Norwich. 
Her  ancestry  on  the  male  side  are  traced  back  to 
1635,  to  John  Birchard,  one  of  the  principal  founders 
of  Norwich.  Both  of  her  grandfathers  were  soldiers 
in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  father  of  President  Hayes  was  an  industrious 
frugal  and  opened-hearted  man.  He  was  of  a  me- 
chanical turn,  and  could  mend  a  plow,  knit  a  stock- 
ing, or  do  almost  anything  else  that  he  choose  to 
undertake.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Church,  active 
in  all  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  town,  and  con- 
ducted'his  business  on  Christian  principles.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  of  181 2,  for  reasons  inexplicable 
to  his  neighbors,  he  resolved  to  emigrate  to   Ohio. 

The  journey  from  Vermont  to  Ohio  in  that  day 
when  there  were  no  canals,  steamers,  not  railways, 
was  a  very  serious  affair.  A  tour  of  inspection  was 
first  made,  occupying  four  months.  Mr.  Hayes  deter 
mined  to  move  to  Delaware,  where  the  family  arrived 
in  1817.  He  died  July  22,  1822,  a  victim  of  malarial 
fever,  less  than  three  months  before  the  birth  of  the 
son,of  whom  we  now  write.  Mrs.  Hayes,  in  her  sore  be- 
reavement, found  the  support  she  so  much  needed  m 
her  brother  Sardis,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the 
household  from  the  day  of  its  departure  from  Ver- 
mont, and  in  an  orphan  girl  whom  she  had  adopted 
some  time  before  as  an  act  of  charity. 

Mrs.  Hayes  at  this  period  was  very  weak,  and  the 


92 


RUTHERFORD  B.  HAYES. 


subject  of  this  sketch  was  so  feeble  at  birth  that  he 
was  not  expected  to  Hve  beyond  a  montli  or  two  at 
luost.  As  the  months  went  by  he  grew  weaker  and 
weaker,  so  that  the  neightors  were  in  the  habit  of  in- 
quiring from  time  to  time  '"  if  Mrs.  Hayes'  baby  died 
iast  night."  On  one  occasion  a  neighbor,  who  was  on 
famiUar  terms  with  the  family,  after  alluding  to  the 
boy's  big  head,  and  the  mother's  assiduous  care  of 
nim,  said  in  a  bantering  way,  "  That's  right !  Stick  to 
him.  You  have  got  him  along  so  far,  and  I  shouldn't 
wonder  if  he  would  really  come  to  something  yet." 

"  You  r.eed  not  laugh,"  said  Mrs.  Hayes.  "  You 
vait  and  see.  You  can't  tell  but  1  shall  make  him 
President  of  the  United  States  yet."  The  boy  lived, 
in  spite  of  the  universal  predictions  of  his  speedy 
death;  and  when,  in  1S25,  his  older  brother  was 
drowned,  he  became,  if  possible,  still  dearer  to  his 
mother. 

The  boy  was  seven  yeais  old  before  he  wont  to 
school.  His  education,  however,  was  not  neglected. 
He  probably  learned  as  much  from  his  mother  and 
sister  as  he  would  have  done  at  school.  His  sjjorts 
were  almost  wholly  withiu  doors,  his  playmates  being 
his  sister  and  her  associates.  These  circumstances 
tended,  no  doui)t,  to  foster  that  gentleness  of  dispo- 
sition, and  that  delicate  consideration  for  the  feelings 
of  others,  which  are  marked  traits  of  his  character. 

His  uncle  Sardis  Birchard  took  the  deepest  interest 
in  his  education ;  and  as  the  boy's  health  had  im- 
proved, and  he  was  making  good  [jrogress  in  his 
studies,  he  proiwsed  to  send  him  to  college.  His  pre- 
paration commenced  with  a  tutor  at  home;  bit  he 
was  afterwards  sent  for  one  year  to  a  jjrofessor  in  the 
Wesleyan  University,  in  Middletown,  Conn.  He  en- 
tered Kenyon  College  in  1838,  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
and  was  gr.iduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in   1842. 

Immediately  after  his  graduation  he  began  the 
study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Thomas  Sparrow,  Es(]., 
in  Columbus.  Finding  his  opiwrtunities  for  study  in 
CTulumb.is  somewhat  limited,  he  determined  to  enter 
tlie  Law  School  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years. 

In  1S45,  after  graduatmg  at  the  Law  School,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  and  shortly 
afterward  went  into  |)racti<'e  as  an  attorney-at-law 
with  Ralph  I",  liuckland,  of  Fremont.  Here  he  re- 
mained three  years,  acquiring  but  a  limited  practice, 
and  apparently  unambitious  of  distinction  in  his  pro- 
Ccssion. 

'n  1849  he  moved  to  Cincmnati,  where  his  ambi- 
tion found  a  new  stimulus.  For  several  years,  how- 
ever, his  progress  was  slow.  Two  events,  occurring  at 
this  ])crio<l,  h.ad  a  jjowerful  influence  ujion  his  suiise- 
riicnt  'St.  One  of  these  w.is  his  ni.irrage  with  Miss 
Lury  W.ire  Webb,  daughter  of  Dr.  James  Webb,  of 
Chihcothe;  the  other  was  his  introdui  tif)n  to  the  Cin- 
cinnati Literary  (!lub,  a  Uxly  embracing  among  its 
Biemben  »uch  men  as'^hief  Justice  Salmon  P.  Chase, 


Gen.  John  Pope,  Gov.  Edward  F.  Noyes,  and  many 
others  hardly  less  distinguished  in  after  life.  The 
marriage  was  a  fortunate  one  in  every  respect,  as 
everybody  knows.  Not  one  of  all  the  wives  of  our 
Presidents  was  more  universally  admired,  reverenced 
and  beloved  than  was  Mrs.  Hayes,  and  no  one  did 
more  than  she  to  reflect  honor  upon  American  woman- 
hood.  The  Literary  Cluu  brought  Mr.  Hayes  into 
constant  association  with  young  men  of  high  char- 
acter and  noble  aims,  and  lured  him  to  display  the 
qualities  so  lon^j  hidden  by  his  bashfutness  and 
modesty. 

In  1856  he  was  nominated  to  the  office  of  Judge  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  but  he  declined  to  ar. 
cept  the  nomination.  Two  years  later,  the  office  ol 
city  solicitor  becoming  vacant,  the  City  Council 
elected  him  for  the  unexpired  term. 

In  1 86 1,  when  the  Rebellion  Viroke  out,  he  was  ai 
tlie  zenith  of  his  professional  !if ,.  His  rank  at  the 
bar  was  among  the  the  first.  But  the  news  of  the 
attack  on  Fort  Sum pter  found  him  eager  to  take  'in 
arms  for  the  defense  of  his  country. 

His  military  record  was  bright  ard  illustrious.  In 
October,  1861,  he  was  made  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and 
in  August,  1S62,  promoted  Colonel  of  the  79th  Ohio 
regiment,  but  he  refused  to  leave  his  old  comrades 
and  go  among  strangers.  Subsequently,  however,  h*? 
was  made  Colonel  of  his  old  regiment.  At  the  battle 
of  South  Mountain  he  received  a  wound,  and  while 
faint  and  bleetling  displayed  courage  and  fortitude 
that  won  admiration  from  all. 

Col.  Hayes  was  detached  from  his  regiment,  after 
his  recovery,  to  act  as  Brigadier-General,  and  placed 
in  command  of  the  celebrated  Kanawha  division, 
and  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  the  battles 
of  Winchester,  Fisher's  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek,  he  was 
promoted  Brigadier-General.  He  was  also  brevetted 
Major-General,  "for gallant  and  distinguished  services 
during  the  cam[)aigns  of  1S64,  in  West  Virginia."  In 
the  course  of  his  arduous  services,  four  horses  were 
shot  from  under  him,  and  lie  was  wounded  four  times 

In  1864,  Gen.  Hayes  was  elected  to  Congress,  fr(,;n 
the  Second  Ohio  District,  which  had  long  been  ])ein- 
ocratic.  He  was  not  present  during  the  campaign, 
and  after  his  election  was  importuned  to  resign  his 
commission  in  the  army;  but  he  finally  declared,  "  I 
shall  never  come  to  Washington  until  I  can  come  by 
the  way  of  Richmond."  He  was  re-elected  in  1866. 

Ir.  1867,  Gen  Hayes  was  elected  Governor  of  Ohio, 
over  Hon.  .Mien  G.  Thunnan,  a  popular  Democrat. 
In  1869  was  re-eiected  over  George  H.  Pendleton. 
He  was  elected  Governor  for  the  third  term  in   1S75. 

)n  1S76  he  was  the  standard  l-e,.ier  of  the  Reiiub- 
lican  Party  in  tlie  Presidential  contest,  and  al'ter  a 
hard  long  contest  was  chosen  President,  and  was  ir, 
augurated  Monday,  March  5,  1875.  He  served  his 
full  term,  not,  1;  wevcr,  with  satisfaction  to  his  parly, 
but  his  admit; 'Hlration  was  an  average  O!^." 


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TlVENTIRrn  PRESfDENr. 


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'&s 


AMES  A.  GARFIELD,  twen- 
tieth President  of  the  United 
States,    was    born    Nov.    19, 
1831,  in  the  woods  of  Orange, 
Cuyahoga  Co.,  O      His    par- 
ents were  Abram  and    Eliza 
(Ballou)    Garfield,   both   of  New 
England  ancestry  and  from  fami- 
lies well  known  in  the  early  his- 
'^  tory  of  that  section  of  our  coun- 
try, but  had  moved  to  the  Western 
Reserve,  in  Ohio,  early  in  its  settle- 
ment. 

The  house  in  which  James  A.  was 
born  was    not  unlike  tiie  houses  of 
poor  Ohio  farmers  of  that  day.     It 
,  lis  about  20x30  feet,  built  of  logs,  with  the  spaces  be- 
i/3en   the  logs  filled  with  clay.     His  father  was  a 
lard  working  farmer,  and   he  soon    had    his   fields 
jleared,  an   orchard  planted,  and  a  log  barn  built. 
The  household  comprised  the  father  and  mother  and 
heir  four  children — Mehetabel,  Thomas,  Mary  and 
'ames.     In  May,  1823,  the  father,  from  a  cold  con- 
.racted  in  helping  to  i>ut  out  a  forest  fire,  died.     At 
diis  time  James  was  about  eighteen  months  old,  and 
Thomas  about  ten  years  old.     No  one,  perhaps,  can 
tell  how  much  James  was  indebted   to  his  biother's 
icil  and  self-sacrifice  during  the  twenty  years    suc- 
ceeding  his    father's   death,   but   undoubtedly   very 
much.     He  now  lives  in  Michigan,  and  the  two  sis- 
ters live  in  Solon,  O.,  near  their  birthplace. 

The  early  educational  advantages  young  Garfield 
enjoyed  were  very  limited,  yet  he  made  the  most  of 
ihem.  He  labored  at  farm  work  for  others,  did  car- 
penter work,  chopped  wood,  or  did  anytliing  that 
would  bring  in  a  few  dollars  to  aid  his  widowed 
mother  in  he-  -struggles  to  keep  the  little   family  to- 


gether. Nor  was  Gen.  Garfield  ever  ashamed  of  his 
origin,  and  he  never  forgot  the  friends  of  his  strug- 
gling  childhood,  youth  and  manhood,  neither  did  they 
ever  forget  him.  When  in  the  highest  seats  of  honor 
the  humblest  friend  of  his  boyhood  was  as  kindly 
greeted  as  ever.  The  poorest  laborer  was  sure  of  the 
sympathy  of  one  who  had  known  all  tlie  bitterness 
of  want  and  the  sweetness  of  bread  earned  by  the 
sweat  of  the  brow.  He  was  ever  the  simple,  plain, 
modest  gentleman. 

The  highest  ambition  of  young  Garfield  until  hi 
was  about  sixteen  years  old  was  to  be  a  captain  of 
a  vessel  on  Lake  Erie.  He  was  anxious  to  go  aboard 
a  vessel,  which  his  mother  strongly  opposed.  She 
finally  consented  to  his  going  to  Cleveland,  with  ths 
understanding,  however,  that  he  should-try  to  obtair 
some  other  kind  of  employment.  He  walked  all  the 
way  to  Cleveland.  This  was  his  first  visit  to  the  city 
After  making  many  applications  for  work,  and  trying 
to  get  aboard  a  lake  vessel,  and  not  meeting  with 
success,  he  engaged  as  a  driver  for  his  cousin,  Amos 
Letcher,  on  the  Ohio  &  Pennsylvania  Canal.  He  re- 
mained at  this  work  but  a  short  time  when  he  wen'; 
home,  and  attended  the  seminary  at  Chester  for 
about  three  years,  when  he  entered  Hiram  and  the 
Eclectic  Institute,  teaching  a  few  terms  of  school  in 
the  meantime,  and  doing  other  work.  This  school 
was  started  by  the  Disciples  of  Christ  in  1850,  of 
which  church  he  was  then  a  member.  He  became 
janitor  and  bell-ringer  in  order  to  help  pay  his  way 
He  then  became  both  teacher  and  pupil.  He  soon 
"  exhausted  Hiram  "  and  needed  more  ;  hence,  in  the 
fall  of  1854,  he  entered  Williams  College,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1856,  taking  one  of  tjie  highest  W.- 
ors  of  his  class.  He  afterwards  returned  to  Hiram 
College  as  its  President.  As  above  stated,  he  early 
united  with  the  Christian  or  Diciples  Church  at 
Hiram,  and  was  ever  after  a  devoted,  zealous  mem- 
ber, often  preaching  in  its  pulpit  and  places  where 
lie  liappened  to  be.  Dr.  Noah  Porter,  President  of 
Yale  College,  says  of  him  in  reference  to  his  religion : 


96 


JAMES  A.  GARFIELD. 


**  President  Garfield  was  more  than  a  man  of 
strong  moral  and  religious  convictions.  His  whole 
history,  from  boyhood  to  the  last,  shows  that  duty  to 
man  and  to  God,  and  devotion  to  Christ  and  life  and 
faith  and  spiritual  commission  were  controlling  springs 
of  his  being,  and  to  a  more  than  usual  degree.  In 
.ny  judgment  there  is  no  more  interesting  feature  of 
nis  character  than  his  loyal  allegiance  to  the  body  of 
Christians  in  which  he  was  trained,  and  the  fervent 
sympathy  which  he  ever  showed  in  their  Christian 
communion.  Not  many  of  the  few  'wise  and  mighty 
and  noble  who  are  called'  show  a  similar  loyalty  to 
the  less  stately  and  cultured  Christian  communions 
in  whicli  they  have  been  reared.  Too  often  it  is  true 
that  as  they  step  upward  in  social  and  political  sig- 
nificance they  step  upward  from  one  degree  to 
another  in  some  of  the  many  types  of  fashionable 
Christianity.  President  Garfield  adhered  to  the 
;hurch  of  his  mother,  the  church  in  which  he  was 
trained,  and  in  which  he  served  as  a  pillar  and  an 
evangelist,  and  yet  with  the  largest  and  most  unsec- 
'arian  charity  for  all  'who  loveour  Lord  in  sincerity.'" 

Mr.  Garfield  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lucretia  Rudolph,  Nov.  1 1,  1S58,  who  proved  lierself 
worthyas  the  wife  of  one  whom  all  the  world  loved  and 
mourned.  To  them  were  born  seven  cliildren,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  four  boys  and  one  girl. 

Mr.  Garfield  made  his  first  [jolitical  speeches  in  1S56, 
in  Hiram  and  the  neighl)oring  villages,  and  tiiree 
years  later  he  began  to  speak  at  county  mass-meet- 
ings, and  became  tlie  favorite  speaker  wherever  he 
was.  During  this  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Ohio 
Senate.  He  also  began  to  study  law  at  Cleveland, 
and  in  1861  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  The  great 
Rel>eIlion  broke  out  in  the  early  part  of  this  year, 
and  Mr.  Garfield  at  once  resolved  to  fight  as  he  had 
talked,  and  enlisted  to  defend  the  old  flag.  He  re- 
ceived his  commission  as  Lieut.-Coloncl  of  tlie  Forty- 
second  Regiment  of  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  Aug. 
14,1861.  He  was  immediately  put  into  active  ser- 
vice, and  before  he  had  ever  seen  agmi  fired  in  ac'ion, 
was  placed  in  command  of  four  regiments  of  infantry 
.-.nd  eight  companies  of  cavalry,  charged  with  tiic 
work  of  driving  out  of  his  native  State  the  olfii  cr 
'Miimphrey  M  irsball)  reputed  to  be  the  ablest  of 
those,  not  edm  ated  to  war  wliom  Kentucky  had  given 
to  the  Rebellion.  This  work  was  bravely  and  speed- 
ily accomplished,  although  against  great  odds.  Pres- 
ident Lincoln,  on  his  success  commissioned  him 
Hrigadicr-General,  Jan.  10,  1862;  and  as  "he  had 
Seen  the  youngest  man  in  the  Ohio  Senate  two  years 
before,  so  now  he  was  the  youngest  General  in  the 
ariny."  He  was  with  Gen.  Biiell's  army  at  Shiloh, 
in  itJ.operations  around  Corinih  and  its  inarch  through 
Alabama.  He  w.is  then  <let.iile<l  as  a  meinbcrof  the 
General  (>)uit-MartiaI  for  the  trial  of  Gen.  Fitz-Iolin 
Pf)rter.  He  was  then  ordered  to  re|K)rt  to  Gen.  Kdse- 
crans,  and  was  assigned  to  the  "Chief  of  Staff." 

The  military  history  of  Gen.  Garfield  dosed  with 


his  brilliant  services  at  Chickamauga,  where  he  won 
the  stars  of  the  Major-General. 

Without  an  effort  on  his  part  Gew  Garfield  was 
elected  to  Congress  in  the  fall  of  1862  from  the 
Nineteenth  District  of  Ohio.  This  section  of  Ohio 
had  been  represented  in  Congress  for  sixty  year« 
mainly  by  two  men — Elisha  \\  hittlesey  and  Joshuw 
R.  Giddings.  It  was  not  without  a  struggle  that  he 
resigned  his  place  in  the  army.  At  the  time  he  en- 
tered Congress  he  was  the  youngest  member  in  thai 
body.  Theri;  he  remained  by  successive  re- 
elections  until  he  was  elected  President  in  1880. 
Of  i\is  labors  in  Congress  Senator  Hoar  says  :  "  Since 
tlie  year  1864  you  cannot  think  of  a  question  whicii 
has  been  debated  in  Congress,  or  discussed  before  u 
tribunel  of  the  American  people,  in  regard  to  whicl 
you  will  not  find,  if  you  wish  instruction,  the  argu- 
ment on  one  side  stated,  in  almost  every  instance 
belter  than  l)y  anybody  else,  in  some  speech  made  in 
the  House  of  Representatives  or  on  the  hustings  by 
Mr.  Garfield." 

Uiwn  Jan.  14,  1880,  (ien.  Ciarfield  was  elected  to 
the  U.  S.  Senate,  and  on  the  eighth  of  June,  of  the 
same  year,  was  nominated  as  the  candidate  of  his 
party  for  President  at  the  great  Chicago  Convention. 
He  was  elected  in  the  following  November,  and  on 
March  4,  1881,  was  inaugurated.  Probably  no  ad- 
ministration ever  opened  its  existence  under  brighter 
auspices  than  that  of  President  Garfield,  and  eveiy 
day  it  grew  in  favo."  with  the  peoijle,  and  by  the  first 
of  July  he  had  completed  all  the  initiatory  and  pre- 
liminavy  work  of  his  administration  and  was  prepar- 
ing to  leave  the  city  to  meet  his  friends  at  Williams 
College.  While  on  his  way  and  at  the  depot,  in  com- 
pany with  Secretary  Blaine,  a  man  stepped  behind 
him,  drew  a  revolver,  and  fired  directly  at  his  back. 
The  President  tottered  and  fell,  and  as  he  did  so  the 
assassin  fired  a  second  shot,  the  bullet  cutting  the 
left  coat  sleeve  of  his  victim,  but  in.licting  nofurlhei 
injury.  It  has  been  very  truthfully  said  tliat  this  was 
"  the  shot  that  was  heard  round  the  world  "  Never 
before  in  the  history  of  the  Nation  had  anything  oc- 
curred which  so  nearly  froze  the  blood  of  the  jjeop'-e 
for  the  moment,  as  this  awful  deed.  He  was  smit- 
ten on  the  brightest,  gladdest  day  of  all  his  life,  and 
was  at  the  summit  of  his  power  and  hope,  bor  eighty 
days,  all  during  the  hot  months  of  July  and  August, 
he  lingered  and  suffered.  He,  however,  remained 
master  of  himself  till  the  last,  and  by  his  niagnificent 
bearing  was  teaching  the  country  and  the  world  the 
noblest  of  human  lessons — how  to  live  grandly  in  the 
very  clutch  of  death.  Great  in  life,  he  was  surpass- 
ingly great  in  death,  lie  ])assed  serenely  away  Sept. 
19,  1883,  at  KIberon,  N.  J  ,  on  the  very  bank  of  the 
ocean,  where  he  had  been  taken  shortly  previous.  The 
world  wept  at  his  death,  as  it  never  had  done  on  the 
death  of  any  other  man  who  had  ever  lived  ti])on  it. 
The  murderer  was  duly  tried,  found  guilly  and  exe- 
cuted, in  one  year  after  he  committed  iVie  foul  deed. 


I 


T  WEN  T  Y.FIRS  T  PRESIDENT. 


99 


- 'Ci'M  !i^:r5'H:.!i^;iM  iS^.   Ji;^^:'{FiM¥liia    4i 


^-^^ 


#^^- 


HESTER      A.      ARTHUR, 

twenty-first    Presi'^.-ui.   of  the 

'United    States,    was    born    in 

P  ranklin  Coin  ty,  Vermont,  on 

3!o    thefifthofOc'ober,  1S30,  andis 

the  oldest   of  a    family    of  two 

sons  and    five   daughters.     His 

father  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  William 

Arthur,  a  Baptistd'^rgyman,  who 

emigrated  to   tb.s  country  frorn 

the  county  Antnm,   Ireland,    in 

j§|y     his  i8th  year,  and  died  in   1875,  in 

Newtonville,   neai    Albany,   after  a 

long  and  successful  ministry. 

Young  Arthur  was  educated  at 
Union  College,  S(  henectady,  where 
he  excelled  in  all  his  studies.  Af- 
ter his  graduation  he  taught  school 
in  Vermont  for  two  years,  and  at 
the  expiration  cf  that  time  came  to 
New  York,  with  $500  in  his  pocket, 
and  ei)tered  the  office  of  ex-Judge 
E.  D.  Culver  as  student.  After 
being  admitted  to  the  bar  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  his  intimate  friend  and  room-mate, 
Henry  D.  Gardiner,  with  the  intention  of  practicing 
in  the  West,  and  for  three  months  they  roamed  about 
in  the  Western  States  in  search  of  an  eligible  site, 
but  in  the  end  returned  to  New  York,  where  they 
hung  out  their  shingle,  and  entered  upon  a  success- 
ful career  almost  from  the  start.  General  Arthur 
soon  afterward  iiaArr-rd  the  daughter   of  Lieutenant 


Herndon,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  who  was  lost  at 
sea.  Congress  voted  a  gold  medal  to  his  widow  in 
recognition  of  the  bravery  he  displayed  on  that  occa- 
sion. Mrs.  Arthur  died  shortly  before  Mr.  Arthur's 
nomniation  to  the  Vice  Presidency,  leaving  two 
children. 

Gen.  Arthur  obtained  considerable  legal  celebrity 
in  his  first  great  case,  the  famous  Lemmon  suit, 
brought  to  recover  possession  of  eight  slaves  who  had 
been  declared  free  by  Judge  Paine,  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  New  York  City.  It  was  in  1S52  that  Jon. 
athan  Lemmon,  of  Virginia,  went  to  New  York  with 
his  slaves,  intending  to  ship  them  to  Texas,  when 
they  were  discovered  and  freed.  The  Judge  decided 
that  they  could  not  be  held  by  the  owner  under  the 
Fugitive  Slave  Law.  A  howl  of  rage  went  up  from 
the  South,  and  the  Virginia  Legislature  authorized  the 
Attorney  General  of  that  State  to  assist  in  an  appeal. 
Wm.  M.  Evarts  and  Chester  A.  Arthur  were  employed 
to  represent  the  People,  and  they  won  their  case, 
which  then  went  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States.  Charles  O'Conor  here  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  slave-holders,  but  he  too  was  beaten  by  Messrs 
Evarts  and  Arthur,  and  a  long  step  was  taken  toward 
the  emancipation  of  the  black  race. 

Another  great  service  was  rendered  by  General 
Arthur  in  the  same  cause  in  1856.  Lizzie  Jennings, 
a  respectable  colored  woman,  was  put  off  a  Fourth 
Avenue  car  with  violence  after  she  had  paid  her  fare. 
General  Arthur  sued  on  her  behalf,  and  secured  a 
verdict  of  $500  damages.  The  next  day  the  compa- 
ny issued  an  order  to  admit  colored  persons  to  ride 
on  their  cars,  and   the  other  car  companies  quickly 


(OO 


CHESTER  A.  ARTHUR. 


followed  their  example.  Before  that  the  Sixth  -Ave- 
nue Company  ran  a  few  special  cars  for  colored  per- 
sons and  the  other  lines  refused  to  let  them  ride  at  all. 

General  Arthur  was  a  delegate  to  the  Convention 
at  Saratoga  that  founded  the  Republican  party. 
Previous  to  the  war  he  was  Judge- Advocate  ot  the 
Second  Brigade  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  Gov- 
ernor Morgan,  of  that  State,  appointed  him  Engineer- 
in-Chief  of  his  staff.  In  1861,  he  was  made  Inspec- 
tor General,  and  soon  afterward  became  Quartermas- 
ter-General. In  each  of  these  offices  he  rendered 
great  service  to  the  Government  during  the  war.  At 
the  end  of  Governor  Morgan's  term  he  resumed  the 
practice  of  the  law,  forming  a  partnership  with  Mr. 
Ransom,  and  then  Mr.  Phelps,  the  District  .\ttorney 
of  New  Yoik,  was  added  to  the  firm.  The  legal  prac- 
tice of  this  well-known  firm  was  very  large  and  lucra- 
tive, each  of  the  gentlemen  comiX)sing  it  were  able 
lawyers,  and  possessed  a  splendid  local  reputation,  if 
not  indeed  one  of  national  extent. 

He  always  took  a  leading  part  in  State  and  city 
politics.  He  was  ap|)ointcd  Collector  of  the  Port  of 
New  York  by  President  Grant,  Nov.  21  1872,  to  suc- 
ceed Thomas  Murphy,  and  held  the  office  until  July, 
TO,  1 878,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Collector  Merritt. 

Mr.  .\rthi:r  was  nominated  on  the  Presidential 
ticket,  with  Gen.  James  A.  (iarfield,  at  the  famous 
National  Republican  Convention  held  at  Chicago  in 
June,  1880.  This  was  perhaps  the  greatest  ix)litical 
convention  th;'t  ever  assembled  on  thecontinent.  It 
was  com|x>sed  of  the  'jading  politicians  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  all  able  men,  and  each  stood  firm  and 
fought  vigorously  and  with  signal  tenacity  for  their 
resixictive  candidates  that  were  before  the  conven- 
lion  for  the  nomination,  l-'inally  Gen.  Garfield  re- 
ceived the  nomination  fur  President  and  Gen.  Arthur 
for  Vice-I'residenl.  'I'he  campaign  wiiich  followed 
was  one  of  the  most  animate<l  known  in  the  history  uf 
our  country.  Gen.  Hancock,  the  standard-bearer  of 
the  nemocratic  party,  was  a  popular  man,  and  his 
party  made  a  valiant  fight  for  his  election. 

Finally  the  election  came  and  the  country's  choice 
.vas  Garfield  and  Arthur.  They  were  inaugurated 
Alarch  4,  i88r,  as  President  and  Vice-President. 
K  few  months  only  had  |>asscd  ere  the  newly  chosen 
President  was  the  victimof  the  assassin's  bullet.  Then 
came  terrible  weeks  of  suffering, — lho;i  niomenls  of 
tnxious  sus|>en«c,  when  the  hearts  of  ,\\\  civilizod  n:i 


tions  were  throbbing  in  unison,  longing  for  the  re 
covery  of  the  noble,  the  good  President.  The  remark- 
able patience  that  he  manifested  during  those  hours 
and  weeks,  and  even  nioiUlis,  of  the  most  terrible  suf- 
fering man  has  often  been  called  upon  to  endure,  was 
seemingly  more  than  human.  It  was  certainly  God- 
like. During  all  this  period  of  deepest  anxiety  Mr. 
Arthur's  every  move  was  watched,  and  l>e  it  said  to  his 
credit  that  his  every  action  displayed  only  an  earnest 
desire  that  the  suffering  Garfield  might  recover,  to 
serve  the  remainder  of  the  term  he  had  so  auspi- 
ciously begun.  Not  a  selfish  feeling  was  manifested 
in  deed  or  look  of  this  man,  even  though  the  most 
honored  ]X)sition  in  the  world  was  at  any  moment 
likely  to  fall  to  him. 

At  last  God  in  his  mercy  relieved  President  Gar- 
field from  further  suffering,  and  the  world,  as  never 
before  in  its  history  over  the  death  of  any  other 
man,  wept  at  his  bier.  Then  it  became  the  duty  of 
the  Vice  President  to  £.ssume  the  responsibilities  of 
the  high  office,  and  he  took  the  oath  in  New  York. 
Sept.  20,  i8Sr.  The  position  was  an  embarrassing 
one  to  him,  made  doubly  so  from  the  facts  that  all 
eyes  were  on  him,  anxious  to  know  what  he  would  do, 
what  policy  he  would  pursue,  and  who  he  would  se- 
lect as  advisers.  The  duties  of  the  office  had  been 
greatly  neglected  during  the  President's  long  illness, 
and  many  important  measures  were  to  lie  immediately 
decided  by  him  ;  and  still  farther  to  embarrass  him  he 
did  not  fail  to  realize  under  "what  circumstances  he 
became  President,  and  knew  the  feelings  of  many  on 
this  point.  ITiuler  these  trying  circumstances  President 
Arthur  took  the  reins  of  the  Government  in  his  own 
hands;  and,  as  embarrassing  as  were  the  condition  of 
affairs,  he  happily  surprised  the  nation,  acting  .so 
wisely  iliat  l)ut  few  criticised  his  administration. 
He  served  the  nation  well  and  faithfully,  until  the 
close  of  his  administration,  March  4,  1S85,  and  was 
a  popular  candidate  before  his  |)arty  for  a  second 
term.  His  name  was  ably  presented  before  the  con- 
vention at  Chicago,  and  was  received  with  great 
favor,  and  doubtless  but  for  the  personal  popularity 
of  one  of  the  opposing  candidates,  he  would  have 
been  selected  as  the  standard-bearer  of  his  party 
for  another  campaign.  He  retired  to  private  life  car- 
rying with  him  the  best  wishes  of  the  American  peo- 
ple, whom  he  had  served  in  a  manner  satisfactory 
to  Ihein  and  witli  crcdii  to  himself 


'i^€rt£y/ 


C/^C^uC^OyiyU^^ 


TWENTY-SECOND  PRESIDENT. 


>°3 


•Zh^MrM^ 


OC>o     . 


TEPHEN  GROVER  CLEVE- 
LAND,thetwenty-second  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States,  was 
born  in  1837,  in  the  obscure 
town  of  Caldwell,  Essex  Co., 
N.  J.,  and  in  a  little  two-and-a- 
half-story  white  house  which  is  still 
standing,  characteristically  to  mark 
the  humble  birth-place  of  one  of 
America's  great  men  in  striking  con- 
trast with  the  Old  World,  where  all 
men  high  in  office  must  be  high  in 
origin  and  born  in  the  cradle  of 
wealth.  When  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  three  years  of  age,  his 
father,  who  was  a  Presbyterian  min- 
ister, with  a  large  family  and  a  small  salary,  moved, 
by  way  of  the  Hudson  River  and  Erie  Canal,  to 
Fayetteville,  in  search  of  an  increased  income  and  a 
larger  field  of  work.  Fayetteville  was  then  the  most 
straggling  of  country  villages,  about  five  miles  from 
Pompey  Hill,  where  Governor  Seymour  was  born. 

At  the  last  mentioned  place  young  Grover  com- 
menced going  to  school  in  the  "good,  old-fashioned 
way,"  and  presumably  distinguished  himself  after  the 
manner  of  all  village  boys,  in  doing  the  things  he 
ought  not  to  do.  Such  is  the  distinguishing  trait  of 
all  geniuses  and  independent  thinkers.  When  he 
arrived  at  the  age  of  14  years,  he  had  outgrown  the 
capacity  of  the  village  school  and  expressed  a  most 


emphatic  desire  to  be  sent  to  an  academy.  To  this 
his  father  decidedly  objected.  Academies  in  those 
days  cost  money;  besides,  his  father  wanted  him  to 
become  self-supporting  by  the  quickest  possible 
means,  and  this  at  that  time  in  Fayette /ille  seemed 
to  be  a  position  in  a  country  store,  where  his  father 
and  the  large  family  on  his  hands  had  considerable 
influence.  Grover  was  to  be  paid  $50  for  his  services 
the  first  year,  and  if  he  proved  trustworthy  he  was  to 
receive  $roo  the  second  year.  Here  the  lad  com- 
menced his  career  as  salesman,  and  in  two  years  he 
had  earned  so  good  a  reputation  for  trustworthiness 
that  his  employers  desired  to  retain  him  for  an  in- 
definite length  of  time.  Otherwise  he  did  not  ex- 
hibit as  yet  any  particular  "  flashes  of  genius  "  or 
eccentricities  of  talent.  He  was  simply  a  good  boy. 
But  instead  of  remaining  with  this  firm  in  Fayette- 
ville, he  went  with  the  family  in  their  removal  to 
Clinton,  where  he  had  an  opportunity  of  attending  a 
high  school.  Here  he  industriously  pursued  his 
studies  until  the  family  removed  with  him  to  a  point 
on  Black  River  known  as  the  "  Holland  Patent,"  a 
village  of  500  or  600  people,  15  miles  north  of  Utica, 
N.  Y.  At  this  place  his  father  died,  after  preaching 
but  three  Sundays.  This  event  broke  up  the  family, 
and  Grover  set  out  for  New  York  City  to  accept,  at  a 
small  salary,  the  position  of  "  under-teacher  "  in  an 
asylum  for  the  blind.  He  taught  faithfully  for  two 
years,  and  although  he  obtained  a  good  reputation  in 
this  capacity,  he  concluded  that  teaching  was  not  his 


lOA 


5.   G ROVER   CLEVELANV. 


calling  for  life,  and,  reversing  the  traditional  order, 
ne  left  the  city  to  seek  his  fortune.  inste?<'  O"  DD'.ng 
to  a  city.  He  tiist  mougnt  oi  Cleveland,  (Jhio,  as 
thf^re  was  some  charm  in  that  name  for  him;  but 
before  proceeding  to  that  place  he  went  to  Buffalo  to 
»sk  the  advice  of  his  uncle,  Lewis  F.  Allan,  a  noted 
stock  breeder  of  that  place.  The  Litter  did  not 
sp^ak  enthusiastically.  "  What  is  it  you  want  to  do, 
my  boy?"  he  asked.  "Well,  sir,  I  want  to  study 
ia\'','' was  the  reply.  ''Good  gracious!"  remarked 
.h»  old  gentleman ;  "  do  you,  indeed  ?  What  ever  put 
that  into  your  head?  How  much  money  have  you 
got/  "  '■  Well,  sir,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  haven't  got 
anv.° 

After  a  long  consultation,  his  uncle  offered  him  a 
place  temixjrarily  as  assistant  herd-keeper,  at  $50  a 
year,  while  he  could  "look  around."  One  day  soon 
afterward  he  boldly  walked  in'o  the  office  of  Rogers, 
Bowen  &  Rogers,  of  Buffalo,  and  told  Ihem  what  he 
wanted.  .*\.  number  of  young  men  were  already  en- 
gaged in  the  office,  but  Grover's  persistency  won,  and 
ne  was  finally  permitted  to  come  as  an  office  boy  and 
aave  the  use  of  the  law  library,  for  tlie  nominal  sum 
of  $3  or  §4  a  week.  Out  of  this  he  had  to  pay  for 
his  board  and  washing.  The  walk  to  and  from  his 
uncle's  was  a  long  and  rugged  one;  and,  althougli 
the  first  winter  was  a  memorably  severe  one,  his 
shoes  were  out  of  repair  and  his  overcoat — he  had 
none — yet  he  was  nevertheless  prompt  and  regular. 
On  the  first  day  of  his  service  here,  his  senior  em- 
ployer threw  down  a  copy  of  Hlackstone  before  him 
with  a  bang  that  made  the  dust  fly,  saying  "That's 
where  they  all  begin."  A  titter  ran  around  the  little 
circle  of  clerks  and  students,  as  they  thought  that 
was  enough  to  scare  young  Grover  out  of  his  plans  ; 
out  indue  time  he  mastered  that  cumbersome  volume. 
Then,  as  ever  afterward,  however,  Mr.  Cleveland 
exhibited  a  talent  for  executivcness  rather  than  for 
chasing  principles  through  all  their  metaphysical 
liossibil'iies.  "  Let  us  ipiit  talking  and  go  and  do 
it,"  was  practically  hij  motto. 

The  first  public  office  to  which  Mr.  Cleveland  was 
elected  was  that  of  Sheriff  of  Krie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in 
which  Buffalo  is  situated;  and  in  such  capacity  it  fell 
to  his  duty  to  inflict  capital  pi'-.ishment  u|)on  two 
ciii.inals.  In  1881  he  w.is  elected  Mayor  of  the 
City  of  Buff.ilo.  o)  the  Pemocratic  ticket,  with  es- 
pecial reference  to  the  bringing  about  certain  reforms 


in  the  administration  of  the  municipal  affairs  of  that 
f-f-"-  Tr.  this  ?flRce.  a?  well  as  that  of  Sheriff,  his 
periormance  o.'  uuty  iias  generally  been  considered 
fair,  with  possibly  a  few  exceptions  which  were  fer- 
reted out  and  magnified  during  the  last  Presidential 
campaign.  As  a  specimen  of  his  plain  language  in 
a  veto  message,  we  quote  ftom  one  vetoing  an  iniqiii 
tons  street-cleaning  contract :  "  This  is  a  time  fo\ 
plain  speech,  and  my  objection  to  your  action  shall 
he  plainly  staled.  I  regard  it  as  the  culmination  of 
a  mos  bare-faced,  impudent  and  shameless  scheme 
to  betray  the  interests  of  the  people  and  to  worse 
than  squander  the  people's  money."  The  New  York 
Sun  afterward  very  highly  commended  Mr.  Cleve- 
land's administration  as  Mayor  of  Buffalo,  and  there- 
upon recommended  him  for  Governor  \A  the  Empire 
State.  To  the  latter  office  he  was  elected  in  1882, 
and  his  administration  of  the  aff-'ivs  of  State  was 
generally  satisfactory.  The  mistakes  he  made,  if 
any,  were  made  very  public  throughout  the  nation 
after  he  was  nominated  for  President  of  the  United 
States.  For  this  high  office  he  was  nominated  July 
It,  1884,  by  the  National  Democratic  Convention  at 
Chicago,  when  other  competitors  were  Thomas  F. 
Bayard,  Roswell  P.  Flower,  Thomas  A.  Hendricks, 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  Allen  G.  Thurman,  etc.;  and  he 
was  elected  by  the  people,  by  a  majority  of  about  a 
thousand,  over  the  brilliant  and  long-tried  Repub- 
lican statesman,  James  G.  Blaine.  President  CleviJ- 
land  resigned  his  office  as  Governor  of  New  York  in 
January,  1885,  in  order  to  prepare  for  his  duties  as 
the  Cliicf  E.vecutive  of  the  United  States,  in  which 
capacity  his  term  commenced  at  noon  on  the  4th  of 
^^arch,  1885.  For  his  Cabinet  officers  he  selected 
the  following  gentlemen:  For  Secretary  of  State, 
Thomas  F.  Bayard,  of  Delaware ;  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  Daniel  Manning,  of  New  York;  Secretary 
of  War,  William  C.  Endicott,  of  Massachusetts ; 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  William  C.  Whitney,  of  New 
York ;  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  L.  Q.  C.  Lamar,  of 
Mississipiji;  Postmaster-General,  William  F.  Vilas, 
of  Wisconsin;  Attorney-General,  A.  H.  Garland,  of 
■Arkansas. 

The  silver  (jucstion  precipitated  a  controversy  be- 
tween those  who  were  in  favor  of  the  continuance  of 
silver  coinage  and  those   who  were  opposed,   Mr. 
Cleveland  answering  for  the  latter,  even  before  his 
I  inauguration. 


¥ 


TWENTY-THIRD  PRESIDENT. 


S07 


"0*0'@^^®"6*a" 


ENJAMIN  HARRISON,  the 
l,wenty-third  President,  is 
the  descendant  of  one  of  the 
liistorical  families  of  this 
country.  The  head  of  the 
family  was  a  Major  (leneral 
Harrison,  one  of  Oliver 
Cromwell's  trusted  follow- 
ers and  fighters.  In  the  zenith  of  Crom- 
well's power  it  became  the  duty  of  this 
Harrison  to  participate  lU  the  trial  of 
Charles  I,  and  Afterward  tc  sign  the 
deitch  warrant  of  the  king.  He  subse- 
quentiy  paid  for  this  with  his  life,  being 
hung  Oct.  13,  1G60.  His  descendants 
came  to  America,  and  the  next  of  the 
family  that  appears  in  history  is  Benja- 
min Harrison,  of  Virginia,  great-grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
after  whom  he  was  named.  Benjamin  Harrison 
was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  during 
the  years  i774-5-G,  and  was  one  of  the  original 
signers  of  the  Declai-ation  of  Independence.  He 
wa  ■  three  times  elected  Governor  of  Virginia, 
Gen    William  Henry  Harrison,  the  son  of  the 


-V«> 


distinguished  patriot  of  the  Revolution,  after  asuo. 
cessful  career  as  a  soldier  during  the  War  of  1812, 
and  witk-a  clean  record  as  Governor  of  the  North- 
western   Territory,   was   elected   President  of   the 
United  States  in  1840.     His  aaraer  was  cut  short 
by  death  within  one  month  .fter  liis  inr.uguration. 
President   Harrison   w   ?3crn  at  Nor:'-.  Bend, 
Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  TO,  1833,     His  life  up  to 
the  time  of  his  graduation  by  the  Miami  University 
at  Oxford,  Ohio,  was  the  uneventful  one  of  a  coun- 
try  lad  of  a  family  of  small  means.     His  father  was 
able  to  give  him  a  good  education,  and  nothing 
more.     He  became  engaged  while  at  college  to  ti>3 
daughter  of  Dr.  Scott,  Principal  of  a  female  schoo 
at  Oxford.     After  graduating  he  determined  to  en- 
ter upon  the  study  of  the  law.     He  went  to  Cin 
oinnati  and  then  read  law  for  two  years.     At  tht 
expiration  of  that  time  young  Harrison  received  th'v 
only  inheritance  of  his  life ;  his  aiTiit  dying  left  iiim 
a  lot  valued  at  $800.     He  regarded  this  legacy  as  a 
fortune,  and  decided  to  get  married  at  once,  <aks 
this  money  and  go  to  some  E.vstern  town  an '  'oe~ 
gin  the  practice  of  law.     He  sold  his  lot,  and  with 
the  mone}'  in  his  pocket,  he  stalled  out  witii  his 
young  Wife  to  fight  for  a.  place  ia  the  world.     Me 


108 


BENJAMIN  HARRISON. 


decided  to  go  to  Indianapolis,  which  was  even  at 
that  time  a  town  of  promise.  He  met  with  sliglit 
encouragement  at  first,  making  scarcely  anything 
the  first  year.  He  worlicd  diligently,  applying  him- 
self closely  to  his  calling,  built  up  an  extensive 
practice  and  took  a  leading  rank  in  the  legal  pro- 
I'ession.     He  is  the  father  of  two  children. 

In  186C  Mr.  Harrison  was  nominated  for  the 
position  of  Supreme  Court  Reporter,  and  then  be- 
gan his  experience  as  a  stump  speaker  He  can- 
vassed the  State  thoroughly,  and  was  elected  by  a 
handsome  majority.  In  18G2  he  raised  the  17th 
Indiana  Infantry,  and  was  chosen  its  Colonel.  His 
regiment  was  composed  of  the  rawest  of  material, 
out  Col.  Harrison  emploj'ed  all  his  time  at  first 
mastering  military  tactics  and  drilling  his  men, 
when  he  therefore  came  to  move  toward  the  East 
with  Sherman  his  regiment  was  one  of  the  best 
drilled  and  organizcil  in  the  army.  At  Rcsaca  he 
especially  distinguished  himself,  and  for  his  bravery 
at  Peachtree  Creek  he  was  made  a  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral, Gen.  Hooker  speaking  of  him  in  the  most 
coraplimenUirj-  terms. 

During  the  absence  of  Gen.  Harrison  in  the  field 

he  Supreme  Court  declared  the  ollice  uf  the  Su- 
preme Court  Reporter  vacant,  and  another  person 
was  elected  to  tlie  position.  From  the  time  of  leav- 
iig  Indiana  with  his  regiment  until  tlie  fall  oi  1864 
he  had  taken  no  leave  of  absence,  but  having  been 
nominated  that  year  fur  the  same  ofHce,  he  got  a 
thirty-day  leave  of  alisonce,  and  during  that  time 
madcn  liriliiant  canvass  of  the  State,  aud  was  elected 
for  another  terra.  He  then  started  to  rejoin  Sher- 
aian,bnton  the  way  was  stricken  down  with  scarlet 
.'ever,  and  after  a  most  trying  siege  made  his  way 
to  the  front  in  time  to  participate  hi  the  closing 
xcidents  of  the  war 
In  ISCHGen.  Harrison  dechned       re-election  as 

■ciK)rtcr,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law  lu  187G 
Be  was  u  candidate   fur  Governor.     Altho'igh  de- 

eatcd,  the  brilliant  cnm])aign  hi^  i?.a<le  won  jor  him 
a  National  reputation,  and  he  was  much  sought,  es- 
pecial.y  in  the  Hast,  to  make  specche.".  In  18H0, 
as  usual,  he  took  an  i.ctivt  par',  in  the  campaign, 
um]  wi.  elected  to  the  United  States  Scnnle.  Here 
■i«  nei-ved  six  ycar><,  anr'  xa.s  kiiowi:  n^■  one  (;•  the 
ikileKl  men,  bcttl  inwyer*  i.ud  ttrongcat  debaters  in 


that  body.  With  the  expiration  of  his  Senatorial 
term  he  returned  to  the  pr.actice  of  his  profession, 
becoming  the  head  of  one  of  the  strongest  firms  in 
the  State. 

The  political  campaign  of  !.888  was  one  of  the 
most  memorable  in  the  history  of  our  country.  The 
convention  which  assembled  in  Chicago  in  June  and 
named  Jlr.  Harrison  as  the  chief  standard  bearer 
of  the  Republican  party,  was  gre.-it  in  every  partic- 
ular, and  on  this  account,  and  the  attitude  it  as- 
sumed  u^ion  the  vital  questions  of  the  day,  chief 
among  which  was  the  tariff,  awoke  a  deep  interest 
in  the  campaign  throughout  the  Nation.  Shortly 
after  the  nomination  delegations  began  to  visit  Mr, 
JIarrison  at  Indianapolis,  his  home.  This  move- 
ment became  popular,  and  from  all  sections  of  the 
country  societies,  clubs  and  deleg.ations  journeyed 
thither  to  paj'^  their  respects  to  the  distinguished 
statesman.  The  popularity  of  these  was  greatly 
increased  on  account  of  the  remarkable  speeches 
made  by  Mr.  Harrison.  He  spoke  daily  all  through 
the  summer  and  autumn  to  these  visiting  delega- 
tions, and  so  varied,  masterly  and  eloquent  were 
his  speeches  that  they  at  once  placed  him  in  the 
foremost  rank  of  American  orators  and  statesmen. 

On  aeeuuut  of  his  eloquence  as  a  speaker  and  lii^' 
power  OS  a  debater,  he  was  called   u|)ou  at  .an  un- 
commonly early  age  to  take  jiart  in  the  discussior 
of  tlie  great  questions  that  then  began  to  agitate 
the    eouutrv.     lie  was   an    nneompromising  aiiti 
slavery  man.  and  was  matched  against  some  of  ILe 
most  eminent   Democratic   s|ieakers  of   his  Statt„ 
No  man  who  felt  the  touch  of  his  blade  desii-ed  ti 
he  pitied  witli  him  ng.ain.     AVith  all  his  e!oq"ence 
as  an  orator  ho  never  spoke   for  orntoriciL  etTect, 
but  his  words  alwaj'S  went  like  bullets  to  the  inarl< 
He  is  ]iurely  American  in  his  ideas  and  k  a  spier 
did  type  of  tlu^  Auu'rican  statesman.     Gifted  witli 
quick  perception,  a  logical  mi  ml  and  a  ready  tongue, 
lie   is  one  of   the  most  distinguislie(l  impromptu 
speakers  in  the  Nation.     J\Iany  of  these  speeches 
s|)arkle(l  willi  the  rarest  of  eloquence  and  contained 
arguments  of  greatest  weight.      Many  of  Jiis  terse 
slatement.s  h.ave  already  liecome  a|)horisras.     Origi 
n;d  in  thought,  precise  iu  logic,  terse  In  statement, 
y(!*  wUlnl  faultless  in  e!o';ueuee.  lie  is  recognized  as 
the  sound  statesman  and  bnlUauL  orator  c    tn^  day 


^ 


|1%V     r— ^^— ^^)— ^   Ll^  ,_ 


MeJifieM 


1^^, 


II 


i 


,vS^V 


CLAJ^ 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


'05 


J"^-    STEPHEM'T.  MASON.    |f%) 


y^ 


TEPHEN  T.  MASON,  the 
first  Govcrnorof  Michigan,  was 
a  son  of  Gen.  John  T.  Mason, 
of  Kentucky,  but  was  born  in 
Virginia,  in  181 2.  At  the  age 
of  19  he  was  appointed  Secre- 
tary of  Michigan  Territory,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  during  the 
administration  of  Gov.  George  B. 
Porter.  Upon  the  death  of  Gov. 
Porter,  which  occurred  on  the  6tli  of 
July,  1834,  Mr.  Mason  became  Act- 
ing Governor.  In  October,  1835,  he 
was  elected  Governor  under  the  St  ate 
organization,  and  immediately  en- 
tered upon  the  performance  of  the 
duties  of  the  office,  although  the 
State  was  not  yet  admitted  into  the  Union.  After 
the  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  Governor 
Mason  was  re-elected  to  the  position,  and  served  with 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  advantage  of  the  State. 
He  died  Jan.  4,  1843.  The  principal  event  during 
Governor  Mason's  official  career,  was  that  arising  from 
the  disputed  southern  boundary  of  the  State. 

Michigan  claimed  for  her  southern  boundary  aline 
running  east  across  the  peninsula  from  the  extreme 
southern  point  of  Lake  Michigan,  extending  through 
Lake  Erie,  to  the  Pennsylvania  line.  This  she 
claimed  as  a  vested  right — a  right  accruing  to  her  by 
compact.  This  compact  was  the  ordinance  of  1787, 
ihe  parties  to  which  were  the  original  13  States,  and 
the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  ;  and,  by  the  suc- 
cession of  parties  under  statutory  amendments  to  the 
ordinance  and  laws  of  Congress — the  United  States  on 
the  one  part,  and  each  Territory  northwest  of  the 
Ohio,  as  far  as  affected  by  their   provisions,   on   the 


other.  Michigan,  therefore,  claimed  it  under  the  ])rioT 
grant,  or  assignation  of  boundary, 

Ohio,  on  the  other  hand,  claimed  that  the  ordinance 
had  been  superseded  by  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  that  Congress  had  a  right  to  regu- 
late the  boundary.  It  was  also  claimed  that  the 
Constitution  of  the  State  of  Ohio  having  described  a 
different  line,  and  Congress  having  admitted  the  State 
under  that  Constitution,  without  mentioning  the  sub- 
ject of  the  line  in  dispute.  Congress  had  thereby  given 
its  consent  to  the  line  as  laid  down  by  the  Constitu- 
tion of  Ohio.  This  claim  was  urged  by  Ohio  at 
some  periods  of  the  controversy,  but  at  others  she  ap- 
peared to  regard  the  question  unsettled,  by  the  fact 
that  she  insisted  upon  Congress  taking  action  in  re- 
gard to  the  boundary.  Accordingly,  we  find  that,  in 
i8i2.  Congress  authorized  the  Surveyor-General  to 
survey  a  line,  agreeably  to  the  act,  to  enable  the  people 
of  Ohio  to  form  a  Constitution  and  State  government. 
Owing  to  Indian  hostilities,  however,  the  line  was  not 
run  till  1 81 8.  In  1820,  the  question  in  dispute 
underwent  a  rigid  examination  by  the  Committee  on 
Public  Lands.  The  claim  of  Ohio  was  strenuously 
urged  by  her  delegation,  and  as  ably  opposed  by  Mr. 
\Voodbridge,  the  then  delegate  from  Michigan.  The 
result  was  that  the  committee  decided  unanimously 
in  favor  of  Michigan ;  but,  in  the  hurry  of  business, 
no  action  was  taken  by  Congress,  and  the  questic- 
remained  open  till  Michigan  organized  her  State  gov- 
ernment. 

The  Territory  in  dispute  is  about  five  miles  in 
width  at  the  west  end,  and  about  eight  miles  in  width 
at  the  east  end,  and  extends  along  the  whole  north- 
ern line  of  Ohio,  west  of  Lake  Erie.  The  line  claimed 
by  Michigan  was  known  as  the  "  Fulton  line,"  and 
that  claimed  by  Ohio  was  known  as  the  "  Harris  line," 


ro6 


STEPHEN  T.  MASON. 


froiv  the  names  of  the  surveyors.  The  territor)-  was 
valuable  for  its  rich  agricultural  lands ;  but  the  chief 
value  consisted  in  the  fact  that  the  harbor  on  the 
Maumee  River,  where  now  stands  tlie  flourishing  city 
of  Toledo,  was  included  within  its  limits  The  town 
originally  bore  the  name  of  Swan  Creek,  afterwards 
Port  Lawrence,  then  Vestula,  and  then  Toledo. 

In  February,  1835,  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  passed 
an  act  extending  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State  over 
the  territory  in  question;  erected  townships  and 
directed  them  to  hold  elections  in  April  following.  It 
also  directed  Governor  Lucus  to  apiwint  three  com- 
missioners to  survey  and  re-mark  the  Harris  line;  and 
named  the  first  of  April  as  the  day  to  commence  the 
survey.  Acting  Governor  Mason,  however,  anticipated 
this  action  on  the  part  of  the  Ohio  Legislature,  sent 
a  special  message  to  the  Legislative  Council,  appris- 
ing it  of  Governor  Lucas'  message,  and  advised  imme- 
diate action  by  that  body  to  anticipate  and  counteract 
the  proceedings  of  Ohio.  Accordingly,  on  the  12th 
of  February,  the  council  passed  an  act  making  it  a 
criminal  offence,  punishable  by  a  heavy  fine,  or  iin- 
])risonment,  for  any  one  to  attempt  to  exercise  any 
official  functions,  or  accept  any  office  within  the  juris- 
diction of  Michigan,  under  or  by  virture  of  any  au- 
thority not  derived  from  the  'I'crritory,  or  the  United 
States.  On  the  9th  of  March,  Governor  Mason  wrote 
General  Brown,  then  in  command  of  the  Michigan 
militia,  directing  him  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to 
meet  the  enemy  in  the  field  in  case  any  attempt  was 
made  on  the  part  of  Ohio  to  carr)'  out  the  provisions 
of  that  act  of  the  Legislature.  On  the  31st  of  March, 
Governor  Lucus,  with  his  commissioners,  arrived  at 
Perrysburgli,  on  their  way  to  commence  re-surveying 
llie  Harris  line.  He  was  accompanied  by  General 
Bell  and  staff,  of  the  Ohio  Militia,  who  proceeded  to 
muster  a  volunteer  force  of  ai)out  600  men.  This 
was  soon  accomiilished,  and  the  force  fully  armed  and 
equipped.  The  force  then  went  into  camp  at  Fort 
Miami,  to  await  the  Governor's  orders. 

Ill  the  meantime.  Governor  Mason,  with  General 
Brown  and  staff,  had  raised  a  force  800  to  1200 
•strong,  and  were  in  jiossession  of  Toledo.  General 
Urown's  Staff  consisted  of  {'aptain  Henry  Smith,  of 
Monroe,  Inspector;  Major  J.  J.  Ullman,  of  Con- 
slanline,  Quartermaster;  William  I',.  Rroadman,  of 
Detroit,  and  .Mpheiis  I'elili.of  Monroe,  .Aids-de- 
<:ami).  When  Governor  l.iic.is  observed  the  delcr- 
ininfil  bearing  of  the  Michigan  braves,  and  took  note 


of  their  number,  he  found  it  convenient  to  content 
himself  for  a  time  with  "  watching  over  the  border.'' 
Several  days  were  passed  in  this  exhilarating  employ- 
ment, and  just  as  Governor  Lucas  had  made  uj)  his 
mind  to  do  something  rash,  two  commissioners  ar- 
rived from  Washington  on  a  mission  of  peace.  They 
remonstrated  with  Gov.  Lucus,  and  reminded  him  of 
the  consequences  to  himself  and  his  State  if  he  per- 
sisted in  his  attempt  to  gain  possession  of  the  disputed 
territory  by  force.  After  several  conferences  with 
both  governors,  the  commissioners  submitted pro\)osi- 
tions  for  their  consideration. 

Governor  Lucas  at  once  accepted  the  propositions, 
and  disbanded  his  forces.  Governor  Mason,  on  the 
other  liand,  refused  to  accede  to  the  arrangement,  and 
declined  to  compromise  the  rights  of  his  people  by  a 
surrender  of  possession  and  jurisdiction.  When  Gov- 
ernor Lucus  disbanded  his  forces,  however,  Governor 
Mason  partially  followed  suit,  but  still  held  himself 
in  readiness  to  meet  any  emergency  that  might  arise. 

Governor  Lucus  now  supposed  that  his  way  was 
clear,  and  that  he  could  re-mark  the  Harris  lino  witli- 
out  being  molested,  and  ordered  the  commissioners 
to  proceed  witli  their  work. 

Ill  the  meantime.  Governor  Mason  kept  a  watch- 
ful eye  u|)on  the  proceedings.  General  Brown  sent 
scouts  through  the  woods  to  watch  their  movements, 
and  report  when  operations  were  commenced.  When 
the  surveying  party  got  within  the  county  of  Lena- 
wee, the  under-sheriff  of  that  county,  armed  with  a 
warrant,  and  accompanied  by  a  posse,  suddenly  made 
his  appearance,  and  succeeded  in  arresting  a  portion 
of  the  party.  The  rest,  including  the  commissioners, 
took  to  their  heels,  and  were  soon  beyond  the  dis- 
puted territory.  They  reached  Perrysburgh  the  fol- 
lowing day  in  a  highly  demoralized  condition,  ami 
reported  they  had  been  attacked  by  an  overwhelm- 
ing force  of  Michigan  malitia,  under  command  of 
General  Brown. 

This  summary  breaking  up  of  the  surveying  jjarly 
])rodured  the  most  tremendous  excitement  throughout 
Ohio.  Governor  Lucas  called  an  extra  session  of  the 
Legislature.  But  little  remains  to  be  said  in  reference 
to  the  "  war."  The  (lueslion  continued  for  some  time 
to  agitate  the  minds  of  tjic  opposing  parties  ;  and  the 
action  of  Congress  was  impatiently  awaited.  Mii  higan 
was  adinitled  into  the  Ihiion  on  the  condition  that 
she  give  to  Ojiio  the  disputed  territory,  and  accept 
in  return  the  Northern    Peninsuin,    which    she   did. 


SECOND  GO  VERNOR  OF  MICH IG AN. 


109 


•§?Sl' 


2aa.  ■.ssa(*»,3'*®J^l'53^''^  C 


ILLIAM       WOODBRIDGE, 

'j-iiSecond  (iovernor  of  Michigan, 

was  born    at  Norwich,  Conn., 

Aug.    20,    1780,     and   died  at 

Detroit    Oct.    20,    1861.     He 

was  of  a  family  of  three  brothers 

and    two     sisters.      His    father, 

Dudley  VVoodbridge,  removed  to 

Marietta,  Ohio,  about  1790.    The 

life  of  Wm.  Woodbridge,  by  Chas. 


'bs  Lauman,  from  which  this  sketcli 
is  largely  com  piled,  mentions  notli- 
ing  concerning  his  early  education 
beyond  the  fact  that  it  was  such  as 
was  afforded  by  the  average  school 
of  the  time,  except  a  year  with  the 
French  colonists  at  Gallipolis, 
where  he  acquired  a  knowledge  of 
the  French  language.  It  should 
be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that 
iiome  education  at  that  time  was 
an  indispensable  feature  in  the 
training  of  the  young.  To  this  and 
and  to  a  few  studies  well  mastered, 
is  due  that  strong  mental  discipline  which  has  served 
as  a  basis  for  many  of  the  grand  intellects  that  have 
adorned  and  helped  to  make  our  National  history. 
Mr.  Woodbridge  studied  law  at  Marietta,  having 
as  a  fellow  student  an  intimate  personal  friend,  a 
young  man  subsequently  distinguished,  but  known 
at  that  time  simply  as  Lewis  Cass.  He  graduated  at 
the  law  school  in  Connecticut,  after  a  course  there  of 
nearly  three  years,  and  began  to  practice  at  Marietta 
in  1806.  In  June,  1806,  he  married,  at  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut. Tuleanna,  daughter  of  John  Trumbell,  a 
distinguts'f  ed  author   and  judges ;  and  author  of  tb<3 


peom  McFingal,  which,  during  a  dark  period  of  the 
Revolution,  wrought  such  a  magic  change  upon  the 
spirits  of  the  colonists.  He  was  happy  in  his  domes- 
ticrelationsuntilthedeathofMrs.  W.,  Feb.  2,19,  i860. 
Our  written  biographies  necessarily  speak  more 
fully  of  men,  because  of  their  active  participation  in 
public  affairs,  but  human  actions  are  stamped  upon 
the  page  of  time  and  when  the  scroll  shall  be  unrolled 
the  influence  of  good  women  upon  the  history  of  the 
world  will  be  read  side  by  side  with  the  deeds  of  men. 
How  much  success  and  renown  in  life  many  men  owe 
to  their  wives  is  probably  little  known.  Mrs.  W.  en- 
joyed the  best  means  of  early  education  that  the 
country  afforded,  and  her  intellectual  genius  enabled 
her  to  improve  her  advantages.  During  her  life,  side 
by  side  with  the  highest  type  of  domestic  and  social 
graces,  she  manifested  a  keen  intellectuality  that 
formed  the  crown  of  a  faultless  chaiacter.  She  was 
a  natural  poet,  and  wrote  quite  a  large  number  of  fine 
verses,  some  of  which  are  preserved  in  a  printed 
memorial  essay  written  upon  the  occasion  of  her 
death.  In  this  essay,  it  is  said  of  her  "to  contribute 
even  in  matters  of  minor  importance,  to  elevate  the 
reputation  and  add  to  the  well  being  of  her  husband 
in  the  various  stations  he  was  called  upon  to  fill,  gave 
her  the  highest  satisfaction  "  She  was  an  invalid 
during  the  latter  portion  of  her  life,  but  was  ])atient 
and  cheerful  to  the  end. 

In  1807,  Mr.  \V.  was  chosen  a  representative  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  Ohio,  and  in  1809  was  elected  to 
the  Senate,  continuing  a  member  by  re-election  until 
his  removal  from  the  State.  He  also  held,  by  a]>- 
pointment,  during  the  time  the  office  of  Prosecuting 
Attornfy  for  his  county.  He  took  a  leading  part  in 
the  Legislature,  and  in  181 2  drew  up  a  declaration  and 
resolutions,  which  passed  the  two  houses imaminously 


WILLIAM   WOODBRIDGE. 


aiid  attracted  great  attention,  endorsing,  in  strongest 
and  niost  emphatic  terms,  tlie  war  measures  of  Presi- 
dent Madison.  During  the  period  from  1S04  to  1S14 
tlie  two  law  students,  Woodbridge  and  Cass,  liad  be- 
come widely  sei).irated.  Tiie  latter  was  Governor  of 
the  Territory  of  Michigan  under  the  historic  "Governor 
and  Judges"  plan,  with  the  indispensable  requisite  of  a 
Secretar)-  of  the  Terriiorry.  This  latter  position  was, 
in  1S14,  without  solicitation  on  his  part,  tendered  to 
Mr.  W.  Ke  accepted  the  (wsition  with  some  hesita- 
tion, and  entered  ujxju  its  duties  as  soon  as  lie  could 
make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  leaving  Ohio. 
The  office  of  Secretary  involved  also  tlie  duties  of 
collectorof  cusiomsal  the  [wrt  of  Detroit,  and  during 
the  frequent  absences  of  the  Governor,  the  dischargcof 
of  his  duties,  also  including  those  of  Superintendent 
of  Indian  Affairs.  Mr.  \V.  officiated  as  Governor  for 
about  two  years  out  of  the  eight  years  that  he  held  the 
office  of  Secretary  I'nder  the  administration  of  "(jov- 
ernor  and  Judges,"  which  the  people  of  the  Territory 
preferred  for  economical  reasons,  tp  continue  some  time 
after  their  numbers  entitled  them  to  a  more  jxjpular 
representative  system,  they  were  allowed  no  delegate 
in  Congress.  Mr.  W.,  as  a  sort  of  infonnal  agent  of 
the  |)eople,  by  corres[X)ndence  and  also  by  a  visit  to 
the  National  capital,  so  clearly  set  forth  the  demand 
for  representation  by  a  delegate,  that  an  act  was 
Ijassed  in  Congress  in  i  S 1 9  authorizing  one  tobe  chosen. 
Under  this  act  Mr.  W .  was  elected  by  tiie  concurrence 
of  all  i)arties.  His  first  action  inCongress  was  to  secure 
'.he  ))assage  of  a  Ijill  recognizing  and  confirming  the 
old  French  land  titles  in  the  Territory  according  to 
the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  peace  with  Great  Britain 
at  the  close  of  the  Revolution  ;  and  another  for  the 
construction  of  a  Government  road  through  1  he  "black 
swamps"  from  the  Miami  River  to  Detroit,  thus  open- 
ing a  means  of  land  transit  between  Ohio  and  Micli- 
igan.  He  was  influential  in  securing  the  passage  of 
bills  for  the  construction  of  Government  roads  from 
rX'troit  to  Chicago,  a:id  Detroit  to  Fort  Gratiot,  and 
for  the  improvement  of  I-a  Plaisance  Bay.  The  ex- 
|)edition  for  the  exploration  of  the  countr)'  around 
F.ake  Superior  and  in  the  valley  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi, projected  by  Governor  Cass,  was  set  on  foot 
iiy  means  of  rejiresentations  made  to  the  head  of  the 
department  by  Mr.  W,  While  in  Congress  he  stren- 
uously maintained  tlie  right  of  Michigan  to  the  strip 
iif  territor)'  now  forming  the  northern  boundary  of 
<  )hio,  which  formed  (he  subject  of  such  grave  disi)Uic 
between  r)hi<>  and  Michigan  at  the  time  of  the  ad- 
mission of  the  latter  into  the  Union.  He  served 
hut  one  term  as  delegate  to  Congress,  de- 
clining further  service  on  account  of  personal  and 
family  considerations.  Mr.  W.  continued  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  Secretary  of  the  Territory  up  to  the  time 
its  Government  passed  into  the  "second  grade." 

In    1824,   ne    was   .ip|Kjinfed   one  of  a  lioard     of 
rommissioners  for  adjusting  private  land  claims  iti 


the  Territory,  and  was  engaged  also  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  having  the  best  law  library  in  the  Ter- 
ritory. In  1828,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
Governor,  Judges  and  others,  he  was  appointed  by  the 
President,  |.  Q.  Adams,  to  succeed  Hon.  James  With- 
erell,  who  had  resigned  as  a  Judge  of  what  is  conven- 
tionally called  the  "Supreme  Court"  of  the  Territory. 
This  court  was  apparently  a  continuation  of  the  Terri- 
torial Court,  under  the  "first  grade"  or  "Governor  and 
Judges"  system.  Although  it  was  supreme  in  its  ju- 
dicial functions  within  the  Territoiy,  its  powers  and 
duties  were  of  a  very  general  character. 

In  1S32,  the  term  of  his  appointment  as  Judge  ex- 
piring. President  Jackson  appointed  a  successor,  it  is 
supixjsed  on  political  grounds,  much  to  the  disappoint- 
ment of  the  public  and  the  bar  of  the  Terrftory.  The 
partisan  feeling  of  the  time  e.xtended  into  the  Terri- 
tory, and  its  people  began  to  think  of  assuming  the 
dignity  of  a  State  government.  Party  lines  becom- 
ing very  sharply  drawn,  he  identified  himself  with 
the  Whigs  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  1835,  which  formed  the  first  State  Constitution. 
In  1837  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Senate. 

This  sketch  has  purposely  dealt  somewhat  in  detail 
with  what  may  be  called  Judge  W's.  earlier  career, 
because  it  is  closely  identified  with  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  State,  and  the  development  of  its  politi- 
cal system.  Since  the  organization  of  the  State  Gov- 
ernment the  iiistory  of  Miciiigan  is  more  familiar,  and 
hence  no  review  of  Judge  W's  career  as  Governor 
and  Senator  will  be  attempted.  He  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor in  1839,  under  a  popular  impression  that  the 
affairs  of  the  State  had  not  been  prudently  adminis- 
tered by  the  Democrats.  He  served  as  Governor  but 
little  more  than  a  year,  when  he  was  elected  to  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States. 

Hii  term  in  the  Senate  practically  closed  his  polit- 
ical life,  although  he  was  strongly  urged  by  many 
prominent  men  for  the  Whig  nomination  for  Vice 
President  in  184S. 

Soon  after  his  apix)intment  as  Judge  in  1 828,  Gov- 
ernor W.  took  up  his  residence  on  a  tract  of  land 
which  he  owned  in  the  township  of  Spring  Wells,  a 
sliort  distance  below  what  wastlicn  tlie  corporate  lim- 
its of  Detroit,  where  he  resided  during  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  Both  in  his  public  papers  and  private 
communications.  Governor  W.  shows  himself  a  mas- 
ter of  langu.ige;  he  is  fruitful  in  simile  and  illustra- 
tion, logical  in  arrangement,  happy  in  the  choice  and 
treatment  of  topics,  and  terse  and  vigorous  in  expres- 
sion. Judge  W.  was  a  (^ongregationalist.  His  opinions 
on  all  subjects  were  decidetl ;  he  was  earnest  and 
energetic,  courteous  and  dignified,  and  at  times  ex- 
hibited a  vein  of  fine  humor  that  was  the  more  at- 
tractive because  not  too  often  allowed  to  come  to  the 
surface.  His  letters  and  addresses  show  ade(;p  and 
earnest  affei'lion  not  only  for  his  imcestral  home,  but 
the  home  of  his  adoption  and  for  friends  and  family. 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


"3 


-*mi K- 


>»» 


tJOHN    S.     BARRY      ^ 


-«« »— 


•-< »»- 


OHN  STEWARD  BARRY, 
Governor  of  Michigan  from 
Jan.  3,  1842,  to  Jan.  5,  1846, 
and  from  Jan.  7,  1850,  to  Jan. 
I,  1852,  was  born  at  Amherst, 
N.  H.,  Jan.  29,  1802.  His  par- 
ents, John  and  Ellen  (Steward) 
Barry,  early  removed  to  Rocking- 
ham, Vt.,  where  he  remained  until 
he  became  of  age,  working  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  pursuing  his 
studies  at  the  same  time.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Kidder,  of  Grafton,  Vt., 
and  in  1824  went  to  Georgia,  Vt., 
where  he  had  charge  of  an  academy 
for  I  wo  years,  meanwhile  studying 
law.  He  afterward  practiced  law  in 
that  State.  While  he  was  in  Georgia  he  was  for  some 
lime  a  member  of  the  Governor's  staff,  with  the  title 
of  Governor's  Aid,  and  at  a  somewhat  earlier  period 
was  Captain  of  a  company  of  State  militia.  In  183 1 
he  removed  to  Michigan,  and  settled  at  White  Pigeon, 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  with  I.  W. 
Willard. 

Four  years  after,  1834,  Mr.  Barry  removed  to  Con- 


stantine  and  continued  his  mercantile  pursuits.  He 
became  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  White  Pigeon,  Mich, 
in  1831,  and  held  the  office  until  the  year  1835 
Mr.  Barry's  first  public  office  was  that  of  a  member 
of  the  first  constitutional  convention,  which  assembled 
and  framed  the  constitution  upon  which  Michigan 
was  admitted  into  the  Union.  He  took  an  important 
and  prominent  part  in  the  proceedings  of  that  body, 
and  showed  himself  to  be  a  man  of  far  more  than 
ordinary  abihty.  ■ 

Upon  Michigan  being  admitted  into  the  Union, 
Mr.  Barry  was  chosen  State  Senator,  and  so  favorably 
were  his  associates  impressed  with  his  abilities  at  the 
first  session  of  the  Legislature  that  they  looked  to  him 
as  a  party  leader,  and  that  he  should  head  the  State 
ticket  at  the  following  election.  Accordingly  he  re- 
ceived the  nomination  for  Governor  at  the  hands 
of  his  party  assembled  in  convention.  He  was 
elected,  and  so  popular  was  his  administration  that,  in 
1842,  he  was  again  elected.  During  these  years 
Michigan  was  embarrassed  by  great  financial  diffi- 
culties, and  it  was  through  his  wisdom  and  sound  judg- 
ment that  the  State  was  finally  placed  ujwn  a  solid 
financial  basis. 

During  the  first  year  of  Gov.  Barry's  first  term,  the 
University  at  Ann  Arbor  was  opened  for  the  reception 


114 


JOHN  STEWARD  BARRY. 


of  students.  The  Michigan  Central  and  Michigan 
Southern  railroads  were  being  rapidly  constructed,  and 
general  progress  was  eveiywhere  noticeable.  In  1842, 
the  number  of  pupils  reiwrted  as  attending  the  public 
schools  was  nearly  fifty-eight  thousand.  In  1S43,  a 
State  land  office  was  established  at  Marshall,  which 
was  invested  with  the  charge  and  disposition  of  all 
the  lands  belonging  to  the  Stale  In  1S44,  the  tax- 
able property  of  the  State  was  found  to  be  over 
twenty-eight  millions  of  dollars,  the  lax  being  at  the 
rate  of  two  mills  on  the  dollar.  The  expenses  of  the 
State  were  only  seventy  thousand  dollars,  while  the 
income  from  the  railroads  was  nearly  three  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  At  this  lime  the  University  of 
Michigan  had  become  so  prosperous  that  its  income 
was  ample  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  University  debt ; 
and  the  amount  of  money  which  the  Slate  was  able 
to  loan  the  several  progressing  railroads  was  one 
hundred  and  twenty  thousand  dollars.  Efforts  were 
made  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  common  schools 
with  good  results  In  1S45,  when  Gov.  Barry's  sec- 
ond term  ex[)ired,  tlie  po[)ulalion  of  the  State  was 
more  than  thvee  hundred  thousand. 

The  constitution  of  the  Stale  forbade  more  than  two 
consecutive  terms,  but  he  was  called  upon  to  fill  the 
lX)sition  again  in  1850 — the  only  instance  of  the  kind 
in  the  history  of  the  State.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Territorial  Legislature,  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion, and  afterward  of  the  Stale  House  of  Represent- 
atives. 

During  Mr.  Barry  s  third  term  as  Governor  the  Nor- 
mal School  was  eslablislied  at  Ypsilanti,  wliicli  was 
endowed  with  lands  and  placed  in  charge  of  a  board 
of  education  consisting  of  six  persons.  A  new  con- 
stitution for  the  government  of  the  State  was  also 
adopted  and  the  '"Great  Railway  Conspiracy  Case" 
was  tried.  This  grew  out  of  a  series  of  lawless  acts 
which  had  been  committed  upon  the  property  of  the 
Michigan  Central  Railroad  Company,  along  the  line 
of  their  road,  and  finally  tiie  burning  of  the  de|X)l 
at  Detroit,  in  1850. 

At  a  setting  of  the  grand  jury  of  Wayne  County, 
April  24,  1 85  I,  37  men  of  the  50  under  arrest  for  this 
crime  were  indicted.  May  20,  following,  the  accused 
parties  appeared  at  the  Circuit  Court  of  Wayne,  of 
wliich  Warner  Wing  was  resident  judge.  Tlie  Rail- 
road Comjiany  employed  ten  eminent  lawyers,  in- 
cluding David  Stuart,  John  Van  Annan,  James  A. 
Van  Dyke,  Jacol)  M.  Howard,  .Mex.  D.  l-'raser,  Dan- 
iel Goodwin  and  William  Gray.  The  (lelendanls  were 
represented  by  six  members  of  tlie  Stale  bar,  led  by 
William  H.  Seward,  of  New  N'ork.  The  trial  occupied 
four  months,  during  winch  time  the  plaintiffs  exam- 
ined 246  witnesses  in  27  days,  .ind  the  defendants 
249  in  40  days.  Mr.  Van  I))kc  addressed  the  jury 
for  the  pr(viei:uliiin :  William  II.  Seward  for  the 
defense. 

The  great  lawyer  wa-.  1  uiivim  i:<l   ul    llie    iniiocerK  e 


of  his  clients,  nor  did  the  verdict  of  that  jury  and  the 
sentence  of  that  judge  remove  his  firm  belief  that  his 
clients  were  the  victims  of  purchased  treachery, 
rather  than  so  many  sacrifices  to  justice. 

The  verdict  of  "  guilty  "  was  rendered  at  9  o'clock 
p.  M.,  Sept.  25,  185  I.  On  the  2 6lh  the  prisoners  were 
put  forward  to  receive  sentence,  when  many  of  them 
protested  their  entire  innocence,  after  whicli  the  pre- 
siding judge  condemned  12  of  the  number  to  the  fol- 
lowing terms  of  imprisonment,  with  hard  labor,  within 
the  Stale's  prison,  situate  in  their  county  :  Aiiimi 
Filley,  ten  years;  Orlando  L.  Williams,  ten  years; 
Aaron  Mount,  eight  years;  Andrew  J.  Freeland,  eight 
years;  Eben  Farnham,  eight  years;  William  Corvin, 
eight  years;  Richard  Price,  eight  years;  Evan  Price, 
eight  years;  Lyman  Champlin,  five  years;  Willard 
W.  Champlin,  five  years;  Erastus  Champlin,  five 
years;  Erastus  Smith,  five  years. 

In  1840,  (iov.  Barry  became  deeply  interested  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  sugar  beet,  and  visited  Eurojje 
to  obtain  information  in  reference  to  its  culture. 

He  was  twice  Presidential  Elector,  and  his  last 
public  service  was  that  of  a  delegate  to  the  National 
Democratic  Convention  held  in  Chicago  in  1864. 

He  was  a  man  who,  throughout  life,  maintained  a 
high  character  for  integrity  and  fidelity  to  the  trusts 
bestowed  upon  him,  whether  of  a  public  or  a  private 
nature,  and  he  is  acknowledged  by  all  to  have  been 
one  of  the  most  efficient  and  popular  Governors  the 
Slate  has  ever  had. 

Gov.  Barry  was  a  man  of  incorrujitible  integrity. 
His  opinions,  whicli  he  reached  by  the  most  thorough 
investigation,  he  held  tenaciously.  His  strong  con- 
victions and  outsi)oken  honesty  made  it  impossible  for 
him  to  lake  an  undefined  iX)silion  when  a  princi|)le 
was  involved.  His  attachments  and  prejudices  were 
strong,  yet  he  was  never  accused  of  favoritism  in  his 
administration  of  public  affairs.  As  a  speaker  he  was 
not  remarkable.  Solidity,  rather  than  brilliancy,  char- 
nclerizetl  his  oratory,  which  is  described  as  argument- 
ative and  instruclive,  but  cold,  hard,  and  entirely 
wanting  in  rhetorical  ornamenl.  He  was  never  elo- 
iiuent,  seUlom  humorous  or  sarcastic,  and  in  manner 
rather  awkward. 

.\lthough  Mr.  Barry's  educational  advantages  were 
so  limited,  he  was  a  life-long  student.  He  mastered 
both  ancient  and  modern  languages,  and  accpiired  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  history.  No  man  owed  less 
to  political  intrigue  as  a  means  of  gaining  posi- 
tion. He  was  a  true  statesman,  and  gained  public  es- 
teem by  his  solid  worth.  His  political  conneclinns 
were  always  with  the  Democratic  jxarty,  and  his  opin- 
ions were  usually  extreme. 

Mr.  Barry  retired  lo  private  life  alter  the  beginning 
of  the  asi  endency  of  the  Republican  l)arly,  and  car- 
ried on  his  mercantile  business  at  (^onstantine.  He 
died  Jan.  14,  1S70,  his  wife's  death  having  occurred  a 
year  previous,  Maich  30,  1869.  They  left  no  children. 


VS^UO^     '      ^~< 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


y^^vALll 


i!^ 


t-^C-^f^O-^MiiJ 


LPHEUS  FELCH,  the   third 

Governor    of    Michigan,    was 
S  ...  . 

born  in  Limerick,  Maine,  Sep  • 

tember  28,  1806.  His  grand- 
father, Abijah  Felch,  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Revolution ;  and 
when  a  young  man,  having  with 
others  obtained  a  grant  of  land  be- 
tween the  Great  and  Little  Ossipee 
Rivers,  in  Maine,  moved  to  that  re- 
gion when  it  was  yet  a  wilderness. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Felch  embarked  in 
mercantile  life  at  Limerick.  He  was 
the  first  to  engage  in  that  business  in 
that  section,  and  continued  it  until 
his  death.  The  death  of  the  father, 
followed  within  a  year  by  the  death  of 
the  mother,  left  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  then  three 
years  old,  to  the  care  of  relatives,  and  he  found  a 
home  with  his  paternal  grandfather,  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  death.  Mr  Felch  received  his  early 
education  in  the  district  school  and  a  neighboring 
academy.  \\\  1821  he  became  a  student  at  Phillips 
Exter  Academy,  and,  subsequently,  entered  Bowdoin 
College,  graduated  with  the  class  of  1827.  He  at 
once  began  the  study  of  law  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  at  Bangor,  Me.,  in  1830. 

He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Houlton, 
Me.,  where  he  remained  until  1833.  The  severity 
of  the  climate  impaired  his  health,  never  very  good, 
and  he  found  it  necessary  to  seek  a  change  of  climate. 
He  disposed  of  his  library  and  started  to  seek 
a  new  home.     His  intention   was  to  join  his  friend, 


Sargent  S.  Prentiss,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  but  on  his 
arrival  at  Cincinnati,  Mr.  Felch  was  attacked  by 
cholera,  and  when  he  had  recovered  sufficiently  to 
permit  of  his  traveling,  found  that  the  danger  of  the 
disease  was  too  great  to  permit  a  journey  down  the 
river.  He  therefore  determined  to  come  to  Michi- 
gan. He  first  began  to  practice  in  this  State  at  Mon- 
roe, where  he  continued  until  1843,  when  he  removed 
to  Ann  Arbor.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Legisla- 
ture in  r835,  and  continued  a  member  of  that  body 
during  the  years  1836  and  1837.  While  he  held  thi^ 
office,  the  general  banking  law  of  the  State  was  enact- 
ed, and  went  into  operation.  After  mature  delibera- 
tion, he  became  convinced  that  the  proposed  system 
of  banking  could  not  prove  beneficial  to  the  public 
interests ;  and  that,  instead  of  relieving  the  people 
from  the  pecuniary  difficulties  under  which  they  were 
laboring,  it  would  result  in  still  further  embarrass- 
ment. He,  therefore,  opposed  the  bill,  and  pointed 
out  to  the  House  the  disasters  which,  in  his  opinion, 
were  sure  to  follow  its  passage.  The  public  mind, 
however,  was  so  favorably  impressed  by  the  measure 
that  no  other  member,  in  either  branch  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, raised  a  dissenting  voice,  and  but  two  voted  with 
him  in  opposition  to  the  bill.  Early  in  1838,  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  Bank  Commissioners  of  the 
State,  and  held  that  office  for  moie  than  a  year.  Dur- 
ing this  time,  the  new  banking  law  had  given  birth  to 
that  numerous  progeny  known  as  "wild-cat"  banks. 
Almost  every  village  had  its  bank.  The  country  was 
flooded  with  depressed  "wild-cat"  money.  The  ex- 
aminations of  the  Bank  Commissioners  brought  to 
light  frauds  at  every  point,  which  were  feariessly  re- 


it8 


ALPIJEUS  FELCH. 


ported  to  the  Legislature,  and  were  followed  by  crim- 
inal prosecutions  of  the  guilty  parties,  and  the  closing 
of  many  of  their  institutions.  The  duties  of  the  of- 
fice were  most  laborious,  and  in  1839  Mr.  Felch  re- 
signed. The  chartered  right  of  almost  every  bank 
had,  in  the  meantime,  been  declared  forfeited  and 
the  law  repealed.  It  was  subsequently  decided  to 
be  constitutional  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State. 
In  the  year  1842  Governor  Felch  was  appointed 
to  the  office  of  Auditor  General  of  the  State;  but 
after  holding  the  office  only  a  few  weeks,  was  com- 
missioned by  the  Governor  as  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  to  fill  a  vacancy  caused  by  the  resig- 
nation of  Judge  Fletcher.  In  January',  1843,  he  was 
elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  for  an  unexpired 
term.  In  1845  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Michigan, 
and  entered  upon  his  duties  at  the  commencement  of 
the  ne.\i  year.  In  1847  he  was  elected  a  Senator 
in  Congress  for  six  years ;  and  at  once  retired  from 
the  office  of  Governor,  by  resignation,  which  look 
effect  March  4,  1847,  when  his  Senatorial  term  com- 
menced. While  a  member  of  the  Senate  he  acted  on 
the  Committee  on  Public  Lands,  and  for  four  years 
was  its  Chairman.  He  filled  the  honorable  position 
of  Senator  with  becoming  dignity,  and  with  great 
credit  to  the  State  of  Michigan. 

During  Governor  Fetch's  administration  the  two 
railroads  belonging  to  the  State  were  sold  10  private 
corporations, — the  Central  for  $2,000,000,  and  the 
Southern  for  §500,000.  The  exjwrts  of  the  State 
amounted  in  1846  to  $4,647,608.  Tlie  total  capacity 
of  vessels  enrolled  in  tlie  collection  district  at  Detroit 
was  26,928  tons,  the  steam  vessels  having  8,400  and 
the  sailing  vessels  18,528  tons,  the  whole  giving  em- 
ployment to  18,000  seamen.  In  1847,  there  were  39 
counties  in  the  State,  containing  435  townships  ;  and 
27s  of  these  townships  were  su])|)lied  with  goodliljra- 
ries,  containing  an  aggregate  of  37,000  volumes. 

At  the  close  of  his  Senatorial  >erm,  in  March,  1853, 
Mr.  Felch  was  ap|X)inted,  by  President  Pierce,  one  of 
the  Counnissioners  to  adjust  and  settle  the  Spanish 


and  Mexican  land  claims  in   California,    under  the 

treaty  of  Gaudalupe  Hidalgo,  and  an  act  of  Congress 
passed  for  that  purpose.  He  went  to  California  in 
May,  1853,  and  was  made  President  of  the  Commis- 
sion. The  duties  of  this  office  were  of  the  most  im- 
portant and  delicate  character.  The  interest  of  the 
new  State,  and  the  fortunes  of  many  of  its  citizens, 
both  the  native  Mexican  population  and  the  recent 
.\merican  immigration  ;  the  right  of  the  Pueblos  to 
their  common  lands,  and  of  the  Catholic  Church  to 
the  lands  of  the  Missions, — the  most  valuable  of  the 
State, — wereinvolved  in  the  adjudicationsof  this  Com- 
mission. In  March,  1856,  their  labors  were  brought 
to  a  close  by  the  final  disposition  of  all  the  claims 
which  were  presented.  The  record  of  tlieir  proceed- 
ings,— the  testimony  which  was  given  in  each  case, 
and  the  decision  of  the  Commissioners  thereon, — 
consisting  of  some  forty  large  volumes,  was  deposited 
in  tlie  Department  of  the  Interior  at  Washington. 

In  June  of  that  year.  Governor  Felcli  returned  to 
Ann  Arbor,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  piinci- 
pally  in  legal  business.  Since  his  return  he  has 
been  nominated  lor  Ciovernor  and  also  for  U.  S.  Sen- 
ator, and  twice  for  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  But 
tlie  Democratic  parly,  to  which  he  lias  always  been 
attached,  being  in  the  minority,  he  failed  of  an  elec- 
tion, in  1873  he  withdrew  from  the  active  practice 
of  law,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  tour  in  Europe, 
in  1875  has  since  led  a  life  of  retirement  at  his  home 
in  Ann  Arbor.  In  1877  the  University  of  Michigan 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  For 
many  years  he  was  one  of  the  Regents  of  Michigan 
University,  and  in  the  spring  of  1879  was  appointed 
'i'appan  Professor  of  Law  in  the  same.  Mr.  Felch  is 
the  oldest  surviving  member  of  the  Legislature  from 
Monroe  C'o.,  tlie  oldest  and  only  surviving  Pank  Com- 
missioner of  the  State,  llic  okiest  surviving  Auditor 
Gener.il  of  llic  State,  the  oldest  surviving Govemorof 
the  Slate,  tlie  oldest  surviving  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Michigan,  and  the  oldest  surviving  United 
States   .Senator   from    the   .State   of   Michigan. 


GO  VERNORS. 


ILLIAM      L.      GREENLY 
^Governor  of  Michigan  for  the 
year  1847,  was  born  at  Hamil- 
ton, Madison  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
^^'[  \    : :  :y       18,1813.    He  graduated  at  Un- 
%=i^^'-/  ion     College,     Sclienectady,    in 
1831,  studied  law  and  was  ad- 


'M     mitted  to  the  bar  in    1834.     In 


1836,  having  removed  to  Michi- 
gan, he  settled  in  Adrian,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  The  year 
following  his  arrival  in  Michigan 
he  was  elected  State  Senator  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  1839. 
In  1845  he  was  elected  Lieut.  Gov- 
ernor and  became  acting  Governor 
by  the  resignation  of  Gov.  Felch, 
who  was  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate. 

The  war  with  Mexico  was  brought 
to  a  successful  termination  during  Gov.  Greenly 's 
administration.  We  regret  to  say  that  there  are  only 
few  records  extant  of  the  action  of  Michigan  troops 
in  the  Mexican  war.  That  many  went  there  and 
fought  well  are  points  conceded  ;  but  their  names  and 
nativity    are   hidden  away  in  United  States  archives 


and  where  it  is  almost   impossible  to  find  them. 

The  soldiers  of  this  State  deserve  much  of  the 
credit  of  the  memorable  achievements  of  Co.  K,  3d 
Dragoons,  and  Cos.  A,  E,  and  G  of  the  U.  S.  Inf 
The  two  former  of  these  companies,  recruited  in  this 
State,  were  reduced  to  one-third  their  original  num- 
ber. 

In  May,  1846, the  Governor  of  Michigan  was  noti- 
fied by  the  War  Department  of  the  United  States  to 
enroll  a  regiment  of  volunteers,  to  be  held  in  readi- 
ness for  service  whenever  demanded.  At  his  sum- 
mons 13  independent  volunteer  companies,  1 1  of 
infantry  and  two  of  cavalry,  at  once  fell  into  line.  Of 
the  infantry  four  companies  were  from  Detroit,  bear- 
ing the  honored  names  of  Montgomery,  Lafayette, 
Scott  and  Brady  upon  their  banners.  Of  the  re- 
mainder Monroe  tendered  two,  Lenawee  County  three, 
St.  Clair,  Berrien  and  Hillsdale  each  one,  and  Wayne 
County  an  additional  company.  Of  these  alone  the 
veteran  Bradys  were  accepted  and  ordered  into  ser- 
vice. In  addition  to  them  ten  companies,  making  the 
First  Regiment  of  Michigan  Volunteers,  springing 
from  various  parts  of  the  State,  but  embodying  to  a 
great  degree  the  material  of  which  the  first  volunteer? 
was  formed,  were  not  called  for  until  October  follow- 
ing. This  regiment  was  soon  in  readiness  and  pro- 
ceeded by  orders  from  Government  to  the  seat  of  war. 


^^^-<^^'-^^z^  rUy~y^^     /^Ckyi^u^ 


GO  VEKNORS. 


^  rz 


A^^!^ 


EP^PI^RODITHS  P1]S0II^    I 


HE  HON.  EPAPHRODI- 
t},  TUS  RANSOM,  the  Seventh 
Governor  of  Michigan,  was  a 
native  of  Massachusetts.  In 
that  .State  he  received   a  col- 


^'".'  ,.'.  :j';K    legiate  education,  studied   law, 

and  was  admitted    to    the    bar. 

Removing    to   Michigan    about 

the  time  of  its  admission  to  the 

'^    Union,  he  took  up)  his  residence 

at  Kalamazoo. 

Mr.  Ransom  served  with  marked 
ability  for  a  number  of  years  in  the 
State  Legislature,  and  in  1837  he  was  appointed  As- 
sociate Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court.  In  1843  he 
was  promoted  to  Chief  Justice,  which  office  he  re- 
tained until  1845,  when  he  resigned. 

Shortly  afterwards  he  became  deeply  interested  in 
the  building  of  plank  roads  in  the  western  portion  of 
the  State,  and  in  this  business  lost  the  greater  portion 
of  the  property  which  he  had  accumulated  by  years 
of  toil  and  industry. 

Mr.  Ransom  became  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Michigan  in  the  fall  of  1847,  and  served  during  one 
term,  performing  the  duties  of  the  office  in  a  truly 
statesmanlike  manner.  He  subsequently  became 
President  of  the  Michigan  Agricultural  Society,  in 
which   position  he  displayed   the    same   abi'i*^"'    that 


shone  forth  so  prominently  in  his  acts  as  Governor. 
He  held  the  office  of  Regent  of  the  Michigan  Univer- 
sity several  times,  and  ever  advocated  a  liberal  jxjlicy 
in  its  management. 

Subsequently  he  was  appointed  receiver  of  the 
land  office  in  one  of  the  districts  in  Kansas,  by  Pres- 
ident Buchanan,  to  which  State  he  had  removed,  and 
where  he  died  before  the  e.xijiration  of  his  ttrm  of 
office. 

We  sum  up  the  events  and  affairs  of  the  State  un- 
der Gov.  Ransom's  administration  as  follows:  The 
Asylum  for  the  Insane  was  establised,  as  also  the 
Asylum  for  the  Deaf,  Dumb  and  Blind.  Both  of 
these  institutes  were  liberally  endowed  with  lands, 
and  each  of  them  placed  in  charge  of  a  board  of  five 
trustees.  The  appropriation  in  1S49  for  the  deaf  and 
dumb  and  blind  amounted  to  $81,500.  On  tlie  first 
of  March,  1848,  the  first  telegraph  line  was  com- 
pleted from  New  York  to  Detroit,  and  the  first  dis- 
patch transmitted  on  that  day.  The  following  figures 
show  the  progress  in  agriculture  :  The  land  reported 
as  under  cultivation  in  1848  was  1,437,460  acres;  of 
wheat  there  were  produced  4,749,300  bushels;  other 
grains,  8,197,767  bushels;  wool,  1,645,756  pounds; 
maple  sugar,  1,774,369  pounds;  horses,  52,305;  cat- 
tle, 210,268;  swine,  152,541;  sheep,  610,534;  while 
the  flour  mills  numbered  22S,  and  the  lumber  mills 
amounted  to  730.  1847,  an  act  was  passed  removing 
the  Legislature  from  Detroit  to  Lansing,  and  tempo- 
rary buildings  for  the  use  of  the  Legislature  wereim 
mediately  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $12,450. 


Cyi^i^ 


^ 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


129 


1=^       •- *5=— 


S'^ 


_s^aL*a3!!^ 


*^       '•ivj6j)'i''-t.-t.t«.t^.t.-,.t.-4j«.tt.t«vt.vA-^ 


-=s«—      "^'rtCpRS 


OBERT     McClelland, 

.tiovernor  of  Michigan  from 
Jan.  I,  185  2,  to  March  8,1853, 
was  born  at  Greencastle,  P'rank- 
•'>^  lin  Co.,  Penn.,  Aug.  i,  1807. 
Among  his  ancestors  were  several 
officers  of  rank  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war,  and  some  of  his  family  con- 
s«  nections  were  distinguished  in  the 
war  of  181 2,  and  that  with  Mexico. 
His  father  was  an  eminent  physician 
and  surgeon  who  studied  under  1  )r. 
Benj.  Rush,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
practiced  his  profession  successfully 
until  six  months  before  his  death,  at 
the  age  of  84  years.  .'Mthough  Mr. 
.McClelland's  family  had  been  in  good  circum- 
stances, when  he  was  17  years  old  he  was  throvvn 
upon  his  own  resources.  After  taking  the  usual  pre- 
liminary studies,  and  teaching  school  to  obtain  the 
means,  he  entered  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle, 
Penn.,  from  which  he  graduated  among  the  first  in 
his  class,  in  1829.  He  then  resumed  teaching,  and 
having  completed  the  course  of  study  for  the  legal 
profession,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Chambersburg, 
Penn.,  in  1831.  Soon  afterward  he  removed  to  the 
cuy  of  Pittsburgh,  where  he  practiced  for  almost  a 
year. 
In  1833,  Mr,  McClelland  removed  to  Monroe,    in 


the  Territory  of  Michigan,  where,  after  a  severe  ex- 
amination, he  became  a  member  of  the  bar  of  Michi- 
gan, and  engaged  in  practice  with  bright  prospect  of 
success.  In  1835,  a  convention  was  called  to  frame 
a  constitution  for  the  proposed  State  of  Michigan,  of 
which  Mr.  McClelland  was  elected  a  member.  He 
took  a  prominent  part  in  its  deliberations  and  ranked 
among  its  ablest  debaters.  He  was  appointed  the 
first  Bank  Commissioner  of  the  State,  by  Gov.  Mason, 
and  received  an  offer  of  the  Attorney  Generalsliip,  but 
declined  both  of  these  offices  in  order  to  attend  to  his 
professional  duties. 

In  1838,  Mr.  McClelland  was  elected  to  the  State 
Legislature,  in  which  he  soon  became  distinguished 
as  the  head  of  several  imix)rtant  committees.  Speaker 
pro  tempore,  and  as  an  active,  zealous  and  efficient 
member.  In  1840,  Gen.  Harrison,  as  a  candidate  for 
the  Presidency,  swept  the  country  with  an  overwhelm- 
ing majority,  and  at  the  same  time  the  State  of  Michi- 
gan was  carried  by  the  Whigs  under  the  popular  crj' 
of  "  Woodbridge  and  reform  "  against  the  Democratic 
party.  Kt  this  time  Mr.  McClelland  stood  among  the 
acknowledged  leaders  of  the  latter  organization  ;  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  State  House  of  Representa- 
tives, and  with  others  adopted  a  plan  to  regain  a  lost 
authority  and  prestige. 

This  party  soon  came  again  into  power  in  the  State; 
and  having  been  returned  to  the  State  Legislature  M;. 
McClelland's  leadership  was  acknowledged  by  his 
election  as  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives 


ROBERT.  McClelland, 


in  1843.  Down  to  this  time  Michigan  had  consti- 
tuted one  congressional  district.  The  late  Hon.  Jacob 
M.  Howard  had  been  elected  against  Hon,  Alpheus 
Felch  by  a  strong  majority ;  but,  in  1 843,  so  thoroughly 
iiad  the  Democraf.c  party  recovered  Irom  its  defeat 
3f  1840  that  Mr  McClelland-  as  a  candidate  for  Con- 
gress, carried  Detroit  district  by  a  majority  of  about 
-,500.  Mr  McClelland  soon  toe':  a  ijrominent  po-:i 
tioii  in  Coi-.gress  among  the  veteians  of  that  body. 
During  his  first  term  he  was  placed  on  Committee  on 
CoiT aieicc,  and  organized  and  carried  through  what 
^vere  known  as  the  "  Harbor  bills."  'I'lie  continued 
confidence  of  his  constitiencv  was  manifested  in  his 
election  to  the  29th  Congress.  At  the  opening  of  this 
session  he  h.^d  acquired  a  National  reputation,  and  so 
:ayorably  was  hi  known  as  a  parlimcntarian  that  his 
name  was  n  entioned  for  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
.esentatives  He  declined  t'  e  offer  in  favor  of  J.  W 
Davis,  of  L-.diana,  who  was  elected.  During  this  term 
he  became  Chairman  of  Committee  on  Commerce,  in 
which  position  his  leixirts  and  advocacy  of  imjxirtant 
measures  at  once  attracted  public  attention.  The 
members  of  this  committee,  as  an  evidence  of  the  es- 
teem in  which  they  hold  his  services  and  of  their 
personal  reg.ird  for  him,  presented  him  with  a  cane 
vhich  lie  retains  as  a  souvenir  of  the  donors,  and  of 
his  labors  in  Congress. 

In  1847,  Mr  McClelland  was  re-elected  to  Con- 
gress, and  at  the  opening  of  the  3olh  Congress  be- 
rame  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Fore  gn  Rela- 
.lons.  WhiL-  acting  in  this  capacity,  what  was  known 
.■-5  \t%  'French  Siwliation  Bill"  came  und.:r  his  spe- 
cial charge,  a  id  his  management  of  the  same  was  such 
as  to  command  universal  approbation.  Wliile  in 
Congress,  Mi  McClelland  was  an  advocate  of  the 
■iglit  of  petition  as  maintamed  by  John  Q  Adams, 
"vher  the  petition,  was  clothed  in  decorous  language 
:i.id  present- 1  in  the  i)roper  manner  This  he  re- 
garded as  the  cilizensconstitutional  right  which  should 
not  be  imp  lired  by  any  doctrines  of  temporary  e.xpe- 
diency.  He  also  voted  for  the  adoption  of  Mr.  Gid- 
Jingss  bill  fot  the  abolishing  of  slavery  in  the  District 
of  Co'umbi  Mr  McClelland  was  one  of  the  few 
v)emocr.'tt  ?sociated  with  David  Wilmot,  of  Penn- 
■ylvar.li.  in  bringing  forward  the  celebrated  ''Wilmot 
froviso,  ■  with  a  view  to  prevent  furtiicr  extension  of 
slavery  ii.  new  territory  which   mit;ht  be  acquired  by 

he  United  .States.     He  and  Mr    Wilmot    were   to- 
:»ether  at  the  time  in  Washington,  and  on    intimate 
..nd  confidenliil  terms.      Mi    McClelland  was  in  sev 
tral  National  conventions  and  in   tlie   Baltimore  <:oii- 

ention,  whi(.h  nominated  (ien.  C.iss  for  President, 
1848,  doing  valiant  si.Tvice  that  year  for  ti-'e  elec- 
tion of  that  distinguished  statesman.  On  leaving 
I  Congress,  in  1848,  Mr.  McC'Icllmd  returned  to  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Monroe.  In  1S50  a 
convention  of  the  Stale  of  Mi(  higaii  was  c.illcd  to 
revise   the  State  constitution      He   was  elected    a 


member  and  was  regarded  therein  as  among  the  ablest 
and  most  experienced  leaders  His  clear  judgment 
and  wise  moderation  were  conspicuous,  both  in  tlie 
committee  room  and  on  the  floor,  m  debate.  In  1850, 
he  was  President  of  the  Democralic  State  convention 
which  adopted  resolutions  in  supixjrt  of  Henry  Clay  j 
famous  compromise  measures^  cf  winch  Mr  McClel 
land  was  a  strong  advocate.  He  was  a  member  o! 
the  Democratic  .National  convention  tn  1852,  and  in 
that  year-  in  company  with  Gen  Cass  and  Governo: 
Felch.  he  made  a  thorough  canvass  of  th'  State 
He  continued  earnestly  to  advocate  ihe  Cay  com 
promise  measures,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the 
canvass  which  resulted  m  the  election  of  Gen-  Pierce 
to  the  Presidency 

In  185  1,  the  new  Stats  constitution  rook  effect  an-i 
it  was  necessary  that  a  Governov  should  be  elected 
for  one  year  in  order  to  prevent  an  interregnum^  and 
to  bring  the  State  Government  into  ooerat::  ".  mdei 
the  new  constitution.  Mi.  McClelland  was  elected 
Governor,  and  in  the  fall  of  1852  was  re-elected  fo' 
a  term  of  two  years,  from  Jan.  i,  1853,  His  adniir - 
istration  was  regarded  as  wise,  prudent  and  concilia- 
tory, and  was  as  poinilar  as  could  1)6  expected  at  a 
time  when  party  si>irit  ran  high  There  was  really 
no  oi)position,and  when  he  resigned,  in  March,  1853, 
the  State  Treasury  was  well  filled,  and  the  State 
otherwise  prosjierous  So  widely  and  favorably  hac 
Mr.  McClelland  become  known  as  a  statesmrr.  thai  C" 
the  organization  of  thecabir.et  by  Prf  sJdent  Pierce,  in 
March,  1853,  he  was  made  Secretary  cf  the  Interior,  m 
which  caiiacity  he  served  most  creditably  during  fou. 
years  of  the  Pierce  administration.  He  thoroughly 
re-orjanized  his  department  and  reduced  theex[)end- 
iturc-  He  adopted  a  course  with  tlie  Indians  which 
relieved  them  from  tlic  impositions  and  anr.oyanceE 
of  the  traders,  and  ))roduced  harmony  and  civiiizatio' 
among  them.  During  liis  administration  there  vi^ 
neither  complaint  from  the  tribes  nor  corruption  among 
agents,  and  he  left  the  department  in  i)2rfect  ordci 
and  system  In  1867,  Michigan  again  called  a  con 
vention  to  revise  the  State  constitution  Mr.  McClel 
land  was  a  member  and  here  again  his  long  expcr. 
ence  made  him  conspicuous  as  a  prudent  adviser,  ,n 
sagacious  parliamentary  leader  As  a  lawyer  hewn- 
terse  and  jiointed  in  argument,  clear,  candid  and  im 
pressive  in  his  addresses  to  the  jury  His  sincerity 
and  earnestness,  with  which  was  occasionally  mingled 
a  jdeasant  humor,  made  liim  an  able  and  effective 
advocate.  In  speaking  before  the  (leople  on  ]3oIili<;il 
subjects  he  was  especially  forcible  nr.d  hajijiy.  In 
1870  he  made  the  tour  of  Europe  whicli,  through  iiiS 
extensive  personal  a(i|iiaintancc  with  luiropcan  dip- 
lomatcs.  he  was  enabled  to  enjoy  much  more. .an 
most  travelers 

Mr.  McClelland  married,  in  1S37,  Miss  Sarah 
R  Sabin,  of  Williamstown,  Mass.  T!ic\  h.;vc  had 
SIX  children,  two  o(  whom  now  survive. 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


'33 


■fe-f 


^^ 


I  ANDREW    PAKS^ONi, 


NDREVV  PARSONS,  Clovtr- 
nor  of  Michigan  from  March 
8,  1853  to  Jan.  3,  [855,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Hoosick, 
County  of  Rensselaer,  and 
'^  State  of  New  York,  on  the  2 2d 
day  of  July,  1817,  and  died  June 
1855,  at  the  early  age  of  38 
years.  He  was  the  son  of  John 
Parsons,  born  at  Newburyport, 
(Mass.,  Oct.  2,  1782,  and  who  was  the 
sonof  Andrew  Parsons,  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  who  was  the  son  of  Phineas 
Parsons,  the  son  of  Samuel  Parsons, 
a  descendant  of  Walter  Parsons,  born 
in  Ireland  in  1290. 
Of  this  name  and  family,  some  one  hundred  and 
thirty  years  ago.  Bishop  Gilson  remarked  in  his  edi- 
tion of  Camden's  Britannia:  "The  honorable  family 
of  Parsons  have  been  advanced  to  the  dignity  of 
Viscounts  and  more  lately  Earls  of  Ross." 

The  following  are  descendants  of  these  families  ; 
Sir  John  Parsons,  born  i48i,was  Mayor  of  Hereford; 
Robert  Parsons,  born  in  1546,  lived  near  Bridge  water, 
England.  He  was  educated  at  Bailial  College,  Ox- 
ford, and  was  a  noted  writer  and  defender  of  the 
Romish  faith.  He  established  an  English  College  at 
Rome  and  another  at  Valladolia.  Frances  Parsons, 
liorn  in  1556,  was  Vicar  of  Rothwell,  in  Notingham; 
Bartholomew  Parsons,  born  in  1618,  was  another 
noted  member  of  the  family.  In  1634,  Thomas  Parsons 
•was  knighted  by  Charles  i.  Joseph  and  Benjamin, 
brothers,  were  born  in  Great  Torrington,  England, 


and  accompanied  their  father  and  others  to  New 
England  about  1630.  Samuel  Parsons,  born  at  Salis- 
bury, Mass.,  in  1707,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in 
1730,  ordained  at  Rye,  N.  H.,  Nov.  3,  1736,  married 
Mary  Jones,  daughter  of  Samuel  Jones,  of  Boston, 
Oct.  9,  1739,  died  Jan.  4,  1789,  at  the  age  of  82,  in 
the  53rd  yearof  his  ministry.  The  grandfather  of  Mary 
Jones  was  Capt.  John  Adams,  of  Boston,  grandson 
of  Henry,  of  Braintree,  who  was  among  the  first  set- 
tlers of  Massachusetts,  and  from  whom  a  numerous 
race  of  the  name  are  descended,  including  two  Presi- 
dents of  the  United  States.  The  Parsons  have  be- 
come very  numerous  and  are  found  throughout  New 
England,  and  many  of  the  descedants  are  scattered 
in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  especially  in 
the  Middle  and  Western  States.  Governor  Andrew 
Parsons  came  to  Michigan  in  1835,  at  the  age  of  17 
years,  and  spent  the  first  summer  at  Lower  Ann 
Arbor,  where  for  a  few  months  he  taught  school  which 
lie  was  compelled  to  abandon  from  ill  health. 

He  was  one  of  the  large  number  of  men  of  sterling 
worth,  who  came  from  the  East  to  Michigan  when  it 
was  an  infant  State,  or,  even  prior  to  its  assuming 
the  dignity  of  a  State,  and  who,  by  their  wisdom, 
enterprise  and  energy,  have  developed  its  wonderful 
natural  resources,  until  to-day  it  ranks  with  the  proud- 
est States  of  the  Union.  These  brave  men  came  lo 
Michigan  with  nothing  to  aid  them  in  the  conquesi 
df  the  wilderness  save  courageous  hearts  and  strong 
and  willing  hands.  They  gloriously  conquered,  how- 
ever, and  to  them  is  due  all  honor  for  the  labors 
so  noblv  performed,  for  the  solid  .md  sure  foundation 
which   they  laid   of  a   great   Commonwealth. 


134 


ANDRE  W  PARSONS 


In  the  fall  of  1835,  he  explored  the  Grand  River 
V^alley  in  a  frail  canoe,  the  whole  length  of  the  river, 
from  Jackson  to  Lake  Michigan,  and  spent  the  following 
winter  as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Prairie  Creek,  in  Ionia, 
County,  and  in  the  spring  went  to  Marshall,  where  he 
resided  with  his  brother,  the  Hon.  Luke  H.  Parsons, 
also  now  deceased,  until  fall,  when  he  went  to  Shia- 
»asseCounly,then  with  Clinton  County,  andan  almost 
unbroken  wilderness  and  constituting  one  organized 
township.  In  1837  this  territory  was  organized  into 
a  county  and,  at  the  age  of  only  19  years,  he  (An- 
drew) was  elected  County  Clerk.  In  1840,  he  was 
elected  Register  of  Deeds,  re-elected  in  1842,  and 
also  in  1844.  In  1846,  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate,  was  appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney  in  1S48, 
and  elected  Regent  of  the  University  in  185 1,  and 
Lieutenant  Governor,  and  became  acting  Governor, 
in  1853,  elected  again  to  the  Legislature  in  1S54,  and, 
overcome  by  debilitated  health,  hard  labor  and  ilie 
resixjnsibilities  of  his  office  and  cares  of  his  business, 
retired  to  his  farm,  where  he  died  soon  after. 

He  Was  a  fluent  and  persuasive  speaker  and  well 
calculated  10  make  friends  of  his  acquantances.  He 
was  always  true  to  his  trust,  and  the  wliole  world 
could  not  persuade  nor  drive  him  to  do  what  he  con- 
ceived to  be  wrong.  When  Governor,  a  most  power- 
ful railroad  influence  was  brought  to  bear  upon  him, 
to  induce  him  to  call  an  extra  session  of  the  Legisla- 
:iire.  Meetings  were  held  in  all  parts  of  the  State 
for  that  pur|iose.  In  some  sections  the  resolutions 
were  of  a  laudatory  nature,  intending  to  make  him  do 
their  bidding  by  resort  to  friendly  and  flattering  words 
In  other  places  the  resolutions  were  of  a  demanding 
nature,  while  in  others  they  were  threatening  beyond 
measure.  Fearing  that  all  these  influences  might 
''ail  to  induce  him  to  call  the  extra  session,  a  large 
sum  of  money  was  sent  him,  and  liberal  offers  len- 
(Icrcd  him  if  he  would  gratify  the  railroad  interest  of 
the  Stale  and  call  the  extra  session,  but,  immovable, 
he  returned  the  money  and  refused  to  receive 
any  favois,  whether  from  any  i^riy  who  would  nl- 
Iciiipl  to  corru'  t  'urn  by  laudations,  liberal  offers,  or 


by  threats,  and  in  a  short  letter  to  the  people,  after 
giving  overwhelming  reasons  that  no  sensible  man 
could  dispute,  showing  the  circumstances  were  not 
"e.xtraordinary,"  he  refused  to  call  the  extra  session. 
This  brought  down  the  wrath  of  various  parties  upon 
his  head,  but  they  were  soon  forced  to  acknowledge 
the  wisdom  and  the  justice  of  his  course.  One  of 
his  greatest  enemies  said,  after  a  long  acquaintance : 
"thougii  not  always  coinciding  with  his  views  I  never 
doubted  his  honesty  of  purpose.  He  at  all  times 
sought  to  perform  his  duties  in  strict  accordance, 
with  the  dictates  of  his  conscience,  and  the  behests 
of  his  oath."  The  following  eulogium  from  a  politcal  op- 
ponent is  just  ill  its  conception  and  creditable  to  its 
author:  "Gov.  Parsons  was  a  politician  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic school,  a  man  of  pure  moral  character,  fixed 
and  exemplary  habits,  and  entirely  blameless  in  every 
public  and  private  relation  of  life.  As  a  jMlitician  he 
was  candid,  frank  and  free  from  l)itterness,  as  an  ex- 
ecutive officer  firm,  constant  and  reliable."  The 
highest  commendations  we  can  pay  the  deceased  is 
to  give  his  just  record, — that  of  being  an  honest  man. 
In  the  spring  of  1854,  during  the  administration  of 
Governor  Parsons,  the  Republican  party,  at  least 
as  a  State  organization,  was  first  formed  in  the  United 
States  "under  the  oaks"  at  Jackson,  by  anti-slavery 
men  of  both  the  old  parties,  (ireat  excitement  pre- 
vailed at  this  time,  occasioned  by  the  settling  of 
Kansas,  and  the  issue  thereby  brought  u]),  whether 
slavery  should  exist  there.  For  the  purpose  of  permit- 
ting slavery  there,  the  "  Missouri  compromise"  (which 
limited  slavcr\  to  the  south  of  36*-'  30')  was  re- 
repealed,  under  the  leadership  of  Stephen  A,  Douglas. 
This  was  repealed  by  a  bill  admitting  Kansas  and 
Nebraska  into  tlie  Union,  as  Territories,  and  those  who 
were  opposed  lo  this  repeal  me.isiire  were  in  short 
called  "anti-Nebraska"  men.  The  epithets,  "Ne- 
braska" and  "anti-Nebraska,"  were  temporally  em- 
jiloyed  to  designate  the  slavery  and  ;mti-slaveiy 
parties,  pending  the  desnlution  of  the  iil<l  I  lenux  r;itic 
and  Whig  parties  :ni(l  the  orgrini/.;ilicin  of  the  new 
Democratic  and    Kep\il)lican  ])ariies  of  ihe  ])resi;nl, 


/' 


GO  VEKNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


'.■?7 


4^ 


m      KiNSLRY    ©.    BiNQHAM. 


Ptfliff 


INSLEY  S.  BINGHAM, 
k)  Governor  of  Michigan  from 
'~  1855  to  1859,  and  United 
States  Senator,  was  l)orn  in 
'^'^  Camillus,  Onondaga  County, 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  16,  1808.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  his  own 
early  hfe  was  consequently  de- 
voted to  agricultural  pursuits,  but 
notwithstanding  the  disadvan- 
tages related  to  the  acquisition 
of  knowledge  in  the  life  of  a  farmer 
he  managed  to  secure  a  good  aca- 
demic education  in  his  native  State 
and  studied  law  in  the  office  of 
Gen.  James  R.  Lawrence,  now  of 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.  In  the  spring  of 
1833,  he  married  an  estimable  lady 
who  had  recently  arrived  from  Scot- 
land, and  obeying  the  impulse  of  a 
naturally  enterprising  disposition, 
he  emigrated  to  Michigan  and 
purchased  a  new  farm  in  company 
'  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Robert 
Worden,  in  Green  Oak,  Livingston  County.  Here,  on 
tlie  border  of  civilization,  buried  in  the  primeval  for- 
est, our  late  student  commenced  the  arduous  task  of 
preparing  a  future  home,  clearing  and  fencing,  put- 
tin>'  iiji  buildings,  etc.,  at  stich   a   rate  that  the  land 


chosen  was  soon  reduced  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

Becoming  deservedly  prominent,  Mr.  Bingham  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Post- 
master under  the  Territorial  government,  and  was  the 
first  Probate  Judge  in  the  county.  In  the  year  1836. 
when  Michigan  1  ecame  a  State,  he  was  elected  to  the 
first  Legislature.  He  was  four  times  re-elected,  and 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  three  years. 
In  1 846  he  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  Rep-, 
resentative  to  Congress,  and  was  the  only  practical 
farmer  in  that  body.  He  was  never  forgetful  of  the 
interest  of  agriculture,  and  was  in  particular  opposed 
to  the  introduction  of  "  Wood's  Patent  Cast  Iron 
Plow  "  which  he  completely  prevented.  He  was  re- 
elected to  Congress  in  1848,  during  which  time  he 
strongly  opposed  the  extension  of  slavery  in  the 
territory  of  the  United  States  and  was  committed  to 
and  voted  for  the  Wilmot  Proviso. 

In  1854,  at  the  first  organization  of  the  Republican 
party,  in  consequence  of  his  record  in  Congress  as  a 
Free  Soil  Democrat,  Mr.  Bingham  was  nominated 
and  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  and  re-elected  in 
1856.  SHll  faithful  to  the  memory  of  his  own  formei 
occupation,  he  did  not  forget  the  farmers  during  his 
administration,  and  among  other  profits  of  his  zeal  in 
their  behalf,  he  became  mainly  instrumental  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Agricultural  College  at  Lansing 

In  1859,  Governor  Bingham  was  elected  Senator  in 
Congress  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  stormy  cam- 
paign in  the  ?lecrion  of  Abraham  Lincoln.     He  wit 


«38 


KnVSLIiV  S.   BINGHAM. 


nessed  the  coinmencement  of  the  civil  war  while  a 
member  of  the  United  States  Senate.  After  a  com- 
paiativelv  short  life  of  remarkable  promise  and  pub- 
lic activity  he  was  attacked  with  appoplexy  and  died 
suddenly  at  his  residence,  in  Green  Oak,  Oct.  5,  i86i. 

The  most  noticable  event  in  Governor  Bingham's 
first  term  was  the  completion  of  the  ship  canal,  at  the 
Falls  of  St.  Mary.  In  1S52,  .-^ngust  26,  an  act  of 
Congress  was  approved,  granting  to  the  State  of  Mich- 
igan seven  hundred  and  filty  thousand  acres  of  land 
for  the  pur[X)se  of  constructing  a  ship  canal  between 
Lakes  Huron  and  Superior.  In  1853,  tlie  Legislature 
accepted  the  grant,  and  provided  for  the  appointment 
of  commissioners  to  select  tlie  donated  lands,  and  to 
arrange  for  building  the  canal.  .\  company  of  enter- 
prising men  was  formed,  and  a  contract  was  entered 
into  by  which  it  was  arranged  that  the  canal  should 
be  finished  in  two  years,  and  the  work  was  pushed 
rapidly  forward.  Every  article  of  consumption,  ma- 
chiner)',  working  implements  and  materials,  timber 
for  the  gates,  stones  for  the  locks,  as  well  as  men  and 
supplies,  liad  to  be  transiwrted  to  the  site  of  the  canal 
from  Detroit,  Cleveland,  and  other  lake  jxjrts.  The 
ra|>ids  which  had  to  be  surmounted  have  a  fall  of 
seventeen  feet  and  are  about  one  mile  long.  The 
length  of  the  canal  is  less  than  one  mile,  its  width  one 
hundred  feet,  depth  twelve  feet  and  it  has  two  locks 
of  solid  masonary.  In  May,  1S55,  the  work  was  com- 
pleted, accepted  by  the  commissioners,  and  formally 
delivered  to  the  State  authorities. 

The  disbursements  on  account  of  the  construction 
of  the  canal  and  selecting  the  lands  amounted  to  one 
million  of  dollars;  while  the  lands  wiiich  were  as- 
signed to  the  company,  and  selected  through  the 
agency  at  the  Sault,  as  well  as  certain  lands  in  the 
Up|)er  and  Ixjwer  Peninsulas,  filled  to  an  acre  the 
Government  grant.  The  opening  of  the  canal  was 
an  imi)ortant  event  in  the  history  of  the  improveiiient 
of  the  .State.  It  was  a  valuable  link  in  the  chain  of 
lake  commerce,  and  particularly  im]X)rtant  to  the 
interests  of  the  Ui)per  Peninsula. 

There  were  several  educational,  charitable  and  re- 
formatory institutions  inaugurated  and  opened  during 
Gov.  Hingham's  administrations.  The  Michigan  .Ag- 
ricultural College  owes  its  establishment  to  a  provision 
of  the  St.ite  Constitution  of  1850.  Article  13  says, 
"  The  lA-'gislature  shall,  as  soon  as  practicable,  |)ro- 
vide  for  the  establishment  of  an  agricultural  si  hool." 
For  the  pur|x»e  of  carving  into  practice  this  provision, 
legislation  was  «»mmenced  in  1855,  and  the  act  re- 
f|uircd  that  the  school  should  be  within  ten  miles  of 
Lansing,  and  that  not  more  th.m  ijiij  an  acre  should 
be  paid  for  the  farm  and  college  grounds.  The  col- 
lege was  o|)cnc(l  to  students  in  May,  1S57,  the  first  of 
existing  argricultural  I  ollcges  in  the  United  Stales 
Until  the  s|>ring  of  1861,  it  was  under  the  control 
of  the  State  Hoard  of  Eduiation;  since  that  time  it 
ha'»  been  under  the  management  of  the  State    Hi).ir<l 


of  Agriculture,  which  was  created  for  that  purpose. 

In  its  essential  features,  of  combining  study  and 
labor,  and  of  uniting  general  and  professional  studies 
in  its  course,  the  college  has  remained  virtually  un- 
changed from  the  tiist.  It  has  a  steady  growth  in 
number  of  students,  in  means  of  illustration  and 
efficiency  of  instruction. 

The  Agricultural  College  is  three  miles  east  of 
Lansing,  comprising  several  fine  buildings;  and  there 
are  also  very  beautiful,  substantial  residences  for  tlie 
professors.  There  are  also  an  extensive,  well-filled 
green-bouse,  a  verj-  large  and  well-ee]uipped  chemical 
laboratory,  one  of  the  most  scientific  apiaries  in  the 
United  States,  a  general  museum,  a  meseum  of  me- 
chanical inventions,  another  of  vegetable  products, 
extensive  barns,  piggeries,  etc.,  etc.,  in  fine  trim  for 
the  purix)ses  designed.  The  farm  consists  of  676 
acres,  of  which  about  300  are  under  cultivation  in  a 
systematic  rotation  of  crops. 

Adrian  College  was  established  by  the  Wesleyan 
Methodists  in  1859,  now  under  the  control  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  The  grounds  contain  about  20 
acres.  There  are  four  buildings,  capable  of  accom- 
modating about  225  students.  Attendance  in  1875 
was  179;  total  number  of  graduates  for  previous  year, 
121  ;  ten  professors  and  teachers  are  employed.  Ex- 
clusive of  the  endowment  fund  ($iSo,ooo),  the  assets 
of  tlie  institution,  including  grounds,  buildings,  furni- 
ture, apparatus,  musical  instruments,  outlying  lands, 
etc.,  amount  to  more  than  $137,000, 

Hillsdale  College  was  established  in  1855  by  the 
Free  Baptists.  The  Michigan  Central  College,  at 
Spring  .^.rbor,  was  incorporated  in  1845  It  was  kept 
in  operation  until  it  was  merged  into  the  present 
Hillsdale  College,  The  site  comprises  25  acres, 
beautifully  situated  on  an  eminence  in  the  western 
part  of  the  city  of  Hillsdale.  The  large  and  imjKis- 
ing  building  first  erected  was  nearly  destroyed  by  fire 
in  1874,  and  in  its  place  five  buildings  of  a  more 
modern  style  have  been  erected.  They  are  of  brick, 
three  stories  with  basement,  arranged  on  three  sides 
of  a  quadrangle.  The  size  is,  respectively,  80  by  80. 
48  by  72,  48  by  72,  80  by  60,  52  by  72,  and  they  con- 
tain one-half  more  room  than  the  original  building. 
The  State  Reform  School.  This  was  established 
at  Lansing  in  1855,111  the  northeastern  portion  of  the 
city,  as  the  House  of  Correction  for  Juvenile  Of- 
fenders, having  about  it  many  of  the  features  of  a 
prison.  In  1S59  the  name  was  changed  to  the  State 
Reform  School.  The  government  and  dicipliiie,  have 
undergone  many  and  radical  changes,  until  all  tlir 
prison  features  have  been  removed  except  those  that 
remain  in  the  walls  of  the  original  structure,  and 
which  remain  only  as  monuments  of  instructive  his- 
tory. No  bolts,  bars  or  guards  are  employed.  The 
inmates  are  necess;itily  kejit  under  the  surveillance  of 
officers,  but  the  atteni])ts  at  escape  are  much  fewer 
than   under  the   more  rigid  rrg^iinr  of  former    days. 


1, 


GO  VERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


141 


OSES  WISNER.  Governor  of 
i']^  Michigan  from  185910  1861, 
;#'was  born  in  Springport,  Cayu- 
ga Co.,  N  Y.,  June  3,  1815. 
His  early  education  was  only 
what  could  lie  obtained  at  a 
common  school.  Agricultural  labor 
and  frugality  of  his  parents  gave 
him  a  physical  constitution  of  unus- 
i\  ual  strength  and  endurance,  which 
was  ever  preserved  by  temperate  hab- 
its. In  1837  he  emigrated  to  Michi- 
yX  gan  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Lapeer 
'§j/_  County  It  was  new  land  and  he  at 
once  set  to  work  to  clear  it  and  plant 
crops.  He  labored  diligently  at  his 
task  for  two  years,  when  he  gave  up 
the  idea  of  being  a  farmer,  and  removed  to  Pontiac, 
Oakland  Co.  Here  he  commenced  the  study  of  law 
in  the  office  of  his  brother,  George  W.  VVisner,  and 
Rufus  Hosmer.  In  1841  he  was  admitted  to  tli2  b.ir 
and  established  himself  in  his  new  vocation  at  the 
village  of  Lapeer.  While  there  he  was  apppointed 
by  Gov.  Woodbridge  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  that 
county,  in  which  capacity  he  acquitted  himself  well 
and  gave  promise  of  that  eminence  he  afterward  at- 
tained in  the  profession.  He  remained  at  Lapeer  but 
a  short  time,  removing  to  Pontiac,  where  he  became 
a  member  of  a  firm  and  entered  fully  upon  the 
practice. 

In  politics  he  was  like  his  talented  brother,  a  Whig 
of  the  Henry  Clay  stamp,  Init  with  a  decided  anti- 
slaver)  bias.     His    practice   becoming  extensive,    he 


took  little  part  in  politics  until  after  the  elen^ion  of 
Mr.  Pierce  to  the  Presidency  in  1852,  when  he  look  an 
active  part  against  slavery.  As  a  lawyer  he  was  a 
man  of  great  ability,  but  relied  less  upon  jiiere  book 
learning  than  upon  his  native  good  sense.  Liberal 
and  courteous,  was  he  yet  devoted  to  the  interest  of 
his  client,  and  no  facts  escaped  his  attet.tion  or  his 
memory  which  bore  upon  the  case.  He  was  no  friend 
of  trickery  or  artifice  in  conducting  a  case  As  an  ad- 
vocate he  had  few  equals.  When  fully  aroused  by  the 
merits  of  his  subject  his  eloquence  was  at  once  grace- 
ful and  powerful  His  fancies  supplied  the  most 
original,  the  most  pointed  illustrations,  and  his  logic 
became  a  liattling  giant  under  whose  heavy  blows  the 
adversary  shrank  and  withered.  Nature  had  be- 
stowed upon  him  rare  qualities,  and  his  powers  as  a 
popular  orator  were  of  a  high  order. 

On  the  passage  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  Act  of 
1854,  repealing  the  Missouri  comproniise  and  opening 
the  Territories  to  slavery,  he  was  among  the  foremost 
in  Michigan  to  denounce  the  shamfi.1  scheme.  He 
actively  participated  in  organizing  and  consolidating 
the  elements  opposed  to  it  in  that  State,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  popular  gathering  at  Jackson,  in  July, 
1854,  which  was  the  first  formal  Republican  Conven- 
tion held  in  the  United  States.  At  this  meeting  the 
name  "  Republican  "  was  adopted  as  a  designation  of 
the  new  party  consisting  of  Anti-slavery,  Whigs, 
Liberty  men,  Free  Soil  Democrats  and  all  others  op- 
posed to  the  extension  of  slavery  and  favorable  to  its 
expulsion  from  the  Territories  and  the  District  of 
Columbia.  At  this  convention  Mr.  W.  was  urged  to 
accept  the   nomination  for  Attorney  General  of  the 


MOSES   WISNER. 


Slate,  but  declined.  An  entire  State  ticket  was  nom- 
inated and  at  the  annual  election  in  November  was 
elected  by  an  average  majority  of  nearly  10,000. 
Mr.  W.  was  enthusiastic  in  the  cause  and  brought  to 
its  support  all  his  personal  influence  and  talents.  In 
his  views  he  was  bold  and  radical.  He  believed  from 
the  beginning  that  the  iwlitical  ixjwer  of  the  slave- 
holders would  have  to  be  overthrown  before  quiet 
could  be  secured  to  the  countrj-.  In  the  Presidential 
canvass  of  1856  he  supported  the  Fremont,  or  Re- 
publican, ticket.  At  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of 
1857  he  was  a  candidate  for  United  States  Senator, 
and  as  such  received  a  very  handsome  support. 

In  1858,  he  was  nominated  for  Governor  of  the 
State  by  the  Republican  convention  that  met  at  De- 
troit, and  at  the  subsequent  November  election  was 
chosen  by  a  very  large  majority.  Before  the  day  of 
the  election  he  had  addressed  the  people  of  almost 
every  county  and  iiis  majority  was  greater  even  than 
that  of  his  popular  predecessor,  Hon.  K.  S.  Bingham. 
He  served  as  Governor  two  years,  from  Jan.  i,  1859, 
10  Jan.  1,  1861.  His  first  message  to  the  Legislature 
was  an  able  and  statesman-like  production,  and  was 
read  with  usual  favor.  It  showed  that  he  was  awake 
to  all  the  interests  of  the  State  and  set  forth  an  en- 
lightened State  ]X)licy,  that  had  its  view  of  the  rapid 
settlement  of  our  uncultivated  lands  and  the  devel- 
opment of  our  immense  agricultural  and  mineral  re- 
sources. It  was  a  document  that  reflected  the  highest 
credit  \x\yon  the  author. 

His  term  having  expired  Jan.  i,  186 1,  he  returned 
.•o  his  home  in  Pontiac,  and  to  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  There  were  those  in  the  State  who 
counselled  the  sending  of  delegates  to  the  peace  con- 
ference at  Washington,  but  Mr.  \V.  was  opposed  to  all 
such  temijorizing  exiwdients.  His  counsel  was  to 
send  no  delegate,  but  to  prepare  to  fight. 

After  Congress  had  met  and  passed  the  necessary 
egislation  he  resoKed  to  take  part  in  the  war.  In 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1862  he  set  to  work  to 
raise  a  regiment  of  infantry,  chielly  in  Oakland 
County,  where  he  resided.  His  regiment,  the  2 2d 
Michigan,  was  armed  and  cquipjied  and  ready  to 
march  in  Sei)teml>er,  a  regintcnt  whose  solitl  quali- 
ties were  afterwards  proven  on  niany  a  bloody  field, 
("ol.  Ws.  conunission  l>orc  the  date  of  Sept.  8,  1862. 
Birfore  parling  with  his  fimily  he  matle  his  will.  His 
regiment  was  sent  to    Kentucky    and   quartered    at 


Camp  Wallace.  He  had  at  the  breaking  out  of  tlie 
w;ir  turned  his  attention  to  military  studies  and  be- 
came proficient  in  the  ordinary  rules  and  discipline. 
His  entire  attention  was  now  devoted  to  his  duties,  j 
His  treatment  of  his  men  was  kind,  though  his  disci-| 
pline  was  rigid.  He  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree 
the  spirit  of  command,  and  bad  he  lived  he  would^ 
no  doubt  have  distinguished  himself  as  a  good  1 
officer.  He  was  impatient  of  delay  and  chafed  at  ' 
being  kept  in  Kentucky  where  there  was  so  little 
prospect  of  getting  at  the  enemy.  But  life  in  camp, 
so  different  from  the  one  he  had  been  leading,  ana 
his  incessant  labors,  coupled  with  that  impatience 
which  was  so  natural  and  so  general  among  the  vol- 
unteers in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  soon  made  their 
influence  felt  upon  his  health.  He  was  seized  with 
typhoid  fever  and  removed  to  a  private  h<)\ise  near 
Lexington.  Every  care  which  medical  skill  or  the 
hand  of  friendship  could  bestow  was  rendered  him. 
In  the  delirious  wanderings  of  his  mind  he  was  dis- 
ciplining his  men  and  urging  them  to  be  prepared  ft.r 
an  encounter  with  the  enemy,  enlarging  upon  the  jus- 
tice ot  their  cause  and  the  necessity  of  their  crash  • 
ing  the  Rebellion.  But  tlie  source  of  his  most  ix)ig- 
nant  gnel  was  the  prospect  of  not  being  able  to  come 
to  a  hand-to-hand  encounter  with  the  "chivalry." 
He  was  proud  of  his  regiment,  and  felt  that  if  it  could 
find  the  enemy  it  would  cover  itself  with  glory, — a 
distinction  it  afterward  obtained,  but  not  until  Col  W. 
was  no  more.  The  malady  baffled  all  medical  tre;U- 
ment,  and  on  the  5th  day  of  Jan.,  1863,  he  breathed 
his  last.  His  remains  were  removed  to  Michigan  and 
interred  in  the  cemetery  at  Pontiac,  where  they  rest 
by  the  side  of  tlie  brave  Gen.  Richardson,  who  re-.; 
ceived  his  mortal  wound  at  the  battle  of  Antietam. 
Col.  W .  was  no  adventurer,  although  he  was  doubtless 
ambitious  of  military  renown  and  would  have  striven 
for  it  with  characteristic  energy.  He  went  to  the  war 
to  defend  and  u])hold  the  principles  he  had  so  much 
at  heart.  Few  men  were  more  familiar  than  lie  with 
the  causes  and  the  underlying  principles  that  led  to 
the  contest.  He  left  a  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of 
Gen.  C.  C.  Hascall.  <if  l'"lint,  and  four  children  to 
mourn  his  loss.  'I'owaril  them  lie  ever  showed  the 
tenderest  regard.  Next  to  liis  duty  their  love  and 
welfare  engrossed  liis  thoughts.  He  was  kind,  gen- 
erous and  brave,  and  like  thousands  of  otiiers  lie 
sleeps  the  sleep  of  the  martyr  for  his  country. 


f 


(J~4n^^^ 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


US. 


^•^^ 


_>.««4aii^^ 


"^ 


-r* 


USTIN     BLAIR,     Governor 

of     Michigan    from     Jan.     2, 

(861,    to    Jan.   4,    1865,    and 

kown  as  the  War  Governor,  is 

and  illustration  of  the   benifi- 
^  .  .        . 

cent  influence  of  repubhcan  ni- 

stitutions,  having  inherited  neith- 
er fortune  nor  fame.  He  was  born 
in  a  log  cabin  at  Caroline,  Tomp- 
kins Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  8,  181 8. 
His  ancestors  came  from  Scot- 
land in  the  time  of  George  I,  and 
for  many  generations  followed  the 
pursuit  of  agriculture.  His  father, 
George  Blair,  settled  in  Tompkins 
County  in  1809,  and  felled  the  trees  and  erected  the 
first  cabin  in  the  county.  The  last  60  of  the  four- 
score and  four  years  of  his  life  were  spent  on  that 
spot.  He  married  Rhoda  Blackman, who  now  sleeps 
with  him  in  the  soil  of  the  old  homestead.  The  first 
17  years  of  his  life  were  spent  there,  rendering  liis 
father  what  aid  he  could  upon  the  farm.  He  then 
spent  a  year  and  a  half  in  Cazenovia  Seminary  pre- 
paring for  college;  entered  Hamilton  College,  in 
Clinton,  prosecuted  his  studies  until  the  middle  of 
the  junior  year,  when,  attracted  by  the  fame  of  Dr. 
Nott,  he  changed  to  Union  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1839.  Upon  leaving  col- 
lege Mr.  Blair  read  law  two  years  in  the  office  of  Sweet 
&  Davis,  Owego,  N  Y.,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
ii'  VEi4i,  and  the  same  year  moved  to  Michigan,  locat- 


ing in  Jackson.  During  a  temjx)rary  residence  in 
Eaton  Rapids,  in  1842,  he  vvas  elected  Clerk  of  Eaion 
County.  At  the  close  of  the  official  term  he  returned  lo 
Jackson,  and  as  a  Whig,  zealously  espoused  the  cause 
of  Henry  Clay  in  the  campaign  of  1844.  He  was  chosen 
Representative  to  the  Legislature  in  1845,  at  which 
session,  as  a  member  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  he 
rendered  valuable  service  in  the  revision  of  the  gen- 
eral statutes ;  also  made  an  able  report  in  favor  of 
abolishing  the  color  distinction  in  relation  to  the  elec- 
tive franchise,  and  at  the  same  session  was  active  in 
securing  the  abolition  of  capital  punishment.  In  1848 
Mr.  Blair  refused  longer  to  affiliate  with  the  Whig 
party,  because  of  its  refusial  to  endorse  in  convention 
any  anti-slavery  sentiment.  He  joined  the  Free-soil 
movement,  and  was  a  delegate  to  their  convention 
which  nominated  Van  Buren  for  President  that  year. 
Upon  the  birth  of  the  Republican  party  at  Jackson, 
in  1854,  by  the  coalition  of  the  Whig  and  Free-soil 
elements,  Mr.  Blair  was  in  full  sympathy  with  the 
movement,  and  acted  as  a  member  of  the  Committee 
on  Platform.  He  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney 
of  Jackson  County  in  1852  ;  was  chosen  State  Senator 
two  years  later,  taking  his  seat  with  the  incoming  Re- 
publican administrafior.  of  1S55,  and  holding  the 
position  of  parliamentary  leader  in  the  Senate.  He 
was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Convention  which 
nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  in  t86o.  Mr.  Blair 
was  elected  Governor  of  Michigan  in  i860,  and  re- 
elected in  1862,  faithfully  and  honorably  dischargir^ 
the  ardvous  dutiws  of  the  office  during  that  mciimo- 


146 


A  USTJ^r  BLAIR. 


inentous  and  stomiy  period  of  the  Xation's  life.  Gov. 
Blair  jxissessed  a  dear  comprehension  of  the  perilous 
situation  from  the  inception  of  the  Rebellion,  and  his 
inaugural  address  foreshadowed  the  prompt  executive 
policy  and  the  administrative  ability  which  charac- 
terized   his    gubernatorial   career. 

Never  perhaps  in  the  liistory  of  a  nation  has  a 
brighter  example  been  laid  down,  or  a  greater  sacri- 
fice been  made,  than  that  which  distinguished  Mich- 
igan during  the  civil  war.  .Ml,  from  the  "  War  Gov- 
ernor," down  to  the  jworest  citizen  of  the  State,  were 
animated  with  a  patriotic  ardor  at  once  magnificiently 
sublime  and  wisely  directed. 

Very  early  in  1861  tlie  coming  struggle  cast  its 
shadow  over  the  Nation.  Governor  Blair,  in  his  mes- 
sage to  the  Legislature  in  January  of  that  year,  dwelt 
very  forcibly  ujwn  the  sad  prospects  of  civil  war;  and 
as  forcibly  pledged  the  State  to  support  the  principles 
of  the  Republic.  After  a  review  of  the  conditions 
of  the  State,  he  passed  on  to  a  consideration  of  the 
relations  between  the  free  and  slave  Stales  of  the 
Repul)lic,  saying:  "  While  we  are  citizens  of  the  State 
of  Michigan,  and  as  such  deeply  devoted  to  her  in- 
terests and  honor,  we  have  a  still  prouder  title.  We 
are  also  citi/xas  of  the  United  States  of  America.  By 
this  title  we  are  known  among  the  nations  of  t  lie  eartii. 
In  remote  quarters  of  the  globe,  where  the  names  of 
the  States  are  unknown,  the  flag  of  tlie  great  Republic, 
the  banner  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  honor  and  protect 
her  citizens.  In  whatever  concerns  the  lionor,  the 
prosperity  and  the  perpetuity  of  this  great  Govern- 
ment, we  are  deeply  interested.  The  people  of  Mich- 
igan arc  loyal  to  that  Government — faithful  to  its  con- 
stitution and  its  laws.  Under  it  they  have  had  peace 
and  prosperity,  and  under  it  they  mean  to  abide  to 
:he  end.  Feeling  a  just  pride  in  the  glorious  history 
of  the  past,  they  will  not  renounce  the  cNpially  glo- 
rious hopes  of  the  future.  Hut  ihcy  will  rally  around 
the  standards  of  the  Nation  and  defend  its  integrity 
and  its  constitution,  with  fidelity."  The  final  i)ar,i- 
Kraph  being : 

"  I  recommend  you  at  an  early  day  to  make  mani- 


fest to  the  gentlemen  who  represent  this  State  in  the 
two  Houses  of  Congress,  and  to  the  country,  that 
Michigan  is  loyal  to  the  Union,  the  Constitution,  and 
the  laws  and  will  defend  them  to  the  uttermost ;  and 
to  proffer  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the 
whole  military  power  of  the  State  for  that  purjMse. 
Oh,  for  the  firm,  steady  hand  of  a  Washington,  or  a 
Jackson,  to  guide  the  ship  of  State  in  this  perilous 
storm  !  Let  us  hope  that  we  will  find  him  on  the  4th 
of  March.  Meantime,  let  us  abide  in  the  faith  of  our 
fathers — '  Liberty  and  Union,  one  and  inseparable, 
now  and  forever.'  " 

How  this  stirring  appeal  was  responded  to  by  the 
people  of  Michigan  will  be  seen  by  the  statement 
that  the  State  furnished  88,1  II  men  during  the  war. 
Money,  men,  clothing  and  food  were  freely  and  abun- 
dantly supplied  by  this  State  during  all  these  years  of 
darkness  and  blood  shed.  No  State  won  a  brighter 
record  for  her  devotion  to  our  country  than  the  Pen- 
insula State,  and  to  Gov.  Blair,  more  than  to  any 
other  individual  is  due  the  credit  for  its  untiring  zeal 
and  labors  in  the  Nation's  behalf,  and  for  the  heroism 
manifested  in  its  defense. 

Gov.  Blair  was  elected  Representative  to  the 
Fortieth  Congress,  and  twice  re-elected,  to  the  Forty- 
first  and  I'orty-second Congress,  from  the  Third  Dis- 
trict of  Michigan.  While  a  member  of  that  body  he 
was  a  strong  supporter  of  reconstruction  measures, 
and  sternly  opiwsed  every  form  of  repvidiation.  His 
speech  upon  the  national  finances,  delivered  on  the 
floor  of  the  House  March  21,  186S,  was  a  clear  and 
convincing  argument.  Since  his  retirement  from  Con- 
gress, Mr.  Blair  has  been  busily  occupied  with  his  ex- 
tensive law  practice.  Mr.  Blair  married  Sarah  L. 
Ford,  of  Seneca  County  N.  Y.,   in    February,    1S49. 

Their  family  consists  of  4  sons — George  H.,  a  postal 
clerk  in  the  railway  mail  service;  Charles  A.,  partner 
with   his  father;    Fred.  J.  and  Austin  T.,  at  home. 

Governor  Blair's  religion  is  of  the  broad  type,  and 
centers  in  the  "Golden  Rule."  In  iSS^,  Gov.  Blair 
was  noniinateil  fi)r  Justice  of  tlie  Supreme  Court 
of  the  State  by  'lie  Republican  \i  uty,  Init  was  defeated. 


I 


c_y^^n^  /V  {^aJ2y<r-^ 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


149 


Ml         HKNRY'  K..    CRAF®, 

#1 


n:^lil^^ 


K, 

;,,/'.,-^^$*^ 


ENRY  HOWLANDCRAPO, 

Governor  of  Michigan  from 
'*S"i865  to  1869,  was  born  May 
24,  1S04,  at  Dartmouth,  Bris- 
tol Co.,  Mass.,  and  died  at 
FHnt,  Mich,,  July  22,  1869. 
He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Jesse 
and  Phoebe  (Howland)  Crapo. 
His  father  was  of  French  descent 
and  was  very  poor,  sustaining  his 
^family  by  the  cultivation  of  a  farm  in 
Dartmouth  township,  which  yielded 
I  nothing  beyond  a  mere  livelihood. 
His  early  life  was  consequently  one 
of  toil  and  devoid  of  advantages  for 
intellectual  culture,  but  his  desire  for 
an  education  seemed  to  know  no  bounds.  The  in- 
cessant toil  for  a  mere  subsistence  upon  a  compara- 
tively sterile  farm,  had  no  charm  for  him  ;  and,  longing 
for  greater  usefulness  and  better  things,  he  looked  for 
them  in  an  education.  His  struggles  to  secure  this 
end  necessitated  sacrifices  and  hardships  that  would 
have  discouraged  any  but  the  most  courageous  and 
persevering.  He  became  an  ardent  student  and 
worker  from  his  boyhood,  though  the  means  of  carry- 
ing on  his  studies  were  exceedingly  limited.  He 
sorely  felt  the  need  of  a,  dictionary;  and,  neither  having 
money  wherewith  to  purchase  it,  nor  being  able  to 
procure  one  in  his  neighborhood,  he  set  out  to  comjiile 
one  for  himself  In  order  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of 
tlie  English  language,  he  copied  into  a  book  every 
word  whose  meaning  he  did  not  comprehend,  and 
upon  meeting  the  same  wonl  again  in  the  newspapers 
inil   biok-^,  whicl)    came    into    his    hands,    from    the 


context,  would  then  record  the  definition.  Whenever 
unable  otherwise  to  obtain  the  signification  of  a  word 
in  which  he  had  become  interested  he  would  walk 
from  Dartmouth  to  New  Bedford  for  that  purpose 
alone,  and  after  referring  to  the  books  at  the  library 
and  satisfynig  himself  thoroughly  as  to  its  definition, 
would  walk  back,  a  distance  of  about  seven  miles 
the  same  night.  This  was  no  unusual  circumstance. 
Under  such  difficulties  and  in  this  manner  he  com- 
piled quite  an  extensive  dictionary  in  manuscrip'^ 
which  is  believed  to  be  still  in  existence. 

Ever  in  pursuit  of  knowledge,  he  obtained  posses- 
sion of  a  book  upon  surveying,  and  applying  himself 
diligently  to  its  study  became  familiar  with  this  art. 
which  he  soon  had  an  opportunity  to  practice.  The 
services  of  a  land  surveyor  were  wanted,  and  he  was 
called  upon,  but  had  no  compass  and  no  money  with 
which  to  purchase  one.  A  compass,  however,  he 
must  and  would  have,  and  going  to  a  blacksmith  shop 
near  at  hand,  upon  the  forge,  with  such  tools  as  he 
could  find  in  the  shop,  while  the  smith  was  at  dinner, 
he  constructed  the  compass  and  commenced  life  as  a 
surveyor.  Still  continuing  his  studies,  he  fitted  him- 
self for  teaching,  and  took  charge  of  the  village  school 
at  Dartmouth.  When,  in  the  course  of  time  and  un- 
der the  pressure  of  law,  a  high  school  was  to  be 
opened,  he  passed  a  successful  examination  for  its 
principalship  and  received  the  appointment.  To  do 
this  was  no  small  task.  The  law  recpiired  a  rigid 
examination  in  various  subjects,  which  necessitated 
days  and  nights  of  study.  One  evening,  after  con- 
cluding his  day's  labor  of  teaching,  he  traveled  on  foot 
to  New  Bedford,  some  seven  or  eight  miles,  called 
upon  the  preceptor  of  Friend's  Academy  and  p  ir,«ej 


•5° 


HEN  MY  HOWLANn  CRAPO. 


a  severe  examination.  Receiving  a  certificate  that 
he  was  qualified,  he  walked  back  to  his  home  the 
same  night,  highly  elated  in  being  ix)ssessed  of  the 
acquirements  and  requirements  of  a  master  of  the 
high  school. 

In  1S32,  at  the  age  of  28  years,  he  left  his  native 
town  and  went  to  reside  at  New  Bedford,  where  he 
followed  the  occupation  of  land  surveyor,  and  oc- 
casionally acted  as  an  auctioneer.  Soon  after  becom- 
ing a  citizen  of  this  place,  he  was  elected  Town  Clerk, 
Treasurer,  and  Collector  of  ta.ves,  which  office  he  held 
until  the  municipal  government  was  changed, — about 
fifteen  years, — when,  upon  the  inauguration  of  the  city 
government,  he  was  elected  Treasurer  and  Collector 
of  ta.xes,  a  \)osition  which  he  held  two  or  three  years. 
He  was  also  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years. 
He  was  elected  Alderman  of  New  Bedford ;  was 
Chairman  of  Council  Committee  on  Education,  and 
as  such  prepared  a  report  upon  which  was  based  the 
order  for  tlie  establishment  of  the  free  Public  Library 
of  New  Bedford.  On  its  organization,  Mr.  Crapo  was 
chosen  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  This 
was  tlie  first  free  public  library  in  Massachusetts,  if 
not  in  the  world.  The  Boston  Free  Library  was  es- 
tablished, however,  soon  afterwards.  While  a  resident 
in  New  Bedford,  he  was  much  interested  in  horticul- 
ture, and  to  obtain  the  land  necessary  for  carrj'ing  out 
his  ideas  he  drained  and  reclaimed  several  acres  of 
rocky  and  swampy  land  adjoining  his  garden.  Here 
he  started  a  nursery,  which  he  filled  with  almost  every 
description  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees,  shrubs, 
flowers,  etc.  In  this  he  was  very  successful  and  took 
great  pride.  He  was  a  regular contributortot lie  New 
England  Horticultural  Journal,  a  position  he  filled 
as  long  as  he  liveil  in  Massaclnisetts.  As  an  indica- 
tion of  ilie  wide  reputation  he  accpiired  in  that  field 
of  labor,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  after  his  death  an 
afTecting  eulogy  to  his  memory  was  pronounced  by  the 
President  of  the  National  Horticultural  Society  at  its 
meeting  in  Philadelphia,  in  1869.  During  his  resi- 
dence in  New  Bedford,  Mr.  Cra|X)  was  also  engaged 
in  the  whaling  business.  A  fine  barque  built  at  Dart- 
mouth, of  which  he  was  part  owner,  was  named  the 
"H.  H.  C'rapo"  in  com[)lin)ent  to  him. 

Mr.  C.  also  took  i)arl  in  the  State  Militia,  and  for 
several  years  held  a  commission  as  ("olonel  of  one  of 
the  regiments.  He  was  President  of  the  Bristol 
County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Co.,  and  Secretary  of 
the  Bedford  ('oinmercial  Insurance  C'onipanyin  New 
Hedford;  and  while  an  officer  of  the  municipal  gov- 
ernment he<:oinpile'.l  and  publislicd,  be'.w<:en  the  years 
1836  and  1845,  five  numbers  of  the  New  Bedford 
Directory  the  first  work  of  the  kind  ever  published 
I  here. 

Mr.  C.  removed  to  Michigan  in  1856,  having  been 
induced  to  do  so  by  investments  made  principally  in 
pine  lands,  first  in  1837  and  subseiiuently  in  1S56. 
He  took  up  his  residence  in  the  city  of  Flint,  and  en- 


gaged largely  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  lumber 
at  Flint,  Fentonville,  Holly  and  Detroit,  becoming 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  successful  business  men 
of  the  State.  He  was  mainly  instrumental  in  the 
construction  of  the  Flint  &  Holly  R.  R.,  aud  was 
President  of  that  corporation  nuiil  its  consolidation 
with  the  Flint  &  Pere  Marquette  R.  R.  Company. 
He  was  elected  Mayor  of  that  city  after  he  had  been 
a  resident  of  the  place  only  five  or  six  years.  In 
1862  he  was  elected  State  Senator.  In  the  fall  of 
1864  he  received  the  nomination  on  the  Rei)ublican 
ticket  for  Governor  of  the  State,  and  was  elected  by  a 
large  majority.  He  was  re-elected  in  1866,  holding 
the  office  two  terms,  and  retiring  in  January,  1869, 
having  given  the  greatest  satisfaction  to  all  parties. 

While  serving  his  last  term  he  was  attacked  with  a 
disease  which  terminated  his  life  within  one  year 
afterwards.  During  mucli  of  this  time  he  was  an  in- 
tense sufferer,  yet  often  while  in  great  pain  gave  his 
attention  to  public  matters.  A  few  weeks  previous 
to  liis  death  a  successful  surgical  operation  was  per- 
formed which  seemed  vapidly  to  restore  him,  but  he 
overestimated  his  strength,  and  by  too  much  exertion 
in  business  matters  and  State  affairs  suffered  a  relapse 
from  which  there  was  no  rebound,  and  he  died  July 
33.  1S69. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  life,  Gov.  Crapo  affiliated 
with  the  Whig  party  in  politics,  but  became  an  active 
member  of  the  Republican  party  after  its  organization. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  (sometimes  called 
the  Discii)les')  Church,  and  took  great  interest  in  its 
welfare  and  prosperity. 

Mr.  C.  married,  June  9,  1825,  Mary  A.  Slocum, 
of  Dartmouth.  His  marriage  took  jjlacc  soon  after 
he  had  attained  his  majority,  and  before  his  struggles 
with  fortune  had  been  rewarded  with  any  great  meas- 
ure of  success.  But  his  wife  was  a  woman  of  great 
strength  of  character  and  possessed  of  courage,  hope- 
fulness and  devotion,  qualities  which  sustained  and 
encouraged  lier  husband  in  the  various  pursuits  of 
his  early  years.  For  several  years  after  his  marriage 
lie  was  engaged  in  teaching  school,  his  wife  living 
with  lier  i)arents  at  the  time,  at  whose  home  his  two 
older  children  were  born.  While  thus  situated  he 
was  accustomed  to  walk  home  on  Saturday  to  see 
his  family,  returning  on  Sunday  in  order  to  be  ready 
for  school  Monday  morning.  As  tlic  walk  for  a  good 
part  of  the  time  was  20  miles  each  way,  it  is  evitienl 
that  at  that  period  of  his  life  no  common  obstacles 
<lelerred  him  from  performing  what  he  regarded 
as  a  duty.  His  wife  was  none  the  less  consci- 
entious in  her  sphere,  and  with  added  responsibilities 
and  increasing  requirements  she  labored  faitlifully 
in  the  perfo-mance  of  all  her  duties.  They  had 
leii  children,  one  son  and  nine  daughters.  His  son, 
Hon.  \<\n.  W.  Crapo,  of  New  Bedford,  is  now  an 
honored  Ke|)reseiilalive  to  Congress  from  the  First 
Congressional    Disiriii    of  Massachusetts. 


i 


^^^-^^^    (^    ^c^oC^>U-^h- 


GO  VKRNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


'Si 


;^^ 


T,?''^'.:-  ■ 


Cl  HBWISY  I 


ENRY  P.  BALDWIN,  Gov- 
ernor of  Michigan  from  Jan. 
4,  1869,  to  Jan.  I,  i873,_  is  a 
lineal  descendant  of  Nathan- 
«  ielBaldwin,  a  Puritan,  of  Buck- 
inghamshire, England,  who  set- 


tled at  Milford,  Conn,,  in  1639. 
His  father  was  John  Baldwin, 
a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege. He  died  at  North  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  in  1826.  His 
paternal  grandfather  was  Rev. 
Moses  Baldwin,  a  graduate  of 
Princeton  College,  in  1757,  and  the 
first  who  received  collegiate  hon- 
ors at  that  ancient  and  honored  institution.  He  died 
at  Parma,  Mass.,  in  1813,  where  for  more  than  50 
years  he  had  been  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
On  his  mother's  side  Governor  B.  is  des'-  nided  from 
Robert  Williams,  also  a  Puritan,  who  settled  in  Rox- 
bury,  Mass.,  about  1638.  His  mother  was  a  daughter 
of  Rev.  Nehemiah  Williams,  a  graduate  of  Harvard 
College,  who  died  at  Brimfield,  Mass.,  in  1796,  where 
tor  21  years  he  was  pastor  of  the  Congregationalist 
Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at 
Coventry,  R.  I.,  Feb.  22,  1814.  He  received  a  New 
England  common-school  education  until  the  age  of 
12  years,  when,  both  his  parents  having  died,  he  be- 
came a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  establishment.  He  re- 
mained there,  employing  his  leisure  hours  in  study, 
until  20  years  of  age. 

At  this  early  period  Mr.  B.  engaged  in  business  on 
his  own  account.  He  made  a  visit  to  the  West,  in 
1837,  which  resulted  in  his  removal  to  Detroit  in  the 
spring  of  i8^S.  Here  he  established  a  mercantile 
house  which  has  been  successfully  conducted  until 
the  present  time.    Although  he  successfully  conducted 


a  large  business,  he  has  ever  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
all  things. affecting  the  prosierity  of  the  city  and 
State  of  his  adoption.  He  was  for  several  years  a 
Director  and  President  of  the  Detroit  Young  Men's 
Society,  an  institution  with  a  large  library  designed 
for  the  benefit  of  young  men  and  citizens  generally. 
An  Episcopalian  in  religious  belief,  he  has  been 
prominent  in  home  matters  connected  with  that  de- 
nomination. The  large  and  flourishing  parish  of  St. 
John,  Detroit,  originated  with  Governor  Baldwin,  who 
gave  the  lot  on  which  the  parish  edifice  stands,  and 
also  contributed  the  larger  share  of  the  cost  of  their 
erection.  Governor  B.  was  one  of  the  foremost  in 
the  establishment  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  and  has 
always  been  a  liberal  contributor  to  moral  and  relig- 
ious enterprises  whether  connected  with  his  own 
Church  or  not.  There  have  been,  in  fact,  but  few- 
public  and  social  improvements  of  Detroit  during  the 
past  40  years  with  which  Governor  B.'s  name  is  not 
in  some  way  coiuiected.  He  was  a  director  in  the 
Michigan  State  Bank  until  the  expiration  of  its  char- 
ter, and  has  been  President  of  the  Second  National 
Bank  since  its  organization. 

In  i860,  Mr.  Baldwin  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate,  of  Michigan  ;  during  the  years  of  i86i-'2  he 
was  made  Chairman  of  the  Finance  Committee,  a 
member  of  Committee  on  Banks  and  Incorporations 
Chairman  of  the  Select  Joint  Committee  of  the  two 
Houses  for  the  investigation  of  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment and  the  official  acts  of  the  Treasurer,  and  of 
the  letting  of  the  contract  for  the  improvement  of 
Sault  St.  Marie  Ship  Canal.  He  was  first  elected 
Governor  in  1868  and  was  re-elected  in  1870,  serving 
from  1S69  to  1872,  inclusive.  It  is  no  undeserved 
eulogy  to  say  that  Governor  B.'s  happy  faculty  of  es- 
timating the  necessary  means  to  an  end — the  knowing 
of  how  much  effort  or  attention  to  bestow  upon  the 
tiling  in   hand,  has  been  the  secret   of  the    uniform 


ird 


HENRY  P.  BALDWIN. 


success  that  has  aliended  his  efforts  in  all  relations 
of  life.  The  same  industry  and  accuracy  that  dis- 
tinguished him  prior  to  this  term  as  Governor  was 
manifest  in  his  career  as  the  chief  magistrate  of  the 
State,  and  while  his  influence  appears  in  all  things 
with  which  lie  has  had  to  do,  it  is  more  noticeable  in 
the  most  prominent  jxjsition  to  which  he  was  called. 
With  rare  exceptions  the  important  commendations 
of  Governor  B.  received  the  sanction  of  the  Legislat- 
ure. During  his  administration  marked  improve- 
ments were  made  in  thecliaritable,  penal  and  reforma- 
tory institutions  of  the  State.  The  State  Public  School 
for  dependent  children  was  founded  and  a  permanent 
commission  for  the  supervision  of  the  several  State 
institutions.  The  initiatory  steps  toward  building  the 
Eastern  .\sylum  for  the  Insane,  the  State  House  of 
Correction,  and  the  establishment  of  the  State  Board 
of  Health  were  recommended  by  Governor  B.  in  his 
niessa,eof  1873.  The  new  State  Capitol  also  owes 
its  otigen  to  him.  The  appropriation  for  its  election 
was  made  ujxjn  his  recommendation,  and  the  contract 
for  the  entire  work  let  under  this  administration. 
Governor  B.  also  apix)inted  the  commissioners  under 
whose  faithful  supervision  the  building  was  erected  in 
a  manner  most  satisfactory  to  the  people  of  the  State. 
He  advised  and  earnestly  urged  at  different  times 
such  amendments  of  the  constitution  as  would  ])er- 
mit  a  more  equitable  compensation  to  State  officers 
and  judges,  Thelawof  1869,  and  prior  also,  permitting 
municipalities  to  vote  aid  toward  the  construc- 
»ion  (if  railroads  was,  i:i  1870,  declared  unconstitu- 
lional  by  the  Sui)reme  Court.  Many  of  the  munici- 
palities having  in  the  meantime  issued  and  sold  their 
lx>nds  in  good  faith,  Governor  B.  felt  that  the  iionor 
and  credit  of  the  Stale  were  in  jeopardy.  His  sense 
of  justice  im[)elled  him  to  call  an  extra  session  of  the 
Legislature  to  proiX)sc  the  submission  to  the  peo])le  a 
constitutional  amendment,  authorizing  the  payment 
of  such  l)onds  as  were  already  in  the  hands  of  kma- 
Z?^//- holders.  In  his  special  message  he  says  ;  "The 
credit  of  no  State  stands  higher  than  that  of  .Michigan, 
and  the  [wople  can  not  afford,  and  I  trust  will  not 
consent,  to  have  her  good  name  tarnished  by  the  repu- 
diation of  either  legal  or  moral  obligations."  A  spe- 
cial session  was  called  in  March,  1S7;,  |)rinci|)!illy  for 
'he  division  of  the  .State  into  congn.isional  districts. 
\  number  of  other  im|)ortnnt  sugpe-N'ifins  were  n)ade, 
however,  ard  as  an  evidence  of  tl.e  Governor's  la- 
borious and  thoughtful  care  for  the  fi  unicial  condition 


of  the  State,  a  series  of  tables  was  prepared  and  sub- 
mitted by  him  showing,  in  detail,  estimates  of  receipts, 
e.xpenditures  and  appropriations  for  the  years  1872  to 
1S78,  inclusive.  Memorable  of  Governor B.'s  admin- 
istration were  the  devastating  fires  which  swej)!  over 
many  portions  of  the  Northwest  in  the  fall  of  187: 
A  large  part  of  the  city  of  Chicago  having  been  re- 
duced to  ashes.  Governor  B.  iiromptly  issued  a  proc- 
lamation calling  ujion  the  people  of  Michigan  for 
liberal  aid  in  behalf  of  the  afflicted  city.  Scarcely  had 
this  been  issued  when  several  counties  in  his  State 
were  laid  waste  by  the  same  destroying  element. 
A  second  call  was  made  asking  assistance  for  the  suf- 
fering people  of  Michigan.  The  contributions  for 
these  objects  were  prompt  and  most  liberal,  more  than 
§700,000  having  been  received  in  money  and  supplies 
for  the  relief  of  Michigan  alone.  So  ample  were 
these  contributions  during  the  sliort  period  of  abou' 
3  months,  that  the  Governor  issued  a  proclamation 
expressing  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  the  State  grate- 
ful acknowldgment,  and  announcing  that  further 
aid  was  unnecessary. 

Governor  B.  has  traveled  extensively  in  his  own 
country  and  has  also  made  several  visits  to  Europe 
and  other  portions  of  the  Old  World.  He  was  a  ])as- 
senger  on  the  Steamer  Arill,  which  was  captured  and 
iionded  in  the  Carribean  Sea,  in  December,  1862,  by 
Capt.  Semmes,  and  wrote  a  full  and  interesting  ac- 
count of  the  transaction.  The  following  estimate  of 
Governor  B.  on  his  retirement  from  office,  by  a  leading 
newspaper,  is  not  overdrawn:  "The  retiiiiig  message 
of  Governor  B.,  will  be  read  with  interest.  It  is 
a  characteristic  document  and  [X)sses?es  the  lucid 
statement,  strong,  and  clear  practical  sense,  which 
have  been  marked  features  of  all  preceding  documents 
from  the  same  source.  Governor  B.  retired  to  ]irivate 
life  afteu/our  years  of  unusually  successful  adminis- 
tration amid  plaudits  that  are  universal  throughout  the 
State.  For  many  years  eminent  and  capable  men 
have  filled  the  executive  chair  of  this  State,  but  in 
painstaking  vigilance,  in  stern  good  sense,  inger.uine 
public  spirit,  in  thorough  integrity  and  in  practica. 
capacity,  Henry  P.  Baldwin  has  shown  himself  to  be 
the  peerof  any  or  all  of  them.  The  State  has  been  un- 
usually jirosperous  during  his  two  terms,  and  the  State 
administration  has  fully  kept  pace  with  the  needs  of 
the  limes.  The  retiring  Governor  has  fully  (-arned 
the  publi<-  gratitude  and  confidence  which  he  to-day 
possesses  ici  smli  reiuaikaMe  (icjirce. 


GO  VERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


157 


OHN  JUDSON  BAGLEY, 
^Governor  of  Michigan  from 
1873  to  1877,  was  born  in 
Mtdina,  Orleans  Co.,  N.  Y., 
July  24, 1 832.  His  father,  John 
Bagley,  was  a  native  of  New 
Hampshire,  his  mother,  Mary  M. 
Bagley,  of  Connecticut.  He  at- 
tended the  district  school  of  Lock- 
port,  N.  Y.,  until  he  was  eight  years 
old,  at  which  time  his  father  moved 
to  Constantine,  Mich.,  and  he  at- 
tended the  common  schools  of  that 
village.  His  early  experience  was 
like  that  of  many  country  boys  whose 
parents  removed  from  Eastern  States 
to  the  newer  portion  of  the  West. 
His  father  being  in  very  poor  circum- 
Jri  stances,  Mr.  B.  was  obliged  to  work 
as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  do  so. 
Leaving  schoc)l  when  13  years  of  age 
he  entered  a  country  store  in  Constan- 
?!Bj  tine  as  clerk.  His  father  then  re- 
fejS  moved  toOwosso,  Mich.,  and  he  again 
I  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  store.  From 
early  youth  Mr.  B.  was  extravagantly  fond  of  reading 
and  devoted  every  leisure  moment  to  the  perusal  of 
such  books,  papers  and  periodicals  as  came  within 
his  reach.  \\\  1847,  he  removed  to  Detroit,  where  he 
secured  employment  in  a  tobacco  manufactory  and 
remained  in  this  position  for  about  five  years. 

In  1853,  he  began  business  for  himself  in  the  man- 
ufacturiiigof  toljacco.      His  establishment  has  become 


one  of  the  largest  of  the  kind  in  the  West.  Mr.  B. 
has  also  been  greatly  interested  in  other  manufactur- 
ing enterprises,  as  well  as  in  mining,  banking  and  in- 
surance corporations.  He  was  President  of  the 
Detroit  Safe  Company  for  several)  ear's.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Michigan  Mutual  Life  Lnsur- 
ance  Company  of  Detroit,  and  was  its  President  from 
1867  to  1872.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Amer- 
ican National  Bank  for  many  years,  and  a  stock- 
holder and  director  in  various  other  corporations. 
Mr.  B.  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  two 
years,  and  of  the  Detroit  Common  Council  the  same 
length  of  time.  In  1S65  he  was  appointed  by  Gover- 
nor Cra]jo  one  of  the  first  commissioners  of  the 
Metropolitian  police  force  of  the  city  of  Detroit,  serv- 
ing six  years.  In  November,  1872,  he  was  elected 
Governor  of  Michigan,  and  two  years  later  was  re- 
elected to  the  same  office,  retiring  in  January,  1877. 
He  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  party,  and 
for  many  years  was  Chairman  of  the  Republican 
State  Central  committee. 

Governor  Bagley  was  quite  liberal  in  his  religious 
views  and  was  an  attendant  of  the  Unitarian  Church. 
He  aimed  to  be  able  to  hear  and  consider  any  new 
thought, from  whatever  source  it  may  come,  but  was  not 
bound  by  any  religious  creed  or  formula.  He  held 
in  respect  all  religious  opinions,  believing  that  no  one 
can  be  injured  by  a  firm  adherence  to  a  faith  or  de- 
nomination. He  was  married  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  Jan. 
16,  1855,  to  Frances  E.  Newberry,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Newberr}',  a  pioneer  missionarj'  of  Michigan, 
who  took  an  active  part  in  the  early  educational  mat- 
ters of  the  State  and  in  the  establishment  of  its  ex- 
cellent   system    of    education.     It    was    principally 


'S8 


JOHN  J.  BAGLEY. 


I'.-.rough  his  exertions  that   the  State  University  was 
founded.     Mr.  B.'s  family  consists  of  seven  children. 

As  Governor  his  administration  was  charac- 
terized by  several  imixirtant  features,  chief  among 
which  were  his  efforts  to  improve  and  make  popular 
the  educational  agencies  of  the  State  by  increasing 
the  faculty  of  the  University  for  more  thorough  in- 
struction in  technical  studies,  by  strengthening  the  hold 
of  the  Agricultural  College  u{X)n  the  public  good  will 
and  making  the  general  ch:.nge  which  has  manifested 
itself  in  many  scattered  primary  districts.  Among 
others  were  an  almost  complete  revolution  in  the 
management  of  the  penal  and  charitable  institutions 
of  the  State;  the  passage  of  the  liquor-tax  law, taking 
the  place  of  the  dead  letter  of  prohibition;  the  estab- 
lishing of  the  system  of  dealing  with  juvenile  offend- 
ers  through  county  agents,  which  has  proved  of  great 
good  in  turning  the  young  back  from  crime  and  plac- 
ing the  State  in  the  attitude  of  a  moral  agent;  in  se- 
curing for  the  militia  the  fust  lime  in  the  history  of 
Michigan  a  systematized  organization  upon  a  service- 
able footing.  It  was  uiKin  the  suggestion  of  Gov.  B. 
in  the  earlier  part  of  his  administration  that  the  law 
creating  the  State  Board  of  Health,  and  also  the  law 
creating  a  fish  commission  in  the  inland  waters  of  the 
Slate,  were  passed,  both  of  which  have  proved  of  great 
benefit  to  the  Slate.  The  successful  representation 
of  Michigan  at  the  Centennial  Exhibition  is  also  an 
honorable  part  of  the  record  of  Gov.  B.'s  adminis- 
tration. 

As  Governor,  he  felt  that  he  rci)resented  the  State 
— not  in  a  narrow,  egotistical  way,  but  in  the  same 
sense  that  a  faithful,  trusted,  confidential  agent  rep- 
resents his  em[)loycr,  and  as  the  Executive  of  the 
.State  he  was  her  "attorney  in  fact."  And  his  intelli- 
gent, tlioughlful  rare  will  long  continue  the  pride  of 
the  peojile  he  so  much  loved.  He  was  ambitious — 
ambitious  for  place  and  power,  as  every  noble  mind 
is  ambitious,  because  these  give  opixjrtunity.  How- 
ever strong  the  mind  and  [lowerful  tiie  will,  if  liicre 
be  no  ambition,  life  is  a  failu.e.  He  was  not  blind  to 
the  fact  that  the  more  we  have  the  more  is  reciuired 
of  us,  He  accepted  it  in  its  fullest  meaning.  He 
had  great  hopes  for  his  Slate  and  his  country.  He  had 
his  ideas  of  wliat  they  should  be.  With  a  heart  as 
broad  as  l.umanity  itself;  with  an  intelligent,  able  and 
ci'lturcd  brain,  tlie  will  and  the  |X)wer  to  do,  he 
asked  his  fi'llow  citizen  to  give  him  the  op|x)riunily  to 
'.alK)r  for  ihem.     Self  entered  not  into  thecalcul.niion.  . 


His  whole  life  was  a  battle  for  others;  and  lie  entered 
the  conflict  eagerly  and  hopefully. 

His  State  papers  were  models  of  compact,  busi- 
ness-like statements,  bold,  original,  and  brimful  of 
practical  suggestions, and  his  admi;iistralions  will  long 
be  considered  as  among  the  ablest  in  this  or  any 
other  State. 

His  noble,  generous  nature  made  his  innumerable 
benefactions  a  source  of  continuous  pleasure.  Liter- 
ally, to  him  it  was  "  more  blessed  to  give  than  to 
receive." 

His  greatest  enjoyment  was  in  witnessing  the  com- 
fort and  happiness  of  others.  Not  a  tithe  of  his  char- 
ities were  known  to  his  most  intimate  friends,  or  even 
to  his  family.  Many  a  needy  one  has  been  the  recipi- 
ent of  aid  at  an  opportune  moment,  who  never  knew 
the  hand  that  gave. 

At  one  time  "a  friend  had  witnessed  his  ready  re- 
sponse to  some  charitable  request,  and  said  to  him : 
"Governor,  you  give  away  a  large  sum  of  money  ;  aboul 
how  much  does  your  charities  amount  to  in  a  year?' 
He  turned  at  once  and  said:  "  I  do  not  know,  sir;  I 
do  not  allow  myself  to  know.  I  hope  I  gave  more 
this  year  than  I  did  last,  and  hope  I  shall  give  more 
next  year  than  I  have  this."  This  expressed  his  idea 
of  charity,  that  the  giving  should  at  all  times  be  free 
and  spontaneous. 

During  his  leasure  hours  from  early  life,  and  espe- 
cially during  the  last  few  years,  he  devoted  much  time 
to  becoming  acquainted  with  the  best  authors.  Biog- 
ra])hy  was  his  delight;  the  last  he  read  was  the  "Life 
and  Woik  of  John  Adams,"  in  ten  volumes. 

In  all  questions  of  business  or  public  affairs  he 
seemed  to  have  the  power  of  getting  at  the  kernel  of 
ilie  nut  in  the  least  [wssible  time.  In  reading  he 
would  spend  scare  ely  more  time  with  a  volume  thai; 
most  persons  would  devote  to  a  chapter.  After  whai 
seemed  a  cursory  glance,  he  would  have  all  of  vahu' 
the  book  contained.  Rarely  do  we  see  a  business 
man  so  familiar  with  the  best  English  authors.  He 
was  a  generous  and  intelligent  patron  of  the  arts,  and 
liis  elegant  home  was  a  study  and  a  pleasure 
to  his  many  friends,  who  alw.ays  found  there  a 
hearty  welcome  At  Christmas  time  he  would  spend 
days  doing  the  work  of  Santa  Claus.  Every  ('hristma  . 
eve  he  gathered  his  children  about  hiui  and,  takin;; 
the  youngest  on  his  lap,  told  some  Christmas  story, 
closing  the  entertainment  with  "The  Night  liefore 
Christmas,"  or  Dickens's  "Christmas  Carol." 


I^J-^^^ 


GOVERNdRS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


i6i 


AfM        CHAKLES    M.     CROSWELL, 


!a»  A!S/!»>S»*©^5!'W»^ 


^'^^^^gf^F^ 


\1^WS^^  i"'«-c),„^,^J;Jf5J,^^ 


HARLES  M.  CROSWELL, 
|5  Governor  of  Michigan  from 
"Jan.  3,  1877  to  Jan.  i,  1881, 
v,^^^^^/)}  was  born  at  Nevvburg,  Orange 
^^^^^^  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  31,  1825. 
He  is  the  only  son  of  John  and 
Sallie  (Hicks)  Crosvvell.  His 
father,  who  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction,  was  a  paper-maker, 
and  carried  on  business  in  New 
York  City.  His  ancestors  on 
\  1^  his  mother's  side  were  of  Knicker- 
bocker descent.  The  Croswell 
family  may  be  found  connected 
i^^  with  prominent  events,  in  New  York 
and  Connecticut,  in  the  early  exis- 
tence of  the  Republic.  Harry  Cros- 
well, during  the  administration  of 
President  Jefferson,  published  a  pa- 
per called  the  Balance,  and  was 
prosecuted  for  libeling  the  President 
under  the  obnoxious  Sedition  Law. 
He  was  defended  by  the  celebrated 
Alexander  Hamilton,  and  the  decis- 
Jotk  .;)f  the  case  establised  the  important  ruling  that 
the  truth  might  be  shown  in  cases  of  libel.  Another 
member  of  the  family  was  Edwin  Croswell,  the  fam- 
ous editor  of  the  Albany  Argus ;  also,  Rev.  William 
Croswell,  noted  as  a  divine  and  poet. 

When  Charles  M.  Croswell  was  seven  years  of  age, 
his  father  was  accidentally  drowned  in  the  Hudson 
River,  at  Nevvburg  ;  and,  within  three  months  preced- 
ing that  event,  his  mother  and  only  sister  had  died, — 
th\is  leaving  him  the  sole  surviving  member  of  the 
family,  without  fortune  or  means,     Upon  the  death 


of  his  father  he  went  to  live  with  an  uncle,  who,  in 
1S37,  emigrated  with  him  to  Adrain,  Michigan.  At 
sixteen  years  of  age,  he  commenced  to  learn  the  car- 
penter's trade,  and  worked  at  it  very  diligently  for 
four  years,  maintaining  himself,  and  devoting  his  spare 
time  to  reading  and  the  acquirement  of  knowledge. 
In  1846,  he  began  the  study  of  law,  and  was  ap- 
pomted  Deputy  Clerk  of  Lenawee  County.  The  du 
ties  of  this  office  he  performed  four  years,  when  he 
was  elected  Register  of  Deeds,  and  was  re-elected 
m  1852.  In  1854,  he  took  part  in  the  first  movements 
for  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  and  was  a 
member  and  Secretary  of  the  convetion  held  at  Jack- 
son in  that  year,  which  put  in  the  field  the  first  Re- 
publican State  ticket  in  Michigan.  In  1855,  he 
formed  a  law  partnership  with  the  present  Chief-Jus- 
fice  Cooley,  which  continued  until  the  removal  of 
Judge  Cooley  to  Ann  Arbor. 

In  1862,  Mr.  Croswell  was  appointed  City  Attorney 
of  Adrian.  He  was  also  elected  Mayor  of  the  city 
in  the  spring  of  the  same  year  ;  and  in  the  fall  was 
chosen  to  represent  Lenawee  County  in  the  State 
Senate.  He  was  re-elected  to  the  Senate  in  1864, 
and  again  in  1866,  during  each  term  filling  the  posi- 
tions above  mentioned.  Among  various  reports  made 
by  him,  one  adverse  to  the  re-establish ment  of  the 
death  penalty,  and  another  against  a  proposition  to 
pay  the  salaries  of  State  officers  and  judges  in  coin, 
which  then  commanded  a  very  large  premium,  may 
be  mentioned.  He  also  drafted  the  act  ratifying  the 
Thirteenth  .\mendment  to  the  Federal  Constitution, 
for  the  abolishment  of  slavery,  it  being  the  first 
amendment  to  the  instrument  ratified  by  Michigan. 
In  1863,  from  his  seat  in  the  State  Senate,  he  de- 
livered an  elaborate  speech  in  favor  of  the  Proclama- 


1 62 


CHARLES  M.  CRO SWELL. 


tion  of  Emancipation  issued  by  President  Lincoln, 
and  of  his  general  [xjlicy  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
war.  This,  at  the  request  of  his  Republican  associ- 
ates, was  afterwards  published.  In  1867,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention, 
and  chosen  its  presiding  officer.  This  convention 
was  composed  of  an  able  body  of  men  ;  and  though, 
in  the  general  distrust  of  constitutional  changes 
which  for  some  years  had  been  taking  possession  of 
the  people,  their  labors  were  not  accepted  by  the  pop- 
ular vote,  it  was  always  conceded  that  the  constitu- 
tion tiiey  proi)Osed  had  been  prepared  with  great  care 
and  skill. 

In  1868,  Mr.  Croswell  was  chosen  an  Elector  on 
the  Republican  Presidential  ticket;  in  1872,  was 
elected  a  Representative  to  the  State  Legislature 
from  Lenawee  County,  and  was  cliosen  ."speaker  of 
the  House  of  Representatives.  At  the  close  of  the 
session  of  that  body  his  abilities  as  a  parliamentarian, 
and  the  fairness  of  his  rulings  were  freely  and  form- 
ally acknowledged  by  his  associates  ;  and  he  was  pre- 
sented with  a  superb  collection  of  their  portraits 
handsomely  framed.  He  was,  also,  for  several  years. 
Secretary  of  the  State  Board  for  the  general  supervis- 
ion of  the  charitable  and  penal  institutions  of  Michi- 
gan ;  in  which  position,  his  propositions  for  the  amel- 
ioration of  the  condition  of  tlic  unfortunate,  and  the 
reformation  of  the  criminal  classes,  signalize  the  be- 
nevolence of  his  nature,  and  the  practical  character 
of  his  mind. 

In  1876,  the  general  vuitc  ul  the  Republicans  of 
tl.e  Stale  indicted  Mr.  Croswell  as  their  choice  for 
Governor;  and,  at  the  State  Convention  of  the  party 
in  August  of  the  same  year,  he  was  i)ut  in  nomination 
Ly  acclamation,  without  the  formality  of  a  ballot.  At 
the  election  in  November  following,  he  was  chosen  to 
the  high  position  for  which  he  had  been  nominated, 
by  a  very  large  majority  over  all  op|)osing  candidates. 
Mis  inaugural  message  was  received  with  general 
favor;  and  his  career  as  (lovernor  was  marked  with 
the  same  (pialitics  of  head  and  heart  that  have  ever 
distinguished  him,  both  as  a  citizen  and  statesman. 


Governor  Groswell  has  always  prepared  his  ad- 
dresses with  care ;  and,  as  his  diction  is  terse,  clear, 
and  strong,  without  excess  of  ornament,  and  his  de- 
livery impressive,  he  is  a  i:)opular  speaker;  and  many 
of  his  speeches  have  attracted  favorable  comment  in 
the  public  prints,  and  have  a  permanent  value.  He 
has  always  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  educational 
matters,  and  was  foryears  a  member  and  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Education  of  Adrain.  At  the  formal 
opening  of  the  Central  School  building  in  that  city, 
on  the  24th  day  of  April,  1869,  he  gave,  in  a  public 
address,  an  "  Historical  Sketch  of  the  Adrian  Public 
Schools." 

In  his  private  life.  Governor  Croswell  has  been  as 
exemplary  as  in  his  public  career  he  has  been  suc- 
cessful and  useful.  In  February,  1852,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  a  daughter  of  Morton  Eddy,  Lucy  M.  Eddy, 
a  lady  of  many  amiable  and  sunny  qualities.  She 
suddenly  died,  March  19,  1868,  leaving  two  daugh- 
ters and  a  son.  Governor  Croswell  is  not  a  member 
of  any  religious  body,  but  generally  attends  the  Pres- 
byterian Cliurch.  He  pursues  the  profession  of  law, 
but  of  late  has  been  occupied  mainly  in  the  care  of  his 
own  interests,  and  the  quiet  duties  of  advice  in 
business  difficulties,  for  whii  h  I'is  unfailing  pru- 
dence and  sound  judgment  eminently  fit  him.  Gov- 
ernor Croswell  is  truly  iiopular,  not  only  with  those  of 
like  political  f.iith  with  himself,  but  with  those  who 
differ  from  liini  in  this  regard. 

During  Gov.  Croswell's  administration  the  public 
debt  was  greatly  reduced ;  a  policy  adopted  requiring 
the  Slate  institutions  to  keep  within  the  limit  of  ap- 
propriations; laws  enacted  to  provide  more  effectually 
for  tlie  punishment  of  corruption  and  lirii)rcry  in  elec- 
tions; the  Stale  House  of  Correction  at  Ionia  and  the 
Eastern  Asylum  for  the  Insane  at  Pontiac  were  opened 
and  the  new  capital  at  Lansing  was  completed  and 
occupietl.  'i'he  lirsl  act  of  his  second  term  was  to  pre- 
side at  the  dedication  of  this  buiUliiig  Tlie  great  riot 
at  Jackson  occured  during  his  administration,  and  it 
was  only  bv  his  promptness  that  great  disiiuiiion  of 
both  life  and  properly  was    prevented    at    thai   time. 


GO  VERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


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DAVID  H.  JEROME,  Gover- 

^P>nor  of  from  Jan.   i,    1881,   to 
Jan.  I,  1883,  was  born  at  De- 
troit,   Mich.,    Nov.    17,    1829. 
r^);?^'^'!'^"''f}<9       His     parents      emigrated     to 


■  \  Michigan  from  Trumansbiug, 
Tompkins  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1828, 
locating  at  Detroit.  His  father 
died  March  30,  1831,  leaving 
nine  children.  He  had  been 
twice  married,  and  four  of  the 
children  living  at  the  time  of  his 
death  were  grown  up  sons,  the  off- 
spring of  his  first  union.  Of  the 
five  children  by  his  second  marriage,  David  H.  was 
the  youngest.  Shortly  after  Mr.  Jerome's  death,  his 
widow  moved  back  to  New  York  and  settled  in 
Onondaga  County  near  Syracuse,  where  they  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1834,  the  four  sons  by  the  first  wife 
continuing  their  residence  in  Michigan.  In  the  fall 
of  1834,  Mrs.  Jerome  came  once  more  to  Michigan, 
locating  on  a  farm  in  St.  Clair  County.  Here  the 
Governor  formed  those  habits  of  industry  and  ster- 
ling integrity  that  have  been  so  characteristic  of  the 
man  in  the  active  duties  of  life.  He  was  sent  to  the 
district  school,  and  in  the  acquisition  of  the  funda- 
mental branches  of  learning  he  displayed  a  precocity 
and  an  application  which  won  for  him  the  admiration 
of  his  teachers,  and  always  placed  him  at  the  head 
of  his  classes.  In  the  meantime  he  did  chores  on 
the  farm,  and  was  always  ready  with  a  cheerful  heart 
and  willing  hand  to  assist  his  widowed  mother.  The 
heavy  labor  of  the  farm  was  carried  on  1  y  his  two 


older  brothers,  Timothy  and  George,  and  when  13 
years  of  age  David  received  his  mother's  permission  to 
attend  school  at  the  St.  Clair  Academy.  While  attend- 
ing there  he  lived  with  Marcus  H.  Miles,  now  de- 
ceased, doing  chores  for  his  board,  and  the  following 
winter  performed  the  same  service  for  James  Ogden, 
also  deceased.  The  next  summer  Mrs.  Jerome 
moved  into  the  village  of  St.  Clair,  for  the  purpose  of 
continuing  her  son  in  school.  While  attending  said 
academy  one  of  his  associate  students  was  Sena- 
tor Thomas  W.  Palmer,  of  Detroit,  a  rival  candidate 
before  the  gubernatorial  convention  in  1880.  He 
completed  his  education  in  the  fall  of  his  i6th  year, 
and  the  following  winter  assisted  his  brother  Timotliy 
in  hauling  logs  in  the  pine  woods.  The  next  summer 
he  rafted  logs  down  the  St.  Clair  River  to  Algonac. 

In  1847,  M.  H.  Miles  being  Clerk  in  St.  Clair  Coun- 
ty, and  Volney  A.  Ripley  Register  of  Deeds,  David 
H.  Jerome  was  appointed  Deputy  to  each,  remaining 
as  such  during  i848-'49,  and  receiving  much  praise 
from  his  emjiloyers  and  the  people  in  general  for  the 
ability  displayed  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  He 
spent  his  summer  vacation  at  clerical  work  on  board 
the  lake  vessels. 

In  i849-'so,  he  abandoned  office  work,  and  for  the 
proper  development  of  his  physical  system  spent 
several  months  hauling  logs.  In  the  spring  of  1850, 
his  brother  "  Tiff  "  and  himself  chartered  the  steamer 
"Chautauqua,"  and  "Young  Dave"  became  her  mas- 
ter. A  portion  of  the  season  the  boat  was  engaged 
in  the  passenger  and  freight  traffic  between  Port 
Huron  and  Detroit,  but  during  the  latter  part  was 
used  as  a  tow  boat.  At  that  time  there  was  a  serious 
obstruction  to  navigation,  known  as  the  "St.  Clair 
Flats,"  between  Lakes  Huron  and  Erie,  over  which 


1 66 


DA  VID  H.  JEROME. 


vessels  could  carry  only  about  10,000  bushels  of  grain. 
Mr.  Jerome  conceived  tlie  idea  of  towing  vessels 
from  one  lake  to  the  other,  and  put  his  plan  into 
0()eration.  Through  the  influence  of  practical  men, — 
among  them  the  subject  of  this  sketch, — Congress 
removed  the  obstruction  above  referred  to,  and  now 
vessels  can  pass  them  laden  with  60,000  or  80,000 
bushels  of  grain. 

During  the  season,  the  two  brothers  succeeded 
in  making  a  neat  little  sum  of  money  by  the  sum- 
mer's work,  but  subsequently  lost  it  all  on  a  contract 
to  raise  the  "(len.  Scott,"  a  vesiel  that  had  sunk  in 
Lake  St.  Clair.  David  H.  came  out  free  from  debt, 
but  possessed  of  hardly  a  dollar  of  capital.  In  the 
spring  of  1S5  I,  he  was  clerk  and  acting  master  of  the 
steamers  "Franklin  Moore"  and  "Ruby,"  plying  be- 
tween Detroit  and  Port  Huron  and  Goderich.  The 
following  year  he  was  clerk  of  the  propeller  "Prince- 
ton." running  between  Detroit  and  Riifl'alo. 

In  January,  1853,  Mr.  Jerome  went  to  California, 
jy  way  of  the  Isthmus,  and  enjoyed  extraordinary 
success  in  selling  goods  in  a  new  place  of  his  selec- 
tion, among  the  mountains  near  Marysville  He  re- 
mained there  during  the  summer,  and  located  the 
Live  Yankee  Tunnel  Mine,  which  has  since  yielded 
millions  to  its  owners,  and  is  still  a  paying  investment. 
He  planned  and  put  a  tuni.el  600  feet  into  tlie  mine, 
but  when  the  water  supply  began  to  fail  witli  the  drv 
season,  sold  out  his  interest.  He  left  in  tlie  fall  of 
1853,  and  in  December  sailed  from  San  Francisco  for 
New  York,  arriving  at  his  home  in  St.  Clair  County, 
alx)ut  a  year  after  his  departure.  During  his  absence 
his  brother  "TiflT"  had  located  at  Saginaw,  ana  in 
1854  Mr.  Jerome  joined  him  in  his  lumber  operations 
in  the  valley.  In  1855  the  brothers  bought  Hlack- 
nier  &:  Eaton's  hardware  and  general  sup|)ly  stores, 
al  Saginaw,  and  David  H.  assumed  the  management 
of  the  business.  Prom  1855  to  1S73  he  was  also  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  lumbering  operations. 

Soon  after  locating  at  Saginaw  lie  was  nominated 
for  Alderman  against  Stewart  H.  W'ilhams,  i  rising 
young  man,  of  strong  Democratic  principles.  The 
ward  was  largely  Democratic,  but  Mr.  Jerome  was 
elected  by  a  handsome  majority.  When  the  Uepub- 
iican  party  was  born  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  i>avi(l  II. 
Jerome  was,  though  not  a  delegate  to  the  convention, 
one  of  its  "charter  members.'  In  1862,  he  was  c  i\n- 
missioned  l,y  dov.  Austii.    Il'air  tt   raise  01. c  fif  the 


six  regiments  apportioned  to  the  State  of  Michigan. 
Mr.  Jerome  immediately  went  to  work  and  held 
meetings  at  various  points.  The  zeal  and  enthusiasm 
displayed  by  this  advocate  of  the  Union  awakened  a 
feeling  of  ])atriotic  interest  in  the  breasts  of  many 
brave  men,  and  in  a  short  space  of  time  the  23d 
Regiment  of  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry  was  placed 
in  tlie  field,  and  subsequently  gained  for  itself  a  bril- 
liant record. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  Mr.  Jerome  was  nominated  by 
the  Republican  party  for  State  Senator  from  the  26th 
district,  Appleton  Stevens,  of  Bay  City,  being  his  op- 
ponent. The  contest  was  very  exciting,  and  resulted 
in  tlie  triumphant  election  of  Mr.  Jerome.  He  was 
twice  renominated  and  elected  both  times  by  in- 
creased majorities,  defeating  George  Lord,  of  Ray 
City,  and  Dr.  Cheseman,  of  Gratiot  County.  On  tak- 
ing his  seat  in  the  Senate,  he  was  appointed  ('liair- 
man  of  the  Committee  on  State  Affairs,  and  was  ac- 
tive in  raising  means  and  troops  to  carrj'  on  the  war. 
He  held  the  same  position  during  his  three  temis  of 
service,  and  introduced  the  bill  creating  the  Soldiers' 
Ivome  at  Harper  Hospital,  Detroit. 

He  was  selected  by  Gov.  Crapo  as  a  military  aid, 
and  in  1865  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  State 
Military  Board,  and  served  as  its  President  for  eight 
conseciitive  years.  In  1873,  lie  was  ,np)ioinicd  by 
Gov.  Bagley  a  member  of  the  convention  to  prepare 
a  new  State  Constitution,  and  was  Cliairni.in  of  the 
Committee  01^  Finance. 

In  1875,  Mr.  Jerome  was  ap]iointed  a  memberof 
the  Board  of  lnd>an  Commissioners.  In  I876  he  was 
Chairman  of  a  coi.imission  to  visit  Chief  Joseph,  the 
Nez  Perce  Indi.in,  to  arrange  an  amicable  settlement 
of  all  existing  difficulties.  The  commission  went  to 
i'ortland,  Oregon,  thence  to  the  Blue  Hills,  in  Idaho, 
a  distance  of  600  miles  up  the  Columbia  River. 

At  llie  Republican  State  Convention,  convened  al 
Jackson  in  August,  1880,  Mr.  Jerome  was  placed  in 
the  field  for  nomination,  and  on  tlio  ^tli  day  of  the 
month  received  the  highest  honor  the  convention 
could  confer  on  any  one.  His  opponent  was  Freder- 
ick M.  Hollowav  of  Hillsdale  County,  wlv  was  siiv 
ported  by  the  Democratic  ami  Greenhack  parties 
The  State  was  thoroughly  canvassed  by  both  parties, 
and  when  the  jwlls  were  closed  on  the  .evening  of 
election  day,  it  was  found  that  D.ivicl  II.  leronie  hid 
been  selected  by  the  voters  of  the  Wolverine  State  to 
ocriipy    the    highest    position    w'ihin    theij    gift 


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GOVRRXORS  OF  MICItlGAN 


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OSIAH    W.    BEGOLE,    the 

resent    (1883),    Governor    of 
Michigan  was  born  in  Living- 
ston, County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.    20, 
^     1815.     His  ancestors  were  of 
French  descent,  and  settled  at 
an  early  period  in  the  State  of 
Maiyland.  His  grandfather,  Capt. 
€    Bolles,  of  that  State,  was  an  offi- 


cer in  the  American  army  during 
^  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  About 
the  beginning  of  the  present  cent- 
ury both  his  grandparents,  having 
become  dissatisfied  witlr  the  insti- 
tution of  slavery,  although  slave- 
holders themselves,  emigrated  to 
Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  then 
a  new  country,  taking  with  them  a 
number  of  their  former  slaves,  who 
volunteered  to  accompany  them. 
His  father  was  an  officer  in  the 
American  army,  and  served  during 
the  war  of  18 12. 
Mr.  B.  received  his  early  education  in  a  log  school- 
house,  and  subsequently  attended  the  Temple  Hill 
.■Vcademy,  at  Geneseo,  N,  Y.  Being  the  eldest  of  a 
family  of  ten  children,  whose  parents  were  in  moder- 
ate though  comfortable  circumstances,  he  was  early 
taught  habits  of  industry,  and  when  2 1  years  of  age, 
being  ambitious  to  better  his  condition  in  life,  he  re- 
solved to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  far  West,  as  it  was 


then  called.  In  August,  1836,  he  left  the  parental 
roof  lo  seek  a  home  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan 
tlien  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness.  He  settled  in 
Genesee  County,  and  aided  with  his  own  hands  in 
building  some  of  the  early  residences  in  what  is  now 
known  as  the  city  of  Flint.  There  were  but  four  or 
five  houses  where  this  flourishing  city  now  stands 
when  he  selected  it  as  his  home. 

In  the  spring  of  1839  he  married  Miss  Harriet  A. 
Miles.  The  marriage  proved  a  most  fortunate  one, 
and  to  the  faithful  wife  of  his  youth,  who  lives  to  en- 
joy with  him  the  comforts  of  an  honestly  earned  com- 
petence, Mr.  Begole  ascribes  largely  his  success  in 
life.  Immediately  after  his  marriage  he  commenced 
work  on  an  unimproved  farm,  where,  by  his  perse- 
verance and  energy,  he  soon  established  a  good  home, 
and  at  the  end  of  eighteen  years  was  the  owner  of  a 
well  improved  farm  of  five  hundred  acres. 

Mr.  Begole  being  an  anti-slaverj'  man,  became  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party  at  its  organization. 
He  served  his  townsmen  in  various  offices,  and  was 
in  1856,  elected  County  Treasurer,  which  office  he 
held  for  eight  years.  ■ 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  he  did  not 
carry  a  musket  to  the  front,  but  his  many  friends  will 
bear  witness  that  he  took  an  active  part  in  recruiting 
and  furnishing  supplies  for  the  army,  and  in  looking 
after  the  interests  of  soldiers' families  at  home.  The 
death  of  his  eldest  son  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  by  a  Confed- 
rate  bullet,  in  1864,  was  the  greatest  sorrow  of  his  life. 
When  a  few  years  later  he  was  a  member  in  Congress 


170 


JOSIAH  W.  BEGOLE. 


Gov.  Begole  voted  and  worked  for  the  soldiers' 
bounty  equalization  bill,  an  act  doing  justice  to  the 
soldier  who  bore  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day,  and 
who  should  fare  equally  with  jiim  who  came  in  at  the 
eleventh  hour.  That  bill  was  defeated  in  the  House 
on  account  of  the  large  appropriation  that  would  be 
required  to  pay  the  same. 

In  1870,  Gov.  Begole  was  nominated  by  acclama- 
tion for  the  office  of  State  Senator,  and  elected  by  a 
large  majority.  In  that  body  he  served  on  the  Com- 
mittees of  Finance  and  Railroads,  and  was  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Institute  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  and  Blind.  He  took  a  liberal  and  public- 
spirited  view  of  the  importance  of  a  new  capitol 
building  wortliy  of  the  State,  and  was  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Committee  that  drafted  the  bill  for  the 
same  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Republi- 
can Convention  held  at  Philadelphia  in  1872,  and 
was  the  chosen  member  of  that  delegation  to  go  to 
Washington  and  inform  tlen.  Grant  and  Senator 
Wilson  of  their  nominations.  It  was  while  at  that 
convention  that,  by  the  express  wish  of  his  many 
friends,  he  was  induced  to  offer  himself  a  can- 
didate for  tlie  nomination  of  member  to  the  43d  Con- 
gress, in  whicl-.  he  was  successful,  aftercompetingfor 
the  nomination  with  several  of  the  most  worthy,  able 
and  experienced  men  in  the  Sixth  Congressional  Dis- 
trict, and  was  elected  by  a  very  large  majority.  In 
Congress,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  on 
Agricultural  and  Public  Expenditures.  Being  one  of 
the  17  farmers  in  that  Congress,  he  took  an  active 
part  in  the  Committee  of  Agriculture,  and  was  ap- 
pointed by  that  committee  to  draft  the  most  impor- 
tant reixjrt  made  by  that  committee,  and  ujwn  the 
only  subject  recommended  by  the  President  in  his 
message,  whicli  he  did  and  the  re|X)rt  was  printed  in 
records  of  Congress ;  lie  took  an  efficient  though  an 
unobtrusive  part  in  all  its  proceedings. 

He  voted  for  the  currency  bill,  remoneti<iation  uf 
.silver,  and  other  financial  measures,  many  of  which, 
though  defeated  then,  have  since  become  llie  settled 
(Xjlicy  of  the  country.  Owing  to  the  position  whicli 
Mr.  Begole  occupied  on  tliese  questions,  he  became  a 
"Grecnitackcr." 

In  the  Gubernatori;'.!  election  of  1882,  Mr.  Begole 
was  the  candidate  of  both  the  Greenliack  and  Dem- 
ocratic parties,  and  was  elected  by  a  vote  of  154,269, 
the  Republican  candidate,  Hoi:.   David    H.   Jerome, 


receiving  149,697  votes.  Mr.  Begole,  in  entering 
upon  his  duties  as  Governor,  has  manifested  a  spirit 
that  has  already  won  him  many  friends,  and  bids  fair 

to  make  his  administration  both  successful  and  pop- 
ular. 

The  very  best  indications  of  what  a  man  is,  is  what 
his  own  townsmen  think  of  him.  We  give  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  Flint  Globe,  the  leading  Re- 
publican paper  in  Gov.  Begole's  own  county,  and  it, 
too,  written  during  the  heat  of  a  political  campaign, 
which  certainly  is  a  flattering  testimonial  of  his  ster- 
ling worth : 

"  So  far,  however,  as  Mr.  Begole,  the  head  of  the 
ticket,  is  concerned,  there  is  nothing  detrimental  to 
his  character  that  can  be  alleged  against  liim.  He 
has  sometimes  changed  his  mind  in  politics,  but  for 
sincerity  of  his  beliefs  and  the  earnestness  of  liis  pur- 
pose nobody  who  knows  him  entertains  a  doubt.  He 
is  incapable  of  bearing  malice,  even  against  his  bit- 
terest political  enemies.  He  has  a  warm,  generous 
nature,  and  a  larger,  kinder  heart  does  not  beat  in 
tlie  bosom  of  any  man  in  Michigan.  He  is  not  much 
given  to  making  speeches,  but  deeds  are  more  signif- 
icant of  a  man's  character  than  words.  There  are 
many  scores  of  men  in  all  parts  of  the  State  where 
Mr.  Begole  is  acquainted,  who  have  had  practical 
demonstrations  of  these  facts,  and  who  are  liable  to 
step  outside  of  party  lines  to  show  that  they  do  not 
forget  his  kindness,  and  who,  no  doubt,  wish  that  he 
was  a  leader  in  what  would  not  necessarily  prove  a 
forlorn  lioi)e.  But  the  Republican  party  in  Michigan 
i.-;  too  strong  to  be  beaten  by  a  combination  of  Demo- 
crats and  Greenbackers,  even  if  it  is  marshaled  by  so 
good  a  man  as  Mr.  Begole." 

This  sketch  would  be  imperfect  without  referring 
to  the  acrion  of  Mr.  B.  at  the  time  of  the  great  calamity 
that  in  i88t  overtook  tlie  people  of  Northeastern 
Michigan,  in  a  few  hours  desolating  whole  counties 
by  fire  ami  destroying  the  results  and  accumulations 
of  sucli  Jiard  work  as  only  falls  to  the  lot  of  pioneers. 
W'liilc  the  Port  Huron  and  Detroit  committees  were 
iiuarrehng  over  tlie  distribution  of  funds,  Mr.  IJegole 
wrote  to  an  agent  in  the  "jburnt  tlisirict  "  a  letter,  from 
which  we  make  an  extract  of  but  a  single  sentence: 
"  Until  the  differences  between  the  two  committees 
arc  adjusted  and  you  receive  your  regular  sup[)lies 
from  them,  draw  on  me.  Let  no  man  suffer  while  I 
have  money."      This    displays   his    true     character. 


OIuJ.AjMc^''^-^'^. 


JZ^^ 


aOVEllNUliii  OF  MICHIGAN. 


173 


y<\,A'K?^ 


•i«w';$"i'S;S-#S!;$*-s's-^'S;S*;:"' 


^ussdl  ^ . 


©I?'c. 


■*^^%>s'*;:g-'a^;;Sri4?*;:.s-titiT;;S'3<s:S'*$:;;f«i'i;;;j;3i-s;s4'i;:s 


i\^/;^^ 


OOP     ^ 


-"*'^-*  USSELLA.ALr,ER,Governoi- 
of  IMicliignu  for  the  term  coni- 
iiiencing-  J;in.  1,  1885,  was 
born  ill  Lafayette  Township, 
Medina  Co.,  Ohio,  Fel).  27, 
183G.  Having  lived  a  tem- 
perate life,  he  is  a  comparative 
young  man  in  appearance,  and  pos- 
sesses those  mental  facnltics  that  are 
the  distinguishing  characteristics  ot 
robust,  mature  and  educated  man- 
hood. Wlien  1 1  years  of  age  both 
his  parents  died,  leaving  him  witha 
younger  brother  and  sister  to  sup- 
port and  without  any  of  thesubstan- 
tial  means  of  existence.  Laelving  the  opportunity  of 
better  employment,  he  worked  on  a  fare  in  Richfield, 
Ohio,  for  the  greater  part  of  each  of  the  succeeding 
seven  years,  saving  money  enough  to  defray  his  ex- 
penses at  Richfield  Academy  during  the  winter 
terms.  He  obtained  a  very  good  English  education, 
and  was  enabled  to  teach  school  for  several  subse- 
quent winters.  In  18.37  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law  in  the  offices  of  Wolcott  &  Upson  at  Akron,  re- 
maining until  March,  1859,  when  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  by  the  Ohio  Supreme  Court.  Tie  then 
I'cmoved  to  Cleveland,  and  entered  the  law  office  of 
Otis  ife  Coflinburj',  where  he  remained  several 
months.  Here  he  continued  his  studies  with  in- 
creased zeal,  and  did  much  general  reading.  Hard 
study  and  close  confinement  to  office  work,  however, 
began  to  tell  on  his  constitution,  and  failing  health 
warned  him   tlmt  ho    must  seek  other  occupation, 


<x5o 


He  therefore  reluctantly  .abandoned  the  law  and  re- 
moved to  Graml  Rapids,  Jlich.,  to  engage  in  the 
lumber  business. 

When  Michigan  was  called  upon  to  furnish  troops 
for  the  war,  Mr.  Alger  enlisted  in  the  Second  Mich. 
Cav.  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  as  Captain  of  Co.  C.  His  record  as 
a  cavalry  officer  was  brilliant  and  honorable  to 
himscJf  and  his  compan3\  He  participated  in  some 
of  the  fiercest  contests  of  the  rebellion  and  wa.' 
twice  wounded.  His  first  injury  was  received  ir 
the  battle  of  Booncville,  Miss.,  July  2,  18C2. 
His  conduct  in  this  engagement  was  so  distin- 
guished that  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  o( 
Major.  On  tiie  same  occasion  his  Colonel,  the 
gallant  Phil.  Sheridan,  was  advanced  to  tiie  rank 
of  Brigadier  General.  A  few  months  later,  on  the 
IGth  of  October,  Majur  Alger  became  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  .Sixth  Mich.  Cav.,  and  was  ordered 
with  his  regiment  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
After  marked  service  in  tlie  earl}'  campaign  of  1 8G3, 
he  was  again  advanced,  and  on  .Tune  2  received  his 
commission  as  Colonel  of  the  Fifth  Mich.  Cav.  His 
I'egiment  at  this  time  was  in  Custer's  famous  Michi- 
gan cavalry  brigade.  On  the  Ctli  of  July  occurred 
the  battle  of  Boonesboro,  Md.  In  this  conflict  be 
was  again  wounded.  His  health  received  a  more 
than  temporary  impairment,  and  in  October,  18G4, 
he  was  obliged  to  retire  from  the  service.  His 
career  as  a  soldier  included  many  of  the  most  cele- 
brated contests  of  the  war.  He  was  an  active  charac- 
ter in  all  the  battles  fought  by  the  Army  of  the 


174 


RUSSELL  A.  ALGER. 


Pf)tomac,  from  the  time  of  the  invasion  of  ]SIar\-- 
iand  b3-  Gen.  Lee  in  1803,  up  to  the  date  of  his 
retirement,  with  the  exception  of  those  engagements 
which  occurred  wiiile  he  was  absent  from  dut\-  on 
account  of  wounds.  In  all  he  took  part  in  6G  bat- 
tles and  skirmishes.  At  the  close  he  was  breveted 
Brigadier  General  and  Major  General  for  "gallant 
and  meritorious  services  in  the  field." 

Aside  from  regular  duty,  Gen.  Alger  was  on 
private  service  during  the  winter  of  1  803— 1,  receiv- 
ing orders  personally  from  President  Lincoln  and 
visiting  nearly  all  the  armies  in  the  field. 

Gen.  Alger  came  to  Detroit  in  18C5,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  extensivel3-  engaged  in  the  pine 
timber  business  and  in  dealing  in  pine  lands.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  well-known  firm  of  Moore  & 
Alger  until  its  dissolution,  when  he  became  head  of 
the  firm  of  R.  A.  Alger  &  Co.,  the  most  extensive 
pine  timber  operators  in  the  AVest.  Gen.  Alger  is 
now  president  of  the  corporation  of  Alger,  Smith  & 
Co.,  which  succeeded  R.  A.  Alger  &  Co.  lie  is  also 
president  of  the  Mani;<tique  Lumbering  Company 
and  jiresident  of  the  Detnjit,  Hay  Cit}-  &  Alpena 
Railroad  Company,  besides  being  a  stockholder  and 
director  of  the  Detroit  National  Bank,  the  I  oninsu- 
lar  Car  Companj-  and  several  other  large  corpor- 
ations. 

■\Vhile  always  an  active  and  influenti.al  Republi- 
can, Gen.  Alger  has  never  sought  nor  held  a  sal- 
aried office.  He  was  a  delegate  from  the  First  Dis- 
trict to  the  last  Republican  National  Convention, 
but  aside  from  this  his  connection  with  politics  has 
not  extended  beyond  the  duties  of  every  good  cit- 
izen to  his  party  and  his  country. 

Gen.  Alger  is  now  forty-nine  years  of  age,  an 
active,  handsome  gentleman  six  feet  tall,  living 
the  life  of  a  busy  man  of  affairs.  His  militarv 
bearing  at  f>nce  indicates  his  army  life,  and  although 
slenderly  built,  his  square  shoulders  and  erect 
carriage!  give  the  cjusual  observer  tiie  impression 
that  his  weight  is  fully  IHO  pounds.  He  is  a  firm, 
yet  n  most  decidedly  pleasant-appearing  man,  with 
a  fine  forehead,  rather  ji  prominent  nose,  an  iron- 
gijiy  moustache  and  chin  whiskers  an<l  a  full  head 
of  black  hair  sprinkled  with  gray.  He  is  usually 
xttired  in  lli<!  jircvailing  style  of  business  suits.  His 
favorite  dress  has  been  a  high   buttoned  cutaway 


frock  coat,  with  the  predominating  cut  of  vest  and 
trousers,  made  of  firm  gray  suiting.  A  high  collar, 
small  cravat,  easy  shoes  and  white  plug  hat  com- 
plete his  personal  apparel.  He  is  very  particular 
as  to  his  appearance,  and  always  wears  neat  clothes 
of  the  best  goods,  but  shuns  any  display  of  jewelry 
or  extravagant  cn-.bellishment.  He  is  one  of  the 
most  approachable  men  imaginable.  No  matter 
how  busy  he  may  be,  he  always  leaves  his  desk  to 
extend  a  cordial  welcome  to  ever}'  visitor,  be  lie  of 
high  or  low  situation.  His  affable  manners  delight 
his  guests,  while  his  pleasing  face  and  bright,  dark 
eyes  always  animate  his  hearers. 

Gen.  Alger  is  a  hard  worker.  He  is  ahva3's  at  his 
office  promptly  in  the  morning  and  staj's  as  long  as 
an^'thing  remains  that  demands  his  attention.  In 
business  matters  he  is  always  decided,  and  is  never 
shaken  or  disturbed  by  any  reverses.  He  has  the 
confidence  of  his  associates  to  a  high  degree,  and  al. 
his  business  relations  are  tempered  with  those  little 
kindnesses  that  relieve  the  tedium  of  routine  olRcc 
life.  Although  deepl_v  engrossed  in  v.irious  busi- 
ness pursuits.  Gen.  Alger  has  yet  found  time  for 
general  culture.  He  owns  a  large  library  and  his 
stock  of  general  information  is  as  complete  as  it  is 
reliable.  His  collection  of  paintings  has  been  se- 
lected with  rare  good  taste,  and  contains  some  of 
the  finest  jiroductions  of  modern  artists.  His  team 
of  bays  are  pci'haps  the  handsomest  that  grace  the 
roads  of  Detroit,  and  usually  lead  the  other  outfits 
when  their  owner  holds  the  reins. 

Gen.  Alger  has  an  interesting  family.  His  wife 
was  Annette  11.  Henry,  the  daughter  of  W.  (i 
Henry,  of  Grand  Rapids,  to  whom  he  was  niarriec' 
April  2,  1801.  She  is  a  slender  woman  of  fair  com- 
plexion, bright  and  attractive,  and  a  charming  host- 
ess. She  is  gifted  with  many  accomplishments  and 
a])pcars  quite  young.  There  are  si.x  children.  Fay. 
a  lively  brunette,  and  Caroline  A.,  who  is  rather  tall 
and  resembles  her  mother,  have  completed  n  course 
at  an  Eastern  seminary,  and  during  the  past  yeai 
traveled  in  Europe.  The  remaining  niendiers  of 
the  family  are  Frances,  aged  13;  Russell  A.,  .Jr., 
aged  1 1  ;  Fred,  aged  9,  and  Allan,  aged  3.  All  are 
bright  ami  promising  children.  (!en,  Alger  makes 
his  home  at  his  handsome  and  large  new  residence  on 
Fort  street,  nt  the  corner  of  First  street,  Detroit* 


GOVERNORS  OF  MICHIGAN. 


■.'7 


^.   xp-    ,^.  ■  -;;;— ;;^- 


YRUS   GRAY    LUCE,    the 
present  Governor  of  Michi- 
gan, combines  in  his  char.ac- 
ter  the  substantial  traits  of 
the   New  England  ancestry 
of  his  father,  and  the  chival- 
rous and  hospitable  elements 
to   the    Southerners,   which 
came  to  him  from  his  mother's  side  of 
the  house.    The  New  Englanders,  act- 
ive in  the  cause  of  American  liberty, 
after  this  desired  result  was  accom- 
plished, turned  their  attention  to  the 
growth     and     development     of     the 
country  which  their  noble  daring  had 
constitutea  independent  of  foreign  rule.     The  pri- 
vations they  endured  and  the  struggles  from  which 
they  had  achieved  victory  built  up  in  them  those 
qualities  which  in  the  very  nature  of  events  could 
not  be  otherwise  than  transmitted  to  their  posterity, 
and  this  posterity  comprises  a  large  number  of  the 
men  who  to-day,   like  the  subject  of  this  history, 
are  making  a  record  of  which  their  descendants  will 
be  equally  proud. 

Gov.  Luce  was  born  in  Windsor,  Ashtabula  Co., 
Ohio,  July  2,  1824.  His  father  w.as  a  native  of 
Tolland,  Conn.,  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  soon  after  its  close  emigrated  from  New 
England  and  settled  on  the  Western  Reserve  in 
Northern  Ohio.  His  mother,  who  in  her  girlhood 
was  Miss  Mary  Gray,  was  burn  in  Winchester,  ^'a. 
Her  father,  tinctured  with  Abolitionism,  found  his 
home  in  the  Old  Dominion  becoming  uncomforta- 
ble as  an  abiding-place  at  that  time,  and  accord- 
ingly, with  his  wife  and  family  of  young  children. 


he  also  migrated,  in  1815,  to  the  wilds  of  Northern 
Ohio.  There  the  parents  of  our  snliji'ct.  in  1819, 
were  united  in  marriage,  and  continued  residents  of 
Ashta1)iila  County  until  1830.  There  also  were 
born  to  them  six  sons,  Cyrus  G.  of  this  sketch  being 
the  second. 

The  incidenis  in  the  early  life  of  Gov.  Luce  were 
not  materially  different  from  those  of  other  boys 
living  on  the  farms  in  that  new  country.     He   was 
taught  to  work  at  anything  necessary  for  him  to  do 
and    to    make  himself   useful  around   the  pioneer 
homestead.     When  twelve  years  of  age  his  jjarents 
removed  further  West,  this  time  locating  in  Steu- 
ben County,  Ind.     This  section  of  country  was  still 
newer  and  more  thinly  settled,  and  without  recount- 
ing the  particular  hardships  and  privations  which  the 
family  experienced,  it  is  sufficient  tos.ay  thatbiit  few 
enjoyed  or  suffered  a  greater  variety.  Markets  were 
distant  and  difficult  of  access,  the  comforts  of  life 
scarce,  and  sickness  universal.  Young  Luce,  in  com- 
mon with  other  boys,  attended  school  winters  in  the 
stereotyped  log   school-house,  and  in  summer  as- 
sisted in    clearing  away   the    forests,    fencing   the 
fields  and  raising  crops  after  the  land  was  improved. 
He  attended  three  terms  an  academy  located  at  On- 
tario, Ind.,  and  his  habit  of  reading  and  ob'servation 
added  essentially  to   his  limited  school  privileges. 
When  seventeen  years  of  age  the  father  of  our 
subject  erected  a  cloth-dressing  and   wool-carding 
establishment,    where    Cyrus   G.    acquired  a    full 
knowledge  of  this  business  and  subsequently  had 
charge  of  the  factory  for  a  period  of  seven  years. 
In  the  meantime  he  had  become  interested  in  local 
politics,  in  which  he  displayed  rare  judgment  and 
sound  common  sense,  and  on  account  of  which,  in 
1848,  be  was  nominated  by  the  Whigs  in  a  district 
composed  of  the  counties  of  DeKalb  and  Steuben 
for  Representative  in  the  State  Legislature.     He 
made  a  vigorous  canvass  but  was  defeated  liy  eleven 
majority.     This  incident  was  but  a  transient  bub- 
ble on  the  stream  of  his  life,  and  that  same  year 


178 


CYEUS  GRAY  LUCE. 


Mr.  Luce  purchnscd  cijjhty  acres  of  wild  land  near 
Gilead,  Brancii  Co.,  Jlicli.,  the  improvement  of 
which  he  at  once  entered  upon,  clearing  awaj'  the 
trees  and  otherwise  making  arrangements  for  the 
establishment  of  a  homestead.  In  August,  1849,  he 
wasiinited  in  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  A.  Dickinson, 
of  Gilead,  and  the  young  people  immediately  com- 
menced housekeeping  in  a  modest  dwelling  on  the 
new  farm.  Here  they  resided  until  the  death  of  ihc 
wife,  which  took  place  in  August,  1882.  Mrs. 
Luce  was  the  daughter  of  Ohcd  and  Experience 
Dickinson,  wcll-lo-do  and  highly  respected  residents 
of  Gilead.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there 
were  horn  five  children,  one  now  deceased. 

In  Nov,-;ml)cr,  1883,  Gov.  Luce  contracted  a  sec- 
ond marri.age,  with  Mrs.  JLarj'  Thompson,  of  Bron- 
son,  this  State.  He  continued  on  the  same  farm, 
which,  however,  by  subsequent  purchase  had  been 
considerably  extended,  until  after  his  election  to  the 
oflice  of  which  he  is  now  the  incumbent.  In  the 
meantime  he  has  had  a  wide  and  varied  experience 
in  public  life.  In  1  S'rl  he  was  elected  to  re|)resont  his 
township  in  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  and 
two  years  later,  in  18.0  1,  was  elected  Representative  to 
the  first  Republican  Legislature  convened  in  the  State 
of  Michigan.  He  served  his  townslii))  allogcthcr 
eleven  3'cars  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 
In  18')8  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer  of  Branch 
County  ami  re-elected  in  18(j0.  In  18G4  ho  was 
given  a  seat  in  the  State  Senate  and  re-elected  in 
18(JG.  In  the  spring  of  18G7  he  was  made  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  to  revise  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  .State  of  Michigan,  and  in  ;ill  of  Hie 
pfisitioiis  to  which  he  has  been  called  has  evidenced 
a  reali/.atioh  of  the  sober  responsibilities  commilted 
to  I. Is  care.  To  the  duties  of  each  he  gave  the  most 
conscientious  care,  and  lias  great  reason  to  feel  ])ride 
mid  srttisraction  in  the  fact  that  during  his  service 
in  both  Houses  of  the  Legislature  his  name  ap])ears 
upon  everj'  roll-call,  he  never  Ii:iving  been  absent 
from  his  post  a  day. 

In  July,  1«7I),  Mr.  Luce  was  appointed  State  Oil 
Inspector  b}-  Gov.  Croswell,  and  re-appointed  by 
Gov.  .lerome  in  IHKl,  serving  in  this  capacity  three 
and  one-h.'df  years.  In  the  managenunt  of  the 
duties  of  this  odleo  he  is  entitled  (r)  great  erodil. 
The  olllcc  was  not  sought  by  him,  bullh<(;overnor 


urged  him  to  accept  it,  claiming  that  the  office  was 
the  most  difficult  he  had  to  fill,  and  was  one  which 
required  first-class  executive  ability.  He  organized 
the  State  into  districts,  appointed  an  adequate  force 
of  deputies  and  no  more,  secured  a  reduction  of  the 
fees  \^y  nearlj'  one-half,  and  in  every  way  managed 
the  affairs  of  the  office  so  efficiently  and  satisfac- 
toril}'  that  above  all  expenses  lie  was  enabled  to 
pa}'  into  the  State  Treasury  during  his  uianagement 
$32,000.49. 

In  August  of  the  j^ear  188G  Mr.  Luce  was  nom- 
inated by  the  Republicans  in  convention  assembled 
at  Grand  Rapids,  for  the  office  of  Governor  or 
Michigan  by  acclamation,  and  on  the  2d  of  Novem- 
ber following  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  7,432 
over  his  chief  copjpetitor,  George  L.  Yaple.  In 
1874  he  became  an  active  member  of  the  farm- 
ers' organization  known  as  the  Grange.  Believing 
as  he  does  that  agriculture  furnishes  the  basis  of 
National  prosperity-,  he  w.as  anxious  to  contribute  to 
the  education  and  elevation  of  the  farming  com- 
munity, and  thus  availed  himself  of  the  opportuni- 
ties oft'ered  by  this  organization  to  aid  in  accoin- 
[)lishing  this  result.  For  a  period  of  seven  years  he 
was  Master  of  the  State  Ci  range  but  resigned  tlie 
position  last  November.  Fidelity  to  convictions, 
close  application  to  business,  whether  agricultural  or 
affairs  of  State,  coupled  with  untiring  industry,  aie 
his  chief  char.acterislics.  As  a  farmer,  legislator 
executive  officer,  and  manager  of  county  as  well  as 
State  affairs,  as  a  private  as  well  as  a  public  citizen 
his  career  has  all  along  been  marked  with  success 
No  one  can  point  to  a  spot  refiecting  discredit  ir 
his  public  career  or  private  life.  He  is  a  man  of 
the  people,  and  self-made  in  the  strictest  sense.  His 
whole  life  has  been  among  the  petiple,  in  I'lill  sym- 
palli.v  with  them,  and  in  their  special  ccinlideneeMud 
esteem. 

Personally,  (Jov.  Cyrus  G.  I, nee  is  higli-iiiiiide,',, 
intellectual  and  affable,  the  olijcct  of  iii:niy 
and  warm  friendshii)s,  and  a  man  in  all  respects 
above  reproach.  To  the  cluties  of  his  high  position 
he  has  brought  a  fittir.g  dignity,  and  in -all  the  re- 
lations of  life  that  coiiscieiilious  regard  to  dut}'  of 
wliich  we  often  rend  Iml,  which  is  too  seldom  seen, 
4'^pecially  among  those  having  xrilliin  llieir  hands 
the  interests  of  Slate  anil   N.'ition. 


Patn^-^^-,^    /Q.  /AWt-fi^Kn/ 


GOVERNORS  OF  aMICHIGAN. 


tSi 


~\'"'  ^. ' 


m^ 


Vi»(i^>^»^(^(%^i' V.'.  V '■  •■»Ui&'»i^(i^i^i^'^t.V  »i  ;  i'  ;  .' , .  I'.jt.i.jja'i^'g^t^t^'^'^'^'t.'  > 


vatg.Ji'^'^'.;,^'.; 


,1  ■  .1  ;  ,1  ;  ,1 


i' ;  ■' ; I.  .1  .'r  •.  'i  •.  'i  •■'■',.' (;j.^tai'(ai'tg^'(^<^t^c^ta 


-*-o*- 


fit 


natives. 


'.  EDWIN  B.  WINANR, 

who  began  his  duties  as 
Governor  of  Michigan, 
anuary  1,  1891,  is  a  son 
of  the  p]mpire  State,  of 
which  his  parents  also  were 
From  German  ancestry  on 
the  father's  side,  he  derives  tlie  in- 
©'?^^  stincts  of  frugality  and  careful  con- 
sideration of  ways  and  means,  and 
these  are  strengthened  by  the  sub- 
stantial traits  of  the  Puritan  fore- 
fathers of  his  motlier.  Both  lines 
have  transmitted  to  him  the  love 
of  country  and  home  that  has  led 
thousands  into  untrodden  wilds  where  they  might 
secure  that  wliich  would  be  for  the  future  good  of 
themselves  and  posterity. 

John  and  Eliza  (Way)  Winaiis  removed  from 
New  York  to  this  State  in  1834,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Livingston  County,  where  the  boyhood  of 
fiov.  Winans  was  passed.  He  was  about  eight 
years  old  at  the  time  of  the  removal,  having  been 
bcrn  Pt  Avon,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  May  16, 
1826.  Up  to  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  attended 
the  district  school,  and  he  then  entered  All)ion 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1850. 
The  excitement  attendant  upon  the  discovery  of 


gold  in  California  had  not  died  out,  and  young 
Winans  felt  a  strong  desire  to  visit  the  coast  and 
try  his  fortune  in  the  mines.  He  decided  in  favor 
of  the  overland  route,  crossed  the  plains  in  safety, 
and  spent  the  ensuing  eight  years  in  seeking  the 
precious  metal^a  quest  that  was  fairly  successful. 

Eeturning  to  Livingston  Count}-,  this  State,  Mr. 
Winans  bought  laud  and  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing. He  has  retained  the  farm  as  his  home  through 
all  the  changes  various  official  positions  have 
brought  him,  and  joyfully  returned  to  it  whenever 
his  faithful  discharge  of  public  duty  would  allow. 
His  estate  now  includes  four  hundred  acres  of  land 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  improved 
with  buildings  of  the  best  construction  and  modern 
design.  In  connection  with  general  farming  Gov. 
Winans  has  given  considerable  attention  to  raising 
stock  of  high  grades,  and  his  understanding  of 
agriculture  in  its  various  departments  is  broad  and 
deep.  He  believes  that  his  success  in  political  life 
is  largely  due  to  his  thorough  identification  with 
the  agricultural  interests  of  the  State  and  no  doubt 
he  is  right. 

The  public  career  of  Gov.  Winans  began  in  1860, 
when  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  county  in  the 
State  Legislature.  He  served  two  consecutive 
terms,  covering  the  period  from  1860  to  1865.  In 
1867  he  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 


JS2 


EDWIN  B   WINAlvS. 


\ention  of  the  State,  and  in  1876  he  was  elected 
Probate  Judge  of  Livingston  Count3'  for  a  term 
of  four  years.  The  next  important  position  occu- 
pied by  Gov.  "Winnns  was  that  of  Congressman  dur- 
ing the  Forty-eighth  and  Fortj'-ninth  Congresses, 
rei)resenting  the  Sixth  District.  It  was  always  his 
lot  to  be  nominated  for  olfii-e  when  the  Democratic 
party  was  decidedly  in  the  minority-,  hut  such  v.'ere 
his  personal  characteristics  and  his  reputation  as 
one  interested  in  the  welfare  of  that  great  class, 
the  farmers,  th.it  in  ever}'  case  he  made  a  successful 
race.  When  he  was  put  up  for  Congress  the  oppo- 
sition had  a  majority  in  the  district  of  three  thou- 
sand votes,  but  he  w.is  elected  by  a  plurality  of 
thirty.  While  in  Congress  he  took  an  active  part 
in  all  measures  tending  to  the  public  good  and 
served  on  the  Committees  on  Agriculture  and  Pen- 
sions. In  the  fall  of  1H91  his  name  headed  the 
Democratic  ticket  and  lie  was  elected  Governor  of 
the  State. 

In  his  private  life  Gov.  Winans  has  been  as  ex- 
emplary as  in  his  puljlic  career  he  his  been  useful 
and  influential.  lie  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  and  in  his  religious  faith  and 
pr.ictice  has  the  close  sympathy  of  his  wife,  who 
belongs  to  the  same  society.  Ills  marriage  was 
solemcized  in  Hamburg,  Livingston  County,  in 
1855,  his  bride  being  Miss  Elizabeth  Gallow.ay,  who 


w.as  born  and  reared  on  the  farm  she  still  calls  borne, 
as  it  was  bought  of  her  father  by  Gov.  ^V'inans. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  George  and  Susan  (Haight) 
Gallow.iy,  wlio  are  numbered  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Livingston  County,  whither  the\'  came 
from  New  York.  She  is  an  educated,  refined  woman, 
whose  mental  attainments  and  social  qualities  fit 
her  for  the  position  which  she  occupies  as  hostess 
of  the  Gubernatorial  mansion.  Governor  and  Mrs. 
Win.ins  have  two  sons,  George  G  ,  who  is  now  act- 
ing as  liis  father's  private  secretary,  and  P^dw'n  B., 
Jr.,  a  graduate  of  West  Point. 

Gov.  Winans  has  in  former  j-ears  shown  himself 
cap.ablc  of  close  application  to  the  duties  whicl.1  la3- 
before  liim,  and  his  judicious  decisions  and  wise 
course  when  attempting  to  bring  about  a  worthy 
object,  are  well  known  to  those  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  history  of  the  State.  Although  it  is  "iften 
said  that  it  is  scarcely  safe  to  judge  of  a  man  until 
his  career  is  closed,  j'ct  Gov.  Winans  has  acted  his 
part  so  well  thus  far  in  life  that  he  is  confid'^nlly 
expected  to  .add  to  the  credit  that  already  l)clongs 
to  tlie  great  commonwealth  of  Michigan,  and  which 
to  a  certain  extent  lies  in  the  hands  of  those  who 
have  been  and  are  its  chief  executives.  Among  his 
person.al  cliaracteristics  are  those  of  a  love  of  truth, 
justice  and  progress,  and  a  cordial,  kindly  sjjirt 
wiiicii  makes  warm  friends  and  stanch  adherents. 


:di^f 


KALAMAZOO.  ALLEGAN, 


AND 


VAN  BUREN  COUNTIES, 


MICHIGAN. 


(Si^ 


^•^ 


l^^ 


~^<e>i 


INTRODUCTORY,  g 


HE  time  has  arrived  when   it 
becomes  the    duty    of   the 
people  of  this  county  to  per- 
petuate the  names  of  their 
pioneers,  to  furnish  a  record 
of   tlieir    early    settlement, 
and  relate  the  story  of  their 
progress.     The  civilization  of  our 
the  enlightenment  of  the  age 
and  the  duty  that  men  of  the  pres- 
ent time  owe  to  their  ancestors,  to 
themselves  and  to  their  posterity, 
demand  that  a  record  of  their  lives 
and  deeds  should  be  made.  In  bio- 
graphical history  is  found  a  power 
to  instruct  man  by  precedent,  to 
enliven  the  mental  faculties,  and 
to  waft  down  the  river  of  time  a 

safe  vessel  in  which  the  names  and  actions  of  the 
people  who  contributed  to  raise  this  country  from  its 
primitive  state  may  be  preserved.  Surely  and  rapidly 
the  great  and  aged  men,  who  in  their  prime  entered 
the  wilderness  and  claimed  the  virgin  soil  as  their 
heritage,  are  passing  to  their  graves.  The  number  re- 
maining who  can  relate  the  incidents  of  the  first  days 
jf  settlement  is  becoming  small  indeed,  so  that  an 
actual  necessity  exists  for  the  collection  and  preser- 
vation of  events  without  delay,  before  all  the  early 
settlers  are  cut  down  by  the  scythe  of  Time. 

To  be  forgotten  has  been  the  great  dread  of  mankind 
from  remotest  ages.  All  will  be  forgotten  soon  enough, 
in  spite  of  their  best  works  and  the  most  earnest 
efforts  of  their  friends  to  perserve  the  memory  of 
their  lives.  The  means  employed  to  prevent  oblivion 
and  to  perpetuate  their  memory  has  been  in  propor- 
tion to  the  amount  of  intelligence  they  possessed. 
Th-;  pyramids  of  Egypt  were  built  to  perpetuate  the 
names  and  deeds  of  their  great  rulers. -«  The  exhu- 
mations made  by  the  archeologists  of  Egypt  from 
buried  Memphis  indicate  a  desire  of  those  people 


to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  their  achievements 
The  erection  of  the  great  obelisks  were  for  the  same 
purpose.  Coming  down  to  a  later  period,  we  find  tht 
Greeks  and  Romans  erecting  mausoleums  and  monu- 
ments, and  carving  out  statues  to  chronicle  their 
great  acliieveraents  and  carry  them  down  the  ages. 
It  is  also  evident  that  the  Mound-builders,  in  piling 
up  their  great  mounds  of  earth,  had  but  this  idea — 
to  leave  something  to  show  that  they  had  lived.  All 
these  works,  though  many  of  them  costly  in  the  e.x- 
treme,  give  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  lives  and  charac- 
ters of  those  whose  memory  they  were  intended  to 
perpetuate,  and  scarcely  anything  of  the  masses  of 
the  people  that  then  lived.  The  great  pyramids  and 
some  of  the  obelisks  remain  objects  only  of  curiosity; 
the  mausoleums,  monuments  and  statues  are  crum- 
bling into  dust. 

It  was  left  to  modern  ages  to  establish  an  intelli- 
gent, undecaying,  immutable  method  of  perpetuating 
a  full  history — immutable  in  that  it  is  almost  un- 
limited in  extent  and  perpetual  in  its  action ;  and 
this  is  through  the  art  of  printing. 

To  the  present  generation,  however,  we  are  in- 
debted for  the  introduction  of  the  admirable  system 
of  local  biography.  By  this  system  every  man,  thougV 
he  has  not  achieved  what  the  world  calls  greatness, 
has  the  means  to  perpetuate  his  life,  his  history, 
through  the  coming  ages. 

The  scythe  of  Time  cuts  down  all ;  nothing  of  the 
physical  man  is  left.  The  monument  which  his  chil- 
dren or  friends  may  erect  to  his  memory  in  the  ceme- 
tery will  crumble  into  dust  and  pass  away;  but  his 
life,  his  achievements,  the  work  he  has  accomplished, 
which  otherwise  would  be  forgotten,  is  perpetuated 
by  a  record  of  this  kind. 

To  preserve  the  lineaments  of  our  companions  we 
engrave  their  portraits,  for  the  same  reason  we  col- 
lect the  attainable  facts  of  their  history.  Nor  do  we 
think  it  necessary,  as  we  speak  only  truth  of  them,  to 
wait  until  they  are  dead,  or  until  those  who  know 
them  are  gone:  to  do  this  we  are  ashamed  only  to 
publish  to  the  world  the  history  of  those  whose  live." 
are  unworthy  of  public  record. 


c  ~^>i 


(/Jj^A^U-u^^-^^ 


J!^ 


|«  JSIOGRAPl^ICAL. 


■^i__ 


ylLLIAM  AVERY  HOUSE.  Tlic  rapid 
growth  of  Kalamazoo  is  due  in  a  large 
measure  to  the  number  of  able  and  honor- 
able men  who  have  from  time  to  time  sought  a  home 
within  its  limits  and  contributed  generously  to  the 
development  of  its  resources.  Such  a  one  is  the 
subject  of  this  brief  biographical  notice,  and  the 
original  of  the  portrait  on  the  opposite  page,  of 
whom,  when  he  passed  awaj',  it  was  the  universal 
testimony  of  his  fellow-citizens,  "Take  him  all  in 
all,  we  have  lost  our  best  man."  His  death,  which 
resulted  from  accident  December  8,  1881,  removed 
from  the  city  a  gentleman  unswerving  in  his  de- 
votion to  its  interest  and  in  his  support  of  its  in- 
stitutions. 

Our  subject  was  the  son  of  Hubbard  and  Aphia 
(Johnson)  House,  natives  of  Vermont.  Sincere 
Christians  by  example  and  precept,  they  trained 
their  children  for  responsible  positions  in  life. 
William  Avery  House  was  born  in  Moretown, 
AVashington  Countv,Vt.,  July  24,  1821.  When  (juite 
young,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Glenns  Falls, 
N.  Y.,  and  from  there  to  Clyde,  Wayne  County,  the 
same  State,  where  he  remained  until  18.37.  Mean- 
while he  enjoyed  the  ordinary  school  advantages  of 
those  times,  and  under  the  training  of  his  father,  a 
man  of  Christian  principles,  Arm  in  character  and 
generous  in  heaj't,  he  grew  to  a  stalwart  manhood. 
In  1837,  our  subject  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Michigan  and  located  on  new  land  two  miles  from 
the  present  village  of  Otsego.  He  endured  all  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life  and  aided  in  the  support 


of  the  famil}'.  Two  years  after  settling  on  the 
place,  they  removed  to  a  home  which  the  father 
had  purchased  in  Otsego,  and  for  several  years 
thereafter  our  subject  was  employed  with  his  team 
in  drawing  flour  from  the  Otsego  mills  to  Kalama- 
zoo. Regularly,  each  day  except  Sunday,  he  came 
with  his  load  and  usually  returned  home  with 
merchandise  for  the  Otsego  dealers. 

When  after  a  time  the  way  opened  for  ^Ir. 
House  to  become  a  clerk  in  one  of  the  village  stores, 
his  courteous  dealings  with  his  customers,  and 
obliging  manners,  won  him  popularitj\  He  soon 
formed  a  partnership  with  J.  B.  I'orter  and  together 
they  conducted  a  successful  dry-goods  business  in 
Otsego.  When  he  was  twenty-four,  he  was  united 
in  marriage,  in  1845,  with  Miss  Emeline  A.  Beck- 
with,  with  whom  he  lived  happily  until  his  death. 
Two  of  the  children  born  of  the  union  died  in 
childhood  and  the  third,  Arabella  Sophia,  became 
Mrs.  Leroy  Cahill,  and  died  September  22,  1874, 
so  that  of  a  once  happy  circle  but  one  remains.  The 
widow  finds  consolation  not  in  the  houses  and  lands 
which  are  hers,  but  in  the  thought  that  she  will  meet 
her  loved  ones  once  more,  in  the  land  where  Death 
never  comes. 

For  nine  years  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  lluuse 
made  his  home  in  Otsego,  during  the  latter  part 
of  the  time  engaged  in  managing  the  Otsego  mills 
and  in  building  a  part  of  the  plank  road  between 
Kalamazoo  and  Grand  Rapids.  In  1851  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he 
ever  afterward    resided.     Prior  to  the  war  he  en- 


192 


PORTILUT  AXU  BIOGRAPHICAL  JRECORD. 


gaged  in  business  operations  wliieh  reqaireil  his 
almost  constant  presence  iu  the  Soutli  and  during 
his  travels  he  was  usually  accompanierl  liy  his  | 
wife.  The  opening  of  the  war  compelled  liim  to  I 
close  his  business,  although  not  witliout  a  consid- 
erable loss.  In  1860  he  returned  to  Kalamazoo 
and  a  year  after  built  the  handsome  block  on  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Burdick  Streets,  which  bears 
his  name. 

In  1867,  Mr.  House  entered  into  i)artnership 
with  Messrs.  C.  H.  Booth  anil  Beach  Hall,  as  gen- 
eral real-estate  and  insurance  agents,  and  after  the 
withdrawal  of  Mr.  Hall,  the  firm  thus  modified 
continued  until  the  fall  of  1874.  The  death  of 
his  daughter  caused  Mr.  House  to  sever  his  connec- 
tion with  the  firm,  and  in  company  with  his  wife 
he  si)ent  some  time  in  traveling.  A  few  years  later, 
in  connection  with  his  son-in-law,  Capt.  Leroy 
Cahill,  he  commenced  the  business  of  manu- 
f.acturing  agricultural  implements,  which  he  con- 
ducted successfully'  until  his  death.  While 
thus  engaged  he  gave  employment  to  scores  of 
men  in  the  city  and  also  to  many  traveling 
salesmen. 

On  the  evening  of  December  8,  1881,  while  at 
his  barn,  Air.  House  was  so  severely  kicked  by  one 
of  his  horses  which  he  was  exercising  that  he 
soon  after  died.  His  sudden  taking  away  caused 
the  greatest  consternation  in  the  city,  for  it  was 
recognized  that  Kalamazoo  had  lost  one  of  her 
best  and  most  valued  citizens,  one  who  had  been 
active  in  business  and  social  circles  as  well  as  in 
church  and  charitable  measm-es.  He  had  filled  the 
position  of  \'illage  Trustee  for  many  years,  also 
served  on  the  ISoard  of  Kducation,  and  was  always 
able,  elHcienl and  valual)lein  tliose  capacities.  He 
was  one  of  Ihe  original  Kepiiblicans  of  Micliigan, 
and  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  which  met 
"under  the  oaks"  at  Jackson.  During  the  war  he 
w:lx  a  stanch  I'lilon  man  an<l  ri'Miaincd  tlnoiighout 
his  lifi-  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Ui'pubilcan  party. 
In  lii.H  death  the  poor  and  needy  |o>|  ;i  friend,  who 
liatl  often  eheerfnily  aided  Iheni. 

'I'he  funeral  .services  w(!re  held  Sunday.  Decem- 
l>er  II,  in  the  First  Congregati<inal  Cliinili.  <if 
which  he  wii-«  a  faithful  nieniber.  'I  In'  i;ip:i<iliiM)f 
the  church  were  lnxe<l  to  their  ul(no»tt<j  accommo- 


date his  friends,  who  paid  the  last  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  one  they  loved.  His  friend  and  ])astor, 
Rev.  C.  O.  Brown,  delivered  the  memorial  address, 
which  was  a  loft}'  and  elociuent  eulogy  of  the 
virtues  of  the  departed.  Afterward  the  remains 
were  borne  to  the  grave,  and,  surroimded  by  the 
relatives,  emplo3es,  and  members  of  various  civic 
organizations,  were  committed  to  the  ground. 


4^ 


«fe 


DWARD  MARGESON,  Steuben  County, 
N,  Y.,  was  the  birthplace  of  our  subject,  his 
natal  day  being  in  1827.  He  is  the  son  of  Ca- 
leb and  Lavina  Margesou,  and  is  at  present  resid- 
ing on  section  32,  Ganges  Township,  Allegan 
Count}',  where  he  is  engaged  in  cultivating  forty 
acres  of  excellent  laud.  He  devotes  some  time  and 
attention  to  the  practice  of  veterinary  snrgerj',  his 
advice  being  much  sought  after  in  this  county. 

Our  subject  is  a  son  of  Caleb  and  Lavina  Marge- 
son,  the  father  a  native  of  Essex  County,  N.  .1., 
where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  The  elder  ISIr,  Margeson  accom- 
panied his  parents  on  their  removal  from  New  York, 
where  they  located  in  Sleulien  County.  Wiicn 
reaching  years  when  it  became  necessary  for  linn 
to  choose  an  occupation,  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
shoemaker,  which  he  followed  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  never  leaving  the  State  of  New  York. 

In  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  the  parents  of  our 
subject  were  married,  iiis  mother's  maiden  nanu> 
being  Lavina  ]$eard.  Their  union  was  blest  by 
the  birth  of  nine  children.  In  religious  nialtcrs 
they  were  members  of  the  Ba[itist  Church.  C.-deb 
Margeson  died  in  1831,  hisgood  wife  surviving  him 
about  fifteen  years.  The  paternal  grand|)arents  of 
our  subject  were  Thomas  and  Mary  Margeson,  na- 
tives of  New  .lersey.  Tiiomas  M.  was  a  sou  ut'  the 
noted  Margeson  wiio  eMnic  tn  the  New  Wdild  in 
the  ".Mayllowci. " 

Our  subject  began  making  his  own  living  by 
working  out  on  a  farm  at  the;ige  of  thirteen  years. 
Later,  for  seven  years,  he  was  steersman  on  the 
Erie  (':uKil.  .■nid  in  |X("r.',  (■.•iimc  to  Micliigan  ;im(I 
lucati'd  at  once  in  Allegan  ('ounty.  Imuu'  yc;iis 
later  he  came  to  (iunges '1'ownp.hip  where   he  now 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAFHICAL  RECORD. 


\'.t^ 


owns  a  good  farm.  February  16,  1862,  he  was 
married  to  Mary,  daugliter  of  Jolia  .and  Eliza 
(Baird)  Ward,  natives  of  the  Enii)ire  Stale,  and 
farmers  by  occupation.  Mrs.  Margesou  had  twelve 
brothers  and  sisters.  By  her  marriage  with  our 
subject,  she  became  the  mother  of  a  daughter, 
Laura,  who  died  when  only  three  years  of  age. 

February  28, 1865,  Mr.  Margeson  entered  the  Un- 
ion Army,  enlisting  in  Company  I,Tentli  ISIichigan 
Cavalry,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Sheridan.  He 
remained  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
receiving  his  honorable  discharge  at  Memphis, 
Ten n.,  November  1 1,  1865.  Again  returning  to 
the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  he  came  to  Michigan 
and  devoted  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  his 
property.  lie  has  given  some  study  to  the  veter- 
inary surgeon's  art,  and  has  been  extremely  suc- 
cessful in  his  practice  in  this  region. 

Mv.  Margeson  is  a  member  of  Jacob  Fry  Post,  No. 
46,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  Republican  in  politics.  With 
his  wife,  he  is  identified  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 


I^ILLIAM  B.  ANDREWS.     Men  of  strict  in- 
tegrity of  character,  whose  lives  are  guided 


M 


\y  \y  by  prudence  and  principle,  are  valued  mem- 
liers  of  any  community,  whose  best  riches  they  con- 
stitute. Such  a  one  is  the  subject  of  this  brief  no- 
tice, who  is  intluential  in  the  farming  circles  of 
Allt'gan  County,  and  makes  his  home  on  section  3, 
Watson  Townshijj.  A  native  of  New  York,  he  was- 
Ijorn  in  Genesee  County,  June  30,  1830,  and  when 
only  four  years  old  was  taken  to  Ohio  by  Jiis  par- 
ents, Norton  and  Caroline  (Root)  Andrews,  natives 
of  the  Empire  State.  Ilis  father,  who  followed 
the  calling  of  a  farmer,  was  thus  engaged  in  Cuya- 
hoga County,  Ohio,  and  Allegan  County,  this  State, 
whither  he  removed  in  1855,  settling  on  an  unim- 
I Moved  farm  on  section  3.  His  death  occurred 
here  at  the  age  of  seventy  five,  and  his  wife  passed 
away  when  seventy-three. 

The  parental  family  comprises  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  attained  to  mature  years,  and  four 
are  now  living,  namely:  Willard;  Delia,  wife  of 
Albert  Lane;  Jane,    who    married    Job    Reynolds. 


and  Wdliam  B.  The  lasl-iianuii  ^-un  i(ioiv<-(l  liis 
education  in  Ohio,  and  accompanied  his  parents  in 
their  removal  ty  Michigan,  settling  with  them  on 
the  i)lace  which  he  now  owns.  The  year  follow- 
ing his  arrival  in  Michigan,  in  1856,  lie  was  married 
to  Miss  Avis  Ann  Round,  a  native  of  Vermont, 
who  came  to  Michigan  when  she  was  a  small  child. 
This  estimable  lady  was  a  devoted  wife  and  tender 
mother,  and  her  death,  in  1886,  proved  a  dcej)  be- 
reavement to  her  family  and  friends.  She  was  thc- 
mother  of  four  children:  Charles,  who  married 
Bertha  Donwell;  Frank,  who  was  united  with 
Sarah  Dodge;  Eva  May,  the  wife  of  Fred  Edgel, 
of  Hopkins,  Township;  and  Martha  May,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years. 

At  one  time  Mr.  Andrews  was  the  owner  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  but  he  now  owns  only 
half  that  amount,  the  remaining  eighty  acres  hav- 
ing been  given  to  his  son  Chai'les.  He  carries  on 
a  general  farming  and  stock-raising  business,  and 
through  the  exercise  of  good  judgment  and  great 
energy,  has  been  successful.  While  he  has  been 
prospered  financially,  he  has  also  gained  the  good- 
will and  confidence  of  those  with  whom  business  or 
social  intercourse  has  brought  hira  in  contact,  and 
is  every  where  esteemed  as  an  upright  and  indus- 
trious man.  In  his  political  views,  he  adheres  to 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  but  is  not 
an  office-seeker,  preferring  the  quiet  discliarge  of 
his  individual  duties  to  the  excitement  of  political 
life. 


El^ 


ENRY  FORD,  who  has  been  a  |)roinincut 
man  in  the  political  and  local  affairs  of  his 
community  for  a  number  of  years,  is  tlie 
■^j  owner  of  a  fine  fruit  farm  near  Lawton.  in 
Antwerp  Township,  Van  Burcu  County.  He  is  a 
native  of  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born 
February  11,  1825.  His  parents  were  Davis  F. 
and  Mary  (Townsend)  Ford,  who  were  of  English 
and  Irish  descent.  The  father  was  born  .\pril  2. 
1791,  and  the  mother  June  7,  1796,  the  former 
being  a  farmer  by  occupation.  To  this  worthy 
couple  eleven  children  were  born,  seven  sons  and 
four    daughters,   as   follows:  Harry,  Benjamin  A.; 


194 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Plicebe  E.,  wife  of  Milton  Pemberton;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Charles  Campbell;  Harriet,  who  married 
Peter  P.  Bush;  aud  Charles  T..  John  P.,  William 
.J.,  David  F..  Townsend  and  Margaret,  all  the 
last-named  being  deceased.  The  parents  of  this 
family  died  in  Orange  County,  X.  Y..  the  father  c)n 
May  8,  1863,  and  the  mother  .Tune  16,  1861. 

Our  subject  was  educated  principally  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  his  native  county,  and  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  Iwcame  a  clerk  for  the  Southtield 
Furnace  Company,  for  whom  he  worked  faithfully 
for  a  number  of  years.  By  his  diligent  and  careful 
attention  to  his  duties,  he  gained  the  confidence  of 
his  employei-s  and  April  1,  1849,  was  intrusted 
with  the  man.'igementof  the  business.  He  occu|)ii'd 
this  position  successfully  for  lifteen  years,  but  in 
1866  the  business  changed  hands  and  he  removed 
to  Lawton.  Mich.  Here  he  took  charge  of  the 
Lawton  Furnace  until  October  15,  1874,  when,  the 
interest  being  purchased  by  other  parlies,  he  be- 
came manager  of  the  Bangor  Furnace  Company,  in 
Van  Buren  County,  which  manufactured  on  an 
avei"age  thirty -eight  tons  of  iron  per  day.  In  1880, 
Mr.  Ford  engaged  in  the  meicantilc  liusinessat  Law- 
ton,  in  which  he  was  employed  until  1888,  when  he 
sold  out  and  bought  his  present  place  of  sixty-five 
acres,  which  is  mostly  in  fruit,  such  .is  grapes, 
apples,  peaches  and  raspberries. 

Mr.  Ford  represented  the  Twelfth  District,  con- 
sisting of  \'an  Huren  and  Cass  Counties,  in  the 
.State  .Senate  in  llie  session  of  1881  and  1882,  being 
elected  by  a  vote  of  seven  thousand  and  seventy- 
seven  to  live  tlious-ind  (ivc  hundred  Jind  forty-nine. 
He  cast  his  lii-sl  vole  for  Za<'liary  Taylor  while  he 
was  living  in  .New  VoiU,  but  has  l)een  a  firm  He- 
pubhcnn  ever  since  the  fornijilion  of  tluit  party. 
He  served  as  .justice  of  the  IVace  for  sonic  six 
years,  Township  Trustee  of  Antwerp  Tu\vn>lii|i  foi' 
two  years,  and  Is  at  present  President  of  the 
Town  Council,  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
Templars  and  of  thir  Masonic  order,  and  is  now 
holding  the  odlee  of  .lustice  of  (he  IVace  at  L.-iw- 
ton.  Mr.  Ford  has  liei^n  twice  married,  his  Ih-si 
wife  iHsing  Miss  Kate  ColTe^-,  to  whom  he  was 
united  .lune  7.  IHI7,  and  wlio  dii'ij  April  ."!.  1H«1, 
leaving  one  child,  ICIi/.abeth. 

Mr.  Ford  vran  ngniii  married,  in  1882,  this  time  to 


Florence  Smith.  Mrs.  Ford  was  born  in  Michigan, 
January  20,  1859.  her  parents,  Louisa  and  Jesse 
Smith,  being  early  settlers  of  this  State.  They 
had  a  family' of  four  children,  namely:  Julia,  Jesse, 
Charles  II.  and  Florence.  The  father  died  in  1862 
and  the  mother  is  still  living  in  Lawton.  She  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  and  hold  a  high  jrosition 
in  societj'  .and  in  the  estimation  of  all  with  whom 
thev  are  associated. 


3[S_ 


^^®^?" 


|/  AFAVKllK  .^IKAC'llK.N  u 
|1  (/§)  stock-raiser,  residing  on  s 
'l'-^v\  rence  Township.  Van   Hurt 


^^7       AFAYKTTK  JIKACllKX  is   a    farmer  and 

section  1 7,  Law- 
fen  County.  He 
was  born  in  Scipio,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  IMarch 
28,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Calviu  aud  Polly  Mea- 
chen.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  came  AVest  to 
Medina  Count}',  Ohio,  when  our  subject  was  about 
eight  years  of  age.  Tiiere  he  purchased  a  farm 
upon  which  our  subject  was  reared  to  manhood., 
receiving  but  a  limited  education. 

Lafayette  Meachen  began  to  make  his  own  w.ay 
in  the  world  when  attaining  his  eighteenth  ye;ir, 
having  liought  his  time  of  his  father.  On  reaching 
his  majority,  he  had  a  good  team  of  his  own.  He 
was  married  October  13,  1848,  to  Miss  Deborah 
Johnson,  of  Medina  County,  Ohio.  >Irs.  Meachen 
was  born  in  the  southern  part  of  Ireland,  October 
2,  1821,  and  by  her  union  witii  our  subject  has 
l)ecome  the  mother  of  four  children:  Jlaiy  Eliza- 
beth, who  died  wiien  six  years  of  age;  Deborah, 
who  was  born  in  .Medina  County,  Ohio,  November 
I,  1H51,  married  Prosjjcr  .Alanchester,  a  farmer  of 
( Jratiot  County,  tills  State,  and  has  five  children; 
.Vnnie.  wiio  died  wiieii  :iboiit  six  years  of  age,  and 
(iaylord,  also  deceased. 

In  1H.')2  oursulijecl  came  Lo  Lawrence  Townshii), 
\':iu  lluieii  County,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
wood  land.  Ills  father  had  previou.sly  come  to 
Arlington  'I'ownship,  same  county,  where  he  be- 
came the  i)ossessor  of  forty  acres  of  land,  lie  of 
whom  we  write  immediately  erected  a  log  house 
on  his  purchase,  into  which  he  moved  his  family 
and  began  the  work  of  clearing  and  improving  his 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


195 


estate.  He  has  since  added  eighty  acres  to  his 
property,  fifteen  of  which  is  devoted  to  an  orchard. 
In  1881,  he  erected  his  present  beautiful  residence, 
whicii  bears  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of 
modern  times.  Mr.  Meachen  is  a  self-made  man 
in  tlie  truest  sense  of  tliat  term,  ami  is  ranked 
among  the  first-class  farmers  of  Van  Buren  County-. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  Mrs.  Meaclien  came 
to  America  when  about  twenty  3'ears  of  age,  and 
was  residing  in  Medina  County,  Ohio,  at  the  time 
of  her  marriage.  She  is  a  very  wortjiy  and  esti- 
mable lady  and  lias  aided  lier  husband  greatly  in 
attaining  to  his  present  high  standing  in  the  agri- 
cultural community. 


-i- 


-^^ 


^~^  AMUEL  A.  BENTLEY  is  a  retired  farmer, 
^^^  living  in  Allegan.  He  was  born  in  Mou" 
MJ_ltl  roe  Township.  Monroe  County,  tliis  State^ 
September  27,  1819,  and  is  the  son  of 
James  and  Amanda  (Barker)  Bentley.  His  parents 
were  natives  of  Phigland  and  Ohio,  respectively, 
and  James  Bentley  came  to  Monroe  County  as  earl}' 
as  1803,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  The  father 
was  all  through  the  War  of  1812  and  was  within  one 
mile  of  the  fort  at  Detroit  when  Hull  surrendered. 
The  mother  was  born  in  Painesville,  Ohio,  in  the 
year  1800,  in  December.  Slie,  when  a  young  girl, 
came  to  Monroe,  Mich.,  with  her  mother  and  step- 
father, and  it  was  here  she  married  James  Bentley 
when  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  being  about 
thirty  3'ears  old.  He  died  in  Monroe  County, 
in  1862,  aged  eighty-two  years;  iiis  good  wife 
survived  him  until  1889,  and  at  lier  death  had 
reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years. 
James  Bentley  was  a  stanch  Harrison  man,  having 
served  under  that  genei-al  in  the  army  of  tlie  War 
of  1812. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  a  large  family  of 
eleven  children,  nine  of  wliom  are  living:  our  sub- 
ject, James,  John,  Climena,  Malissa,  Eunice,  Will- 
iam, Amanda  and  Eliza.  Samuel  A.  Bentley  re- 
ceived his  education  in  a  log  schoolliouse  in  Monroe 
County,  Mich.,  at  the  same  time  being  well  trained 
in  farm  duties.     He  remained  an  inmate  of  the  par- 


ental home  until  reaching  his  majority,  then  began 
working  for  liimself  by  renting  farms  and  tilling 
the  soil.  He  suffered  all  the  privations  of  the 
early  pioneer. 

In  1854  our  subject  caine  to  Watson  Townsliii), 
Allegan  County,  and  |)urchased  eighty  acres  of 
heavily  timbered  land.  He  industriously  set 
al)out  clearing  his  tract  and  remained  upon  it  until 
1879,  when  he  went  to  Plain  Held,  Kent  County, 
and  farmed  for  about  twelve  years.  In  1890  he 
returned  to  Allegan  Village  and  bought  where  he 
now  resides,  on  Depot  Street. 

Miss  Electa  Baird  became  the  wife  of  our  subject 
in  1839.  She  was  a  native  of  Wooster,  Ohio,  and 
came  to  Monroe  County,  Mich.,  with  her  jiarcnts, 
Charles  and  Hannah  Baird.  Their  union  has  been 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  eleven  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living:  Elizabeth,  Abigail,  Lemuel,  Sam- 
uel, Charles,  Mary  and  George.  Mrs.  Bentley  died 
in  1864,  and  our  sul)ject  was  a  second  time  mar- 
ried, the  lady  on  this  occasion  being  Mrs.  Sarah 
Baird,  daughter  of  Jared  and  Susan  (Hull)  Smith, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to  Michigan 
in  1836,  and  located  in  La  Salle  Township,  Monroe 
County,  where  they  engaged  in  farming  until 
their  death.  Mrs.  Sarah  Bentley  was  their  only 
child;  her  marriage  with  our  subject  took  j/lace  in 
1872.  By  a  former  marriage,  she  had  become  the 
mother  of  one  child,  a  son,  Frank  E.,  now  living 
in  Grand  Kapids.  In  polities,  Mr  .Bentley  was  or- 
iginally a  Whig,  casting  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Will- 
iam Henry  llairison.  He  afterwards  became  a  Re- 
publican, but  is  now  a  Prohibitionist. 

Mr.  Bentley  was  the  second  white  male  child 
born  in  the  State  of  Michigan.  John  Anderson, 
who  was  about  three  months  older  than  Mr.  Bent- 
ley, was  born  in  French  Township,  Monroe  Count}', 
and  was  accidentally  shot  when  twelve  or  four- 
teen years  old,  so  that  our  subject  is  now  the  oldest 


native    of    Michigan    livin< 


He    relates    that 


during  the  hard  winter  of  1854-55,  deer  would 
come  into  their  yard  and  stand  while  the  hay  w.as 
being  thrown  out  to  the  cattle,  and  when  it  was  on 
the  ground  would  then  eat  with  them.  He  also 
remembers  seeing  wolves  come  to  the  house  in  the 
day  time,  when  his  mother  would  take  down  the 
old  musket  and  shoot   at  them.     Mr.   Bentley    is 


196 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


a  very  interesting  conversationalist  and  can  relate 
many  tales  of  hardship  and  adventure  which  have 
made  a  lasting  impression  on  his  mind. 

Mi-s.  IJentley,  the  present  wife  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  where  her 
father  w.is  a  farmer.  Tiiey  came  to  Michigan  in 
1836.  and  were  thus  early  settlei-s  here.  .She  was 
given  a  good  education  and  taught  school  in  Mon- 
roe County.  In  the  early  d.nys,  her  father  was  a 
Whiir. 


,R.\N  W.  ROWLAXl),  a  resident  of  I'aw 
I'aw,  Van  lUiren  County,  who  has  been 
quite  influential  in  \;iri(nis  ways  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  township  and  county,  was  born 
in  Savannali,  Ashland  County,  Ohio,  March  25, 
1839.  His  parents  when  Eber  and  Jerusha  (Fow- 
ler) Rowland,  both  natives  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  Our  sul)ject  w.as  reared  in  the  country  and 
Ills  father  licing  a  miller,  he  was  about  the  mill  a 
great  deal.  When  alifiut  fourteen,  lie  came  tt)  Cal- 
houn Counl\-,  Mich.,  and  attended  a  common  dis- 
trict school  tliere,  having  attended  onl3'  common- 
■M'hfiiils  in  iiis  native  State.  His  parents  soon  came 
to  Miciiigan  and  afterward,  in  1856,  settled  in 
Jjiwrence  Township,  Van  Hurcn  County,  and  our 
xulijecl  journeve<l  hither  and  lieli)ed  iiis  father  in  a 
mill.  When  nineti-en,  he  l)egan  teaching  school 
which  he  followed  winters  until  his  enlistment  in 
tin'  late  war. 

Mr.  Rowland  volunteered  in  Company  C,  Third 
Miciiigan  Cavalry,  Scpteml)cr  17,1861.  He  saw  a 
good  deal  of  service  in  the  South  and  wits  in  Missouri, 
Tenne.H.see,  Alabama,  I.ousiana,  Mississippi  and  Ar- 
kansas aujl  was  in  active  service  for  three  yeai-s  and 
nine  Miiiiitli>.  Me  w.ns  in  the  hospital  from  April, 
l«t>i>,  toS'pt<'mber,  IHG2,  »'.\cept  when  at  home  on  a 
thirly-day  furlough.  When  the  company  was  organ- 
ized. In'  was  appointed  Sergeant  and  served  .as  such 
and  Orrlerly-Sergeant  until  his  re-en  list  im-nt  in  1K63 
when  lie  received  n  commission  from  (Jov.  HIair 
as  Second  LieutciKiut,  in  Company  !■',,  of  the  same 
rrgiment  and.  Ill  IH(J|,  wjis  rommissiont'd  j-'irsl 
Lieiili'iianl  III  Company   I;    the   following  year  as 


Captain  he  was  re-assigned  to  Company  C.  On  the 
22nd  of  September,  1861,  five  days  subsequent  to 
his  enlistment,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Benjamin,  of  Lawrence,  Van  liuren  County.  She 
wiis  born  at  Marshall,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  .lanu- 
ary  7,  1843.  and  was  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Eunice  Hazard  Benjamin. 

On  the  return  of  Mr.  Rowlaml  from  llie  army, 
he  engaged  in  the  milling  business  with  his  father 
for  six  months  and  then  began  teaching  school  in 
the  township  and  village  of  Lawrence.  He  taught 
three  winters  and  in  the  meantime  he  entered  the 
grocery  business  at  Lawrence  and  followed  it  until 
1868  when  he  was  elected  County  Clerk  and 
served  two  terms,  removing  to  Paw  I'aw, 
.January  1,  1869.  He  studied  law  while  in  this  of- 
fice. He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  fall  of 
1872,  and  practiced  law  for  a  number  of  years  and 
during  this  time  served  one  term  as  Prosecuting 
Attorney  and  several  terms  as  Circiut  Court  Com- 
missioner. Mr.  Rowland  Ijcgan  the  newspaper  luisi- 
ness  at  Paw  Paw  with  Mr.  A.  C.  Martin,  in 
1882.  lie  had  one-half  interest  in  it  and  .assumed 
exclusive  editorial  charge,  his  partner  being  the 
Imsiness  man.ager.  He  was  thus  connected  with 
the  Trxie  Norlherner,  as  their  sheet  w.as  called, 
for  six  j'ears,  when  he  sold  to  his  partner  and  pur- 
chased the  Decatur  Republican  in  1889,  and  has 
since  that  date  been  editor  and  i)ublisher  of  ilia  I 
sheet.  He  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Pe.ace  eight 
consecutive  years  and  is  at  present  the  President 
of  the  School  Board  on  which  he  has  served  for 
twelve  years.  He  is  one  of  the  number  who  have 
helped  to  bring  the  school  up  to  its  present  high 
standard.  In  the  summer  of  1890,  Mr.  Rowland 
was  special  .agent  of  the  Census  Biiieau,  having  to 
collect  stiitistics  of  mortage  indebtedness  in  the 
counties  of  Van  I'.iiren,  Hcrrii'ii,  Cass,  St.  .ItKseph. 
Kalamazoo  and  Ionia. 

To  our  subject  and  Ins  wife  have  been  boiii 
three  children:  Mary  I,.,  born  November  9,  1H(!I, 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Paw  Paw  High  School,  ;lie 
wife  of  lleiirv  I'"..  Shaefer  ;ind  I  he  mother  of  two 
cliililren;  Maiioii  ( ).,  born  Apiil  S.  I  S(i9,  is  .a  gl'.'id- 
liate  of  the  same  seliool,  is  iiiMiiieil  mikI  resides  :il 
Katoii  Kapids,  and  is  llie  lather  of  one  son;  Minn 
B.,  born  August  1 1,  1875,  died  November  7,   IM87, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


197 


of  diphtheria.  Mr.  Rowland  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
Abraham  I>incoIn  in  18G(),  and  has  never  voted  any 
other  ticket  snice.  He  and  his  wife  became  mem- 
bers of  the  Disciples  Ciiurcli  in  1885,  and  have  been 
valued  and  consistent  memljers  since,  and  lie  is  an 
IClder  in  the  same. 

The  Rowland  family  arc  of  Scotch  descent,  two 
brothers,  Thomas  and  Daniel,  having  come  to  Am- 
erica from  Scotland  in  the  latter  jiart  of  the  seven- 
teenth century.  They  settled  in  F^airfield  County, 
Conn.,  and  Thomas  had  a  son  Thomas,  who  in  turn 
named  his  son  Thomas,  born  in  Connecticut,  Sept- 
ember 22,  1721,  and  died  May  1.5,  1808.  His  wife 
was  born  December  25,  1721,  and  died  August  17, 
1798.  Their  son,  Ilezekiali  Rowland,  the  third, 
was  born  .January  9,  1759,  at  Reading,  Conn.,  and 
married  Grace  Wildman,  September  17,  1778. 
This  couple  were  the  great-grandparents  of  our 
subject.  Hezekiah  died  in  New  York,  April  29, 
1819,  and  his  wife  in  Ohio,  May  14,  1846.  Their 
son  Levi,  the  fourth  of  ten  children,was  the  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  a  native  of  New  York,  born 
November  12,  1788.  He  married  Phcebe  Townsend, 
a  native  of  New  York,  born  December  11,  1785. 
She  died  in  Ohio,  August  2%,  1832,  and  her  hus- 
band died  in  the  same  State,  December  13,  1874. 
Tliey  have  five  children,  the  fourth  of  whom,Eber, 
was  the  father  of  our  subject,  born  at  Southeast, 
N.  Y.,  October  7,  1816,  and  married  .June  10,  1838, 
to  Jerusha  Fowler  who  was  born  March  31,  1817, 
at  Cohocton,  N.  Y.  They  had  eight  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  is  the  oldest. 


— i- 


"^==va)' 


>^^<i 


(B>— 


ENRY  LITTLE.  At  the  advanced  age  of 
|1  ninety-three  years,  this  venerable  gentle- 
^  man  and  esteemed  citizen  of  Kalamazoo 
^  passed  away  at  his  home.  No.  435  Lovell 
Street,  May  25,  1890.  With  more  than  an  ordinary 
endowment  of  vital  energies,  his  i)hysical  and 
mental  powers  alike  were  retained  in  a  remarkable 
degree  until  the  very  day  of  his  death. 

Born  at  Cambridge,  N.  Y.,  April  29,  1797,  Mr. 
Little  was  the  son  of  William  and  Phiebc  (Mar- 
chaut)  Little.     He  was  only  six  years  old  when  he 


was  bereaved  by  the  death  of  his  mother,  after 
which  the  family  was  broken  up  and  became  scat- 
tered. In  his  boyiiood  lie  was  engaged  as  a  farm 
laborer,  but  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  appren- 
ticed to  learn  the  trade  of  a  millwright,  maciiinist 
and  master  meclianic,  commencing  in  business 
in  1815,  at  St.  .Johnsbury,  Vt.,  where  he  filled 
large  and  important  contracts  for  the  erection  of 
public  structures. 

In  1826,  Mr.  Little  was  engaged  in  constructing 
mills  upon  the  "Big  Dam"  at  Boston,  Mass.  Re- 
turning to  St.  Johnsbury  in  1827,  he  entered  the 
employ  of  Messrs.  E.  and  T.  Fairbanks,  then  con- 
ducting a  foundry,  iron-works  and  maciiine  shops 
upon  the  site  now  occupied  by  their  extensive  scale 
manufactory,  and  in  1830  superintended  for  them 
the  erection  of  a  mill  for  cleaning  and  preparing 
heinp  fibre  for  market.  An  imperative  necessity 
arising  for  some  improved  apparatus  for  weigliing 
hemp  as  brought  to  the  mill,  the  Fairbanks  broth- 
ers instituted  various  experiments  in  reference  to 
scales  upon  an  entirely  new  plan,  and  Mr.  Little 
materially  aided  them  in  originating,  planning  and 
bringing  to  a  successful  result  the  world-renowned, 
valuable  invention  known  as  "tiie  Fairbank's  plat- 
form scales." 

March  11,  1822,  Mr.  Little  was  married  to  Miss 
Ruth,  daughter  of  Abraham  Fuller,  a  patriot  sol- 
dier of  the  Revolution.  The  union  was  a  most  liai)py 
one  until  death  entered  the  home  and  removed  the 
devoted  wife,  February  8,  1888,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-seven.  The  removal  of  the  family  to  Mich- 
igan, took  place  October  3,  1831,  settlement  being 
made  first  at  Galesburg,  afterward  at  Comstock, 
and  still  later  on  at  Gull  Prairie.  In  March,  1838, 
Mr.  Little  removed  to  Grand  Rapids,  taking  up 
some  Government  land,  which  he  later  exchanged 
for  an  improved  farm  near  the  old  home  on  Gull 
Prairie. 

Between  the  years  1838  and  1840,  Mr.  Little  w.i.s 
engaged  as  a  millwright  in  the  construction  of 
fiouring  mills  at  Paw  Paw,  Yorkville  and  Kala- 
mazoo. Leaving  his  farm  at  Richland  in  charge 
of- his  two  younger  sons,  William  Henry  and  Al- 
bert, in  1863.  he  took  u|)  lii.s  [jcrmancnt  residence 
ill  Kalamazoo.  His  only  daughter,  Mrs.  William 
C.  Travis,  died  February  21, 1878,  aged  fifty  yeais. 


198 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


His  later  years  were  devoted  to  general  leading, 
and  tlie  writing  of  articles  for  publication,  in  which 
he  was  successful.  Three  sons  survive  him: 
Frank,  whose  sketch  is  [iresented  elsewhere  in  this 
volume;  William  llciir\  mikI  Albert. 

Henry  Little,  in  his  niDic  iirominent  characteris- 
tics, wasa  man  of  positive  convictions,  of  indomit- 
able energy,  perseverance  and  self-will;  orderly, 
painstaking,  frugal  and  industrious  in  all  his  hab- 
its; scrupulously  exact,  undcviatiiig,  upright  and 
reliable  in  business  affairs;  orthodox,  strong  and 
unswerving  in  his  religious  faith,  enjoying  as  a 
citizen,  neighbor  and  friend,  the  highest  esteem 
and  confidence  of  his  fcliow-meii. 


^^IIEU  A.  I'ALMLR  was  born  .lanuaiy  .}, 
1838,  in  Madison  County,  N,  Y.     He   is  at 

'^^■'  present  engaged  in  cultivating  a  portion  <if 
the  soil  on  section  !),  Porter  Township,  \'aii  Union 
County.  His  parents  were  Philander  and  Betsey 
(Barker)  Palmer,  the  father  a  native  of  .Icfferson 
County,  N.  Y..  and  the  mother  born  near  Birming- 
ham, Vt.  .Vfter  their  marriage  they  resided  near 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  until  1H45,  when  they  came  AVcst 
to  Michigan  and  located  at  Napoleon,  .lacksoii 
County.  There  the  father  improved  a  farm,  and 
became  a  very  prominent  citizen.  He  w;is  an  active 
l{e|)ublican  in  imlitic-  and  died  in  1.S7.'!.  His  good 
wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  better  Iniid  by  sev- 
eral years,  dying  in  1MI7. 

Tun  of  the  three  children  Imrn  In  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Philander  Palmer  are  living.  Oursiibjeet  received 
a  t;<M)d  education  in  the  common  .niid  select  schools 
of  the  Wolverine  Male,  and  remaiiie(l  at  home 
until  reaching  iiis  majority.  \\'heii  starling  out 
on  his  own  account,  he  became  a  butcher  and  was 
fairly  successful  in  his  underlakinj:.  "n  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War,  Mr.  rainier  enlisled  in 
Company  K.  Sevenleeiilh  Mieliif^an  Infantry,  and 
WH.s  chief  bugler  of  his  leginieiit.  With  his  com- 
pany he  wfw  Hcnt  to  Wa.thinglon,  I).  ('.,  ami  took 
part  in  the  following  eiigagemeiil>:  Soiilli  Moiiii- 
Inin,  Antietam.  Fredei  iekslnirg,  Newport,  Louis- 
ville, l\\.,  :iiiil  iiai'dstown,   s.aine    Male,    win  re    he 


was  taken  sick  and  lay  in  the  hospital  for  a  short 
time.  He  was  then  sent  to  Louisville  on  detached 
service  and  later,  joining  his  regiment  at  Knox- 
ville,  Tenn.,  returned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
and  participated  in  all  the  engagements  fr<im  the 
Wilderness  to  Petersburg.  He  w.as  made  INIail 
Agent  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Arm^- 
Corps,  and,  after  the  surrender  of  (ien.  R.  K.  Lee, 
was  sent  to  Washington,  D.  C,  under  (ien.  Wil- 
cox. iSIr.  Palmer  received  his  honorable  discharge 
June  15,  1865,  and  during  the  long  period  in 
which  he  saw  service  was  never  wounded  or  cap- 
tured. 

On  retuiiiing  home  after  the  cU)se  of  llie  war,  our 
subject  engiiged  in  farming  in  .lacksoii  County, 
and  in  the  fall  of  1871  removed  to  Kalamazoo  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery  and  provision  business  in 
company  with  Mr.  T^ot  Hewitt.  He  conlinue(l 
thus  employed  until  tiie  fall  of  1890,  in  the  mean- 
time building  u])  a  large  and  lucrative  business. 
On  account  of  ill  health,  he  w.as  advised  by  his 
physician  to  remove  to  a  farm  and  in  doing  so 
settled  upon  liis  present  tract  of  eighty  acres,  in 
December,  l.SDO.  He  carries  on  general  farming 
and  fruit-growing  and  has  a  finely-improved 
tract. 

In  October,  18(15,  our  subject  and  Miss  Clara  M., 
daughter  of  Lot  Hewitt,  were  united  in  marriage. 
Mr.  Hewitt,  wlio  was  the  former  jjartner  of  our 
subject,  died  in  1888,  Mrs.  I'almer  was  born  De- 
cember 10,  1815,  in  Columbia  Township,  .lackson 
Countv.  tliis  State,  wlierc  her  father  was  a  |)ioiieer. 
Siie  received  an  excellent  education  in  the  common 
and  select  selnHils  and  is  an  intelligent  and  relhied 
lady.  Onr  subject  and  his  wife  li;ive  an  adopted 
son,  Darwin,  who  is  aged  fourteen  years.  He  is 
being  given  a  good  education  and  at  the  present 
tiine  is  a  sludenl  in  the  High  Seliool  at  Lawton. 

He  of  whom  we  write  .and  his  good  wife  are 
members  of  tlii^  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  P.almer  was 
Trustee  for  nine  years  of  tlie  I''iisl  B.aptist  Chnrcli 
in  K.alama/.oo,  and  was  Ch.airman  of  the  House 
Commilleeof  the  .same  for  ji  like  period.  Delias 
been  a  eonlrilintor  to  llie  Kalamazoo  College  for 
Ihe  past  I  wenl\ -live  years  and  his  store  was  known 
as  the  "Students'  (iroeery,"  because  he  was  ahv.ays 
a    warm    friend   :inil    helpei-  of    the   students.     In 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


199 


politics,  Mr.  Palmer  is  a  true-blue  Republican  and 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  local  affairs,  and 
while  a  resident  of  Kalamazoo  was  elected  one  of 
the  first  Ald'jruien  of  the  city.  While  a  nieniher 
of  that  body,  he  orj^aiiized  tiie  police  force  and 
also  the  secret  service  department,  and  was  placed 
on  five  of  the  most  important  comnn'ttees,  of  which 
he  was  made  Chairman.  He  was  one  of  the  char- 
ter members  of  Orcutt  Post,  No.  79,  G.  A.  R., 
of  Kalamazoo,  but  refused  to  accept  anj'  official 
position  in  tiiat  body  other  than  to  act  as  Cliair- 
man  of  the  Council  of  Administration,  which  posi- 
tion he  holds  in  the  Lawton  IVtst  at  the  present 
time.  He  w.as  also  Chairman  of  the  Special  Relief 
Committee.  Tlie  M.asonic  order  claim  Mr.  Palmer 
.IS  one  of  their  warm  adherents.  He  occupied  ilie 
office  of  Trustee  in  the  Society  of  Chosen  Friends 
in  Kalamazoo. 


^ 


^ 


ADISON  II.  PLOPI'ER.  Tliis  gentleman 
is  canning  on  a  thriving  grocery  business 
in  Lawrence.  His  store  is  well  stocked 
with  staple  articles  and  all  the  table  deli- 
cacies in  their  se.ason.  He  also  has  a  full  line  of 
(|ueensware,  hardware,  etc.  Mr.  Ploppcr  was  born 
in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  October  20,  18t-2,  and 
is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Phebe  A.  (Palmer)  Plop- 
pcr. The  father  was  born  in  New  York,  of 
German  ancestry,  while  the  mother  was  a  native 
of  New  York  and  came  of  Yankee  stock. 

The  father  of  our  suliject  was  a  cooper  by  trade 
and  came  to  Michigan  with  his  family  when  Madi- 
son II.  was  three  years  of  age.  He  located  in  Mon- 
roe County,  and  there  made  his  home  until  1852, 
when  he  came  to  Paw  Paw  and  remained  during 
tiiat  winter.  The  following  year  he  came  to  Law- 
rence Township,  ^'an  Piuren  County, and  puieh.ased 
the  farm  upon  which  he  is  residing  at  the  pres- 
ent time. 

Madison  II.  Plo[)per  was  ten  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  located  in  Lawrence  Township.  His 
mother  died  a  few  j^ears  after  coming  here,  in 
1857,  and  he  remained  at  home  until  reaching  his 
majority.  In  February,  1864,  our  subject  enlisted 
in  Company  D,  Eight3'-ninth  New  York  Infantiy 


and  joined  his  regiment  at  Charlestown,  S.  C. 
They  were  soon  sent  to  Virginia,  where  Mr.  Plop- 
per  [larticipatcd  in  the  siege  of  Petersburg,  Cold 
Harbor  and  Kiclimond.  He  was  also  i)resent  at 
the  surrender  of  Gen.  !><'('  at  Apjwmattox.  There 
w.as  a  period  or  six  months  when  his  regiment  was 
under  fire  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  Our  sub- 
ject received  his  honorable  discharge  August  12, 
1865,  and  returning  U>  Lawrence  engaged  in  the 
peaceful  pursuit  of  farming. 

The  original  of  this  sketcli  purchased  fort3' 
acres  of  land  in  Decatur  Township  in  1868,  and, 
November  12  of  that  year,  was  married  to  Miss 
Lavinia  Stearns,  of  Lawrence.  Mrs.  Plopper  was 
born  ill  Green  County,  AVis.,  December  23,  1847, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  seven  children,  live  of  whom  are  living, 
viz:  Carrie,  Clayton,  Phebe  Ann,  Clifford  and  Win- 
nie. In  1876,  l\Ir.  Plopper  disposed  of  his  farm 
and  for  ten  years  drove  a  peddler's  wagon.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  time  he  .again  purch.ased  a 
farm,  whicli  ho  operated  three  years.  Having  re- 
ceived a  sunstroke  while  in  the  army,  he  was  unfit 
for  outdoor  work,  and,  selling  his  estate,  engaged 
in  his  present  business,  in  Lawrence. 

Our  subject  has  also  l)een  a  Republican  and  cast 
his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Grant,  in  1868.  He 
h.as  been  A'illage  Trustee  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  having  attended  the 
National  Encampment  at  Detroit  in  1891.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  with  which  he 
has  been  connected  for  thirty-five  years;  Mrs.  Plop- 
per is  also  a  memlier  of  that  body. 


■  >■    I*      »i*^^T*.^*^ 


IBERTY  H.  BAILEY,  who  is  an  old  set- 
tler of  Van  Buren  County,  having  come 
^  here  in  April,  1845,  occupies  a  high  place 
in  the  regard  of  his  fellow-citizens,  for  his  strict 
integrity  of  character  and  honorable  dealings  with 
his  fellow-men.  He  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
members  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  this  part  of 
the  State,  and  takes  great  pride  in  his  connection 
with  that  ancient  and  renowned  order.  His  great- 
grandfather, Richard  Bailej',  emigrated  from  Eng- 
land when  a  young  man,  and  settled  in  the  Massa- 


200 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


chusetts  Colony.  He  was  a  soldier  in  tlio  Revolu- 
tiouarv  War  Thescraiiflfather  of  our  siihject  was 
born  in  Ma-ssactiusetts  and  removefl  to  Wimlliani 
County.  Vt. 

The  father  of  our  suhjoct,  Dana  Bailey,  vvas  also 
born  in  Massacliusctt.s,  anil  removed  with  liis  par- 
ents to  Townshciid.  Windham  County.  \t..  where 
he  married  I'etse}-  Walker,  and  lived  during-  the 
remainder  of  his  life  in  the  house  in  which  his  wife 
was  born.  He  attained  the  age  of  upwards  of 
eighty  J'ears,  and  was  then  accidentally  killed  by 
fallinij:  from  a  wajjon.  The  maternal  ancestors  of 
oiu-  subject  were  also  Kn<rli^h.  Jesse  Walker,  his 
grandfather,  leaving  England  when  but  eleven 
years  old,  and  coming  to  America,  settled  in  Towns- 
hend,  Vi.  There  he  grew  to  inanhooil,  married, 
and  built  a  house,  which  still  stands  and  is  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  granddaughter,  a  sister  of  our  sub- 
ject. When  the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out, 
.lesse  Walker  was  one  of  the  liist  to  enlist,  and  he 
served  until  the  close,  being  at  the  Siege  of  York- 
town  and  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  When  a 
Inyy.  in  Kngland,  he  numt)ered  among  his  playmates 
Samuel  Marsh,  who  became  a  soldier  in  llic  British 
army.  After  the  Ijattleof  Hunker  Hill,  Mr.  IJailcy 
found  liis  former  companion  among  the  dead,  with 
his  musket  at  his  side,  on  which  his  name,  Samuel 
Marsh,  w.as  carved.  Mr.  Walker  took  this  musket 
and  carried  it  for  seven  3'ears,  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  it  is  nf)w  in  the  possession  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
over  eighty  yeai-s  of  age  when  she  died. 

The  parental  family  consisted  of  seven  children, 
of  whom  three  arc  still  living.  One  daughter  re- 
sides on  the  homestead  in  Vermont;  the  youngest 
son  is  living  in  .Minneapolis,  Minn.;  and  the  sub- 
ject of  this  skct<'li,  Liberty  II.  Hailey,  was  born  in 
Townsheiid.  \'l..  February  26,  1820.  His  .incestors 
were  all  tillers  of  the  soil  and  he  was  reared  to  the 
.•iame  occupation.  He  was  graduated  from  a  Kap- 
tist  College  in  his  native  town,  acrpiiring  a  good 
acadennc  (•ducatioii.  In  |H12  he  came  toMiehigaii 
ill  the  employ  of  the  \'crmoiit  Land  Company,  .•ind 
loeaterl  land  fof  said  company  in  vai'i<nis  i)arts  of 
the  Slate,  and  in  IK  |.'?  pmcliMseil  the  land  where  he 
now  renjiles.  lie  lived  in  Kal.-ima/.oo  until  April, 
IHir),  when  lie  enme  to  A'an  Hiiren  County,  and  for 


ten  years  resided  in  Arlington  Township.  In  18.55 
he  settled  on  the  west  half  of  section  11.  South 
Haven  Township,  it  being  the  land  he  had  |)ur- 
chased  in  1813,  at  which  time  there  were  ovei-  three 
hundred  inhabitants  on  the  place,  but  tliey  wei-e 
all  Indians,  engaged  in  making  maple  sugar,  luuit- 
ing  and  lisliiug.  His  land  now  lies  adjoining  the 
village  of  South  Haven,  is  all  cleared  and  well 
improved.  He  has  an  apple  orchard  of  thirty-live 
acres,  and  also  raises  peaches,  pears  and  other  fruits. 
He  has  a  number  of  cattle,  horses  and  hogs,  and 
everything  necessary  to  carrying  on  a  farm  in  lirst- 
eliiss  style. 

^Ir.  Bailey  has  been  twice  marriiMl,  hcing  iiiiiled 
in  184")  to  Sarah  Harrison,  daughter  of  Henjainin 
Harrison,  who  was  lirst  cousin  to  I'residcnl  Will- 
iam Henry  Harrison.  She  w.as  born  in  Cdluinluis, 
Ohio,  and  died  in  South  Haven.  December  !(!, 
1862,  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years.  By  this 
marriage,  three  sons  were  born,  namely:  Dana,wlH) 
died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years;  Marcus  resides  at 
Kvanston,  Jll.,  and  during  the  administration  of 
President  Cleveland  vvas  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
United  States  Custom  House,  at  Chic.igo.  He  is 
now  connected  with  the  electric  lighting  of  that 
city.  liberty  H.,  .Ir..  is  Professor  of  Horticulture 
in  Cornell  University,  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  and  in  rep- 
resinting  that  university  he  h.as  traveled  over 
nearly  all  of  Europe.  In  18i;;i  Mr.  Bailey  was 
married  to  his  present  wife,  who  w:is  Miss  Maria 
Bridges. 

Tn  polities,  Mr.  Bailey  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and 
has  frequently  held  local  ollices.  There  is  nothing, 
however,  in  which  Mr.  Bailey  t.akes  moi'c  pride 
than  in  his  counectiiui  with  the  Masonic  fraleiiiity. 
He  was  made  a  IMason  by  (Jen.  U.  I'".  Cliadwick 
Lodge,  N'o.  1  I'.l.  in  IH(!2,  and  is  one  of  the  chaiter 
members  of  Star  of  the  Lake  Lodge,  No.  I.")8,  ,\.  l'\ 
A-  A.  AL,  at  .South  Haven,  of  which  he  was  lirst 
Master,  and  has  held  the  ollicc  for  eight  years. 
He  is  a  cliMitei-  iiicmlier  of  Scuilh  llaxcii  ('ha|iler. 
No.  :)8,  K.  A.  i\I.,  of  which  he  was  the  first  High 
Priest  and  li.as  held  that  ollice  for  six  years,  a  cluii- 
ler  membiT  of  South  Haven  Council,  No.  .'18,  and 
Thrice  Illustrious  for  two  years.  He  is  a  member 
ipf  rinsiilar  Commandcry,  No.  8,  K.  T.,  at  Ival.'una- 
•/oo,aiid  lioldsa  Thirty-second  degree  in  the  Ancient 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


201 


and  Si'ottish  Rite  Masonry,  being  a  Charter  mem- 
l)ei'  of  the  Consistory  at  (Irand  Ka|iiils.  lie  also 
beUiiigs  to  the  riiiih  I'liesthood  of  Micliifiaii.  and 
to  the  Oriental  Order  of  the  Palm  and  Shell.  lie 
never  misses  attendiiii;'  the  meetinus  of  <'ithei'  of 
these  hranehes  of  Masoni-y  wlien  it  is  possible  for 
him  to  lie  present.  Kailey  Lodge,  No.  287,  A.  F.  &' 
A.  M.,  at  Breedsville,  is  named  in  his  honor,  and 
on  November  l.'J,  IHT;"),  that  lodge  presented  him 
with  a  Solid  silv(M--headed  cane.  ! 

Mr.  Bailey  is  liberal  in  his  religions  views  and 
leads  an  honest,  npright  life,  being  a  man  whose 
word  is  as  good  as  his  bond.  lie  has  a  pleasant 
home  and  a  good  library,  his  books  consisting 
largely  of  Masonic  literaturi'. 


■vf^LDER  JOHN  H.  REESK.  The  life  of  a 
1^  •  minister  of  the  Gospel  is  always  a  checkered 
JV^Z^'  experience,  in  which  the  shadows  often  })re- 
dominate,  and  in  which,  perha|is  more  than  in  anj' 
other  calling,  a  brave  heart,  a  firm  will  and  con- 
tinued perseverance  are  necessary  to  accomplish  the 
end  in  view.  The  constant  strain  on  the  nerves 
and.  Ijrain  of  a  conscientious  pastor  breaks  down 
many  a  man  who  otherwise  would  have  lived  to  a 
strong  and  hearty  old  age.  It  is  not  wonderful, 
therefore,  that  after  thirty-two  years'  service  in 
the  Master's  cause,  Mr.  Reese  should  feel  the  ne- 
eessit\'  of  taking  a  much  needed  rest  and  retiring 
from  active  work  in  his  beloved  calling. 

Mr.  Reese,  who  resides  in  Bangor,  was  born  in 
Glenn,  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  January  9, 
1829.  His  parents,  Martin  and  Elannah  (Rulifson) 
Reese,  were  natives  also  of  New  York,  the  former 
born  in  1803,  and  the  latter  in  1809.  Their  family 
consisted  of  fourteen  children,  all,  except  one, 
reaching  mature  years,  as  follows:  Martha,  John  IL, 
Cynthia,  Jane  E.,  James  IL,  Juliet,  David  A., 
Charlotte,  Daniel  H., George  W.;  Reuben  W.,  who  Is 
editor  at  Kearney,  Neb.;  Margaret,  wife  of  Perry 
Madison,  who  resides  in  Chicago,  and  Chauncey  B., 
who  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war.  Charles  S.,  who 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Twelfth  ISIichigan  Regiment, 
was  taken  prisoner  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  died 
in  the  rebel  prison  at    Macon,  Ga.  Daniel  IL,  who  is 


now  emi)loyed  in  the  Custom  House  at  New  Orlean,<i. 
w.as  also  a  sohlier  of  the  laic  war,  cnlisliiig  in  lh<- 
Sixth  Michigan  Regiment,  and,  at  the  close  of  Ihc 
war,  was  a  Lieutenant  of  a  colored  regiment. 
Since  taking  up  his  residence  in  Lousiana,  he  lias 
served  one  term  ill  the    Legislature  of    that    State. 

Martin  Reese,  the  father  of  this  large  family,  was 
a  S(m  (jf  .lohn  and  Margaret  (Pettingill)  Reese. 
.John  Reese  was  a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Anna  (Cline) 
Reese,  who  were  residents  of  llie  Mohawk  Valley, 
and  on  both  sides  of  the  family  they  were  descend- 
ants of  natives  of  Holland.  Tliey  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children,  as  follows:  Marks,  .lohn,  Samuel, 
Martin,  Adam,'  Nicholas,  William,  .lacoli,  Henry, 
Christina,  Ellen,  Catherine  and  Elizabeth,  Tlie 
mother  of  our  subject  w.as  a  daughter  of  Harmon 
and  Margaret  (Forncrook)  Rulifson,  who  were 
residents  of  the  Mohawk  A'allcy,  The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Abraham  and  Catherine  (Sours) 
Rulifson,  the  former  a  son  of  Henry  and  Peggy 
(Van  Horn)   Rulifson, 

Our  subject  grew  to  mature  years  in  New  York, 
where  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  came  to  Berrien  County,  Mich,,  on  Octolier  G, 
18.50,  where  he  followed  teaching  and  farming  un- 
til 1859,  when  he  began  preaching  in  the  Disciples 
Church,  which  he  continued  until  1867,  when  he 
entered  Bethanj'  College,  at  West  \'irginia,  being 
a  student  there  for  four  years.  In  187 1,  he  re- 
turned to  Cass  County,  Mich.,  having  graduated 
from  the  college  in  Jnne  of  that  j'car,  and  h.as  been 
engaged  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  ever  since. 
He  was  married  in  1852  to  Harriet  A.  Fenton,  and 
to  them  was  born  one  son:  Boyd  E,,  now  a  resident 
of  Jasper  County,  Mo.  Mrs.  Reese  died,  in  1857, 
and  our  subject  was  afterward  married  to  Miss 
Polly  Goss,  a  native  of  Edinburg,  Ohio. 

In  1876,  Mr.  Reese  took  up  his  residence  in 
Bangor.  At  that  time  there  was  no  organization 
of  the  Disciples  Church  in  the  village,  but,  by  i>er- 
sistent  efforts,  Mr.  Reese  has  succeeded  in  building 
up  a  live  and  prosperous. church.  He  has  devoted 
fourteen  years  of  his  life  to  this  work,  and  has  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  a  great  measure  of  success 
attend  his  efforts.  The  best  of  his  life  has  been 
given  to  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel  and  the 
advancement  of  all  measures  of  reform.     He  has 


202 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


labored  earnestly  in  the  cause  of  temperance,  believ- 
ing prohibition  to  be  the  only  correct  solution  of 
the  great  question  of  the  Uquov  traffic.  Beside  his 
mony  other  duties,  he  has  found  time  to  prepare  a 
chart  of'univei-sal  Church  History  which  is  a  re- 
markable work,  and  reflects  great  credit  on  the 
autiior. 

Mr.  Reese  has  Ijorne  a  prominent  part  in  the 
history  of  this  county,  and  will  ever  be  held  in 
gi-ateful  remembrance  for  his  untiring  work  in  its 
interests,  and  for  the  examiile  of  an  earnest 
Christian  life. 


APT.  GEORGE  N.  DITCHER.  Among 
the  iiroiiiinent  citizens  of  Allegan  County, 
none  are  more  favorably  known  than  the 
gentleman  whose  name  we  have  just  given,  and 
who  resides  in  Douglas.  He  is  the  son  of  William 
F.  and  Lucmda  (Deitricli)  Dulcher,  and  was  born 
in  Pike  County,  Pa.,  October  28,  1834.  lie  was 
given  a  good  education,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Porl.<inoiitli,  \a. 
While  there  lie  learned  the  tiade  of  macliiiiist  and 
engineer  in  tlie  United  States  Navy  Yard,  serving 
an  apprenticesliip  of  nearly  live  years. 

In  1852  the  parents  of  our  subject  came  West  as 
far  as  Chicago.  III.,  and  two  years  later  came  to 
Douglas,  Allegan  County,  where  the  father  was  on- 
gaged  largely  in  the  lumber  business,  ficorge 
went  to  work  on  the  Chicagfi  (V  Rock  Island  Rail- 
road during  the  summers,  and  in  tlie  winter  as- 
sisted his  father  in  his  lumber  operations.  In  1862 
lie  entered  the  service  of  the  Fnion  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant in  C«jmpany  I,  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry. 
Briefly  staled,  his  war  record  is  as  follows: 

Knt<-ring  the  aiiny  as  First  Lieutciumt,  August 
H.  18<i2,  he  was  promoted  to  be  Cafitain.  .Ian nary 
13.  1863,  and  on  the  2d  of  .luly  wius  woiinili'il  in 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  lie  received  a  second 
injury  in  the  engagement  at  IJrandy  Station,  \'a., 
which  )iroved  so  serious  that  the  Claplain  received 
an  honorable  discharge,  November  2,  IK(;3.  Dur- 
ing a  portion  of  his  term  of  service, he  acted  as  As- 
slsUinl    Adjulnnl-Cieneral    to  I'.vw.    Kilpatri(0<,   to 


whose  division  he  belonged,  and  whose  brigade  it 
will  be  remembered  w.is  the  Hrstof  the  Union  forces 
to  enter  Gettysburg. 

Capt.  Dutcher  returned  home  in  1863,  shattered 
in  health  and  still  suffering  from  his  wounds.  Act- 
ing upon  the  advice  of  his  physician,  he  went  to 
the  seashore  to  rest  and  recuperate  his  wasted  en- 
ergies. There  he  met  the  ca|)tain  of  a  whaling 
vessel  bound  on  a  tliree-years'  cruise,  who  induced 
him  to  accompany  him  as  far  .as  the  Azores  Islands. 
Thinking  a  short  ocean  voy.age  would  do  him 
good,  as  he  could  return  on  an  incoming  vessel, 
Capt.  Dutcher  accepted  the  invitation  and  set  sail 
with  the  party.  The  result  was  he  concluded  tt) 
make  the  entire  voy.age.  Unfortunately  they  were 
ship-wrecked  oft  the  coast  of  ^Madagascar,  but  were 
rescued.  Later  Capt.  Dutcher  shipped  before  the 
mast  on  a  trading  vessel  bound  for  Australia.  His 
wanderings  thus  begun  lasted  for  three  years, 
during  which  time  he  traveled  around  tlic  globe, 
visiting  almost  every  foreign  country  of  any  ini- 
liortance. 

Our  subject  nt  lust  returned  to  San  Francisco  in 
I8()it,  |)oor  in  luirse,  but  abundaiilly  rich  in  re- 
stored physical  health.  On  arriving  in  Chicago, 
in  IS7(i,  he  at  once  engaged  as  superintendent  of 
the  machine  department  of  Crane  Bros.  ISlanufac- 
turing  Works,  with  whom  he  remained  im  four 
years,  when  lie  became  one  of  the  organizei-s  of  the 
linn  of  l'"ieldhoiise  &  Dutcher,  steam-Htters,  etc 

In  early  life  as  a  railroad  engineer  in  Chicago, 
Capt.  Dutcher  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  well- 
known  organization  of  The  Hrotheriiood  of  Lo- 
comotive Engineers,  which  order  was  instituted  in 
1854.  The  following  year  he  became  a  Mason  in 
the  Blue  Lodge  at  Otsego,  Mich.,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  Dutcher  Lodge,  No.  193,  at  Dtniglas, 
which  received  its  name  in  his  honor.  He  is  con- 
nected with  Washington  Chaiiter,  No.  13,  ]{.  A.M.; 
Silvain  Council,  No.  50,  H.  A-  S.  M.,  of  Chicago; 
Commandery  No.  lit,  K.  T.  ami  Oriental  Consis- 
tory S.  P.  R,  S.,  having  taken  the  thirty-second  <\c- 
gree.  He  is  ,'i  proiniiiciit  iiiemlier  of  the  (i  A.  R., 
being  iilciitilicd  with  \';ui  Arsdalc  I'osI,  No.  1  IH, 
and  of  the  Illinois  ( 'oiiim.aiidciy  i\I  ilil.'iiy  (  hilcr  of 
the  Loyal  League  of  the  Uiiitecl  Stritcs. 

November   II,  IMfil,   ('apt.    Dutclici-    \v:is    united 


5Cy^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


205 


in  iiini'riao;c  witli  Miss  Klizii,  daugliter  of  Erhv.ard 
Adams,  of  [.cxinglon,  Ohio,  wliere  Mrs.  Diitciier 
was  born.  ( )iir  subject  has  erected  one  of  the  finest 
ii'sid(ni('('s  in  Aih'fj;.'in  County,  vvliich  would  be  an 
oiiianient  to  any  city.  Tlie  good  judgment  winch 
Capt.  Dutcber  has  displayed  in  every  undertaking 
in  life  has  won  success,  and  we  arc  gratified  to  be 
able  to  present  to  our  readers  a  sketch  of  so  prom- 
inent and  enterprising  a  gentleman.  A  lirief  ac- 
count of  the  life  of  his  brother,  Thomas  Benton 
Dutclicr,  will  be  found  on  another  page  in  this 
volume. 


J***+; 


,****!- 


'^.^•^^•^^'^-^•{••i'F 


ON.  CHARLES  EDWARD  STUART.  This 
i^j  volume  would  be  incomplete  were  no  con- 
y^  siderablo  mention  to  be  made  of  the  life  of 
(^)  this  early  settler  of  Kalamazoo,  who  proved 
himself  to  be  an  enterprising  citizen,  able  lawyer, 
successful  politician,  broad  statesman  and  an  honest 
man.  It  is  therefore  with  pleasure  that  we  in- 
vite the  attention  of  the  readers  to  his  portrait  on 
the  opposite  page,  and  the  following  record  of  his 
lineage  and  life. 

The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Stuart  were  of  Scotch  and 
English  origin,  and  members  of  the  Majiiew  family, 
who  emigrated  from  England,  setthng  in  Martha's 
Viifey.ard  in  1642.  Dr.  Charles  Stuart  mari'ied 
Miss  Catherine  Parsons  in  October,  1805,  and 
soon  afterward  removed  to  Columbia  County,  N. 
Y.,  where  their  second  soii,  Charles  Edward,  was 
born,  November  25,  1810.  Soon  after  the  close  of 
the  War  of  1812,  Dr.  Stuart  removed  to  AVaterloo, 
Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  practiced  liis  pro- 
fession, and  also  cultivated  a  farm. 

On  that  farm  Charles  E.  lixed  and  labored  from 
boyhood  to  man's  estate.  His  education  was 
limited,  consisting  of  a  mere  training  in  the 
simplest  rudiments  of  a  common  English  school- 
ing, and  gave  him  no  preparation  for  the 
important  positions  which  he  afterward  so  iiou- 
iirably  filled.  When  nineteen,  lie  commenced 
the  stud_y  of  law  with  Messrs.  Birdsall  it  Clark,  at 
Waterloo,  and  in  due  time  was  admitted  to  the 
practice  of  his  ]irofession  at  the  Bar  of  Seneca 
County. 
9 


Early  in  18.'55,  Mr.  Stuart  came  to  Michigan, 
arriving  in  Detroit,  and  afterward  visiting  (in 
search  of  a  location)  Dundee,  Tecumseh,  Ypsilanti, 
Ann  Arbor,  Jackson  and  Marshall.  Upon  coming 
to  Kalamazoo,  he  decided  to  make  it  his  home, 
and  at  once  formed  a  law  partnership  with  Gov. 
Epaplu-oditus  Ransom.  Returning  the  following 
autumn  to  Waterloo,  he  was  married  November  .3, 
1835,  to  Miss  Sophia  S.,  daughter  of  George  and 
Sophia  (Lee)  Parsons,  and,  with  his  young  bride, 
came  to  Kalamazoo.  The  golden  wedding  anni- 
versary of  this  happy  marriage  was  fittingly  cele- 
brated by  the  family  and  many  friends  in  Novem- 
ber, 1885. 

With  the  exception  of  one  session  of  .service  in 
the  Legislature,  Mr.  Stuart  devoted  his  attention 
exclusively  for  twelve  years  to  his  profession.  In 
1847,  and  again  in  1850,  he  was  elected  by  his 
district  to  Congress,  and  in  the  winter  of  1852-53 
was  elected  United  States  Senator,  serving  six 
years.  In  1860,  he  was  delegate-at-large  to  the 
National  Democratic  Convention,  which  met  at 
Charleston,  S.  C,  and  adjourned  to  Baltimore,  Md., 
with  its  work  unfinished.  Two  years  later  he  was 
commissioned  by  Gov.  Blair  to  raise  and  equip  the 
Thirteenth  Regiment  of  Infantry,  which  was  noted 
for  gallantry  on  tlie  field  of  battle. 

In  1866  and  1868,  Mr.  Stuart  served  as  delegate 
to  the  conventions  at  Philadelphia  and  New  York. 
About  that  time  inflammatory  rheumatism,  which 
resulted  in  heart  disease,  compelled  his  gradual 
witiidrawal  from  participation  in  public  affairs. 
His  last  case  in  the  courts  was  tried  in  1873.  In 
spite  of  the  suffering  of  the  last  fifteen  3-ears  of 
his  life,  he  retained  full  po.ssession  of  his  mental 
faculties.  On  the  evening  of  May  19,  1887,  just 
after  he  had  dictated  a  business  and  friendly  letter, 
which  closed  with  "Love  to  all,"  he  p.ossed  away 
without  a  struggle,  in  the  seventy-seven tli  year  of 
his  life. 

The  loss  of  this  distinguished  citizen  was  pro- 
foundly mourned  by  the  people  of  Kalamazoo, 
and. man}'  memorial  resolutions  were  passed  by  the 
organizations  with  which  he  was  identified.  At 
the  opening  of  the  Supreme  Court,  in  Lansing, 
June  21,  1887, 'the  Hon.  Charles  S.  M.ay,  in  behalf 
of  the  Bai'  of  Kalamazoo  County,  presented  resolu- 


■jm: 


PORTKAir  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   KECORD. 


limis.  wliich  were  atlopti'il  \<y  tlitit  luxly.  riinl  after- 
waril  sproad  uptm  tlio  .Ttmnial  of  llic  Court. 
•lustice  Slicrwooil  and  Chief  .Justice  Cauipboll 
responded,  and  paid  glowing  tribiite;^  to  the 
life  and  eharai-lei-  of  the  deceased,  whose  great 
t|unlilies  as  a  jury  lawyer,  eloipienee  as  .-m  advo- 
cate, and  profcmml  knowledge  of  legal  princiiiles, 
drew  around  him  a  large  circle  of  ardent  admirers. 

A  lirni  In-lievcr  in  the  fundamental  truths  of 
revealed  religion.  Mr.  Stuart  cared  little  for  tlie 
various  dogmatic  interpi-etalions  of  those  truths. 
He  cherished  a  dcej)  reverence  for  real  religion, 
and  its  consistent  exemplillcation  in  life,  and  was 
never  hcjird  to  ridiode.  in  the  least,  the  religious 
sentiments  of  others,  however  eccentric  or  ciudc. 
Those  who  knew  him  hut  little,  deemed  liini  cold, 
hut  his  early  comrades  knew  liim  affectionately  as 
"Charley  Stuart,"  and  e\-cr  held  him  in  fund 
friendship. 

To  speak  fittingl\'  of  his  domestic  relations 
would  necessitate  the  withdrawal  of  that  veil  be- 
hind which  sit*;  the  s<u'rowing  wife  of  his  youth 
and  their  surviving  children,  liut  before  that 
curt.ain,  with  heads  bowed  in  respectful  and  sor- 
rowful memory,  stand  his  old  frieiuls  and  neigh- 
hoi-s  in  Kalamazoo,  .and  the  pcoiile  of  the  State  he 
loved  and  served  and  honorcil. 


-=]. 


I^H^I 


B_ 


"=] 


YLVAMS  M.  VAN  DISKN,  a  prominent 
<^^«  citizen  of  Allegan,  where  he  is  living  in 
lft>/_Jj)  relircinent  in  an  attractive  hdini'.  has  been 
connected  with  the  agricultural  interests 
r»f  Allegan  County  for  many  years,  as  the  propri 
eior  of  a  choice  farm  in  Watson  Township,  and  he 
hits  also  been  actively  identified  with  its  public 
life  JLS  a  member  of  the  County  Hoard  of  Super- 
visoiti  for  some  years,  and  in  \.'irious  other 
responsible  positions.  lie  was  born  in  the  'I'owii- 
ship  of  .Mentz,  in  the  County  of  Cayuga,  N.  Y., 
in  April.  IMl."i,  and  is  a  son  of  Richard  and 
l'.el.sy  (Dutchcr)  \':ui  Dusen,  who  were  n.atives  of 
Dutchess  County,  N.Y.  His  father,  who  was  a 
millwright  and  a  f.'irmcr  of  Dut<:hess  County, 
subsi'ipu'ntly  lenioviMl  to  Cayuga  County,  where 
li(f  cjirried  on  a  goo<l  farming    business  for   many 


years,  lie  »:i>  de^eended  from  one  of  the  old 
Dutch  families  of  New  ^diK.  The  iii:ilern;il 
gr.aiidfatherof  our  subject  was  Christ oplier  I  )uleher, 
of  Dutchess  County,  lie  was  a  large  land-holder. 
i)rtning  besides  a  Hour  mill  and  a  mill  for  cutting 
stone,  and  was  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of  that 
county.  The  father  of  omsulijeet  lived  in  New  York 
until  IS;"),'?,  when  lur:inieto  Michigan,  and  event- 
ually ilied  ill  this  county,  in  the  township  ot 
Whaling,  at  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-seven 
years.  His  wife's  death  had  t>ccnrred  many  years 
iiefore,  in  the  year  1810.  while  she  was  yet  a 
young  woman.  He  w.as  a  man  of  a  religious  turn 
of  mind,  and  of  strong  nioi:il  character.  In  pol- 
itics, he  was  a  Whig,  .■nul  latei-  a  l!epnbli<'aii  to 
the  day  of  his  death,  lie  was  the  father  of  eiglil 
children,  of  whom  oiir  subject  and  his  brothel- 
Silas,  of  Ypsilanti,  are  the  sole  survivors.  The 
latter,  who  is  eighty-four  years  old,  is  living  re- 
tired from  active  business. 

He  of  whom  this  is  a  life-record  w.as  well  edu- 
cated at  Le  Uoy,  (ienesee  County.  N.  ^■..  and 
began  liis  career  in  life  as  a  teacher  in  tlie  same 
distii<'l  where  he  had  attended  school,  lie  .•iftei- 
wards  served  seven  years  to  master  the  detiiils  of 
the  tanner  and  currier's  trade  at  Le  Roy.  lie 
engaged  in  that  line  for  some  years  in  that  town. 
and  then  took  iqi  his  residence  in  Rochester, 
where  he  obtained  a  situation  as  .assistant  book- 
keeper in  a  leather  house.  In  18;{7.  liis  employers 
sent  him  to  Michigan  to  sell  boots  and  shoes  and 
woolen  goods,  ;ind  he  went  from  here  to  Chicago, 
where  he  purcliased  hides  to  ship  to  Rwliester. 
Wishing  to  see  nioic  of  the  West-,  he  left  Chicago, 
and,  going  to  Iowa,  joined  a  surveying  party. 
He  w.as  obliged  to  ab:iii(lon  it.  however,  as  he  be- 
came sick,  and,  returning  to  the  Mississippi  Ri\('r. 
he  boarded  a  boat,  which  eonyeyecl  him  down  that 
stream  and  iipIlie()liio  to  Cineinnal  i.  lie  found 
employment  in  thai  city  in  splitting  leather,  and 
remained  there  at  that  oecnp;ilion  three  years. 
At  the  end  of  Hint  limr  he  went  out  into  the 
connlry,  put  down  vats  and  iniilt  a  tannery,  and 
|)iit  it  into  running  onler  before  he  returned  to 
CiiK'innati.  where  he  worked  :it  his  tiacle  live 
years  longer. 

Our   subject   was  then     m.'iiried    to    Miss    Mary 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


207 


Bryant,  and  he  and  his  bride  went  to  RurlingUm, 
Iowa,  to  live.  Ho  opened  a  store  in  that  fit}'  for 
the  sale  of  leatlier  goods — hoots  and  shoes — 
whicii  lie  managed  three  years.  His  next  venture 
took  him  to  Madison,  Ind.,  where  he  was  given 
ch.arge  of  the  currying  department  of  a  tannery, 
and  he  held  that  position  the  ensuing  eight  years. 
C'oming  then  to  Michigan,  he  purchased  land  in 
Watson  Township,  and  gave  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing at  that  point  for  some  years.  He  at  length 
retired  from  business  entirely,  and  has  since  been 
a  resident  of  Allegan,  where  he  has  a  beautiful 
home,  complete  in  its  furnishings  and  n|)point- 
ments,  and  charmingly  located  on  Seminary  Hill. 
He  still  retains  his  farm,  which  at  one  time  con- 
tained two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  but 
has  been  reduced  somewhat  in  size  by  the  sale  of 
a  part  of  it.  It  is  highly  cultivated,  and  finely 
improved  with  sulistantial  buildings,  and  a  large 
barn,  eighty  feet  in  length.  When  he  was  ac- 
tively engaged  in  its  management,  he  had  the  farm 
well  stocked  with  fine  graded  cattle,  of  which  he 
made  a  specialty. 

Our  subject's  first  wife  died,  and  he  was  subse- 
quently married  to  iMiss  L^'dia  A.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Ellizabeth  (Archei-)  GritHu,  who  were 
natives  respectively  of  P^ngland  and  New  York. 
They  were  married  in  the  Empire  State,  and  Mr. 
Grillin  carried  on  fanning  at  Cartright,  Delaware 
County,  until  his  death.  His  widow  was  after- 
wards married  to  .Tames  McClauglay,  with  whom 
she  came  to  Michigan  in  1!SG5.  The\-  settled  in 
Watson  Township,  where  Mrs.  McClaughrj'  died 
in  1884.  But  two  of  her  children  are  living,  Mrs. 
Van  Duson,  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Annie  Harder,  of 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.  The  mother  was  a  de- 
voted Methodist.  Mr.  Van  Dusen  has  three  chil- 
dren living  by  tiie  first  wife:  P^dward  S.  and  Will- 
iam, who  are  farmers  of  Watson  Township;  and 
Emma,  who  married  Micliael  Conway,  and  lias  two 
children,  Clarence  and  Mary  Rene.  William  mar- 
ried Miss  Nellie  Bennett,  and  has  one  son,  named 
Richard. 

A  man  of  clear,  well-balanced  intellect,  decided 
in  character,  of  wide  experience  and  exact  judg- 
ment in  business  matters,  Mr.  Van  Dusen  at  once 
took  his  place  among  the  leading  citizens  of  the 


county,  after  he  took  up  his  residence  here,  and 
his  counsel  and  assistance  iiave  often  been  souglit 
in  the  guidance  of  affairs  of  public  importance. 
P'or  a  period  of  five  years,  from  IHfJO  to  1865,  he 
repiesented  Watson  Township  on  the  Countj' 
Board  of  Supervisors.  lie  was  at  one  time  School 
Director,  and  was  active  in  securing  the  erection 
of  a  new  schooliiouse,  with  modeiii  appointments, 
in  his  district,  and  his  public  spirit  and  liberality 
have  been  manifested  by  the  material  help  that  he 
has  afforded  iu  the  building  of  churclies,  in  the 
construction  of  rf)ads,  and  in  his  cordial  encour- 
agement of  all  enterprises  to  sliniulate  liie  prog- 
ress of  township  or  county.  He  is  known  in  po- 
litical and  social  circles  as  a  Republican,  and  is 
likewise  an  Odd  Fellow. 


/  ♦^•{•^ 


/ 


'ill  AMES  M.  POTTS,  a  resident  of  AVayland 
Townshii),  Allegan  County',  is  one  of  the 
prosperous  citizens  of  that  township,  who 
has  acquired  an  enviable  reputation,  not 
only  for  his  business  qualifications  but  for  his 
many  excellencies  of  character.  He  has  always 
been  a  busy  man  and  in  whatever  he  has  engaged 
has  shown  energy  and  enterprise  and  is  well  de- 
serving of  the  success  with  which  he  has  met. 

Mr.  Potts  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ohio, 
.lunc  7,  1833.  His  parents,  James  H.  and  Sarah 
(Shej)herd)  Potts,  were  natives  respectively  of 
Miami  County,  Ohio,  and  Kentucky,  the  former 
dying  September  5,  18.52,  and  the  latter,  February 
26,  1870,  and  both  being  interred  in  Beulah 
Cemetery  in  La  Grange,  I  nd.  The  father  was  b3' 
trade  a  shoemaker.  The  parental  family  consisted 
of  nine  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the 
fourth  child  and  second  son.  He  was  able  to  ob- 
tain only  a  common-school  education  as  he  was 
obliged  at  an  early  age  to  begin  work. 

On  the  death  of  his  father  which  occurred  when 
our  subject  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  took 
charge  of  the  home  place  which  was  then  in  La 
Grange  County,  Ind.,  and  for  seven  years  assisted 
his  mother  in  her  many  cares.  F(n-  some  time  he 
was  engaged  in  working  at  the  blacksmith's  trade 


2U8 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


and  ali^o  in  llif  jewelry  liii.>iiit'.-.-..  Iiiit  after  the 
t'lvil  War  broke  out  lie  aliantloned  all  thoualit  of 
his  own  affairs  and  enlisted  in  Jlareli.  18CI,  in 
IJattery  A,  First  Heavy  Aitillerv,  of  Indiana,  be- 
ing ai«igned  to  the  Nineteenth  Corps  in  the  De- 
partment of  the  Gulf,  whioli  at  tlie  time  w.ns  under 
eommand  of  Gen.  IJanks.  They  took  part  in 
various  engagements  and  during  their  service  were 
in  a  number  of  the  Southern  States.  He  was  dis- 
eharged  at  Raton  Rouge,  La.,  in  .Tanuary,  18G6. 

I'lion  his  diseliarge  from  the  .army,  Mr.  Potts  re- 
turned to  Indiana,  but  in  March,  l.S(iG,  came  to 
Michigan,  locating  in  Salem  Township,  Allegan 
County,  where  he  liegan  farming  and  speculating 
in  wild  lanils.  He  aft<>rward  went  to  Ottawa 
County,  where  he  remained  for  fourteen  years  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  and  clearing  land,  also  buying 
•and  selling  wild  lands.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time,  he  returned  to  Allegan  County,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  produce, 
etc.  He  also  owns  a  place  of  fifty-three  acres,  on 
which  he  carries  on  farming  to  some  extent  and 
which  is  under  a  state  of  good  cultivation. 

Mr.  Potts  was  married  October  11,  18;j8,  at  Wol- 
cottville.  La  Grange  County,  Ind.,  to  ^liss  .lemima 
.M.  Stroman  of  lliat  place.  They  h.nve  become  the 
parents  of  six  children.  Those  living  are  Ida  G.. 
James  V.,  Dolly  and  Charles  S.  Mary  died  at  the 
age  of  one  m(jnth,  and  ICrnest  T.,  when  twenty 
yeai-s  old,  the  former  Ijeing  luu'led  in  Indiana  Miid 
the  latter  at  KImwnod  Cemetery  in  Wnyl.'iiid 
Township. 

-Mr.  Potts  has  i)een  an  extensive  traveler 
thi'ough  the  UniU'd  States  and  has  learned  much 
by  observation  of  the  people  and  customs  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  coinitry.  Since  early  manhood, 
his  reading  has  been  extensive  and  of  a  substantial 
order,  incliuling  the  travels  and  reseaiches  t)f  some 
of  the  most  eminent  m<'n  of  l)i>tli  hemispheres  and 
the  .study  of  the  theories  of  a  number  of  the 
sciences,  especially  clienii>try.  geology,  astronomy, 
phrenology  and  physiognniii\-.  .Many  Imurs 
have  been  spent  in  search  for  knowleilge  in 
llir»se  interesting  studies  when  thr  world  .■iround 
him  wna  wrapped  in  slumber.  'l"h esc  ri^ea relies,  to- 
gether with  his  extensive  tnivels  tlii'oiigli<iut  the 
Iiiited     States,    eloMC    «il)servatioii    and    excellent 


judgment.,  combine  to  make  him  a  man  of  wide  in- 
formation and  breadth  of  knowledge.  He  is  a 
liberal,  botii  in  religion  and  politics,  an<l  is  strictly 
moral  and  temperate.  Socially,  he  is  a  niember  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  tlic  Patrons 
of  Industry.  He  and  his  family  are  highly  es- 
teemed by  the  people  of  the  comniunity  in  which 
thev  reside. 


*^^1 


LH- 


\B\ 


i^^ 


LANSON  TANNER  is  a  general  f.armer 
and  stock-raiser  residing  on  -section  S.'i, 
I  :>  Dorr  Township,  .Mlegan  County.  His  fa- 
ll^ tlier,  James,  wasa  native  of  Massachusetts, 
where  he  was  reared,  and  chose  farming  as  his  life 
vocation.  He  was  married  to  Miss  .\nna  McConiiev, 
who  was  liorn  and  received  her  rearing  and  educa- 
tion in  Connecticut.  The  itaternal  grandfather 
came  to  Ohio  from  Massachusetts  in  1812,  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Geauga  County. 

Our  subject  received  his  rudimentary  education 
in  his  native  county.  His  father  dying  when  inn 
subject  w.as  but  (iftecn  years  old,  and  he  being 
the  oldest  of  the  family  of  seven  children,  the  sup- 
port of  the  family  devolved  u|H)n  him.  He  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  twenty-three  years 
old,  giving  his  time  to  the  care  of  the  family.  .\t 
that  age  he  wont  to  Illinois,  where  he  located  in 
.Mclleniy  County,  and  eng.aged  in  farming  for  oiu' 
year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  ho  came  to  Michi- 
gan, in  the  spring  of  185(1.  He  siient  four  years  in 
lIoi)kins  Township,  and  in  18()(),  came  to  Dorr 
Townshi[),  t.aking  up  the  [ilaco  on  which  he  now 
resides.  His  place  consists  of  sixty-six  .acres,  and 
he  has  pi-nlialily  cleareil  oiu'  hundred  mid  sixty 
acres  liimself.  lie  has  splendid  iiiiproveiiients  on 
his  land,  and  has  m;i<le  of  it  a  (ine  estate.  He  has 
also  dealt considcrnlily  in  land  in  tlir  coiinly,  buy- 
ing anil  selling. 

Mr.  Tanner  was  inaiiied.  .biiiiiary  "2.  li^.")!,  to 
Laura  Uiiilingame,  of  Muiison  Township,  (ieaiiga 
County,  Ohio.  They  have  li:i<l  lioin  to  them  six 
children,  live  of  whom  are  inanied:  .lames  II.. 
l-'rancis  L..  XIoIm  I.,  Ilariu;in  M..  Alice  I, .and  l'"lor- 
eiice.  who  died  when  eight  years  old.  iMr.  Tanner 
keeps  a    small    dairy  .and   also  has  a    number    of 


PORTRAIT  AND  r.IOGRAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


21  I 


flnc  Poland-China  hogs,  inakinj>:  a  s|ii;ci;illv  <>( 
tliis  1)100(1.  He  is  a  stanch  Rcpiiltlican  in  puli- 
lics,  ami  was  Con.slalilc  of  lioiikins  Township, 
while  residinjj;'  tliLMc.  He  is  |)arUunlaily  interested 
m  the  advancement  of  educational  canses,  and  lu^ 
and  liis  family  arc  held  in  high  respect  in  tlieconi- 
mnnit\'. 

^^KN.  KLISIIA  MIX,  Sni)ei'iuteudeiit  of  the 
jll  i;-^  Poor  of  Allegan  County.  .\  large  and  hou- 
^V^iJ^I  oi'ahle  number  of  men  of  Allegan  County 
have  a  record  of  services  to  their  country  during  the 
Civil  War,  of  which  llieircountry  feels  proud  and 
which,  it  is  not  ludikely ,  will  be  held  as  the  choicest 
heritage  by  their  descendants.  To  have  helped  to 
carry  the  flag  through  those  dai'U  days  is  an  honor 
and  will  ever  be  a  joy  to  those  who  were  so  happy 
as  to  be  al)le  to  respond  to  the  call  of  our  War  Presi- 
dent. The  subject  of  our  sketch,  and  the  original 
of  the  iiortrait  on  the  o|i|)osite  i)age,  is  one  of  these 
men. 

( )ur  subject  was  born  in  Watertown,  Litchlield 
County,  Conn.,  November  17,  1818.  lie  is  the  son 
of  James  and  Lucy  (Steel)  Mix,  natives  of  West 
Hartford,  Conn.  The  father  was  a  manufacturer 
and  merchant  in  the  above-nanuMl  city,  and  there 
lived  and  died.  The  parental  family  included  ten 
children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living:  our  sub- 
ject; .lames  C,  who  is  residing  in  New  York  City, 
being  a  niendier  of  the  New  York  I.,ifc  Insurance 
Company,  with  his  odice  in  Park  Row;  and  Maj. 
Frank  W.,  residing  at  Stamford,  Conn.  .Another 
son,  Capt.  Kdward  Jlix.a  member  of  the  Sixteenth 
Conneticut  Infantry,  was  knocked  overboard  liy  a 
boom  at  Pamlico  Sound  and  drowned.  .Tames  Mix, 
the  father,  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812. 

The  grandparents  of  oiu'  suljject  were  Elishaand 
Ik'tsey  (Webster)  Mix,  natives  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
where  the  gi'andfather  was  a  large  landowner  and 
where  they  spent  their  last  days.  He  was  a  Revo- 
Intionarv  soldier.  His  father,  the  great-grand- 
father of  our  subject,  as  was  also  the  great-great- 
j;randfather,  was  named  Klisha.Tlic  maternal  graud- 
l>arents  of  (ien.  Mix,  .\llyn  and.lohanua  (Cadwell) 
Steel,  natives  of   West    Hartford,  Conn.,    reared   a 


family  of  six  cliildren.  He  is  able  to  trace  his  an- 
cestry on  that  side  o<^  the  hou.se  liack  .several  gen- 
erations. The  father  and  mother  of  lii.s  gran<l- 
I)arents  were  Samuel  and  Martha  Steel;  his  parents, 
Johanna  and  Susannah  Webster;  his  |)arents,  Samuel 
and  Mercy  Bradford;  his  parents  John  and  Mercy 
Warner,  and  his  parents  John,  Sr.,  and  Rachel 
Nichols.  The  latter  came  from  Essex,  England, 
and  settled  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  H)31.  Later, 
with  the  Rev.  Thomas  IIf)ok(!r.  they  organizeil  the 
Hartford  Colony. 

Our  subject  was  given  a  good  education  in  the 
Hartford,  Conn.,  schools, and  after  being  gradu.ated 
from  the  grammar  department  commenced  clerk- 
ing in  a  wholesale  grocery  store.  Later  he  learned 
the  trades  but  did  not  ff)llow  them.  He  then  went 
to  New  York  City,  where  he  embarked  on  a  vessel 
sailing  between  New  York  and  Liverpool.  Then 
going  to  Tampa  Bay,  Fla.,  he  sailed  up  the 
Suawnee  River  to  Ft.  Fannin.  Then  abandoning 
the  .sea,  he  went  into  the  (Quartermaster's  Depart- 
ment for  one  and  one-half  years.  At  tiie  end  of 
that  time,  returning  to  Connecticut,  he  engaged  in 
making  fine  tools  used  in  the  manufacture  of  clocks, 
in  the  factory  of  P]li  Terry  Sr  Co.  He  was  thus  en- 
gaged for  two  years,  then  took  a  like  position  in 
the  Jerome  Manufactory  at  New  Haven,  remaining 
with  that  company  for  eight  year*.  Our  subject 
with  others  then  formed  the  .\ew  Haven  Clock  Co., 
successors  to  the  Jerome  Manufacturing  Company, 
and  are  still  engaged  in  making  clocks.  Mr.  Mix 
disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  Ijusinessin  1852,  but 
while  a  member  of  the  company  formed  one  of  the 
Executive  Board. 

While  a  resident  of  New  Haven,  (ien.  IMix  studied 
civil  engineering  and  when  he  cauK^  to  Allegan 
County,  in  1852,  was  elected  County  .Surveyor.  He 
erected  the  lirstsawmill  in  ]\Ianlius  Township.which 
he  o|)erated  for  several  years.  He  chartered  other 
mills  to  assist  in  getting  out  the  lumber,  at  the 
same  time  being  engaged  in  surveying.  He  alsf) 
owned  .-i  farm  in  :\Ianlius  Township  which  he 
oi)erated  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War.  He 
then  gave  his  attention  to  drilling  companies  for 
the  service,  having  an  order  from  Gov.  Blair  to 
raise  a  company  for  the  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry. 
He  was  commissioned  Captain  of  his  company  Nov- 


212 


POETRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ember  1,  1862  and  March  2,  following,  was  pro- 
moted to  he  Major.  Apiil  16.  18(54,  he  was  made 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  in  September,  1864, 
Colonel.  He  was  taken  prisoner  in  August,  1864, 
but  was  exchanged  on  the  27th  of  the  following 
month  and  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  September, 
1865. 

Prior  to  receiving  his  diseh.arge,  our  subject  w.is 
commissioned  Brevet  Brigadier-fJeneriil  of  the 
United  States,  whicli  honor  was  conferred  upon  him 
in  recognition  of  his  long  and  meritorious  service. 
In  1863-64  he  was  made  Superintendent  of  Mili- 
tary Roads,  with  headquarters  at  Big  Hill,  Kj-.  The 
roads  over  which  lie  had  supervision  extended  from 
Big  Hill  to  Cumberland  (iap  and  from  Big  Hill. 
Ky.,  to  Somerset.  Ky.,  via  Crab  Orchard.  (Icn. 
Mix  when  in  the  armv  was  a  prisoner  of  war  at 
^lacon,  Ga..  and  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  wliile  on  the 
Stoneman  raid  his  hat  was  shot  through  by  a  minie 
ball,  which  shock  has  affected  his  head  more  or  less 
since  that  time.  He  received  a  wound  while  on 
the  Chattahoochie  River,  in  Georgia,  which  has 
seriously  affected  his  health.  Gen.  Mix  partici- 
pated in  lifty-two  battles  during  the  late  war  .and 
%vell  deserves  all  the  honors  which  are  paid  him. 

t)n  returning  from  array  life.  Gen.  Mix  again 
located  in  Allegan  and  engaged  in  the  hardware 
bu.siness  for  two  years.  He  was  then  employed  by 
the  State  in  making  surveys  and  later  went  to 
W^-andotte,  .Mich.,  where  he  established  the  Agri- 
cultural and  .Stove  Works,  remaining  there  for 
eighteen  months.  Returning  to  Allegan, our  sub- 
ject built  the  car  works  of  this  place  and  subse- 
quently went  to  Connecticut,  where  he  followed 
his  trade  for  five  years.  He  later  went  to  Bridge- 
port,whe.-e  he  built  the  factory  for  the  Bridgeport 
Ijdck  Company,  and  where  he  continued  to  reside 
for  four  years.  In  1879  (Jen.  Mix  went  to  Clarion 
County,  I'a.  where  he  was  instrumental  in  the  up- 
building of  the  village  of  Arthur  and  where  he 
carried  on  an  extensive  lumber  trade.  At  Swiss 
M<funt,  KIk  County,  Pa.,  he  liacl  in  his  rinplny 
three  hundred  men.  being  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business.  In  1884  he  returned  to  Allegan  County 
and  lias  U'cn  a  resifhint  here  since  that  dale. 

Gen.  Mix  and  .Mis.s  AuK'lia  iMlmuiids  were  iiiiilcd 
in  marriage  in  1843.     Mrs.  Mix  was  a  unlive    of 


England  but  was  residing  in  Bristol,  Conn.,  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage.  They  have  been  granted  a 
family  of  two  children:  Rosena.  who  married  Har- 
ruld  AVeeks  and  who  h.as  one  daughter,  Alice  JI.; 
Elisha,  who  married  Fannie  Williams  and  has  be- 
come the  father  of  five  children:  Lora  A.,  Mosley, 
Ralph,  .Tames  and  Frank  E. 

Our  subject  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  Mason 
and  Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  and  in  church  matters  is 
connected  with  the  Congregational  Church  of  New 
Britton,  Conn.  Gen.  Mix  was  instrumental  in  hav- 
ing the  St.ate  road  constructed  from  Alleg.an  to 
Tr.averse  City,  in  1857,  a  distance  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty-five  miles.  It  was  one  hundred  and 
eight  miles  from  any  house  and  during  tliat  time 
his  force  mutinied  on  him  twice,  their  food  giving 
out  and  they  feeling  the  gna wings  of  hunger.  But 
Gen.  INIix  p.ieilied  them  and  thus  the  work  went  on 
smoothly.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  in  Al- 
legan County  and  we  are  pleased  to  be  able  to 
present  his  sketch  to  our  readers. 


AVID  O.  EVEREST.  This  gentleman  is 
at  the  head  of  the  firm  of  I).  O.  Everest  iV 
Co.,    of  Pine    (Jrove    Mills,    Pine    Grove 

Township.  Van  Huren  County,  engaged  in 
niiinufacturing  wood  mouldings,  windmills,  har- 
rows and  all  kinds  of  agricultural  implements.  INIr. 
Everest  was  born,  March  22,  182.'),  in  Montgomery 
County,  N.  Y.  His  father,  David  C.  Everest,  and 
his  mother,  -lane  (Frey)  Everest,  were  natives  of 
New  York,  who  resided  in  their  native  Sfjite  un- 
til 1856,  when  they  came  to  Pine  (irove  Township 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  The  fatln'i- 
was  a  lumlierinan  and  oi)eralcd  a  sawmill  in 
his  native  State.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  One  son,  Alfred 
('..  was  a  soldier  in  theCivil  Warand  served  under 
(irant  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Our  subject  received  a  coinmon-sehool  education 
in  his  youth  and  learned  llic  miilwriglil    :\n<]    v.iv- 
pcnler's  Inidf.      lie  lic^^.iii    lor    himself    wlieii    six 
teen  years  of  age,  and  was  master  workman   before 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


21:! 


he  was  twenty-one.     He  had  men  under  him  who 
had  had  thirty  years'  experience. 

Mr.  Everest  was  married,  Augii.sl  15,  1851,  to  Ke- 
liancc  Ann  Stronsj;,  a  native  of  Onondaj^a  County, 
N.  Y.,  born  in  1H2U.  By  tliis  union  they  liave  lic- 
eome  the  parents  of  six  children,  live  surviving: 
Frank,  who  married  Nettie  Dyer,  lives  in  Almena 
with  his  live  children;  .lane,  the  wife  of  Frank 
Plants,  resides  here  and  is  the  mother  of  six  chil- 
dren; Emma  married  liad  Gilbert  and  has  three 
children;  .John  married  (4ertie  Clark  and  they  have 
two  children;  Addie,  now  the  wife  of  Fred  Stark, 
lives  in  Nebraska  and  they  have  two  children. 
Our  subject  came  to  Michigan  in  May,  1852,  and 
settled  at  old  Pine  Grove.  He  rebuilt  a  sawmill 
there  and  operated  it  till  1803,  when  it  was  de- 
stroyed by  lire.  He  then  built  another  one  on 
Brandywine  Lake  and  ran  it  until  1871.  This 
was  also  swept  away  b\  lire  with  millions  of  feet 
of  lumber.  The  3'oung  man  was  not  to  be  dis- 
coiu'aged  and  he  set  about  to  erect  a  mill  at 
Pine  ( irove  Mills,  it  being  the  one  in  which  he  does 
his  manufacturing  at  the  present  time.  The  firm 
at  first  worked  under  the  title  of  liverest  &  Wise, 
but  is  now  Everest  &  Co.  "The  Advance"  spring 
tooth  harrow  and  also  the  spring  tooth  corn  culti- 
vator are  among  their  farming  implements  and  aie 
the  best  made.  The  best  material  is  used,  and  their 
goods  are  fully  guaranteed.  They  have  i)atronsall 
over  the  country  and  are  made  known  liy  their 
advertising  and  the  tasty  circulars  which  they  send 
from  |)lace  to  i)lace.  When  Mr.  Everest  first  came 
here,  this  vicinity  wa-<  all  in  woods  and  the  best 
house  was  a  shingle  shanty.  He  is  the  pioneer 
miller  of  this  place.  He  has  seen  the  country  pros- 
per and  tlouiish  and  has  taken  a  very  active  part 
in  its  u|il)uilding.  He  has  given  some  attention 
to  farming  and  now  has  between  three  liundred 
:ind  four  liundred  acres  of    laud,    nuistlv    cleared. 

Our  subject  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  poli- 
tics and  for  many  years  cast  his  vote  with  the  Re- 
publican ])nrty,  but  is  now  entirely  independent, 
l)r('ferriiig  the  man  to  the  party.  He  has  .served 
his  townshp  as  Treasurer,  .Supervisor  and  .Justice 
of  the  Peace.  He  was  Treasurer,  .Justice  of  the  Peace, 
Highway  Commissioner  and  School  Inspector  all 
at  once.      .\t  the  first  township  meeting  there  were 


but  thirteen  voters  and  they  were  iiiostlv  liis  own 
mill  hands.  Our  subject  helped  to  establish  the 
station  of  Pine  Grove  Jlills,  and  built  the  station 
free  of  cost  to  the  railroad  company  and  also  took 
11,000  in  stock.  Socially,  Mr.  Everest  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order  and  has  been  Master  of  the 
local  lodge,  and  was  an  Odd  Fellow  in  New  York 
State.  IMrs.  Iwerest  is  a  consistent  and  valued 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church;  her  husband  is  an 
attendant  and  supporter  of  the  .same  church. 

-1 4- =^m^. 


RULHTS  p.  CHADDOCKis  a  resident  of 
South  Haven,  where  ho  has  a  comfortable 
home.     He  owns  a  farm  near  the  village 
iQ^  and  devotes  a  great  deal  of    his  time  and 

attention  to  the  In-eeding  of  horses,  which  he  finds 
to  be  a  very  profitable  business.  His  birth  occurred 
April  1),  1838,  in  Clarence,  Erie  County,  N.  Y"".,  and 
is  the  son  of  William  and  Einaline  (Parkhurst) 
Chaddock.  There  were  five  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters included  in  the  parental  family,  all  of  whom 
were  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.  Nancy  became 
the  wife  of  Hudson  Cleveland  and  died  in  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  leaving  one  child;  William  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  the 
Michigan  University  and  died  at  Pewamo,  this 
State;  Daniel  E.  is  a  farmer  in  Van  Buren  County; 
Rachel  married  John  Baker  and  died  in  Barry 
County,  in  1891;  Austin  was  a  speculator  in  oil 
and  died  at  Lockport,  N.  Y.;  Charles  is  a  farmer  in 
Charlevoix  County,  Mich.;  Emeline  is  the  wife  of 
William  Titus  and  makes  her  home  in  Millerstown, 
Pa.     The  parents  died  at  Lockport,  N.  Y. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  at- 
tended the  district  schools  and  learned  the  trade 
of  a  carpenter.  In  1867  he  removed  to  Charlevoix 
County,  Mich.,  and  for  a  time  continued  to  work 
at  his  trade.  When  reaching  his  thirty-fifth  3-car 
he  concluded  that  manual  labor  was  a  slow  and 
hard  road  to  wealth.  He  thus  gave  up  carpenter- 
ing and  built  an  hotel  at  East  ,Tord.an,IMich., which 
he  continued  to  conduct  as  •■mine  host"  until  1883. 
when  he  sold  out  nu<l  came  to  South  Haven.  Here 
he  purchased  a  comfortable  home  in  the  vill:ige 
and  invested  in  a  farm  near  li\.     His  land  is  well 


214 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


cultivated  and  stocked  with  a  fine  grade  of  lioises. 

AriiliusP.  Chaddock  was  uiaiiied,  .Tuly  4,  1857, 
to  Sarah,  daiisrhtor  of  Amos  and  Betsey  (Roberts) 
Davis.  Mrs.  Cliaddook  was  born  in  Hamilton, 
Canada,  Jlay  14.  1842.  Her  parents  resided  in 
Ni.agara  County,  N.  Y.,  with  the  exception  of  the 
time  when  ilrs.  Chaddock  was  born  when  they 
were  living  temporarily  in  Canada.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  have  a  family  of  tlueecliildren:  Adel- 
phia,  who  w.is  born  September  13,  18.58,  is  the  wife 
of  R.  II.  Craig,  and  has  one  child — Essie;  Betsey 
died  at  the  age  of  five  years  in  New  York,  and  Rule, 
who  w.as  born  November  30,  1867,  married  .Stella 
Lewis  and  is  thefatherof  two  children:  Raltie  and 
Daisy. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  has  been  the  architect 
of  his  own  fortune  and  is  now  living  in  comfort- 
able circumstances  respected  liy  all  who  know  him. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Kepubliean. 


?   I   '  I   '     I  '    1 


ELDOROS  S.  .SIIEPARD,  Postmaster  at  ]\Ic- 
Donald,  and  a  prominent  merchant  of  the 
village,  is  classed  among  the  ambitious, 
wide-awake  young  men  of  this  section,  whose 
energy  and  business  talent  have  given  a  new  im- 
petus to  the  varied  interests  of  the  county  of  Yan- 
Buren.  Besides  attending  to  tlie  l)usiness  of  his 
otiice  and  his  store,  Mr.  Sliepard  is  actively  and 
profltalily  engaged  in  market  gardening. 

Our  sul)j('cl  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hocliester, 
N.  Y.,  in  I8.")l.the  eldest  in  the  family  of  three 
children  of  Martin  \V.  aii<l  Anna  ((Irillin)  Sliepard, 
who  werf  also  natives  of  Rocht'ster.  ( )ur  sui)jeet "s 
grandfather,  Series  Sliepard,  w.-is  i>rol)ably  born  in 
England,  as  were  al.so  the  grandparents  on  the 
mother's  siih'.  ( )ur  siilijecl  was  liroughl  to  ."Mich- 
igan when  a  cliilil.  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  near 
K:il:tiiia/.oo.  Ilu  reinaincd  there  until  IM(;i,  nnci 
then  went  t^i  South  llav<'li  to  live.  lie  resided 
there  but  a  short  lime  liefore  he  located  in  the 
village  of  Hangor.  where  lie  remained  until  1877. 
In  tlie  spring  of  1881.  he  opened  his  store  at  Mc- 
Donald, :inil  li.'Ls  licfii  engaged  here  as  a  iiieicliant 
ever  .since.  !!(■  Ii.os  met  with  niiiiked  siieee>'', 
building  up  an  extensive  trade,  noi  (.iil»  wiili    the 


residents  of  the  village  but  numl)ering  many  of  llie 
people  in  the  outlying  c(uinlry  among  his  steady 
customers.  His  establishment  is  orderly  and  well 
appointed,  and  he  carries  a  fine  class  of  goods. 
He  has  succeeded  because  he  paj's  close  attention 
to  his  business,  which  is  conducted  systematically 
and  on  a  p.aying  basis,  and  he  is  invariably  jirunipt 
and  courteous  iiuhis  dealings  with  all.  Having 
been  reared  principally  on  a  farm,  he  has  a  natural 
taste  for  agricultural  pursuits,  especially  for  horti- 
culture, and  does  quite  a  business  in  that  line  of 
farming.  Mr.  Shepard  is  a  devoted  adherent  of 
the  Republican  part_v,  although  he  is  l>y  no  means 
au  offensive  partisan,  as  is  shown  by  his  popularity 
as  Postmaster,  to  which  oHice  he  was  appointed  in 
1886. 

Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Addie  M.  Brown,  in  November,  1887,  and  they 
have  established  one  of  the  pleasantest  homes  in 
the  village  of  McDonald.  Their  family  circle  is 
completed  by  the  three  children  born  unto  them, 
whom  the}'  have  named  Floyd,  Lewis  and  Gilbert. 
]Mrs.  Shepard  is  a  native  of  this  part  of  Michigan, 
and  is  a  representative  of  one  of  its  oldest  i)ioneer 
families.  Her  father,  .lohu  D.  Brown,  is  said  to 
have  been  the  first  white  child  born  in  \'an  lUucn 
Countj',  his  parents  having  been  anujiig  its  very 
first  settlers. 


W  ESSE  A.  SHEHHOl).  Among  the  gentlemen 
prtmiinent  in  business  eireles  in  Bangor, 
there  is  perlnqis  iu>  one  more  worthy  of 
mention  than  the  gentleiiKiii  whose  name 
initiates  this  |)Mragr!ipli,  who  h;is  been  identilied 
with  every  worthy  enterprise  of  the  city  since  be- 
coming nciti/.en  of   llie  phiee. 

Our  subject  was  lioni  in  Krie  County.  I'a.,  <)c- 
toher  T),  lH.'!7,and  i>  one  of  nine  eliildren  of  his 
fal,lier's  family.  He  grew  to  mature  years  in  his 
native  place,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools,  being  also  taught  the  principles 
of  farming,  which  Ih'  e:inieil  on  while  in  renn>\  I- 
VMiiia.  Tliinkiiig  lo  lnilcr  lii,s  llnaiieial  eoinli- 
tion.  he  decidi'il  (o  cciiiic  111  N'.'iil  lluieii  ('oinil\', 
which  he  iImI  in  Ihe  wiiilei'  of    l,s(l:i.  nnd   engri^ed 


l^^C^^i-^<—0^^-y- 


^<y 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


217 


in  tilling  the  soil  until  1880,  at  which  time 
he  went  into  (lie  undertaking  business,  ami  is 
to-day  carrying  it  on.  Eight  years  previous,  in 
1871,  he  sold  liis  farm  and  embarked  in  tlie  gen- 
eral merchandise  business,  and  to-day  enjoys  a 
liheial  patronage  from  liis  many  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. 

Tlie  parents  of  Mr.  Slierrod  were  Daniel  and 
Hannah  (Cole)  Sherrod,  both  natives  of  the 
Empire  State.  Tlic  father  was  born  in  1800, 
and  was  a  son  of  Daniel  Sherrod,  who  was  a  parti- 
cipant in  the  War  of  1812.  The  mother  was  horn 
in  New  York,  and  died  in  1881.  The  father 
j)assed  away  in  1888.  The  family  are  descended 
from  good  old  fierman  stock,  their  native  tiirift 
and  intelligence  being  handed  down  through  many 
generations. 

This  gentleman  was  liai)pily  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Rosalie  Morris,  daughter  of  E.  S.  Morris, 
of  Crawford  County,  Pa.  The  ceremony  was  sol- 
emnized April  2,  1862,  at  tlie  home  of  the  Ijride. 
They  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children: 
A  son,  Burtis  M.,  who  was  born  March  28,  1865, 
and  to  whom  they  are  giving  the  best  educational 
advantages  and  training  within  their  power.  The 
daughter,  Ella  Adell,  died  when  nine  years  of  age. 
The  family  is  one  highly  respected  in  the  com- 
munity, and  are  members  of  the  Disciples  Church, 
in  which  they  are  valued  members.  Mr.  Sherrod, 
socially,  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  politically  is  a  Prohibitionist. 


W(UDGE   AVILLIAM    B.    WILLIAMS.       The 

gentleman  whose  portrait  accompanies  this 
personal  sketch  is  following  his  [irofession 
in  Allegan,  where  he  is  one  of  the  honored 

and    highly   esteemed    citizens.     He  was   born  in 

Pittsford,    Monroe    County,  N.  Y.,  July  28,1826. 

His  parents,  Erastus  and  Elizabeth  (Lumley)  Will- 

iams,were  natives  of  Stockbridge,  Mass., and  Wales, 

respectively. 

Erastus  Williams   followed  the  occujiation  of  a 

farmer  during  his    residence  in    Monroe    Cnuuiy. 

prior   to  whicli  he   had   been  a  manufacturer   of 


woolen  goods  in  Berkshire  County,  Mass.  He  spent 
liis  later  years  in  Monroe  Count}',  where  he  died 
in  187.'i.  He  was  an  old-liiK;  Whig  and  a  I^eacon 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church  nearly  all  his  life.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1827.  Tlie  grand- 
parents of  .Tudg('  AVilliams  were  Asa  and  Lucretia 
(Parks)  Williams,  natives  of  Connecticut,  who  re- 
moved to  Massachusetts  and  carried  on  farming  in 
Stockbridge  Townshii),  Berkshire  County,  where 
they  settled  in  1775  and  resided  until  their  death. 
They  had  five  children. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  a  family  of  four 
sons,  three  now  living:  Edwin,  a  retired  farmer 
of  Calhoun  County,  Mich.;  Asa,  a  conductor  on  the 
Chicago  &  West  Michigan  Railroad,  and  William  M. 
Cyrus  M.  is  deceased.  Judge  Williams  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  school  and  in  the  Pittsford 
High  School.  He  studied  law  at  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
at  Ballston  Spa,  and  in  the  State  and  National  Law 
School.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1851  and 
commenced  the  iiractice  of  law  in  Rochester,  where 
he  remained  until  185o.  He  then  went  to  Pitts- 
ford, where  he  jiracticed  until  January,  1855,  be- 
ing engaged  in  settling  his  father's  estate.  At 
that  time  he  came  to  this  city,  there  being  but  one 
firm  of  attorneys  in  the  place.  In  1856,  he  was 
elected  Judge  of  the  Probate  Court  and  was  re- 
elected in  1860,  holding  the  office  for  eight  years. 

When  the  first  shot  was  fired  at  Ft.  Sumter, 
which  was  the  opening  gun  of  the  AVar  of  the  Re- 
bellion, Judge  Williams,  with  others,  began  to  or- 
ganize and  raise  troops,  going  aix^und  the  country 
making  speeches  and  using  every  means  in  their 
power  to  aid  the  cause  of  the  Union.  He  not  only 
gave  his  advice  and  counsel,  but  illustrated  his 
patriotism  hy  his  example,  enlisting  on  the  Ith  of 
August,  1862,  in  the  Nineteenth  Michigan  Infan- 
try and  being  elected  First  Lieutenant  of  his  com- 
pany. Soon  afterward  he  raised  a  company  of  his 
own,  which  became  Companj'  I,  Fifth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  and  reported  at  Detroit,  with  himself  as 
Captain.  They  soon  made  their  waj'  to  the  front, 
where  he  took  an  active  part  until  April,  1863. 
He  then  returned  home  on  a  furlougii  of  fifteen 
days,  at  the  exiiiration  of  which  time  he  returned 
to  Ills  command,  and  later,  in  June,  on  account  of 
sickness    resigned.     His  company  had   been  very 


218 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


fortunate  during  their  term  of  service,  ouly  one  of 
tlieni  having  died  from  disease.  Several  were 
martyrs  to  tlie  terrible  prison  pens  at  Anderson- 
ville  and  Columliia.  thirteen  dying  in  those  i)laces. 
After  his  first  return  from  the  army,  Judge  Will- 
iams had  authority  from  Gov.  Blair  to  raise  the 
Twenty-eighth  Michigan  Infantry,  Init  owing  to 
his  illness  he  was  not  al)le  to  go  to  the  field  with 
them.  He  held  the  olfice  of  Judge  of  Probate  for 
two  terms,  after  which  he  declined  a  re-election. 

In  IKtM,  Judge  Williams  was  appointed  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Visiting  Board  for  the  Michigan  Uni- 
versity, holding  the  ofliec  two  terms,  of  two  years 
e:K-h.  In  I8()G,  he  was  elected  State  Senator  and  in 
1868  re-elected,  and  was  President,  pro  tern,  of  the 
Senate,  and  Chairman  of  tlie  Judiciary  Committee. 
He  declined  a  renomination  to  tlie  Senate  and  was 
elected  to  tlic  Constitutional  Convention  which 
mot  at  Lansing,  in  1867.  In  1868,  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Heiniblican  National  Convention  at 
Chicago  which  nominated  Gen.  (irant  for  the 
Presidency.  In  IHTl.hc  was  ai)poiiite(l  Attorney 
for  tlie  Chic.igo  \-  Canada  Southern  Railroad.  In 
1872,  hewjis  apixiinted  liy  (iov.  Balihviii  a  mcm- 
ber  of  tlic  Slate  Hoard  of  Charities,  in  eoiineclion 
witli  Judge  C.  I.  Walker,  of  Detroit,  and  the  Hon. 
Hpiirv  W.  I.K)rd,  of  rontiac.  C.  M.  Croswell,  who 
later  was  Gf)veriior  of  Michigan,  was  .Secretary  of 
the  Hoard.  Judge  Williams  held  this  |)Osition  un- 
til his  electifni  to  Congress,  in  I.S7;!,  to  fill  a  va- 
cancy caused  by  the  death  of  the  lion.  \Vildci'  1). 
Foster.  He  was  re-elected  to  that  honorable  jiosi- 
tion  in  1871.  but  declineil  to  become  , a  candidate 
in  lN7f).  On  retiring  frfini  Congress,  ]\Iarch  4, 
1K77.  .ludge  Williams  wjis  appointed  by  Gov.  Cros- 
well Railroad  Commissioner  of  Michigan,  holiliui; 
that  positir)n  three  terms,  when  he  reipicsted  to  be 
relieved  by  (Iov.  Hegole,  the  newly-elected  Denio- 
crnlic  Governor,  his  resignation  taking  effect  .lan- 
uary  l."),  lHK;t.  Since  the  latter  date  he  has  been 
n  {'ilizen  of  Allegan  and  li!i>  been  very  inllnential 
in  its  improvenu-nt.  In  addition  to  his  law  prac- 
tice, he  has  b(;eii  largely  interestcil  in  real  estate 
in  this  county. 

Judge  Williams  w.-if  m:irried.  in  September, 
1H.'.;I.  to  Mi-*>  .Marietta  Osborn.of  b'oclieslcr.  N.  V., 
n  daughter  of  Daniel  and  .Selura  (ilawks^  Osborn. 


Of  this  union  five  children  have  been  born:  ISIarion 
L.,  now  Mrs.  F.  R.  Rudd,  of  this  city;  William  H.. 
a  resident  of  Deadwood,  S.  Dak.:  Ella,  the  wife  of 
T.  S.  Updyke.  of  (^rand  Rapids;  Theodore  ().. 
County  Surveyor  of  Allegan  County,  and  Frank 
II.,  an  attorney-at-law.  who  is  associated  with  his 
father  in  business. 

In  politics,  Judge  Williams  is  a  Ihoroiigh  Kc|]iili- 
lican,  is  deeply  interested  in  all  political  issuers  of 
the  da}-,  and  ranks  among  the  inllnential  members 
of  his  (larty  in  the  State,  lie  is  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  With  his  family, 
he  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Ejiiscopal  Church, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Vestry  since  the 
organization  of  the  church,  in  1858,  being  the  only 
one  who  h.as  held  that  [wsilion  continuously,  lie 
is  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Akeley  Institute  at 
Cirand  Haven,  a  church  school  for  girls,  and  con- 
tributes of  his  means  toward  benevolent  measures. 


^^  LBERT   P.  TIIOM.VS,  who   is  the  leading 

/r  li     kiwyer    in    South    Ihiven,  located    in    that 

town  in  Ma\ ,  188.').    He  was  born  in  Lock- 

*j)J  port,  N.  Y.,  .\pril  20,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of 

Ziinii  D.  and  Mary  (Sanderson)  Thomas.  Zimri 
1).  Thomas  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  born  in 
180',).  When  (piite  young,  he  came  with  his  father 
tt)  Westei'i)  New  York,  lociting  near  Lockporl,  on 
the  Holland  Purchase.  When  he  grew  up,  betook 
a  contract  for  enlarging  the  Erie  Canal.  In  18  1  I, 
he  leniovcd  to  l>ulTalo  .•md  (-arried  on  a  hotel  in  llmt 
city  and  later  at  Ihunl>urg,  whei-e  he  ran  a  line  of 
stages  and  alsf>  was  I'ostin.'ister.  lie  came  to  iNlicli- 
ig.'iii  in  18."),'!  and  settled  in  Allen  Township,  Hills- 
dale Coiinlv.  on  a  farm  which  lie  operated  until 
186/).  when  he  n'lnoved  to  the  city  of  Hillsdale 
where  he  lias  since  resided.  He  is  acting  as  .lu.slire 
of  the  Peace,  and  has  :i  Ijirge  business,  lie  has 
lii'ld  this  olUce  continuously  lor  the  past  twenly- 
eighl  years.  He  is  an  active  Ki'piiblicMii  :iiid  held 
the  ollice  of  .Supervisor  of  .Mien  Township,  Hins- 
dale Couiily,  and  also  r<'preseiited  his  district  in 
(lie  I  .r^i-I,-il  lire,  his  elcrlioii  taking  pl:icc  in  ISIil. 
lb'  IS  a  Knight  Teiiipl.'U',  bavin;:  liren  a  pioiiiiiient 
member  of  the  .Ma.sonic  rraternily  for  many  year.s. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


219 


The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  New  York 
State  and  died  in  1877,  at  Hillsdale.  Her  liirth 
tf)()k  place  about  1811.  She  was  the  mother  of  five 
children,  who  all  attained  their  majority,  namely: 
William  W.,  a  farmer  in  Reading  Township,  Hills- 
dale County;  Adeline,  who  married  Kinmet  Will- 
inins  and  died  in  Hamburc:,  leaving  two  ciiildren: 
Arvid  S.,  a  farmer  of  Allen  Township;  Albert  P, 
and  Carrie,  wife  of  Frank  Hamlin,  also  residing  in 
Allen  Township. 

Tiie  subject  of  this  sketch,  while  in  his  native 
State,  attended  the  common  schools,  and  after 
coming  to  Michigan  entered  the  college  at  Hills- 
dale upon  its  opening,  alternately  attending  school 
and  teaching.  In  1861,  while  still  at  college,  he 
enlisted,  but  was  not  accepted.  In  1862,  he  again 
enlisted,  this  time  being  more  successful,  and  in 
October  of  that  year  was  mustered  into  service  as 
Lieutenant  of  Company  C,  First  Michigan  Sharp- 
shooters. The  company  went  into  camp  ai  Kala- 
mazoo, where,  m  the  spring  of  1863,  they  were 
sent  to  Ft.  Dearborn,  Detroit.  They  took  part  in  the 
chase  after  Morgan,  the  famous  raider,  afterward 
returning  to  Ft.  Dearborn,  and  then  came  to  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  where  they  ^were  employed  in 
guarding  prisoners  until  March,  1864.  They  were 
then  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  and  joined  the  Ninth 
Array  Corps  under  command  of  Gen.  Burnside, 
afterward  going  to  Warrington  Junction,  Va., where 
tiiey  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  partici- 
pated in  the  b.attle  of  the  Wilderness.  At  Spott- 
sylvania  Courthouse,  our  subject  received  a  gunshot 
wound  which  disabled  him  from  service  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1865.  He  then  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was 
made  Lieutenant  of  Company  I),  One  Hundred  and 
P'orty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  being  sent  to  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  where  his  regiment  liecame  a  part  of 
the  second  separate  division  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  While  in  Nashville,  Blr.  Thomas  was 
detailed  as  Aide-de-Canip  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  II.  M. 
.ludah,  which  position  he  held  until  the  General 
was  relieved  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  in  August,  1865, 
our  subject  having  been  promoted  in  the  meantime 
to  the  rank  of  Acting  Adjutnnt-General. 

When  ( ieii.  .Iu<lah  was  relieved,  (ien.  .biliii  \). 
Stephenson  ;issniiu'd  roinuiaud  and  tiur  subjccl  re- 
mained Acting  Adjutant-General.  After  the  head- 


quarters were  changed  to  Atlanta,  Mr.  Thomas 
reported  to  Gen.  Brannen,at  Savannah, Ga.,wlicre, 
in  December,  1865,  he  was  detailed  as  Judge  Advo- 
cates of  the  General  Court-Martial,  and  acted  in 
that  capacity  until  January  14,  1866,  when  he  was 
discharged  from  the  service  under  a  general  order. 
He  returned  to  Hillsdale  and  resumed  his  legal 
studies,  and  in  the  fall  of  1866  entered  the  Law 
Department  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1867.  He  located  at 
Hillsdale,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of 
1872,  when  he  went  to  Howard  City,  Montcalm 
County,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  was  elected 
Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  county,  serving  in 
that  position  for  four  years.  In  May,  1885,  he  re- 
moved to  South  Haven. 

Mr.  Thomas  was  married,  July  2,  1868,  at  Hills- 
dale, to  Louise  S.  Beckhardt,  daughter  of  David 
and  Adeline  Beckhardt.  She  was  born  in  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  in  1848.  They  are  the  parents  of  one 
daughter,  Helen.  In  politics,  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  Re- 
pnblian,  and  is  Vice-president  of  the  Enterprise 
Club.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Knights  Tem- 
plar, January  7,  1876,  being  knighted  in  the  De 
Molai  Commandery,  No.  5,  Grand  Rapids.  Mr. 
Thomas  relates  many  interesting  incidents  of  his 
war  experience,  and  among  others  tells  how  he  was 
given  an  order  for  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis,which 
was  carried  from  Gen.  Steadnian  to  Gen.  Wilson 
at  Macon,  going  alone  under  a  flag  of  truce  from 
Altoona.  He  reported  to  Gen.  Wilson,  and  the 
next  day  Jeff  Davis  was  captured,  and  our  subject 
returned  on  the  same  train  to  Atlanta. 


-=l^+^i 


^fjOEL  I).  MONROE,  who  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness at  Paw  Paw  as  a  pension,  real-estate 
and  collection  agent,  is  a  prominent  and 
well-known  tignre  in  political, Grand  Army 
and'  social  circles  in  Van  Raien  County  and  else- 
where. He  is  a  fine  representative  of  the  native- 
born  citizens  of  the  United  States,  who  so  nobly 
and  patriotically  s.acrificcd  the  opening  years  of 
their  manhood  in  liattling  for  the  Union  during 
the  Civil  War.  Our  subject  was  scarcely  more  than 
a  boy  when  he  volunteered  his  services  to  defend 


220 


PORTRAIT  A^D  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


the  Stai-s  and  Stripes,  but  earlj'  in  the  conflict  he 
won  a  high  repuu-itioii  for  coolness  and  unflinching 
courage,  for  promptiiess  and  fidelity  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties,  and  for  other  genuine  sol- 
dierly qualities  that  gained  hiuui  military  record 
of  which  he  and  his  may  well  be  proud. 

Mr.  Monroe  \v:U5  born  in  the  town  of  Sempronius, 
Ca\uga  County,  X.  Y.,  May  22, 1843,  a  son  of  Joel 
and  Eliza  (Atwood)  Monroe.  His  father, a  native 
of  .V-olland,  was  born  September  8,  1806.  He  was 
an  infant  in  arms  when  his  father,  Joel  Monroe, 
.Sr.,  settled  in  New  Hampshire.  When  he  was  ten 
yeai-s  of  age,  his  father  removed  to  .Shrewsbury, 
Mass., whence  he  went  to  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  to 
live  when  Joel,  Jr.,  was  eighteen  years  old.  It  was 
there,  in  the  town  of  Moravia,  that  the  younger 
Monroe  met  and  married  Eliza  Atwood.  She  was 
a  native  of  New  IJedford,  Mass.,  born  May  22, 
IHOH,  and  had  gone  from  her  birthplace  with  her 
parents  to  New  York.  The  parents  of  our  subject 
spent  their  early  married  life  in  Cayuga  County, 
but  when  he  was  ten  years  old  they  took  up  their 
residence  in  Huron  County,  Ohio,  where  the  father 
carried  (m  farming  for  many  years.  After  the  war, 
tiieir  son,  of  whom  we  write,  persuaded  them  to 
remove  to  a  farm  which  he  had  bought  in  Porter 
Township,  this  county.  This  was  not  the  father's 
lirsl  experience  of  life  in  Michigan.  He  had  form- 
erly lived  in  tliis  State  in  Teiritorial  days  as  a  i)io- 
neer  settler  in  Oakland  County,  entering  laud  near 
I'ontiac,  from  the  (iovernment.  He  located  there, 
and  for  some  four  years  wsus  engaged  at  his  trade 
as  a  shoemakii-.  lie  then  returned  to  New  York 
and  remained  there  until  his  removal  to  Ohio,  in 
1K,').3.  The  father  clo.sed  his  eyes  in  death,  in  1879, 
on  the  farm  in  Porter  Township. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Ohio,  and 
w.'is  eaily  set  to  woi'k  at  various  kinds  of  agricul- 
luial  l.'dtor  to  the  neglect  of  his  cdiicit  ion.  Mr 
WHS  a  thoughtful, studious  lad, and  in  liiiic  iiiimIc  up 
for  his  lack  of  .schooling.  At  the  age  of  fourteen, 
he  lH»gnn  U<  ptM'fect  himself  in  ))cnmniiship,  having 
a  u:ituial  lalcut  in  llial  direction, and  l)y  stiulying 
a  S|M'nceriaii  CoMi|ii'ndium  carefully, and  practicing 
at  every  opporlunily,  he  becimc  so  aceomplislicil 
ill  Ihi-art  thai  he  w.-is  pcrfccll\  coinpcleiit  U>  leach 
it,  uiid  ul  the  ugc  of  Hcvcnteen  conimcnced  to  con- 


duct night  schools  in  country  schoolhouses  for  the 
purpose  of  imparting  instruction  in  |)enmanship. 
lie  soon  acquired  local  fame  in  that  line,  and  suc- 
ceeded financially  beyond  his  highest  expectations. 
He  was  at  that  time  learning  the  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter in  the  summer,  and  he  took  lessons  in  symniel- 
rical  drawing  and  architecture.  By  teaching  pen- 
manship, he  obtained  money  to  liuy  a  scholarsiiip 
in  the  commercial  course  at  Olierlin  College,  luit 
did  not  attend,  as  the  war  broke  out. 

At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion,  our  subject 
threw  aside  pen  .and  books  and  eagerly  volunteered 
for  the  three-months'  service,  enlisting  M.iy  17, 
1861,  at  which  time  he  Lacked  five  days  of  licing 
eighteen  years  old.  The  (piota  l)eing  already  lilled, 
much  to  his  disai)pointment  he  w.as  obliged  lo 
wait  awhile  before  joining  the  army,  luit  he  re- 
enlisted,  in  July,  for  the  three-years'  term,  being 
assigned  to  Company  I,  Fifty-fifth  Ohio  lnfantr\, 
which  formed  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
lie  fought  gallantly'  with  his  regiment  in  many 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  and  in  the  battles  of 
Chancellorsville,  Fredericksburg,  Fairfax  Court 
House  and  (iettysburg.  The  connection  of  his 
regiment  with  the  Army  of  the  Potoniac  was  .sev- 
ered at  (lettysburg  by  the  consolidation  of  tlie 
l';ievcntl[  and  Twelflii  Cor|)s,  wliich  became  the 
Twentieth  Corps,  and  he  anil  his  conn-ades  were 
sent  tf>  the  assistance  of  Hosecrans  at  Chattaiux>ga. 
Here  the  brave  lioys  saw  nioi'e  hard  lighting, 
and  our  subject  liore  a  galhiiit  part  in  it  all  until 
.after  the  lintlie  of  Lookout  Mountain,  when  he 
w.as  placed  on  detached  service  as  clerk  at  iie.ad- 
quarters  of  transportation  at  Nashville,  a  post  for 
which  he  was  eminently  fitted,  and  he  retained  it 
until  the  expiiation  of  his  term  of  enlistment. 

Wlii'u  lie  was  discharged,  Mr.  IMonroe  returned 
to  Ohio,  ;nnl  after  staying  at  home  ;i  few  days  he 
|ii(icceiled  to  New  ^'ork  with  some  friends,  and 
thence  went  to  the  front  to  visit  the  One  llinidierj 
and  Kleventh  New  York  Infantry.  I'he  niaiti;il 
spirit  \v;is  still  strong  within  him.  iiotwithstandiiig 
his  previous  long  and  living  experience  of  the 
liMiMlsiiips  of  war,  .mimI  lie  le-enhslecl  as  a  inciiilicr 
111'  HiMl  re^iniciit,  in  ('oinpMiiv  ('.  .Iiiiie  I,  l.Sdj. 
:ilid  rioiii  Ihal  lime  um>  |in'>eii  I  m  I  evei\  eiicoiinlcr 
with    llic    iiiciiiv     iiiilil    I  )cciiiilier   '.),  when    he  was 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


221 


(lissihlerl  nl  rinfoliip's  Run  In' n  frnotiiro  of  liis  skull, 
ctiuscd  liy  ;i  lioiiJdii  (if  ;i  tree,  lli;il  li;i(l  liccii  hit,  liy 
:i  shell,  ftiiliiiif  (»ii  him.  He  \v;is  in  a  hospital  for 
liftcen  <l!ivs,  hut  oouhl  no  longor  stand  the  re- 
straints of  iiospital  life,  and  stole  away  without 
warning  or  leave,  to  join  his  regiment.  The  brave 
fellow  was  warmly  received  by  his  Cajilain  and 
('olouel,  who  fully  aiipi-eeiated  his  value  as  a  sol- 
dier and  were  glad  to  have  him  back  again.  He 
was  present  .at  the  surrender  of  Lee,  at  Apiiomattox, 
and  after  taking  part  in  the  Grand  Review  of  .all 
the  troops  at  Washington, he  w.as  discharged.. Tune 
4,  186.5. 

Upon  leaving  the  arnij-  for  the  last  time,  our 
fi'iend  returned  to  New  York  to  linish  his  inter- 
rupted visit  of  the  year  before.  He  then  returned 
to  his  Ohio  home,  and  subsequentlj-  took  a  tliree- 
in(jnths'  trip  through  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Colorado 
:ind  other  parts  of  the  West.  He  fonnd  no  place 
in  which  he  cared  to  locate  permanently,  and  retrac- 
ing his  steps  P^astward,  he  came  to  Michigan,  and 
purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty- acres  of  land  in 
I'orter  Town.ship,  Van  lUuen  Count.y,  upon  which 
he  persuaded  his  parents  to  settle,  as  we  have  be- 
fore mentioned.  That  was  in  the  fall  of  18fi5,and 
for  some  time  our  subject  gave  his  attention  to 
farming.  Two  years  later,  he  removeil  to  Lawton, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  carpenter,  and 
had  ch.arge  of  a  planing  mill.  He  lived  there  until 
187;"),  having  sold  his  farm,  and  then  went  lo  re- 
side with  his  father  in  order  to  oversee  the  farm, 
as  his  father  was  in  poor  health.  He  continued  to 
follow  carpenter  work,  however,  and  lived  there 
and  in  that  neighborhood  until  the  fall  of  188.'3. 
After  his  father's  death,  in  1879,  he  bought  forty 
acres  of  land  near  Lawton,  and  made  his  lionie 
upon  that  until  1887,  when,  having  been  elecicd 
Registrar  of  Deeds,  he  took  up  his  residence  at 
I'aw  Paw.  He  was  re-elected  to  that  oltice  in  1889, 
and  served  four  j^ears  in  all.  While  living  in 
Porter  Township,  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  four 
years. 

JMr.  Monroe  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  iiarty, 
of  which  he  h.as  been  a  loyal  adherent  from  the 
(lays  when  he  was  fighting  to  sustain  its  principles 
on  Southern  battlefields.  His  first  Presidential 
vote  was  east  in  1868,  in  favor  of  Gen.  Grant,  and 


nian\-  tinms  Ik;  has  bei-ii  a  dcU'gali'  lo  counly  con- 
venti<ms,  as  well  .as  to  twf)  congressional,  three 
State  and  alike  number  of  legislative  convention.s. 
He  is  also  conspicuous  as  a  (irand  Army  man  and 
prominent  in  the  conclaves  of  that  organization. 
He  has  been  Adjutant  of  L.  C  Woodman  Post, 
No.  196,  G.  A.  R.,  l)ei)artTnent  of  Michigan,  he 
having  been  the  prime  mover  in  obtaining  the  or- 
ganization of  that  |)0st.  He  has  also  been  Ollicer  of 
the  day  (me  term.  Commander  two  terms  and  Act- 
ing Commander  one  term.  He  has  been  present  at 
three  National  re\inions  held  at  Columbus,  Milwau- 
kee and  Detroit,  i-espeetively.  Mr.  Monroe  is  also 
one  of  the  most  .active  members  of  the  Jlasonic 
fraternity  in  this  jiart  of  the  country,  belonging 
to  Lawton  Lodge,  No.  21(1.  He  held  the  position 
of  Senior  Deacon  for  four  years,  that  of  .Iuni()r 
Deacon  one  year,  and  he  is  a  charter  member  of 
said  lodge. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Kliza  A. 
Munger  w.as  celebrated  December  17,  1867.  Mrs. 
Jlonroc  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in  Porter 
Township,  May  16,  1844,  a  daughter  of  one  of  the 
pioneer  families.  Her  parents,  Luke  and  Lucretia 
( Reed)  IMunger,  were  n.atives  of  New  York  State 
and  Ohio,  respectively,  and  early  settlers  of  Van 
P>uren  County,  coming  to  Michigan  in  Territorial 
days.  Mr.  and  INIrs.  Monroe  are  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Stella  A.,  who  married  .lohn 
Lytic,  a  farmer  of  Porter  Township,  is  the  mother 
of  one  child;  Mark  P.,  who  is  learning  the  art  of 
printing;  Carl,  Celia,  Viola,  Leon  and  Pearl. 


=-i'^^ 


/^ 


E*^* 


■S^ZRA  8.  UPIIAM,  although  residing  on  his 
|fel  pleasant  farm  on  section  17,  Porter  Town- 
111=^  ship,  Van  P>uren  County,  is  retired  from 
the  active  duties  of  life.  He  w.as  born  Ai)ril  19, 
1821,  in  Vermont,  and  is  the  son  of  Joshua  C.  and 
Sallie  (Willard)  ri)ham,  natives  of  Massachusetts, 
l)ut  who  accompanied  their  lesiiective  parents  to 
^'ermontin  theiryouth.  The  father  was  a  clothier, 
and  his  father,  James  I'pham,  died  on  a  farm  in 
jNIontgomery,  \'t.,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  He  had 
been  a  merchant  in  early  life.  The  maternal  grand- 


222 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ffttJiPi-  of  our  suhjeet,  Eli  Willard.  wjis  a  fanner, 
ami  died  when  al)out  seventy  3'ears  of  age.  Tlie 
family  on  botli  sides  of  the  liouse  are  of  old  New 
England  stock. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  came  West  to  Lorain 
County.  Ohio,  in  1h:?(;.  Tlie  mother  died  in  Milan, 
tliat  State,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 
Mr.  l|>hani  pa.sscd  away  .at  the  home  of  our  subject, 
in  his  seventy-ninth  year.  Ezra  S.  Upham  came 
to  the  Wolverine  State  in  1837,  and  made  liis 
home  for  three  years  in  Otsego.  He  then  returned 
to  Ohio,  and  w.as  married,  in  18-10,  to  jNIi.ss  Sarah 
Hunter,  a  native  of  X'ermont.  ^hs.  I'pliam  was 
born  in  1X22,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Jonatlian 
Hunter,  a  farmer  who  came  to  Michigan  in  1838, 
and  located  in  Genesee  County,  where  he  was  a 
prominent  citizen  and  made  his  permanent  home. 
Mrs.  Hunter  died  some  twenty  years  after  coming 
to  Michigan. 

'Our  suliject  continued  to  make  Lorain  County. 
Ohio,  his  home  after  iiis  marriage,  where  he  piu- 
chiised  a  farm  upon  wliieii  he  resided  twenty-two 
yeai-8.  1  n  18(i2,  he  came  with  his  family  to  the  Wol- 
verine SUxtc,  and  located  in  tlie  Kinncj-  Settlement 
on  an  improved  farm.  He  resided  there  but  two 
years,  however,  when  he  pureh.ased  a  tract  on  sec- 
tion 24.  Two  years  later  he  disposed  of  that  proji- 
erty  and  became  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  on 
section  20.  lie  donated  the  land  where  the  Prot- 
estant Methodist  Church  now  stands,  and  was 
otherwise  interested  in  all  worthy  objects. 

In  1873  Mr.  rpham  purchased  his  present  farm. 
which  contains  ninety  acres.  In  aildition  to  llial 
tr.act,  he  owns  thirty-eight  acres  east  of  his  lioiue 
farm,  and  a  nine-acre  wood  lot.  His  comfortable 
residence  was  erected  in  1K7().  and  his  estate  con- 
tains all  the  improvements  which  make  agriculture 
a  pleasure.  He  does  a  general  f.arming  business 
and  has  his  place  slocked  with  a  good  grade  of 
animals. 

'i'he  family  of  our  woilliy  >ubji'rt  mikI  liis  wife 
numlier seven  children:  Elizabeth,  .Mrs.  Chamber- 
lain, has  one  child;  Harriet  is  the  wife  of  T.  Wy- 
nian  and  has  two  children :  .Mmir.-i,  Mrs.  .lolin  Mc 
I/ain,  has  four  chihlren;  .Martha,  Mrs.  Ibiinilton 
Mcl>ain.  has  two  children;  ( 'appie  married  !•'.  Cham- 
berlain and  has  oik?  cliihl;  .lames  N.  married  (ierl- 


nide  Packard  and  has  one  child;  Charles  B.  mar- 
ried Lillian  Biiidfordand  has  two  children. 

]Mr.  Upham  was  for  a  number  of  years  a  school 
oilicer  in  his  district.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  cast  iiis  first  Presidential  vote  for  James 
(;.  Hirnoy.  Wliile  a  resident  of  Ohio,  he  was  Town- 
ship Trustee  for  fifteen  successive  years,  receiving  in 
his  last  election  every  vote  but  two  in  the  township. 
He  liiis  been  elected  .Justice  of  the  Pe.acc  three 
different  times,  but  has  never  iiualified.  He  lias 
represented  his  township  in  tiie  ottice  of  Highway 
Coininissioner,  ami  has  otherwise  lieen  actrve  in 
uublic  MlTiiiis. 


«  )^H.LL\M  WEBSTER  is  a  resident  of  llart- 
\rJ/j  ford.  Van  Buren  County,  who  was  born  in 
W^l  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  August  20,  1820, 
and  is  one  of  a  family  of  eighteen  children,  fifteen 
of  whom  are  still  living.  The  parents  of  this 
family  were  Charles  I.  and  Arvilla  (Eish)  Webster. 
They  came  from  New  Hampshire  to  New  York. 
During  the  War  of  1812  the  father  served  in  the 
Coinmisary  Department.  His  father,  Nathan  Web- 
ster, served  as  a  Revolutionary  soldier. 

Our  subject  was  (irst  married  in  New  York  St;i1c, 
ill  1,S41,  to  Arpha  Odell,  and  by  her  had  eleven 
children.  One  sou,  Charles  I.,  served  in  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
.Mlanta.  Our  sultject  moved  his  familv  to  Mieh- 
itian  in  18.'»."),  and  has  lieeii  a  resident  of  this  State 
since  tiieii.  In  188!)  Mrs.  Webster  passed  aw.ay, 
and  in  18110  the  husband  was  married  to  Jane 
Bennett.  Six  of  ISIr.  Webster's  family  are  now  liv- 
ing, two  in  Detroit  aiul  four  in  Hartford. 

When  the  original  of  tliis  sketch  came  to  this 
county,  he  found  it  entirely  new  and  his  family 
set  to  work  and  cleni'ed  a  farm  of  three  liiindi<'(l 
and  thirty-four  acres.  He  still  owns  one  hundred 
Mild  seventy-two  acres  of  it.  which  is  ojierated  by 
a  son.  He  owns  a  nice  home  in  the  vill.agc  where 
he  now  makes  his  home,  retired  from  all  active 
labor,  .'ind  is  now  enjoying  the  Iriiits  of  his  early 
labors.  He  is  a  congenial  111:111.  and  is  held  in 
the  highest  respect  by  all  with  whom  Ik?  comes  in 
contact.      I'olitieally,    he    is  a    Kepublican    at    ail 


PORTRAIT  AND   lilOflRAPIIIfAT.  RECORI) 


223 


Iriiiics  Mini  sucitilly  lit'  is  ;i  niciiilici'  ol  IIh'  I'lcc  Mini 
AcceiiU'il  MiiSDiis  ill  lliirt.t'ord.  Wlicn  In'  lir-l  cmimc 
licrt".  Uicrc  vvcrr  iiol  more  IIimii  one  ur  two  hliircs 
ill  tlio  |)lMr(^  Mini  lie  liMs  seen  llir  tuwii  (l(\('lii|i  ti> 
what  it  is  to  (Im\  . 


!>-^^-<i 


ifiv^ 


i- 


^,  ANl  KL  W.  SI  AS.  who  was  :\  sulilicr  (|ui-iii<^- 
the  late  war,  now  owii|ii('s  an  iiiiiiortaiil 
(^J^  [losition  as  a  wide-awake,  iiios|icidiis 
fanner  of  ^'an  l!iiieii  C'oiinly.  liis  line 
farm,  with  its  well  tilled  aeres,  and  sul.islaiitial 
modern  iinprovemeiits,  eoinpaiing  with  the  hest  in 
Han<i'or  Township.  Mr.  Sias  was  horn  in  .left'erson 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  1839,  the  third  ehild  in  the  fam- 
ily of  four  children  of  Jeremiah  an<l  Mary  (Chap- 
man) Sias.  His  father  was  horn  in  A  erniont.  iu 
1796,  and  the  mother  was  a  native  of  New  York 
City.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  snhjeet 
were  .lereiniah  and  Aehsali  (Wiiittier)  Sias,  his 
u'randmother  being  a  cousin  of  the  poet  Whitticr. 
Our  subject  passed  his  j'outli  in  his  native  State, 
and  was  in  the  opening;  years  of  an  energetic, 
self-reli.ant  manhood  when  the  war  Inoke  out. 
In  1804,  he  threw  aside  all  personal  considera- 
tions and  enlisted  in  Company  15,  One  Hundred  and 
Kighty-sixth  New  York  Infantry,  and  served  until 
the  Government  had  no  farther  use  for  his  services. 
the  conflict  between  the  North  and  the  South  hav- 
ing been  brought  to  a  successful  issue.  He  bore 
an  active  part  in  the  capture  of  Petersburg,  and  in 
the  various  encounters  of  his  regiment  witli  the 
enemy,  he  displayed  the  cof)lnessand  resource  of  a 
veteran,  and  his  war  record  is  an  honor  to  him. 

In  1871,  ]\Ir.  Sias  removed  his  family  to  Mich- 
igan and  settled  on  section  31.  Bangor  Township. 
Here  he  has  developed  a  very  fine  farm,  amiily 
supjilied  with  good  buildings  and  with  tlie  mod- 
ern appliances  pertaining  to  agriculture,  and  its 
eighty  acres  of  fertile  soil  arc  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  Mr.  Si.as  has  proved  to  Ik'  a  valu- 
able acquisition  to  the  citizenship  of  this  county. 
and  has  not  only  done  good  work  as  a  skillful, 
practical  farmer,  but  also  as  a  public-spirited  civic 
official.  He  has  lield  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  about  fourteen    years,   besides   being  School 


liis|n'ctor  and  Highway  (.'oiiiiiiissioiier.  lie  is  a 
IIIMII  of  steady,  ch^Mr  br.'iin,  of  uiidoiiblcil  veracity 
Mild  sIcMdl'MNl  lioiiur,  .•iiid  in  him  the  Christian 
Church  liiids  one  of  its  most  consistent  and  hard- 
working iiieinliers.  i'olilically,  he  has  been  iden- 
tilied  with  the    Kcpiiiilii-aii  |iarlv  ever  since  he  hc- 

gMIl    to    VOl(!. 

The  marriage  of  our  snliject  with  Miss  Addie 
I'arkcr  look  plMc(^  in  his  native  county  in  IMlJil. 
It  has  been  a  felicitioiis  union,  and  has  brought 
tlieiii  two  children:  Krnest  I>.,  wlio  resides  on  a 
farm  adjoining  his  father's,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
\V'arren  T.  Winslow,  station  agent  for  the  Toledo 
&  South  Haven  Railway,  at  Covert.  Mrs.  Sias  is  a 
daughter  of  Davis  Parker,  who  is  thought  to  have 
been  born  at  Lawi;cnce,  Mass.,  and  wlio  w.as  a  brother 
of  the  famous  Presbyterian  minister,  the  Rev.  Ml'. 
( ).  Parker,  who  rcsidi'd  in  i-'linl.  .Mich.,  and  was  a 
son  of  .bise|i|j  I'arkcr.  The  latter  w.as  a  native  of 
New  Kngland,  but  w.as  of  English  antecedents. 


^n-l'^NN  DOUGLASS  STUART.  Toafewsuch 
men  as  our  subject,  Kalamazoo   owes  much 

JaIj  of  its  present  activity  in  trade  and  inaiiu- 
faeturing  interests. 

It  is  to  the  active,  luisliing,  vigorous  young 
businessmen  like  the  gentleman  whose  name  iieads 
this  article  that  this  beautiful  city  owes  much  of 
its  advancement.  Glenn  Douglass  Stuart  is  doing 
ills  iiart  well  and  were  the  lovers  of  the  esculent 
herb  to  have  a  voice  he  would  be  crowned  what 
he  is  already  -The  Celery  King." 

I'.orn  at  (Jowanda,  X.  Y.,  Febniar.y  l;j,  18C(I, 
Mr.  Stuart  is  the  son  of  Hon.  William  II.  and  Bar- 
bara (Allen)  Stuart,  natives  of  New  York.  He 
is  the  fourth  of  live  children,  three  of  whom  sur- 
vive, one,  Mrs.  Alice  Blackney,  being  identified 
with  him  in  business.  He  was  reared  in  (iowanda, 
received  his  education  in  Wooster  (Ohio)  College, 
and  studied  law  in  his  native  city.  In  1883  he 
came  to  Kalamazoo  and  studied  under  Gov. 
Charles  May,  with  whom  he  remained  some  3-ears. 
On  .account  of  trouble  with  his  eyes,  he  w.as  com- 
pelled to  abandon  his  study  and  seek  outdoor  em- 


224 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ploynicnt.  lie  thereforo  oommcnced  in  the  eclerv 
business,  and  from  a  small  liegiiininsi:  lias  inereascd 
liis  enterprise  until  now  the  business  in  the  city 
averages  forty  tons  daily  during  the  season. 

The  liusiness  in  whicli  !^[r.  Stuart  engages  sup- 
ports at  least  one  fourtli  of  the  population  of  Kal- 
amazoo. Ilis  grounds  include  three  thousand 
acres  in  Kalamazoo  and  vicinity.  Mr.  Stuart  is 
als<i  a  breeder  of  trotting  horses,  having  about 
thirty  lirst-eiass  .animals.  Sever.al  have  a  record 
of  2::5(i.  wliile  many  others  liave  hceonie  well 
known  on  the  track.  Decembers,  1883, Mr.  Stuart 
was  married  to  Miss  Alice,  daughter  of  Herman 
Hascall.  founder  of  the  daily  Telef/raph.  Mrs. 
Stuart  was  born  in  Kalamazoo.  INIr.  Stuart  and 
his  wife  have  two  children:  Maud  and  Allen. 

Socially.  Air.  Stuart  is  identified  with  the  Inde- 
jKindent  Order  of  Odd  t'ellows.  P"ew  men  have 
ni.ide  .as  rapid  and  substantial  advancement  in 
business  as  Mr.  Sttiart.  Keen-witted  and  wide. 
awake  he  is  a  typical  resident  of  the  West  and  will 
undoubtedly  attain  wealth  in  his  chosen  occupa- 
tion. 


ILLl.VM   K.  VAN   IIISK   is  a   w.ll-known 

Mand  highly-respected  farmer  of  ^'an  ISuren 
„  _j  County,  residing  on  section  II,  Decatur 
Township,  where  for  a  third  of  a  century  he  has 
made  his  home.  Of  much  of  the  history  of  the 
county  he  has  been  an  eye-witne.ss,  has  seen 
its  growth  and  upbuilding,  ;ind  has  aided  in  its 
develnpmenl.  He  is,  thei'i'fore.  deserving  of  rep- 
re.M'ntation  in  this  volume,  and  it  is  with  pleasure 
that  we  re<-<ird   his  sketch. 

Our  subject's  father,  .Joseph  \'aii  llise,  was  born 
in  Trenton,  N.  .1..  in  IHd.j,  and  when  a  lad  of 
.seven  years  went  with  his  parents  to  (inciiniMli, 
()lii<i,  wlicre  lie  grew  t(»  manhood  and  iiiarried 
.May  Keer,  a  native  of  the  IJuckeye  .Slate,  Shoilly 
afterward  he  rerimvi'il  l<i  Lebanon,  Ohio,  in  183(3, 
ami  twenty  years  Later  ciiiie  U>  Michigan,  locat- 
ing in  Decatur  Township,  In  Cincinnati  he  hal 
learned  the  liiitter'.'<  tnide,  but  in  l.cli.'iiion  fol- 
lowed llie  milling  Imsiness,  jinil  here  ei^gaged  in 
farming,      lie  wa.s  n  DeuHK'rat  in  politics  until  the 


nomination  of  Fremont,  when  he  joined  the  new 
lvop\iblican  party  and  bccauie  one  of  its  stanch 
advocates.  He  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Town  Clerk  for  a  nmnber  of  years,  and  was  Super- 
visor of  Decatur  Township  before  the  townships 
were  divided.  He  died  April  11,  1872,  .and  was 
buried  on  the  old  homestead,  where  his  father  and 
mother  were  also  interred,  their  deaths  occurring 
several  years  after  he  came  to  Michigan.  Of  the 
eight  children  in  the  Van  Hise  family,  six  grew  to 
mature  years  and  three  yet  siu'vive,  Eunice,  who 
has  taught  thirty-nine  terms  of  school,  is  now  liv- 
ing with  her  mother  on  the  old  homestead;  Jarred 
P.  operates  the  old  homestead,  which  w.as  a  wild 
tract  of  land  when  it  was  purchased  by  the  father 
from  the  United  States  Government. 

William  Van  Hise,  of  this  sketch.  I'laims  Ohio 
as  the  Stale  of  his  nativity,  a  farm  in  Butler 
County  being  the  place  of  his  birth  and  the  date 
July  10,  1835.  He  was  a  babe  when  his  parents 
came  to  Michigan,  and  in  this  State,  therefore,  al- 
most his  entire  life  has  been  passed.  The  pnblic 
schools  afforded  him  his  educational  privileges, 
but  his  training  there  was  more  meager  than  that 
which  he  received  on  the  farm.  Abandoning  farm 
work  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  embarked  in  the 
grocer}'  business,  which  he  followed  for  four  years, 
having  had  some  ex[)eriencc  in  that  line  .as  a  clerk 
in  a  store  in  Lawton.  On  selling  his  stock  of 
groceries,  he  removed  to  the  farm  in  Decatur 
Townshi])  which  has  since  been  his  home,  and  his 
f.arming  labois  have  only  been  interrupted  l)y  his 
service  in  the  l.-ite  wnv.  Feeling  that  his  country 
needed  his  aid,  he  enlisted,  l)ecen\ber  '.I,  1863,  in 
Company  II,  Twelflli  Michigan  Infantry,  (uider 
Capt.  Clallin,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  being  mustered  oul  on  the  loth  of  February, 
IHCC).  He  w.'is  with  the  Western  Army,  and  most 
of  the  time  served  on  delaclicd   duty. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  1858,  Mr.  Van  llise  was 
joined  in  weiUock  with  Miss  .\melia,  daugh- 
ter of  Uichnrd  and  I'JMclie  Armilage,  who  were 
luitives  of  llic  ICiupire  State  and  emigrated  to 
Ja<'kson,  Mich.,  in  an  I'arly  d.ay.  Mis.  \'an  llise's 
niotlier  dii'd  when  slu'  was  a  niaiilcii  of  ten  sum- 
mers, and  her  father  .afterward  renioxcd  to  Dccilur, 
where  she  liec.ame  acipiainled  with   her  future  hns- 


".  / 


5-^>^^2i^.^' 


&^,  '^^.^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


227 


hand.  Unto  them  were  born  four  children,  but 
Kiigcne  E.,  born  INIay  21,  1863,  died  February  25, 
IMtJl.  Inez  P.,  born  July  3,  1859,  is  the  wife  of 
Adelbert  Maguire,  of  Paw  Paw  Township;  Susa 
K.,  born  March  17,  1861,  is  teaching  school  in  the 
McWilliauis  district  and  resides  at  home;  Carrie 
M.,  who  was  born  June  25,  1875,  and  is  now  at- 
tending school  in  Decatur,  completes  the  family. 

i\Ir.  Van  llise  is  a  man  who  gives  his  sujjport  to 
all  worthy  enterprises  and  is  a  friend  to  educa- 
liini.'il,  social  and  moral  reforms.  Of  the  cause  of 
leini)erancc  he  is  a  stanch  advocate,  and  labors 
earnestly  in  its  interests.  Socially,  he  is  a  demitted 
Mason,  and  belongs  to  the  Farmers'  Alliance  and 
tlie  Grand  Army  Post  of  Decatur.  He  is  an  in- 
llexlble  adiicreiit  of  Republican  principles,  and  an 
ai'live  worker  for  the  party's  interest,  and  has 
lillcd  a  nuuilier  of  ollices  with  credit  to  himself 
and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  For  six  years 
he  lias  been  Supervisor  of  the  township,  still  hold- 
ing the  position;  was  Clerk  for  two  years;  for 
aliout  twenty  years  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  w.as  Drain  Commissioner  and  Commissioner  of 
Iligiiways  for  one  year  each.  'JMie  duties  of  citi- 
zenship he  has  ever  faithfully  discharged,  and  is 
alike  true  to  private  trusts.  He  now  does  a  gen- 
era! farming  and  stock-raising  business,  and  has 
forty  acres  of  his  sixty-acre  farm  under  a  high 
state  of  cutivation. 


tali  p  <  >  I p 


LKXAXDKR  W.  IIENDKICK,  IM.  D.  The 
medical  ()rofession  has  many  able  repre- 
sentatives in  Paw  Paw,  and  among  those 
who  stand  foremost  and  highest  in  the 
esteem  of  the  people  may  be  mentioned  the  gen- 
tleman whose  (lortrait  is  presented  on  the  oppo- 
site page.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Hahnemann  Medi- 
cal College,  at  Chicago,  and  during  the  years 
wliich  he  has  devoted  to  his  i)rofession  has  proved 
hhiiseif  eminently  worthy  of  his  high  calling,  and 
has  achii^vi'il  success  and  in'ominence.  As  a  sur- 
geon he  stands  very  liigli,  having  li;ul  nian\'  in- 
tricate cases  under  his  caie  and  meeting  with  won- 
derful success. 

The  sul)ject  of  this  sketch  is  pei'haiis  liesi  known 
10 


outside  of  Paw  Paw  as  the  founder  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Maple  City  Home,"  where  the 
drinking  and  oinum  habits  may  be  cured  by  a 
treatment  which  includes  all  there  is  in  the  chloride 
of  gold  cure.  At  this  institute  there  are  two 
distinct  courses  of  treatment:  one  for  original 
cases,  and  another  especially  adapted  to  the  cure 
of  those  who  have  taken  a  course  elsewhere  and 
have  since  relapsed.  The  treatment  is  most  ajj- 
proved  and  successful,  and  consists  in  the  use  of 
chloride  of  gold  and  sodium,  in  combination  with 
other  potent  and  wcU-chosen  drugs.  The  to-called 
bi-chlorideof  gold  or  double  gold — if  it  means  any- 
thing— is  too  strong,  and  with  its  use  patients  are 
liable  to  be  overdosed;  hence  the  dangerous  ten- 
dency to  relapse,  insanity  and  suicide  which  occur 
so  frequently  in  other  treatments.  The  chloride  of 
gold,  and  of  ^sodium  as  a  [)re[)aration  of  gold,  is 
sufficiently  powerful,  and  with  other  oirect  and 
potent  remedies  in  combination  is  much  more 
efficient,  and  b)'  its  use  the  ill  effects  of  the  gold 
cure  are  avoided. 

The  cure  ado|)te(l  by  Dr.  Hcndrick  is  per- 
formed by  autidoting  the  alcoholic  poison,  elimi- 
nating its  ill  effects,  curing  the  diseased  condi- 
tions, righting  up  the  prostrated  nerves,  and  taking 
away  the  appetite  for  liquor — making  it  loath- 
some, so  that  the  person  so  treated  will  abhor  it 
within  one  week.  It  may  take  three  or  four  weeks 
to  complete  a  cure.  All  liquors  needed  are 
furnished  until  no  more  will,  or  can,  be  taken. 
Drunkenness  is  cured  by  this  treatment  as  posi- 
tively as  ague  may  be  cured  and  as  easil}'. 

While  the  cure  is  thorough,  the  patients  are  pre- 
served from  the  shock  of  the  btittle,  their  nerve 
forcenot  being  exhausted  in  the  manner  comi>lained 
of  by  those  who  have  been  treated  elsewhere.  In- 
variably the  patients  leave  wiMi  a  well-regulated 
system  and  a  hopeful  spirit.  The  secoiid  course 
of  treatment  is  adapted  to  those  who  have  re- 
lai)sed  after  a  course  at  other  institutes.  It  is 
well  understood  that  it  is  dangerous  for  them  to 
go  through  the  same  treatment  where  the  bi- 
chloride of  gold  is  used.  One  directly  adapted 
to  such  cases  is  here  provided,  and  it  is  [jroving 
to  he  wonderfully  successful:  and  Ihe-jc  second- 
course    patients  have    a   safe,  easy    time.   wUh    no 


228 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD, 


more  suffering  than  the  first-course  patients.  They 
have  as  bright  and  hopeful  prospect*  as  others, 
and  liave  reason  to  feel  the  most  profound  grati- 
tude for  their  restoration.  At  the  INIaple  Cit}' 
Home,  baths  of  all  kinds  are  administered,  as  well 
as  the  massage  and  electric  treatment  and  the 
Swedish  Movement  Cure.  While  tlie  general 
work  of  a  sanitarium  is  done  here,  especial  atten- 
tion is  given  orificial  surgery,  for  which  splendid 
advantages  are  offered. 

A  native  of  New  York,  Dr.  Hendrick  was  born 
in  Berlin  Township,  Rensselaer  County,  August 
8,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Alexander  W.  and  Betsy 
A.  (Record)  Hendrick,  natives  of  New  York  and 
of  English  ancestry.  Our  suliject  grew  to  man- 
hood in  New  York,  receiving  an  academic  educa- 
tion and  fitting  for  college  at  New  Hampton, 
N.  H.,  where  he  took  a  course  in  the  Biblical 
School.  After  taking  his  college  course  at  Am- 
herst, he  entered  the  ministry'  at  the  age  of 
twentj'-four.  He  had  been  converted  to  the  faith 
of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church  three  years  pre- 
vious to  becoming  a  minister.  For  about  five 
years  he  followed  ministerial  work  in  Central 
New  York. 

On  September  3,  1860,  Dr.  Hendrick  and  Miss 
Harriet  Ilorton,  of  Poestenkill,  N.  Y.,  were  united 
in  marriage.  Failing  health  iiiduoed  tiie  young 
minister  to  come  to  Batavia,  111.,  and  later  he  en- 
tered Ilainiemaiin  Medical  College,  at  Chicago, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1H71.  He  lo- 
cated in  Kalama/.oo,  Mich.,  thence  removed  to 
Oalien,  and  from  lliere  came  to  Paw  Paw  in  1877. 
Ill'  li;i>  made  a  fair  f<iiluMc  in  liis  profession  and 
h.'is  a  splendid  lihrary.  Duiing  the  fire,  in  1888, 
he  hfst  ijiKOii  worth  of  nu^dical  works,  besitlcs  olllce 
fixtures  vaincd  in  all  at  ^l,;i.')0.  In  his  jiolitics 
he  is  a  Repul)lican,and  although  not  old  enough  to 
vote  for  .lojjn  C.  l-'remont  at  tlic  time  of  liis  (•.•iiidi- 
dacy  for  the  rresidential  Chair,  yet  he  spok(!  for 
him  at  many  mrotings.  lie  is  now  a  member  and 
a  rru.-tcc  in  the  H.-iptisi  (  liurcli,  in  l';nv  I'aw, 
and  was  initiated  into  nia.-onry  in  iJatavin,  III., 
iilthough  he  is  not  identilierl  with  the  order  here. 

Tlif  jJoctor  and  his  r'stiinalili'  wife  .-ire  llie  |iar- 
enUs  of  the  followiiig-iiaiiu'd  cliildrcn :  lOlla  I''r.'in- 
ccltn;  Wnylancl  Alexander,   who  dird    when   nine 


years  old;  Howard  E.  and  Byron  C,  who  passed 
away  in  infancy;  Edith  A.,  who  was  born  Decem- 
ber 9,  1879,  and  Eugenia  Paulina,  August  17, 
1882.  Ella  F.  married  AY.  E.  Woodard,  a  farmer 
of  Kalamazoo  Count}-,  and  they  have  one  child. 
Success  is  the  true  test  of  merit,  and  those  who 
know  Dr.  Hendrick  will  bear  witness  to  his  being 
an  honorable,  conscientious  physician,  who  has 
become  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  details  of 
his  profession  by  hard  stud}'  .and  indomitable 
energy.  An  enterprising  citizen,  he  is  always 
ready  to  advance  any  truly  meritorious  project 
that  will  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  coramu- 
nit}',  and  during  his  residence  in  Paw  Paw  has 
won  a  host  of  Iriends. 


RRIN  PARKPvR,  deceased.  Among  the  prom- 
inent pioneers  of  Keeler  Township,  Van 
Buien  County,  stands  the  name  of  the  gen- 
tleman of  whom  we  write,  and  although  he  has 
p.assed  away  to  enjoy  the  recompense  due  his  long 
and  useful  life,  his  memory  still  lives  among  those 
who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in  New  York  State 
in  June,  1788.  and  was  one  in  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren born  to  Timothy  and  Eunice  Parker.  They 
were  named:  Anson,  Orrin,  Parley,  Cliauncy, 
Fannie,  Orson,  I,aura,  Harvey,  RussuU  and  Polly. 
All  grew  to  mature  years. 

Our  subject  was  married  to  Jemima  D.ay,  in  No- 
vember, 1 809,  and  reared  a  family  of  ten  cliildri'ii: 
Emery,  Laura,  Aliigail,  Sampson,  Fannie,  Amos  A., 
Russell,  Orson  F.,  Milla  M.  and  Calvin  D.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Parker  came  to  Wiishlenaw  County,  IMieli., 
in  1836,  and  from  there  moved  to  \:in  lUircii 
County,  in  1838,  and  settled  in  the  woods.  'I'licy 
developed  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  where  his  wife 
died  in  l.SIK,  and  he  passed  from  this  life  in  IHtw. 
()m('  daughter.  !\lill;i.  ni:iriicd  .lohii  W.  yMilioll.  in 
lH,')l,and  they  estalilished  tliemsclvcs  on  a  lariii 
in  the  dense  woods  and  clcari'd  .'i  place  of  two  hnn- 
dicd  Mini  lortv-six  acres  bd'ori'  Mr.  Abhott.'s  dc.'ith, 
which  occurred  in  1H7().  lie  and  his  worthy  wife 
iiad  born  1<>  tlicni  one  cliild,  Helen  M.,  now  tlie 
wil'4'  of  i''i;uik  'rnlllc.  Mr.  Alilinll  was  hoiii  in 
( »iiund:iijii  County,  N.  V.,  in  Aliiy,  1H26.     His  par- 


«l 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


229 


cuts  were  Osem  and  Annie  (Olden)  AbhoU,  tlic 
t';tf.lioi-  l)orn  in  1797,  and  tli(;  inotiier  in  1802.  They 
were  both  natives  of  New  York.  Mrs.  Abbott, 
creeled  a  beautiful  luiek  residence  on  her  farm  in 
the  summer  of  1881,  and  has  conducted  luu- own 
liusiness  affairs  in  which  she  has  been  very  success- 
ful. She  is  one  of  the  most  respected  ladies  of  the 
community. 


^^^IT>ES  IT.  IIIIvL,  who  has  a  pleasant  homo  on 
III  _-  section  19,  Allegan  Township, is  a  represen- 
^V^ijAi  tative  farmer  and  influential  resident  of 
Allegan  County.  lie  is  now  retired  from  active 
farming  operations,  although  he  still  maintains 
the  supervision  of  this  place  of  one  lumdred  and 
thirty  acres.  A  native  of  Richland  Township, 
Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,  he  was  born  November  14, 
1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Arrey,  and  Polly  (Lind- 
nian)  Hill,  natives  of  New  York.  The  father, 
who  was  a  ship  builder,  came  to  Michigan  in  1827, 
and,  locating  in  Detroit,  sojourned  there  for  a 
[icriod  of  two  years. 

From  there  Mr.  Hill  removed  to  a  small  village 
called  Plymouth  Corners,  where  he  built  s'Jveral 
mills  and  other  buildings  during  his  residence  in 
the  place  of  al)out  three  3'ears.  Afterward,  here- 
sided  for  a  time  in  Grand  Rapids,  then  a  small 
liamlet,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Grand  ville,  where 
he  remained  about  fifteen  years.  In  1852,  he  came 
to  Allegan  County  and  settled  on  section  21,  Pine 
Plains  Township,  where  he  remained  until  1851. 
When  on  his  way  to  Grandville  he  was  taken  sick 
at  Bradley's  Corners  and  there  died.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  died  at  Gi'andville,  April  10,  1881, 
at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-four. 

The  family  to  which  our  subject  belongs  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  now 
living,  namely:  Giles  II.,  Arrey  J.  and  Betsy. 
( )ur  subject  was  about  seventeen  years  old  when 
he  came  to  Michigan,  and  at  the  early  age  of 
eighteen,  began  trading  with  the  Indians  at 
Grand  Rapids.  He  became  fluent  m  the  use  of 
Indian  language  and  si)ent  the  winter  seasons  for 
a  number  of  vears  on  tlie  Kast  shore  of  IMichigan, 


buying  furs  and  exchanging  goods  for  tlie  same. 
For  three  and  one  half  yeai-s  he  carried  the  mail 
from  Grand  Rapids  to  Kalamazoo,  lirst  making  the 
tri|)  on  horseback  for  three  months,  and  then  trav- 
eling in  a  buggy  and  carr3'ing  [jassengers.  In 
company  with  Orlando  Pierce,  he  later  carried  the 
mail  and  conveyed  passengers  in  a  stage  coach  the 
entire  distance  of  sixty-five  miles. 

Afterward,  Mr.  Hill  w(nked  for  William  Lewis 
in  the  hotel  business  at  Yankee  S|irings  and  was 
thus  engaged  for  two  years.  Afterward  he  was  in 
the  employ  of  T.B.Pierce  at  Otsego, Allegan  County, 
in  an  hotel,  and  when  at  the  expiration  of  ten 
months,  Mr.  Pierce  sold  out  to  C.  D.  Parkhurst, 
our  subject  remained  with  the  latter  gentleman 
some  four  years.  Mr.  Parkhurst  later  came  to 
Allegan  and  bought  the  Allegan  House,  which  Mr. 
Hill  purchased  of  him,  after  tilling  the  position  of 
clerk  for  some  years.  During  the  time  he  was 
proprietor  of  the  hotel,  he  was  also  interested  in 
the  lumber  business,  and  after  .selling  the  hotel,  he 
removed  to  section  24,  Pine  Plains  Township,  where 
he  had  four  hundred  acres  of  unimproved  land. 

In  order  to  reach  his  purchase,  Mr.  Hill  was 
compelled  to  cut  a  road  through  the  woods,  and 
afterward  cleared  a  place  for  his  house,  which 
was  a  small  board  shanty,  made  of  lumber  he  had 
brought  down  the  Kalamazoo  River  to  Fox  Springs 
on  a  raft  and  afterward  carried  up  the  hill  on  his 
back.  For  more  than  two  years  he  was  engaged 
in  clearing  and  improving  the  place,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time  was  induced  by  Hon.  F.  B. 
Stockbridge  to  remove  to  Singapoor  and  take 
charge  of  his  hotel.  Prior  to  leaving  the  farm,  he 
carried  the  mail  for  two  years  between  Allegan 
and  Saugatuck,  and  during  that  time  was  stricken 
with  the  smallpox  which  his  wife  and  child  caught 
from  him.  Fortunately  it  did  not  prove  fatal  to 
them. 

While  Mr.  Hill  was  at  Singai)fior  he  boarded  be- 
tween fifty  and  one  hundred  men  who  were  in  the 
lumber  business  and  at  the  same  time  superin- 
tended the  erection  of  a  large  hotel  on  his  farm 
on  the  Kalamazoo  River,  of  which  he  was  pro- 
prietor from  December,  1857,  until  1877.  In  1859, 
leaving  his  wife  to  manage  the  hotel,  he  crossed 
the  plains  to  California  with  a  span  of  tine  horses. 


230 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


and  remained  on  tLe  Pacific  Slope  for  one  j-ear, 
nianaging  a  restaurant  in  the  winter  and  locating 
mines  during  the  summer.  After  a  visit  of  three 
months  at  home,  he  again  went  West  and  for  three 
years  was  superintendent  of  a  mine  in  California, 
receiving  *10  jier  day.  Ai  one  time  he  could  have 
sold  his  mine  and  returned  liome  with  ^100,000. 
but  he  refused  to  do  so. 

On  his  return,  after  spending  nine  years  in  Cali- 
fornia, Mr.  Hill  farmed  until  aljont  1879,  when  he 
removed  to  his  present  place.  He  is  well-to-do 
and  tlie  owner  of  idiouttwo  thousand  acres  of  land 
in  Allegan  County,  besides  considerable  live  stock. 
He  has  held  the  oHice  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Sup- 
ervisor, Town  Clerk  and  Pathmastcr,  and  as  a 
member  of  the  Democi'atic  party,  is  one  of  the 
prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  county. 
lie  was  married,  November  2,  1816,  tt)  iSIatilda  M. 
Muma,  and  four  of  the  six  children  Ijorn  of  this 
union  are  now  living, namelj':  .lulia  II.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Walter  Ingham  and  the  mother  of  one 
child,  Ra^-;  Cynthia  A.,  now  Mrs.  Simmonds,  and 
the  mother  of  two  children,  Marcia  and  Jesse;  Ada 
C,  who  married  George  St.  Germain,  has  one 
child,  Bessie;  and  Charles  E.  Mrs.  Matilda  M.  Hill 
died  September  4,  1871. 

Mr.  Hill  was  afterward  married  to  Olive  C.  Muma, 
sister  of  his  first  wife,  and  daughter  of  George  and 
Sally  (Goodhue)  Munia,nalives  respectively  of  New 
York  and  Canada.  Mr.  Muma,  who  was  a  farmer 
by  calling,  came  to  this  State  as  early  as  1838,  set- 
tling in  the  village  of  Allegan  and  there  spending 
Ids  remaining  years.  Mr.  Hill  and  his  estimable 
wife  have  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  and  enjoy 
the  conlidcnce  of  all  to  wlioin  tlicv  arc  known. 


J -X  nil. II'  NICIKtI. AS,  a  retired  f:irmer  rc- 
\jY  .siding  in  I^wrcncc,  Van  Buren  County,  is 
,  ^  a  native  of  Cnmltridgo.shire,  England, 
/\  wiiere  he  was  born  .March  2t;,  1K21I.  He 
is  a  son  of  Itichard  and  .Mary  (Stephens)  Nicholas. 
The  fntlier  was  a  farmer,  and  our  subject  grew  to 
mRnh(M)d  h-arning  all  the  pur.Miit.N  of  .■igriculluie. 
As.  mjon  nh  he  was  uiilu,  he  had  t.<i  .■u-'sisl  ou  the 
farm,  and   thus  ol)tnined  but  little  education.     He 


commenced  for  himself  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
working  by  the  month  and  dny  at  farming. 

rhili|)  Nicholas  was  married  March  26,  1852,  to 
Miss  Hannah  Payne,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  (Porter)  Paj'ne.  She  was  born  in  Little  Port, 
Cambridgeshire,  England,  October  11,  1833.  The 
day  after  their  marriage,  they  started  for  America 
on  a  sailing  vessel,  .and  were  five  weeks  on  the 
bi-iny  deep.  The}-  landed  in  New  York  City,  and 
from  there  went  direct  to  Brownsville,  Pa.  Having 
but  $1  left,  Mr.  Nicholas  immediately  commenced 
woi'k  in  a  foundr}^  for  seventy-five  cents  a  day. 
He  worked  there  seven  months  and  then  started  for 
INIedina  County,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm 
one  year  and  seven  months.  He  then  cime  to 
Van  Buren  Count}-  and  located  in  Arlington  Town- 
ship, where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  psiying 
$75  down.  This  he  immediately  began  to  improve, 
while  his  good  wife  and  helpmate  kei)t  house  for 
her  brother  for  her  board  and  that  of  her  children. 
He  cleared  about  three  acres  and  sold  the  entire 
tract  for  quite  an  increase  in  value.  He  then  pur- 
chased another  eighty  acres,  which  he  still  owns  in 
addition  to  other  land,  making  him  the  possessor 
of  one  hundred  and  forty  broad  and  fertile  acres. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  have  become  the  parents 
of  nine  children,  namel\-:  George  P.,  who  was  born 
in  Brownsville,  Pa.,  March  23,  1853,  and  lives  in 
Lawrence  with  his  wife  and  two  children;  Ellen, 
who  was  born  in  Medina  County,  Ohio,  October  2!l, 
1851;  she  married  Edw.ard  Ilogmire  and  lives  in 
Bangor  with  her  five  children.  Ann,  born  in  Ar- 
lington Township,  this  county,  Novcnibor  Id. 
1856,  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Ilogmire  and  the 
mother  of  four  children.  Wesley,  born  in  .Vrliiig- 
ton  Township,  May  22.  18.')8,  is  ji  farmer;  he  is 
married  :ind  llic  lallicr  of  Iwo  rhildreii.  M:iiy 
Jane,  born  i\|)ril  it.  I.SIIll,  ni;iriic(l  .lolin  .Mien  .■mil 
is  the  mother  of  four  chililrcn.  Ileihert  U.  was 
liuiii  Se|itemb('r  5,  1862,  and  is  ;il  lininc  with  his 
parents.  CIimiIi's  ShrniiMii,  Imrii  .liinuary  II,  ISIi.'i, 
is  ni.'irrii'il  ainl  li\i'>  in  Arlinglini  Tuwnship  w  illi 
hi>  will'  ;iiid  two  cliildicii.  Alfred  Alon/.o,  born 
May  2!(,  1H68,  lives  on  the  old   liomestcMd,  is   iiinr- 

ricd  .Mnd    tlie   iMtlicr  of    ■   rliild.      William    I'^lls- 

Woitli,  lioMi  .N'oVriJilnT  Ml,  |,S70,  livi's  III,  lioriii' 
with  his  iinreiits.     All  these  (liililieu  have  received 


I 


■:-.y 


.'■"'> 


J. p.  WOODBURY 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


233 


good  comnion-scliool  educations,  and  Herbert  R. 
has  been  a  teaclier  I'ni-  two  years,  Imt  liad  to  aban- 
don it  on  account  of  ill  hcaitji. 

Mr.  Nicliolas  contin\icd  to  live  on  ids  farm  until 
18itl,  when  lie  moved  to  liis  present  beautiful 
home  in  Lawrence,  wliieli  he  has  but  recently 
built.  He  was  drafted  to  serve  in  the  late  Rebel- 
lion, but  paid  11,000  to  a  substitute.  He  was  nat- 
uralized as  a  citizen  of  the  riiited  States,  while 
living  in  Arlington  Township,  and  voted  on  the 
Republican  ticket  till  his  views  changed  to  the 
Democracy.  Since  the  formation  of  the  I'rohibi- 
tion  l)arty,  he  has  given  his  intluence  to  that  body. 
He  and  his  wife  are  earnest  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church  and  have  paid  the  greater  part  of 
the  expense  of  the  church,  which  is  built  on  their 
farm.  Mr.  Nicholas  has  served  as  Street  Commis- 
sioner and  also  on  the  School  Board  of  his  town- 
ship. Herbert  R.,  his  son,  has  also  served  as  .School 
Duector  in  Arlington  Township. 


-^5- 


■(^~ 


EREMIAH  PRATT  WOODBURY.  Prob- 
ably no  man  did  more  to  advance  the  inter- 
ests of  Kalamazoo  than  the  subject  of  this 
biographical  notice,  whose  portrait  is  pre- 
sented on  the  opposite  page,  and  who  has  gone  to 
his  final  rest.  Every  enterprise  he  took  hold  of 
was  impelled  by  his  great  vigor  and  enthusiasm, 
and  it  became  a  maxim  that  what  .T.  P.  Woodbury 
took  an  active  interest  in  was  sure  of  success.  A 
man  of  keen  intellect,  always  ready  to  grasp  the 
difficult  questions  that  puzzled  others,  his  clear 
mind  would  soon  unravel  the  difficulties  and  make 
smooth  sailing.  His  judgment  was  final  in  all 
questions  of  financial  policy,  and  no  institution 
guided  by  his  brain  was  ever  in  danger  of  the 
rocks. 

Born  in  Charlton,  Mass.,  February  7,  1805,  our 
subject  was  the  son  of  Caleb  and  Silence  (King) 
Woodbury,  natives  of  Sutton,  Worcester  County, 
Mass.  His  father  was  a  man  of  public  importance 
and  upright  character,  whose  family  comprised  his 
wife  and  ten  sons.  The  fourth  child,  Jeremiah  P., 
was  reared  by  his  uncle,  Jeremiah  Pratt,  the  hus- 
band of  his  father's  sister,  who  adopted  him  when 
he  was  a  mere  infant.     He  was  reared  in  Massachu- 


setts, and  accompanied  his  uncle  to  New  York,  set- 
tling in  Tompkins  and  remaining  on  a  farm  there 
until  about  1830.  In  the  meantime  he  learned  tlie 
trade  of  a  carpenter,  his  uncle  being  a  millwright. 

When  about  twenty-four  years  old,  our  subject 
entered  the  mcr(\antile  business  at  Peruville, 
Tompkins  County,  in  connection  with  his  younger 
brother,  Caleb.  lie  followed  merchandising  from 
18.'V2  until  183(),  and  in  the  meantime  was  married, 
March  12,  1831,  at  J.,ansing,  Tompkins  County,  to 
Miss  Malinda  Knettles.  Mrs.  Woodbury  was  born 
in  Tompkins  County,  November  27,  1813,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Catherine  (Tichenor) 
Knettles.  Her  father  was  of  (ierman  parentage, 
being  the  son  of  one  George  Knettles,  who  emi- 
grated from  Germany  and  established  a  home  in 
Philadelphia  County,  Pa.,  later  removing  to  Car- 
lisle, the  same  State.  Joseph  was  married  tlie  first 
time  in  New  York,  when  about  thirty-three  years 
old,  and  settled  in  Tompkins  Count3',  and  after  the 
death  of  his  first  wife,  he  married  Miss  Catherine 
Tichenor,  being  then  about  forty-three  years  of  age. 

In  1836,  Mr.  Woodbur}^,  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  came  to  Michigan  and  located  in  Bellevue, 
Eaton  County,  a  little  town  just  started.  He  there 
opened  a  store  and  engaged  in  the  tanning  of  hides, 
and  the  manufacture  of  boots,  shoes,  saleratus, etc.; 
he  also  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business.  His 
brother  Caleb,  who  had  been  his  partner  in  New 
York,  came  with  him  to  this  State  and  engaged  in 
business  with  him  until  the  spring  of  1847,  when 
he  disposed  of  his  interests  in  Bellevue,  and  went 
to  Adrian. 

Eighteen  months  prior  to  his  removal  to  Kala- 
mazoo, our  subject  started  a  branch  store  here,  and, 
upon  removing  his  family  hither,  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  pig-iron,  the  ore  being  found  on 
the  river  banks.  A  few  years  before,  a  furnace 
had  been  erected  bnt  the  enterprise  proved  a  fail- 
ure. Mr.  Woodburjr  purchased  the  property  and 
made  a  success  of  the  business.  Soon  afterward  he 
started  a  stove  manufactory  in  the  village,  mak- 
ing stoves  and  selling  them  throughout  the  coun- 
try. In  addition  he  built  a  flouring  mill,  two  miles 
south  of  the  village,  and  operated  it  with  consid- 
erable success.  He  was  one  of  the  original  owners 
of  the  gas  works  in  the  citj% 


234 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArfflCAL   RECORD. 


After  his  flouring  mill  was  burned,  Mr.  Wood- 
bury became  connected  witli  the  Kalamazoo  I'aper 
Mill,  and  also  gave  considerable  attention  to  the 
.Michigan  National  Hank,  of  which  he  was  a  Di- 
rector. He  was  an  extensive  property  owner,  in- 
vesting in  property  in  Eaton  County,  and  also  in 
the  pine  lands  of  Minnesota.  His  home  was  at  No. 
405  Main  Street  for  thirty-nine  years,  and  about 
eleven  yeai-s  before  his  death  he  erected  the 
present  residence  which  now  adorns  tliat  part  of 
the  city.  His  death,  which  occuricd  Novcmlwr  .">. 
1887,  was  the  result  of  being  thrown  from  a  car- 
riage, while  returning  from  a  lisliing  excursion 
with  a  party  of  gentlemen.  It  was  a  great  shock 
to  the  commnnity.  and  especially  to  tlu)se  who 
mo>t  tenderly   loved  him — his  wife  and  ciiildren. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodbury  were  the  parents  of  live 
children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  Caroline 
married  George  Tr.Tsk,  a  son  of  l.uther  Trask,  of 
Kalamazoo,  and  resided  in  New  York  until  the 
death  of  her  husband,  since  which  her  home  has 
been  with  Mrs.  Woodbury.  Catherine  is  the  widow 
of  Col.  Fred  W.  Curtenins;  Emma  m.irricd  Ira  .\. 
Hansom,  and  resides  in  Kalamazoo;  Edward  also 
resides  in  this  city,  and  is  an   active  business  man. 

Eond  of  life  and  society,  Mr.  Woodbury  was  a 
most  genial  and  companionable  man,  and  his  ex- 
tensive travels  throughout  tiie  United  States  and 
Europe  gave  him  a  fund  of  information  whicli 
contributed  to  his  popularity.  His  temperament 
w.as  nervous,  his  disposition  generous,  and  his 
charities  best  known  by  the  poor  and  destitute,  to 
whom  he  never  refused  a  helping  hand. 


r- 


OI'.Ein    llIl.roN.     This  owner  :iiid  resident 


^'<  locat('(l  upon  the  line  farm  on  section  11. 
dl*!  i\\  Lee  Township,  Allcgnn  County,  Is  a  prom- 
^^^  incnt  gentleman  in  this  i-egion.  IIcwms 
born  in  Lincolnshire,  ICnghiml,  April  Hi,  IH.'id.and 
is  tiic  son  of  Kobcrl  and  .M.'uy  (Smith)  Hilton. 
The  f.'ither  ilied  while  our  siilijcct  was  a  babe,  he 
being  the  youngest  of  four  cliildicn,  all  of  whom 
died  wlien  young. 

Robert  llillrin,  Sr..  was  a  larmcr    by  occupation. 


and  after  his  decease  his  wife  married  Baker  Mal- 
k'tt,  and  to  tlicm  was  born  a  daughter,  Sarah. 
After  Mr.  Mallett's  death,  our  subject's  mother 
became  the  wife  of  William  Smith.  She  passed 
from  this  life  aliout  187(1.  .Mr.  Ilillou,  .if  this 
sketch,  remained  with  his  mother  until  reaching 
his  majority.  His  early  life  w.as  spent  in  tlie  vil- 
lage of  Alnwick,  but  as  lie  was  oliiiged  to  earn  his 
own  living  from  the  age  i>f  ten  years,  his  I'duca- 
tional  advantages  were  very  limited. 

When  attaining  his  twenty-second  year,  Robert 
Hilton  was  married  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  .lanu^s 
N.  and  Charlotte  (Loved.ay)  Edwards.  The  cere- 
mony which  made  them  imc  was  celebrated  in 
England,  May  16,  1856,  and  the  next  morning 
they  set  sail  for  the  United  States.  Their  first  lo- 
cation was  at  East  Mendon,  Monroe  County,  N.  Y., 
where  Mr.  Hilton  engaged  to  work  on  a  farm  for 
two  years.  In  1851(,  however,  he  came  to  Michigan 
witli  his  family  and  located  in  Battle  Creek,  whicli 
they  made  their  home  for  a  twelvemonth,  when 
they  came  to  Allegan  County.  They  settled  in 
what  was  then  Pinplains,  but  is  now  Ia'c  Town- 
ship, being  among  the  first  white  peojile  to  locate 
there. 

Our  subject,  when  making  a  iiermanent  settle- 
ment in  Allegan  County,  purchased  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  where  ho  now  makes  his  honu\ 
|);iying  for  the  same  fifty  cents  per  acre.  'I'lie 
property  was  in  its  primitive  condition,  and,  erect- 
ing a  log  cabin  11x20  feet  in  dimensions,  he  com- 
menced the  work  of  clearing.  His  wi/e's  parents 
lived  with  them  until  they  could  build  a  cabin  of 
their  own.  Mr.  Hillun  began  working  in  the  [linc 
woods  at  %\'l  i)cr  month  in  tirder  to  support  his 
family  in  their  new  home,  and  the  first  winter,  the 
weather  being  extremely  severe,  froze  his  fci't-. 
Willi  the  coming  of  the  spring,  he  commenced 
felling  the  timber  f)n  his  land,  working  at  a  great 
disadvantage,  however,  as  he  owned  neither  farm 
iiiipleiiient-s  nor  team.  He  worked  two  days  onlof 
the  week  for  a  neighbor  for  the  use  of  his  team  one 
day.  His  industry  and  perseverance  were  rewaiclcd, 
.'ind.  at  the  end  iif  the  seeinid  year,  lie  had  li:iiv- 
csted  six  a<res  of  wheat. 

Mr.  Ilillini  was  very  ingenious  ;ind  .seldom  went 
ill  dclil  for  any  of  bis  farm    machinery.     His  first 


PORTRAIT  AND  BTOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


235 


liaiTow  he  coiislriict.cil  liiniself,  using  \yoo(lcii  pins 
for  tc'L'tli.  Ill  the  noat  and  cuiivciiiont  buildings 
wliicli  now  adorn  his  place,  \vc  see  the  same  spirit 
of  economy  manifested,  for  Mr.  Hilton  never  lie- 
gan  anj'  work  unless  he  had  the  money  to  carry  it 
through.  He  is  now  the  proud  possessor  of  two 
hundred  acres  of  excellent  land,  which  iiave  been 
accumulated  solely  through  his  own  efforts,  as  he 
came  to  the  new  State  with  no  other  means  of  sup- 
port than  his  strong  and  willing  hands.  He  has 
been  more  than  ordinarily  successful  in  his  farming 
operations,  and  now  ranks  among  the  well-to-do 
and  intelligent  agriculturists  of  Lee  Township. 
Mrs.  Hilton  was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children, 
six  of  whom  are  yet  living:  Mary  A.  (Mrs.  Hilton), 
Eliza,  John,  Albert,  Joseph,  Elizabeth  (deceased) 
and  James.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  not 
been  blessed  with  children.  In  politics,  Mr.  Plilton 
is  a  strong  Democrat,  and  greatly  resi)ected  in  this 
local  it  V. 


'  MBROSE  MILIIAM,  an  old  settler  of  Kala- 
mazoo County,  and  one  of  its  wealthiest 
( I  farmers  and  stock-raisers,  belonging  to 
one  of  its  best-known  pioneer  families, 
occupies  a  leading  place  among  the  agriculturists 
who  have  had  the  m.aking  of  Pavilion  Township, 
so  far  as  redeeming  the  land  from  the  wilderness 
and  transforming  it  into  smiling  and  highly' 
productive  farms  is  concerned.  His  farming  inter- 
ests, which  centre  there  on  section  6,  are  very  val- 
uable, his  farm  being  one  of  the  best  in  point  of 
improvement  and  one  of  the  best  stocked  in  this 
locality. 

Mr.  Milham  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chatham, 
N.  Y.,  September  25,  1827.  His  father,  John  Mil- 
ham,  was  also  a  native  of  New  York,  his  birthplace 
in  Columbia  County.  He  was  a  son  of  Blathias 
Milham,  a  native  of  Germany.  He  had  come  to 
New  York  in  Colonial  times,  and  was  engaged 
there  as  a  farmer  for  many  years.  He  died  when 
about  ninety  years  old.  John  Milham  grew  up  to 
the  life  of  a  farmer  in  his  native  Staie,  and  in  due 
course  of  time  had  a  good  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  in  his  possession.     He  was  a  man  of    more 


llinii  ordinary  push  and  executive  ability,  and  he 
was  not  only  prominent  in  public  life  in  New 
York,  representing  his  district  in  the  State  Legi.s- 
lature  and  holding  other  important  oflice.s,' but  he 
was  conspicuous  in  the  public  and  business  life  of 
^  this  county,  after  he  .settled  here  in  1845.  He 
located  in  Kalamazoo  Township,  where  he  devel- 
oped a  large  farm,  and  at  one  time  he  owned  be- 
tween fifteen  hundred  and  sixteen  hundred  acres 
of  land,  and^was  one  of  the  richest  men  of  the 
count3'.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  ever 
loyal  to  his  party.  He  was  nominated  for  Sheriff  by 
his  party  at  one  time,  but  was  defeated,  as  the  odds 
were  too  great  against  his  partj-.  lie  was  a  Luth- 
eran in  his  religious  belief.  Ho  passed  away  at 
the  ripe  age  of  seventy-two,  and  his  memory  is 
cherished  as  that  of  one  of  our  noblest  pioneers. 
He  was  four  times  married.  The  mother  of  our 
subject,  Eva  Milham,  a  native  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  died  in  middle  life.  She  bore  four  children: 
William,  Richard,  Ambrose  and  James. 

Our  subject's  education  was  obtained  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  as  far  as  book  learning  was  concerned, 
and  on  his  father's  farm  he  acquired  a  thorough, 
practical  knowledge  of  farming  in  all  its  branches. 
He  came  here  in  his  nineteenth  j'ear,  making  the 
journey  by  the  Erie  Canal  to  Buffalo,  thence  by 
water  to  Detroit,  from  there  to  Jlarshall  b^'  rail- 
way, and  a  team  bought  at  that  place  conveyed 
him  and  the  other  members  of  the  family  accom- 
panying him  to  this  point.  At  the  ago  of  twent}-- 
one,  young  Milham  began  farming  for  himself,  and 
thus  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  pioneer.  The 
country  roundabout  was  then  nearly-  as  wild 
as  when  the  Indians  held  it,  for  the  white  settlers 
were  few  in  number.  Kalamazoo  was  but  a  small 
village,  with  no  indications  of  its  present  size  and 
importance.  Deer  were  abundant,  and  used  to 
come  into  the  field  where  our  subject  was  plowing. 
He  first  bought  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Por- 
tage Township  with  his  brother  William,  and  he 
lived  there  some  five  years  prior  to  coming  to 
Pavilion  Township.  He  has  here  three  hundred  .and 
twenty  acres  of  land,  of  which  two  hundred  are 
cleai-ed  and  well  tilled.  Mr.  Milham  has  made  all 
the  improvements  on  the  place,  and  thej-  are  of  a 
substantial  class,  of  modern  build  and  well  aranged. 


236 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


He  lias  tlii-eo  laru:e  barns,  a  large  shed,  and  a  (•diiuuo- 
tlioiis  frame  residence  llial  is  beautifully  situated 
in  a  natural  jiruve  of  oaks.  He  carries  on  mixed 
farming,  and  luas  raised  some  line  Durham  cattle 
and  many  Sliropsliircsliee|>. 

Mr.  Milham  was  married  May  18,  1824.  to  Miss 
Lydia  Turner,  who  was  a  true  and  tender  wife  to 
him  and  devoted  mother  to  their  children,  and  tiieir 
neigliboi-s  found  in  her  a  kind  and  sympathizing- 
friend.  She  was  horn  near  Rochester,  N.  V.,  De- 
cember 2!l.  182;i.  and  came  to  Michigan  with  her 
parents  in  1843.  She  died  ,luno  2;i,  188;").  after  a 
happy  married  life  of  tliirty-one  years.  Our  sub- 
ject has  six  children  living,  namely:  Ella;  AVill- 
iam  r...  who  mari-ied  Miss  Cora  Pike  in  188.');  Kva 
C,  who  marrieil  Willi:iiii  'rurner.  .Tanuary -'id.  188'.t, 
and  <lied  August  21.  ISHl;  Louis  !{.;  .leiinie,  wlio 
married  William  Collins.  October  1").  18,sr),  and 
Oliver.     One  son,  .Jerome  A.,  is  dead. 

Our  subject  has  witnessed  the  develoi)ment  of 
Pavilion  Township  and  the  county  at  large,  and 
he  lias  been  potent  in  bringing  about  tlie  great 
change  that  makes  this  section  so  prosixM-uus.  He 
isa  valued  citizen,  who  is  thoroughly  ideiitilicd 
with  the  interests  of  hiscomnuinity  and  in  him  the 
Democratic  party  hasone  of  its  most  faithful  adher- 
ents. His  career  shows  him  to  be  a  live  and  sagacious 
business  man,. and  his  many  friends  and  all  who 
have  occasion  to  deal  with  him  feel  that  he  is  just 
and  f:iii-iniiidcd  in  all  his  transactions. 

A  l.\  1  N  II.  I'l.i;i'(  l!i:U*  is  a  proiiiin.'iit 
,,  hardware  merchant  in  Sciulh  Haven.  The 
kL-4(/  pletcher  family  is  an  old  one  in  the  I'nited 
States,  its  membei-s  being  descendants  of  Robert 
Klet<-her.  who  was  Iku'ii  in  ICngland.  in  ir)'.)2.  The 
latter-named  gentleman  came  to  .Xmerica  in  1(130, 
and  settled  at  Concord,  Mass.,  where  he  became  a 
wealthy  and  inlluenlial  ni.'in.  His  death  occurred 
in  that  city,  April  .3,  1<!77.  The  direct  line  of  au- 
cestry  of  our  subject  then  |i:i>i^cd  In  W'illi.Miii 
Flet<'her,  will >  was  born  in  l-jigland.  in  1(122.  He 
came  to  America  with  his  father  in  1(130,  and  in 
Id'i.T  became  one  fif  the  II rst  settlers  of  Chelmsford. 
Mass.,  where  he  ilied  November  <!.  1(177. 


The  son  of  William  P'letrher.  .Tcishua.  was  liorn 
ill  Chelmsford.  Mass.,  March  3U.  1(;48.  and  died 
November  21.  1713.  His  son,  .Joseph,  was  born 
.hine  10.  I(i8it.  in  Chelmsford.  Mass..  and  ilicd  in 
West  ford.  Mass..  October  4.  1772.  His  son,  I'ola- 
tiah  l'"letcher.  was  born  in  AV  est  ford.  Mass..  May  13, 
1727.  and  died  in  the  same  town,  Fibruary  23, 
1807.  His  Son,  also  named  I'elatiah  Fletcher,  was 
born  in  M'estford.  ^lass..  April  1.  17()7,  and  die<l 
M.av  7,  1811.  His  son,  .Joel  Fletcher,  was  born  m 
Westford.  Mass.,  Feliruary  23,  1  78(1. and  removed  to 
Anson,  ^le..  where  he  married  and  reared  a  family 
of  seven  children.  His  second  soii.Cahin  Fletcher. 
who  w.as  the  father  of  our  subjccl.  was  born  in 
North  Anson,  Me..  October  2.  1811.  and  before  he 
attained  his  majonf.y.  learned  the  blacl<siiiilh"s 
trade. 

The  niai<li'ii  name  of  our  subject's  mother,  was 
Catherine  Hall,  a  daughterof  .lames  Hall.  She  was 
born  in  liloomlield  (now  .Skowhegan),  .Me.  The 
father  was  engaged  in  general  mercantile  business 
ill  his  native  town  until  18.'')2,  when  he  removed  to 
Cape  N'incent,  .TefTerson  County.  N.  Y.,  and  con- 
timied  a  like  business  until  18(")1.  He  then  came 
to  Michigan  and  established  a  hardw.are  tiade 
ill  Plainwell,  Allegan  County,  remaining  there  un- 
til 18()3,  the  date  i)f  his  removal  to  South  Haven. 
Since  locating  here,  he  .associated  his  .son,  our  sub- 
ject, in  business  with  him,  they  operating  under  the 
linn  name  of  Calvin  Fletcher  A:  Son,  until  the 
death  of  the  father.  Jle  wasa  very  inllnential  citi- 
zen, and  although  a  stanch  Democrat  in  a  Repub- 
lican town,  was  frecpicntJy  elected  to  public  ollice. 
He  was  at  one  time  .lustice  of  the  IVace  for  twenty- 
two  years,  and  a  member  of  llie  School  Hoard  for 
many  years. 

In  his  chui'ch  relations,  the  senior  Calvin  Fletcher 
was  an  ICpiscopalian  being  one  of  the  founders  of 
that  denomination  in  South  Haven.  He  was  a 
Royal  Arch  M;ison.  being  a  cliarlcr  member  of 
Star  ol'  till'  Fake  Lodge,  No.  1;')8,  A.  F.  A-  A.  M.. 
of  which  lodge  he  was  .Senior  Warden  and  was 
foi'  many  years  its  Treasurer.  Financially,  he  w;is 
su<Tessful,  but,  his  health  being  very  poor,  the 
last  three  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  san- 
ilariiini  at  I'imIIIc  Creek,  wliei-e  his  death  occurred 
l'ebrM:ir\-   I.  1S,S7.      His  wife  dii'd  al  South   Haven, 


fWc^^^^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAFII'CAL    RECORD. 


239 


November  25,  1881.  They  were  llic  parents  of  | 
fdiii-  cliildrcii :  (';il\iii  1 1..  >.'(iiiii:iii.  K:i1  ic  ;i  iid  \\\;\  , 
(twills);   the  I;i1tcr-ii:iin('(l  (l!Ui_L;litt'i-  is  dfcuasi'd. 

Calvin  II.  I""l('tcli('i%  of  tliis  sicetcli,  was  Inn'ii  in 
Sdiiicrsct  ('(lunly,  I\lo.,  Ainiusl,  2H,  IH-10.  He  w.as 
educated  in  l-'airlicid  Seminary,  at  Kairlic^ld,  N.  V., 
l)nt,  liefiire  coinpletinii  liis  cotu'sc,  lie  ijave  u|i  liis 
studies,  and  fvv  a  |)eri()<l  of  two  and  (iiie-lialf 
years  was  a  sailor  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  Ketnrii- 
iiiii'  home,  he  aeeomiianied  his  family  to  .Michijiun, 
and  when  his  father  estahlislieil  in  liM>iiic.ss  at 
South  Haven,  he  hecaiiie  his  partner.  Since  his 
father's  death,  he  has  carried  on  the  husiness  in  the 
name  of  Calvin  Fletcher's  Son.  He  is  the  oldest 
hardware  mereliant  in  South  Haven,  and  does  a 
splendid  liusincss. 

Mr.  Fletcher  was  married  to  Mrs.  Clara  (Church) 
MeO i II n is,  January  27,1887.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat.  His  stock  of  goods  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  September,  1890,  and  in  .Tuly,  IK'.ll,  his  resi- 
dence and  some  goods  in  storage  were  also  binned. 
He  has  since,  however,  erected  a  handsome  brick 
residence,  which  is  supplied  with  all  the  modern 
comforts  and  conveniences.  In  addition  to  the 
business  already  mentioned,  Mr.  Fletcher  owns  a 
good  fruit  farm  near  the  village,  which  is  under 
siilendid  cultivation. 


J 


•Tl  UTHER  H.  TRASK.  Michigan  owes  much 
ll  {@  ^^  those  men  who  in  early  days  came  from 
J^^,  New  England  to  establish  their  homes 
within  her  borders,  bringing  with  them  the  sturdy 
independence,  the  good  sense,  the  \nety  and  the 
love  for  education  which  characterized  the  Puri- 
tan fathers  and  their  descendants.  The  Trask 
family  is  said  to  have  descended  from  three  brothers 
who  came  to  this  country  from  England  in  the 
Colonial  days,  and  one  of  them,  Capt.  Trask,  wiio 
settled  at  Salem,  was  the  ancestor  of  onr  subject. 
His  parents  were  Aaron  and 'Betsey  (Ooodell) 
Trask,  and  lie  was  born  in  Millbury,  Worcester 
County,  Mass.,  February  15,  1807.  His  death, 
November  1-t,  1888,  in  Kalamazoo,  was  a  cause  of 
sincere  grief  and  mourning,  not  only  in  his  family 


but  in  church,  society  and  luisiness  circles.  He 
was  one  who  tilled  a  lnii;c  and  varied  field  of  use- 
fulness, having  |K)ss^^sscd  a  strong  physique,  calla- 
ble of  siijiporting  nnliiiiited  hardships,  keen  good 
sense,  a  strong  will,  profound  moral  sense,  and  a 
dee|ily  religious  nature. 

The  common  schools  afforded  opportunities  for 
the  education  of  Luther  Trask  in  his  boyhood, 
and  at  sixteen  he  engaged  in  maiiiifacturing  pur- 
suits, continuing  thus  for  five  years,  and  then  car- 
rying on  farming  until  he  came  to  Michigan.  His 
marriage,  which  took  |)l.acc  in  October,  1828, 
united  him  with  Miss  Louisa  Fa}',  of  Southboro, 
Mass.,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  George,  who 
died  in  1875,  and  Hannah  L.,  who  is  now  Mrs. 
Cornell,  of  this  city. 

In  1834,  Mr.  Trask  made  an  exploring  trip  into 
the  wilds  of  Michigan,  and,  being  pleased  with  the 
country,  lirought  his  family  hither.  I'lie  lirst  set- 
tlement was  made  in  .luiie,  18:35,  in  the  vill.age  of 
Kalamazoo,  where  Mr.  Trask  pursued  the  calling  of 
surveyor  and  civil  engineer  for  several  years.  He 
was  a  natural  mechanic,  and  built  a  number  of 
houses  and  stores  in  Kalamazoo,  which  he  sold;  be- 
sides his  famil}'  residence  which  was  the  lirst  brick 
house  erected  there,  Init  which  is  now  demolished.  In 
those  early  days  the  pioneers  found  abundant  op- 
portunity for  exercising  their  abilities  in  every 
direction,  and  Mr.  Trask  was  most  useful  in  pro- 
moting Christian  worship,  and  in  teaching  in  the 
first  Sundaj'-school  which  was  established  in  the 
village.  He  supported  the  services  of  the  pioneer 
Methodist  minister,  Mr.  Robe,  and  later,  those  of 
the  Rev.  Silas  "Woodberry,  who  was  the  first  Presl)y- 
terian  minister  at  Kalamazoo. 

In  the  spring  of  1836,  efforts  were  made 
which  resulted  in  the  building  of  the  first  church 
edifice,  and  in  this  enterprise  Mr.  Trask  joined 
most  heartily,  and  became  a  memlier  of  the  session 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  serving  as  an  Elder  for 
more  than  forty  years.  The  stock  company  whicli 
built  the  first  church  was  composed  of  the  follow- 
ing pioneers:  .John  AVinslow,  Luther  H.  Trask 
Clark  Kellogg,  Abram  Edwards  Alexander  H. 
Edw\ards  and  Martin  Heydenburk.  and  the 
church  edifice  was  their  individual  property 
for    many    years.     His   strong    good    sense,   ear- 


240 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


nest  Cliristian  cliaracter  and  independent  spirit, 
gave  liim  the  good-will  and  confidence  of  all 
all  wlio  knew  him,  and  his  ever-open  hand  and 
heart  were  ready  to  aid  in  ever^*  good  cause.  Al- 
though frank  and  outspoken  in  his  opinions  when 
occasion  called  f«)r  expression,  Mr.  Trask  was  reall.y 
a  man  of  reserve  and  of  tact,  keeping  his  own  af- 
faire to  himself,  and  declining  to  be  forced  to  ex- 
press himself  until  the  proper  time  arrived  for  an- 
nouncing his  plans  and  views.  His  firm  will  tlins 
counterpoised  his  impulsive  nature,  and  gave  him 
a  reputation  for^trict  honesty  and  good  judgment. 
He  hated  shams  and  falsehood  more  than  all  else. 
for  he  feared  God  rather  than  man,  and  fearlessly 
ol)ej"ed  his  conscience,  even  though  it  cost  him 
dear. 

Mr.  Trask  was  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Kalamazoo  County,  during  1839  and  1840;  in 
1842-415,  he  was  made  Receiver  of  the  United 
States  Land  Office,  and  Inspector  of  the  State  Prison 
from  18.55  to  1860.  In  1858  he  was  appointed  a 
memlx-r  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Michigan 
Insane  Asylum,  and  was  President  of  the  Board 
until  1878.  His  Xew  England  training  and 
heredity  gave  him  a  constant  interest  in  educa- 
tional matters,  and  in  the  early  days  lie  was  active 
in  public  school  work.  He  was  one  of  the  founders 
and  a  member  of  the  Executive  Board  of  the 
Michigan  Female  Seminary,  wliich  was  developed 
on  the  plan  of  Mt.  Ilolyoke.  In  political  mat- 
ters he  was  originally  a  AVIiig,  and,  upt)n  the  for- 
nialion  of  the  Republican  party,  joined  its  ranks. 
His  work  as  a  pioneer  of  Kalamazoo,  and  as  a 
friend  of  all  pulillc  institutions,  added  greatly  to 
the  development  of  the  city,  and  U)  its  beauty  and 
strength. 

Cieorge  i^.  Trask,  tlie  son  of  our  subject,  was  grad- 
ated at  Union  College  in  1852,  after  having  Uaken 
n  partial  course  of  study  in  the  Michigan  State 
I'ni vt-rsity.  He  wjls  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  New 
York  until  his  death,  which  trxik  pl.ace  in  lH7;j. 
While  traveling  in  {'nlifornia  in  1852,  he  undei'- 
took  the  lii.sk  of  taking  llie  bark  from  one  fif  the 
mnninioth  trees,  and  in  1 85((  carried  this  treasure 
to  Sydenham  I'alaee  at  the  London  I'^xposltlon, 
where  it  wa.«  rxlilbitcd  anil  sold.  His  <lc;ith  oc- 
cuiri-d  .June  1,  1H75,  at  New  ( )rli'ans,  he  having  left 


his  home  on  a  business  trip  to  Mexico.  His  wife, 
Caroline,  daughter  of  the  late  J.  1'.  Woodbury,  of 
Kalamazoo,  survives  him.  His  sister,  Hannah  L. 
Trask,  liecame  the  wife  of  Joseph  B,  Cornell,  a 
sketch  of  whose  life  work  can  be  found  elsewhere 
in  this  volume.  Luther  H.  Trask  was  .among  the 
men  who  were  active  in  developing  the  summer 
resort  at  Little  Traverse  Baj',  where  the  family 
have  a  cottage.  His  faithful  and  self-sacrificing 
helpmate,  who  survived  him  more  than  two  years, 
passed  from  life,  February  7,  1891. 

In  connection  with  this  biographical  notice  may 
be  found  a  lithograph  portrait  of  Mr.  Trask. 


-e^ 


•y3  3» 


OBERT  ORR.  The  name  of  Orr  is  familiar 
in  Southern  ISIichigan  as  that  of  one  of  its 
pioneer  families,  of  which  our  subject  is  a 
'"^  member,  and  he  is  entitled  to  all  honor 
and  respect  for  his  worthy  life  record  as  a  man 
and  citizen,  who  has  been  a  valu.able  factor  in 
opening  up  the  section  of  the  counti  y  comprised 
in  Van  Buren  County,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
resident  for  more  than  forty  years,  clearing  and 
improving  a  farm  on  section  28,  Paw  I'aw  Town- 
ship, which  is  classed  among  the  best  estates  in 
tiie  vicinity. 

Mr.  Orr  is  the  son  of  Hugh  and  Rebecca  (Whit- 
ney) Orr,  and  was  born  in  their  home  in  Daven- 
port Tt>wnslii|),  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  September 
14,  1816.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Dutchess 
County,  N.  Y.,  l)orn  April  8,  1777,  and  w.as  of 
Scotch  ancestry.  He  owned  a  farm  in  his  native 
state,  but  he  wjis  an  engineer  on  a  steamer  that 
])lie(l  on  the  Hudson  River  and  on  Chesapeake 
Bay.  Al  llie  age  of  lifty-five,  he  al»andoiu>d  his 
life  on  the  river,  and,  with  his  wife  and  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife,  started  f(n'  Miciiigaii  in  184  1. 
The  little  company  einbaikcd  with  their  team  on  a 
vessel  on  the  lake  hoiiiul  for  Detroit,  where  they 
landed,  and  then  drove  across  the  rougii,  wihl 
country  to  Climax  I'rairie,  Kalamazoo  County, 
where  a  son  had  already  settled,  and  there  llie 
family  located,  and  became  identilied  with  the 
l)ioncers  of  thai  vieinity. 

Oiu"  subject   had    been    hrouglil    up  on  a  farm, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BlOriRAnilCAL   RFX'ORD. 


241 


and  had  a  good  experience  of  farmino-  ere  he  tried 

iloii  the  virijiii  sdii  of  Michii^Mn.  His  I'diicMlidii 
had  been  conducted  in  tlic  common  schools  of  his 
native  town.  He  began  life  for  himself  the  siiriny; 
before  he  was  twenty  3'ears  ohl,  and.  being  a 
strong,  active, ""capnbk^  j'onth,  he  did  well.  He 
worlfed  at  lumbering  for  one  man  four  years,  re- 
ceiving |!l  KM  h<'  llrst  year,  ^I'i.'j  the  second  year, 
^\'.]'>  the  third  \ear,  and  $144  the  fourth  year. 
Out  of  this  not  very  large  amonnt  of  money,  be 
managed  to  save  the  astonishing  sum  of  5^100,  as 
he  had  an  eye  for  the  futnre,  and  liad  wisely  laid 
by  his  earnings  that  he  might  beccjme  indeiiend- 
ent.  He  put  that  money  out  at  interest,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  gather  together  more.  He  went  down 
the  Delaware  River,  and,  taking  a  job  at  logging, 
in  two  years  had  saved  another  $400.  His  next 
venture  w.as  to  invest  in  seventy  acres  of  land  in 
Delaware  Conntj'  in  1842,  which,  some  j-ears  after, 
be  traded  for  a  quarter  of  a  section  of  land  in  Van 
Buren  County,  Mich.,  without  coming  to  see  it. 
He  was  to  have  the  second  choice  out  of  seventeen 
hundred  acres  of  land,  and  he  selected  the  tract 
on  which  he  now  lives  in  Paw-  Paw  Township,  his 
homestead  novv  comprising  but  one  hundied  and 
ten  acres,  as  he  disposed  of  a  part  of  his  quarter- 
section  . 

When  he  first  came  to  Michigan,  Mr.  Orr  leased 
land  of  his  brother  on  Climax  Prairie,  and  worked 
that  two  3'ears  prior  to  making  the  exchange  of 
his  property  in  New  York  for  land  in  \'an  Buren 
Countj^,  which  we  have  just  noted.  He  moved  to 
his  present  home  the  first  week  in  May,  1847. 
His  first  work  on  his  place  was  to  build  a  log 
house,  hauling  the  lumber  for  a  floor  from  Climax 
Prairie.  He  h.as  cleared  the  land  himself,  aiul  has 
a  farm  well  worth  having,  with  its  neat  buildings, 
well-tilled,  highly  productive  soil,  and  pleasant 
surroundings.  He  is  a  sober-minded,  industrious 
niiin,  of  sterling  principles  and  kindlv  nature,  his 
neighbors,  and  other  friends  of  manj- 3'ears'  stand- 
ing, finding  him  accommodating  and  helpful,  and 
he  is  highl}'  regarded  by  the  entire  community. 
He  is  a  representative  Democrat  of  this  section, 
and  has  .assisted  at  the  councils  of  his  party  as  a 
delegate  to  count}-  conventions.  He  has  served 
as  Road  Commissioner  three  j-ears,  and   is  always 


in  favor  of  all  fea.sible  plans    for    improving  the 

township  ill  any  direction. 

Shortly  before  coming  to  INHchigan,  Mr.  Orr 
took  unto  himself  a  wife,  in  the  person  of  Miss 
Aliigail  .\iin  Cummings,  to  whom  he  was  wedded 
April  21,  1844,  and  he  ther(4iy  secured  a  helpmate 
to  assist  him  in  founding  a  home  in  the  forest 
wihls  where  he  afterwards  settled.  Mrs.  Orr  was 
born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  .lanuary  (i,  1H20, 
a  daughter  of  AV'illiamand  Sabie  (Bedlield)  Cum- 
mings. Three  children  have  been  born  to  her  and 
our  subject,  of  whom  one  is  spared  to  bless  their 
declining  years,  their  son,  Samuel  Hugh.  Their 
daughter  Sabie,  born  in  Kalamazoo  Count}',  Feb- 
ruary 4.  I84(j,  died  SeptA-mber  29,  1863.  Their 
youngest  child,  Sabrina  ,\.,  born  April  8,  184G, 
married  Albert  Hinckley  and  died  March  13,  1875, 
without  issue.  Samuel  Hugh  Orr  was  born  on  the 
home  farm,  November  6,  1847.  He  received  a 
good  common  school-education,  and  a  thorough 
training  in  all  that  goes  to  make  a  practical,  wide- 
awake farmer,  and  has  attained  a  solid  place 
among  the  men  of  enterprise  who  are  carr3ing  on 
the  large  .agricultural  interests  of  this  his  native 
count}'.  He  is  a  st.alwart  Democrat,  and  has  the 
welfare  of  his  part}^  at  heart.  He  was  married 
November  3,  1875,  to  ISli.ss  P^va  A.,  daughter  of 
Uriel  and  Margaret  (Sherrod)  Lee.  She  is  a 
native  of  Paw  Paw  Township,  and  was  born  here 
.Tune  1,  18.52.  The  following  is  recorded  of  the 
five  children  that  complete  the  household  of  her- 
self and  husband:  Dais3',  who  was  born  October  3, 
1876.  is  a  student  at  the  High  School  at  Paw  Paw; 
Dayton  Wellington  was  born  Ai)ril  10,  1878; 
Grove  Robert,  September  21,  1880;  Grace  Rose, 
August  8,  1882,  and  Ivv  Roselia.  February  15. 
1.S84. 


ERRY  MARION  YOUNG,  an  extensive  grain 

dealer  of  Decatur,  has  engaged   in   business 

p'      in  this  line  since   1888.     A  native  of   Elk- 

\        hart  County,  Ind.,  he  was  born   on    the   7th 

of  November,  1848,  .and  is  one  of  seven    children 

whose  parents  were  Samuel  Bryant  and  Elizabeth 

A.  (Stubbs)  Young.     His  father  was  born  near  tlie 


242 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


city  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  llnouufhout  his  life  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  farming.  When  a  lad 
of  ten  yeai-s,  lie  went  to  Indiana,  whore  he  remained 
until  1853,  and  during  that  time  met  and  married 
Miss  Stubbs,  a  native  of  the  Hoosier  .State.  Re- 
moving to  Miehigan.  he  settled  in  Decatur  Town- 
ship. \'an  Hiireii  County,  where  he  carried  on  .agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  his  death,  in  1881.  His 
fli-st  wife  died  in  1«()G.  They  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  mature  3'ears, 
namely:  MeiC3'  Elizabeth,  wife  of  George  W.  Hall, 
of  Manistee  County,  Mich.;  Caroline  Ann,  wife  of 
.James  R.  .Jewell,  of  Decatur  Tt)wnsliip;  Dor(;as. 
who  married  Allister  Ball,  their  home  being  in 
-Manistee  County;  Eli  Bryant,  who  is  eng.aged  in 
the  hardware  business  in  Dow.agiac,  Cass  County; 
Fora  Belle,  wife  of  Charles  E.  Ball,  also  a  resident 
of  ^lanistee  County,  and  Perry  of  this  sketch.  In 
1869  .S.  B.  Young  was  again  married,  his  second 
union  being  with  Mrs.  Maria  A.  Henderson,  who 
w.is  born  near  Xiles.  Berrien  County.  Mich.  They 
hada  family  of  five  children, all  yet  living:  William, 
of  Decatur;  Nellie,  his  twin  sister,  now  the  wife  of 
Martin  'i  ost,  of  Tennessee;  Blanche,  who  lives  with 
her  sister  in  Tennessee;  Albert,  of  Decatur,  and 
Maud,  whose  home  is  also  in  Decatur,  living  with 
her  mother,  who  still  survives.  Mr.  Young  was  a 
man  widely  known  throughout  this  community, 
and  had  a  host  of  warm  friends,  who  esteemed  him 
highly  for  his  many  excellencies  of  character.  He 
was  very  energetic  and  industrious,  and  in  early 
life  was  vcr^'  successful  in  his  business  career.  The 
Kepuliiican  party  found  in  him  a  slaiich  advocate, 
and  he  look  an  :ietive  interest  in  political  alTairs. 
.Since  he  was  five  years  old,  our  subject  has  been 
a  resident  of  \'ai\  Biireii  County,  and  has  therefore 
been  an  eye-witness  to  the  greater  part  of  its 
growth  and  ilevelopmenl.  His  educational  privi- 
legas  were  only  such  as  the  common  scIk)oIs  afforded. 
but  by  leading  and  observation  he  h.os  become  a 
well-inforiiicd  man.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
beg!in  farming  for  himself  in  Decatur  Township, 
and  conliiiuerl  the  cultivation  of  his  land  forabout 
ten  years.  In  (he  ineantimi'  lie  i-liose  a,s  a  coin- 
p:iiiioii  and  helpmeet  on  life's  journey.  Miss.Icniiie 
Ball,  their  union  being  celebrated  November  21, 
1H70.    The  lady  iHniintiveor  Butler  County,  Ohio, 


.and  a  daughter  of  Daniel    R.    Ball,   a   well-known 

;uk1  iutlueiitial  farmur,  now  residing  in  Manistee 
County,  Mich.  Two  children  grace  their  union: 
Minnie  Dell  and  Claude. 

On  selling  his  farm,  Mr.  Young  removed  to  De- 
catur, where,  in  conneetioii  with  Mr.  Rawson,  he 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  for  some  time.  After 
their  parlnership  was  dissolved,  he  continued  to 
carry  on  that  line  of  trade,  and  also  to  handle  pro- 
duce, and  is  now  doing  a  tine  paying  business,  be- 
ing the  most  extensive  grain  dealer  in  Decatur.  He 
is  a  man  of  good  business  ability,  and  his  well- 
directed  efforts  are  winning  him  a  signal  success. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  sLanch  Republican,  and  has  held 
the  oflice  of  Township  Clerk,  being  the  present 
incumbent.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  VilLage 
Board.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  has  held  the  olliees  of  .Junior  Warden  and 
.Junior  Deacon,  Both  in  business  and  social  circles 
Mr,  Young  r.anks  high  and  is  deservedly  popular, 
having  won  his  wav  uijward  bv  merit. 


!#!#^li-^l"l^lW 


(X\  ft)ARREN  11.  COHV  owns  eighty  .acres  of 
v\A/jf  ^"®  land  on  section  20,  Lawrence  Town- 
^z'  ship.  Van  linren  County,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged .as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  w.as  born 
in  Springfield,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  September 
11,  181(1,  and  is  the  son  of  Marsena  and  Lucind.a 
(Hard})  Cory,  natives  of  New  York.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Cass  County,  this  State, 
when  our  subject  w.as  a  lad  of  eleven  j-ears. 

Warren  II,  Cory  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  the 
al)0\e-iiamed  county,  and  received  a  limited 
education,  lie  was  married  February  2,5,  ISO."?, 
when  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  to  Miss  Cath- 
erine, daughter  of  Bentley  and  Maria  (Walker) 
Ragoii,  the  father  a  native  of  Dublin,  Ireland,  and 
the  mother  of  New  Lebanon.  N.  .J.  Mr.  K'ageii 
died  when  Mrs.  Coiy  was  an  iiif.-uit  of  liftc'cn 
months.  She  was  born  l-'eliiuaiy  2ii,  isil.in  Her 
kimer  County,  N.  V. 

After  his  marriage,  our  subject  made  his  home 
with  his  father  for  :i  iminber  of  years  ainl  then  pur- 
chased eighty  .acres  of  land  adjoining  the  home 
farm,  on  which  he  continued  to  reside  for  ten  or 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


243 


eleven  years.  After  disposing  of  his  jiroperty 
there,  in  1876,  he  i)iirchased  his  present  liome  in 
Lawrence  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  tliirty 
acres  of  which  were  under  tlie  plow.  His  farm  is 
now  under  the  very  best  cultivation  and  ranks 
among  the  finest  in  the  county.  Although  having 
been  very  successful  in  his  farming  operations, 
Mr.  Cory  has  suffered  many  losses,  at  one  time 
having  his  barn  liurned  by  lightning  when  full  of 
machinery.  He  soon  replaced  it,  however,  and 
at  tlie  present  writing  lias  a  good  dwelling  on  his 
estate,  which  was  erected  in   1884. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cory  have  had  born  to  them  two 
children:  Frank  M.,  who  was  born  in  Cass  County, 
this  State,  January  14,  1864,  is  married  and  has 
one  child, and  Carrie  M.,  who  was  also  born  in  Cass 
County,  October  11,  1868,  is  a  teacher  in  the  home 
schools  an  d  has  met  with  a  high  degree  of  success. 

Our  subject  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  having 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  1864. 
Both  he  and  liis  wife  are  members  of  the  Method- 
ist I]piscopal  Cliurcii,  in  which  body  Mr.  Cory  has 
held  many  ollicial  positions.  He  has  a  brother, 
Charles  Cory,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Dowagiac,  this 
State.  His  fatlier  lived  to  be  about  seventy  years 
of  age  and  died  in  December,  188.5;  his  mother  is 
still  living,  her  birth  f)ccurring  in  1819. 


f  EV.  RODNEY  SAN  FORD  DEAN,  proprietor 
^  and  editor  of  the  South  Haven  Messenger,  was 
\V  born  in  Volney,  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,May 
13,  1817,  being  a  son  of  Orriu  and  Alcena 
(Merry)  Dean.  His  early  life  was  passed  upon  a 
farm  until  the  age  of  eiglitecn  years,  when  he  went 
into  a  i)rinting-oHice,  where  he  spent  eleven  years, 
working  in  Oswego  and  Syracuse.  He  then  jsassed 
five  years  on  a  farm,  and  in  1853  entered  tlie  min- 
istry of  the  Baptist  Church,  being  ordained  at  Fen- 
ner,  Jladison  County,  N.  Y.,  and  then  locating  at 
Burlington  Green,  Otsego  County,  where  he  re- 
mained for  four  years.  He  afterward  had  charge 
of  churches  at  the  following  places:  Montezuma,  | 
three  years;  South  llutler,  four  years;  A\^ihvortli,  j 
three  years;  and  Middlesex,   two  years.     In  180U,   | 


he  came  to  Micliigan,  first  locating  at  Keeler,  where 
he  lived  for  two  years.  He  was  afterward  at 
Dowagiac  two  years,  Bhjomingdale  eight  ^-ears 
and  Kvansville,  Wis.,  three  years.  In  ALareli,  1884, 
he  came  to  South  Haven  and  purchased  the  Mea- 
senger,  of  which  he  is  sole  proprietor.  This  paper 
is  an  eight-column  folio,  is  Republican  in  [lolitics 
and  is  ably  edited. 

Mr.  Dean  was  married  in  May,  1842,  to  Mary  S. 
Parker,  daughter  of  Amasa  and  Celestia  (Curtis) 
Parker.  She  was  born  in  ALadison  County,  N.  Y., 
November  28,  1824.  Three  children  have  been 
born  of  this  union,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Oran 
A.,  a  physician  of  South  Haven,  of  whom  a  fuller 
notice  is  given  later,  and  Theodore  S.,  an  attorney 
residing  in  Brock|)ort,  N.  Y. 

Oran  A.  Dean,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.,  March  17,  1843,  remaining  with  his  parents, 
attending  school,  until  the  age  of  eighteen.  Soon 
after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  he  enlisted 
as  a  private  soldier  and  was  mustered  ii\tothe  ser- 
vice, October  1,  as  a  member  of  Company  F,  Seven- 
ty-fifth New  York  Infantry,  at  Auburn,  this  State. 
In  December  of  the  same  year,  thej'  went  to  Ft. 
Pickens,  Fla.,and  in  May,  1862,  to  Pensacola,  from 
which  place  thej'  were  sent  to  New  Orleans  the  fol- 
lowing September.  In  June,  1863,  our  subject  was 
physically  disabled  for  field  service  and  was  de- 
tailed on  detached  duty  as  hospital  attendant  and 
clerk,  at  New  Orleans.  In  May,  1864,  he  was  sent 
to  Alexandria,  ^'a.,  where  he  acted  in  the  same  ca- 
pacity, and  received  his  discharge  November  24,  of 
that  year.  He  then  returned  to  New  York  and  in 
the  spring  of  18.3,5  commenced  the  studj-  of  medi- 
cine under  a  physician  at  Walworth.  He  afterward 
became  a  student  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
Universitv  at  Buftalo,  being  giadnated  from  there 
in  1868.  He  settle<l  in  Hamlin,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
[iracticed  for  six  years  and  the  ensuing  six  years 
at  Charlotte.  He  was  also  for  one  year  in  Albion. 
In  1881,  he  went  to  Stoughtou,  Wis.,  two  years, 
also  residing  for  four  and  one-half  years  at  Beloit. 
In  June,  1888,  he  came  to  South  Haven,  which  he 
has  since  made  his  home. 

Dr.  Dean  was  married,  in  18611,  at  Hochcster,  to 
Marian  D'Altoii.  She  was  liorii  in  llindoslan,  her 
father  being  an  ollicer  in  the  English  Army   sta- 


244 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


tioned  there.  Tliey  li.ive  become  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Lillian  M.,  Elsie  M.,  and  Alice  A. 
In  politics,  Dr.  Dean  alHliates  with  the  Republi- 
cans and  is  a  member  of  tiie  Grand  .\rniy  of  the 
Republic.     He  is  a  memlu'r  of  the  Baptist  Cliiucli. 


3-{"5"5"{-i 


u 


=*•{•*** 


H.I.IAM    WETHERALL.     Fcwof  the  citi- 


\J^'<>5'  known,  and  none  are  more  liighly  es- 
teemed, than  Jlr.  Wctherall,  who  owns  a  fertile  farm 
on  section  2.').AVatson  Township.  He  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  upon  his  two  hundred  and  thirty 
acres  of  finely  improved  land,  and  also  devotes 
considerable  attention  to  stock-raising,  keeping  a 
good  grade  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  owning  about 
one  hundred  he.ad  of  sheep.  In  all  iiis  business 
trans.actions,  he  displays  good  judgment,  and.  as  he 
is  practical  and  energetic,  lie  has  become  well-to- 
do.  As  a  veteran  of  the  late  war  and  a  pulilic- 
spirited  citizen,  he  has  proved  his  patiiolisni  by 
his  life. 

The  house  in  which  Mr.  AVetherall  lirst  saw  the 
liglit  of  day  was  .•-iluated  eight  miles  from  York, 
in  Yorkshire,  England,  and  there  lie  was  born 
March  8,  1824.  His  fatlier  died  wlien  he  was  an 
infant,  and  his  motlier,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Elizabeth  Wilson,  was  also  a  native  of  Yorkshire, 
who  afterward  married  Thomas  Jefferson.  Williaiii 
was  taken  in  his  infancy  into  the  home  of  hi>  uncle, 
U'ichard  Wetlieiall,  with  whom  he  remained  uiilil 
he  was  fourteen  yeai-s  of  age.  'riieii,  with  no 
moneyed  capital,  but  an  abundance  of  energy  and 
delerminalion,  he  st;irted  out  in  life  for  iiiinself. 
For  tliice  veal's  he  wjus  employed  on  a  farm,  re- 
ceiving *I0  the  lirst  year  and  *l.5  the  third. 

After  working  by  the  month  for  six  years  in 
England,  .Mr.  Wethernll  came  to  America  in  IHIf), 
and  from  New  York  City  proeeedefl  to  Livingston, 
N.  Y.,  wjieie  he  worked  for  two  years  on  a  farm. 
Afterward  he  was  ein|)loyed  nesir  Hoclicster  for 
two  .-iiid  one-half  years,  and  llience  came  direct 
to  Allegan  Coniity,  where  he  boughl,  the  farm  in 
WntMiii  Township,  which  is  still  hi>  home.  lie 
was  married,  in  IM.'d,  to  Charlotte  (loucher.  who 
was  born  in  New  York   in    lH;tl.  anil   (hey  became 


the  parents  of  seven  children:  "William  married 
JMary  Horning,  who  died  leaving  four  children: 
Stephen,  Dieie,  Morris  and  Claude;  Helen  married 
William  Hunt,  now  deceased,  and  is  the  mother 
of  two  children:  AUie  and  Emma;  Mary  is  the 
wife  of  Reuben  Dejo,  of  Otsego,  and  the  mother 
of  four  children:  .\ltlia,  Edna,  Grant  and  Lula: 
Lottie,  now  Mrs.  Frank  Gilger,  of  Martin  Ttiwu- 
ship,  has  three  children:  Willie,  Hattie  and  Mil- 
dred; -Mattie  is  the  wife  of  .John  Frost,  of  Otsego, 
and  li.as  one  daughter,  Louise;  Stephen  and  Alice 
are  deceased. 

In  his  political  alliliations,  iNIr.  Wctherall  was 
formerly  an  active  Rei)ublican,  but  now  votes  for 
the  licst  man,  regardless  of  party  ties.  He  has 
served  etHciently  as  r:ithmasler  and  School  Di- 
rector. In  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to 
which  he  belongs,  he  serves  as  Class-leader,  and 
is  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school.  He  w.as  for- 
merly Steward  in  the  Otsego  charge,  but  is  now 
in  the  Martin  charge,  taking  an  .active  part  in 
religious  work,  and  conlril)nting  liltcrally  to  all 
good  cau.ses.  During  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  in 
the  first  Michigan  Engineer.s  and  Mechanics'  Infan- 
trv.  and  served  with  (!en.  Sherman  ten  months. 


l-^-^l 


OSIAII  G.  MILLER,  the  ex-Mayor  of  the 
city  of  Bangor,  who  is  s.agacious  in  looking 
after  the  interests  of  the  city  and  township, 
also  takes  a  great  degree  of  interest  in  see- 
ing to  what  extent  Mother  Earth  will  yichl  an  in- 
crease. He  owns  an  e.xcellent  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  broad  and  fertile  .acres,  ami  .also 
carries  on  the  hardware  business  in  the  city,  lie 
was  born  in  !Nk)nroe  County,  Mich.,  February  ;>. 
lH:i;{,  where  he  grew  to  mature  years  and  received 
a  common-school  c<lucation,  surrounded  by  the 
impediments  and  dilliculties  usually  attending  the 
settlement  of  a  new  country.  Losing  his  mother 
when  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  net'essity  com- 
pclli^d  him  to  depend  upon  his  own  efforts  for  a 
livelihood,  ;iiid  he  liegan  his  c'lreer  under  adverse 
circumst.!inees.  lb'  made  m.'inly  efforts  toward 
securing  wh:it  cilucalion  he  could,  .-ind  eng.aged  for 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


245 


two  winters  in  sawing  wood,  tliis  iifforrling  hiin 
the  opportuuity  of  attending  school. 

Tlie  father  and  mother  of  our  subjeet,  .Fohn  and 
Fannie  (Woodruff)  Miller,  were  both  natives  of 
New  York,  the  former  liaving  been  born  in 
1806.  He  was  one  in  a  family  of  seven  children: 
Hiram,  Almeda,  Joiin,  James,  Elmira,  Hannah  and 
Stephen,  and  the  parents  of  this  family  were  lin- 
eally descended  from  the  Dutch.  John  and  Fannie 
Miller  came  to  Michigan  as  early  as  18.31,  and  here 
commenced  the  experiences  of  jiioneer  life,  which 
were  not  different  from  those  of  most  who 
came  to  the  State  in  the  early  days.  Our 
subject  spent  seven  summers  of  his  life  as  an  em- 
ploye on  the  Wabash  and  Miami  Canal,  where  he 
made  his  first  $100.  In  1858  he  came  to  Van 
Buren  County  with  a  team  and  wagon  which  he 
had  purchased,  and  which  he  exchanged  for  forty 
acres  of  land.  He  immediately  returned  to  Monroe 
County,  securing  a  situation  in  a  brickj'ard.  In  the 
fall,  he  purchased  a  horse  and  buggy  and  drove  to 
Bangor,  where  he  purchased  the  farm  now  owned 
by  him,  giving  in  payment  $100,  his  first  purchase 
of  fort}'  acres,  and  his  horse  and  buggy.  In  1860, 
he  followed  his  trade,  that  of  a  carpenter  and 
joiner,  and  worked  in  a  sawmill  as  an  employe  of 
J.  H.  Nyman.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  he  returned 
to  his   trade,  working  at  it  until  September   25, 

1861,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Eveline 
Watkins.  They  began  their  married  life  with  a 
farm  paid  for  and  $30  in  cash. 

Thomas  Watkins,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Miller,  came 
here  in  1857  from  Ohio.  Mrs.  Katie  (Spaughn) 
Watkins,  the  second  wife  of  Thomas  Watkins  and 
the  mother  of  Mrs.  Miller,  died  in  Hancock  County, 
Ohio,  to  which  place  they  removed  in  1857. 
After  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller's  marriage,  they  passed 
eleven  years  on  the  farm,  where  their  three  chil- 
dren   were    born,    namely:     Ida,  born    .Inly    10, 

1862,  died  in  1872;  Omar,  born  September  6, 
1865,  IS  a  resident  of  Bangor,  and  John  J.,  who 
was  born  December  26,  1869.  In  1872,  Mr.  Miller 
bought  a  small  stock  of  hardware  and  has  con- 
ducted this  business  in  connection  with  farming 
since.  He  has  added  to  his  farm  from  lime  to 
time  until  he  now  has  a  splendid  estate  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  to  which  he  givee  his  per- 


sonal attention  and  has  it  all  under  excellent  cul- 
tivation. He  has  been  identified  with  all  the 
interests  tending  to  promote  the  township  and 
county  and  he  is  considered  a  gentleman  whose 
word  is  as  good  as  his  bond.  In  1891,  he  wa.s 
elected  honorable  Mayor  of  the  citj''  of  Bangor 
and  lilled  the  office  not  onl}' with  credit  to  himself 
but  with  great  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 
He  has  been  more  than  half  the  time  since  his  re.si- 
dence  here  a  member  of  the  School  Board. 

Mr.  Miller's  life  was  begun  as  a  poor  boy.  By 
energy  and  perseverance,  united  with  economy 
and  good  business  qualifications,  he  has  secured  a 
competency,  and  is  now  living  in  the  enjoyment 
of  the  comforts  and  luxuries  wealth  affords.  The 
records  show  him  to  be  one  of  the  heaviest  tax- 
payers in  his  school  district  and  township.  Politic- 
ally, he  is  a  stanch  Democrat  and  socially,  is  a 
leading  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


\\\  It/  ILIJA3I  PEET,  a  retired  farmer  and  cap- 
\rJ//  italist  of  Allegan,  Allegan  County,  wa.s 
V\y  born  April  15,  1827,  in  Deerfield  Town- 
ship, Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were  John 
and  Mary  (Davis)  Peet,  natives  of  England  and 
Wales,  respectively.  Thej'  were  married  in  Liver- 
pool, England,  before  coming  to  America.  On 
landing  in  New  York,  they  immediately  settled  in 
Deerfield  Township,  Oneida  Count}',  where  Mr. 
Peet  purchased  a  small  farm  and  erected  a  log 
house,  where  he  resided  for  some  twent}'  years. 
He  then  sold  and  moved  to  Cattaraugus  County, 
where  he  purchased  one  hundred  acres.  This  he 
imi)roved,  and  erected  good,  substantial  buildings, 
but  after  a  residence  there  of  a  few  years,  he  sold 
to  his  eldest  son,  Thomas,  purchasing  one  liundred 
and  thirty-live  acres  adjoining.  He  likewise  im- 
proved this  tract,  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  dying  April  10,  1873,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven  years.  Sometime  |)revious  to  his 
death,  he  sold  the  farm  to  his  son  John,  with  whom 
he  made  his  home.  His  good  wife  passed  away 
July  17,  187;i,  at  the  age  of  scvcnly-nine  years. 
She  was  a  valued  member  of  the  Baptist  Churdi, 


246 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


of  whicli  licr  busbaiid  w:is  an  attendant.  Mr. 
Peet  was  a  stalwart  Democrat.  He  was  a  hard 
worker  and  an  honest  man,  and  was  the  father  of 
a  family  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  survive 
Tliumas  died  Aiiril  4.  1850,  aged  thirty-one  years; 
CrilHth  died  when  four  years  old,  and  Edward 
on  the  27th  of  August,  1890.  Those  living  arc: 
George,  Evan,  William,  David  and  John. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  wjxs  educated  in  the 
district  school  of  Deerticld  Townshij),  his  native 
county,  afterward  attending  school  in  Cattrtrangus 
County  in  the  winters,  and  working  on  the  farm 
in  the  summer  months,  until  he  reached  his  ma- 
jority. He  then  left  the  parental  roof,  and  started 
out  in  life  with  nothing-  but  a  strong  hand  and 
willing  heart.  He  hired  out  to  a  farmer  in  the 
Meighlxjrhood,  receiving  113  per  month.  The 
.same  fall,  he  went  on  the  .Vlleghany  River,  and 
worked  on  a  sawmill,  remaining  there  eighteen 
months,  having  the  sole  charge  of  the  mill.  He 
then  journeyed  to  Genesee  C'ount3',  the  same  State, 
and  worked  eight  months  on  a  farm.  Having 
Ic.nrned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  at  imM  times,  he 
worked  at  this  the  ensuing  two  years.  Octo- 
l>or  o.  18.")  I,  he  came  to  IMichigan  and  settled 
in  Heatii  Townshii),  Allegan  County,  which  is  now 
known  by  the  name  of  Pine  Plains.  Purchasing 
eighty  acres  of  wild  timber  land,  he  set  about  in 
true  pioneer  style,  erecting  a  crude  frame  house, 
1I.\2I  feet,  inti)  whicli  he  moved  three  weeks 
.•iflcr.  lie  ran  in  rlehl  for  llie  farm,  wliieh  cost  $180i 
<»nly  paying  dowii*17<l.  With  a\  in  liaiid,  he 
commenced  to  elio[)  and  clear  his  land,  hut  after 
two  yeai-s'  time,  he  plainly  saw  he  could  not  meet 
his  payments  and  took  a  small  farm,  whicli  had 
l>cen  partly  cleared,  to  work  for  one  year.  In  the 
winter  he  rOiopped  and  hauled  cord  wood  to  .Vile- 
•^an  iit  night,  spending  the  entire  djiy  in  preparing 
It.  'I'hc  following  spring  he  had  his  land  all  paid 
for.  with  the  exception  of  i<.'!0.  which  he  eiiiplo\fd 
an  agent  to  borrow  for  liliii  without  giving  any 
fteeurily  whatever. 

William  Pe<'t  has  liroiight  his  farm  to  a  splentlid 
sUilc  of  eilllivatiou,  anil  by  siibseipu'nt  purchases, 
now  owns  one  hundred  and  si'venty-live  broad  and 
frrtile  acres,  on  which  he  li;is  crectecl  a  handsome 
.iiid  <'ommodious  house,  costing  ^2,(H)().      Me  al.so 


has  a  fine  barn,  with  all  the  conveniences  wished 
for,  besides  a  tenement  house  on  his  pl.ace.  A  fine 
apple  orchard  adorns  the  place,  which  gives  him 
a  profitable  income,  and  general  farming  is  carried 
on.  In  1888,  he  decided  to  move  to  the  cit}'  of 
Allegan,  and  now  lives  on  North  Street,  where  lie 
has  a  fine  home. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  liai)pil\  iiianieil 
to  Phidclia  L.  Vahue,  February  1  1.  18.")2.  She  is 
a  native  of  Potsdam,  St.  Lawrence  County,  Js.  Y.. 
where  she  was  born  Kebruary  4,  1835,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Phili[)  and  Arminta  ((iilietl)  \'aliiie, 
natives  of  Clinton  County,  N.  Y.,  and  Chiltendon 
County,  Vt.,  respectively,  the  father  having  been 
born  March  G,  1810,  and  the  mother  February 
18,  1811.  Mr.  Vahue  was  a  farmer  in  Allegany 
County,  N.  Y'.,  and  came  AVest  in  1854,  settling  in 
Allegan  Township,  this  county.  He  still  carried 
on  farming  here,  (m  forty  acres,  to  which  he  added, 
until  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  one 
hundred  and  ninety-two  aeres.  He  moved  to  the 
city  of  Allegan  two  years  before  his  death,  wliii'li 
occurred  in  187!),  the  mother  [Kissing  away  in  1882. 
He  W.1S  a  Rei)nblicaii  in  politics,  and  a  wealthy 
man  of  the  township.  He  and  his  wife  belonged 
to  the  l>a[)tist  Church.  They  were  the  parents  of 
.seven  children,  three  of  whom  grew  to  maturity: 
Mrs.  Peet,  Charles  A.,  and  Orson  (!.  The  others 
were:  .Sherman  1).,  IMiles,  Mary  •'•  and   Emily   ^I. 

The  estimable  wife  of  our  subjet't  is  the  mother 
of  .six  children:  .Iiidson  A.  married  Mary 
Durand.by  wlioiii  he  had  one  child,  Claud;  he  was 
divorced  from  this  wife,  and  afterward  iiuiiried 
Miss  Holiv  Hiiller;  they  reside  on  the  old  home- 
stead, and  are  the  parents  of  one  child.  Minnie  M., 
^Irs.  .1.  I'lills,  a  resident  of  Allegan  Township,  .•ind 
the  molliiu'  of  four  i-hildren:  William,  Adellierl, 
IMerna,  and  IMaud.  IMary,  TMrs.  George  E.  Kings- 
ley,  a  I'aniicr  in  I'iiie  I'laiiis  Township,  has  one 
cliihl,  Fred;  Kdw;ii(l  ('.,  :i  farmer;  Flora  M.,  now 
.Mrs.  Maurice  Thoip,  to  whom  one  child  has  been 
boiii.  Cleo;  ami  .loliii  P..  a  sliideiit  In  the  High 
School  at  -Mlegan.  Mr.  I'eet  is  an  adherent  of  the 
Democratic  party,  ami  is  one  of  the  prominent  iiu'ii 
of  the  coiiiil  \  .  1  Ic  has  liccii  lioiiorcil  b\'  his  fellow- 
citizens  by  the  gift  (if  the  ollice  of  .luslice  of  the 
Peace,  which  iiositioii  lii^  held  for  the   long  [jeriod 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


249 


of  thirty  years,  and  to  tlio  satisfaction  of  all  con- 
cerned. Till'  olllce  of  Townsliip  Treasiuor  was  his 
for  two  3'ear»,  and  also  various  other  minor  oflices 
of  tlie  townsiiip.  He  and  iiis  family  arc  held  in 
high  re[)ute  h}'  all  in  the  vicinity-. 


"  ON.  FRANCIS  B.  STOCKBRIDGE,  United 
States  Senator  from  Michigan.  -'Some  men 
are   born  great,  some    achieve    greatness, 

^  some  have  greatness  thrust  upon  them." 
The  subject  of  our  sketch,  although  well-born, 
achieved  his  position  b}'  labor  and  assiduity,  aided 
by  a  strong  will  ahd  an  indomitable  purpose;  and, 
when  at  length  honors  were  thrust  upon  him,  he 
was  found  well-litted  to  sustain  them,  and  he  bore 
them  meekly  as  sacred  trusts. 

Mr.  Stockbridge  was  born  at  Bath,  Me.,  April  9, 
1826.  He  is  descended  from  honest,  sturdy  New 
England  stock,  eminent  for  its  high  sense  of  honor 
and  unswerving  integrity.  Any  man  born  in 
New  England  need  never  blush  at  tiie  mention  of 
his  birthplace,  for  her  sons  have  traversed  the 
globe,  and  the  odor  of  her  good  name  has  been 
transmitted  and  leavened  the  earth.  His  father, 
Dr.  John  Stockbridge,  was  a  physician  of  promi- 
nence in  Bath,  and  practiced  his  profession  there 
for  nearl}'  half  a  century.  His  mother,  Eliza 
Stockbridge,  was  the  daughter  of  John  Russell,  the 
veteran  editor  of  the  Boston  Gazette. 

Francis  B.  Stockbridge  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  and  acadein3'  of  his  native 
place,  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he 
accepted  a  clerkship  in  adiy-goods  store  in  Boston. 
While  there  he  saw,  or  became  acquainted  with, 
many  of  the  noted  men  of  New  England,  whose 
memory  still  lingers  vividly  in  his  mind.  He  re- 
mained there  until  1847,  when  he  came  AVest  to 
Chicago,  which  in  those  early  daj^s  showed  no 
prophecj'  of  being  the  future  site  of  the  wonder  of 
the  centuries,  the  World's  Fair.  In  connection  with 
another  gentleman,  he  there  opened  a  lumber  yard, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Carter  it  Stockbridge. 

In  making-  that  move,  Mr.  Stockbridge  evinced 
the  rare  foresight  and  sagacity  displayed  in  all 
the  after  transactions  of  his  successful  career.  From 
11 


a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  lK>use  in  Boston,  he  ))ecame 
a  lumber  merchant  in  Cliicago,  and  from  that  lime 
onward  his  interests  rapidly  widened  until  he  be- 
eaiiu!  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  extensive 
[umber  (healers  in  the  Northwest.  In  IH.'j.'i,  he  re- 
moved from  Chicago  to  Allegan  County,  Mich., 
where  he  had  a  number  of  .sawmills.  Locating  at 
Saugatuck,  he  remained  there  until  1874,  when  he 
removed  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

Shortly  after  his  removal  to  Kalaina/.oo,  Mr. 
Stockbridge  became  connected  with  O.  H.  .lohiison 
&  Co.,  whose  mills  then  turned  out  aliout  Iwent}-- 
five  million  feet  of  lumber  annually.  Soon  after- 
ward he  became  a  member  of  the  Mackinac  Lum- 
ber Company,  whose  mills  were  of  about  the  same 
capacity,  and  in  187.5,  was  elected  President  of 
the  company.  Three  years  afterward  he  founded 
and  became  President  of  the  Black  River  Lumber 
Comijany.  He  led  a  Inis.y  life.  In  1887  he  or- 
g.iuized  the  Kalamazoo  Spring  &  Axle  Company, 
of  wh  it'll  he  is  also  Presi<lent.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Ft.  Bragg  Lumber  Company,  of  California, 
and  is  a  large  owner  of  Mississippi  pine  lands;  a 
leading  stockholder  in  Menominee  iron  mines  and 
the  Menominee  River  Lumber  Company,  of  the 
Upper  Peninsula  of  ISIichigan,  and  largely  inter- 
ested in  the  famous  S.  A.  Brown  &  Co.  stock- 
breeding  farm,  near  Kalamazoo.  During  the  war, 
though  not  in  active  service,  he  was  on  the  staff 
of  Gov.  Blair,  and  gained  the  rank  of  Colonel. 

In  1869,  Mr.  Stockbridge  was  elected  to  repre- 
sent Allegan  Count}'  in  the  State  Legislature,  and 
after  completing  his  term,  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate,  where  he  served  most  acceijtably  until 
1873.  In  both  Houses  he  was  distinguished  for 
his  tact  as  an  organizer,  his  calm  insight  and  pru- 
dence as  a  manager,  and  his  great  ability  in  com- 
mittee work  in  every  form.  He  has  been  engaged 
in  several  political  campaigns,  in  which  his  reputa- 
tion as  a  statesman  and  as  a  man  of  keen  business, 
as  well  as  political,  foresight  has  been  clearly  dem- 
onstrated, thus  adding  year  by  year  to  his  reputa- 
tion and  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his  col- 
leagues and  constituents.  His  course  seems  to  have 
been  steadily  progressive,  both  politically  and  in 
his  business.  "Confidence  is  a  plant  of  but  slow 
orowtli,"  but  the  people  had  tried  him  and  he  had 


250 


l'ORTli.UT  AND  IJIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


their  fonrMli'iKf.  ami  in  INsT  tliev  i-leftt'd  liiiii  to 
succeotl  Hun.  Omar  I).  Conger  in  tlie  Senate  of  the 
I'niUvl  Stjilcs. 

In  thai  time-honored  ehamher,  filled  with  the 
sicred  memories  <,>f  departed  greatness,  where  tlie 
god-like  Weletcr  thundered,  wliere  still  linger  the 
echoes  of  the  voiees  of  Clay.  .Sumner,  Everett, 
Conkling,  lilaine,  and  a  host  of  inightj-  ones,  not 
dea<l.  hut  living  evermore — here,  as  elsewhere, 
his  inaetit-jil  aliility  has  made  itself  apparent.  He 
served  with  marked  ahilityon  several  Senate  com- 
mittees; on  the  Committee  on  Fisheries,  which  was 
of  great  importance  as  afTecting  tjie  food  supply  of 
the  people.  Of  this  committee  he  was  Chairman. 
Ho  served  mi  the  Census  Committee,  on  the  Com- 
mittee on  Kpidcmii'  Di.seases,  the  Committee  on 
Indian  Affaii-s,  tlie  Committee  on  Railroads  and 
Naval  Affairs.  Though  [lerliaps  h^ss  kiioun  as  a 
politieian,  much  less  as  a  mere  politician,  he  is  a 
Re[)ulilican  of  the  most  pronouncei]  type,  one  who 
has  ever  labored  fur  the  lie.-t  interests  of  his  party. 
As  a  legislator,  he  has  siiowu  marked  aliility  and 
discretion  in  considering  and  deciding  grave  (pies- 
tions  of  National  ixilitj'  and  practicality,  and  has 
preserved  his  eipiaiiimity  among  the  m.aiiy  clash- 
ing and  di.scor<lanl  clemeiit-s  that  liesct  a  innn  in 
jK^litical  life. 

The  Senator  was  married,  in  ISfi;?,  to  Miss  lietscy 
Arnold,  of  dun  I'lain.  Allegan  Counly.  Mich.,  the 
iwtiniable  daughter  of  Daniel  .Viiiuld.  ICsfj.,  one  of 
the  pioneei-s  of  the  Slate.  Their  social  and  domes- 
tic relations  have  over  lieen  most  pleasant.  At  the 
federal  capital  they  have  moved  in  the  highest 
and  most  .seleclcircles,  and  have  lieeii  noted  for  the 
iiiuiiilicence  and  royalty  of  their  entertainments 
and  receptions,  a."*  also  at  their  elegant  Michigan 
home,  fine  of  the  (inest  in  the  Slali'.  Here  the 
Senator  comes  at  limes,  and,  Ihrowiiig  olT  for  a 
short  scaaon  the  oppressive  cares  fif  .State  and  Imsi- 
iie,<w,  he  enjoys  the  hcauUes  of  his  extensive 
grounds,  and  gives  himself  to  restfulness  and 
tlie  indulgence  of  his  natural  tastes  for  all  that  is 
choice  and  elegant  in  lileratiire  and  .-irl,  in  the  full 
I'lijoymcnt  of  all  Ih.-il  an  ample  competence  can 
gratify,  the  sure  rejiult  of  wise  and  well-directed 
commercial  enterprises.  Like  the  California  Cnesus, 
.Senator  Stanford,  he  is  a  great  lover  of  the   horse, 


his  keen  eye  taking  in  with  admiration  the 
points  and  lieauties  of  a  well-lued  animal,  and  in 
the  raising  of  line  stock  he  perlia|is  liiids  one  of  his 
greatest  sources  of  pleasure. 

Notliwillistandiiig  the  imilli|>licity  of  his  liiisi- 
ness  interests,  the  time  and  attention  devoted  to 
political  and  (Governmental  affairs,  and  the  de- 
mands of  social  life,  we  find  the  Senator  not  un- 
mindful of  the  sober  and  more  important  duties 
and  proiiiiitings  of  the  iiigher  life,  for  as  a  inemlier 
of  the  Protestant  K|iisc(ipal  Cluircli,  he  is  one  of 
the  Vestiymen,  and  pioniiiiciilly  and  actively  con- 
nected with  all  cliurcli  and  t-haritalile  matters.  He 
is  I'resident  of  the  Kalamazoo  Children's  Home,  a 
most  worthy  cliarity.  He  bought  and  ga\e  the 
site  and  |)aid  liberally  toward  the  building  of  the 
beautiful  edifice  of  the  Vouiig  Meifs  Christian  As- 
sociation, which  now  stands  a  inoiiumciil  t^i  his 
nuniificcnce,  that  donation  alone  amounting  to 
%1(),()()0.  He  also  subscribed  liberally  tnward  the 
building  of  the  Academy  of  Music, and  is  a  niunif- 
iceiit  patron  of  a  hospital  in  Chicago. 

In  October,  1887,  we  find  the  Senator  one  of 
three  gentlemen  who  gave  $13,000  toward  carrying 
on  the  work  of  Kalamazoo  College,  and  to  causes 
such  as  these  he  has  given  freely  of  his  means, 
keeping  ever  in  view  the  prosperity  and  best  inter- 
ests of  the  city  of  his  residence.  He  is  a  man  of 
majestic  and  courtly  presence,  yet  affable  and  easil\' 
approaclicd.  lie  is  popular  witli  all  classes  and 
with  none  more  so  than  with  his  own  employes. 
There  is  a  gentle  humor  in  his  nature,  that 
relaxes  at  times  his  seeming  gravity'  of  demeanor 
and  renders  him  a  [ileasant  and  genial  compan- 
ion, and,  like  lilaine,  he  enjoys  a  good  stiiry, 
and  can  tell  one,  too.  lie  has  done  nuicli  for 
Kalamazoo,  as  well  as  for  the  other  localities  in  the 
luiiiber  districts,  wliere  he  has  interests,  and  later, 
for  the  great  State  in  wliieh  they  foniied  a  part. 

In  connection  with  his  liiogia|ihy  may  be  found 
a  ]iorlrail  of  .Senator  Stockbridgc.  An  open- 
hearted,  free  and  wlmle-soulcd  man,  doing  from 
day  1(1  day  some  generous  deed  for  others,  high 
rank  or  station  counting  lillle  in  his  eyes,  he  val- 
ues :i  Mian  for  what  he  is  and  wh.nl  he  li.as  accom- 
plished, and  there  is  no  one  more  open  tii  the  ai)- 
proaches  of   the   poor  or  humblest.     Although  he 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIIICAL   Rp:CORD. 


251 


has  been  of  great  lienefit  to  the  eoitiniuiiities  in 
which  he  has  lived,  he  is  now  of  equal  or  greater 
benefit  to  the  State  wliieli  he  represents  in  the 
highest  legislativ(^  liody  of  the  world.  Personal 
interests  are  not  allowed  to  encroach  upon  his 
higher  duties  to  the  public.  Patiently  he  listens  to 
every  argument  a<lvanced  for  or  against  a  meas- 
ure, which  ma}'  affect  his  constituency  or  the  pub- 
lic good,  tearing  down  the  web  of  political  sophis- 
tries and  getting  at  the  true  bearing  and  merits  of 
any  bill  under  discussion;  and  when  at  last  his  de- 
cision is  reached,  his  judgment  is  fixed,  and  he 
stands  immovable  as  a  rock,  and  the  persuasions 
or  entreaties  of  his  warmest  friends  have  no  effect 
upon  his  judicial  mind,  when  he  feels  tliat  he  is  in 
the  right.  A  self-poised,  level-headed  man,  his 
adopted  Stale  is  proud  of  him  and  he  of  her,  and 
he  stands  high  ranked  among  the  sons  of  Mich- 
igan. 

The  writer  thankfully  acknowledges  the  valu- 
able aid  in  statistical  and  other  matter  from  that 
rare  and  invaluable  book,  "The  History  of  Emi- 
nent Men  of  Micliigan." 


— <En' 


\>^^<^ 


jt7  OWELL  A.  NEWCOMB.  It  is  with  pleas- 
I  (@  "''®  ^'^^^  ^'^®  biographer  presents  to  the 
JL3^  readers  of  this  volume  the  sketch  of  this 
enterprising  young  farmer,  "whose  fine  tract  of 
land  is  on  section  6,  "VVaverly  Township,  Van 
Buren  County.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  his 
birth  occurring  in  Waverly  Township,  Julj'  9, 
1856,  hence  he  takes  a  great  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  this  section.  He  is  the  son  of  Orlando  and 
Elizabeth  (Austin)  Newcomb. 

Our  subject  traces  his  ancestry  back  many  gen- 
erations, his  father  being  Orlando  Newcomb,  his 
grandfather  Willard,  his  great-grandfather  David, 
his  father  James,  his  father  Hezekiah  and  his 
father  Simon  Newcomb,  who  was  born  in 
Mar3land.  The  family  originally  came  from  the 
West  of  England.  His  son,  AV'illard  Newcomb, 
born  in  Stephentown,  N.  Y.,  April  6,  1788,  was 
in  the  War  of  1812,  and  a  pioneer  of  Orleans 
C'ountj',  N.  Y.  By  profession,  he  was  a  minister 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     He  came  to 


Almena  Township,  V^an  Buren  County,  this  State, 
in  18.'?.5,  where  he  made  his  home  until  his  deatli, 
January  .51,  18C2.  The  niaid(Mi  name  of  his  wife, 
the  grandmother  of  our  subject,  was  Clarissa 
Heath,  who  bore  him  ten  children,  six  sons  and 
four  daughters. 

The  father  of  oiu'  sul)ject  was  born  in  Living.s- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  June  l."),  1821,  and,  accompanying  his 
parents  on  their  removal  to  Michigan,  was  engaged 
in  farming  and  lumbering  in  Bloomingdale  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County,  in  liS'jO,  he  located  on 
section  12,  WaverlyTownsliip,  where  he  purchased 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  which  he 
set  about  industriously  to  clear  and  improve.  He 
died  in  1873,  having  been  twice  married.  His  first 
wife  was  Matilda  Armstrong  and  his  second  Eliza- 
beth Austin.  The  latter-named  lady  was  born  in 
Lyons,  N.  Y.,  and  by  her  union  with  Mr.  Newcomb 
became  the  parent  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity:  Lowell  A.;  Etta  M.,  wife  of  H. 
M.  Stout;  Perry  ().,  Travers  O.,  Bert  J.,  and 
Grace  0. 

Lowell  A.  Newcomb  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  remained  with  his  mother  until 
twenty-four  j'ears  of  age,  when  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account.  In  1882,  he  located  where  he 
now  resides,  having  purchased  thirty-two  acres  of 
land.  He  now  has  in  his  possession  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  acres,  which  he  cultivates  in  the  most 
intelligent  manner.  He  has  upon  his  estate  all  the 
needful  buildings  and  farm  machinery  and  ranks 
among  the  prominent  agriculturists  of  Waverly 
Township. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  first  wife  was 
Laurania  Hill,  who  only  lived  three  months  after 
her  marriage,  her  death  occurring  April  19,  1882. 
Mr.  Newcomb  was  later  married  to  Betsey  E.  Scott, 
who  was  born  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  at 
present  resides,  February  20, 1860,  his  estate  being 
a  part  of  Mr.  Scott's  old  homestead.  Mrs.  New- 
comb is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Isabella  (Car- 
uthers)  Scott,  natives  of  Scotland.  Her  father  was 
a  son  of  George  Scott,  who  reared  a  large  family 
of  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Scott  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1840  and  settled  at  Amsterdam, 
N.  Y.,  removing  later  to  Rochester,  same  State.  In 
the  fall  of  1844,  they  made   Michigan  iheir  home, 


252 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


and  Uk'iiUmI  una  iruct  of  one  liiin<lrc'(l  and  ninety- 
six  acres  on  section  G.  Wavcriy  Townsliii>,  which 
he  cleared  and  improved,  and  hifcr  added  forty 
acres  to  his  original  tract.  In  addition  to  the 
proiK-rty  alrcaily  mentioned,  he  owned  eighty  acres 
in  Allegan  County.  In  polities,  Mr.  Scott  was  a 
Hepniilican.  He  passed  from  this  life  .lune  18, 
IMSir.  His  wife  still  survives  and  makes  her  homo 
with  her  son.  She  w:is  born  October  3,  l.^lit,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Helen  (llaniiltcin) 
C'arutliers. 

Our  worthy  subject  and  his  c^timal>lc  wife  are 
consistent  niendiei's  of  the  .Methodist  Kpiscojial 
Church  and  arc  greatly  esteemed  wiicrever  they 
an-  knotvn. 


Jl]()HN  SICUHINC,  a  gcntlcman-farnicr,  resid- 
II  ing  in  (iobleville,  IJloomingdale  Township, 
l|  Van  Uureu  County,  is  a  native  of  New  York 
^j^'  .suite,  having  beeTi  Iwrn  August  4,  1818. 
His  father  was  .Tohn  1{.  Sebring,  a  native  of  Hol- 
land, who  c«me  to  America  when  a  young  man. 
The  mother  was  Maria  Drake,  a  daughter  of  Richard 
Drake,  of  Ovid,  N.  Y.,  a  prominent  man  of  that 
pl.iee.  The  [larents  of  our  sui)ject  were  married  in 
New  York  and  settled  on  a  piece  of  land  on  the 
Hiilland  purchase.  The  father  died  in  1820,  at  the 
age  of  forty -six  yeai-s,  having  been  born  November 
ID  1773.  liy  this  marriage,  three  childi-en  were  born, 
our  siibjci'l  Iteing  the  only  survivor.  The  mother 
was  again  mari'ied,  this  time  to  a  Mr.  Coleman  and 
Itceanie  the  mother  of  four  children,  only  one  now 
living.     .She  died  near  Rochester,  N.  V. 

.lolm  Sebring  st.arted  out  in  life  for  himself 
when  lift<'en  and  workeil  at  the  cooper  business^. 
He  W.1.S  married.  February  I,  1H38,  to  IJetsey  A. 
West,  a  native  <>{  Oneida  Ciuinty,  .\.  Y.,  where  she 
W.T.S  born  SeptemlKM-  I'.t,  I8iy.  He  made  his  home 
nt  \Vnlerl<Mn  N.  Y.,  for  a  number  of  years  and  tlnni 
went  to  Wayne  County,  where  he  lived  until  18.')7, 
in  which  year  he  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in 
KnIamn/.fM).  Soon  afUM-  his  marriage,  he  took  up 
the  carpenter's  trade  anil  followed  it  for  many 
year-       Hi-    l'<""1  wif.   died  .luly   2;5,    180),  at  the 


age  of  forty-five.  They  became  the  parents  of  niiii' 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  .laiiics  Deroy  i> 
niairicd  to  .lulin  Sweet  and  lives  in  Kalamazoo, 
where  he  is  a  prominent  grain  dealer;  Kmiiia  L.  is 
the  wife  of  Chauncy  Strong,  engaged  in  the  insur- 
ance business  at  Kalamazoo  and  the  foriner  cashier 
of  the  bank  ;it  that  place,  ^faiy  T.  is  the  wife  of 
William  11.  Kellogg,  and  li\es  in  Antwerp  Town- 
sliij).  this  county:  they  have  live  children.  Adclhi 
U.  married  William  \.  Forbes,  the  presi'iit  Couut\ 
Clerk  of  Kalamazoo  County-;  they  are  the  i)ar('iits 
of  two  children.  ]\I.  Odell  married  F^va  (iriswold, 
and  is  the  fathci'  of  two  children;  he  is  the  chief 
clerk  in  the  elevator  at  Kalamazoo:  Tlieron  V. 
married  Harriet  C.  McPherson,  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
.1.  15.  .McPherson,  of  ]\Iaiiistee.  and  is  the  c;ishier  in 
the  Kalamazoo  National  Bank. 

Our  subject  w.is  ag.ain  united  in  the  Ixnids  of 
wedlock,  choosing  for  his  second  wife  Clarissa  S. 
Hall,  a  daughter  of  Amos  and  Anna  (Southworfh) 
Hall,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  New  York,  res- 
pectively. The  ceremony  took  place  in  F'ebniarv, 
ISfi").  i\Ir.  Hall  died  in  18G;'),  at  the  .age  of  eighty- 
three  years,  at  Kalamazoo.  ]\[rs.  Hall  p.assed  away 
three  3^ears  previous,  .at  the  age  of  seventy-live 
years.  They  had  born  to  them  twelve  children, 
two  now  living:  Mrs.  Sebring  and  Beach  Hall,  a 
resident  of  Kalamazoo.  The  wife  of  our  suliject 
was  born  September  8,  1821,  in  Chenango  Count  \, 
N.  Y.,  and  received  a  good  education,  teaching 
school  twelve  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seining  have 
h.id  no  children  liorn  to  them. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  did  teaming  finin 
Kalamazoo  to  Grand  Rapids  for  live  years,  and 
then  he  and  his  eldest  son  carried  on  the  gr()cery 
business  :il  the  former  place.  I!ut  in  hStUIhe 
came  to  this  county  and  bought  a  farm  of  miv 
hundred  and  forty  .acres,  which  w.as  jiartially  im- 
proved. He  cleared  forty  .acres  more  and  iMiely 
improved  it  but,  selling  out,  came  to  Coblevillc, 
in  1877.  Here  he  has  a  Ir.act  of  .seventy-six  acres 
and  has  siilcndid  buildings  upon  it.  Mrs.  Sebring 
attended  the  academy  at  Pitcher  Springs,  N.  Y., 
anil  came  to  Michigan  in  18.'"i;i.  She  taught  school 
a  good  deal  in  New  York,  ami  look  care  of  her 
parents  during  their  declining  years.  Our  subject 
and  his  amiable  wife  are  monibers   of    the  Regular 


^. 


<^^U^'^  v-^- 


cy^c^/C  c^C  M.  M 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


255 


liaptist  Church  and  are  active  in  church  work. 
The  former  is  a  Deacon  and  lias  been  Superinten- 
dent, of  flic  Sund;i\' -school  at  Lawton,  while  his 
wife  was  a  teacher  in  the  same  Politically,  Jlr. 
Sehring  is  a  l\e|)ul)lican,  and  he  and  his  wife  arc 
both  temperance  |)eo|)le  and  work  for  the  advanee- 
i}ient  of  that  c:ausi\ 


•^ 


'OSEPII  sn.L,  51.  I).  The  gentleman  whose 
portrait  is  presented  (m  the  opposite  page 
w.as  born  in  P>uffalo,  N.  Y.,  October  9,  1821, 
^/'  and  is  the  son  of  .Joseph  and  Eliza  (Herry) 
Sill,  the  father  a  native  of  Lj'me,  Conn.,  and  the 
mother,  of  Saratoga  Count}',  N.  Y.  The  family  is 
of  English  ancestry,  the  great-grandfather  of  our 
subject,  .Tose|)h,  Sr.,  emigrating  to  this  country 
with  a  brother  and  settling  in  Lyme,  Conn.  His 
son,  the  grandfather  of  oiu'  subject,  located  at  an 
early  d.ay  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.  His  son, 
.losefih,  removed  about  1806  to  Buffalo  and  in  the 
spring  of  183.")  came  West  to  Oberlin,  Ohio.  In 
the  fall  of  IS.Sfi,  he  came  to  .lonesville.  Hillsdale 
County,  this  State,  where  he  passed  his  last  days, 
dying  .June  30,  1813.  His  wife  died  the  day  fol- 
lowing. They  left  a  family  of  four  sons  and  one 
daughter,  one  son  and  two  daughters  having  died 
previo\is  to  that  time.  The  father  followed  the 
occuiiation  of  a  general  merchant  in  OI)erlin  and 
farmer  at  .Tonesville. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  the  eldest  l)ut 
one  in  the  parental  family.  His  elder  brother, 
Giles  E.,  went  to  California  in  1857,  and  died 
there  al)out  two  years  .ago.  Sidney  15.  is  a  dentist 
in  Aurora,  111.,  and  Prof.  J.  51.  1!.  is  Superintend- 
ent of  the  YpsUanti  Normal  School  and  formerly 
occu|)ied  the  [losition  of  Sui)erintendent  of  Schools 
in  Detroit.  The  widowed  sister  of  our  subject  was 
the  wifi'  <tf  William  P.  Clark,  a  merch.ant  of  Kala- 
mazoo, who  died  here  about  ten  years  ago. 

.Toseph  Sill  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
prior  to  his  father's  death,  and  in  the  fall  of  1813 
attended  his  lirst  course  of  lectures  at  the  fleneva 
Medical  College,  in  New  York.  In  181.5-16  he 
opened  a  dental  ollice  in  Kalania/.oo,  which  was  the 
first  of  its  kind  in  the   cilv.  and   thus   earned  the 


money  which  enabled  him  to  complete  his  studies 
in  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
New  York.  He  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  in  IMarcli,  1847,  and  immediately  com- 
menced the  i>ractice  of  his  profession  at  .lonesville, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  IHf)!. 

A  graduate  of  the  regular  school  of  medicine, 
Dr.  Sill  practiced  its  doctrines  until  unable  to 
cheek  a  malignant  disease  which  was  prevalent  at 
that  time.  L[ion  adopting  the  jninciples  of 
Homeopathy  he  was  successful  with  almost  every 
case.  In  the  winter  of  1850-51,  he  took  a  post- 
graduate course  at  the  Cleveland  Homeopathic 
Medical  College,  and  in  the  sjjring  of  1851  located 
at  Kalamazoo.  He  has  been  a  constant  resident 
here  since  that  time,  with  the  exce|>tion  of  a  year 
spent  in  California  and  the  winter  of  1867-68, 
when  he  visited  medical  institutions  in  Europe. 
Traveling  evidently  agrees  with  the  Doctor,  for 
while  on  the  ocean  trip  to  the  Golden  State  via 
the  Isthmus,  he  gained  fifteen  pounds  en  route,  ten 
pounds  on  the  return  trip,  aiul  twenty  p(junds  on 
his  visit  to  Europe. 

Dr.  Sill  is  the  only  physician  in  Kalamazoo  wlui 
has  been  in  active  pr.actice  here  since  1851,  and 
the  oldest  practicing  Ilomeopathist  in  the  State, there 
lieing  only  two  ])hysicians  of  that  school  within  its 
bounds  at  that  time — one  at  (irand  Rajiids,  who  is 
now  deceased,  and  Dr.  Ellis,  of  Detroit,  who  has 
retired  from  practice.  Dr.  King  became  a  partnei- 
of  ovu-  subject  in  1858.  and  carried  on  his  practice 
while  he  was  in  Europe. 

He  of  whom  we  write  entered  his  first  school 
when  ten  years  of  .age,  but  when  fifteen  was  pre- 
pared to  enter  college.  The  following  year  ended 
his  school  life,  after  which  he  was  engaged  as  a 
teacher  for  three  years.  In  ])olitics,  he  votes  the 
Reiiublican  ticket,  but  is  not  otherwise  interested 
in  politics.  In  1861  Dr.  Sill,  intending  to  be  pres- 
ent at  the  inaugural  of  President  Lincoln,  reached 
Pennsylvania  during  the  oil  excitement  and  be- 
came interested  in  developing  wells  which  nette<l 
him  a  h.andsome  [irofit.  Later  he  liecame  an  ex- 
tensive stockholder  in  the  old  Telegraph  Mine  in 
Lt.ah,  which  [iroved  a  good  investment.  He  is  still 
the  proprietor  of  mines  there,  some  of  which  are 
bein"    worked.      He    gives    his  Western    interests 


256 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


considerable  attention  and  makes  frequent  visits 
to  Utah,  his  health  not  beiny  able  to  stand  the 
strain  of  constant  practice. 

Dr.  Sill  was  at  one  time  part  owner  of  a  glucose 
factory  at  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  which  promised 
large  returns,  but  was  uufortunatel3-  burned,  while 
the  Doctor  was  en  route  frtim  Utah  to  make  it  his 
fii-st  visit.  He  has  done  much  toward  building  up 
the  city  of  Kalamazoo  and  is  i)art  proprietor  of 
Rose  Street  Terrace.  His  office  is  in  a  handsome 
block,  as  are  also  his  residence  apartment*. 

September  28,  1847,  our  subject  was  married  at 
Joncsville.  Mich.,  to  Miss  Ann  Eliza  Chnmplin,  a 
native  of  Ithaca,  N.  Y.  She  is  one  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  Ladies' Library,  and,  with  her  husband,  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  Although 
the  Doctor  h.as  met  with  (inanciaL  reverses,  he  now 
Stands  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  city. 
He  holds  views  of  his  own  on  many  sulijccts  .and 
does  not  consider  the  Slate  ^Medical  Dei)artment 
necessary ,thinks  there  are  too  many  doctors  already. 
He  is  verv  conservative  on  educational  methods, 
believing  there  is  too  much  mechanical  education 
and  not  enough  individual  development.  He  is 
an  interesting  conversationalist  and  genial  com- 
panion and  in  tiie  city  and  surrounding  country 
his  friends  are  legion. 


W:ILL1.\.M  FORI),  of  Climax  Township,  who 
may  lie  denominated  a  pioneer  of  Kal.a- 
„  ^  inazdo  County,  though  liul  a  lioy  when  he 
C4ime  here  (jvcr  ff>rty  years  ago,  has  risen  to  promi- 
nence a.s  a  farmer  and  as  a  leading  politician  in 
this  section  of  the  State,  being  active  in  tlie  in- 
terests of  the  Deniociatic  party.  Huron  County, 
in  the  neighboring  Stale  of  Ohio,  is  the  liirthplacc 
of  our  subject,  and  September  II.  IH;il,the  date 
i(f  liis  birth  into  llie  pioneer  home  <>(  (ieorge  and 
.\mia  ( Lyons)  I'"ord,  who  were  natives  of  New 
York.  I'hi'  f.ilher  w.'is  born  April  i:!,  1H()2,  and 
the  mother  .\pril  2H,  IHdii,  .-iic  being  of  Yankee 
bloofl.  'I'lie  father  was  of  .Scottish  aniecedeiit.s, 
lii-^  fatlier.  .(nines  Ford,  having  been  born  in  Scot- 
land aiicl  reared  in  Ireland.  Shortly  after  the 
Aniericun  Revolution,  he  emigrMU;d  to  tliiM  country 


with  a  brother,  who  went  South  and  was  never 
heard  from  again.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject 
married  Hannah  Davenport,  of  Dutcli  parentage, 
and  reared  a  large  family.  His  career  as  a  farmer 
in  New  Y'ork  State  w.as  cut  short  by  his  untimely 
death  at  the  age  of  forty  years. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  tailor  by  trade, 
and  engaged  at  that  several  years  in  New  York 
and  somewhat  in  Ohio  after  his  removal  thither 
in  1829.  He  had  settled  in  the  wilderness  of 
Huron  County  with  his  wife  and  two  children, 
and  at  different  times  owned  liiree  farms  there, 
doing  a  great  deal  of  improving.  He  finally 
traded  a  farm  there  for  land  in  Alamo  Township, 
this  county,  and  removed  liiilher  in  the  spring  of 
1846,  with  an  ox-leam.  being  two  weeks  on  the 
w!iy,  which  led  through  the  famous  Cottonwood 
Swamp,    near    Toledo,    where    in   one    plaec    they 

I  were  six  hours  going  four  miles,  and  then  had  to 
p.ay  toll  to  get  further.  About  this  lime,  the  fa- 
ther was  severelj'  injured  by  the  falling  of  a  tree, 
and  was  never  .able  to  work  much  after  that.  He 
and  his  son,  our  subject,  developed  the  farm, 
building  first  a  large  tamarack  log  house,  and  be- 
ginning pioneer  life.  In  1855,  Mr.  Ford  left 
his  farm  in  Alamo  Townshiji,  and,  settling  on  a 
farm  in  Climax  Township,  dwell  there  until  his 
death,  .\pril  1,  1872.  He  was  a  stancih  Democrat 
in  politics,  in  which  he  alw.ays  manifested  a  good 
degree  of  interest.  As  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
K.alamazoo  County,  his  memory  is  held  in  rever- 
ence. The  mothei'  of  our  subject  w.as  yet  a  young 
woman  when  she  died,  l'\'biuary  20,  18;i(.  Three 
out  of  her  four  ehildrcn  grew  to  maturity :  Betsy, 
IClma  and  William. 

It  is   of    the   latter  we   write.      He    obtained    his 

I  earl}'  .schooling  in  his  native  county,  the  lirstsehool 
that  he  .'ittcnded  lieing  two  miles  from  his  iionie. 
anil  eoiidueleil  under  tlie  latc-bill  system.  The 
sehoolhouse  was  a  ty|iieal  pioneer  educational  iii- 
stiliition,  built  of  logs,  lie.ated  by  an  open  liie- 
|)laee,  and  rniiii>-lu'd  willi  iiiile  slal)  benehes. 
When  our  siil)ject  was  llfleen  years  old,  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  their  new  home  in  yMamo 
Township,  whei'e  he  atli'iided  .seliooj  I'oi'  .'iwiiih', 
but.  the  mo>t  of  lii>  tiiiH'  was  emphiyed  in  farm 
work,  ill  clearing  the  land  iiiid  tilling  the  soil.     He 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


was  but  two  years  old  when  his  mother  died,  and 
;it  the  time  the  family  earner  to  Michigan  his  sister 
had  married,  and,  his  father  being  a  cripple,  he  had 
to  begin  life  in  earnest  to  help  support  the  fam- 
ily and  attend  to  the  wants  of  the  household,  the 
ca|)alilc  lad  doing  the  most  of  the  cooking  for 
live  years  after  coming  to  this  county.  He  was 
fond  of  the  hunt,  and  as  wild  game  vvas  plenti- 
ful, occasionally  found  time  to  indulge  in  the 
|ilcasurcs  of  the  chase,  killiug  a  deer  now  and 
then,  and  among  his  trophies  are  the  antlers  of 
two,  which  are  well  mouiilcd  and  ornament,  the 
walls  of  ills  parlor. 

When  he  entered  u|)on  his  independent  career 
as  a  farmer,  INIr.  Ford  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  Alamo  Townshii),  but  after  clearing  some 
of  it,  he  sold  it  at  a  good  advance  and  bought 
forty  acres  on  section  32,  of  which  only  ten  acres 
had  been  cleared.  He  felled  the  rest  of  the  tim- 
ber, and  in  ten  years  sold  that  place  in  order  to 
buy  ninety-three  acres  of  his  present  farm  on  sec- 
tion 28,  Climax  Township.  Thirty-live  acres  of  it 
li;i(l  been  cleared,  but  there  were  no  buildings  on 
the  pl.ace  worth  mentioning, exce|)t  a  lioard  house. 
]\Ir.  Ff)ril  has  worked  unceasingly  to  bring  about 
the  change  that  makes  it  one  of  the  tinest  farms 
ill  tiie  locality,  with  line  modern  improvements 
and  all  the  ai)pliances  for  eariying  on  agriculture 
prolilably.  He  has  erected  a  good  set  of  build- 
ings, putting  uji  a  large  frame  barn  in  l«7.i,  and 
building  a  commodious  and  neatly-apiioi  iited  frame 
residence  in  1879.  lie  has  also  increased  the  size 
of  his  farm  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-tliree  acres, 
of  which  one  hundred  acres  are  cleared  and  under 
line  cultivation.  He  raises  both  grain  and  stock, 
and  has  cattle,  iiorses  and  swine  of  liigh  grades. 

i\[r.  Ford  was  married,  April  29,  1859,  to  Jliss 
Flora  K.  Root.  Slie,  too,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born 
in  Lorain  Count3'  .January  21,  1839.  She  came  to 
IMicli.,  in  A|)rii,  18.5(5,  with  her  jiareuts,  who  be- 
came residents  of  Climax  Townshii).  Her  mar- 
riage with  our  subject  has  brought  them  nine 
children,  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  the  latter 
(Birdie  and  lua)  dying  in  infancy.  The  names  of 
the  l)oys  are  Ashton  E.,  Arthur  II.,  Ozias  C, 
(ieorge,  Vnii  Kviy,  C'harles  and    Deo,  respectively. 

Our  subiect  has  shown    himself  in  various  wa\s 


a  public-spirited  citizen,  who  is  thoroughly  .alive 
to  the  interests  of  township  and  county,  and  he 
is  noted  as  a  leader  among  the  Democrats  of  tlii.s 
jjart  of  the  State,  one  who  wields  more  power  in  pol- 
itical matters  than  anyone  else  in  his  commu- 
nity, and  is  regarded  as  one  of  our  shrewdest  and 
most  acute  politicians.  He  is  thoroughly  posted 
on  national  issues,  in  which  lie  is  greatly  interested, 
and  he  understands  well  the  best  mode  of  cf)n- 
ducting  a  local  political  cani[)aign.  At  the  last 
call  for  soldiers  during  the  late  war,  Mr.  Ford 
was  drafted,  and,  it  being  iiripo.ssible  for  him  to  go, 
he  sent  a  substitute,  for  which  he  paid  IHOO. 


^ACOH  McLIN.  This  gentleman  is  a  resi- 
dent of  section  3.'),  Texas  Township,  Ivalama- 
zoo  County,  where  he  is  successfully  carry- 
ing on  the  pursuits  of  agriculture.  His 
(lareuts  were  Thomas  and  I\Iary  (Jackson)  McLin, 
natives  of  Tennessee.  The  maternal  grandfather 
was  a  cousin  of  Andrew  .Jackson.  The  parents 
came  from  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  to  Kalamazoo 
County,  in  Seiiteraber,  1830,  and  settled  on  section 
3R,  Texas  Township,  where  they  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  da3S. 

Eleven  children  were  liorn  to  the  father  and 
mother  of  our  subject,  his  liirth  occurring  Novem- 
ber 20,  1817,  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
passed  his  boyhood  days  and  in  the  fall  of  1830 
came  to  this  county  with  his  jiarents.  He  here 
continued  to  live  with  his  father  until  he  was  mar- 
ried October  23,  1842,  to  Miss  Adelia  Gage  in 
Texas  Township,  this  county'.  Mrs.  McLin  is  a 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  I'olly  (Howard)  Gage,  na- 
tives of  ^'ermont  and  New  York  Slate,  respectively. 
The  mother  died  in  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y., 
and  the  father  came  to  Kalamazoo  County  in  1835, 
settling  in  the  northern  part  of  Texas  Township, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  was  the  father 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  JlcIJn  is  the 
fourth-born,  she  having  had  her  birth  in  Chautau- 
qua County,  N.  Y..  .July  22,  1823. 

After  his  marriage.  ]Mr.  McLin  settled  on  section 
3.'),  of  Texas  Townshii),  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives.     It  comprises  fifty-one  acres  and  on   it   he 


258 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


has  made  the  very  best  improvements.  This  couple 
have  Ijccomc  the  p.irents  of  three  children:  George 
H.,  Mary  H.  and  Luther  I.  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
R.  11.  Giblis.  of  Three  Rivers,  Mich.  Mr.  McLin 
has  held  the  olMces  of  Constable  of  his  tow-nship, 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  seventeen  years  and  Town- 
ship Collector,  the  duties  of  which  olHces  he  dis- 
charged faithfully  and  conscientiously.  He  h.os 
taken  in  former  days  quite  an  active  part  in 
politics  and  h.as  held  all  the  oftices  of  his  township. 
He  is  a  stanch  member  of  the  Republican  party 
and  has  been  since  its  organization.  Religiously, 
he  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  son,  George  II.,  is  a  physician  at  Huntington, 
Ind..  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Cleveland  and  the 
Philadelphia  ^Medical  Colleges.and  h.is  also  .attended 
college  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  London,  Eng- 
land. Luther  I.  is  a  graduate  of  the  medical  de- 
jiartment  of  the  Michigan  University  and  also  of 
Detroit  and  is  now  practicing  at  St.  Joseph,  Mich. 
The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  this  brief  record 
is  with  his  good  wife  held  in  esteem  by  the 
entire  community  in  which  they  are  spending  the 
evening  of  their  lives. 


Cin 


\ 


'  OIIN  MrUIvl  I)E,  a  respected  and  proniinent 
farmer,  located  on  section  3.'),  Hopkins 
Township,  Allegan  County,  is  a  son  of 
.lames  and  Polly  (AVolf)  iMcIJride,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania.  They  there  resided  on  a  farm 
in  Venango  Comity,  and  the  mother  passed  away 
in  183R.  The  father  is  still  living,  and  makes  his 
home  with  his  children.  lie  was  twice  married, 
the  mother  of  our  subject  l)eing  his  first  wife,  and 
by  her  he  had  three  children.  The  second  ninr- 
ri.ige  was  fruitful  of  nine  children. 

Our  subject  was  born  Decemboi-  21,  Ih;).'?,  in 
Center  County,  Pa.,  and  hist  his  mother  when  five 
years  old.  He  iM'gaii  life  tor  himself  at  ten  by  farm- 
ing by  the  month.  lie  came  to  Jackson  County,  this 
Slate,  in  IH.'i.'i.  rind  the  following  year  came  to  this 
«'ounty,  and  woiked  on  farms  in  summers,  and  in 
the  sawmills  in  tlie  winters. 


In  August,  1861,  Mr.  McBride  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany G,  Sixth  Michigan  Infantry,  and  was  sent  to 
Baltimore,  Newport  News,  Ship  Island,  and  then, 
luider  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler,  on  the  expedition  to  New 
Orleans,  Vicksburg,  Baton  Rouge,  wintering  in 
various  pLaces  in  the  South.  He  re-enlisted,  and 
then  came  home  on  a  furlough.  He  again  returned 
South,  and  was  on  duty  at  numerous  pl.aces,  fight- 
ing in  the  battles  at  Baton  Rouge,  and  siege  of  Port 
Hudson,  and  also  doing  sonic  lively  skirmishing. 

This  brave  soldier  returned  home  after  four 
years  of  faithful  fighting  in  September,  1865,  and 
settled  on  a  farm  on  section  16,  Hopkins  Township, 
which  was  partly  improved.  In  September,  1866, 
he  was  married  to  Mary  ]\I.  (Gregory)  Brewer,  a 
daughter  of  James  II.  and  Lydia  J.  (Daniels) 
Gregory,  both  natives  of  M.assacliusetts,  the  former 
Ijeing  born  in  18-20,  an'd  the  latter,  who  died  in 
1889,  in  1821.  They  moved  to  Ohio  in  1818, 
and  came  to  ]\Iichigan  in  1852,  settling  in  Watson 
Township,  this  county,  on  .section  2.  taking  up 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  laud.  During  the 
Civil  War,  the  father  moved  to  this  township  and 
settled  on  section  15,  where  he  now  lives.  They 
had  five  children  born  to  them:  Mrs.  McBride, 
Edwin  E.,  Flora  A.,  Mrs.  Frank  llofmaster,  of  Kal- 
amazoo, being  the  ones  living.  The  wife  of  our 
subject  was  born  Januaiy  17,  1843,  in  Berkshire 
County,  Mass.,  and  was  married,  in  1860,  to  Fred 
A.  Brewer,  a  soldier  in  the  Fourth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, lie  was  captured  and  held  in  rebel  prisons 
live  iiioutiis,  and  died  soon  after  being  exchanged. 
He  was  the  father  of  one  child,  Edwin  .V.,  who 
married  Libliie  IMcClintock,and  lives  in  this  town- 
ship with  his  wife  and  three  children. 

After  his  marriage,  our  su)>ject  lived  on  section 
16,  this  township,  throe  years,  when  he  moved  to 
section  2H.  hi  1H6'.>,  he  located  on  his  present 
farm,  where  he  has  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
in  .mII,  and  seventy-five  highly  iniprf)vcd.  He  has 
cleared  il  :ill  himself,  and  i>  a  sagacious  and  in- 
dustrious farmer.  He  lost  his  barn  by  fire  in  1876, 
and  sf)fui  erected  aiU)tlicr  :uid  better  one  in  its 
jilMce.  He  and  his  wife  are  llie  |i:ireiils  of  llii-ee 
children:  Gertie  Adella,  the  wife  of  William  Host- 
wick,  of  Kalamazao  City,  and  the  niolher  of  two 
children:  Jesse  Leo,  and  Alice  \.     Tlii;se  children 


^ 


I 


4'  '^-^y 


"'  ^J^;. 


A  •'/ 


''<^z^^^>t/    Uh/Jj^ 


^ruJ/C  ^U/ym^  ^  ^ 


PORTEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIIJCAL  llECORD 


2(;i 


have  received  the  l)est  educational  advantages  of 
the  day,  and  Mrs.  IJoslvvick  was  eiigai,red  in  teacli- 
ing  school  before  her  marriage.  Mrs.  MclJride  is 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  she 
and  her  husband  both  belong  to  the  Grange,  of 
which  she  was  Assistant  Steward  and  Lady  Assist- 
ant. Slie  is  also  a  member  of  the  Woman's  Relief 
Corps  at  Hopkins  Station,  and  has  been  Outside 
Guard.  In  politics,  Mr.  BIcBride  Is  a  Republican, 
and  always  has  been,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  where 
he  loves  to  meet  with  his  old  comrades. 


S^****!: 

a^****? 


RI AH  UPJOHN,  M.  D.  This  family  ori- 
ginated in  Shaftesbury,  Dorsetshire,  Eng- 
land. The  Rev.  William  Upjohn,  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  biography,  belonged  to  the  In- 
de|)endenls  of  England,  and  preached  in  Shaftes- 
bury for  fortv  years  without  remuneration,  believ- 
ing it  to  be  his  duty  to  lead  the  sinner  to  the  Re- 
deemer without  money  and  without  price;  he  at 
the  same  time  followed  his  legitimate  business  as  a 
civil  engineer.  lie  was  a  man  of  acknowledged 
ability  and  of  good  lineage.  The  Doctor's  mother, 
Mary  (Standard)  Upjohn,  was  the  third  daughter 
of  Mr.  Standaid,  of  Sherborne,  and  belongs  to  the 
great  Devon  family  of  Northcote,  the  present  head 
of  which  is  the  Earl  of  Iddesleigh.  Iler  grand- 
father, Thomas  Lawrence,  was  tlie  second  son  of 
John  Lawrence,  of  Ashton  Hall,  Lancashire.  Her 
grandmother  was  Mary  Northcote,  who  married 
Thomas  Lawrence,  (October  C,  1725. 

Our  subject  is  the  ninth  of  twelve  children  and 
was  born  September  7,  1808,  in  Glamorgan,  near 
Cardiff,  Monmouthshire,  South  Wales,  where  his 
parents  were  temporarily  residing.  To  ascertain 
the  true  worth  of  a  man,  it  is  necessai-y  to  know 
the  influences  to  which  he  was  exposed  in  his  early 
days,  the  associations  of  his  youth,  the  manner  of 
his  education.  These  things  have  much  to  do  with 
tlie  career  whicii  follows.  We  find  in  Uriah's  early 
life  evident  traces  of  a  boy  wiio  was  s[)clling  and 
reading  his  way  to  a  fully-develc)ped  man.  He  re- 
ceived the  benefit  of  the    elementary    training  of 


the  English  schools  of  hi.s  d.'iy  and  was  then  placed 
in  the  Heytesbury  and  Castle  Carry  schools,  where 
he  went  tiirough  a  full  academic  course.  He  ri'- 
meml)crs  that  his  fatiier  took  him  fi'om  school  fcjr 
a  time  to  aid  him  in  making  a  railroad  survey- from 
London  to  Exeter,  the  first  survey  of  the  kind  in 
England. 

Amid  the  corrective  influences  of  an  excellent 
home  and  the  discipline  and  thorough  training  of 
good  schools,  Uriah  passed  from  childhood  to  man- 
hood. He  remained  at  home  until  1828,  when  he 
and  his  next  older  brother,  William,  bade  goodb3'e 
to  the  inmates  of  the  old  home  in  "Merrie  Eng- 
land," and  taking  passage  in  an  ocean  vessel,  em- 
harked  with  their  effects  and  fortunes  for  the 
United  States.  After  a  prosperous  voyage  across 
the  Atlantic,  they  arrived  in  New  York  City  in 
June,  and  spent  the  summer  traveling  and  pros- 
pecting through  some  of  the  Eastern  and  Southern 
States. 

The  following  winter,  our  subject  played  the 
"P^nglish  Schoolmaster  Abroad"  for  the  people  of 
East  Hamburg,  Erie  County,  N.  Y.  Early  in  tlie 
spring  of  1830  he  returned  to  England  for" the  pur- 
pose of  assisting  his  parents  in  their  preparations 
for  removing  to  America.  Arrangements  being 
completed,  he,  with  his  father's  family,  once  more 
^et  sail  for  the  New  World,  landing  at  New  York  in 
July  the  same  year.  The  family  settled  in  Green- 
bush  (East  Albany),  N.  Y.,  and  it  was  while  living 
there  with  his  parents  that  lie  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Hale.  Mr. 
LTpjohn  had  wiiile  living  in  England  given  some 
attention  to  the  study.  Dr.  Hale  was  a  man  of 
learning  and  an  able  phjsician,  a  graduate  of 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  and  a 
man  of  high  social  standing,  having  married  the 
granddaughter  of  Gov.  George  Clinton. 

After  going  througli  the  full  course  of  studies  in 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  New 
York  City,  Dr.  Upjohn  graduated  on  March  25, 
18o4.  He  had  also  attended  the  practice  of  Physics 
and  Surgery  in  the  New  York  Hos|)ital  during  the 
two  sessions  of  1833-34;  and  had  found  time  dur- 
ing his  sununer  vacations  to  attend  two  full  courses 
(m  surgery  and  anal  »niy  under  Prof.  Ahlcn 
March,  of  Albany.     The    following  recommenda- 


262 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


tion,  which  our  graduate  bore   with    his  diploma 
from  college,  needs  no  word  of  comment: 

To  whom  it  may  concern: 

Be  it  known  that  Dr.  I'lijohn  received  his  de- 
gree in  our  univei-sity  \csterday.  It  affords  me 
great  pleasure  to  l)ear  testimony  to  the  great  dili- 
gence with  whidi  lie  iias  pursued  his  studies,  and 
to  the  uncommon  proficienc3'  which  he  evinced  in 
his  examination  before  the  professors.  My  best 
wislics  attend  him  in  his  career  in  life,  and  it  is  my 
opinion  that  wherever  he  may  locate,  he  will  be  a 
valuable  acijuisilion  to  his  professional  brethren 
and  the  community. 

Vai.kxtixe  Mott,  M.  D. 
New  York,  April  2,  183  1. 

Dr.  I'pjohn  coniiiienced  the  practice  of  medicine 
at  Brighton,  .Monroe  Cdunty,  N.  Y.,  immediately 
after  his  graduation.  His  parents  li:id  removed  to 
Pitt.<ford,  in  the  same  county,  where  the  father 
died  in  1847  and  tiie  nicitiier  in  1852.  In  June, 
1835,  he  and  his  brother  William  started  out  to 
seek  tlieir  fortunes  in  llie  far  West,  crossing  Lake 
Erie  by  steamer.  From  Detroit,  on  hoisel)ack,  they 
tfM>k  up  their  line  of  march  westward  through  the 
woiided  territory  and  leaciiing  Kalanijizof)  County, 
pitched  their  tent  on  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  31.  in  that  part  i>f  the  township  of  Kich- 
land  since  called  Ross.  Having  erected  a  log  house 
hereon  their  new  land  among  the  early  settlers  of 
this  region,  the  two  brolhci-s  commenced  (lie  pr;ic- 
tice  of  medicine.  The  Doctor  had  not  Itceii  long 
in  Midiigaii  when  he  learned  that  the  law  required 
physicians  to  have  a  license,  making  it  necessary 
for  him  to  go  to  Detroit  to  present  his  credentials. 
This  he  did  and  received  his   paiicrs. 

On  September  l.'i,  IH37,  Dr.  I'pjolin  was  married 
to     Maria    .Mills,    youngest   daughter    of     Deacon 

Simeon  .Mills,  oi f  the  pioneers  of  (iull   Prairie. 

Our  subject's  practice  has  been  very  extensive. 
Mi*  ridf  on  liorsebiick  for  more  than  twenty  years, 
until  roads  were  made  and  buggies  could  be  had, 
extended  among  the  sparse  settlemenUs  and  solitary 
lug  cabins  M-altcred  over  the  territory  of  live 
counties.  To  visit  his  patients,  he  rode  by  a  pio- 
neer's new-ninde  track,  or  by  the  Iridiaii  trail  or 
bin/.ed  trees,  or  throcgli  the  tracklos  woods,  "by 
riMites  oliM'urc  and  lonely."  Kindl\ ,  p;itiently,  he 
went  on  his  errand  of  mercy  in  .-ill  .•<eiisoii>  oi  llic 
year,  ami  through  all  kiiuls  of   weather,  rendering; 


his  services  as  cheerfully  to  the  poor,  who  could 
not  pay,  as  to  those  who  could.  At  one  time,  while 
attending  the  sick  in  a  north  settlement,  .as  Dr. 
Upjohn  was  about  to  leave  he  was  informed  that 
around  the  lake  there  was  a  log  cabin,  whose  in- 
mates were  all  sick.  After  a  round-about  ride,  he 
came  to  the  cabin,  knocked  at  the  door  again  and 
again,  and  at  last  heard  a  faint  "come  in."  Enter- 
ing he  found  the  entire  famih-  of  seven  or  eight 
persons  prostrate  with  fever,  and  the  lirsl  word 
uttered  was  a  request  for  water.  Filling  a  large 
pitcher  with  water  from  the  lake  near  by  he  gave 
to  each  one  a  drink.  Finding  that  some  of  thciu 
were  very  sick,  he  dealt  out  medicine  .as  each  case 
required,  built  n  fire,  chopped  wood,  brought  it  in 
and  made  them  as  comfortable  as  he  could,  gave 
them  words  of  cheer  and  bade  them  good-night, 
promising  to  come  again.  He  then  rode  three  or 
four  miles  out  of  his  way  to  find  a  neighbor  who 
!    would  stay  with  them  for  one  night. 

Dr.  Upjohn  at  that  time  was  obliged  to  use  a 
large  amount  of  quinine  and  has  more  than  once 
used  an  entire  bottle  in  one  day's  ride  of  not  more 
than  forty  miles.  During  his  early  experience, 
many  of  tlie  virtues  of  quinine,  not  then  adopted 
by  the  medical  profession,  that  arc  well  estab- 
lished in  the  present  time,  were  recognized  by  liiin. 
Prof.  Palmer, of  the  Medical  University,  gives  him 
the  credit  of  first  using  it  as  a  cure  for  pneumonia. 
We  give  a  few  incidents  illustrative  of  the  trials 
and  adventures  of  the  physicians  in  the  early  set- 
tlement of  this  country.  C)ur  subject  once  made  a 
trij)  of  sixty  miles,  and  at  one  place  where  he 
visited  they  had  only  a  crust  of  johnny-cake  to 
satisfy  his  hunger,  and  but  a  wisp  of  straw,  that 
was  taken  from  tlic  bed  of  liis  patient,  to  feed  his 
horse. 

A  nuiiiluT  of  years  ago.  Dr.  I  pjoliii  related  this 
incident  of  liis  early  practice:  "I  li;id  been  gone 
from  home  two  or  three  days,  visiting  the  sick  at 
almost  every  house,  and  sUaying  at  night  whenn-er 
1  happened  to  be.  Tired  and  exhausted,  I  w:is 
making  my  way  Ihhih  .  wnlUiiig  and  leading  luy 
horse,  when  within  oiiemilr  of  Ihmih'  I  heard  nomic 
one  rifling  r.-ipidly  behind  nu'.  ;niil  my  lirsl  impulse 
v\a>  to  ilodge  behind  the  bruslie>  ;in(l  lei  Inni  p.'iss. 
'Hallo    lliere"   said   Mime  one,  and    on  coming  up 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL  RECORD. 


263 


he  hurriedly  asked,  'Is  this  Dr.  Uiijohn?'  'Yes.' 
'Well,  you're  wanted.'  'Where?'  'Six  miles  be- 
yond Yankee  Springs.'  'Who  is  sick?'  'A 
woman.'  The  distance  heinij'  twenty-six  miles  I 
hesitati^d.  I  asked  if  she  was  very  sick.  'Yes, 
very,'  said  the  man,  'and  very  poor;  you  may 
never  get  your  p.ay.'  I  wrote  a  note  to  my  wife 
for  some  medicine  to  be  sent  back  by  the  m.an  and 
I  made  my  way  back,  arriving  there  at  three 
o'clock  the  next  morning.  I  found  my  patient  in 
a  crude  log  house  and  very  sick  indeed,  and  in  a 
log  barn  nothing  but  straw  for  my  horse." 

The  wants  of  a  growing  family  often  pressed  so 
keenly  u|ion  him  that  the  Doctor  sometimes  felt 
the  need  of  prompt  collection  of  his  fees.  Yet  the 
writer  has  heard  him  saj',  that,  driven  by  necessity, 
he  has  often  entered  with  reluctance  the  settler's 
home  to  collect  his  Iiill,  but  the  presence  of  destitu- 
tion and  lack  of  the  very  necessaries  of  life  were 
so  evident  that  he  has  left  the  house  without  pre- 
senting his  bill.  A  large  part  of  hisearl^'  practice 
was  of  an  unrenuincrative  character,  and  on  a  close 
estimate  liy  himself,  it  would  be  safe  to  say  that  in 
his  extensive  practice  of  sixty  years  he  has  given 
one-half  of    his  services  to  the  destitute  and  poor. 

Dr.  O.  F.  Burroughs,  of  Galesburg,  Mich.,  has 
written  amusing  incidents  of  our  subject's  stop- 
ping his  horse  as  they  were  riding  together  and 
getting  out  of  the  buggy  to  procure  some  plant 
that  grew  by  the  road  side,  then  giving  an  inter- 
esting lecture  upon  it  as  tliey  rode  along.  It  was 
the  same  with  geology — the  fossils  did  not  escape 
his  notice.  Fording  the  Kalamazoo  River  at  one 
time  on  horseback,  when  on  a  visit  to  a  patient,  he 
saw  a  large  rock  in  the  stream,  and  exclaimed,  "I 
have  found  it  after  two  year's  search;  I  have  found 
it  at  last!  Here  is  the  bed-rock,  the  carboniferous 
limestone,"  but  hurried  on  to  attend  to  his  pro- 
fessional duties.  Returning,  he  dismounted  and 
though  the  river  was  full  of  ice  he  stood  knee-deep 
in  tlie  water  and  examined  the  rock.  An  incident 
in  his  boyhood  days  will  illustrate  a  sterling  trait 
of  his  character.  When  a  lioy  of  tliirteen,  he  and 
a  schoolmate  started  on  horseback  to  visit  Netlej' 
Abbey,  on  Southampton  Bay,  b^'  moonlight.  Ar- 
riving at  the  liay,  they  left  their  horses  and  look  a 
row  boat  for  the  Abbey,    Here  they  had  a  delight- 


ful time,  viewing  its  splendor  by  the  light  of  the 
moon.  Some  time  l)efore,  they  had  made  a  pledge 
to  each  other  that  they  would  never  drink  or  play 
cards,  and  they  bethought  themselves  that  this 
stood  them  in  good  stead  at  this  time,  as  there  was 
much  drinking  and  card-|)laying  in  the  inns  tliey 
passed  by.  Rowing  back  they  mounted  their 
horses  for  home  and  Uriah's  mate  said,  "Let  us  try 
the  speed  of  our  animals."  A  little  experience  of 
this  kind  cost  them  dearly  for  after  the  race  his 
mate's  horse  drop|)ed  dead.  Frightened,  they 
rolled  the  animal  out  of  the  way  and  ))Otii  rode 
home  on  one  horse.  The  schoolmate  thus  spoken 
of  was  the  late  Sir  Robert  Lush,  one  of  England's 
twelve  judges. 

Dr.  Upjohn 's  ancestors  on  both  sides  have  lieen 
mostl}'  Quakers  and  he  in  his  gentle  manners  and 
unostentatious  life  h.as  evinced  the  Quaker,  al- 
though he  has  never  worn  the  garb.  In  18.34, 
while  living  in  Brighton,  N.  Y.,  he  joined  the  Anti- 
Slavery  Society,  and  afterwards  joined  the  Repub- 
lican party  on  its  formation.  While  he  .and  his 
brother  Willi.am  were  in  the  midst  of  their  profes- 
sional life,  they  sent  a  petition  with  many  names 
attached  to  the  Legislature,  which  resulted  in  that 
very  important  Act  known  as  the  Homestead 
Exemption  Law.  In  Michigan  in  184.5,  Dr.  Up- 
john was  nominated  for  Congress  on  tiie  Free-Soil 
ticket.  His  brother  William  was  for  many  years 
located  at  Hastings,  Mich.,  where  he  was  lucratively 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  where  he 
died.  In  August,  1887,  the  brother  Erastus  went  as 
a  pioneer  to  Nebraska,  settled  at  Bellevue  and 
printed  the  first  paper  in  that  Territory;  he  was  a 
surgeon  in  the  army  during  the  war,  and  practiced 
medicine  in  that  State  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
The  youngest  sister,  Helen,  married  .Tudg«  Fenner 
Furgerson,  a  former  resident  of  Albion,  Mich.,  who 
was  appointed  by  President  Pierce  the  first  Chief 
Justice  of  Nebraska  Territory.  Our  subject  is  the 
only  surviving  member  of  the  family. 

Twelve  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Upjohn,  eleven  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years. 
Six  are  graduates  of  the  medical  and  pharmaceut- 
ical departments  of  Michigan  University,  namely: 
Helen,  the  wife  of  Hugh  Kirkhmd,  n  promi- 
nent   physician    at   Kalamazoo;    Mary    N.,    wife 


264 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


of  ^y.  p.  Sidnam,  of  Kalamazoo;  Amelia,  formerly 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Cauii(l)ull.  but  now  deceased; 
Henry  U.,  William  W..  and  Jane  T.  Mary  and 
Amelia  were  the  first  lady  <>raduates  in  the  de- 
liarlraent  of  pharmacy,  and  Frederick  took  a 
course  in  pharmacy  at  I'liiladelphia.  The  spirit  of 
Galen  that  inspired  the  father  has  thus  manifested 
itself  in  the  love  of  the  profession  among  his  chil- 
dren. His  daughter  Alice  received  her  early  edu- 
cation at  CIull  Prairie  Seminary,  afterward  allcnd- 
ing  for  a  time  the  Normal  School  at  Y|isilauti  and 
later  the  Ladies'  College  at  Kvanston.  111.  She 
married  the  Rev.  Wright  Barrett,  a  graduate 
of  Garrett  Biblical  Institute.  Virginia,  at  an 
early  age,  evinced  a  rare  talent  for  music  and  was 
given  a  musical  education  at  Detroit.  Slieliecaiiie 
a  successful  teacher  and  while  thus  engaged  in 
ll.astings,  wa.s  taken  ill  and  <licd,  .July  8,  187(1,  at 
her  father's  home  in  (ialcsbiiigh.  Sara  attended 
the  public  school  at  Ann  Arbor  and  married  Rev- 
.lohn  Hedpath,  a  graduate  of  the  riiion  Theologi- 
cal .Seminary  of  New  York.  Ida  (now  deceased), 
the  youngest  of  seven  daughters,  graduated  at  the 
High  ScIkmjI  in  Ann  Arbor,  and  married  James 
llayward.  a  graduate  from  Michigan  Iniversity  in 
the  literary  and  civil  engineering  departincnts. 
He  W.1.S  employed  by  the  Government  in  niMking 
.surveys  in  Mississippi  and  Texas, ;iiid  was  didniicd 
in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  Doctor  lived  un  (Jull  rraiiic  frtun  tiic  time 
he  came  to  this  CDiinty  until  IHtJH,  with  the  cx- 
ceplion  of  two  years  which  he  s|)ent  with  his  fam- 
ily in  I<jwa.  lie  then  removed  to  (ialesburgh,  this 
(•(lunly,  where  he  remained  until  1871,  at  which 
lime  he  changed  lii>  residence  to  Kalamazoo.  In 
the  .spring  of  th:il  yi:n  he  retired  to  a  farm  juii- 
(•h;i>ed  iif  ('li:irle.^  lirowii,  his  brothei-iii-law,  near 
|{i<'hland  village,  his  old  home.  He  is  now  past 
eighty-three  years  of  Hg<  and  .still  quite  robust. 
Sixty  yeai-s  of  his  life  have  been  faithfully  jiiid 
conseientiou.sly  spent  in  his  profession  .and  in  pro- 
viding fur  and  educating  his  eleven  children,  lie 
is  •■III  mITccI  jon:ite  and  considerate  hiisliand  and  fa- 
ther, uiiselll.sh  t^i  a  fault,  studying  tlii'  comforts  of 
llioM!  around  him  rather  than  his  own,  always  im- 
parliiigsomc  v.-iliiabli'  iiislriii'lion  to  his  children 
\\  Ik  II  ;^Mitlii  nil  miihiihI  lilm/ii  liiniii   nr  while  ridiii" 


with  him  as  he  went  .about  the  country.  Being  a 
great  reader  and  a  mnn  of  original  thought  and 
wonderful  memory,  he  was  prepared  for  any 
emergency.  For  the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years 
his  practice  has  been  that  of  a  consulting  phy- 
sician, and  while  not  in  active  (iractice  in  the  last 
few  j-ears  he  jet  cherishes  great  interest  in  the 
adv.ancement  of  medicine  and  the  well-l)eing  of 
his  fellow-nicn.  cheerfully  giving  counsel  where  it 
i>  needed,  pointing  out  dangers  to  life  and  healtli, 
with  a  kindly  feeling  to  all  humanity.  In  his  re 
ligious  views  he  believes  that  a  well-spent  life  is 
the  liest  pri'iiaration  for  future  happiness,  regard- 
less of  religious  creeds.  Mrs.  Upjohn  was  the  faith- 
ful and  loving  wife  of  our  sulijecl  for  the  long 
period  of  forty-live  years,  sustaining  him  by  words 
of  cheer  and  comfort  wlien  he  was  about  to  despair, 
and  in  all  he  has  accompllslied  in  securing  a  good 
home  and  a  competency  she  deserves  a  full  sluue 
of  credit.  She  was  called  to  her  heavenly  home 
February  17,  lf^S2,  when  in  her  sixtieth  year,  loved 
and  resjiected  by  all  w'ho  knew  her. 

A  lithographic  jiortrait  of    Dr.  Upjohn   accom- 
panies tliisbiogra[)hical  notice. 


^i 


^^ 


(^ 


B" 


ellKSTI'-.R  A.  I'UTNKY.  The  older  members 
.  of  a  cominunity  are  doubly  c^ntitled  to  the 
^  respect  and  esteem  of  their  neighbors  when 
their  long  liviw  have  been  replete  with  acts  of 
Uiudness,  and  their  whole  career  marked  liy  in- 
tegrity and  u[)riglitncss.  The  tiine-honoied  and 
res|iected  gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the 
head  of  this  sketch  makes  his  home  in  Hartford, 
\'an  Ihiren  County.  His  native  home  was  in 
Middlesex,  Yates  County,  N.  V..  where  lie  was 
born  July  II.  IH21.  His  father,  Aaron  Putney, 
w,'i>  lioi  n  ill  I  7t'i'.t.  ill  M.a.ssaeliusetts,  and  the  iiiollicr, 
Kleanor  (.Vdanis)  I'ulney,  was  :\  native  of  New 
Vorli.  ( )ur  subject's  giandfaMier,  .ledediah  I'ulney, 
served  ill  llie  lievoliitionarv  W.ar  and  was  a  son  of 
.loliii  I'utney,  a  native  of  Fnglaud,  who  came  to 
.\iiieriea  when  ;!  yoiiiiL;  iii.iii  :ind  ligured  conspic- 
uously in  llie  e;iily  lii>loiy  of  the  eonnlrv.  The 
riilneys  have  been  tilh'i>  of  llie  soil  :il  ,ill  liines 
and  have  always  been  vei\   successful. 


•f 


('^'/'/'^  <'  ^-i^'  AV  ^,   /v    <4' 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


2R7 


Our  sulijpct  emigrated  to  Oliio  wlion  a  youiii; 
man  and  llierc  married  Miss  Elizahetli  Parker,  in 
LSI  t.  Alls.  I'lilncy  died  in  New  Voric  whence  our 
sulijcet  had  moved  and  wliere  he  h)8t  two  eliiidreii. 
He  was  afterward  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  I'latt, 
daiigiiter  of  Ira  and  Clarisa  .1.  ((iiliette)  Pratt, 
nativesof  Mussaeliiisettsand  New  York  State,respec- 
tively,l)orn  in  I{iislivilie,()ntario  County,  N.  Y.,who 
bore  him  seven  eliildren,  five  of  whom  are  still  liv- 
ing: Orville  C,  Isahelle  A.,  William  C,  Kntherine 
J.  and  M.  Josepliine. 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  Mr.  Putney  came  to  ^'an 
Puren  County,  where  lie  has  over  since  made  his 
home.  He  found  it  new  and  undeveloped  and  at 
once  rented  a  farm.  Subsetjuently  he  purchased 
land  of  his  own  and  now  has  a  nice  farm  of  two 
Iiundred  and  thirty  acres,  on  which  liis  son  Orvill 
resides.  In  the  fall  of  1890, he  erected  a  beautiful 
modern  residence  in  Hartford,  which  is  not  sur- 
passed by  any  in  the  village.  Here  he  now  resides, 
having  been  retired  from  manual  labor  since  1889. 
This  honored  gentleman  has  always  been  held  in 
highest  repute  by  all  his  friends  and  numerous 
acquaintances  for  his  honesty  and  uprightness.  He 
is  a  true-blue  Republican  politically,  but  has  never 
been  an  ottice-seekcr,  preferring  the  (juietude  of 
domestic!  life  to  the  turmoil  of  public  otliee. 


y 


/        ^-^^ 


<^  li,ILLIAM  MOTTRAM,  M.  D.  The  gentle- 
\nJ\j  ni'in  whose  portrait  appears  on  the  op[)0- 
Vt^s  site  page  deserves  great  credit  for  the  pos- 
ition he  won,  not  only  as  a  ph3'sician  and  sur- 
geon, but  in  securing  the  confidence  of  the  people 
whom  he  served.  Dr.  Mottram  was  born  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  January  30,  1810,  and 
l)assed  from  this  life  at  his  home  in  Kalamazoo, 
July  2,  1891. 

The  father  of  our  suitject,  William  Mottram, 
was  a  native  of  England,  while  his  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Bedient,  was  born  in  Ver- 
nnmt.  The  Doctor  was  married  January  20,  1835, 
at  Schoolcraft,  this  State,  to  Miss  Gillian  Marguer- 
ite, daughter  of  George  E.  and  Ruth  (Duncan) 
Lloyd,    natives    of    Virginia,    where    they    were 


among  the  lirsl  families.  An  aunt  of  Mi-s.  .Mot- 
tram, on  her  father's  side,  lived  to  be  over 
on(!  hundred  years  old.  One  of  the  Lloyds 
became  United  States  SenaUjr.  Mrs.  Mottram 
came  to  Schoolcraft,  this  State,  as  early  as  1832, 
one  of  a  party  of  thirty-six, only  two  of  whom  are 
living  at  the  present  time,  namelj':  Mrs.  Mottram 
an<l  her  sister,  Mrs.  D.  (i.  Kendall,  who  is  at  pres- 
ent residing  in  San  Antonio,  Tex. 

The  Doctoi-  and  his  wife  are  the  ])are!its  of 
three  children:  Mary  E.,  William  K.  and  Alice. 
The  eldest  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Maj.  W.  C.  Ran- 
som, whose  biography  will  appear  on  another  p.age 
in  this  volume;  William  K.  is  residing  in  Ottawa, 
Kan.;  and  Alice  is  the  widow  of  Sidney  Cook,  late 
of  Flat  Rock,  this  State.  The  Doctor  represented 
St.  Joseph  County  in  the  Lower  House  of  the 
Legislatin-e  of  1843,  where  he  took  an  active  part 
in  organizing  the  public  school  lilirary  system, 
which  h.as  become  one  of  the  most  |)rominent  :ind 
useful  features  of  the  great  educational  system 
of  the  State.  Our  subject  located  on  the  site  of 
the  present  beautiful  residence  of  the  family  in 
1850,  and  in  1869, a  modern  dwelling  w.as  erected, 
which  now  adorns  the  place. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  the  speech  of 
Charles  S.  May  delivered  August  13,  1891,  at  the 
pioneers'  reunion  of  Kalamazoo  County: 

The  death-roll  read  by  your  Secretary  shows  tliat 
during  the  past  year,  some  of  the  best  known  and 
most  honored  of  j'our  members  have  been  sum- 
moned across  the  dark  river.  Many  of  those  I 
knew  as  we  all  knew  them.  Some  of  them  were 
mj^  friends,  known  and  tried  for  many  years. 
One  of  them,  and  the  most  prominent  name  on  the 
list,  was,  for  more  thirty  years,  my  friend  and  phy- 
sician— a  man  whom  I  greatly  honored  and  re- 
spected— the  late  Dr.  William  JMottr.am. 

This  man,  who,  as  a  i)ioneer,  citizen  and  physi- 
cian, was  so  well  and  widely  known,  may  justly 
claim  the  passing  tribute  at  my  hand.  His  life 
work,  and  it  was  a  most  grand  and  useful  one, 
was  done  here  in  our  midst.  The  first  part  of  his 
career  passed  just  across  the  line  in  St.  Joseph 
County.  As  pioneer,  physici.an  and  legislator,  and 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  our  own  citv  of  Kalamazoo, 
the  wide  practice  of  his  profession  brought  him 
into  relation  with  thous.ands  of  our  citizens.  His 
fine  and  imposing  presence,  his  courtly  bearing, 
his  highbred  and  polished  courtesy  of  manner, 
his  gentle  and  reassuring  voice  in  the   sick   room, 


208 


PORTRAIT  AND  HIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


which  w:is  ilM'lf  a  iviiu'ily.  will  lie  l<.>iig  iciiifiii- 
lit>rfil  iiiiuiiijr  us,  and  1  may  :is  well  say  that  the 
removal  of  such  a  tigure  from  our  midst,  though 
his  years  were  ripe,  is  a  gre.it  puhlic  loss.  Men 
like  Dr.  Mottram  were  such  line  specimens  and 
types  of  manhood  and  manners  of  the  Old  School, 
that  their  removal  leaves  us  doubly  sensible  of  the 
great  change  which  li.as  come  upon  us.  May  we, 
their  survivoi-s,  long  cherish  their  memories  and 
strive  to  cultivate  their  virtues." 


VTt)IIN  11.  TOMKINS,  who  is  eng.agod  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  sec- 
lion    26,   Decatur    Townshij),   Van    Buren 

^JJ  County,  was  born  in  Bradford  Countj^,  Pa., 
on  the  3(ltli  of  ,Iiine,  18o:5,  but  has  spent  almost  his 
entire  life  in  this  comnuinity.  His  parents  were 
.lolin  and  Hcbeccn  Tomkins.  His  father  was  born 
in  New  .lei'sey,  June  18,  181:5,  and  his  ancestors 
for  several  generations  p.ast  have  resided  in  that 
State.  With  his  parents  he  removed  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  family  locating  in  liradford  County, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  also  carried  on 
a  sawmill.  He  fii-st  came  to  Michigan  in  1810,  and 
purchased  forty  acres  of  land  in  Hamilton  Town- 
^hip.  \'an  IJuren  County.  Only  a  few  acres  had 
l)een  cleared  and  the  arduous  task  of  its  develop- 
ment fell  to  his  lot.  As  his  linancial  resources  in- 
crcjiscd,  he  added  to  his  possessions  from  time  to 
time  until  he  had  one  hundred  and  twentj^  acres, 
but  after  a  few  years"  residence  in  Hamilton  Town- 
ship, he  removed  with  his  family  to  Decatur 
Township, locating  on  a  farm  of  forty  acres  which 
he  made  his  home  for  al>out  twelve  years.  His  next 
place  of  residence  w:is  in  Hancock  County,  Iowa, 
but  after  a  few  months  spent  there,  he  traded  that 
farm  for  land  adjoining — that  wiiich  he  owned  be- 
fore his  removal  from  Michigan.  Another  trade 
he  made,  exchanging  forty  acres  for  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  Kalamazoo  County,  upon 
which  he  made  his  home  for  two  years,  afterward 
opeiiiting  the  farm  a  mile  ami  threc-i|uarlers  north 
of  DccatiU',  where  he  nnule  his  home  until  his 
death,  which  (K'curred  on  the  7tli  of  June,  1H8G. 
.Mr. 'I'oinkin.s  wn.-*  twice  nmrrled.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  wife,  he  married  |{ebecca  ISarnum,  a  na- 
tive of  Kr.'idford  County,  I'a.      liy  the  lirst  union 


were  born  eight  children,  by  the  second  three,  and 
all  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood,  but  only  six 
.ire  now  living. 

Our  subject  is  the  youngest  of  the  family.  He 
was  only  a  year  and  a  half  old  when  his  father  first 
came  to  Michigan,  and  amid  the  wild  scenes  of 
frontier  life  was  reared  to  manhood,  his  education 
being  acquired  in  the  district  schools.  He  worked 
upon  his  father's  farm  until  after  his  death,  and 
cared  for  his  parents  in  their  declining  years.  He 
continued  to  operate  the  old  homestead  farm  un- 
til the  18th  of  Fcbruarj',  1891,  when  the  house  was 
burned  down.  He  then  sold  the  land  and  removed 
to  the  farm  which  is  now  his  home — a  forty-acre 
tract  of  highly  cultivated  hind  on  section  26,  De- 
catur Township. 

On  the  3()th  of  June,  1874,  Mr.  Tomkins  w.as 
united  ill  iiianiage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Secord,  and 
unto  them  have  been  born  three  children:  Lottie, 
born  July  3,  187();  Harry,  September  3,  1878,  .and 
Johnnie,  September  12,  IHISG.  The  parents  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Cluiich  of  Decatur,  and 
give  liberally  to  its  sujiport.  Mr.  Tomkins  h.as 
taken  an  active  part  in  Siiiid.iy-scliool  and  church 
work  and  has  done  much  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church,  thus  increasing  its  powers  of  useful- 
ness. Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
society.  To  farming  and  stock-raising,  he  devotes 
his  attention  and  is  making  a  specialty  of  the  rais- 
ing of  good  horses.  He  is  recognized  as  a  leading 
agriculturist  of  the  neighborhood,  a  practical  and 
lirogressivc  fanner  and  a  valued  citizen. 


"JllOHN  M.  I, .VY,  a  proiuiiieiit  citizen  of  Gales- 
burgh,  w.as  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y., 
February  18,  1815.  His  father,  Daniel,  was 
a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  when  a  young 
man  came  to  the  Fmiiirc  State,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Anna  Brown.  The  young  couple  then  lo- 
cated on  a  I'ariii  ill  Clienango  County,  removing 
later  to  Steuben  County  and  aflei\v;ir<l  to  Ni- 
agara County,  the  same  State. 

In  183.'),  Mr.  Lay,  Sr.,  accomp.anied  by  his  fam- 
ily, came  to  Alichigan,  where  he  settled  in  Kala- 
mazoo County   and   a   few    years  later  moved    to 


p) 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPIIICAL  RECORD. 


2fi9 


Calhoun  County  and  tlioi-e  diod  at  the  age  ol' 
seventy-seven  years.  'I'lu'  iiinlhcr  suivived  him  a 
few  years,  passing'  away  when  eiglityonc.  'I'iiey 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood,  and  seven  now 
survive,  namely:  Charles;  John  M.,  of  thlsskeU^h; 
Ilulda,  widow  of  Alex.  Farmer,  of  Battle  Creek; 
William;  Darius  AV.;  A(hiline,  who  l)e(\anie  the  wife 
of  H.  Turner;  and  Darwin.  Mrs.  Louise  Diiuond  is 
deceased. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  reared  under  the 
parental  roof  and  accompanied  hisiiarents  in  their 
various  removals,  remaining  with  them  until  he 
was  of  age.  His  schooling  was  completed  in  Ni- 
agara County,  N.  Y.,  after  which  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner.  He  came  to  Coni- 
btock  Townshi[),  Kalamazoo  County,  in  1837,  and 
worked  at  his  trade,  assisting  in  building  the  first 
sawmills  in  the  county.  He  erected  other  struc- 
tures, and  assisted  in  putting  in  the  gearing  in  the 
first  gristmill  in   Comstock. 

After  continuing  as  a  carpenter  for  six  years  in 
Comstock  Township,  Mr.  La}' embarked  in  the  dry- 
goods  business  in  the  village  of  Galesburgh  and  suc- 
cessfully- carried  on  a  large  trade  for  four  jears.  He 
then  sold  out  and  was  for  seven  years  in  the  drug 
business.  He  was  married, .Tunc  21,  1840,  toSophia 
Beckwith,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y., 
Sei)temljer  22,  1818,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
three  children,  namely:  Alexis  M.,  who  was  born 
October  26,  1844,  and  resides  in  New  Y'ork  City; 
Rosa  A.,  born  November  17,  1842,  married  E.G. 
Curtis,  of  Chicago,  and  died  in  California,  May  9, 
1890,  leaving  one  son,  Charles  C,  who  now  resides 
with  his  grandfather;  William  F.,  who  was  born 
April  29,  1847,  is  now  in  New  York  City.  Mr.  Lay 
was  deeply  bereaved,  February  26,  1889,  by  the 
death  of  his  devoted  wife,  whose  mortal  remains 
lie  buried  in  Oak  Grove  Cemetei-y. 

For  more  than  tw^enty  years,  Mr.  Lay  has  been 
retired  from  active  business,  but  he  still  takes  great 
interest  in  all  affairs  of  importance  and  is  a  public- 
spirited  man.  L'ntil  the  nomination  of  John  C. 
Fremont  to  the  Presidency,  he  was  a  Democrat, 
but  since  that  time  he  has  been  a  Republican.  He 
was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Comstock  Township, 
also  Assessor  and  Treasurer  for  two  years,  and  has 


held  tlie  various  school  olliri'^.  lie  h:i,-,  Mp|/c.iiited 
Miijor  of  the  Miilitia  under  (Jov.  15inghani  in  this 
State  during  the  Rebellion.  At  various  times  he 
has  been  identified  with  the  Village  Board  and 
has  promoted  the  interests  of  the  place  in  every 
way  possible.  Socially,  he  is  connected  with  (iale.s- 
burgh  Lodge,  No.  92,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Mr.  Lay 
moved  to  Chicago  in  1869,  and  was  one  of  the  suf- 
ferers in  the  gi-eat  lire,  aft(!r  which  he  retuiticd  to 
G.alesbur<>h. 


AMUKL  HKilOLOW.  A  conspicuous  posi- 
tion among  the  farmers  of  Van  Buien 
County  is  held  by  this  gentleman,  who 
has  gained  influence  and  standing  by  years 
of  well-directed  efforts,  and  an  intelligent  appre- 
ciation of  the  duties  of  citizenship.  He  occui>ies 
a  valuable  estate  in  Arlington  Township,  where  he 
has  pl.aced  improvements  that  m.ake  the  place  one 
of  the  best  in  the  community.  The  pleasant  a])- 
pearance  of  the  residence  without  is  but  an  index 
to  the  comfort  that  rules  within,  and  without  mak- 
ing any  pretensions  to  elegance,  the  dwelling  at- 
tracts the  admiration  of  ever}'  passer-by.  There 
are  few  citizens  now  surviving  who  have  resided 
in  this  county  for  a  longer  period  th.an  Mr.  Bige- 
low,  and  his  uj)right  life  will  cause  him  to  be  .lov- 
ingly remembered,  long  after  he  .shall  have  ex- 
changed the  things  of  time  for  those  of  the  eternal 
world. 

Avon,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  was  the  birth- 
place of  Mr.  Bigelow,  and  April  20,  1827,  the  date 
thereof.  His  father,  Calvin,  was  born  in  Connect- 
icut in  1786,  and  his  mother,  Sarah  (Hall)  Bige- 
low, was  likewise  a  native  of  Connecticut.  The 
parents  reared  eleven  children  out  of  a  family  of 
thirteen  born  to  them.  The  paternal  grandfather 
was  Joseph,  whose  native  place  w.as  in  the  State  of 
Connecticut,  and  who  was  probabi}'  descended 
from  English  ancestors.  Our  subject  resided  in 
Livingston  County  until  the  fall  of  1845,  when  he 
came  to  Van  Buren  Count}-,  and  has  since  made 
his  home  in  Arlington  Township. 

In  1853,  Mr.  Bigelow  was  married  to  Miss  Eunice, 
daughter  of  George  and  Eunice  (Harvey)  Meacliam, 


270 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


anii  a  lady  of  refined  tastes  and  <ri"cat  kindness  of 
heart.  Tlie  farm  wiiieli  Mr.  Bigelow  still  occu- 
pies was  purchased  by  him  in  1848,  when  it  was 
covered  with  a  dense  srowtli  of  forest  trees,  and 
surrounded  Ity  uncultivated  tracts  of  land.  Grad- 
ually he  developed  and  improved  the  pl.ace,  erect- 
insf  good  buildings  as  ixcasion  offered  and  replac- 
ing the  forests  with  cultivated  fields.  His  family 
consisted  of  his  wife  and  six  children,  whose 
lecords  are  .as  follows:  Eva,  the  wife  of  Alexantier 
Phillips;  Jerome,  a  resident  of  Bangor;  Nellie, 
now  the  wife  of  Jfartin  Bigelow;  Herbert;  Eunice, 
who  married  D.  Talbot;  and  .Tane. 

Until  187(!,  Mr.  Bigelow  devoted  his  energies  ex- 
clusively to  farming,  but  at  that  time  he  began 
lirecding  blooded  stock.  He  purchased  the  horse 
well  known  as"Rol>ert  Whalev,"and  hassinceadded 
to  his  stock  until  he  now  has  a  line  stock  farm. 
His  political  belief  brings  him  into  afliliation  wilii 
the  Democratic  party,  and  his  lirsl  vote  was  cast 
for  <  len.  Cass  in  1848.  As  a  representative  and 
pioneer  citizen  of  Van  Buren  County,  he  well  mer- 
its having  his  name  perpetuated  through  tiie  me- 
dium of  the  1{k<((KI>.  and  .is  long  as  there  will  ex- 
ist in  this  county  a  love  for  those  who  have 
developed  its  resources,  so  long  will  the  account  of 
his  life  work  b(>  read  with  pleasure  by  generations 
vet  to  come. 


•^=J=*|E 


E^^ 


FI;A.NK  F1;|;i;.M,\N  i>  a  resident  farmer  and 
-t<K-k-raiscr  on  section  15,  Pine  Grove 
Township,  lie  is  a  son  of  .lolni  l'"ieenian 
and  .lulia  (.Mulo.'UM  )  Freeman,  tlie  father  a  iiatixc 
of  Now  Y<irk  and  the  mother  of  Ireland  who  came 
t4>  New  York  wlirii  ipiite  young.  They  were  mar- 
rie<l  in  New  York  .-Mid  came  to  Michigan  in  1850. 
settling  ill  Prairieville,  Harry  County,  where  he 
workcfl  for  others.  He  then  went  to  Kalamazoo 
Country  and  setth'd  on  a  partly  im|)roved  f.-irmand 
lived  there  ten  years.  In  1K(;5,  he  sold  out  and  re- 
moved to  this  county  and  settled  upon  a  farm  of 
wild  land  consisting  <»f  eighty  acres.  Mere  he  lived 
twelve  years  and  then  went  to  Kans.as  and  located 
ill  Crawforil  County  three  years.  At  the  e.vpira- 
tioii  of  ilrii  iiMii'.  lie  again  c.'iiiie  to   Michigan  ami 


operated  his  farm  in  Kalamazoo  County  on  which 
he  resided  until  about  three  ^ears  ago,  since  when 
lie  has  lived  in  the  citj'  of  K.alamazoo.  His  good 
wife  and  helpmate  died  in  1869.  She  bore  her 
husband  live  children,  our  subject  being  the  eldest 
born. 

The  birth  of  Erank  Freeman  took  place  in  Lewis 
Count}',  N.  Y.,  ^lay  10,  184.s,and  he  came  to  INIichi- 
gau  with  his  parents  when  a  mere  lad.  lie  re- 
ceived a  good  education,  and  when  fifteen  years 
old  had  a  great  desire  to  become  a  soldier,  so  en- 
listed in  April,  1864,  in  Ct)nipany  F,  Fjighth  Michi- 
gan CavaliT,  and  joined  his  regiment  at  Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn.,in  the  late  war.  He  took  part  in  the 
l)attle  of  Franklin  under  Geu.  Thom.as,  and  also  in 
a  number  of  skirmishes.  He  was  never  off  duty 
and  served  with  his  regiment  until  September, 
1865,  lieing  eng.aged  in  hunting  down  guerrillas 
from  the  [irevious  April. 

After  l)eing  honorably  discharged  from  the  army, 
our  subject  returned  home  and  took  charge  of  the 
farm.  He  now  has  eighty  acres  of  Land,  fift3'-live 
of  which  arc  all  cleared  and  in  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation and  he  carries  on  mixed  farming  successfully. 
His  horses  are  splendid  roadsters  and  of  the  ''Mor- 
gan Messenger"  breed. 

Mr.  l''reenian  was  married  in  .Ian nary,  186',l,  to 
Amand.a  A.  Tower,  a  native  of  Ohio.  She  bore  her 
husliand  live  children:  Albert,  (Jr.acc,  Pearl,  Edith 
and  Leo.  The  older  children  have  good  educations 
and  Miss  (iracc  is  a  teacher.  The  beloved  wife 
and  mother  was  called  to  the  better  land,  April  17, 
18i)l,aged  forty-two  years.  Mrs.  Freeman  when  a 
babe  lost  her  mother  and  was  taken  to  Illinois, and 
lived  thereuntil  eighteen  years  old  when  she  came 
to  Michigan.  i\lr.  I'Veeman  is  a  mcmlici-  of  the 
firand  ,\rm\'  of  the  Ixcpublic  I'osl  at  KimkIuU  and 
is  the  Treasurer  of  the  same,  lie  is  also  a  member 
of  the  l'"ree  and  Accepted  Masons  of  (ioble  ami 
the  Knights  of  the  I\I;icc;ibees  of  Kendall,  and  is 
Treasurer  of  the  School  Board  of  district  No.  8. 
In  politics,  he  alliliMtes  with  the  U'l'iuilihcan  party 
and  has  been  a  believer  of  th:it  platform  all  his 
life,  lie  lives  on  his  farm  with  three  of  his  chil- 
diiii  who  are  his  consolation  :iMd  joy.  He  is  held 
in  the  highest  icpiite  by  all  his  neighbors  and 
friends. 


■s 


V 


^     S^    V^-l/V^^ 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


273 


ON.  TIIEODATUS  TIMOTHY  JvYON, 
Vice-president  of  the  Ameiiciui  Horticul- 
tural Society,  and  President  of  tlie  Miclii- 
((^  gun  State  Horticultural  Society,  was  born 
January  13,  1813,  in  Lima,  N.  Y.  He  comes  of 
sturdy  pioneer  ancestry,  his  grandfather,  Thomas 
Lyon,  being  a  farmer  of  Connecticut,  while  his 
father,  Timothy,  emigrated  at  an  early  day 
from  that  State  to  Western  Massachusetts,  and 
in  the  early  settlement  of  the  "Genesee  Country" 
settled  at  I^ima.  Timothy  Lyon  owned  and  oper- 
ated a  farm,  but  devoted  his  attention  mostly  to 
architecture  and  millwrighting.  He  married  Miss 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  Jonah  Davis,  a  farmer 
who  early  emigrated  to  Lima  from  Delaware 
County,  N.  Y. 

Four  children  were  born  to  the  parents  of  our 
subject:  Theodatus  T.,  of  this  sketch;  Marinda 
O.,  who  married  Matthew  Loclihead,  and  resides  at 
South  Haven  ;  Oscar,  deceased;  and  Phidelia,  the 
wife  of  W.  H.  Craig,  of  Buena  Vista,  Colo.  The 
parents  died  in  Plymouth,  Wayne  Count}-,  Mich. 
From  the  age  of  about  twelve  years  our  subject 
devoted  his  summers  partly  to  farming  and 
partly  to  mechanical  work,  having  developed  a 
considerable  liking  for  machinery.  Aside  from 
such  employments  his  time  was  passed  in  the  dis- 
trict school,  with  a  few  terms  in  a  select  village 
school.  In  the  spring  of  1828  his  school  privi- 
leges were  brought  to  a  permanent  close  by  his  re- 
moval, with  his  father,  to  the  then  remote  and 
wild  Territory  of  Michigan. 

Mr.  Lyon  well  remembers  hearing  the  report  of 
the  cannon  used  to  telegraph  from  Buffalo  to  Al- 
bany the  fact  that  the  water  had  been  admitted 
into  the  western  end  of  Erie  Canal.  This  was 
about  1826,  and  the  ceremonies  were  signalized  bj^ 
the  presence  of  Gen.  La  Fayette,  then  on  his  last 
visit  to  this  country.  About  this  time,  visiting 
the  orchard  of  a  neighbor,  Mr.  Lyon  found  him  in 
the  top  of  an  apple  tree,  inserting  buds  in  the 
smaller  branches.  He  watched  the  process  with 
the  closest  attention,  and  on  his  return  home,  pro- 
cured and  sharpened  a  case  knife  (the  best  imple- 
ment available  for  the  purpose).  He  then  pro- 
ceeded to  cut  buds  from  his  favorite  apple  tree 
and  insert  them  in  other  trees  in  the  orchard,  as 
12 


an  earnest  of   his    first  lesson    in  practical  (lomol- 

The  removal  of  Mr.  Lyon  to  Michigan,  which 
was  made  in  May,  1828,  was  bj'  way  of  the  then 
new  P^rie  Canal  to  Buffalo,  thence  to  Dctn^it  via 
Lake  Erie.  At  lliat  time,  tlio  first  steamer  upon 
the  lake,  "Walk-in-the- Water,"  had  been  recently 
wrecked,  and  the  only  steamers  remaining  were 
the  "Henry  Clay"  and  the  "Michigan,"  each  mak- 
ing weekly  trips  between  Buffalo  and  Detroit. 
The  latter  was  then  a  small,  remote,  frontier  town; 
its  chief  vehicles,  one-horse  carts,  often  without 
tires  on  the  wheels,  while  the  inhabitants  were 
largely  French-Canadian.  In  traveling  to  Ply- 
mouth, then  but  three  years  settled,  the  family 
passed  the  Bucklin  Woods,  three  miles  without  a 
clearing;  also  the  Schwartzburg  Woods,  four 
miles  of  continuous  forest.  The  first  frame  resi- 
dence in  Plymouth,  that  of  John  Tibbits,  was 
raised  the  summer  after  the  arrival  of  the  Lyon 
family. 

The  first  year  Mr.  Lyon  spent  in  Michigan  was 
emploj'cd  in  tending  a  small  eountiy  store,  estab- 
lished and  managed  by  his  father  at  Plymouth. 
His  employment  was  afterward  for  a  time  diversi- 
fied by  carrying  the  mail  on  horseback,  the  route 
extending  from  Tecumseh  to  Maumee,  on  the  one 
hand,  and  Pontiac  on  the  other,  with  a  weekly  trip 
to  Monroe,  then  little  more  than  a  French  village. 
In  compliance  with  the  desire  of  his  father,  our 
subject  spent  the  greater  portion  of  the  years 
1830-31  in  an  effort  to  acquaint  himself  with  the 
business  of  manufacturing  leather,  at  an  establish- 
ment owned  and  managed  by  Phineas  Davis,  a 
prominent  merchant  of  Detroit.  But  the  business 
proved  too  uncongenial  and  was  abandoned. 

In  the  meantime,  his  father  having  embarked  in 
the  business  of  milling,  Mr.  L^-on  was  supplied 
with  employment  until  the  summer  of  1834.  He 
then  returned  to  his  former  home  in  Lima,  X.  Y., 
where  he  taugiit  a  district  school  two  winters  and, 
during  the  one  summer  spent  there,  devoted  about 
six  weeks  to  study  under  the  instruction  of  a 
former  teacher.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  re- 
ceived his  final  "graduation,"  so  far  as  school  priv- 
ileges were  concerned,  although,  even  at  his 
present  advanced  age,  he  has  not  ceased    to   be  a 


274 


POETRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


student.  In  obedience  to  the  earnest  wish  of  his 
parents,  he,  in  the  spring  of  1836,  concluded  quite 
reluctantly  to  forego  his  purpose  of  pursuing  a 
coui-se  of  study,  and  returning  to  ^Michigan,  re- 
sumed the  mercantile  business.  He  also  followed 
the  profession  of  a  teacher  and  finally  commenced 
to  operate  as  a  farmer  and  manufacturer  of  lumber, 
occasionally  filling  the  positions  of  Township 
Clerk  and  School  Inspector. 

December  6,  1S38.  Mr.  f.yon  was  married  to  Miss 
Marilla,  daughter  of  William  II.  Gregory,  a  promi- 
nent farmer  of  Plymouth  and  at  one  time  member 
of  the  Legislature  of  this  State.  After  a  long  ill- 
ness, during  which  she  patiently  bore  great  suft'er- 
ing,  Mrs.  Lyon  died  in  March,  1891,  leaving  her 
licreaved  husband  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  to 
mourn  her  loss.  A  few  j-ears  after  his  marriage, 
Mr.  Lyon  removed  to  the  AVa3-ne  County  Poor 
House,  where  he  spent  one  year  in  charge  of  the 
establishment  as  Superintendent  and  farmer.  Tiie 
number  of  inmates  increased  during  the  winter  to 
above  eighty,  and  the  accommodations  consisted  of 
a  double  log  house,  formerly  a  '•tavern,"  with  a 
small  frame  addition  answering  as  a  kitchen.  The 
Whig  party  having  lost  control  of  the  appointing 
board,  Mr.  Lyon  was  superseded  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1812,  and    then    returned   to  Plymouth. 

.\bout  IHll  Mr.  Lyon  commenced  a  small  nur- 
sery at  Plymouth,  mainly  for  the  purpose  of  grow- 
ing a  supply  of  trees  for  his  own  planting.  He 
collected  the  varieties  for  the  nursery  from  the 
surrounding  orchards,  accepting  the  names  by 
which  they  were  commonl^y  known,  lie  soon 
learned  that  he  had  in  so  doing  incorrect  and  local 
names  for  many  varieties,  and  in  some  cases  the 
same  fruit  under  a  variety  of  names.  This  put 
him  upon  the  work  of  correction  and  identification, 
in  which  laltor  he  derived  nuich  aid  and  encour- 
agement from  .labez  Warmr.  ihiii  of  I'lyinoulh, 
and  for  many  years  the  clianipion  "grafter,"  as  well 
as  the  conservator  of  varieties  of  fruit.s  in  a   lar-'c 

number  of  th chards  of  that   region.     He    also 

received  aid  frmii  Thomas  Thomas,  an  enthusiastic 
fruit-grower  of  Salem,  Wa.'«htenaw  Count  v. 

Such  a  work  is  very  likely  to  grow  upon  a  piiMni, 
nn<l  the  case  of  Mr.  Lyon  provt-d  no  cxifplion  to 
the  rule.     Il-  -"..n    v;nv    th<'    need    of    a    lu-o.-jdcr 


knowledge;  and  amid  the  toil  and  care  of  business, 
entered  upon  the  study  of  the  limited  pomology  of 
thirty  years  ago.  A  series  of  articles  in  the  Michi- 
gan Fanner,  describing  the  apples  known  and  valued 
in  Wayne  County  and  vicinity,  drew  the  atten- 
tion of  Charles  Downing,  of  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  and 
made  Jlr.  Lyon  acquainted  with  him.  From  his 
trial  grounds  at  Kewburg,  our  subject  was  enaljled 
to  obtain  numerous  varieties  of  new  and  compara- 
tively untested  fruits,  and  having  a  dcL'ided  pen- 
chant that  wa}-,  and  his  recently-planted  orchard 
being  in  a  condition  for  that  purpose,  he  indulged 
extensively  in  testing  novelties  as  a  matter  of  per- 
sonal and  public  satisf.action,  but  with  little  regard 
to  the  question  of  profit.  The  test  orchards  of 
I'lymouth  are  the  outcome  of  those  experiments. 

From  1861  until  1865,  under  a  Republican 
County  administration,  Mr.  Lyon  held  the  position 
of  member  and  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
intendents of  the  Poor  of  AVayne  County;  and 
quite  to  his  surprise  was  continued  a  year  in  the 
jilace  bj'  the  succeeding  Board  of  Democratic 
County  Auditors.  His  associates  were  Alanson 
Sheley,  of  Detroit,  and  S.  W.  Walker,  of  Wayne. 
Under  that  administration,  the  first  adequate  sup- 
l)ly  of  good  water  was  secured  for  the  establish- 
ment, important  imjirovements  of  the  farm  were 
devised,  the  entire  buildings  throughly  renov.nted, 
and  the  [)resent  keeper's  residence  built.  Those 
undertakings,  together  with  the  keeping  of  the 
books  of  the  establishment,  compelled  Mr.  Lyon  to 
devote  to  it  a  very  considerable  portion  of  his 
time  for  several  years. 

.liiiie  17,  1861,  tiie  Detroit  it  Howell  Railroad 
Company  was  organized  with  I\Ir.  Lyon  as  I'resi- 
dent;  this  was  followed  April  13,  1867,  by  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Howell  ife  Lansing  Railroad  Com- 
pany, both  being  parts  of  the  same  line.  Mr.  Lyon 
was  chosen  President  of  the  latter  company.  He 
held  that  position  until,  in  1871-72,  the  road  was 
turned  over  to  an  assoi'iation  of  Boston  citizens, 
re|)resentod  by  .lames  F.  Joy,  of  Detroit.  During 
the  six  years  devoted  to  this  work,  our  subject  had 
to  secure  nearly  the  whole  of  the  large  amount  of 
pledges  along  the  line,  both  by  individuals  and 
townships,  together  with  the  entire  "right  of 
way,"  except  a  small  )iorlion  near    Detroit.     As  a 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


275 


consequence,  his  attention  was  diverted  I'l-oin  the 
subject  of  pomology  and  tlie  care  of  liis  orciiards 
was  largely  delegated  to  other  hands.  Partially 
on  account  of  tlie  ill  health  of  his  wife's  i)a.rents, 
and  their  linal  death,  Mr.  Lyon  removed  to  the 
village  of  Plymouth. 

On  the  completion  and  opening  of  the  Detroit 
&  Lansing  Railroad  and  its  consolidation  with  the 
line  to  Ionia,  Mr.  Lyon's  connection  with  it  ceased, 
leaving  him  without  special  employment.  At  this 
juncture  strong  inducements  were  offered  him  to 
remove  to  Western  Michigan  and  resume  his 
former  pursuits,  which  he  did  in  1874,  becoming 
associated  with  the  Michigan  Lake  Shore  Nursery 
Association  .as  its  President.  That  enterprise  was 
inaugurated  at  an  inauspicious  time;  and,  as  aeon- 
sequence  of  the  subsequent  shrinkage  of  values, 
together  with  the  failure  of  a  large  number  of 
subscribers  to  the  capital  stock  to  fulfill  their  en- 
gagements, it  was  thought  best  to  dissolve  the  cor- 
porate organization.  The  nursery  is  now  con- 
ducted under  private  auspices. 

In  December,  187C,  Mr.  Lyon  was  elected  Presi- 
dent of  the  Michigan  State  Pomological  Society, 
now  the  Michigan  Horticultural  Society,  to  which 
position  he  has  been  annually  re-elected  up  to  the 
present  time  (1891).  For  two  years  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  State  Agri- 
cultural Society,  and  at  three  different  times  dele- 
gate of  that  society  to  the  sessions  of  the  American 
Pomological  Society,  besides  being  a  representa- 
tive of  onr  State  Pomological  Society  to  a  meet- 
ing of  that  society,  held  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  These 
and  varied  minor  positions  of  similar  character,  to- 
gether with  the  suppl3ing  of  occasional  matter 
for  the  press,  have  conspired  to  entail  upon  him  a 
voluminous  correspondence,  drawing  largely  upon 
his  time  and  energies,  with  but  little  direct  advan- 
tage to  himself.  In  1889,  he  closed  out  his  nursery 
business  to  take  charge  of  the  South  Haven  sub- 
experiment  station  under  the  State  Board  of  Agri- 
culture, and  agent  of  the  National  Division  of  Pom- 
ology ,which  is  under  control  of  the  National  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  and  tests  various  varieties  of 
fruits,  insects  and  bugs.  Mr.  Lyon  was  for  four 
years  First  Vice-president  of  the  American  Pomo- 
logical Society.     In  1888,    he  wrote   a    history    of 


"Horticulture  in  Michigan,"  wiiicli  is  published  in 
the  reports  of  the  society;  he  has  also  been  a  fre- 
quent contributor  to  journals  and  magazines, 
among  them  the  Rural  New  Yorker  and  Tlie  Michi- 
gan Farmer. 

A  lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Lyon  accompanies 
his  biographical  notice. 


--^^^^I"©'' 


H 


l.^^ 


AMES  M.  McALPINE.  In  the  career  of 
this  gentleman,  who  has  for  many  years 
been  a  successful  farmer  in  Allegan  County, 
i^  and  is  now  living  in  retirement  at  Monterey 
Centre,  where  he  has  ten  acres  of  fine  property, 
may  be  found  an  illustration  of  the  worth  of  good 
principles  and  habits  of  industry  and  prudence. 
He  had  not  inherited  tlie  wealth  that  falls  to  some 
men,  but  has  fought  his  way  through  life,  provided 
only  with  the  advantages  that  a  beneficent  Nature 
has  granted  him.  In  addition  to  the  property 
mentioned  above,  Mr.  McAlpine  is  the  proprietor 
of  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Monterey 
Township,  which  bears  excellent  improvements 
and  nets  him  a  handsome  income. 

James  McAlpine  of  this  sketch  is  the  son  of 
"William  and  Lydia  (Souls)  ilcAlpine,  natives  of 
New  York.  The  father  being  a  farmer,  young 
J.ames  was  reared  to  that  calling  and  remained  un- 
der the  parental  roof  only  until  reaching  his 
eleventh  year,  when,  ambitious  to  begin  life  for 
himself,  he  hired  out  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1841  he 
w.as  happily  married  to  Miss  Lucj'  D.  M.,  daughter 
of  Noble  Granger,  who  was  a  native  of  New  York 
and  a  pioneer  of  Allegan  County,  this  State. 

After  his  marriage  our  subject  rented  a  piece  of 
land  which  he  farmed  four  years,  then  deciding  to 
try  his  fortunes  in  the  new  State  of  jMichigan,  he 
came  hither  in  October,  1845.  On  lauding  here 
his  possessions  consisted  of  a  wife,  one  child  and 
$30  in  money.  His  persistent  industry  has  been 
rewarded  and  he  is  now  enabled  to  pass  his  declin- 
ing years  in  peace  and  quiet,  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  early  struggles. 

To  Mr.  and  Sirs.  McAlpine  were  born  a  family 
of  three  children:  Martin  Van  Buren,  who  married 
Ellen  Kibby  and  is  residing  in    Monterey  Town- 


276 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ship,  Allegan  County,  for  a  fuller  sketch  of 
whom  the  reader  is  referred  to  his  biograpliy  to  be 
found  on  another  page;  AVillie  died  at  the  inter- 
esting age  of  four  years,  and  Lizzie,  now  ]\Irs. 
Knoblock,  resides  in  Montere^y  Township. 

Coming  here  at  such  an  earl^-  day,  our  subject 
has  been  an  eye-witness  to  the  wonderful  develop- 
ment of  this  section  of  country  and  by  his  thrift 
and  energy  has  done  no  little  helping  to  bring 
about  the  transformation.  He  is  now  living  on  a 
beautiful  tract  of  ten  acres  in  ^lontere}-  Centre, 
whicli  homestead  adds  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the 
surrounding  landscape.  His  father  was  born  in 
1792  and  died  in  1867.  His  mother,  who  was  born 
in  1790.  p.issed  away  in  18(j9.  Mr.  McAlpine  is  a 
stanch  Democrat  in  polities  and  has  been  honored 
witii  all  the  various  olliccs  within  the  gift  of  the 
jjeople,  having  served  for  many  years  as  Super- 
visor and  .lustice  of  the  Peace.  We  are  very  much 
plea-'icd  to  be  able  to  present  to  our  readers  a  sketch 
of  Mr.  McAlpine,  who  is  widelj-  known  and  greatly 
respected  throughout  Allegan  Count}'  where  he  has 
resided  for  so  man}-  years. 


»7  i;\  1  I.( )( »MIS.  This  old  pioneer  of  Allegan 
I  (^'  ^*^""0'  '■■'  '^^  present  residing  on  section  11, 
/i^^  Ganges  Township.  He  was  born  in  ^Madi- 
son County,  N.  Y.,  September  IC,  1810,  and  w.as 
the  son  of  .losiah  and  Rebecca  S.  Loomis.  The 
father  was  lM)rn  in  IJianford,  Conn.,  where  he  was 
reared  upon  a  farm.  He  received  a  limited  edu- 
cation and,  wlien  attaining  liis  majority,  married 
Kel)ec«i  Sheen,  also  of  Connecticut. 

After  their  marriage,  tlie  i)arents  of  our  su})ject 
moved  to  New  York,  where  tliey  liought  a  farm  in 
Hamilton  County,  upon  which  they  resided  the  re- 
mainder of  llieir  days.  To  them  were  bf)rn  five 
children,  of  whom  Levi  is  the  only  memlier  living. 
They  liore  the  nanus  of  William  S.,  Lyman;  Knuly, 
now  MiT.  William  G.  liutler;  our  .Hubjccl  and 
.Io!.iiili  .1.  Mis.  Ueliecca  Loomis  died  when  our 
Hiibject  wa«  but  twelve  years  of  age,  and  his  father 
wn.M  married  a  second  time,  lo  I'olly  Newton,  and 
to  them    was  born  a  daiigliter,  Harriet.     'I'lic  sen- 


ior Mr.  Loomis  fought  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
voted  the  Whig  ticket.  His  father,  Alexander 
Loomis,  took  up  arms  against  the  Mother  Country 
during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Levi  Loomis  spent  his  e.arly  life  on  the  farm  and 
attended  school  until  reaching  his  twelfth  year, 
when,  his  mother  dying,  he  was  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources.  His  first  work  on  his  own  account 
was  for  a  Dr.  Foote,  with  whom  he  remained  tw-o 
years  and  then  spent  the  same  length  of  time  on  a 
farm.  Later,  he  went  to  Pennsylvania,  and  after 
making  a  short  stay  there,  emigrated  to  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  and  continued  to  work  thus  for  five  years. 
In  1835,  he  came  AVest  to  Jliehigan,  and  for  five 
years  worked  at  his  trade  in  different  parts  of 
Allegan  County.  Mr.  Loomis  erected  the  first 
sawmill  on  Pine  Creek,  and  in  1840  located  on  his 
present  farm  on  section  11,  Ganges  Township,  Al- 
legan County. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1837 
to  Miss  S.all}' A.  Skinner,  who  was  born  July  16, 
1808,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Skinner.  To 
them  were  born  seven  children:  Marion  D.; 
Charles  L.,  deceased;  Flora  L.,  now  Mrs.  A.  C. 
(Toodrich;  Ida  T.,  IMis.  1).  French;  EllieL., deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Raymond;  liertrand, 
who  died  while  in  the  army;  and  Charley. 

Mr.  Loomis  was  the  second  settler  in  Ganges 
Township,  coming  hitlier  with  teams.  As  there 
were  no  boats  on  the  ii\er  he  was  obliged  to 
liuild  a  raft,  on  which  lie  jilaced  his  family  and 
floated  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kalamazoo  River. 
On  locating  on  the  eighty  acres  of  timber  land, 
which  our  subject  had  purchased,  he  immediatoly 
set  about  the  erection  of  a  house  for  his  family, 
which  "shanty"  was  32x16  feet  in  dimensions. 
Mr.  Loomis  has  been  very  successful  in  his  uiider- 
t.akings,  and  although  he  started  in  life  $110  in 
debt,  he  now  is  the  proud  possessor  of  ihreo 
hundred  acres  of  excellent  land,  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  which  is  under  cultivation  and 
sixty  acres  in  fniil.  In  those  early  days,  when 
markets  were  far  distant,  our  subject  kept  his  fam- 
ily supplied  with  choice  meats,  as  he  was  a  good 
hiiiilsni.'in  and  g.'iine  w.as  plentiful.  He  often  car- 
ried piuvi>i(ins  fjuMi    K:il,ini;i/.()(i,    furly-livc    miles 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


277 


distant.  His  good  wife,  who  departed  this  life 
March  3,  188',*,  was  a  very  capable  woiniiii  :in(l 
noted  for  her  skill  as  a  housewife  and  eaietakcii'. 
To  her  economy  and  good  judgment  our  subject 
gives  all  due  praise  for  his  present  success  in  life, 
as  she  [iroved  a  helpmate  in  the  truest  sense  of 
lliat  term. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Looniis  is  a  Republican.  lie  was 
formerly  a  Whig,  and  cast  tlie  only  Whig  vote 
polled  in  the  village  of  St.  Joseph  in  1835.  Tie 
has  been  active  in  local  afl'airs  and  helped  to  or- 
ganize Ganges  Township  and  all  the  school  dis- 
tricts. He  also  aided  in  the  building  of  tiie  first 
sclioolhouse  in  the  township,  and  hired  and  paid 
the  first  teacher.  He,  with  the  assistance  of  his  es- 
timable wife, made  out  the  first  tax-roll  of  wliat  are 
now  Lee,  Casco,  Ganges,  Manlius,  Lake,  and  Sauga- 
tuck  Townsliips.  He  has  held  the  office  of  .lustice 
of  the  Peace  for  four  years,  was  Township  Clerk 
for  the  same  length  of  time  and  has  been  honored 
with  nearl}'  all  the  local  offices.  In  religious  mat- 
ters, he  is  a  conscientious  Baptist. 


ORTIMER  Mc  DOA^^LL  is  the  owner  of 
two  hundred  .and  eigiity  acres  of  land  on 
sections  13  and  18,  Casco  Township,  Alle- 
gan County.  His  entire  tract  is  under 
most  excellent  cultivation,  and  in  addition  to 
raising  the  cere.als  he  has  forty  acres  of  sugar  bush 
and  a  like  amount  in  fruit.  He  has  made  as  high 
as  eighteen  hundred  pounds  of  sugar  from  his 
bush  in  one  year.  Mr.  McDowell  is  greatly 
respected  in  this  locality  and  ranks  among  the 
prominent  and  well-to-do  agriculturists  ot  Allegan 
Countj'. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Niagara  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1830,  and  was  the  son  of  Timothy  and  Emeline 
McDowell.  The  father  was  born  in  Oneida  Count}^, 
N.  Y.,  in  1801,  where  he  was  reared  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  He  was  entirely  a  self-made  man, 
as  all  his  schooling  was  received  before  he  reached 
his  eiglith  year.  He  remained  at  home  until  attain- 
ing mature  j-ears  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four 
was  married  to  our  subject's  mother,  who  bore 
the  name    of  Emeline,    daughter    of    Joshua  and 


Susan  (Burnam)  Reynolds.     Mrs.  McDowell  was  a 

native  of  Vermont,  .'iiid  born  in  1807.  Thej'oung 
couple  made  their  home  on  the  old  farm  for  two 
years.  Tlie  grandparents  of  our  subject  were 
l)ioneers  of  Ni.agara  County,  N.  Y.,  and  helped 
raise  the  first  house  in  Lockport.  When  moving 
to  New  York  they  p.assed  through  what  is  now 
the  site  of  Rochester,  that  city  being  called  in  that 
early  day  Corset  Corners. 

Timothy  McDowell  purchased  a  tract  of  unim- 
[iroved  land  within  .six  miles  of  Lockport,  upon 
which  lie  resided  for  a  few  years.  He  later  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Chautauqua  County ,where 
he  made  his  home  for  eleven  years.  In  1845  he 
came  to  Michigan  and  located  at  once  in  Casco 
Township,  near  where  our  suliject  now  lives,  he 
being  the  first  settler  in  that  region.  His  farm 
included  three  hundred  and  twentj-  .acres  of  unim- 
proved land.  The  trip  hither  was  made  overland 
with  ox-teams  and  in  that  early  day  the  postoffice 
was  at  Saugatuck,  where  also  they  obtained  the 
most  of  their  supplies,  although  they  were  com- 
pelled sometimes  to  drive  the  slow  ox-team  to 
Otsego.  Mr.  McDowell  was  prominent  in  local 
affairs,  and  was  the  first  Postmaster  of  Casco.  In 
politics,  he  was  in  early  life  a  Democrat,  but  in 
later  years  joined  the  Republican  l•art^^  He  was 
widely  known  throughout  this  section  and  for  a 
number  of  yeai-s  was  Director  in  the  National 
Bank  at  South  Haven. 

Mortimer  IMcDowell  of  this  sketch  was  given  a 
good  common-school  education  and  accompanied 
an  uncle  to  Casco  Township,  Allegan  County, 
when  only  fifteen  years  of  age.  They  at  once 
began  the  erection  of  a  cabin,  the  lumber  which 
was  used  in  its  construction  being  rafted  down 
the  lake  ten  miles  by  night.  The  father  and 
family  followed  in  a  few  months  and  located  in 
the  new  home,  which  was  18x26  feet  in  dimensions, 
and  which  was  made  comfortable  for  their  recep- 
tion. 

Our  subject  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  reaching  his  majoritj',  in  the  meantime  work- 
ing industriously  in  clearing  the  home  farm.  When 
starting  out  for  himself  he  took  contr.acts  for 
that  line  of  work  and  has  probably  cleared  over 
five  hundred  acres  of  land  in    Casco   Township. 


278 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


His  marriage  occurred  in  1859,  when  Emily  E., 
daughter  of  Richard  R.  and  Nancy  Hudson,  he- 
came  his  wife.  ilrs.  ^McDowell  was  born  in  Port- 
age County,  Ohio,  which  was  also  the  native  State 
of  her  father;  her  mother  hailed  from  Pennsyl- 
vania. Emily  E.  was  the  youngest  member  of 
her  parents'  faniilj-  of  four  children.  Her  pater- 
nal grandfather  was  a  very  old  pioneer  of  Oliio 
and  lived  to  reach  the  good  old  age  of  ninety 
years. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDowell  have  been  born  two 
sons:  Arthur,  who  married  Miss  Mary  Mungcr, 
and  Ernest.  In  politics,  our  subject  is  non-par- 
tisan, always  casting  his  vote  for  the  best  man. 
Together  with  iiis  wife,  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Township  Grange. 


--==SJ 


l>^^-<i 


=t=-i- 


J^ENRV  OVERIIISER.  This  well-to-do  resi- 
ji]  dent  on  section  35,  Casco  Township,  Alle- 
gan County,  was  born  in  Steuben  County, 
^^  N.  Y.,  in  1835  and  is  the  son  of  George 
and  Elizabeth  Overhiser.  His  father  was  also  a 
native  of  the  Empire  State,  his  birth  occurring  in 
180-1.  He  was  there  reared  on  a  farm  and  re- 
ceived a  good  common -school  education,  remain- 
ing with  his  parents  until  he  became  of  age.  For 
eleven  successive  winters  he  was  engaged  in  log- 
ging on  the  Cliemiing  River,  a  distance  of  three 
hundred  miles  from  his  home,  wliich  journey  he 
made  on  foot. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  when 
qxiiic  young,  liie  maiden  name  of  liis  mother  being 
Elizabeth  Storms,  a  d;iugliter  of  Peter  and  Dorcas 
(linllnrd)  Storms.  Her  parents  were  of  English 
descent,  natives  of  New  York.  In  1811  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Overhiser  came  West  to  Fayette  County,  lud., 
wlierc  tiie  fatiier  was  engaged  the  first  winter  in 
cutting  cf>rd-wood  at  twenty-cents  ))er  cord,  walk- 
ing a  distance  of  six  miles  to  liis  work.  He  ])ur- 
cbnMcd  a  small  tract  of  l:in<l  in  Fayette  County 
and  resided  there  for  the  following  three  years. 
Ho  then  removed  to  lilaekford  CouiLty,  also  in 
Indiana,  becoming  the  proprietor  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  s<'liool  land.  IJeing  i)ioiie(?rs 
in  tiiat  liH-alily,  the  hardships  which  they  endured 


have  made  a  lasting  impression  upon  the  mind  of 
our  subject,  who  was  one  in  a  family  of  thirteen 
cliildren.  twelve  of  whom  grew  to  reach  ni.iluro 
jears. 

The  brothers  and  sisters  of  our  subject  bore  the 
following  n.imes:  Belinda;  John;  Mar}-,  who  is 
the  wife  of  W.  W.  Johnston;  Elvira,  Mrs.  Isaac 
Johnson;  Martha,  deceased;  Henr^^;  Lonson;  Anna, 
]Mrs.  F.  Bonham;  Charles;  Willard;  Marion;  Sarah. 
Mrs.  D.  D.  Tourtellotte  and  Ivaturah,  Mrs.  Thomas 
JNIills.  George  Overhiser,  our  subject's  father, 
lived  to  see  about  one-third  of  his  farm  improved, 
and  died  in  1862,  his  wife  preceding  him  to  the 
land  beyond  in  1860.  He  was  a  son  of  Casper 
and  Ruth  (Beals)  Overhiser,  the  father  being  a 
farmer  of  Holland  descent.  He  was  married 
twice  and  reared  a  familj'  of  twentj'-one  children. 

When  reaching  his  nineteenth  }-ear,  Henry 
Overheiser's  father  gave  him  $1  with  which  to 
commence  life  on  his  own  account.  He  at  once 
began  by  chopping  wood,  which  occupation  he 
followed  only  a  short  time,  when  he  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  which,  together  with  his  farming 
operations,  has  been  his  life  work.  He  came  to 
Allegan  County  in  1860  and  has  made  this  county 
his  abiding  place  since  that  time.  His  first  pur- 
chase of  land  was  on  section  10,  Casco  Township, 
coming  to  his  new  home  with  his  wife,  three 
children  and  their  early  effects  in  a  single  wagon. 
He  was  very  successful  in  his  undertaking  and  in 
!i  few  years  was  enabled  to  add  forty  acres  to  his 
original  tract.  Later  he  added  sixty  acres  and  now 
has  a  farm  of  one  hundi-ed  acres.  He  has  erected 
a  beautiful  residence  on  his  estate  and  by  using 
the  best  metliods  and  improvements  in  his  opera- 
tions is  meeting  with  more  tlian  ordinary  success. 

In  1855  our  subject  and  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Rhoda  McKee,  were  united  in  marriage 
and  to  them  were  born  eight  children:  Lonson, 
Albert;  Olive,  Mrs.  S.  (ialbreatii;  Ida,  wife  of 
Ch.arles  Osborn;  (irantdece.ased;  Charles;  Mary  also 
deceased,  and  Minnie.  Mrs.  Overhiser  died  March 
4,  1881,  and  our  subject  wasaseeond  time  married, 
the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Mrs.  Ilenriella  (Fisher) 
Wharlield.  Ilu'  il.innhter  of  I  Icninau  and  C:itiieriiic 
(Fran)  Fisher,  ii.'dives  rcs|)eelively  of  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania.     Mis.  Overhiser    was  born  in  Ivala- 


I'ORTEAIT  AND  BIOGEAPIUCAL   RI-XORD. 


279 


mazoo  County,  this  State,  where  her  parents  were 
early  pioneers.  Her  fust  husband  was  William 
Gould  and  upon  his  death  slie  became  the  wife  of 
Henry  Wharfield.  In  political  affairs  our  subject 
has  been  quite  prominent,  having  served  his 
township  as  Tax  Collector  for  ten  consecutive 
years  and  Supervisor  for  two  years.  He  has  also 
represented  his  fellow-townsmen  as  a  delegate  to 
Republican  conventions.  Together  with  liis  wife, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Ciiurcli  and 
is  greatly  respected  in  Casco  Township. 


LFKEU  S.  PACKARD,  who  resides  on 
section  1,  Covert  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  is  numbered  among  the  prom- 
inent business  men  of  Western  Mich- 
igan, and  is  a  large  landowner  of  some  of  the  best 
land  in  the  celebrated  fruit  belt  of  Michigan,  from 
which  are  obtained  the  best  peaches  raised  in 
the  Northwest.  He  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Mar3'  (Rude)  Packard,  for  whose  history  see  sketch 
of  the  Hon.  W.  O.  Packard  in  another  part  of  this 
volume.  Alfred  S.  was  born  in  Rensselaer  County, 
N.  Y.,  September  22,  1834,  and  was  two  years  old 
when  the  family  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  grew 
up  on  a  farm,  assisting  his  father  in  his  various 
duties  there  and  also  in  the  mills.  He  acquired  a 
good  common-school  education  and  taught  school 
for  some  time.  He  removed  to  Allegan  County, 
Mich.,  in  1859  and  was  associated  in  business  with 
his  father  and  brother  until  1877,  when  he  with- 
drew from  the  firm  and  has  since  carried  on  his 
operations  alone.  He  now  owns  two  sawmills,  and 
deals  in  lumber,  wood  and  bark,  both  at  Covert 
and  .South  Haven.  He  was  the  owner  at  one  time 
of  twenty-five  hundred  acres  of  land  and  still 
retains  about  fifteen  hundred  acres. 

Mr.  Packard  has  been  married  three  times,  liis 
first  wife  being  Laura  A.,  daughter  of  Iram  and 
Cynthia  Packard,  to  whom  he  was  imited  Ma}'  1, 
1859.  She  was  a  native  of  Plainfield,  Mass.,  and 
died  April  10,  1870.  Tiiey  were  the  parents  of 
one  son,  who  was  boru  April  2,  1870,  and  died 
five  months  later.     On  June  22,  1871,  Mr.    Pack- 


ard was  married  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Nelson 
T.  and  Emily  C.  Burnliam,  a  native  of  Middle- 
town,  Conn.,  wlio  was  born  April  28,  1846,  and 
removed  witli  her  parents  to  Oliio,  where  siie 
resided  until  lier  marriage.  She  died  in  the  spring 
of  1881,  leaving  nochildren.  The  present  wife  of 
Mv.  Packard  was  Clara  O.  Atkinson,  to  whom  he 
was  united  May  2,  1882.  Mr.  Packard  affiliates 
witli  tiie  Kepublican  party,  but  takes  little  interest 
in  iwlitical  affairs,  except  to  vote  for  the  best  men 
on  the  ticket.  He  is  an  active  and  earnest  member 
of  the  Congregational  Church,  in  which  he  is  a 
Deacon  and  is  also  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath- 
school.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
church  at  Covert  and  is  numbered  among  its  most 
liberal  supporters.  lie  stands  high  in  the  regard 
of  his  fellow-citizens.  Mr.  Packard  is  engaged 
also  in  growing  and  shipping  choice  peaches, 
having  three  large  orchards  of  one  thousand  trees 
each,  containing  twenty-five  varieties  of  this  fruit, 
which  is  shipped  direct  from  the  trees,  carefully 
graded  and  packed,  to  Chicago  and  other  large 
markets.  He  also  owns  six  hundred  and  eight}' 
acres   in  the  counties  of  Cliarlevoix  and    Mecosta. 


^ 


ARIUS  MARBLE  gives  his  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  his  farm  on  section  24, 
Cheshire  Township,  Allegan  County.  He 
was  born  in  Dunham  Township,  Canada 
East,  November  13,  1830.  He  is  the  son  of  Sid- 
ney Marble,  a  native  of  New  York,  who  was  taken 
to  Vermont  when  four  years  of  age,  and  in  1810 
went  to  Canada.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and 
born  in  1790.  The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's 
mother  was  Parmelia  Ilarvej',  and  she  was  born  in 
^'ermont  in  1795,  and  accompanied  her  parents  on 
their  removal  to  the  Dominion  when  young.  Her 
father  was  Samuel  Harvey.  Grandfather  Marble 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Tiie  parents  of  Darius  Marble  were  married  in 
Canada  in  1815,  and  on  coming  to  New  York 
State  located  on  a  farm  in  St.  Lawrence  Count}'. 
In  1854  they  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Mc- 
Henry  County,  where  the  father  died  the  next 
year.     The    mother  came  to  Michigan    in    1861. 


280 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


They  reared  a  family  of  five  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living,  viz:  Mrs.  John  Smith,  our 
subject,  and  Mrs.  Elmer  Kidder.  One  son  died  in 
Cheshire  Township,  October  13,  1891,  leaving  four 
children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  .Sidney  Marble  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which 
body  the  father  was  Class-leader.  In  politics  he 
was  an  Abolitionist. 

Our  subject  was  ten  yeais  of  age  when  his 
parents  came  to  New  York  State.  He  was  given 
a  fair  education  and  remained  at  home  assisting 
his  father  until  reaching  his  majority.  He  was 
married  in  1854  to  Jane  J.  Phelps,  a  native  of 
Vermont,  her  birth  occurring  ^Marcli  10,  1833. 
Her  parents  later  removed  to  Canada,  where  she 
was  reared  to  womanhood,  but  afterward  removed 
to  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.  After  his  mar- 
riage Mr.  Marble  rented  a  farm  in  ]McIIenry 
County,  111.,  whence  he  removed  to  Kane  County, 
and  later,  December  28,  1861,  came  to  jNIichigan 
and  made  his  home  in  Cheshire  Townshij)  witli  a 
brother. 

August  2.  1862.  Mr.  Marble  enlisted  in  the  "War 
of  the  Rebellion,  and  joined  Companj'  B,  Nine- 
teenth Michigan  Infantry,  being  mustered  in  as  a 
private.  He  was  later  i)romotcd  to  be  Corporal 
and  with  bis  regiment  was  sent  to  Cincinnati, 
where  they  remained  four  weeks,  and  then  went 
to  Tennos.-ec  under  Gen.  Granger.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Thompson's  Station,  where 
he  was  captured  In'  the  enemy.  He  w.as  confined 
in  Libby  l'ri>ou  nine  days  when  he  was  paroled 
and  later  exchanged.  He  joined  his  regiment  in 
June,  1H6;5,  and  engaged  in  the  light  at  Resaca, 
Dalla-t  Wooil,  and  all  thriyUgh  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign. He  was  also  with  .Sherman  on  his 
march  to  the  sea,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender 
of  Gen.  .losepli  K.  .lohnston  in  North  Carolina. 
He  participated  in  the  (irand  Review  at  Washing- 
ton, and  on  that  ocea.sion  was  one  of  the  Color 
(iuards  During  hi.M  service  of  two  years  and  ten 
montli.i,  Mr.  .Marble  w.ns  never  in  the  hospital,  and 
with  the  exception  of  a  very  few  days,  was  always 
on  active  duty,  lie  w.as  discharged  May  10,  I  Hi;.'), 
and  reached  home  the  la.st  of  .liiiic. 

On  returning  U»  his  home  after  I  lie  close  of  tiie 
war,  Mr.  .Marble  located  on  what  is  now  his  excel- 


lent farm,  but  which  was  then  little  more  than  a 
wilderness.  His  estate  numbers  eighty  acres,  sixty 
of  which  are  under  cultivation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
ble have  three  children  living:  Eveline  L.,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Myron  Belden,  lives  in  Trowbridge 
Township,  Alleg.an  County,  .and  has  one  child; 
Sidney  E.  married  Nora  B.  Dellinger  and  lives  in 
Cheshire  Township,  same  county,  with  his  father; 
Herbert  E.  married  Mary  Curtis  and  also  lives  in  Al- 
legan County.  IMrs.  Marble  died  in  1882,  firm  in  the 
faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
body  her  husband  is  also  a  member.  Their  daugh- 
ter, Eveline  E.,  taught  ten  terms  of  school,  hav- 
ing, with  her  brothers,  been  given  a  good  educa- 
tion. 

Mr.  i\Iarble  has  been  a  member  of  the  School 
Board  for  three  years,  and  is  connected  with  C.  J. 
Bassett  Post,  at  Allegan,  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  The 
home  farm  is  carried  on  by  his  son,  Sidney  E. 


ARTIN  VAN  BUREN  McALPINE. 
Among  the  many  prominent  residents  of 
^^  Monterey  Township,  Allegan  County, 
none  are  more  highly  esteemed  than  is  Mr. 
j\Ic.\lpine.  He  m.akes  his  home  on  section  22, 
where  he  owns  a  line  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
acre  tract,  and  also  eighty  acres  on  section  27.  His 
property  is  all  highly  improved  and  under  most 
excellent  cultivation.  lie  has  erected  good  build- 
ings on  his  estate,  wliicli  is  thus  classed  among  tlie 
linest  in  the  township. 

Our  subject  is  the  sou  of  .laiiics  M.  and  Luciiula 
(Granger)  Mc.Vlpiiie,  natives  of  Wayne  County, 
N.  Y.  Martin  w:is  born  in  Monroe  (^ounty,  the  .same 
State,  .Tune  23,  1843.  Two  years  later  his  paioiits 
removed  to  ]\Iichigan  and  settled  in  .Vllcgan 
County  where  they  have  since  resided.  He  was 
given  a  good  education  and  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  assisting  his  fMllicr  unlil  ifacliiiig  his 
niajoiity. 

l)ecciiil)cr  23,  1865,Mailiii  McAi|iiiu'  w;is  joined 
ill  inaniagi'  with  the  estimable  l.idy  wlio  so  grace- 
fully |)resides  over  his  liouselioid  and  wiio  bore  llie 
maiden    name  of  l'>llcii    M.    Kibby.     Her    parents 


y 


.>. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIHCAL  RECORD. 


283 


were  George  and  Emily  Kibby,  natives  of  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to  Allegan  County 
in  an  early  day.  Our  subject  anil  his  wife  iiavc 
become  tlie  parents  of  three  children:  Edna,  who 
is  married  to  Franii  E.  Berrv,  resides  in  Monterey 
Township,  Allegan  Count}';  JNIartin  P>.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1868,  received  a  good  education  in  the 
Allegan  schools  and  is  now  employed  in  the 
Grange  store  in  Allegan;  Belle  M.,  ))orn  October 
8,  1875,  is  attending  school. 

Mr.  McAlpiue  has  always  talicn  an  interest  in 
educational  matters  and  lauglit  two  terms  of 
schools.  He  is  President  of  the  Kent,  Allegan  and 
Ottawa  Counties  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
and  a  stockholder  in  the  Grange  store  at  Allegan, 
and  has  been  President  of  the  association  for  four- 
teen 3'ears.  In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Democrat 
and  has  been  honored  with  the  ollices  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  Townsliip  Treasurer  and  various  other 
positions  of  rcsponsiliility. 

The  niotlier  of  Mrs.  McAlpine  resides  in  the 
same  house  with  her  daughter  and  has  attained  to 
the  I'ipe  age  of  seventy  years.  She  was  the  mother 
of  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living;  thir- 
ty-one grandchildren  and  seven  great-grandchil- 
dren. p]very  Christmas  she  receives  a  visit  from 
her  children  and  tlieir  cliildren's  children  and  we 
hope  that  she  may  live  to  enjoy  tliat  jileasure  for 
many  ye.ars  to  come. 


_^ 


ENRY  GILBERT.  Almost  every  public 
measure  of  material  interest  to  Kalamazoo 
has  received  the  personal  and  active  co- 
operation of  Mr.  Gilbert,  who  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  early  men  of  the  city.  He  was  born 
in  Ontario  (now  Yates)  County,  N.  Y.,  April  12, 
1810,  and  is  a  son  of  David  and  Martha  (Sanders) 
Gilbert.  The  parental  family  comprised  five  mem- 
bers, Henry  being  the  eldest.  Mary  Ann  died  in 
New  York,  Simeon,  in  Steuben  County,  Ind.,  and 
Isaac  at  Salem,  Ore.  Tiie  youngest  child,  Martha 
N.,  is  now  Mrs.  Leslie,  of  Kalamazoo. 

September  25,   18:^3,  Mr.  Gilbert  was  married  to 
Miss  Charlotte  Case,  of    Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  who 


died  April  14,  1880.  Their  family  consisted  of 
Charlotte  Isabel,  Mary  Eliza,  David  S.,  Martha 
Sanders,  Henry  Goss  and  .lennie  Clark.  Two 
children  survive:  Henry,  who  is  book-keeper  for 
the  Standard  Oil  Company,  and  Jennie,  who  is 
married  and  resides  in  Kalamazoo.  Mary  E.  mar- 
ried John  Dwight,  of  Chicago,  where  she  died; 
Charlotte  and  Martha  passed  away  at  the  ages  of 
ten  and  five  years;  David  S.  died  at  Leroy,  this 
State,  when  forty-two  years  old. 

The  union  of  Mr.  Gilbert  with  Mrs.  Myra  Chap- 
man, the  widow  of  Henry  Chapinan,  of  Three 
Rivers,  took  place  May  18,  1881.  Mr.  Gilbert 
came  to  Kalamazoo  (then  called  Bronson)  Septem- 
ber 2,  1835,  and  was  employed  on  the  Statesman 
for  one  year,  in  connection  with  Albert  Chandler, 
now  of  Coldwater.  In  the  fall  of  183G  the  name 
of  the  paper  was  changed  to  the  Gazette.  That 
paper  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  the  only 
one  published  between  Detroit  and  Chicage,  and 
north  of  Ft.  Wayne,  Ind. 

It  was  through  accident  only  that  Mr.  Gilbert 
located  in  Kalamazoo.  In  183 1,  he  was  en  route 
for  Chicago,  and  passing  through  White  Pigeon  in 
the  stage,  he  looked  around  the  village  and  among 
other  places  visited  the  office  of  Mr.  De  Fries, 
whom  he  bought  out  in  a  few  minutes,  and  discon- 
tuiued  his  journey.  He  staid  there  a  year,  then 
came  to  Kalamazoo.  He  soon  became  identified 
with  the  progress  of  the  place,  serving  as  Township 
Clerk  in  1836,  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1841,  County 
Treasurer  and  Receiver  of  Public  ^Mouc^s  for  the 
Western  District  of  Michigan.  He  served  at  vari- 
ous times  as  Trustee  and  President  of  the  village, 
and  for  many  years  was  Trustee  of  the  Michigan 
Female  Seminary.  He  had  the  contract  for  man- 
ufacturing furniture  in  the  State  Prison  for  twenty 
jears,  and  in  that  capaciLy  employed  seventy-five 
convicts. 

AYith  reference  to  the  establishment  of  the  Stfttett- 
man  the  History  of  Kalamazoo  Country,  says:  "The 
Michigan  Statesman  and  St.  Joseph  Chronicle  was 
established  in  White  Pigeon  in  1833,  by  John  De 
Fries.  In  June,  1831,  it  was  purchased  by  Henry 
Gilbert,  who  continued  its  publication  at  White  Pig- 
eon until  September,  1835,  when  he  brought  his 
printing  establishment  to  Kalamazoo,  and  the  first 


284 


PORTEAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


paper  uiiflcr  the  name  of  the  Michigan  Statesman 
wa*  printed  October  2,  1835.  In  1836  the  material 
was  sold  .nnd  removed  to  Indiana.  3Ir.  Gilbert 
went  East  and  jiurchased  a  new  outfit,  and  January' 
23.  1837.  the  tirst  issue  of  the  Kalamazoo  Gazelle, 
came  from  the  press.  It  soon  became  an  important 
factor,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Gilbert,  who 
was  assisted  at  times  bj"  Samuel  York,  at  Lee,  and 
O.  S.  Case." 

His  first  Presidential  vote  was  cast  for  An- 
di'ew  Jackson,  and  he  has  continued  to  be  a 
stanch  Democrat  ever  since,  and  for  more  than  half 
a  century  has  exercised  a  potent  influence  in  the 
ranks  of  his  party  in  Michigan.  A  litliograjjhic 
portrait  of  Mr.  Gilbert  appears  in  tliis  connection. 


I<"T'>G 


"=) 


ylLLlAM  M.  ROGERS.  That  persistent 
industry  and  good  judgment  almost  in- 
jy  -c  variably  bring  success  is  a  fact  whose 
truth  has  never  been  disputed,  and  upon  the  jjosscs- 
sor  of  these  traits  of  character,  fortune  usually* 
showers  her  Ijlessings.  Tlie  traveler  through 
various  ))ortions  of  tiie  townshii)  will  almost 
always  pause  to  view  tlie  pleasant  home  of  JNIr. 
Rogers,  which  is  located  on  section  2,  Ganges 
Tfiwn.-hip.  Allegan  County. 

William  M.  Rogers  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
in  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Ezra  and  .Matilda  Rogers. 
Tlie  fallier  was  born  in  C'onnecticut  in  180(5  and 
pa-s-icd  his  lioyhood  d.iysin  the  viihige  of  Curtilage. 
Wiieii  a  lad,  he,  with  the  assistance  of  an  older 
brother,  liuilt  a  vessel  on  Lake  Ontario.  He  sailed 
on  the  lakes  for  thirty-two  years,  during  that 
period  owning  and  commanding  his  own  vessels. 
He  often  landed  where  the  city  of  Detroit  now 
stands,  when  only  .-i  few  lioiises  marked  the  site. 
In  that  early  day  there  were  no  lighthouses  on  the 
lakes.  Mr.  Rogers  on  one  of  his  voyages  lost  a 
vessel  near  the  above-named  cily,  and  thus  was 
compelled  to  spend  the  wiiiler  with  ihc  Indians, 
undergoing  many  lianlshipH  from  the  intense 
cold. 

In  IH37  Ezra  Rogers  met  anil  inMirieci  Miss 
Madlda.  diinghter  of  Aiinias  and  l.iicretia  Diincan, 
and  to  them  wnn  born    one  child,  a  si.n.    our    siili- 


ject.  His  good  wife  died  when  William  M.  was  an 
infant  of  twelve  mouths  and  his  lather  married 
Cordelia  Bojxe,  daughter  of  David  Bojxe.  Their 
union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children,  onlv 
one  of  whom,  Albert,  is  yet  living.  After  Ezra 
Rogers  quit  the  lakes  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  his  last  daj's. 
In  politics,  he  was  a  strong  Democrat. 

When  our  subject  was  only  two  years  old,  he 
was  taken  into  the  home  of  his  maternal  grand- 
parents, where  he  received  a  careful  training  and 
remained  there  until  reaching  his  twenty-second 
j-ear.  In  1862  he  went  to  Rochester,  where  he 
married  Charlotte  R.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Charlotte  Baines.  They  have  been  granted  a 
family  of  four  children:  May,  Mrs.  Charles  Cole; 
Anna,  wife  of  Ered  Mills;  Ilattie,  wife  of  AV.  .1. 
Wagner,  and  Charles. 

In  1863  jMr.  Rogers  of  this  sketch  was  appointed 
express  agent  at  Feiinville  tvr  the  American  Ex- 
press Company,  remaining  witli  that  company  for 
three  j'e.irs.  'llion  in  1866  he  came  to  Ganges 
Township,  and  the  following  year  purchased  his 
present  farm  of  eighty  acres.  His  farm  was  all 
heavily  wooded  but  hiis  later  been  improved  and 
forty  acres  set  out  in  an  orchard.  In  connection 
with  his  fanning  interests,  our  subject  built  a  ves- 
sel, which  jiroved  very  disastrous  linaneially.  He 
has  also  been  eng.aged  in  various  businesses  in 
Eennville,  handling  fiuil  and  produce  for  the 
jKisl  thirteen  years,  lie  erected  the  first  warehouse 
in  that  village,  and  otherwise  has  aided  greatly  in 
the  development  of  tlu' village.  l'olitieall\-,  Mr. 
Rogers  is  a  stanch  Democrat.  He  is  proiiiinent  in 
his  coininiiiiity  and  has  often  been  called  upon  to 
hold  positions  of  responsihilily  and  trust  in  his 
township. 


/'■■ 


t)LLISTEn  V.  MAKSII  is  a  dcMl.r  in  real 
IJi  estate  and  is  also  eng.aged  in  the  insur- 
ance and  loan  business,  which  he  established 
•Jj  in  Allegan  in  1H70.  lie  is  a  native  of  New 
York  City,  being  liorii  there  on  the  6tli  of  March, 
IH37,  .■ind  is  the  son  of  llollister  K.  and  Jennie 
(  Moorehousc)  Marsh,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


285 


New  York,  respectively.  His  father  spent  the  early 
part  of  his  life  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Mass- 
achusetts and  New  York  City,  coming  to  Michigan 
in  1853,  where  he  first  located  at  Allegan,  after- 
ward removing  to  Manlius  Township,  Allegan 
County,  where  he  purchased  one  liundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  and  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
his  death,  which  took  place  in  1889  when  he  was 
eighty-one  j'cnrs  old.  He  was  a  magnificent  speci- 
men of  manhood,  being  six  feet  two  inches  high 
and  weighing  two  hundred  pounds.  He  was  of 
English  descent,  tracing  his  ancestry  to  one  of 
three  brothers,  who  came  over  in  the  ''Mayflower" 
and  settled  in  the  Eastern  States.  Two  of  these 
remained  in  Massachusetts,  while  the  other  one  re- 
turned to  England.  Mr.  Marsh  was  a  Presbyterian 
and  a  Deacon  in  that  church  for  many  years.  He 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

The  present  family  coTisisted  of  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  now  living,  Maria  (Mrs.  Popper- 
well)  of  California,  and  our  subject.  The  latter 
received  his  education  at  Rockville,  Conn.,  being 
graduated  from  the  seminary  there  when  sixteen 
years  old.  He  then  went  to  New  York  City  where 
he  clerked  for  some  time,  and  when  nineteen  years 
old  opened  a  grocery  store  which  he  carried  on 
for  two  3'ears;  he  then  sold  out  and  removed  to 
Chicago.  Here  he  became  interested  in  the  lumber 
liusiness,  carrying  on  sawmills  in  Michigan  where 
he  owned  a  large  amount  of  pine  lands.  He  con- 
tinued in  this  business  until  1870,  when  he  sold 
out  and  removed  to  Allegan.  Since  coming  to 
Allegan  he  has  erected  seven  brick  blocks  and  has 
done  much  toward  the  improvement  and  develop- 
ment of  the  place.  Jlr.  Marsh  owns  many  thous- 
and acres  of  land  in  this  and  other  counties  in 
Michigan  and  has  aided  in  establishing  many  en- 
terprises in  the  county  and  State.  He  does  a  large 
business  in  loans,  as  well  as  in  real  estate  and  is 
looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  and 
enterprisng  business  men  in  the  county. 

Mr.  Marsh  was  married  in  October,  1858,  to  Miss 
Maria  E.  Regan,  of  New  York,  a  daughter  of  the 
Hon.  James  G.  Regan,  who  was  a  member  of  one 
of  the  noble  families  of  England.  To  our  subject 
and  his  wife  has  been  born  one  son,  Arthur  F.,who 
married  Miss  Caroline  E.Smith, of  Rockport, N.  Y., 


and  is  associated  with  his  father  in  busine.ss.  Mr. 
Marsh  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
socially  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Knights 
of  the  Maccabees.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Congregational  Church  and  are  highly  re- 
spected in  the  community. 


-^^\ 


VI 


[  OHN  II.  MADDEN,  editor  of  tlic  Enterprise 
at  Plainwell,  Allegan  County,  was  born  at 
Wliitehall,Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  March 
,^^  30,  1844.  He  is  the  son  of  .lolin  and  Julia 
S.  (Closson)  Madden,  natives  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  the 
father  a  carpenter  bj'  trade  but  for  many  years 
employed  in  the  ticket  office  of  the  New  York 
Central  Railroad  Company  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  lie  came  to  Michigan  in  1884  and  died  at 
Plainwell  in  1886,  at  the  age  of  sixtj^-six  years. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  departed  this  life  in 
1862. 

Mr.  Madden  was  the  only  child  of  his  parents 
and  was  reared  in  the  city  of  New  York  until  nine 
years  old,  attending  the  public  schools  in  that 
place.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Government  and  the  United  States 
Arsenal  at  "West  Troy,  N.  Y.,where  he  remained  for 
one  year.  He  was  then  emploj'ed  in  the  general 
freight  office  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad  Com- 
pany, where  lie  spent  one  year.  The  Civil  War 
breaking  out,  Mr.  Madden  enlisted,  in  the  fall  of 
1864,  in  the  Twenty-first  New  York  Cavalry.  He 
spent  almost  a  year  in  the  service,  i-eceiving  his 
discharge  at  Hart  Island,  in  New  York  Harbor,  in 
May,  1865.  He  then  worked  for  the  National  Ex- 
press Company  of  Troy  until  1866,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Plainwell,  this  State,  where  lie  has  re- 
sided ever  since.  He  then  engaged  in  the  printing 
business,  and  in  1886  established  the  Plainwell 
Enterprise,  which  is  a  six-column  quarto.  This 
paper  is  admirably  conducted,  has  a  large  circula- 
tion and  has  a  good  reputation  as  a  family'  and 
local  newspaper.  Mr.  Madden  is  an  intelligent  man 
and  thoroughly  understands  the  business  in  which 
he  is  engaged  and  is  popular  with  his  patrons. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  to  Miss  Emma  Hop- 
kins, a  native  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  took  place  in  1865. 


286 


POI^TEAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD^ 


They  have  become  the  parents  of  nine  children: 
John  S..  who  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
newspaper;  EflSe,  the  wife  of  Arthur  Duncan,  a 
farmer  in  Otsego  Township;  Francis  H.,  Elizabeth 
!S.,  Russell  E.,  William  H.,  Alfred  E.,  Mary  B.  and 
Lena  G.  In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  Republican 
and  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


'08EP1I  LINDSEY,  who  was  at  one  time  in 
the  armj-  during  the  Civil  War,  is  connected 
with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Allegan 
County  as  tlie  fortunate  proprietor  of  one 
of  its  manv  valuable  farms,  the  one  that  he  owns 
being  pleasantly  located  in  Otsego  Township,  lie 
came  here  witliout  means,  but  by  his  persistent  and 
well-direcli'd  labors  has  acquired  a  competency 
ample  for  all  his  wants,  and  is  mnv  living  in  re- 
tirement from  active  business. 

Mr.  Lindsey  was  born  in  Chemungo  County,  N. 
Y.,  April  14,  1839.  His  father,  Lucius  L.  Lindsey, 
was  a  native  of  ^Massachusett.*,  but  had  gone  to 
New  York  when  a  boy  witii  liis  parents.  He  was 
of  mingled  Scotch  and  Irish  blood.  lie  worked  in 
a  papermill,  rose  to  be  foreman  in  the  same,  and 
occupied  that  responsible  position  for  some  lime. 
He  afterward  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and 
in  1811  came  tt>  Micliigan  to  avail  himself  of  the 
clieap  lands  and  many  superior  advantages  afforded 
to  a  wide-awake  farmer  in  this  then  newly-settled 
country.  He  located  at  Plainwell,  where  he  took 
up  Government  land,  and  he  cleared  a  fine  farm 
in  (uiii  Plain  Township.  In  1 «.'):!  lie  purchased  a 
farm  in  Otsego  Townshi|),  upon  which  he  passed 
the  remaiufler  of  his  life,  whicii  was  brought  to  a 
dose  in  March,  1889,  in  his  eiglily-liftli  year.  His 
memory  will  lie  cherished  as  one  of  the  early 
pioneei's  of  the  county,  and  as  a  man  and  a  citizen 
whose  long  and  honorable  life  record  was  worthy 
of  respect.  His  second  wife,  the  mother  of  om- 
subject,  died  five  weeks  before  he  did.  They  had 
lived  together  over  fifty  years,  and  death  did  not 
long  clivide  them.  Her  maiden  name  was  Elizabclli 
Newton,  and   she   was  a   native  of    Pennsylvania. 


She  was  the  mother  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
are  living,  as  are  the  three  children  of  her  hus- 
band's first  marriage. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  child  born  to  his  motiici , 
and  as  he  was  scarcely  two  3-ears  old  when  the  fam- 
ily came  to  Michigan,  he  was  reared  in  Allegan 
County  under  pioneer  influences.  He  remembers 
well  the  primitive  wilderness  of  the  country  in 
his  boyhood,  and  can  recall  the  time  when  Indians 
were  plentiful  around  his  father's  pioneer  home. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and  on  the  old  homestead  learned  lessons  in  agri- 
culture that  were  of  benefit  to  him  in  after  life. 
He  continued  to  be  an  inmate  of  the  parental 
household  until  he  attained  his  majority,  and  then 
went  out  to  work  by  the  month.  The  following 
year  the  war  broke  out,  and  in  September,  1861, 
he  thi-ew  aside  liis  work  to  enter  the  army,  as  he 
longed  to  be  of  service  to  his  countr3\  His  name 
was  enrolled  .as  a  member  of  Company  I,  Second 
Michigan  Calvary,  .and  he  was  sent  with  his  regi- 
ment to  Missouri.  The  following  winter  he  and 
liis  comrades  were  on  duty  at  St.  Louis.  He 
finally  succumbed  to  the  hardships  of  army  life 
I. ear  Madrid,  and  lay  in  a  hospital  suffering  from 
a  tedious  sickness  about  four  months.  Even  then 
he  was  incapacitated  for  duty,  and  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged. 

As  soon  as  he  was  able,  after  his  return  to  ISIieh- 
igan,  ;\li-.  Lindsey  began  to  lit  himself  for  a  cai- 
jjenler,  and  was  eng,aged  at  that  trade  until  some 
fifteen  years  ago,  when  he  took  up  farming  instead. 
He  has  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  of  choice 
farming  land  on  secti(nis  27  and  .'5,'),  Otsego  Town- 
slii(),  which  is  a  substantially  improved  farm.  He 
lived  thereon  until  Apiil,  lS!)l,aiid  tlu'u  retired 
to  his  [jresent  comfortable  home  in  the  village  of 
Ot.-iego.  He  is  now  a  man  of  means,  but  he  started 
out  in  life  empty-li.andcd.  He  owes  his  good  for- 
tune to  the  fact  that  he  is  well  end(,)we(l  with  ten- 
acity of  purpose,  is  possessed  of  good,  roundabout 
ct)minon  sense  and  steady  judgiuinl.  and  lias  the 
faculty  of  doing  whatever  he  undertakes  to  do  ni 
a  skillful  manner.  His  fellow-cili/.ens  think  highly 
of  him  ;i>  a  ti'ne,  manly,  npi'ight  man,  and  a  lo\al 
and  Law-abiding  citizen.  'I'liey  li.-ive  called  him  to 
|)ublic  piisilions.  .and   he  has  responded  by  faithful 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL  RECORD. 


287 


service.  He  has  been  Iliglnvay  Commissioner  and 
a  member  of  tlio  Hoard  of  Keviow,  and  he  has  al- 
ways earnestly  favored  all  things  that  would  tend 
in  any  way  to  advance  the  interests  of  township 
or  countj\  He  has  been  a  Mason  for  over  twenty 
years,  and  he  is  also  a  menilicr  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  tlie  Republic. 

Mr.  Jiindsey  was  married  in  1H7;5  to  ^li.ss  ^Nlar^- 
Eldridge,  of  Streetsboro,  Ohio,  in  whom  he  has 
a  most  estimable  wife.  She  is  a  Christian,  a  woman 
of  many  fine  attriljutes,  and  in  her  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  one  of  its  most  consistent 
members.  Her  marriage  with  our  subject  has 
brought  them  four  children,  whom  they  have  named 
Fredericka,  Lucius  D.,  Ethel  L.  and  George  B. 


I  >■  i  t     >  '   I"  ^  !■   ^    i 


(il  fen.LIAM  H.  WILCOX  is  residing  on  sec- 
\rJ//  tion  23,  South  Haven  Township,  Van 
W^  Buren  County.  His  farm  consists  of  eighty 
acres  of  improved  land,  including  a  peach  orch- 
ard of  five  acres,  an  apple  orchard  of  twelve  acres, 
as  well  as  pears  and  the  smaller  fruits;  besides 
which  he  owns,  a  fort3'-acre  tract.  He  has  been 
very  prosperous  in  life  and  is  ranked  among  the 
well-to-do  farmers  of  the  township. 

William  H.  AVilcox  was  born  in  Lempster,  Sulli- 
van County,  N.  H.,  November  12,  1840.  His 
grandfather.  Comfort  Wilcox,  accompanied  by  two 
brothers,  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Con- 
necticut prior  to  the  independence  of  the  Colo- 
nists. He  subsequently  removed  to  Lempster, 
N.  H.,  where  John  B.  Wilcox,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  born  June  21.  1805.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  was  Betsey  Howe  and  her  marriage 
with  Mr.  Wilcox  occurred  April  8,  1835.  She  was 
born  in  Newport,  Sullivan  County,  N.  H.,  October 
24,  1811. 

The  parents  of  him  of  whom  we  write  resided  on 
the  Wilcox  homestead  until  1874,  when  they  came 
to  Michigan  to  pass  their  declining  j-ears  near 
their  children.  The  father  died  in  South  Haven 
Township,  in  1886,  and  the  mother,  surviving 
him  a  few  years,  passed  away  in  Geneva  Town- 
ship, October  4,  1891.  Tiiey  had  become  the  par- 
ents of   eight  children,  seven  of    whom    lived   to 


attain  their  majority,  and  of  whom  we  make  tlie 
following  mention:  .Sarah  Ann,  born  December 
27,  1835,  married  a  Mr.  R.  Richardson,  and  died 
in  Massachusetts;  Maria  15.  was  born  June  16, 
1837,  became  IMrs.  (iilman  Rowel,  and  died  July 
11,1869,  at  Gilsom,  N.  H.;  Fanny  J.  was  born 
January  22,  18.39,  and  became  Mrs.  A.  C.  Sar- 
geant,  and  was  a  graduate  of  Michigan  Univer- 
sity; they  were  both  school  teachers  and  taught 
after  coming  to  ^Michigan.  Mr.  Surgeant  died  at 
jMarshall,  Mich.,  and  his  wife  then  married  .John 
N.  Foster,  who  became  Superintendent  of  the  State 
Public  School  at  Coldwater,  in  which  she,  the 
wife,  also  held  a  position,  and  died  at  Coldwater, 
this  State.  Our  subject  was  the  next  in  order  of 
birth.  John  E.,  born  June  13,  1845,  resides  in 
Geneva  Township,  Allegan  County;  George  W., 
born  April  14,  1847,  is  a  teacher  and  resides  at 
Aberdeen,  S.  Dak.;  Orion  J.,  born  August  3,  1852, 
is  a  hardware  merchant  at  Ludington,  Mich. 

Our  subject  was  I'eared  on  a  farm,  attended 
school,  and  as  soon  as  he  reached  his  teens  hired 
out  as  a  farm  laborer.  In  1862,  he  offered  his 
services  to  the  Union  as  a  soldier,  and  on  the 
lOtli  of  August  was  mustered  into  Company  G, 
Ninth  New  Hampshire  Infantry.  The  company 
was  assigned  to  the  Array  of  the  Potomac,  and 
September  14  participated  in  the  battle  of  South 
Mountain,  which  was  closely  followed  by  Anti- 
etam  and  Fredericksburg.  The  regiment  was  then 
transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  West  and  fought 
at  Vicksburg,  Jackson  and  Knoxville,  when  they 
were  again  placed  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor  and  Petersburg,  be- 
sides numerous  skirmishes.  At  Petersburg  Mr. 
Wilcox  lost  the  index  finger  of  his  right  hand, 
after  which  he  was  on  provost-guard  duty  at 
AVashington,  D.  C,  and  was  serving  in  that  capac- 
ity during  the  Grand  Review. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Wilcox  was  mus- 
tered out  of  the  service  July  1, 1865.  He  stopped 
for  a  short  time  in  his  native  State,  and  after  a 
short  stay  at  Marshall,  came  to  South  Haven.  In 
the  fail  of  1866,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land, 
on  which  he  still  resides.  When  the  land  came 
into  his  possession  it  was   as  nature  had  left  it — 


288 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


covered  with  an  unbroken  forest  of  heavy  timber. 
He  now  has  it  all  cleared  and  improved  with  a 
good  set  of  farm  buildings.  For  some  j-ears  he 
has  given  his  attention  largely'  to  fruit-growing, 
and  does  a  splendid  and  profitable  business  in  that 
line. 

November  20,  1872,  was  the  date  of  our  sub- 
ject's marriage  with  Jliss  Edna  A.  Ra3-mond.  Mrs. 
Wilcox  was  a  native  of  Steuben  Countv,  N.  Y., 
where  her  birth  occurred  Noveral)er  11,  1851.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  !>[ilo  and  Catherine  Raj'- 
mond,  who  came  to  Michigan  in  1861,  and  re- 
sided in  Lenawee  County  until  1867,  when  they 
made  their  home  in  South  Haven  Township,  Van 
IJuren  County.  Mr.  and  Jlrs.  Wilcox  liave  been 
blest  with  a  family  of  seven  children:  Fannie 
Ella  (known  by  the  name  of  Nellie),  horn  Au- 
gu.st  19,  187.!;  William  Raymond,  born  February 
23,  1875;  Ernest  Albright,  August  10,  1877;  Car- 
lotta,  July  17,  1879;  Harry  and  Ilattie,  twins, 
October  15,  1881;  and  Cecil,  February  17,  1888. 

.Mr.  Wilcox  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  for 
many  years  has  held  the  ollice  of  Coniiiiissioiior 
of  Highw.ays.  He  is  a  member  of  Zacli  Cliaudlcr 
Post,  G.  A.  R.  Mrs.  AVilcox  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Congregational  Cliurch.  Our 
subject,  with  th(!  assistance  of  his  faithful  wife, 
has  attained  his  present  financial  position  solelj- 
througii  their  united  efforts,  as  liecoiiimcnccd  in  life 
with  nothing  l)nt  his  strong  hand  and  a  determi- 
nation to  succeed.  Mrs.  Wilcox  and  her  sister 
KWa,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  were 
the  only  children  of  their  parents. 

jl^RANK  II.  MIMIAM.  This  sterling  and 
1—^  leading  young  business  man  of  Allegan 
1  Comity  is  President  of  the  Vill.age  Ikiard, 

of  Otsego,  lie  is  a  stockholder  in  the  IJardecn  Pa- 
l)er  Company,  which  is  one  of  the  leading  indus- 
tries in  the;  ,Sl;ite.  He  also  owns  a  licaiitiful  tract 
of  land,  (•om[iri»ing  one  ininilrrd  anil  nine  acres 
near  Kalania/.oo,  which  is  improved  with  all  the 
buildingH  whifh  make  of  it  a  first -<-lass  (■.•.tate. 

Frank  II.  Milliarn  is  a  native  of  the  WDh  1 1  ine 
Stat*',  hi>  birth  iiccurring  Api-jl  25,   IHOI,   in  Kala- 


mazoo. He  is  descended  from  a  ver}-  prominent 
family  in  this  section,  his  father  being  the  Hon. 
John  Milham,  who  was  well  known  and  highly 
esteemed  pei-sonally  throughout  the  State.  The 
elder  Mr.  ^Milham  was  born  in  Columbia  Count}', 
N.  y.,  May  24,  1805,  and  emigrated  to  Kalamazoo 
as  earlj'  as  1840.  He  made  the  journey  overland 
from  Detroit,  and  w.as  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
in  this  section. 

At  the  time  of  his  coming  hither,  the  Hon.  John 
Jlilham  purchased  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  of 
land,  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Kalamazoo, 
wliicli  he  brought  to  a  high  degree  of  cultivation, 
and  to  which  he  added  by  subsequent  purchase, 
until,  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  in  1884,  he  had  an 
estate  of  four  hundred  and  forty-six  acres.  He 
was  a  very  successful  farmer,  and  established  an 
enviable  reputation  in  agricultural  circles.  Wiiile 
a  resident  of  New  York,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
New  York  Regiment  of  Militiamen,  and  was  well 
versed  in  miUtary  tactics.  He  was  one  of  the  com- 
l>any  who  were  detailed  to  guard  the  carri.age  of 
Gen.  La  Fayette  during  his  visit  to  this  country  in 
1821.  He  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  State  Legislature  for 
two  terms,  wliile  in  New  York. 

After  his  removal  to  Kalamazoo,  llic  Hon.  .lohn 
IMilliaiii  held  various  local  ollices,  to  whicli  he  was 
elected  by  the  Democratii' party.  The  family  were 
of  German  ancestry.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  born  in  Kalamazoo,  and  was  known  in  her 
maiden  days  as  Kliza  .\nderson.  She  i)asso<l  from 
this  life  in  1868. greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew 
lier. 

l''rank  H.  Milham,  of  whom  we  write,  w.as  given 
an  excellent  education,  attending  first  the  Kalani.a- 
zoo  Baptist  College,  and  later  was  graduated  from 
Parsons'  Business  College  at  the  above-named  city, 
in  Maicli,  1H8.'5.  After  leaving  school,  our  subject 
went  to  farmiMg,  and  cultixalcd  tiie  soil  for  lour 
ye.'irs.  Then,  in  August,  IMM7,  he  came  to  Otsego 
and  became  a  member  of  the  Uardcen  Paper  Com- 
l)any,  willi  which  lie  is  still  coniu'cteil,  having 
charge  of  the  stock  depailnu'iit. 

October  20,  18.S5.our  sulijciM  ami  Miss  Isiizalietii 
i>iy;iiit  well'  niiilcd  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Milham  was 
born  in  I'itcliliurg,  Mass.,  and   by    licr  union   with 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


289 


our  .subject,  has  become  the  mother  of  two  beauti- 
ful chihheu,  Frances  and  Norali.  The^^  occupy  a 
pretty  home,  and  liave  a  large  and  admiring  circle 
(if  acquaintances,  being  leaders  in  social  circles  in 
( )tsego. 

In  his  political  belief,  Mr.  jMilham,  following  in 
the  steps  of  liis  illustrious  father,  is  a  Democrat, 
lie  has  filled  the  position  of  Village  Trustee  for 
two  years,  and  is  now  holding  the  responsible 
otHce  of  President  of  the  P>oard.  Socially,  he  is  a 
prominent  Mason  and  a  Knight  of  Pythias. 


IMEON  STARING  is  engaged  in  cultivat- 
ing a  line  tract  of  land  on  section  4,  Ganges 
Township,  Allegan  County.  He  was  born 
near  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1828,  and  is  the 
son  of  Henry  and  Judah  Staring,  the  father  being 
born  in  New  York  State  about  1800.  The  elder 
Mr.  Staring  was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  grand- 
parents, and  received  a  fair  education.  He  w.is 
one  of  fourteen  children,  and  began  life  by  work- 
ing on  a  canal. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  in 
1826,  the  maiden  name  of  Mrs.  Staring  being 
Judah  Mosier.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Hol- 
land. Simeon  Staring  was  the  eldest  of  the  six 
children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others  being 
respectively:  Edward,  who  died  in  the  Union 
army;  Peter,  Henry,  John;  and  Mary,  who  died 
when  j'oung.  Mr.  Staring  and  his  five  sons  were 
all  soldiers  in  the  late  war. 

In  1835  Mr.  Henry  Staring  moved  to  Michigan 
with  his  family,  and  located  in  Washtenaw  County, 
where  he  continued  to  I'eside  for  five  years.  Later, 
in  1840,  he  came  to  Allegan  County,  where  he 
and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days,  the  father  drying 
in  1876  and  the  mother  in  1886.  Mr.  Staring 
served  in  the  Mexican  War  under  Gen.  Twiggs. 
During  the  late  war,  as  he  was  too  old  to  be 
accepted  in  general  service,  he  enlisted  as  engineer 
and  machinist  under  Gen.  Sigel.  Our  subject's 
father  was  an  Ancient,  Free  and  Accepted  Mason 
previous  to  Morgan's  time,  but  later  dropped  all 
connection  with  the  order.     The    paternal  gr.and- 


l)arents  of  the  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  were 
George  and  Catherine  Staring,  natives  of  Germany. 
They  were  early  settlers  of  the  Wolverine  State 
where  they  died  at  a  goo<l  old  age. 

In  1810  Simeon  Staring  commenced  the  battle 
of  life  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  ten  j'ears 
later  located  on  his  present  farm,  wliicli  was  then 
little  more  than  a  wildernes.s.  His  first  home  was 
built  of  logs,  and  contained  but  one  room.  It  has 
long  since  given  way  to  a  commodious  and  con- 
venient residence.  For  several  years  Mr.  Staring 
worked  in  the  lumber  woods  until  he  was  able  to 
realize  a  living  from  his  farm.  Provisions  had  to 
be  carried  from  Saugatuck  to  Allegan,  twenty-five 
miles  distant.  He  labored  for  many  years  without 
even  the  aid  of  a  team,  but  his  industry  has  been 
rewarded,  as  he  now  has  one  hundred  acres  of 
excellent  land,  twenty-five  of  which  is  in  fruit. 
His  first  purchase,  however,  consisted  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres,  which  he  bought  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother. 

Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Betsey 
(Steele)  Slayton,  became  Mrs.  Simeon  Staring  in 
1855.  They  have  been  granted  five  children: 
Andrew  J.,  Henry,  Lucy,  Dora  A.,  and  Nellie. 
Mr.  Staring  enlisted  during  the  late  war  in  Com- 
pany I,  Seventeenth  Michigan  Infantry,  and  saw 
much  hard  fighting.  The  last  engagement  in 
which  he  participated  was  at  Petersburg.  He  is  a 
member  of  Jacob  Fry  Post,  No.  46,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  In  an  early  d.aj'  our 
subject  relates  that  he  cut  maple  wood  at  twent^'- 
five  cents  per  cord  and  bought  corn  meal  at  $2.50 
per  hundred  pounds. 


4^ 


■^AMES  R.  ROCKWELL.  This  prominent 
citizen  of  Allegan  lias  done  much  toward 
beautifying  the  village,  as  he  is  a  first-class 
builder  and  architect.  Ilis  parents  were 
Roswell  and  Hannah  (Foster)  Rockwell  and  his 
birth  occurred  August  11,  1833,  in  Seneca  County, 
Ohio.  His  father  di(;d  in  1855,  and  his  mother, 
who  is  still  living,  makes  her  home  in  Trowbridge 
Township,  Allegan  Count}'. 

The  senior  Mr.  Rockwell  came    to   Michigan    as 


290 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


early  as  \t>i7  and  choosing  Trowbridge  Township 
as  bis  future  abiding-place,  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixtj-  acres  of  land  from  tlie  Government.  His 
proi>erty,  which  lay  on  Base  Line  Lake,  where  lie 
was  the  first  settler,  was  covered  with  timber, 
which  he  set  about  to  remove.  He  erected  a  Isig 
house,  18x36  feet,  on  his  place  and  lieliied  to  or- 
ganize the  fii-st  school  in  the  township,  of  which  he 
was  made  one  of  the  Directors.  While  residing  in 
Ohio  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  millwright, 
but  found  farming  to  he  nmri' ]ir<>lit;ilili'  in  Iho  luw 
State  of  Michigan. 

Wild  game  was  jilontiful  wht-n  our  subject's 
father  came  to  Allegan  County  and  he  supported 
his  family  by  selling  venison  and  fui-s  until  he  was 
to  realize  a  living  from  his  farm.  Of  the  parental 
family  of  six  children,  live  arc  now  living:  Our 
subject;  Stephen  D.;  Sarah  K.,  now  Mrs.  South- 
ward; Cornelie  E.,  Mrs.  George  Conery;  and  Caro- 
line L.,  Mrs.  Duval. 

James  R.  Rockwell  received  a  good  education 
while  his  parents  were  residents  of  the  Buckeye 
State,  at  the  same  time  being  trained  in  farm  duties. 
He  continued  to  make  his  home  under  the  parental 
roof  until  reaching  his  majority.  Then  deciding 
to  become  an  architect  and  builder,  our  subject,  in 
1869,  devoted  his  time  principally  to  that  line  of 
business.  In  1H71I,  through  the  earnest  solicitations 
of  Gov.  11.  Robinson,  Mr.  Rockwell  went,  with 
his  family,  to  the  Ten  Mile  District,  Summit 
County.  C'oloi-.-ido,  and  made  the  drawings  for,  and 
had  charge  of,  tiic  buiiding  of  the  Summit  County 
Smelting  Works. 

After  the  death  of  (iov.  Robinson,  'Slv.  Rockwell 
was  appointed  agent  by  the  administrators  of  Gov. 
Robinson's  estate,  to  look  after  the  business  of  the 
inine.4.  The  (irsl-named  gentleman  was  a  personal 
friend  of  our  subject  and  ate  his  last  Thanks- 
giving dinner  with  him  at  the  village  of  Robinson, 
Colorado.  During  tlic  five  years  wliicli  Mr.  Rock- 
well spent  in  Colonido  he  wa.s  made  Master  Me- 
chanic of  the  Robinson  Con.solidalcd  Mining  Co., 
which  was  a  very  responsii)le  position.  In  1882 
heliccamea  menibir  of  the  firm  of  Ellis,  Hockwell 
At  Smith,  mine  and  n-al-cstate  )>rokers  in  liobinson, 
Ten  Mile  District,  carrying  on  IIimI  business  for 
two  vcarH. 


I 


After  returning  to  his  home  in  Allegan  County, 
Mr.  Rockwell  visited  Southern  California  and 
other  States  and  Territories  He  now  resides  ma 
most  Ix-autiful  home  on  Seminary  Hill,  lie  has 
liuill  some  of  tl:e  finest  houses  in  Allegan,  among 
wlncli  are  the  March  Block,  Peck  Block,  Sherwood 
et  Griswoid  Block,  and  the  Presbyterian  and  E[)is- 
copal  Churches. 

James  R.  Rockwell  was  married  in  1855  to  Miss 
Salvia  A  Kent,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Kent,  of  Allegan. 
Their  union  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  three 
sons:  Edgar,  who  married  Miss  Lillie  Kinkaid, 
and  has  a  son,  James  E.  Edgar  and  family  make 
tlicir  home  in  Trowliridge  Township;  William  U. 
married  Carrie  C.  Close  of  Tekamah,  Nebraska, 
lie  died  IMarcli  10,  1891, and  his  widowslill  resides 
on  the  farm  in  Nebniska.  John  W.,  who  is  a  printer. 
Our  siil)jeet  is  a  stanch  Kepublican  and  socially  a 
prominent  Mason.  He  is  ranked  among  the  well- 
to-do  citizens  of  Allegan  County  and  besides  Ins 
real-estaCe  interests  in  Allegan  owns  mining  prop- 
erty in  Colorado. 


i 


H****'^ 


J**-5-*F 


EV.  A.  CLAKK  MERRITT.  Among  the 
„..  prominent  and  prosperous  fruit-growers  of 
^  \V  Michigan  may  be  mentioned  the  n.ame  of 
\^  oui-  subject,  who  owns  a  beautiful  farm 
of  sixty  acres  on  section  36,  Casco  Township,  Alle- 
gan County,  which  he  devotes  principally  to  the 
raising  of  peaches  and  grapes.  He  is  an  enter- 
prising man,  and  iinds  that  the  best  methods 
and  latest  improvements  bring  him  in  the  hirgest 
returns. 

Mr.  Merritt  was  born  in  >."iag!ir;i  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1830,  being  the  son  of  Thomas  Wilson  :ind 
Hannah  Merritt.  The  father  was  born  in  the 
northern  part  of  New  Jersey,  in  1792,  where  lie 
received  a  good  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Elizabeth,  N.  J.  While  still  a  youth,  the  elder 
Mr.  ISIerritt  emigrated  to  Seneca  County,  N.  Y., 
with  Ills  parents,  where  they  located  on  a  farm 
known  as  the  "Old  Oiclianl  l''arin."'  There  he 
learned  tiie  trade  nl  a  liiicU  and  stone  mason, 
which  occuiiation  he  followed  a  few  years,  erect- 
ing some  of  the  finest  and   largest  buildings  in  the 


Cr-f-yy 


I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


20.3 


city  of  Buffalo  at  that  time.  He  later  pui-chased  a 
farm  on  the  old  Holland  Purchase  ia  Niagara 
County,  and  there  remained  for  forty  years. 

When  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  Thomas  W. 
Merritt  married  Mrs.  Hannah  (Denton)  Farnum, 
the  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Hannah  (Kinne^') 
Denton.  Mrs.  Merritt,  by  lior  former  marriage, 
had  become  the  mother  of  two  children;  Elijah  D. 
and  Newell.  She  was  a  native  of  Seneca  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  her  parents  were  also  born.  By  her 
tuiion  with  Mr.  Merritt,  she  became  the  mother  of 
ten  children,  viz:  Mary  A.,  who  is  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  H.  Haight;  II.  Elizabeth  is  the  widow 
of  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Foote;  Iluldah  D.  first  married 
David  Foote,  and  later  married  Gen.  W.  W.  Tread- 
way;  Phebe,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  I.  M.  Hoag; 
Rev.  A.  C,  our  subject;  Reuben  D.,  deceased; 
Jerusha  B.,  also  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  S. 
Hoester  Root;  Thomas  W.,  Jr.;  Harriet,  Mrs.  H.  N. 
Farnum;  and  Isaac  B. 

For  many  years  our  subject's  father  was  an 
active  worker  in  the  Baptist  Church,  holding  the 
office  of  Deacon  while  m  Somerset  County,  N.  Y. 
He  was  a  strong  Abolitionist  politicall}',  and  as- 
sisted many  a  runaway  slave  to  reach  Canada. 
He  was  a  strong  temperance  man,  and  1)3'  his  many 
benevolent  works  greath'  benefited  his  communilj'. 
He  passed  his  last  da3's  in  Michigan,  dying  in 
Detroit,  in  1881. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  received  a  good  edu- 
cation, attending  different  schools  in  New  I'ork, 
and  in  1851  was  married  to  M.  Angeline  Frost, 
an  adopted  daughter  of  Tolnian  Frost.  She  only 
lived  three  3'ears  after  her  marriage,  and  Mr. 
Merritt  was  then  united  to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of 
Silas  and  Cliarlotte  Sly.  To  them  were  born  two 
children:  Iluldah  D.  and  Charles  S. 

Mr.  Merritt,  of  this  sketch,  was  married  a  third 
time,  his  present  wife  bearing  the  name  of  Cordelia. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Hannah 
(Van  Etten)  Brearley,  the  father  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  the  son  of  John  and  Ilannali  (Hewlett) 
Brearley,  who  were  born  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Long  Island,  respective!}',  and  of  English  descent. 
Mrs.  INIerritt's  mother  was  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Sarah  (Van  Noj)  Van  Etten, natives  of  Wayne 
County,  X.  Y.,  and  of  Holland  descent.  John 
13 


Van  Etten  was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  Mi-s. 
Merritt  was  one  of  four  children,  viz:  William  H., 
Mrs.  Kate  B.  Ford,  and  Mrs.  Minna  B.  Richardson. 
To  our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  granted 
a  family  of  six  children:  Mary  A.,  deceased;  Wal- 
ter IL,  Ellen,  William  T.,  Kate  B.,  and  II.  Ernest. 
Mr.  Merritt  remained  in  New  I'^ork  two  years  after 
his  marriage  to  Miss  Frost,  then  came  to  AVayne 
County,  and  later  to  Genesee  County,  Mich.  He 
resided  in  Flint,  in  the  latter-named  county,  for 
five  years  previous  to  his  coming  to  his  present 
home.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  in  1864,  while  residing  in  Flint,  was  ordained 
a  preacher  of  that  faith,  although  having  officiated 
in  that  capacity  a  few  years  previous  to  hi;  being 
ordained.  After  coming  to  his  home  in  Casco 
Township,  Mr.  Merritt  has  occupied  the  pulpit 
more  or  less,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  tlie 
cause  of  temperance.  In  politics,  though  formerly 
a  Republican,  he  is  now  a  Prohibitionist.  He  ha.s 
a  beautiful  home,  and  one  of  the  finest  fruit  farms 
in  Allegan  County. 


r 


♦^E*S 


OSEPH  B.  CORNELL.  This  respected  cit- 
izen of  Kalamazoo  passed  from  this  life  at 
his  home,  August  2;),  1877.  He  was  one  of 
the  prominent  and  successful  business  men 
of  the  city  and  a  favorite  in  a  large  circle  of 
friends.  He  possessed  those  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  which  made  for  him  warm  friends  and  stanch 
adherents,  and  his  loss  was  deeply  felt  in  iiis  com- 
munity. He  was  in  his  forty-eighth  year  at  the 
time  of  his  death  and  was  a  man  full  of  enterprise, 
business  tact  and  very  successful  as  a  manufacturer. 
His  portrait  is  presented  in  connection  with  this 
biographical  sketch. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  born  January 
25,  1829,  in  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son  of 
Dr.  Joseph  Cornell,  who  located  in  Kalamazoo 
about  1840.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  a  child. 
He  was  the  only  son  by  his  father's  first  marriage, 
his  two  sisters  being  Minerva,  wife  of  George  Bur- 
rell  and  Abigail,  wife  of  Lewis  Starkey.  He  had 
learned  the  trade  of  a  carriage-maker  in  his  native 


294 


PORTEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


State  and  after  coming  to  this  cit}-  did  the  most 
extensive  business  in  that  line  in  the  place,  and  at 
a  time  when  most  of  the  work  was  done  by  hand. 
He  built  up  a  splendid  trade  in  this  city  and  at  his 
death  the  firm  of  Cornell  Rros.  succeeded  him  in 
business. 

Mr.  Cornell  was  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  vil- 
lase  and  was  made  Ciiief  of  the  Fire  Department. 
He  w.as  the  recipient  of  many  positions  of  trust 
and  responsibility,  although  he  very  much  disliked 
to  hold  otlice.  He  was  married  September  17,  1856) 
to  Hannah  L.,  tlie  daughter  of  L.  H.  and  Louisa 
(Fay)  Trask.  Mr.  Cornell  assisted  his  brothers  to 
get  a  start  in  life  and  was  kind  and  charitable  to 
all  who  applied  to  him  for  assistance.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Presb^-terian  Church  and  gave 
liberally  of  his  means  to  its  support.  Socially,  he 
was  a  Mason,  having  attained  the  degrees  of  Knight 
Templar  and  Scottish  Kite.  In  imlities,  he 
was  a  Democrat,  alwa\'S  casting  his  vote  and  in- 
fluence in  favor  of  the  candidates  of  that  partj'. 

Five  years  previous  to  his  decease  Joseph  B. 
Cornell  was  in  ill-health,  and  wlien  at  last  com- 
pelled to  give  up  his  Ijusiness.  devoted  himself  to 
the  restoration  of  his  health.  He  visited  :i  famous 
establishment  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  and  after  re- 
maining tliere  under  treatmentfor  a  lime,  returned 
home  apparently  much  better.  He  had  attained 
an  excellent  and  wide-spread  reputation  as  a  busi- 
nes.s  man  and  tiie  vehicles  which  bore  his  name 
were  justly  celebrated  for  excellence  of  material 
and  worknian>hip. 


-:H^[ 


"^) 


LBFRT  I).  Wi;  r.M(  )Ri;.  There  will  scarcely 
be  found  in  the  limits  of  Allegan  County' 
(4)  a  more  jileasant  place,  or  a  more  highly 
improved  faiin,  than  that  which  is  the 
home  of  Mr.  Wetmriro,  and  the  scene  of  his  active 
labors.  The  attention  of  the  passing  tr.'ivclcr  will 
be  (|ui<-kly  attracted  to  the  substantial  buildings, 
adapted  to  their  various  piirpr>ses,  the  (ields  of 
waving  grain,  and  the  paHlurei  lillcd  with  grazing 
cfltlle.  .Mr.  Wiliniirc  iiiakcM  a  specialty  of  liie  Hcd 
Polled  entile,  whicli  mr  hornless,  and  sonu'whiit 
larger  than    the    Devonshire,  and,  with    the   excep- 


tion of  Mr.  Brackett,  of  Trowbridge  Township,  he 
is  the  onlv  man  in  the  county  who  raises  them. 
His  other  specialty  is  the  Berkshire  hog,  in  raising 
which  he  has  been  particularl3'  successful. 

The  farm  which  'Mr.  Wetmore  owns  and  operates 
is  located  on  sections  9  and  10,  Allegan  Town- 
ship, and  consists  of  two  hundi-ed  and  forty  acres. 
AVhen  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself,  he  received 
eighty  acres  as  a  gift  from  his  father,  while  the 
remaining  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  have  been 
gained  by  unremitting  industry,  and  the  exercise 
of  good  judgment.  Although  for  many  years  a 
resident  of  this  State,  Mr.  Wetmore  is  not  a  native 
thereof,  but  was  born  in  Otsego  Countj',  N.  Y.,  in 
1833.  His  parents,  Chester  and  Maiy(Dumont) 
AVctmore,  were  natives  of  Connecticut  and  West- 
ford,  N.  Y.,  respectively,  and  emigrated  to  Michi- 
gan in  1836,  when  this  section  of  the  country  was 
little  more  than  a  wilderness.  Their  first  location 
w.as  in  Gun  Plains  Township,  Allegan  County, 
but  after  sojourning  there  one  year,  they  removed 
to  Allegan  Township,  and  settled  on  section  4. 

The  father  is  remembered  as  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  public-spirited  of  the  pioneers  of 
this  county,  and  iiis  dcatli,  in  1872,  removed  from 
the  community  one  who  had  for  years  labored  for 
its  upbuilding.  Ho  was  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  a  stanch  adherent  of  tlie 
princii)les  of  the  Democratic  party.  His  wife 
died  in  IVIarch,  1868,  and  only  two  of  their  six 
children  are  now  living:  our  subject  and  Joseph 
D.  While  the  parents  were  not  wealthy,  they  were 
able  to  give  tlieir  children  excellent  school  ad- 
vantages, and  our  subject,  after  completing  his 
studies  in  the  district  scIkhjIs,  attended  the  State 
Normal  at  Yjisilanti,  where  the  education  he  had 
received  in  the  liomcscliools  was  supplcnicnted  by 
a  systematic  course  of  stndies. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  Mr.  ^^■ctnlore 
received  eighty  acres  from  iiis  fnllier,  which  he  at, 
once  comnK'nced  to  improve,  until  it,  is  now,  with 
the  acMition.'d  hind  he  h.as  added  thereto,  one  of 
the  liiiest  r.'irins  of  this  section  of  the  coinili'V. 
\\'lien  twenty-tiircc  years  old,  he  visited  Kansas, 
Ncliiiiska  and  Iowa  ini  a  prospecting  tour,  liiil  re- 
tuiiit'il  tVi'liiig  more  lli;iii  ever  satislicd  willi  llic 
Wolv.Tinc  SlMlc.      Ill  the  full  ol"    IWCI,  lie   enlisted 


I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


295 


in  Company  C,  Tliii-tocnt.li  Michigan  Infuntiy,  as 
a  private,  and,  being  ordered  to  the  South,  engaged 
in  general  skirmishes  until  the  severe  battle  of 
Pittsburg  Landing.  With  his  regiment,  he  took 
part  in  seventeen  battles  and  skirmishes,  among 
them  the  siege  of  Corinth,  the  different  engage- 
ments on  the  march  to  the  sea  with  Gen.  Sherman, 
at  Stone  River,  Crawford  Springs  and  the  siege  of 
Cliattanooga.  P'or  meritorious  service,  he  was 
promoted  to  be  Sergeant  and  Lieutenant  in  1864, 
and  was  constantly  on  duty,  excepting  for  four 
months,  when  he  was  sick  in  the  hospitals  at  Nash- 
ville and  Louisville.  He  fortunately  escaped  with- 
out wounds,  and  recalls  with  satisfaction  that  he 
never  rode  in  an  ambulance  except  on  one  occa- 
sion, and  then  only  for  one-half  mile. 

At  the  close  of  an  honorable  service  of  nearly 
four  years,  Mr.  Wetmore  was  discharged  at  Louis- 
ville, and  returned  to  his  home  to  resume  once 
more  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture.  Soon 
after  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  married,  in  1866, 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Hudson,  the  daughter  of 
Joshua  and  Louisa  (Wilson)  Hudson,  of  Rochester, 
N.  Y.  Three  children  have  been  born  of  this 
union:  Chester,  Mary  R.  and  Bessie  H.  For 
about  twelve  years,  Mi'.  Wetmore  has  been  con- 
nected with  a  mill  in  Allegan,  which  he  is  operat- 
ing with  success.  Many  of  the  official  positions 
within  the  gift  of  his  fellow-citizens  he  has  filled 
with  efficiency,  among  others,  serving  as  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  Commissioner,  and  in  the  various 
school  offices.  In  his  political  views,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, while  socially,  he  is  identified  with  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


\f,  OHN  D.  WOODBECK.  This  gentleman  has 
been  editor  of  the  well-known  Otsego 
Union  since  1887.  The  paper  was  estab- 
'  lished  in  1875  by  C.  H.  Harris,  who  contin- 
ued its  publication  until  it  was  purchased  b}'  our 
subject.  Mr.  Woodbeck  has  greatly  added  to  the 
facilities  of  the  office  by  enlarging  its  stock  of  ma- 
terial. It  has  a  fair  circulation  and  is  one  of  the 
brightest  and  newsiest  sheets  in  the  count3-.     The 


size  of  the  paper  has  been  increased  since  it  came 
into  his  possession  and  is  now  a  six-column 
quarto. 

This  enterprising  young  business  man  was  born 
in  Monterey,  Allegan  County,  and  is  thus  more 
interested  in  the  welfare  and  development  of  the 
county  than  he  would  be  were  it  otherwise.  His 
birth  occurred  October  5,  18.58.  David  Wood- 
beck,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  New 
York  where  he  followed  the  pursuits  of  agricul- 
ture. At  an  early  day  he  emigrated  to  Alle- 
gan County  and  purchased  land  in  Monterey 
Township  where  he  improved  a  farm.  He  served 
two  3'ears  on  the  side  of  the  Union  during  the 
late  war  and  died  in  1870,  his  death  being  the  re- 
sult of  exposures  to  which  he  was  subjected  while 
in  the  army.  In  his  church  relations  he  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  aman  greatly  respected  in  his  commu- 
nity. His  wife,  the  motlier  of  our  subject,  was 
Mrs.  Ursula  (Kenyon)  AVoodbeck,  a  native  of  New 
York.  She  is  still  living  and  makes  iier  home  in 
Otsego. 

The  parental  family  consisted  of  four  cliildren, 
of  whom  our  subject  was  the  youngest  in  order  of 
birth.  He  received  his  primary  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  later  at- 
tended two  years  in  the  Allegan  union  schools. 
He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  remained  at  home 
assisting  his  father  until  twenty  years  of  age.  At 
that  time,  deciding  to  make  a  start  in  life  for  him- 
self, he  went  to  Manhattan,  Kan.,  and  for  the 
following  two  years  was  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business.  Later,  wishing  to  see  something  of 
the  United  States,  he  joined  the  Haywood  Masto- 
don Minstrels  and  with  that  company  visited  every 
city  of  any  size  in  the  Union. 

In  1886,  J.  D.  AVoodbeck  came  to  Otsego  and 
clerked  in  a  drugstore  for  a  twelvemonth,  when  he 
purchased  the  Otsego  Union.  His  extensive  trav- 
els have  made  liiin  a  delightful  conversationalist, 
and  he  has  the  rare  ability  of  using  his  pen 
with  grace  as  well  as  strength.  Mr.  Woodbeck 
was  married,  January  25,  1889,  to  Ala,  daughter 
of  Hon.  J.  M.  Ballou,  for  a  further  notice  of  whom 
the  reader  is  referred  to  his  sketch  in  another  por- 
tion of   this  volume.     Mrs.   Woodbeck   is  a  very 


296 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


accomplished  lady,  being  a  graduate  from  the  nui- 
sical  department  of  the  Yi)#ihinti  Noi-inal  School. 
She  has  a  large  class  in  music  in  Otsego  and  has 
been  organist  in  the  Congregational  Cliurch  for 
some  time.  Mi'.  Woodbeck  is  also  greatly  interes- 
ted in  that  art  and  is  director  of  the  Otsego  Band 
and  Classic  Orchestra,  a  musical  combination 
known  throughout  the  United  States.  They  have 
won  several  prizes  and  furnished  music  at  various 
Chautauqua  Assemblies.  The  band  was  organized 
in  1865,  and  re-organized  under  State  charter  in 
1881. 

In  politics,  Jlr.  Woodbeck  is  independent,  and 
socially,  is  a  Knight  of  P_\thias.  He  and  his  ex- 
cellent and  accomplished  wife  are  valuable  acqui- 
sitions to  the  society'  of  Otsego  where  they  have 
hosts  of  warm  friends.  Numerous  social  gather- 
ings are  held  at  their  pleasant  home,  and  they  arc 
doing  much  to  elevate  the  standard  of  music  in 
their  community.  Mr.  Woodbeck  is  ambitious  and 
progressive,  and  aspires  to  the  highest  type  of 
journalism. 


liKWSTKR  PK.\BODY.  This  well-known 
farmer  of  Allegan  Township  is  a  native  of 
this  county,  his  birth  occurring  April  26, 
1818.  He  is  at  present  cultivating  one 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  on  sections  15 
16,  and  21,  and  he  is  making  a  success  of  his  call- 
ing. Mr.  Peabody  is  the  son  of  .Jonathan  and  Ada 
(Brewster)  Peabody,  natives  of  .lefferson  County, 
X.  Y.,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  The 
father  came  to  Michigan  in  18:56,  where  he  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  (iovernment  land  on  .section 
!.'>,  Allegan  'I'ownsliip.  When  establishing  a  home 
fur  his  family  on  the  new  land,  lie  returned  East 
and  brought  them  to  Michigan.  After  clearing 
and  improving  his  purchase,  Jonathan  Peabody 
added  eighty  a<ics  more  to  his  posses.sions,  and 
later  increiiscd  the  same  by  forty  acres  on  section 
16.  He  erected  good  frame  buildings  on  each  of 
his  farms,  and  placed  them  under  excellent  culliva- 
tioii. 

The  pureiil-i  of  our  .Miihjecl  conliiiuccl   to  reside 
upon  their  rnriii  iiiilil  llicir  dc.'ilh,  llir  rallicr   pass. 


ing  away  in  1882,  and  the  mother  many  years 
before,  in  1859.  ilr.  Peabody  was  very  prominent 
in  local  affairs,  and  was  always  interested  in  every 
good  work.  He  aided  in  the  erection  of  all  the 
schoolhouses  of  his  district,  and  was  t)ne  of  the 
founders  of  the  Baptist  C'lulrch  in  his  vicinity,  of 
which  denomination  he  was  Deacon  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  The  [lareiital  family  included  ten 
children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz:  An- 
toinette, Mrs.  Pound;  Julia,  Mrs.  Cook;  Louisa, 
Mrs.  Way;  our  suliject;  Josephine,  also  a  Mre. 
Pound;  and  Ethelbert. 

Brewster  Peabody  received  an  excellent  educa- 
tion in  the  Allegan  High  School,  and,  when  nine- 
teen j'ears  of  age,  started  out  in  life  for  himself, 
being  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He  was 
thus  employed  but  a  short  time,  wlien,  renting  his 
father's  farm,  lie  superintended  its  cultivation  for 
five  years,  and  then  purchased  seventy  acres  on 
section  lj3  in  Allegan  Township,  and  forty  acres 
on  section  23.  He  made  his  home  on  the  latter 
tract,  where  he  resided  for  twelve  years.  His 
l)lace  bore  all  the  improvements  which  are  to  be 
seen  on  lirst-class  estates,  and  netted  him  a  com- 
fortable income.  He  sold  his  propertj'  on  section 
23,  and  took  up  liis  abode  on  section  15,  which 
was  the  old  homestead.  He  came  to  his  present 
place  in  1887.  His  estate  is  well  stocked  with 
good  grades  of  cattle  and  horses,  the  Jerseys  and 
Clydesdale  being  his  favorites.  He  is  engaged  in 
general  farming,  and  is  ranked  among  the  well-to- 
do  agriculturists  of  this  section. 

Our  subject  and  Miss  Xaoini  Davidson,  of 
Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  were  united  in  marriage  in 
1870.  IMrs.  Peabody  was  the  daughter  of  H.  W. 
and  Damarias  (Lay)  Davidson,  also  natives  of 
Seneca  County,  N.  Y.  Her  father  was  a  farmer, 
and  came  to  Michigan  in  1861,  settling  on  section 
16,  Allegan  Township,  wheie  he  now  resides.  Jn 
politics,  Mr.  Davidson  is  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  David- 
son passed  from  this  eartli  in  February,  18!)2.  Mr. 
Davidson  will  spend  his  declining  years  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  I'eabodv. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  IValiody  have  jieeii  bom  lhic(? 
children:  George  J.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the 
^'.■llley  (;ity  Busines.s  (Jollege  at  Grniid  Hapids; 
(  liailo  II..  who   di"<l    of   di|ili(licriM    when    lil'tecn 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


297 


years  of  nge;  and  Etlielbert  B.  In  politics,  onr 
snbject  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  wife  is  a  niemlier  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  in  wliidi  dcnoniinatidn  he  is 
Treasurer  and  Tr\istee.  He  lias  been  fSu|)erintend- 
ent  of  the  Poor  for  six  years,  and  is  a  man  greatly 
respected  in  Allegan  Count_y.  'Mr.  Peabody  has  re- 
cently inirchased  eighty  acres  of  l\Ir.  William  Bliss, 
for  which  he  paid  $7,000,  and  upon  which  tliere  is 
a  beautiful  l)ui!ding,  where  he  intends  making  bis 
future  home.  ]Mrs.  Peabody  has  recently  received 
fort^'  acres  from  her  father's  estate  on  section  IC. 
This  makes  three  hundied  acres  of  land  in  the 
Peabody  farm,  lying  within  half  a  mile  of  Allegan 
village,  and  it  is  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  Allegan 
C'onnty.  Mr.  and  Sirs.  Peabody  may  truly  be 
proud  of  their  estate,  which  is  the  result  of  long 
years  of  toil,  energy  and  enterprise,  and  their 
efforts  are  crowned  with  success. 


^^^EORGE  McKENZlE.  This  gentleman  came 
(II  ( — ,  to  Michigan  in  1857, and  located  on  section 
^^^j[j  35,  Geneva  Township,  Yan  Buren  Count>', 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  was  born 
in  what  was  then  Middlesex,  but  is  now  Elgin 
County,  Canada,  in  1823,  and  w\as  the  son  of  Don- 
ald and  Catherine  (Chinas)  McKenzie,  both  of 
whom  were  born  and  married  in  Scotland.  They 
emigrated  to  America  in  1812,  and  locating  in 
New  York,  made  that  State  their  home  only  a  few 
years,  when  they  went  to  Canada,  and  there  reareil 
a  famil}'  of  eight  children,  of  whom  we  make  the 
following  mention:  Donald  w.as  married  and  died 
in  Canada,  leaving  a  familj-;  Mary  died  when 
young;  John  passed  away  in  the  Dominion;  Cath- 
eiine  became  the  wife  of  John  McLauclilin,  and  re- 
sides in  Canada;  Alexander  died  single;  Jennet 
married  William  Clark,  and  resides  in  Canada;  our 
subject  was  the  youngest  but  one;  Margaret  mar- 
ried Jeremiah  Moore,  and  died  after  coming  to 
Van  Buren  County,  leaving  a  fauiily  of  three  chil- 
dren: George  W.,  of  Bangor;  Almiua,  the  wife  of 
Lewis  Pinnell,  and  Donald,  of  Geneva. 

George  McKenzie  and  Miss  Jennet  McLauchlin 
were  united  in  marriage  in  1848,  and  became  the 


jiarents  of  one  child.  Mrs.  TVfcKenzic  died  in  Can- 
ada, and  in  1854  our  snbject  married  his  present 
wife,  Julia  A.  Caseaddeu,  a  native  of  the  Domin- 
ion. Her  parents  weie  Alexander  and  JLary  (Bru- 
ner)  Cascadden,  natives  respectively'  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ami  Canada.  The  Cascadden  family  liailed 
from  Ireland,  and  the  Iiruners  from  IltjUand.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McKenzie  have  had  born  t(j  them  seven 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living  with  (me  excep- 
tion: Josephine  became  the  wife  of  J.  Stewart; 
Alexander  J.  died  when  nineteen  years  of  age;  S. 
Marietta  is  the  wile  of  Thomas  Powell,  of  Indiana; 
Byron  makes  his  home  in  Lake  City,  this  .State; 
Olive  married  Rol)ert  lirown,  of  Chicago:  Sanford 
also  resides  in  Lake  City;  and  Lottie  F.  is  the  wife 
of  William  Abbott. 

In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  Repul)lican,  and  has 
held  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  for  twelve 
years.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  ten  years, 
and  School  Inspector  for  four.  He  was  Harbor 
Commissioner  at  the  time  the  South  Haven  harbor 
was  constructed,  and  occupied  that  jjosition  for 
four  years.  He  has  lieen  very  prominent  in  local 
affairs,  and  is  greatly  respected  b}'  all  who  know 
him. 

1/  OSEPH  W.  REED,  who  is  eng.aged  in  the 
wagon-making  business  at  Covert,  came  to 
,^.  Yan  Buren  County  in  1887,  at  which  date 
^^fJ  he  settled  at  South  Haven.  He  was  born  in 
England,  June  26,  1839.  His  parents  were  Stephen 
and  Elizabeth  (Watson)  Reed,  the  father  being  a 
landowner  and  fnrmer  in  England,  wlio,  in  about 
1841 ,  emigrated  with  his  family  to  the  United  States, 
settling  at  Smithfield,  Jefferson  County,  Ohio, 
where  the  parents  soon  after  died,  only  five  weeks 
elapsing  between  their  deaths.  They  were  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  the  following 
are  living:     Stephen  and  Joseph  W. 

After  the  death  of  his  parents  our  subject  lived 
with  his  sister  until  about  eleven  years  old,  when 
he  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself.  He  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  and  gained  his  education  in 
the  district  schools,  clerking  in  stores  during  the 
winter  for  his  board.  He  resided  for  a  time  in 
Kosciusko  County,  Ind.     In  1862  he  enlisted    as  a 


298 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


soldier  in  the  Civil  War  and  was  mustered  in  Oct- 
ober 16,  as  a  member  of  Company  F,  Fort\--cighth 
Indiana  Infantry,  and  served  till  July  15,  1865 
His  command  was  in  the  Pioneer  Corps.  After 
the  war  was  over,  Mr.  Reed  went  to  Milford,  Ind., 
and  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  time,  coming  from 
there  to  South  Haven,  this  State,  and  in  1871  set- 
tling in  Covert.  On  August  7,  1890,  with  his  son 
he  purchased  a  blacksmithing  business  at  Covert 
which  they  conduct  in  connection  with  their 
wagon  work.  Mr.  Reed  was  married  October  13, 
1862,  to  Mrs.  Catherine  A.  Sherman,  a  daughter  of 
Martin  and  Barbara  Kershncr.  She  was  born  in 
Greene  County,  Ohio,  February  6.  1833.  Her  par- 
ents were  natives  of  Maryland  and  German}-,  re- 
spectively. AVhen  she  was  eighteen  months  old, 
the  family  removed  to  Kosciusko  Count}-,  Ind., 
and  there  she  resided  until  her  marriage. 

Mr.  and  ^Ii-s.  Reed  have  one  child,  Christopher 
Watson,  who  is  in  business  with  his  father  and  is  a 
blacksmith  by  trade.  He  married  Miss  Kva  Enlow. 
Mr.  Reed  has  a  good  home  and  as  a  reward  for  his 
diligence  and  industry  throughout  life,  is  in  com- 
fortable circumstances.  He  aliiliatcs  with  the  Re- 
publican ])arty,  but  takes  no  very  active  interest 
in  political  affairs.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Congregational  Church  and  social!}'  he  l)e- 
loDgs  to  the  Indc|)endent  Order  of  Odil  Fellows. 


ENRY  M.  MARVIN,  M.  1).  This  gcntlc- 
iiian,  who  is  now  carrying  on  a  farm  on 
.section  22,  Covert  Township,  Van  Buren 
^J)  County,  to  which  lie  gives  his  priiicii)al  at- 
tention, although  he  docs  considerable  work  in  the 
practice  of  his  pi-ofcssion,  became  a  resident  of  this 
t(jwnship  in  1 HH 1,  allhongh  his  settlement  in  Mich- 
igan dates  froiji  I  s  I  I  .and  in  185 1  lie  went  to  Berrien 
County.  Dr.  .Marvin  wius  born  in  Oswegf)  County, 
N.  Y.,  October  II,  IK.'M.  His  parents  were  Benja- 
min and  lliiiiii.'ih  .Sillna  ((Iregory)  Mmix  in,  natives 
of  New  Fiiglaiid.  His  piilcrii:il  and  malcrnal 
grnmlfathers.  ISenjanilii  Marvin  and  llcnjaniin 
Gregory,  were  Ixilli  .soldiers  of  Ihc  ItiviihiliciMriiy 
War,  tli<^  latter  being  an  odiccr.  His  p;ircnts  ic- 
moved    from  Oswego  County  to  .Monroe,  .Mich.,  in 


1844,  arriving  on  the  29th  of  November.  His 
father,  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Marvin,  was,  while  he 
resided  in  New  Y'ork,  engaged  in  the  milling  busi- 
ness, in  which  he  was  not  very  successful,  and  lost 
considerable  money.  He  had  received  an  educa- 
tion preparatory  to  becoming  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  when  he  came  to  Michi- 
gan, it  was  in  the  capacity  of  a  missionary.  He 
remained  at  Monroe  a  short  time  and  then  went  to 
Saline,  and  afterward  to  Pinckney,  Livingston 
County,  where  he  remained  for  four  years.  He 
then  removed  to  Unadilla,  where  he  took  charge  of 
a  Scotch  Presbyterian  Church.  He  there  died,  No- 
vember 14,  1855.  His  birth  took  place  December 
22,  1789.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born 
February  22,  1790,  her  death  occurring  some  years 
after  that  of  her  husband,  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter,  at  Roscoe,  Ohio. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  a  large  famil}-  of 
children,  .as  follows:  John  Lorenzo,  lx>rn  Deccml)er 
30,  1811,-resides  in  Coloma,  Mich.;  Benjamin  G., 
born  July  4,  1813,  died  in  New  Y'ork  City,  N.  Y. 
He  was  a  very  eminent  lawyer.  Salina  Sar.nh  Ann, 
who  was  lioni  .hine  1,  1815.  was  married  to  Joab 
Agnew  and  died  in  Roscoe,  Ohio;  Salina  Hannah, 
born  January  27,  1817,  married  (Jen.  R.  M.  Ford, 
and  resides  at  Corunna,  Shiawassee  County,  this 
State;  George,  born  February  17,  1819.  died  Octo- 
ber 16,  1820;  George  A.,  born  December  29,  182(1, 
and  died  March  14,  1827;  and  Ruth  D.uiow,  who 
was  born  October  24,  1822,  became  the  wife  of 
(^.eorge  Bagwell,  and  resides  in  Newcomerstown, 
Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio.  Three  children  died  in 
infancy.  James,  Iiorn  April  5,  1828,  is  ni:iil  agent 
oil  the  WestMiciiigau  Railroad,  wliich  position  he 
has  held   ever  since  tlic  route  was  first  organiz.ed. 

The  suliject  tif  this  sketch  is  the  youngest  of  the 
[larental  family  and  was  ten  years  old  when  his 
parents  removed  to  Michigan.  He  attended  Ihc 
common  schools  in  his  bo}liood  and  then  learned 
the  trade  of  a  wagon-maker,  at  whicli  he  worked 
for  a  time,  and  also  taught  scliool  and  re.'id  medi- 
cine. At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  passed  I'xaiuin.'i- 
tions  in  the  medical  depailinent  of  tiie  Stale  I'lii- 
versil}-  of  Michigan,  luit  his  diploniii  was  withheld 
liec.'iiise  he  was  not  of  .age.  He,  however,  entered 
iilioii   the   luaclice  of   his    profession,  in  which  he 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAWUCAL   liECORD. 


299 


continued  until  18G9,  Ijeini;'  located  at  Colonia. 
He  tlien  entered  Husli  Medical  College,  at  Cliicairo, 
and  was  graduated  in  the  Class  of  "70.  lie  re- 
sumed his  profession  at  Coloni.i,  and  continued  in 
practice  as  long  as  his  healtli  would  [)eruiit,  l)ut  in 
1884  was  obliged  to  give  it  u[),  and  concluded  to 
try  the  effects  of  an  outdoor  life  upon  a  farm.  He 
accordingly  purchased  tlie  land  on  which  he  now 
resides,  and  where  he  has  made  numerous  valualile 
improvements.  He  now  owns  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  on  whicli  are  a  first-class  set 
of  buildings,  and  ever\'  convenience  necessary  to 
carry  on  the  farm  in  a  profitable  manner. 

During  the  ('ivil  War  Dr.  Marvin  was  for  a  time 
in  active  service,  being  commissioned  on  March  4, 
18G4,  as  Surgeon  of  the  Twelfth  Michigan  In- 
fantry, and  served  as  such  until  September  24  of 
tiie  same  year,  when  he  passed  the  examinations, 
and  was  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  of  Vol- 
unteers, but  was  not  mustered  in,  as  his  commission 
as  Surgeon  of  the  Twelftli  Michigan  Regiment 
would  not  be  accepted.  His  health,  however,  was 
so  poor  at  this  time  that  he  decided  to  return 
home. 

Dr.  Marvin  was  married  May  2G,  18.5(J,  to  Helen 
Maria,  daughter  of  Arcliibald  and  Eliza  Ann  (Tan- 
ner) Stewart.  For  a  more  extended  sketch  of  her 
parents,  see  that  of  Capt.  W.  E.  Stewart.  Mrs.  Marvin 
was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  Ma.y  29,  1836, 
coming  to  Michigan  with  her  parents,  her  marriage 
taking  place  at  Paw  Paw.  The  children  born  to 
our  subject  and  his  wife  are  as  follows:  Benjamin, 
born  August  14,  1858,  is  a  mechanic  residing  in 
Chicago;  Anna  M.,born  April  11,  1860,  died  June 
8,  1864;  James  E.,  bora  June  24,  1862;  Arcliie, 
born  September  15,  1865,  died  March  30,  1866; 
Albert,  born  April  15,  1867;  Frank  Stewart,  Nov- 
ember 16,  1869;  Charles  R.,  August  20,  1872; 
Helen  M.,  August  24,  1875,  and  Flora  L.,  August 
28,  1878.  They  have  also  an  adopted  daugliter, 
Viola  E..  the  date  of  whose  birth  is  October  18, 
185:!. 

Dr.  ISIarvin  is  rather  conservative  in  his  views 
and  does  not  belong  to  an3f  political  party,  using 
his  own  judgment  in  casting  his  ballot  and  voting 
as  he  deems  best  for  the  interests  of  his  country  and 
State.   He  has  never  sought  public  offices,  although 


he  has  filled  several  local  positions  and  was  the 
first  Postmaster  at  Coloma,  in  1856.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Coloma  Lodge,  No.  162,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
which  he  was  blaster  for  several  years,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  Calvin  Britton  ('hapter.  No.  72, 
R.  A.  M.  lie  is  a  charter  member  of  Garfield 
Post.  (J.  A.  R.,  at  Coloma,  (jf  which  lie  lias  been 
Surgeon.  He  and  his  wife  are  faithful  members  of 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Coloma,  and  are 
amongst  its  most  lil)cral  sui)i)ortcrs.  Dr.  Marvin 
is  somewhat  of  a  literary  turn  of  mind  and  has 
contributed  articles  to  the  different  medical  jour- 
nals. He  is  a  member  of  the  Berrien  Countj' 
Medical  Society.  Besides  his  jjresent  pioperty  he 
also  owns  his  old  home  at  Coloma. 


ATHANIEL  JEWETT,  whose  success  in 
general  farming  and  raising  blooded  stock 
^  has  placed  him  among  the  most  prosperous 
men  of  his  class  in  Allegan  Township,  where  his 
farming  interests  are  located  on  section  8,  has 
cleared  from  the  forests  that  stood  here  when  he 
first  came  to  this  region  one  of  the  finest  and  best- 
improved  farms  within  the  borders  of  Allegan 
County. 

Mr.  Jewett  was  born  in  the  town  of  Alna,  Lin- 
coln ConntJ^  Me.,  March  8,  1827.  He  comes  of 
sturdy  New  England  stock,  and  his  parents,  Na- 
thaniel and  Ellis  (Erskin)  Jewett,  were  also  natives 
of  the  Pine  Tree  State,  and  lived  and  died  amid 
the  pleasant  scenes  of  their  birth.  The  father  was 
an  intelligent,  practical  farmer,  and  had  a  good, 
well-equipped  farm.  In  their  comfortable  home 
he  and  his  good  wife  reared  five  children:  Nathan- 
iel, George  E.,  Laura,  Sarah  A.,  and  John  A.  The 
father  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics,  and  he  had 
an  excellent  record  as  a  soldier  in  the  Warof  1812. 
His  parents  were  James  and  L3'dia  (Hilton)  Jewett, 
and  they,  too,  were  farmers. 

Our  subject  received  a  sound,  practical  educa- 
tion in  the  village  school  at  Alna,  and  a  no  less 
useful  training  in  all  kinds  of  farm  work  on  his 
father's  farm.  He  remained  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents  until  he  was    twenty  j-ears  old,  and  he  then 


300 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


began  life  on  his  own  account  by  working  in  a 
sawmill,  in  which  he  was  employed  two  years.  He 
was  ambitious  to  try  his  fortunes  in  what  was 
then  considered  the  -Far  West,"  and  in  1850  he 
came  to  Michigan,  with  a  good  equipment  of  brain 
and  brawn  for  the  struggle  that  lay  before  him 
ere  be  could  hope  to  secure  a  competency.  For 
five  veai-s  he  was  engaged  in  a  sawmill  at  Sauga- 
tuck,  and  at  the  expiration  of  tiiat  time  lie  in- 
vested a  part  of  his  hard-earned  money  in  the 
tract  of  timber  land  on  section  8,  Allegan  Town- 
ship, from  which  he  lias  since  evolved  the  choice 
farm  upon  which  he  is  so  pleasantly  passing  his 
life.  Hard  pioneer  labor  was  required  in  cle-iring 
oflE  the  timber,  fencing  it  into  convenient  fields, 
placing  the  soil  under  cultivation,  and  in  erecting 
suitable  buildings,  but  the  task  has  been  well  done, 
and  as  a  result  llr.  Jewett  has  a  farm  complete  in 
it:?  appointments — a  fine  residence,  commodious 
and  well-arranged  barns,  granaries,  etc.,  adorning 
the  place,  the  largest  barn  l)eing  84x58  feet  in 
dimensions.  A  good  orchard  of  the  choicest 
fruit  trees  adds  to  its  value.  Mr.  Jewett  devotes 
his  farm,  which  comprises  one  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  land,  to  general  farming,  and  has  some 
registered  slock  among  his  fine  herd  of  Durliams, 
and  has  lieautiful  Morgan  and  Clydesdale  horses. 
Our  sul)ject  w.is  married  in  1850  to  Miss  Laura 
Shead,  of  (Janges,  Allegan  Cuuntj-,  and  to  her  de- 
voted assistance  he  is  greatly  indebted  for  the  suc- 
ce5.s  that  has  come  to  him  in  his  career  as  an  active, 
indei)endeiit  fai-nei'.  To  them  have  been  born 
two  children:  Kditii  S.,  now  Mrs.  II.  D.  ]>ane;  and 
Mildred  K.  Mrs.  .lewett  is  a  daughter  of  one  of 
tiie  early  pioneer  f;imilies  of  this  county.  Her 
parents  were  Orra  and  Nancy  (Shipman)  Siiead, 
natives  of  \'ermonl.  Her  fatlier  was  engaged  in 
farming  ami  milling  in  his  native  SUitc,  where  lie 
was  married.  He  removed  to  St.  Lawrence  County, 
N.  Y.,  wliere  he  liveil  until  lH;i(;,  when  he  came  to 
Micliignii  on  a  prospecting  tour  with  a  view  to 
Hcttling  in  tlic  wilderness  of  this  SUite,  which  was 
then  II  Territory.  He  entered  land  in  (iaiigcs 
Township,  Allegan  X'oiiiily,  and  then  started  on 
hi.H  return  to  his  home  in  the  lv-i>t.  liiil  lie  wa.s 
never  dextined  to  si-e  again  tlie  hills  ami  valleys  of 
Vermont,  n>   the  boat  on  which    he    was    voyaging 


across  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie  was  burned,  and  he 
perished  with  it.  His  family  came  to  ^Michigan  in 
1846,  and  settled  on  the  land  that  the  father  had 
taken  in  Ganges  Township,  and  there  the  mother 
died  in  1850.  Of  her  eight  children,  six  are  liv- 
ing: Cornelia,  Mrs.  Goodrich;  Mary,  Mrs.  Sage; 
Louis;  Daniel;  Rhoda,  Mrs.  Wade;  and  Mrs. 
Jewett. 

As  a  man  of  sound  understanding,  of  sagacious 
and  prompt  business  methods,  and  known  to  be 
thoroughly  honorable  and  reliable,  Mr.  Jewett  has 
been  influential  in  the  public  life  of  his  township, 
which  lie  has  served  in  various  resiionsihle  oflices. 
He  has  been  Assessor,  and  he  was  .Supei  iiitendent 
of  the  Poor  for  seven  j'ears.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican,  stanch  and  true  to  the  priiK'i]iles  of 
his  party. 


r^HOMAS  STEWART,  one  of  the  proinincnt 
business  men  of  Allegan,  is  a  manufacturer 
of  i)lows  and  castings,  having  a  largo  foun- 
dry in  which  he  does  a  wholesale  and  retail  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  native  of  IMonroe  County,  Ohio, 
born  October  14,  1851.  His  parents,  Uriah  and 
Elizabeth  (Atkins)  Stewart,  natives  of  Pennsylva- 
nia and  Ohio  respectively,  came  to  Allegan  ill  18(i8. 
His  fatlier  was  a  fanner  by  occupation,  but  after 
his  removal  to  the  West  lived  a  retired  life  until 
his  de.ith  in  1877.  The  niotlier  deprirted  this  life 
in  1887.  The  paternal  gramiratlier  of  our  subject 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  wlieie  he  f.-uuied 
extensively,  and  reared  a  large  f;imily.  His  ma- 
ternal grandfallier  was  Asliel  Alkiiis,  who  married 
Miss  Hedwood,  and  Miey  were  natives  of  Vennont 
and  ( )liio,  res|)ettively.  He  was  employed  on  the 
Ohio  Kiver,  where  he  w.as  also  engaged  in  selling 
wood,  having  a  large  wood-yaid  tliore.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  Ihi!  Hevoliitiimary  Wai-,  .'ind  an  old-line 
Whig.  He  was  a  member  of  llu"  lliiitcd  Ibctlncii 
Church,  and  reared  a  large  f:iiiiily  of  ( liildnn. 

The  parents  of  our  siilijecl  had  a  family  of  seven 
childi'i'ii,  of  whom  lie  is  the  only  one  living.  He 
was  educalcd  in  (lliio  .mikI  West,  \'irgiiiia,  and 
reared  upon  a  farm,  where  he  leiiiained  until 
lifteen  years  old.     He  then   learned    the    machine 


i 


4 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPHICAL  RECORD. 


303 


and  foundry  business  at  Allegan,  afterward  going 
to  Grand  Rapids  and  Muskegon,  where  he  worked 
at  his  trade.  In  1891  lie  returned  to  Allegan  to 
carry  on  the  business  of  his  brother,  W.  Stewart, 
who  vvas  accidentally  killed  the  previous  year. 
The  circumstances  of  his  death  were  very  distress- 
ing. He  was  in  a  buggy  in  wliich  were  two  g<ins, 
and  while  driving  through  a  creek  one  of  the 
wheels  struck  a  log,  and,  one  of  the  guns  being 
about  to  fall  out,  Mr.  Stewart  took  hold  of  it  and 
was  drawing  it  in  when  the  trigger  caught  and  it 
accidentally  went  off,  shooting  liim  through  the 
heart,  killing  him  instantly.  He  was  the  owner  of 
the  Eagle  Foundry  Works,  which  our  subject  lias 
since  been  operating.  He  left  a  wife  aud  four 
children. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1877 
to  Miss  Lucy  Gilbert,  of  Otsego,  Alleg.an  County, 
a  daughter  of  J.  W.  Gilbert.  Five  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  namely:  Claudie  W.,  James  F., 
Charles  W..  Thomas  G.,  and  Lula  M.  Mr.  Stewart 
is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Socially,  he 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  He  owns 
a  pleasant  home  in  Allegan,  and  has  a  farm  in 
Pine  Plains.  He  is  one  of  the  industrious  and 
enterprising  men  of  the  village  and  is  higlily 
esteemed  as  such. 


".{..{..{..{.i^gg 


ON.  WILSON  C.  EDSELL.  Nothing  is  of 
deeper  interest  to  a  student  of  human 
nature  aud  human  events  th.an  to  trace  the 
((®)  career  of  one  who  h.as  fought  his  way  up 
to  a  position  of  prominence  and  financial  success. 
Mr.  Edsell,  b}'  dint  of  his  own  pluck,  push  .and 
perseverance,  has,  notwithstanding  the  struggles 
of  his  earlier  }-ears,  maintained  a  well-earned  rep- 
utation for  probity  and  for  a  just  consideration  of 
tlie  rights  of  others. 

The  gentleman  whose  portrait  appears  on  the 
opposite  page,  was  Ijoru  in  Pike  Township,  Brad- 
ford County,  Pa.,  .July  8,  1814.  His  father,  .Jesse 
Edsell,  a  native  of  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  while  a 
young  m.an,  moved  to  Bradford  County,  Pa.,  where 
he  carried   on   farming,  and  died   in    1850.  aged 


seventy-four  years.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject died  when  Jesse  Edsell  was  quite  young.  Tlie 
family  was  of  German  descent.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  was  Polly  (CauReld)  Edsell,  a  native 
of  Connecticut.  Siie  passed  from  tliis  life  in  1881, 
having  reached  the  good  old  age  of  ninety-four 
years.  She  came  from  a  very  hard}^  race  of  people, 
noted  for  their  longevity,  and  was  descended  from 
one  of  tliree  brothers  who  came  from  Ireland  to 
America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  Nearly 
all  <if  that  family  lived  to  be  eiglity,  and  some 
even  ninety-six,  years  old. 

The  parental  family  included  thirteen  cliildren, 
eight  of  wliom  lived  to  reach  mature  years,  and 
four  are  still  living.  Our  subject  was  the  sixth  in 
order  of  birth,  and  was  given  but  a  limited  educa- 
tion. He  remained  on  the  farm  until  reaclung  his 
seventeenth  .year,  when  he  apprenticed  himself  to 
learn  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  continued  to  work 
at  that  trade  until  reaching  iiis  majority,  wlien  he 
came  West  to  Ohio,  aud  at  Sandusky  engaged  in 
millwrighting. 

The  Hon.  W.  C.  Edsell  was  united  in  marriage 
in  1840  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Clock,  a  most  estimable 
lady.  Jlrs.  Edsell  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  of  German  descent.  After  their  marriage  they 
removed  to  Oberlin,  Ohio,  where  thej'  both  attended 
college  for  a  few  years,  our  subject  working  at  his 
trade  during  vacations  in  order  to  pay  their  tuition. 
In  1844  John  J.  Shepard,  the  founder  of  Oberlin 
College,  formed  a  colony,  and  migrating  to  Michi- 
gan founded  Olivet  College.  Mr.  Edsell  with  his 
family  joined  the  colony  and  helped  to  organize 
the  college,  of  which  he  was  made  one  of  its  Trus- 
tees, Secretaiy  and  Treasurer,  holding  those  re- 
sponsible positions  for  more  than  five  years.  AYIiile 
in  Olivet,  Mr.  Edsell  assisted  in  building  grist- 
mills, etc.,  and  became  one  of  the  prominent  citi- 
zens. 

In  September,  1849,  our  subject  came  to  Allegan 
County,  and,  locating  in  Otsego,  purch.ased  large 
tracts  of  laud.  Ills  superior  executive  ability  was 
soon  recognized  by  his  fellow-townsmen  aud  lie  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and.  opening  an  oliiee 
did  a  collection  business.  During  the  interim  he 
applied  himself  diligently  to  the  study  of  law  and  in 
1856  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.     He  held  the  posi- 


304 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


tion  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  sixteen  years, 
carrying  on,  iu  connection  with  that  position,  the 
practice  of  law. 

In  company  witli  liis  son-in-law,  Herbert  N.  Peck, 
Mr.  Edsell  organized  the  fii-st  bank  in  Otsego.  It 
was  a  private  bank  and  was  opened  in  1869.  In 
1879,  however,  Mr.  Peck  withdrew  from  the  busi- 
ness and  Charles  "W.  Edsell,  a  son  of  our  subject, 
took  an  interest  in  the  project.  Our  subject,  in 
connection  with  his  other  interests,  has  been  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  dealing  in  real  estate,  owning 
at  the  present  time  two  hundred  acres  of  valuable 
land  surrounding  the  village  of  Otsego.  At  one 
time  his  possessions  numbered  one  tliousand  acres, 
but  he  has  since  disposed  of  tlie  greater  portion  of 
his  land.  He  also  owned  one  thousand  acres  in 
another  part  of  the  county.  He  owns  slock  in  the 
Ot.-ego  Cliair  Company,  wliich  is  one  of  the  largest 
business  enterprises  in  this  section,  and  has  large 
interest;!  in  business  and  residence  property  in 
Otsego. 

The  Hon.  W.  C.  Edsell  was  elected  to  represent 
the  people  of  his  district  in  the  State  Senate  in 
1865-77-81.  AVliile  in  that  bodv  he  served  on 
the  Committee  on  Banks  and  Corporations,  and 
was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Benevolence. 
He  was  Chairman,  in  1881,  of  the  Educational 
Committee,  wlio  revised  the  whole  system  of  school 
laws.  He  afliliated  with  the  Republican  party  un- 
til IHHl,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  stanch 
I'lohiliitionist.  He  helped  to  orgfinize  the  Reinib- 
lican  party,  and  .acted  as  delegate  to  many  State 
conventions.  Mr.  Edsell  was  ai)p(>iiitcd  by  Oov. 
Blair  Trustee  for  the  Kalamazoo  insane  Asylum, 
serving  in  tiiat  position  for  two  years.  Ho  luis 
always  Itccn  an  ardent  temperance  man  and  has 
done  much  toward  forwarding  the  cau.sc  of  pro- 
hibition in  liis  community.  lie  was  instrumental 
in  .-ecunng  tiie  paper  mill  for  Otsego,  one  of  the 
turning  points  in  the  matter  being  the  fact  that 
there  were  no  Hnloons  in  Otsego. 

.Mr-.  l->rlcll  ])ii-sc(l  from  this  life  in  1H66,  leaving 
four  chililicii:  Alici',  Helen  and  Sarali,  who  are  de- 
ceased, nncl  Clmiles  W.  Our  subject  was  married 
a  second  time,  in  l«(!7,  to  Miss  Cl.ara  Hughes,  who 
wa.i  H  native  of  I't^cloikill,  N.  V.  To  them  has 
lK:en   born  one   fhiugliter,  Esther,  who  i.s  the  wife 


of  Herbert  H.  Martindale,  of  Otsego.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Edsell  are  inthicnlial  members  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church,  with  which  denomination  our 
subject  has  been  connected  since  1840.  He  is  active 
in  church  work  and  has  served  his  congregation 
as  Trustee,  Treasurer  and  Secretary,  e.ach  in  t\irn 
for  many  years.  He  has  alwa3-s  been  a  liberal  and 
cheerful  giver  to  all  charitable  purposes,  and  his 
wise  course  when  altenijiting  to  bring  about  any 
worthy  object  is  well  known  to  those  who  arc 
acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  State.  He  is 
one  of  those  cultured  and  enterprising  citizens 
who  favor  progress,  and  he  possesses  that  cordinl, 
kindly  S|)irit  which  makes  warm  friends  and  stanch 
adherents.  He  .and  his  excellent  wife  fully  appre- 
ciate the  value  of  a  knowledge  of  books  and  their 
beautiful  home  is  adori;,ed  with  a  well-selected 
library  which  stamps  them  as  people  of  culture 
and  education.  AVe  are  pleased  to  present  in  our 
list  of  the  best  citizens  of  Allegan  County,  a 
sketch  of -tlie  Hon.  W.  C.  Edsell. 


♦==*:^* 


^ 


OGDEN  TOMLINSON.  This  gentleman,  who 
holds  the  position  of  Postmaster  at  Plain- 
well,  and  at  the  same  time  carries  on  his 
profession  of  a  lawyer,  is  one  of  the  promincnl 
men  of  that  place  and  highlj'  esteenu-d  for  his  in- 
tegrity of  character.  He  is  a  native  of  EeUoy, 
Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  his  liirth  having  taken 
place  January  17,  1810. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  .lohu  I'omlinson.  w.as 
a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  in  1796.  He  removed 
to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  followed  the 
trade  of  a  millwright,  building  and  owning  a  mill 
at  that  place.  In  18.56  he  removed  to  Port  Wash- 
ington, Wis.,  where  he  became  interested  in  milling 
for  a  time.  In  1862,  he  returned  to  New  York, 
locating  at  Le  Roy,  where  he  gave  up  active  busi- 
ness and  lived  a  retired  life  until  his  death,  which 
took  |ilnce  in  18(il),  when  lie  was  sevcnly-eigiit 
years  old.  lie  w.'is  a  soldier  in  t lie  War  of  1812, 
and  has  held  the  ollice  of  a  Supervisor,  lie  was  a 
memlK'i'  of  the  1 'iiivers:ili>l  (  liiu'eli.  and  was  )i 
well-knou  II  .'iiid  proiiiiiieiil  iiKiii  in  the  eoniniiiiiity 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


305 


where  he  resided.  Ho  was  tliree  times  married, 
having  five  ehlldieu  b3'  his  first  wife.  Ilis  second 
wife,  tlie  motlior  of  our  siihject,  wlioso  maiden 
name  was  Dorotliy  Ilitclifock,  was  a  native  of 
Monroe  Count^^,  N.  Y.  Her  deatli  tool?  place  in 
1801.  Slie  was  the  mother  of  four  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  is  the  only  one  living.  No 
children  were  born  of  the  third  marriage. 

Ogden  Tomlinson  received  his  elementary  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools,  su{H)lomented  by  a 
short  course  in  Lima  (N.  Y.)  University,  his 
father  at  that  time  removing  to  Wisconsin  with 
his  family.  While  in  Wisconsin,  he  did  general 
work  in  the  mills  for  a  short  time.  He  then  re- 
turned to  New  Yorlv  and  clerked  in  a  store  for  his 
brother,  at  Pavilion,  for  about  two  years.  The 
store  was  burned  and  our  subject  returned  to 
Wisconsin. 

This  was  aljout  the  time  when  the  call  to  arms 
was  heard  throughout  the  country,  and  on  Septem- 
ber 17,  1861,  Mr.  Tomlinson  enlisted  in  tlie  Six- 
teenth Wisconsin  Infantry.  So  intensely  lo_yal 
was  he,  that  he  left  his  home  when  his  mother  was 
at  the  point  of  death  and  a  sister  was  seriously  ill. 
He  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  his 
discharge  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  2G,  186.5.  The 
first  battle  in  which  he  was  engaged  was  at 
Corinth.  He  spent  most  of  the  year  of  1862  in  the 
Oxford  campaign,  where  some  lively  skirmishing 
was  experienced.  His  command  was  stationed  at 
Lake  Provence  during  the  siege  of  Yicksbui'g,  and 
held  an  outpost,  twelve  miles  south  of  there,  during 
the  winter  of  1862  and  1863.  He  joined  Sherman's 
armyin  Tennessee  and  was  in  all  the  noted  battles 
around  and  including  that  at  Atlanta,  and  was  one 
who  took  that  famous  march  to  the  sea.  At  the 
expiration  of  the  three  years  for  which  he  enlisted, 
he  veteranized  and  re-enlisted. 

After  his  return  from  the  armj^  our  subject  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  business  for  a  short  time  at 
Le  Roy,  N.  Y.,  but  eventually  closed  that  out  and 
went  to  W^isconsin.  He  then  decided  to  go  to 
Kansas  and  take  up  a  homestead.  He  located  in 
Marion  County,  that  State,  where  he  remained 
al)Out  four  years  and  proved  up  a  quarter  section 
which  he  afterwards  sold.  He  then  came  to  Alle- 
gan, Mich.,  where  he  became  a  student  in  the  law 


office  of  AVilliams,  Arnold  &  Padgliam.  In  1874, 
after  l)eing  admitted  to  the  bar,  he  entered  tiic 
practice  of  law  with  Mr.  Padgham.  In  1875,  lie 
came  to  Plainwell  and  formed  a  partnersiiip  witii 
Silas  Stafford.  In  188(1,  lie  entered  into  partner- 
shi|)  with  A.  II.  Fenn,  at  Allegan,  Init  retained  his 
residence  at  Plainwell.  He  served  as  Prosecuting 
Attorney  at  Allegan,  after  which  he  was  made 
Registei-  of  Probate  for  the  same  county.  He  was 
api)ointed  Postmaster  at  Plainwell,  April  1,  1891, 
and  is  at  present  filling  that  office  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  ])ul)lic.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  h.as  been  a  delegate  to  State  conventions. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  The  Kniglits  of  the  Slaccabees, 
the  Odd  Fellows  .and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, in  the  latter  of  which  he  is  Commander  of 
the  Post  at  Plainwell.  He  served  as  President  of 
the  A'illage  Board  for  two  years. 

Mr.  Tomlinson  was  married  August  31,  1865,  to 
Mary  E.  Wareham,  a  native  of  Oswego  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
John  and  Cleo. 

r|<  X  >  r:='   -e SI 

ARREN  A.  WOODWORTH,  who  is  a 
prominent  attorney-at-law  in  the  village 
of  Saugatuck,  Allegan  County,  is  a  son  of 
Augustus  W.  and  Violetta  (Bowker)  Woodwortli, 
natives  of  New  Yorl<.  His  birth  took  place  in  Al- 
legany County,  N.  Y.,  May  26, 1836,  where  he  was 
reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer  boy.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen,  lindiug  this  occupation  entirely  too  mon- 
otonous for  liis  active  mind,  he  determined  to  see 
something  of  the  world  for  himself,  and  according- 
ly started  out  to  make  his  fortune.  He  engaged 
in  various  occupations,  among  the  rest  becoming  a 
school  teacher  for  eleven  3'ears,  and  for  two  years 
lecturing  on  phrenology  and  temperance.  He  ac- 
quired his  education  by  his  own  efforts,  reading 
the  best  books  .and  using  his  power  of  observation 
to  good  advantage.  He  flualh'  became  a  student 
in  the  Baptist  Theological  Seminary,  and  after- 
ward in  the  Law  School  at  Ann  Arbor,  during  the 
years  1862  and  1863.  He  then  opened  an  office  in 
Ganges,o  wning  a  farm  in  the  township  by  that  name, 


V 


306 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


on  which  he  resided  until  about  fifteen  yeai-s  ago 
when  he  removed  to  Saugatuek  where  he  has  been 
actively  engaged  iu  the  practice  of  his  profession 
ever  since.  In  1890  he  took  in  Charles  N.  Thew 
as  a  partner,  and  their  business  is  increasing  and 
proving  very  satisfactory. 

Mr.  Woodworth  was  married  in  1861  to  Mary 
A.  Miller,  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Miller,  and  a  native 
of  New  York.  Three  children  have  blessed  this 
union,  namely:  Charles  II.,  who  died  when  ten 
years  old;  Nellie  S.  who  married  William  L.  Naugh- 
tin  and  resides  in  Chicago;  Saburna  G.,  who  is  }-et 
at  home.  In  April,  1891,  this  happ\'  household 
met  with  a  great  grief  in  the  loss  of  the  beloved 
wife  and  mother.  She  was  a  most  estimable  wo- 
man and  liighly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  lier. 

Mr.  Woodworth  started  in  life  a  poor  bo3'^  and 
deserves  great  credit  for  the  industry  and  perse- 
verance by  which  he  has  won  his  way  to  liis  pres- 
ent position.  He  now  owns  a  fine  farm  in  Ganges 
and  also  in  Saugatuek,  where  he  raises  large  quan- 
tities of  the  fine  fruit  for  which  this  State  is  fa- 
mous. In  politics,  he  is  a  Prohibitionist,  carrj'ing 
out  his  views  in  practice  as  well  as  principle.  He 
lias  held  various  local  oiHces  and  has  been  Circuit 
Court  Commissioner  and  School  Superintendent. 
He  and  iiis  family  are  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Churcli  and  are  foremost  in  all  good  works. 
Mr.  W<X)dwortii's  great-grandfatlier  was  a  soldier 
in  tlic  Revolutionary  War  and  liis  inatonial  uraiid- 
fatlier  in  tiie  War  of  1812. 


:^|i;i^i"i^li^^i 


V ALTER  MEREDITH  is  one  of  ilu'  leading 
farmers  and  stock-raisers,  and  an  exten- 
sive lumber  manufacturer  of  Allegan 
County,  and  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and 
successful  husines.s  men  of  this  section.  He  has  a 
beautiful  lioiiie  on  his  large  and  well-ap|)ointcd 
farm  on  section  .0,  Martin  Townsliip,  and  luis  be- 
side,s  other  vahialile  landed  intCMest^  in  different 
places. 

Mr.  Mcredilli  i-  a  iialivc  of  fienesee  C^ounty,  N. 
Y..  hi."*  birth  occurring  in  .Mcxandcr  Townshij), 
September  II,  IHKl.  liis  father,  David  McicdiUi, 
who  wa.H  a  pioneer  of  Southern  Michigan,  was  liorn 


in  Chester  County,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Mere- 
dith, who  is  also  supposed  to  have  been  aPennsyl- 
vanian  by  birth.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
reared  in  his  native  State  by  a  Quaker  farmer.  He 
went  to  New  York  in  early  manhood,  and  was 
married  there  to  Maiy,  daughter  of  Henrj-  Haw- 
kins. Her  father  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  na- 
tive of  New  York,  and  to  have  been  of  Welsh  des- 
cent. She  was  born  in  Genesee  County,  and  there 
she  and  her  husband  located  after  marriage.  Her 
death  occurred  at  the  age  of  fort3'-eiglit  years. 
She  was  the  mother  of  five  children  all  of  whom 
are  living,  as  follows:  Evans,  a  resident  of  Osli- 
temo  Township,  Kalamazoo  County;  Marion,  a 
resident  of  Wayland  Townshii);  Walter  and  War- 
ren, the  latter  of  whom  is  a  twin  brother  of  our 
subject,  and  lives  on  the  old  Meredith  homestead 
in  Portage  Township;  and  Maggie,  wife  of  Eugene 
Beckwith,  of  Pavilion  Townsliip.  In  181M  the 
father  of  our  subject  removed  with  his  family  to 
Kalamazoo  County,  and  became  actively  identified 
with  its  pioneers.  He  first  selected  a  tr.act  of  land 
in  the  wood  on  the  present  site  of  Pavilion  Town- 
ship, cleared  a  space  upon  which  to  luiild  a  log 
house,  18x24  feet  in  dimensions,  and  during  his 
ten  years'  residence  on  that  place  put  consider- 
able of  the  land  under  cultivation.  At  the  ex|)ira- 
tion  of  that  time,  he  removed  to  Portage  Township, 
with  whose  development  and  farming  interests  he 
was  identified  until  his  (U':illi,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five  years. 

Walter  Meredith  was  three  years  ol<l  when  Ins 
parents  came  to  jMidiigan  to  found  a  new  home  in 
the  forest  wilds  of  Kalamazoo  County.  His  char- 
acter was  moulded  and  strengthened  by  pioneer 
influences,  and  he  early  manifested  the  sturdy  self- 
reliance,  independence  of  thought  and  act,  anil 
ability  to  plan  and  carry  out  his  schemes  wisely 
that  have  had  so  important  a  bearing  on  his  suc- 
cess ill  life.  He  laid  the  foundation  of  his  educa- 
tion in  :i  iiriiiiiti\  I'  log  si'hoolliouse  in  P;ivilion 
'I'ownship,  and  coinjjleted  it  in  llic  public  .schools 
of  the  town  of  Portage.  lie  had  (piile  a  talent  foi'  i 
mechanics,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  commenced  to  i 
Work  at  the  Irinle  of  a  (■.•ii|ic'nl('i  .and  was  emjlloycd 
at  that  until  lu^  was  Iwenly-live  years  old,  having  i 
in  the  meantime  assisted  in   the  erection   of  iiianv     i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOG RAnilCAL  RECOIil). 


buildiiiU's  in  Kal.amazoo  Couiitv.  Tie  wjis  inarric'd 
in  Dcw'nilior  31,  ISGd,  and  remained  in  Ivalamazoo 
two  3'ears  after  that  event,  and  tiien  located  where 
he  now  resides  in  Martin  'Jownship,  he  having 
previously  piireliased  this  farm,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  it  being  cleared  before  he 
moved  onto  it.  lie  built  a  small  frame  house, 
in  whicli  lie  and  his  family  lived  until  1.S8.'!,  when 
he  erected  his  present  handsome  residence,  at  tlie 
cost  of  $1,000,  Iniilding  it  himself,  and  it  is  one 
of  the  finest  houses  in  the  county.  It  is  of  a  mo- 
dern and  tasteful  style  of  architecture,  is  hand- 
.somely  furnished,  and  the  rooms  are  lieautifully 
finished  in  different  kinds  of  woods,  such  as  cherry, 
oak,  black  walnut,  etc.  Good  barns  and  other 
building  complete  the  appointments  of  a  model 
farm.  Besides  this  homestead  of  three  hundred 
acres  of  land,  which  he  has  improved  himself,  Mr. 
Meredith  has  a  great  deal  of  other  valuable  pro- 
perty, he  being  one  of  the  wealth}'  men  of  tlie 
county. 

He  has  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
the  Gun  Biver  Flats,  and  one  hundred  and  forty- 
four  acres  in  Wayland  Township,  the  most  of 
which  is  improved,  making  liis  landed  possessions 
mount  up  to  six  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres.  He 
owns  a  sawmill,  with  a  capacity  of  fifteen  thousand 
feet  per  day, for  making  railway  ties  and  does  a  large 
business  in  that  line,  besides  carrying  on  farming 
and  stock-raising  extensively,  employing  four  or 
five  men  on  his  farm  all  the  time  besides  those  at 
work  in  the  mill.  He  has  his  farm  well  stocked 
with  fine  blooded  horses,  with  high-grade  cattle, 
and  with  swine  and  sheep  of  the  best  breeds. 

Mr.  Meredith  was  married  December  31,  1866, 
in  Oshtemo  Township,  Kalamazoo  County,  by 
Clarke  Kellogg,  to  Melvina,  the  first  daughter  and 
second  child  of  Burton  and  Charlana  (Adams) 
Johnson.  Mrs.  JNIeredith  was  born  in  Portage 
Township,  Kalamazoo  County,  October  16,  1843, 
and  was  there  reared.  Her  father,  a  well-known  pio- 
neer of  that  section,  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and 
he  lived  among  the  green  hills  of  that  State  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old,  when  ho  went  to  New 
York.  He  came  thence  to  Michigan  in  1839,  and 
in  time  improved  a  farm  in  Kalamazoo  County. 
He  afterward    came  to  Allegan   County,  and  his 


last  days  were  spent  in  Wayland  Township,  where 
he  died  at  the  age  of  sevent^'-two  yeai-s.  His 
wife,  who  survives  liim  and  makes  her  home  with 
her  daughter  and  son-in-law  of  whom  wc  write, 
was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  March  23, 
1816.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meredith  have  had  seven 
children,  three  sons  and  four  daugiiters,  namely: 
Walter  Burton,  who  resides  at  home;  Cora,  wife  of 
James  Keith,  a  cable-car  conductor  on  the  Nortii 
Side  of  Chicago;  David  Warren,  who  was  drowned 
in  a  well  at  the  age  of  six  3'ears;  Jennie,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  six  months;  and  Josephine,  who  is 
ten  years  (jld;  John  who  is  eight  years  old,  and 
Marian,  who  is  six  years  old. 

Our  subject  enjoys  a  high  personal  sliinding 
thrf)ugliout  the  county  and  wherever  known,  not 
only  as  a  man  of  honor  and  sound  financial  integ- 
rity, whose  business  acumen,  rare  judgment  and 
far-seeing  enterprise  have  been  of  great  service  in 
extending  the  interests  of  this  section;  but  he  is 
also  popular  on  account  of  genial  qualities,  warm 
heart  and  true  generositj',  which  have  drawn  to 
him  many  friends  from  a  large  circle  of  acquaint- 
ances. He  is  public  spirited,  and  liberal  in  expend- 
ing his  means  to  further  all  feasible  projects  for  in- 
ternal improvements,  or  in  his  contributions  to- 
wards all  worthy  objects  that  come  under  liis 
notice. 


)AN  RENSLAER  WADSWORTH  is  a  well- 
Jl/  to-do  farmer  residing  on  section  34,  Sauga- 
'/  tuck  Township,  Allegan  County.  His  farm 
comprises  sixtj'  acres  of  excellent  land,  which  is 
under  most  thorough  cultivation,  and  is  devoted 
largelj'  to  fruit-growing.  Our  subject  is  the  son 
of  James  and  Maluncy  (Philips)  Wadsworth,  and 
the  grandson  of  Theodore  Wadsworth,  who  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  was  born  in 
Montgomery  (now  Felton)  County,  N.  Y.,  Febi-u- 
ary  16,  1825.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  remain- 
ing at  home  assisting  his  father  until  reaching  his 
majority.  When  starting  out  in  life  for  himself, 
he  purchased  what  is  now  known  as  the  McA'ae 
farm  in  Ganges  Township.     He  cleared  liis  jirop- 


308 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ertj-  of  the  forest,  and  put  it  in  excellent  condi- 
tion; then  becoming  somewhat  restless,  he  disposed 
of  that  fine  inoperty  in  18()5,  and  removed  to  Mis- 
souri. There  he  bought  a  tract  of  four  hundred 
acres,  but  only  remained  there  about  eight  months, 
when  he  sold  and  returned  to  Michigan,  poorer  in 
pocket,  but  richer  in  experience.  At  that  time  he 
purchased  the  farm  on  wliicli  he  at  present  resides. 
It  was  in  its  primitive  condition  wiien  it  came  into 
his  possession,  but  under  his  wise  management  it 
has  been  made  to  yield  a  generous  increase,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  township. 

.Tames  W.  Wadsworth,  the  father  of  the  gentle- 
man whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was  the  third 
settler  in  Ganges  To%vnship,  Alleg.an  County,  to 
which  place  he  came  in  1838.  Our  subject  at  that 
time  w!is  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  well  re- 
members the  privations  and  hardships  which  the 
family  endured  at  that  early  day.  There  were  no 
roads  laid  out,  and  tlie  nearest  market  was  at  Alle- 
gan, twenty  miles  distant.  Tiiere  were  no  stores, 
sc-hools  or  churches,  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  being  erected  in  1814.  l\Ir.  Wadsworth, 
of  this  sketch,  became  identified  wiUi  the  societ}^ 
at  that  time,  and  has  ever  since  been  a  liberal  con- 
tributor to  its  support. 

Our  .subject  was  united  in  marringc  with  Jlaria 
Collins, .  a  daughter  of  .loseph  Collins,  and  a 
native  of  the  Empire  State.  Mrs.  Wadsworth  was 
born  in  New  York,  September  23,  182.5,  and  the 
ceremony  which  united  her  with  our  subject  oc- 
curred April  7,  1H.")0.  That  union  h.as  been  blessed 
with  eight  children:  Leonidas  D.,  liorn  in  1851,  is 
ninnied  to  Kmma  Derb^',  and  resides  in  Ganges 
Township,  Allegan  County;  Mary  A.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 27,  18.53,  married  Edward  Hutcliins, and  also 
makes  her  home  in  fiangcs  Township;  Lucius,  born 
May  20,  1H5.'>,  died  February  13,  18(>1;  Emma  M., 
born  February  18,  18.')7,  died  February  10,  18(!1; 
Alice,  born  Decrmlier  21,  18.'i!»,  died  March  12, 
IHCl;  >[elis8n,  born  September  27,  18()(),  died  in 
.June,  1801;  Willie,  born  April  23,  IH(;2.  is  married 
t<^)  Cora  Smilli,  and  resides  in  Saugatuck  Township, 
Allognn  County;  Ilellic  M.  was  Ixirn  November 
II,  IKfil,  and  is  niarricrd  to  Henry  l.amb;  she  makes 
her  home  with  iier  parents. 

[ii  polilicM,  Mr.  Wadsworlli  is  :i  <  ;rci'nli:i<k('i .  and 


takes  great  interest  in  the  workings  of  that  party] 
He  has  held  offices  of  public  trust  in  the  townshipJ 
and  is  greatly  esteemed  personally  for  his  manj 
good  qualities  of  mind  and  heart.  His  good  wifd 
is  a  verj'  intelligent  and  capal)le  lady,  and  is  noted 
for  her  skill  as  a  housewife  and  caretaker.  We  ar« 
pleased  to  be  able  to  place  before  our  readers  a 
sketch  of  so  worthy  a  couple.  Our  subject,  wife 
and  youngest  daughter,  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
dist  Episcopal  Church. 


ON.  JOHN  KOLVOORD.  This  prominent 
citizen  of  Otsego  was  elected  on  the  Demo- 
cratic   ticket    to   represent   the   people    of 

'^j  Allegan  County  in  the  State  Legislature 
in  18',>0.  While  a  member  of  that  body  he  served 
on  many  important  committees,  such  as  the  Com- 
mittee on  Public  Schools,  Rivers,  Harbors  and 
Manufacturing.  He  gave  entire  satisfaction  to 
his  constituents,  performing  .all  the  duties  which 
lay  before  him  in  a  capable  manner. 

The  Hon.  John  Kolvoord  was  born  in  Holland 
Township,  Ottawa  County,  this  State,  Septemlter 
2,  1852,  and  being  a  native  of  the  State,  liis  in- 
terests more  naturally  center  here  than  they  other- 
wise would.  His  direct  progenitor  w.as  Jolin 
Kolvoord,  a  native  of  the  Province  of  Overisel, 
Holland,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
wood-turner.  In  1817  he  decided  to  make  his 
home  in  the  New  World,  and,  emigrating  liitlier, 
came  directly  to  Michigan.  Uo  and  A.  C.  ^'.■ln 
Ralte  came  to  this  country  at  the  head  of  a  colony, 
the  comjiany  remaining  in  Milwaukee  until  the 
two  gentlemen  prospected  for  a  location.  Tliey 
finally  determined  to  settle  in  Ottawa  Ccninf  y,  and 
tliiis  orlgiiiaU'd  the  town  of  HoUmihI. 

The  cohmy  which  hiid  (Uil  Ihr  town  of  Holland 
were  the  first  settk'rs  in  that  region,  and  entered 
from  the  (iovernment  large  tracts  of  land  whicii 
they  set  alicmt  to  ch'ar  nnd  ini|)ro\e  into  good 
farms.  Our  subject's  fatlier,  in  addition  to  his 
farm,  erected  a  llouring  mill,  which  was  the  first 
of  its  Uind  between  Allegan  ami  (irand  Rapids. 
The  null  was  rnn  by  wtitiT   powiT.   and    while   Mr. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIHCAL  RECORD. 


309 


Kolvoord  worked  at  bis  trafle  in  Allegan,  liis  wife 
nianaijed  the  mill,  jiiinding'  from  fifty  to  sixty 
bushels  of  corn  or  wiieat  [ler  week.  Tlic  fntlier 
died  in  185;'),  when  only  about  forty  years  of  age. 
Previous  to  coming  to  the  rnitcd  States,  he  had 
served  in  the  Holland  army  for  three  years,  during 
the  Belgian  War.  lie  was  very  prominent  in 
business  circles,  and  much  respected  for  bis  honest 
and  upright  life.  In  his  cburcii  relalions  be  was 
a  zealous  member  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churcli, 
and,  being  a  gifted  speaker,  took  an  active  part  in 
the  work  of  that  body. 

The  mother  of  Mr.  Kolvoord  was  Grietie 
(Blink)  Kolvoord,  and,  upon  the  death  of  her 
husband,  was  left  with  the  care  of  four  children. 
Only  a  few  acres  of  their  farm  were  cleared  at  that 
time  and  tlie  hardships  which  they  endured  have 
made  a  lasting  impression  upon  tlie  mind  of  our 
subject.  He  was  the  second  of  the  four  sons,  and 
only  three  years  old  when  his  father  died.  At  tlie 
early  age  of  eleven  years,  be  began  to  earn  his  own 
living  by  working  out  on  a  farm  for  bis  board. 
The  next  year  he  received  ^1^20  for  his  labors.  He 
was  to  have  bad  three  months'  schooling  during 
the  year,  but  six  weeks  after  entering  upon  his 
duties  his  emploj'er  was  taken  sick  so  that  his 
advantages  in  obtaining  an  education  have  been 
very  limited. 

Our  subject  worked  out  for  others  for  three 
years,  when,  with  an  elder  brother,  he  returned 
home,  carrj'ing  their  trunk  for  twelve  miles. 
Our  subject  remained  at  home  caring  for  his 
mother  until  reaching  his  seventeenth  year.  He 
then  went  to  Saugatuck,  where  he  worked  during 
the  summer  in  a  shingle^llill;  then,  becoming  fire- 
man, he  held  that  position  for  four  jears.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  time,  he  again  returned  home, 
and  remained  with  his  mother  a  twelvemonth, 
when  he  launched  out  into  the  hardware  business. 
He  carried  on  his  trade  in  that  line  with  good 
success  for  eighteen  months  at  Overisel,  when  be 
disposed  of  his  stock  of  goods,  and,  going  to 
Hamilton,  Allegan  County,  engaged  in  the  dry- 
goods  and  grocery  business.  He  remained  there 
for  two  and  one-half  years,  when,  in  the  spring  of 
1881,  he  sold  his  interests  to  his  youngest  brother 
and  purchased  the  sawmill  which    he    operates  at 


the  present  time.  Mr.  Kolvoord  is  also  much 
interested  in  real  estate  in  Otsego,  where  he  lias 
lately  erected  a  beautiful  residence.  His  home 
bears  all  the  modern  improvements  and  conven- 
iences which  make  of  it  a  model  dwelling. 

Ill  the  fall  of  1877,  the  lion.  .lohu  Kolvoord  was 
married  to  (ie/.ina  Tcravest,  a  native  of  Holland. 
She  accompanied  her  parents  on  their  removal  to 
the  New  AVorld  in  1870.  Mrs.  Kolvoord  passed 
from  this  life  .June  16,  1884,  beloved  1)3-  all  who 
knew  her.  She  bore  her  husliand  two  children, 
Jennie  and  .Tobn.  Our  subject  was  again  married, 
in  August,  188."),  to  .Tennie  Ackersock,  a  native  of 
Illinois,  and  to  them  have  been  liorn  one  child, 
Florence. 

In  his  political  affiliation,  Mr.  Kolvoord  casts  his 
vote  and  influence  in  favor  of  the  candidates  of 
the  Democi-atic  party.  He  has  represented  his 
party  to  the  county,  district  and  State  conventions 
and  has  taken  a  veiy  active  part  in  politics.  He 
keeps  himself  thoroughly  posted  on  the  political 
issues  of  the  day,  and  is  well-read  on  current 
events.  Although  the  Democratic  party  was  in 
the  minorit}'  in  Allegan  County  when  our  subject 
was  elected  to  the  Legislature,  3'et  he  received  a 
handsome  majority  over  his  opponent. 

Persistent  industry  and  economy  will  claim 
their  reward,  as  has  been  fully  illustrated  in  the 
life  of  Mr.  Kolvoord.  He  commenced  life  with  no 
assistance  whatever,  and  to-day  ranks  among  the 
prominent  and  wealthy  citizens  of  Allegan  County. 
He  has  had  much  to  overcome,  and  can  relate 
many  an  interesting  tale  of  pioneer  experiences. 
He  did  not  own  a  pair  of  leather  shoes  until  after 
he  was  twelve  years  old,  and  earned  them  for  him- 
self. It  is  with  much  pride  that  he  now  views  his 
possessions,  knowing  that  they  are  the  result  of  his 
own  labors. 


1    I  I 


I  '    I  'I  ■ 


,OBERT  G.  WINN.  This  fine  old  gentle- 
man, who  has  been  a  successful  farmer,  is 
one  of  the  prominent  men  in  Ganges  To  wn- 
^.ship,  Allegan  County.  He  was  born  in 
Toronto.  Canada,  in  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Joshua 
and  Martha  Winn.     His  father,  who   was  born  in 


310 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Vermont,  iu  1792,  was  there  reared  on  a  farm  and 
received  a  good  comnion-seliool  education. 

.losliua  Winn  remained  witli  his  parents  until  liis 
marriage,  in  1810,  with  Martha  Griflin.  To  them 
were  born  five  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased, 
with  the  exception  of  our  subject.  After  the  death 
of  his  wife,  the  elder  Mr.  Winn  married  Alary 
Wakefield,  and  b}-  her  l.iecame  the  father  of  three 
children  who  are  j'et  living:  Stephen,  Laura  and 
Theopholus.  Joshua  AVinn  and  his  wife  were  (Qua- 
kers, as  were  also  the  paternal  grandparents  of  our 
subject,  Jacob  and  Phebe  AVinn,  natives  of  Eng- 
land, who  emigrated  to  the  Tnited  Stales  when 
young. 

Robert  G.  Winn  was  given  a  good  common- 
school  education,  and  when  starting  out  in  life  on 
his  own  account  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  seven  years.  When  twenty 
years  of  age,  he  ciime  West  to  Michigan,  and,  loca- 
ting in  Detroit,  remained  there  a  short  time,  wiien 
he  went  to  Kalamazoo.  In  that  city  he  prosecuted 
his  trade  of  car[ienter  for  live  3'ears,  previous  to 
his  coming  to  !Manlius  Township,  Allegan  Country. 
In  the  above-named  township,  Mr.  AVinn  purchased 
one  hundred  acres  of  unimproved  land,  which  he 
lived  upon  until  1855,  when  he  disposed  of  that 
tract  and  bought  a  farm  in  Ganges  Township, 
which  was  at  lliat  time  partly  improved.  In  1871, 
our  sulijett  purchased  his  present  home  place, 
where  he  has  since  been  a  continuous  resident.  He 
has  given  tlie  greater  portion  of  his  estate  to  his  chil- 
dren, reserving  only  thirty  acres  for  himself.  That 
amount  he  Inui  in  fruit,  thus  making  it  a  most  de- 
lightful pla<-c  in  which  to  spend  the  summer 
months. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  married,  in  1839, 
Ut  Deborali  Carey,  and  to  them  were  boin  a  family 
of  ."(even  children,  three  of  whom  arc  yet  living: 
Hnlph,  Lydu  (Mrs.  Arthur  McCarthy),  and  Su.san, 
the  widow  of  Delancy  Collins.  After  the  death  of 
.Mrs.  Winn,  our  sulijcct  was  married  to  Soj)hla, 
daughter  of  Djivid  ami  Sally  Ilutchins.  Their 
union  wa.^*  blessed  by  the  birth  vf  a  daughter, 
Mary,  who  !.>*  now  the  wife  of  Henry  Piper.  Mr.s. 
Soplii;i  Winn  pa.nsed  from  this  life  in  1871,  when 
our  subject  was  n  lliird  lime  married,  his  present 
wife  l»cing  Mrs.  JiuHi  (\Iim.iim  MiNon.    Mrs.  Winn 


became  the  mother  of  eleven  children  by  her  first 
marriage,  nine  of  whom  are  living. 

The  political  creed  of  our  subject  is  found  in  the 
tenets  of  the  Republican  i)arty.  He  is  popular  in 
his  township,  and  has  often  been  called  upon  to 
represent  his  townsmen  in  [)ublie  office.  In  religious 
matters  he  is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  In  his  younger  days,  Mr.  AVinn  was  in 
the  Canadian  rebellion  known  as  Patrick's  Rebel- 
lion. It  was  on  account  of  the  position  that  he 
took  in  that  affair  that  he  was  compelled  to  come 
to  the  I'nited  States. 


-S- 


^^>-^^<^ 


<S) 


OIIX  L.  AA^IIEELKR.  The  gentleman  whose 
name  we  place  at  the  head  of  this  biograph- 
ical sketch  has  for  a  number  of  years  lieen 
engaged  in  settling  disputes,  and  is  the 
present  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Plainwell.  Mis 
parents  were  Cyrus  and  Elizabeth  (Snyder)  AVheeler, 
the  father  born  in  Herkshire  County,  Mass.,  No- 
vember 20,  1791.  Our  subject's  birth  occurred  in 
Marion,  AA^vne  County,  N.  Y.,  July  15,  1824. 

Moses  AVheeler,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
came  to  the  United  States  with  two  brothers,  who 
located  in  Massachusetts.  He  followed  the  ocean 
prior  to  his  marriage  with  Mary  1).  Brainard,  who 
came  of  a  noted  family  during  the  early  days  in  Con- 
necticut, manj'  members  of  whom  were  ministers. 
Cyrus  AVheeler,  the  father  of  John  L.,  removed  to 
;New  York  after  his  marriage,  where  he  made  his 
homo  on  a  farm  until  his  decease,  in  1852.  lie 
helped  to  survey  a  great  i)ortion  of  Wayne  County 
and  thus  became  familiar  with  all  the  corner-stones 
of  that  section.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  and  (.>ften  had  services  held 
in  his  home.  Our  subject's  mother  was  a  native  of 
New  Jersey  and  passed  away  in  1860,  when  in  lier 
seventy-eighth  .year,  firm  in  the  f.aitli  of  the  Meth- 
odist Ei)iscopal  Church.  Of  their  family  of  thir- 
teen children  only  two  are  living:  our  subject  and 
his  brother  Henjaiiiiu  1'.,  who  niiikes  his  home  in 
Kalamazoo. 

.Injiii  I..  AVheeler  was  rearrd  on  iiis  father's  f.'irm 
and  received  his  education  in  the  .sclioolhouse  wliiili 
stood  on  .'i  portion  of  his   parental   estate.     AVhen 


PORTRAIT  AND  EIOGRAnilCAL  RECORD. 


813 


eigliteeu  years  of  age,  his  fatlier  gave  the  manage- 
ment of  the  farm  to  him,  tlie  operations  of  whieli 
were  admirahly  and  successfully  conducted.  He 
continued  thus  engaged  until  the  death  of  hispar- 
ents,  wlu'u  he  came  to  ]Micliigan  and  located  in 
Martin  Township,  .Mlegnn  County,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  farm.  In  1881,  i\Ir.  Wheeler  retired  from 
the  active  life  of  an  agritailturist  and  removed  to 
riainwcll,  where  he  makes  his  home  at  the  present 
time.  The  marriage  ceremony-  which  united  Mr. 
Wheeler  and  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Miller  was  per- 
formed in  1858.  Mrs.  Wheeler  was  a  native  of 
New  York  and  the  daiighter  of  Bartholomew  and 
Elizabeth  (Dennis)  ]Miller,  natives  respectivcl}'  of 
Sing  Sing  and  Troy,  N.  Y.  The  father  was  a  sil- 
versmith and  was  working  at  his  trade  in  New 
York  City  at  the  time  of  his  marriage.  The  young 
couple  soon  emigrated  to  this  State  and  settled  in 
Plainwell  when  there  was  nothing  more  than  a 
few  scattering  houses  where  that  flourishing  vil- 
lage stands.  Mr.  MiUe'r  is  now  in  his  eightieth 
j-ear,  his  wife  being  seventy-seven.  Mrs.  Wheeler 
is  their  only  child  and  received  good  educational 
advantages.  Her  parents  have  lived  together  for 
fifty-seven  years  and  are  among  the  oldest  settlers 
of  this  section. 

Our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife  have  one 
daughter,  Adella,  who  makes  her  home  with  her 
parents.  She  has  been  given  a  good  education  and 
is  an  intelligent  and  cultured  young  lady.  She  is 
now  on  a  trip  to  Florida  for  the  improvement  of 
her  health.  In  politics, Mr.  Wheeler  votes  with  the 
Republican  party  and  on  ti'iat  ticket  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  when  only  twent\'-two  years 
of  age,  in  New  York.  After  coming  to  Michigan 
lie  served  two  terms  in  that  position  in  Martin 
Township.  He  is  the  present  incumbent  of  that 
office  in  Plainwell. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  owns  one  hundred 
and  twent}' acres  near  the  village  of  Martin,  which 
he  has  greatly  improved  since  locating  upon  it  in 
1869.  He  is  at  present  residing  at  his  beautiful 
home  on  North  Main  Street,  where  he,  witii  his 
family,  entertains  hosts  of  friends.  The  maternal 
grandparents  of  Mr. Wheeler,  Peter  and  Mary(Larri- 
som)  Snyder,  were  natives  of  New  Jersey.  They 
later  removed  to  Pennsylvania  and  settled  on  the 
14 


banks  of  the  Susquehanna  River,  whei-e  they  re- 
sided until  their  death.  The  grandfather  was  one 
of  the  [lioneers  of  thatsection  and  was  very  wealthy, 
owning  large  tracts  of  land.  He  also  owned  a  tan- 
nery and  carried  on  an  extensive  business  in  tlie 
manufacture  of  leather.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder  be- 
came the  parents  of  five  sons  and  three  daughters, 
all  of  whom  became  very  wealthy  and  are  residing 
in  different  parts  of  the  States.  Mr.  Wheeler  is  a 
constant  worker,  and  it  is  the  praj'er  of  all  his 
friends  that  he  and  his  good  wife  may  long  be 
spared   to  shed  abroad  their  beneficent  influence. 


^^RANK  LITTLE,  of  Kalamazoo,  eldest  son 
J  of  ITenr3'  and  Ruth  (Fuller)  Little,  was 
_  born    at  St.  Johnsbnry,  Vt,  September  29, 

1823.  The  family  emigrated,  in  October.  18.31, 
to  the  then  Territory  of  Michigan,  which  had  re- 
cently been  purchased  bj-  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Indians,  surveyed  and  offered  for 
sale.  The  pioneer  family  settled  upon  a  large 
prairie  farm  in  Richland,  Kalamazoo  County. 

During  boyhood,  j\Ir.  Little  assisted  his  father 
on  the  farm,  acquiring  in  the  meantime  a  practical 
education.  Leaving  home  in  Septeml)er,  1844,  he 
engaged  in  merchandising  at  Grand  Rapids,  Rich- 
land and  Kalamazoo,  and  conducted  the  business 
successfully  nearly  ten  j'cars. 

November  21,  1846,  Mr.  Little  was  married  to 
Miss  Cornelia  Elizabeth,  only  daughter  of  Deacon 
Rockwell  and  Celestia  E.  (May)  Rockwell,  natives 
of  Sandislield,  Mass.  Two  children  were  born  of 
the  union:  Isabelle  May,  wife  of  John  A.  Weeks, 
a  merchant  of  Yankton,  S.  Dak.;  and  Frances  E., 
wife  of  Dr.  Clarence  A.  Dolson,  of  Atlantic,  Iowa. 
There  are  now  three  grand-children:  John  R., 
Fleta  I\Iay  and  Gordon  A.  Weeks. 

Mr.  Little's  public  life  commenced  with  his 
election  as  Clerk  of  Richland  Township  in  1850 
and  Notarj'  Public  the  previous  year.  He  also 
served  as  Deputy  Postmaster,  School  Inspector  and 
Director,  and  since  1853  has  held  public  offices 
with  scarcely  any  interruption.  In  1856-57  he 
was    Sui)eiintendent  of    the    Kalamazoo     Public 


3U 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


^ 


Schools:  from  1859  to  1872  member  of  the  Board 
of  Education;  during  tlie  entire  period  Secretary 
of  the  Board  and  Librarian  of  the  Public  Librarj-. 
Other  positions  occupied  by  ^Ir.  Little  are  as  fol- 
lows: In  18G2-63,  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Blair 
Draft  Commissioner  of  Kalamazoo  County;  in  1864, 
Secretary  of  the  State  Sanitary  Kair  for  tlie  relief  of 
soldiere  in  the  war;  1867-68,  Clerk  of  Kalamazoo 
Township,  and  Village  Clerk,  four  years;  1883,mem- 


the  interests  of  the  community  of  which  lie  is  such 
a  worthy  member."' 

Some  few  years  since,  Mr.  Little  was  chosen 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  INIichigan  Jlillers' 
State  Association.  In  November,  1887,  tlie  Amer- 
ican Miller,  at  Chicago,  published  an  extended 
sketch  and  portrait  of  him,  and  paid  liim  this  glow- 
ing tribute:  "As  a  writer  for  the  jiress,  ]Mr.  Little 
is  especially  happy.     His  style    is    bold,  terse   and 


ber  of  the   Sewer   Commission    one    term;    in   the       jiointed.     His    reports,    papers  and  addresses  rend 


spring  of  1883,  prominent!)-  c(mneeted  with  and 
instrumental  in  securing  a  city  charter  for  Kala- 
mazoo and  in  drafting  the  bill  for  enactment. 

Commencing  in  18.57,  Mr.  Little  was  for  nearly 
thirty  yeai'S  the  very  popuhu-  and  etHcient  Secre- 
taiT  of  the  Kalamazoo  County  .Vgricultural  Society; 
eleven  3ears  First  Assistant  Secretary  of  Michigan 
State  Agricultural  Soeietj';  seven  years  Secretary 
of  the  ^lichigan  State  Association  of  Agricultural 
Societies,  an  association  largely  of  his  creation; 
also  connected  with  the  Kalamazoo  National  Park 
Hoi-se  As-sociation  of  earlier  times.  During  all 
that  long  period,  in  connection  with  otiicr  duties, 
Mr.  Little  was  an  indefatigable  and  voluminous 
writer  for  tlie  press  and  his  numerous  treatises, 
essays  and  pul)lic  addresses  upon  various  subjects 
attracted  much  attention  and  were  extensively 
(luolcd  in  piililic  documents  and  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Little  was  chosen  Secretaiy  of  the  Millers' 
National  A.ssociation  of  the  United  States  at  its  first 
annual  convention  in  Chicago,  in  .lanuarv,  1871, 
and  re-elected  annually  thereafter  until  May,  1879. 
Thfi  Miller,  of  London,  England,  paid  Mr.  Little 
tlie  voluntary  high  compliment  of  publishing  a 
sketch  of  his  life,  with  a  portrait  as  frontispiece. 
S[ieaking  of  bis  connection  with  the  National  As- 
.•tociation  as  Secrelary  and  his  retirement  from 
olllcc,  it  said:  "There  can  be  no  doubt  that  no  in- 
con.sidcrablc  share  of  the  success  that  has  attended 
the  Associatinii  is  due  to  Mr.  Little's  ellicieiicv  as 
Secretary,  a  position  for  which  lie  was  eminently 
(|unlifiad  lioth  by  general  and  special  intelli"ence. 
The  assiK-iatJKii  was  exceedingly  fortunate  in  hav- 
ing the  nerviccs  of  such  an  odicial  during  the  first 
and  trying  period  of  its  existence.  He  is  a  tlio- 
roughly  capable  man  and  our  trust  is  tli;it  he  may 
long  have  the  piivlliuc  of   niding  and  piomoting 


before  various  societies  have  always  been  regarded 
as  models  of  clearness  and  accuracy.  Ilis  writings 
are  eminently  practical.  As  an  agricultural  !iu- 
tlioritj-  he  cannot  be  surpassed.  On  all  subjects, 
politics  included,  his  views  are  sensible,  sound  and 
forcible;  he  is  pre-eminently  a  man  of  and  for  the 
times,  devoting  his  life  to  furthering  the  useful- 
ness, happiness  and  improvement  of  the  luunaii 
race." 

For  many  years  Mr.  Little  has  been  prominently 
connectecl  with  the  County  Pioneer  Society  and  is 
at  present  its  etlicient  [iresident.  In  the  campaign 
of  1888  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Re- 
presentative in  the  First  District,  but  was  defeated, 
the  district  being  largely  Repulilican.  He  has  been 
Chief  Correspondent  and  Stalistii'al  Crop  Repor- 
ter to  the  Agricultural  Department  in  Washington, 
for  Kalamazoo  County,  full\'  thirty  years,  and 
still  fills  that  position.  A  recent  article  of  his  on 
"Celery  Culture  in  Kalamazoo"  was  published  in 
the  annual  volume  of  the  Department  for  1886. 

Ill  the  "Biographical  Sketches  of  Eminent  Self- 
made  Men  of  Michigan,"  the  editor  gives  the  fol- 
lowing just  estimate  of  Mr.  Little's  character:  "In 
all  the  various  positiims  assigned,  Mr.  Lilllo  has 
shown  the  strictest  integrity  and  faithfulness,  a 
capacity  for  business  details  of  no  coinnion  order, 
an  energy  and  force  of  character  truly  remarkable, 
discharging  every  trust  to  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  all  concerned.  He  is  inethodieal,  thorough  and 
painstaking  in  luisiness  matters,  a  man  of  very 
sound  judgment,  laro  power  of  mind,  of  ninch 
rert<liiig  and  general  intelligence.  For  i|uit(^  a 
number  of  years  he  has  been  a  freiiueiit 
contributtir  to  the  local  press,  treating  various 
<|uestions  of  public  interest  with  such  signal 
ability    as  to   give    direction  to    popular  thought, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


315 


aiirl  call  forth  coinniendalions  from  persons  of 
high  culture  and  intelligence."  The  editor  fur- 
ther says:  "IMr.  Little  has  marked  personal  char- 
acteristics. I  le  regards  every  subject  with  exact- 
itude and  precision.  His  logic  is  irresistible,  his 
methods  conscientious  and  exhaustive,  his  opera- 
tions minute  and  accurate.  More  clearly  than 
most  men  he  sees  things  as  they  are.  This  trait 
of  mental  truthfulness  pervades  his  whole  moral 
and  religious  nature.  In  business  and  social  rela- 
tions his  rectitude  is  proverbial,  his  word  stands 
unquestioned  by  all.  Like  all  men  of  genuine 
merit  he  is  unostentatious,  never  pLacing  himself 
in  the  foreground.  Too  conscientious  to  resort  to 
(juestionable  modes  of  political  preferment,  he  has 
in  consequence  never  sought  tiiose  higher  positions 
of  honor  and  trust  in  the  Commonwealth  for  which 
his  superior  qualities  so  emineutlj'  fit  him." 

In  connection  with  this  biographical  notice,  the 
attention  of  the  reader  is  invited  to  a  lithographic 
portrait  of  Mr.  Little. 


,ETER  G.  HOAG.  This  pleasant  and  benev- 
olent gentleman  is  the  proprietor  of  a  grist 
mill  in  Otsego.  He  was  born  February  20, 
1829,  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  a 
son  of  Peter  Hoag,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State.  The  father  carried  on  farming  and  died  in 
December,  1828.  The  Hoag  fain ilj' were  Quakers 
and  several  generations  back  came  from  Wales. 
The  mother  of  Peter  G.  was  known  in  her  maiden 
days  as  Abigail  Mott.  She  was  a  native  of  the 
same  State  as  were  her  husband  and  son,  and  passed 
from  this  life  in   1850. 

Peter  G.  Hoag,  wliose  name  heads  tiiis  sketch, 
was  the  youngest  of  eight  children,  his  birth  occur- 
ring two  months  after  his  father's  decease.  The 
mother  kept  her  little  family  together  and  re- 
mained in  Dutchess  County  until  1835,  when  they 
removed  to  AAXvne  County,  same  State.  In  1844 
Mrs.  Hoag  with  her  children,  with  the  exception 
of  the  eldest  son,  who  remained  in  New  York, 
came  West  as  far  as  Michigan  and  located  on  a 
farm  in  .Tackson  County. 

Our  subject  was  given  a    fair  education    in  the 


common  schools,  wliicli  w.as  supplemented  by  at- 
tendance at  an  academy'  and  by  two  terms  at  the 
Olivet  College.  Thus  he  was  fortified  to  battle 
more  successfully  with  life.  In  the  fall  of  1845 
he  went  to  Marengo,  Calhoun  County',  this  State, 
whore  he  engaged  to  learn  the  wagon-maker's  trade. 
He  remained  there,  working  at  that  business  for 
five  years,  and  the  following  winter  visited  New 
York  State.  Returning  to  Michigan,  he  spent  a 
twelvemonth  in  St.  .Tose|)h,  and  in  1852  started 
with  a  part}^  from  St.  Joe  to  California,  taking  the 
overland  route  with  ox-teams.  They  were  five 
months  making  the  trip,  leaving  homo  Marcli  11 
and  arriving  in  the  Golden  State,  August  11. 
While  there  our  subject  was  engaged  in  mining 
and  carpentering,  but  did  not  remain  long,  how- 
ever, as  in  the  spring  of  1856  he  returned  to  Mich- 
gan,  via  the  Isthmus  and  New  York.  For  the 
succeeding  fifteen  months,  he  worked  at  his  trade 
in  Albion.  He  has  always  made  a  success  of  what- 
ever he  undertook. 

Miss  Amy  A.  Pierce  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Hoag, 
their  marriage  being  celebrated  .January  1,  1857. 
She  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  is  a  most  excel- 
lent lady,  having  hosts  of  warm  friends  throughout 
this  county.  After  his  marriage  our  subject  loca- 
ted on  a  tract  of  land  in  Marengo  Township,  Cal- 
houn County,  where  he  continued  to  cultivate  the 
soil  for  sixteen  years.  In  the  spring  of  1874,  de- 
ciding to  leave  the  farm,  he  came  to  Allegan 
County,  and  in  Otsego  purchased  a  gristmill, 
which  lie  has  operated  with  signal  success  since 
that  time. 

Mrs.  Amy  A.  Hoag  is  the  daughter  of  Nathan 
and  Amy  (Aldrich)  Pierce,  natives  respectivel3' 
of  Berkshire  County,  ]\Iass.,  and  Rhode  Island. 
The  parents  were  married  in  Manchester.  N.  Y.,  in 
1817,  and  reared  a  family  of  seven  children, six  of 
whom  are  still  living.  Mr.  Pierce  was  a  farmer, 
and  on  coming  to  Michigan  in  1832,  settled  on  a 
tract  of  Land  in  Washtenaw  County,  which  the 
father  had  purchased  from  the  Government.  It 
was  in  a  perfectly  wild  state  when  it  came  into  his 
possession,  but  with  his  charact«ristic  thrift  and 
industry  he  brought  it  to  a  high  degree  of  culti- 
vation and  at  his  death,  in  1861,  it  was  in  a  most 
excellent  condition.     His  good  wife  preceded  him 


316 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


to  the  better  land  in  1860.  ilr.  Pierce's  patriot- 
ism was  manifested  by  his  service  in  the  AVar  of 
1812,  and  his  interest  in  the  count\-'s  welfare  made 
of  him  a  go<:id  citizen.  Mrs.  Pierce  was  reared  in 
the  Quaker  faith. 

Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Hoag,  of  this  sketch,  have  had  no 
children.  Mrs.  Iloajj  is  noteil  for  her  skill  as  a 
housewife  and  caretaker  and  is  a  very  capable  and 
lovable  woman.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  Whig 
in  politics,  but  on  the  organization  of  llie  Republi- 
can party  joined  its  ranks  and  is  now  a  strong  Prohi- 
bitionist. His  superior  executive  abilit}'  was  recog- 
nized by  his  fellow-townsmen  and  he  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  while  residing  in  Marengo 
Township,  Calhoun  County.  Since  coming  to 
Otsego,  he  has  been  President  and  Trustee  of  the 
village  for  several  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Good  Templars  and  is  doing  much  toward  for- 
warding the  cause  of  temperance  in  this  township. 
His  good  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  and  is  an  active  member  of  the 
"Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  and  also  of 
the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 


— .j..;..^.;.  ^g^g  4..5.^..5." 


ARRIS  S.  IIAIGHT. 


To  this    gentleman 


jji  and  his  associates  in  the  farming  commun- 
ity of  Otsego  Township,  Allegan  County 
is  much  indebted  for  what  the}'  have  ac- 
complished in  redeeming  this  section  from  the 
wilderness  and  developing  it  into  a  finely  improved 
agricultural  center.  Mr.  Ilaight  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  N.  Y.,  .Vugust  26,  1838.  His 
parents  were  Israel  and  SallicM.  (Ilutton)  Ilaight, 
who  were  also  natives  of  New  York,  the  father  hav- 
ing been  l>f)rn  in  1802,  and  tlie  mother  July  7,  1801. 
In  Septeml)er,  1862,  they  left  their  old  home  in  New 
York  to  found  a  new  one  in  Michigan,  and  scttU-d 
in  Allegan  Township,  where  the  father  continued 
hl.s  occupation  a.s  a  fanner.  He  lived  to  be  a  very 
old  man,  and  died  Ai)ril  .'5,  1887,  aged  eighty-five, 
thus  closing  a  long  and  honorable  life.  He  was 
strict  in  his  religious  views,  and  was  a  Close-Com- 
munion liaptist,  his  wife,  who  survives  hini,  also 
belonging  If)  tiiat  church.  She  is  a  welcome  in- 
mate of  the  home  of  her  son    of  wlK)in    we  write, 


and  is  passing  her  declining  years  surrounded  by 
ever}-  comfort  filial  love  can  devise.  Of  her  four- 
teen children  nine  are  living. 

Our  subject  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer, 
and  remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until  lie 
was  nineteen  years  old.  In  1857  he  resolved  to 
see  something  of  life  in  the  "Western  States  and 
started  for  Illinois.  He  found  employment  after 
his  arrival  in  that  State  in  Hancock  County.  A  few 
months  later  he  returned  to  New  Y'ork,  and  in 
1860  came  to  Michigan,  but  at  that  time  only 
spent  a  few  months  here  in  Allegan,  going  back  in 
the  fall  of  the  3-ear  to  his  old  home.  In  1863  lie 
came  to  Michigan,  this  time  with  a  view  to  per- 
manently settling  in  this  State.  lie  at  first  farmed 
on  shares  in  Allegan  Township  for  six  years.  In 
1867  he  purchased  his  present  farm  in  Otsego 
Township,  and  located  on  it  in  1869.  "V\'^hen  it 
came  into  his  possession  it  was  entirely  covered 
with  timber,  and  it  is  only  by  patient  pioneer 
labor  that  he  has  brought  it  to  its  present  fine  con- 
dition, which  i>laces  it  among  the  most  desirable 
farms  in  the  township  in  ever}' respect.  He  at  first 
built  a  small  frame  house  for  a  dwelling,  but  has 
replaced  it  by  a  more  commodious  residence,  and 
has  substantial  buildings  for  every  purpose  on  liis 
place.  He  has  seventy-eight  acres  of  laud  in  all. 
and  his  fields  are  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
He  raises  all  kinds  of  stock,  and  from  that  source 
obtains  a  goodly  income.  He  has  all  the  most  ap- 
proved modern  machinery  for  farming  jiurposes, 
and  for  several  years  he  made  a  business  of  thresii- 
ing  grain  for  others.  He  started  out  in  life  with- 
out any  means,  and  that  he  is  now  well-to-do  is 
owing  to  his  capacity  for  work,  his  excellent  judg- 
ment in  all  matters  pertaining  to  liis  calling,  and 
to  his  careful  management  of  his  affairs.  High 
principles  of  probity  and  honor  have  guided  his 
life  from  the  outset,  and  lie  has  kcj)!  the  record  un- 
blotted  by  keei)ing  to  tlie  right  in  all  his  dealings. 
Ho  is  cxeniphiiy  in  his  haliits,  has  always  been  a 
strong  advoc;ilr  nl'  temperance,  which  he  carries 
into  politics,  and  Is  cldscly  identified  Avitli  the 
Prohibition  paity.  In  his  social  relations,  he  is  a 
Mason.  He  was  Highway  Commissioner  four  years, 
and  h.as  always  done  his  best  to  proiimti'  iMteiiial 
iiii|)r()Vciiu'iitN  in  liis  adopte<l  township. 


Portrait  and  biograppiical  record. 


317 


Mr.  H.aight's  marriage  with  Miss  Melissa  Patten, 
of  New  York,  March  14,  1854,  has  contiibutcd  in 
no  small  degree  to  his  well-being.  Mrs.  Ilaiglit  is 
a  superior  woman,  of  fine  character  and  amiable 
disposition,  and  is  indeed  a  true  homemaker,  being 
a  model  housekeeper,  and  looking  closely  to  the 
comfort  of  her  household.  To  her  and  our  subject 
have  been  born  two  children:  Emma,  wife  of 
Frank  Town,  a  farmer  of  this  township;  and  Ettie, 
wife  of  .John  Q.  Adams,  also  a  farmer  of  this  town- 
ship. 

V ♦^♦^v / 


/ 


^•J-SS-!- 


A 


y*;ILLIAM  W.  JOHNSTON  owns  a  farm  on 
/  section  15,  Casco  Township,  Allegan 
Countj-,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
and  prosperous  farmers  of  the  township.  He  was 
born  in  Indiana,  in  1824,  being  a  native  of  F.ayettc 
County.  John  Johnston  is  the  name  of  the  father 
of  our  subject  and  he  was  born  in  New  .Jersey,  in 
1784.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  in  his 
native  State.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  of 
seven  years  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and 
followed  his  trade  most  of  his  life  in  connection 
with  his  farming  duties.  An  instance  of  his  early 
life,  which  he  liked  to  repeat,  was  that  he  worked 
on  the  first  sawmill  that  was  ever  heard  of.  He 
married,  in  New  .Jersey,  Miss  Mary  Gifford,  who 
became  the  mother  of  our  subject.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  A.  Gifford,  a  native  of  New  Jersey. 
After  their  marriage,  thej-  emigrated  to  New  York 
State  and  thence  down  the  Ohio  River  to  Indiana 
and  located  where  our  subject  was  born.  There  he 
purchased  Land  of  the  Government  and  lived  the 
remainder  of  his  d.ays.  He  was  one  of  Fay- 
ette County's  earliest  pioneers,  settling  in  the 
woods  among  the  Indians.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  their  home 
was  blessed  bv  the  advent  of  thirteen  children, 
twelve  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and  woman- 
hood, and  nine  still  survive.  In  politics,  John 
Johnston  was  a  Whig.  He  was  a  son  of  William 
Johnston,  an  Englishman  bj'  birth.  On  the  mo- 
ther's side,  our  subject  is  descended  from  Irish 
stock. 

At  the  age  of  twent^'-one  years,  our  subject  be- 


gan for  himself.  lie  first  commenced  by  working 
on  farms  for  other  people.  His  first  purchase  of 
land  was  in  his  native  State,  which  he  bought  from 
the  Government.  It  was  a  part  of  tlie  Miami 
Indian  Reservation.  In  18G4  our  subject  came  to 
Allegan  County,  this  State,  and  purchased  the 
tract  on  which  his  farm  is  situated  in  Casco  Town- 
ship. He  came  here  with  team  and  wagon,  spend- 
ing six  days  on  the  way  and  was  obliged  to  hew 
out  a  road  to  his  own  farm  in  order  to  get  there. 
It  then  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres. 
Of  this  he  now  li.as  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres, 
which  is  in  a  fine  condition. 

The  lady  who  became  the  wife  of  our  subject 
was  in  her  maiden  days  Mary  Overhiser,  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Elizabeth  Overhiser.  Their 
marriage  took  place  November  10,  1851.  Their 
fireside  has  been  blessed  I)y  the  birth  of  seven 
children,  all  living  except  one,  who  died  in  infancy. 
Tliose  living  are  named  .John  C.,  Amanda,  Cliarles 
M.,  Adelbert,  Theron  and  Marion.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Johnston  is  n  member  of  the  Third  F'arty,  hav- 
ing voted  with  the  Prohibitionists.  He  has 
often  been  called  upon  to  hold  different  local  of- 
fices of  his  township.  When  he  first  came  to  this 
county,  his  nearest  express  oftice  was  twenty-eight 
miles  aw.ay,  and  his  postottice  was  at  Glenn,  this 
countv.  Mr.  Johnston  now  resides  in  Lacota,  Van 
Buren  County. 


"S] 


ellARLES  C.  SPEAR.  This  gentleman,  who 
is  one  of  the  prominent  merchants  of  AUe- 
gan,  was  born  in  Charlotte  Township,  Chit- 
tenden Count.y,  Vt.,  August  23,  1828.  His  parents 
were  Francis  .and  Sophia  (Feleh)  Spear,  also  natives 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Stale.  The}'  came  to 
Michigan  in  1834,  and  settled  in  Gull  Prairie,  re- 
maining there  for  eighteen  months,  when  they  came 
to  Allegan  Count}'.  Here  the  mother  died  in  De- 
cember, 1844.  Her  husband  then  made  Ottawa 
County,  this  State,  his  home  for  a  few  years;  then 
returning  to  Allegan  County  he  resided  here  a 
short  time  and  afterward  went  to  live  with  a 
daughter  in  Kalamazoo  County.  His  daughter 
had    married   W.    J.     Humphrey,   and    with     her 


318 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Francis  Spear  made  his  home  until  accidentally 
drowned  in  1876.  He  was  an  Abolitionist  and 
gi'eatly  esteemed  b_v  his  neighbors  and  acquain- 
tances. 

Charles  C.  Spear  was  one  of  a  family  of  eight 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Almira,  Electa, 
Marv,  Charles  C,  Henry  F.,  and  Lucy  L.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Allegan 
County,  and  when  reaching  his  sixteenth  j'ear 
sUirted  out  for  himself,  being  variously  engaged. 
He  worked  first  in  the  lumber  woods,  then  on 
rafts  and  steamboats  on  the  Grand  River,  and  later 
as  driver  of  a  stage  coach.  He  came  to  Allegan 
County  in  1852  and  engaged  to  work  in  a  sawmill. 
He  launched  out  in  the  livery  business  for  his 
next  occupation.  Ilis  m.arriago  taking  place  about 
that  time,  he  with  his  family  took  a  Western  trip, 
but  not  liking  the  country  returned  to  Allegan 
where  Mr.  Spear  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade. 
He  afterward  clerked  in  tiie  Grange  store  with  A. 
Stageman  for  three  j'ears  and  four  months  and 
went  into  the  produce  business,  which  he  followed 
successfully  until  establishing  in  his  present  profit- 
able business, 

^liss  Mary  .leffs,  a  native  of  Northami)tonshire, 
England,  became  the  wife  of  our  subject  in  1856, 
their  marriage  being  celebrated  at  Alli>gan.  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  .Spear  were  Charles  and  Kcbecca 
(Hanger)  Jeffs,  also  natives  oi  iMigland.  The 
mother  died  in  her  native  country  in  184.3,  and 
after  her  dece.a.sc  Mr.  Jeffs  came  lo.Vmerica  in  1850 
with  his  five  children  and  settled  in  Allegan 
County,  this  State.  The  jjarental  family  included 
Ilarrift.  Mrs.  Jiihn  Heynolils,  who  died  in  Chicago, 
1 II.;  Emm:t,  .Mrs. Samuel  (  lipson  of  Allegan  County, 
who  is  now  deceased;  Thomas  who  died  in  the 
above-named  cnuiily;  Mary, the  wife  of  our  subject, 
and  I'lli/.a,  .Mrs.  ]•".  \i.  Sowcrsby,  of  Chicago,  111. 
-Mr.  Jeff.-,  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  carried  on  the 
bii>iner.s  in  .MIcgan  foi-  »oriie  time.  Later  he  pur- 
clia-cd  a  farm  two  and  onc-(|iiartt'r  miles  east  of 
yMlegan,  which  he  Improved  and  resided  on  until 
his  decease,  in   |MM(I. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spears  hiivc  been  born  live  chil- 
dren: Emma  L.,  Francis  L.,  Rebecca  E.,  Charles  J. 
and  Harriet  K.  Francis  L.  is  al  Flag  Staff,  Ari- 
Zon;i.  where  he  is  eni.'.'iL'i'd  in  a     \vli(>le>:ile    jinil    le- 


tail  grocery  store;  Rebecca  E.  is  a  teacher  in  Clyde 
Township,  Allegan  County.  Socially,  Mr.  Speare 
is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising 
and  well-to-do  merchants  of  Allegan. 


>}:|-^"l^li|^^^^— 


C50- 


S?  OTT  HEAVrrr.  a  worthy  place  anK)ng 
ll  (^  the  pioneers  of  Michigan  was  held  liy  this 
/I'— ^\s  gentleman,  who  came  hither  when  the 
countiy  was  new  and  comparatively  unsettled, 
and,  daring  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  made  his 
home  in  Kalamazoo  until  he  died  at  a  good  old 
age.  His  birlhplace  was  in  Lenox,  .Madison  County. 
N.  Y.,  and  the  date  of  his  birth,  July  23,  1811,  his 
jiarents  being  Palmer  and  iSIcixy  (Kimball)  Hewitt. 
His  early  years  were  passed  upon  the  old  home 
stead  until  his  father's  second  uianiage,  when  the 
family  became  separated  and  were  never  afterward 
reunited. 

AVlien  ready  to  establish  a  home  of  his  own,  l\lr. 
Hewitt  was  married  September  8,  1837,  to  l\Iiss 
Phebe,  daughter  of  William  and  Jlelietable  (John- 
son) Paddock.  She  was  a  native  of  Herkimer 
County,  and  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  was  twenty 
years  old.  The  young  couple  remained  on  a  rented 
farm  for  two  years,  and,  in  lK3'.t,  came  thence  to 
Jackson  County,  Mich.,  securing  new  land  and  im- 
proving a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres. 
After  embellishing  it  with  substantial  buildings, 
and  Ijringing  it  to  a  high  cultivation,  they  sold  it 
and  removed  to  another  farm,  in  1859. 

The  date  of  the  arrival  of  JSIr.  Hewitt  in  ]v;ila- 
mazoo  was  18(58,  and  two  years  after  his  advent, 
he  opened  a  grocery  store  and  continued  thus  en- 
gaged until  his  death,  December  31,  1887.  How- 
ever, ill  he:ilth  had  precluded  attention  to  business 
for  six  je.ars  piior  to  his  demise.  A  man  of  stir- 
ring activities  ;ind  deep  interest  in  jmblie  meas- 
ures, he  found  a  political  home  within  the  Hepub- 
lican  party,  to  which  he  always  adhered.  His 
nature  w.as  retiring,  and  those  who  knew  liiin  best, 
were  most  tenderly  devoted  to  him  and  most 
thoroughly  ni)preciated  the  depth  of  liis  nature 
and  warmth  of  his  affections. 

The  only  son  of  .Air.  and  Mrs.  Hewitt  is  I'.erlrand 
Palmer  Hewitt,  who  received  his  education  in  Kal- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


319 


amazoo  College  and  at  the  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary,  Chicago.  Having  decided  to  enter  upon 
the  ministry,  lie  was  ordained  at  Kendall,  Van 
Bnren  County,  as  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  at  once  took  charge  of  tlie  church  at  Gales- 
burg.  His  present  liome  is  in  Hammond,  Ind., 
where  he  is  officiating  as  pastor  of  the  church  and 
occupies  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  his  con- 
gregation. The  daugliter  of  our  subject  is  Melone 
C,  wife  of  T.  A.  Palmer,  a  farmer  in  Van  Buren 
Count}',  whose  skctcli  will  be  found  elsewliere. 

At  present  Homer  Spurgeon,  son  of  Rev.  B.  P. 
Hewitt,  an  intelligent  lad  of  sixteen,  is  making 
Ills  home  witii  his  grandmother  and  attending 
the  Kalamazoo  College.  His  brother,  Paul,  five 
years  younger  than  himself,  is  with  his  parents 
in  Hammond.  Mrs.  Hewitt  is  a  lady  of  great 
charit}'  and  kindness  of  heart,  to  whom  the  desti- 
tut(!  never  appeal  in  vain,  and  whose  benevolent 
disposition  finds  abundant  exercise  in  the  various 
lines  of  i)liilanthropic  work  in  which  she  is  en- 
gaged. 


jILLIAjM  G.  ROWE  owns  and  operates  a 
good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
^  acres  on  section  2.5,  Cheshire  Township, 
Allegan  County,  of  which  ninety  acres  are  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  jneld  him  a 
golden  tribute.  In  connection  with  the  well-tilled 
fields  many  improvements  indicate  the  enterprise 
and  thi'ift  of  the  owner.  He  also  pays  some  atten- 
tion to  the  raising  of  farm  stock,  making  a  specialty 
of  horses  and  now  has  in  his  possession  the  fine 
horse,  "Wilkes,"  four  years  old.  He  also  owned  at 
one  time  "Black  Hawk."  In  his  business  career  he 
has  been  quite  successful  and  is  now  numbered 
among  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  community. 
ISIr.  Rowe  was  liorn  in  Cazcuovia  Township, 
Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  a  son  of  William 
C.  Rowe.  a  New  York  farmer,  born  in  Coitland 
County.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  a  Revolu- 
tionar}'  soldier,  who  served  for  seven  years  in  the 
War  for  Independence.  W.  C.  Rowe  wedded 
Mary  Andrews,  a  native  of  Madison  Countj',  N. 
Y.,  and  a  daughter  of  AVilliam  G.  Andrews,  who 
was  a  Drum  IMajor  in  the  War  of  1812.     He  came 


to  Michigan  in  1841,  locating  in  Monroe  County. 
For  some  time  he  served  as  De.acon  in  the  Baptist 
Church  and  was  an  honorable,  upright  man,  re- 
spected by  all  who  knew  him.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  came  to  Michigan  in  1844.  They  located 
in  Allegan,  which  was  then  a  small  hamlet,  con- 
taining only  a  few  dwi^llings  and  one  store.  Mr. 
Kowe  operated  a  sawmill  for  .Justin  Ely  for  four 
years  and  then  removed  to  an  unimproved  fiuin  in 
Watson  Township.  His  nearest  neighbor  in  one 
direction  was  a  mile  away,  and  in  the  opposite 
direction  was  f(jur  miles  distant.  The  work  of 
progress  and  civilization  seemed  scarcely-  begun  in 
the  county,  and  tiie  usual  hardships  of  pioneer  life 
fell  to  the  lot  of  the  family.  The  mother,  who 
was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
died  in  1852,  and  Mr.  Rowe  aftei- wards  married 
Nancy  Martin,  who  is  still  living.  His  death  oc- 
curred February  7,  1889,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years  and  thirty  days.  He  was  a  stanch  Re- 
publican in  politics.  He  served  as  Treasurer  of  Wat- 
son Township  and  was  Highway  Commissioner  for 
many  years.  His  many  excellencies  of  character 
won  him  high  regard,  and  his  death  ijroved  a  loss 
to  the  entire  community.  Seven  children  were 
born  unto  William  and  Mary  Rowe,  of  whom  four 
are  yet  living:  AViUiam  G.,  Charles  Henry,  Marj' 
Jane,  wife  of  W.  Feek,  and  Alex.  H.  Two  of  the 
sons  served  in  the  Civil  War.  Charles  H.,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Twenty-eighth  Michigan  Infantry,  wore 
the  blue  for  nine  months  and  was  then  discharged 
on  account  of  disabilitj'. 

We  now  take  up  the  personal  history  of  our  suli- 
ject,  who  was  born  October  17,  1837,  and  was 
therefore  only  seven  years  old  when  he  came  to 
this  county.  Amid  the  wild  scenes  of  pioneer  life 
he  was  reared  to  manhood  and  was  early  inured  to 
the  hard  labors  of  the  farm.  Like  a  dutiful  son, 
he  remained  at  home  until  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  then  began  life  for  himself,  working  at  chop- 
ping and  logging  for  ¥1.3  per  month.  In  eight 
months  he  lost  only  two  days'  time,  and  for  over 
two  years  was  emploj-ed  b}-  Ira  Chaffee  in  the  lum- 
ber woods. 

In  August,  1862, Mr.  Rowe  donned  the  blue  and 
joined  Company-  I, of  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry, 
but  before  mustered  into  the  United  States  service, 


320 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


n 


was  transferred   to  Company  L,  Fourth  ^Michigan 
Cavalry,  wluc-h  was  organized  at  Detroit.     He  en- 
listed as  a  private,  but  was  promoted   to  Corporal 
and  served  three  years.     The  regiment  went  into 
camp  at  Jeflfersonville,Ind.,  then  proceeded  to  Lec- 
banon,  Ky.,  after  Gen.  Morgan.     There  Mr.  Rowe 
was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital  in  Louis- 
ville. Ky.     He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Murf  rees- 
boro,  Tenn.,  and  afterwards  went  on  a  fourteen 
days'  scouting   expedition.      Later,  typhoid-pneu- 
mouia  again  confined  him  to  the  hospital,  and  for 
two  months  he  lost  bis  voice  and  was  sent  back  to 
^licliigan.     On  his  recovery  he  rejoined   his  regi- 
ment in  Iluiitsville,  Ala.,  and  reported  at  the  Pro- 
vost-Marshal's   office,  in   Stevenson.      He   served 
under  Gen.  Stanley  !McCook  and  took  part  in  the 
Wilson  raid.     For   fourteen   da^ys   he  was   in    the 
front  skirmish  line  before  Atlanta  and   then  went 
to  the  rear  of  the  city,  cutting  the  roads  through 
to  .lonesboro,  under  Gen.  Kilpalrick.     The  troops 
made  a  desperate  charge  through  tlie  enemy's  lines, 
and  later,  under  Gen.  Stoneman,  proceeded  as  far 
as  Stone  Mountain,  where  they  were  surrounded 
by  the  enemy  and   again  broke  through  tiic  ranks. 
They  saw  much  hard  fighting  and  skirmisliing  and 
did    effective   service.      Tliey    took    Seluia,    Ala., 
capturing  three  thousand  prisoners  and  took  pos- 
session of  Snake  Creek  Gap.  With  five  companions, 
Mr.  Rowe  ran   into  a  company    of    two    hundred 
rebels,  who  shot  his  horse  through  the  neck,  while 
a  ball  burned  his  own  cheek.     By  a  rebel  Captain 
he  was  ordered  to  surrender,  or  his   brains  would 
be  blown  out,  but  our  subject  refused.     The  Cap- 
lain  tiien  struck  liiin  in  tiie  head  with  his  revolver 
and   again    made  .a  rush   at   him,  l)ut  was    struck 
down   by   Mr.  Kdwc,  who  escaped.     His  regiment 
had   the  honor  of  capturing   .Teff    Davis.     When 
the    war   w.-vs   over,   and   the   country    no   longer 
needed  his  services,  he  was  honorably  discharged, 
and  returned  If)  his  home. 

On  ag.'iiii  coming  North,  Mr.  |{<iwe  turiiecl  iiis 
attention  to  farming.  He  was  married  on  the 
2Hth  of  .June,  IHGC,  to  Alice!  I,.  It.'irlicro,  daughter 
of  Kdward  and  Rachel  (llaldwin)  ISarlicro,  who 
cnmc  to  Michigan  in  iK.'i.'t  and  setllrd  at  Ohio  Cor- 
nct^  in  Hopkins  Township  upon  a  raw  farm.  Her 
father   was  n  (•iM)pi'r   by  tr.-idc,  and    died   in    l!S.')i). 


!Mrs.  Barbero  afterwards  became  the  wife  of  Daniel 
Leggett,  now  deceased,  and  she  is  still  living  at 
the  age  of  sixty  3-ears.  Mrs.  Rowe,  who  was  born 
in  1849,  was  one  of  three  children,  and  by  her 
marriage  has  become  the  mother  of  three  children: 
Cora.  Eddie  and  Shirlej-.  The  eldest  is  the  wife 
of  John  Weihuer,  and  they  have  two  children. 

In  December,  1860,  Mr.  Rowe  settled  upon  the 
farm  which  he  still  operates,  and,  although  it  was 
then  a  raw  tract  of  land,  his  industry  and  unceas- 
ing labors  soon  made  it  one  of  fertility.  In  his  so- 
cial relations  he  is  a  member  of  the  (irand  Army 
Post  B.  F.  Chapin,  No.  287,  and  has  been  an  office- 
holder since  its  organization.  He  exercises  his 
right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  has  served  as  member  of  the  School 
Board  for  nine  years  and  lias  l)een  Treasurer  of  the 
township  for  six  3'ears.  His  retention  in  ollice 
indicates  the  faithfulness  with  which  he  discharges 
his  duty  and  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  his 
fellow-townsmen. 


\IU.  ENRY  L.  MILLER,  M.  D.  .\mong  Iho 
K  )jj  proiuiui'iit  and  most  inlhionti.al  members  of 
/4W^  professional  and  social  circles  of  Otsego,  is 
[(^1  the  gentleman  whose  name  we  place  at  tiie 
head  of  this  sketch.  Although  young  in  years,  he 
has  gained  a  breadth  of  view  and  soundness  of 
judgment,  which,  added  to  his  naturally  keen 
abilities  and  thorough  course  of  study,  have  made 
him  a  man  among  men,  worthy  of  the  respect  and 
admiiatioii  of  tlie  people  among  whom  he  lives. 

Dr.  Henry  L.  Miller  is  a  native  of  Canada,  liv- 
ing been  born,  .lune  10,  18.");!,  in  Ilaniiltdii,  ( )nta,- 
rio.  He  is  the  son  of  .)t>lin  J.  MilK'r,  wlio  was  born 
in  1830,  near  lli'iiiii,  Geniiaiiy.  The  father  (•.•imc 
to  America  when  eigiiteen  years  of  age  and  lo- 
cated near  Rociiester,  N.  V.  He  remained  there 
for  some  liiiir  and  laic  [•  went  lo  I  laiiiilloii,  (  )iil:nio, 
where  he  met  and  iii;iriied  the  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, and  was  ein|)loyc(l  in  railroad  business,  being 
connected  with  the  coii>-liU('tion  of  a  portion  of 
the  Great  ^\■esterll  Uoad, 

In   18(;2,  Mr.  .lohii  ,1.  .Miller  eaine  to  the    I'nited 


i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL  RECORD. 


323 


States  and,  locatino:  in  Michigan,  was  given  the 
po.sition  of  Trat'lviiiastci'  on  tiie  Michigan  Cential 
Railroad  from  Detroit  to  Jackson.  At  tlie  present 
time  he  is  Traclvinaster  for  llie  Grand  River  Valley 
Railroad,  having  held  that  res[)oiisil)le  position  for 
the  past  sixteen  years.  He  m.ake.s  his  home  at 
Ilast-iiigs.  The  maiden  name  of  Dr.  Miller's  mother 
was  Sophia  Stropliigan,  a  native  of  Germany.  She 
bore  her  husband  two  children,  of  whom  the  Doc- 
tor is  the  younger. 

Our  subject  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  to  the  Wolverine  State  when  he  was  a  lad 
of  three  years.  He  was  given  good  educational 
advantages,  and  was  graduated  when  seventeen 
years  old  from  the  seminary  at  Ypsilanti.  Decid- 
ing to  turn  his  attention  to  the  i)ractice  of  medi- 
cine, Dr.  Miller  entered  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  ITniversity  of  Michigan  in  1878,  and  was 
graduated  therefrom  in  1881.  When  receiving  his 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  our  subject  opened  .an 
office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Hastings, 
Berry  County,  where  he  remained  onlj^  a  twelve- 
month. In  1882,  he  came  to  Otsego,  where  lie  has 
since  resided,  and  li.as  built  up  a  reputation  as  a 
physician  which  is  second  to  none  in  Allegan 
County.  He  is  well  known  in  professional  circles 
and  keeps  thoroughly  posted  on  all  new  theories 
advanced  by  the  fraternity. 

Dr.  Miller  and  Miss  Mabel  Yeckley  were  united 
in  marriage,  December  3,  1884.  Mrs.  Miller  was 
born  in  Otsego,  and  is  the  daughter  of  E.  D.  and 
Lydia  Yecklej',  a  native  of  New  York.  Her 
mother  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as 
Lydia  Wing.  She  was  also  born  in  New  York  and 
passed  from  this  life  in  1891,  greatly  mourned  by 
all  who  knew  her.  Mrs.  Miller  was  the  only  child 
of  her  parents,  and  received  the  best  training  and 
educational  advantages  which  lay  in  their  power 
to  bestow.  She  is  a  very  accomplished  lady  and 
enjoys  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintance  in  Allegan 
County.  To  the  Doctor  and  his  excellent  wife 
have  been  born  one  son,  Paul,  his  birth  occurring 
February  17,  1888. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  is  independ- 
ent in  politics,  reserving  his  right  to  vote  for  the 
best  man,  regardless  of  party.  He  is,  and  always 
has  been,  an  ardent  temperance  man  and  has  done 


much  toward  furthering  the  cause  of  pioliihition 
ill  Ills  community.  His  interest  in  educational  mat- 
ters is  manifested  by  the  fact  that  he  served  for 
two  terms  .-is  Moderator  of  tjie  .School  Board.  He 
is  a  memb(u-  of  the  Soutiiwcstern  JHcliigan  Med- 
ical Association  and  (jccupies  the  honored  position 
of  Vice-president  of  that  body.  Soci.ally,  lie  is  a 
Knight  of  P^tliias, was  Chancellor  Commander  for 
two  terms  .and  is  now  acting  as  Deputy  Grand 
Chancellor  for  Allegan  County. 

Dr.  JMiller  writes  a  great  deal  for  medical  jour- 
nals, and  has  recently  completed  a  work  on  ■'Do- 
mestic Medicine."  His  book  contains  about  four 
hundred  pages  and  is  destined  to  become  very 
popular  in  the  profession.  Both  tlio  Doctor  and 
his  wife  are  active  and  inducntial  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  body  our 
subject  is  a  member  of  the  Oflicial  Board.  Tliey 
are  both  very  popular  members  of  society  in  tliis 
section  and  have  hosts  of  admiring  friends. 


/^  HARLES  BILSBORROW,  of  Paw  Paw,  was 
(li  n  'JO'''^  ^'1  Lancashire,  England,  Januaiy  2;j, 
^^i^'  1809,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Esther 
Bilsborrow.  He  w.as  the  next  to  the  30ungestin  a 
tamily  comprising  ten  cliildren,  and  was  earl^'^ 
orph.aned,  his  mother  d3'ing  when  he  w.as  a  mere 
infant  and  his  father  passing  away  some  twelve 
years  later.  His  boyhood  days  were  passed  in  his 
native  land,  and,  prior  to  emigrating,  he  gained  a 
common-school  education  and  also  acquired  a 
thorough,  practical  knowledge  of  farming  pursuits. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  3^ears,  our  subject  emi- 
grated to  this  countiy  .and  in  the  city  of  New  York 
learned  the  trade  of  a  hatter,  which  he  followed 
until  he  was  about  twenty-one.  He  then  returned 
to  the  Mother  Country  and  visited  the  scenes  of 
his  childhood  for  nine  months.  Returning  once 
more  to  New  York,  he  farmed  two  jears  on  rented 
land  and  then  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
seven  and  one-half  .acres  in  Ontario  County,  wliere 
he  remained  fifteen  years.  Afterward  he  sold  that 
place  and  bought  property  in  Niagara  County. 

M.ay  22,  184-1,  Mr.  Bilsborrow  w.as  married  in 
Niagara    County    to    .Miss    Caroline,  daughter   of 


324 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Jonathan  and  Fan  lilt- I  ill... Uunlj  ^loss.  Mrs.  M. 
Bilsborrow  was  born  in  New  York,  December  4, 
181 G,  and  closed  her  e^-es  to  the  scenes  of  earth 
February  2,  1879.  She  was  a  lady  of  estimable 
character  and  was  sincerely  mourned  by  her  large 
circle  of  acquaintances  but  especially-  by  those  who 
knew  her  best.  Four  of  her  five  children  still 
survive,  namelv:  Edward  F.,  who  was  born  in 
1852,  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  in 
Antwerp  Township;  Louise;  George,  who  is  farm- 
ing in  Albion,  this  State;  and  Fred,  a  hardware 
dealer  of  Paw  Paw.  William,  the  eldest  child,  was 
Ixirn  in  184G  and  died  in  1882,leaving  two  children. 
In  1860  our  subject  sold  out  his  interests  in  New 
York  .and  removed  to  Michig.in,  settling  near  Gales- 
burg,  Kalamazoo  County,  and  purchasing  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  cultivated  farm  land.  In  1866  he 
came  to  Van  Bureu  County,  where  he  has  since 
owned  three  farms,  at  different  times,  and  he  still 
retains  in  his  possession  some  farming  land  in 
Bloomingdalc  Township.  In  1882  he  removed  to  his 
present  home  in  the  village  of  Paw  Paw,  where  he 
is  quietly  jiassing  his  declining  years.  Politically, 
he  wa^  originally  a  Whig  and  voted  for  the  Presi- 
dential candidate  of  that  party  in  1841.  He  was 
always  ojjposed  to  slavery  and  cast  his  ballot  for 
•John  C.  Fremont,  since  which  time  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  tlie  Republican  party.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  lias  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Churcli,  and  as  an  upright  citizen  and  generous 
neighbor  and  friend,  he  is  held  in  universal  esteem. 
A  litliographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Bilsborrow  is  pre- 
sented in  this  connection. 


-s^ffi 


i>~^<^ 


HK.NKZKK  WII.DKK.  Now  retired  from 
]^  life's  active  duties,  Mr.  Wilder  is  passing 
/■  his  declining  years  in  the  enjoyment  of 
Ihi:  comforts  which,  through  a  long  period  of 
hardship,  he  struggled  to  obtain.  Since  Ihll),  he 
has  licen  idi-ntilicd  willi  tlic  farming  interest-s  of 
Allegan  Counly,  where  he  owns  a  line  f.-irni  on 
.section  IK,  Martin  T<»wnsliip,  and  as  one  of  tliosc 
who  liavo  aided  in  the  development  of  the  county, 
he  is  worthy  of  representation  In  this  volume.  New 
Vork  is  his  native  SUite,  and  he  was  born  in  .Sandv 


Creek  Township,  Oswego   County,  .Tanuary    23, 
1817. 

The  father  of  onr  subject,  Clark  W.  Wilder,  was 
a  native  either  of  Massachusetts  or  Vermont,  and 
removed  at  an  early  daj-  to  New  York,  where  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Pede  Robins,  a  lady  of  New 
Hampshire  birth.  She  had,  when  fourteen  years 
old,  removed  to  New  York  with  her  parents,  and 
there  located  on  a  farm,  where  her  father  died  at 
eighty-two  and  her  mother  when  seventy-nine. 
Clark  W.  Wilder  and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  ten 
children,  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  all  but 
one  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  The  twin 
sister  of  Ebenezer  died  in  infancy. 

Until  twenty-one  3'ears  of  age,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  remained  with  his  father,  and  upon 
starting  out  for  himself,  he  worked  at  various 
pursuits  and  came  to  Michigan  in  1849,  locating 
in  Martin  Township,  Allegan  County.  Two  years 
later  he  was  married,  December  23,  1851,  to  Bel- 
inda, the  oldest  child  of  Mumford  and  Jane  (Whit- 
taker)  Eldred.  Mrs.  Wilder  was  born  in  Catskill, 
Greene  County,  N.  Y.,  December  21,  1823.  Her 
father  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  her  mother, 
of  Ulster  County,  N.  Y.  They  were  married  in 
Catskill  and  removed  thence  to  Michigan,  in  1834, 
locating  first  in  Kalamazoo,  and  coming  from  there 
to  Allegan  County  in  1836.  They  wei'c  the  first 
white  family  in  Alarlin  Township,  where  IMr. 
lilldred  took  up  forty  acres  of  land  and  erected  a 
small  log  house.  His  death  occurred  when  he  was 
fonr-score  and  four  years  old,  in  Martin's  Corners, 
M-liilc  the  mother  died  when  one  UKintli  le^s  than 
seventy-nine  years  old.  To  tliein  were  born  nine 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  IMr.  Eldred, 
by  a  previous  marriage,  to  Miss  Kulh  CnriuMiter, 
had  live  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead. 

Mrs.  Wilder  w.as  a  young  girl  when  she  accom- 
l)!iiiic(l  lior  parents  to  this  county,  and  liore  she 
grew  to  womanhood  in  a  spaiseiy  scllled  com- 
munity. For  nine  months  after  settling  in  Martin 
Township,  lliciis  wm-<  tlic  only  wliilc  family,  and 
the  Indian  neighbors  were  by  no  means  sociable, 
trying  to  drive  1  hem  away.  The  nearest  neigh- 
bors were  in  (inn  l'i:iiii  Towiisliip  inHl  they  ex- 
jierienced  all  llic  privations  incident  to  frontier 
life  in  a  new  countrv.     .After  the  niarritiKc  of    Mr. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


n2r. 


and  Mrs.  Wilder,  they  located  on  section  17,  on  an 
unimproved  place  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
and  he  at  once  built  a  small  log  house,  18x24, 
which  was  their  home  for  some  time. 

Six  children  comprise  the  family  of  our  subject 
and  hisexcellent  wife,  namely:  Helen  C,  wife  of 
John  Burgess,  of  Martin  Township;  George  W., 
who  is  at  home,  as  is  also  Albert  C;  Wirt  E.,  a 
resident  of  California;  Mary  B.  and  Minnie  A., 
who  remain  under  the  parental  roof.  The  farm 
which  our  subject  owns  comprises  seventy-eight 
and  one-half  acres  of  land  and  is  activelj'  managed 
by  George  W.,  the  eldest  son.  Mr.  Wilder  is  a  Pro- 
hibitionist, and  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the 
Sons  of  Temperance  in  New  York,  and  the 
Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars  of  Mich- 
igan. He  has  served  as  Township  Treasurer 
and  School  Director,  and  in  the  Methodist  Church, 
of  which  he  is  an  active  member,  is  filling 
the  position  of  Trustee.  Mrs.  Wilder  is  also 
identified  willi  that  Church  and  is  a  lady  of 
great  worth  of  character. 

Mrs.  Wilder  is  the  oldest  in  a  family  of  nine 
children,  the  others  being:  Rev.  Andrew  J.  Eldred, 
a  Methodist  minister  and  now  Chaplain  of  the 
Ionia  State  Reform  School;  Elizabeth,  deceased, 
formerly  the  wife  of  James  Henika,  of  Big  Rapids, 
Mich.;  Stephen,  a  resident  of  Bellaire,  Antrim 
County,  Jlicli.;  Catherine,  deceased,  formerlj'  the 
wife  of  Dr.  Hubbard,  of  California;  Samuel,  the 
first  wiiite  child  born  in  the  township  of  Martin 
(born  December  10,  1836)  and  now  a  resident  of 
this  township;  Emma  J.,  the  wife  of  J.  Youngs, 
whose  home  is  in  Martin  Township;  Mary,  now 
]\Irs.  Charles  Smith,  of  Allegan  City;  and  Frankie, 
who  married  L.  L.  Blair,  of  Big  Rapids,  this  State. 
Of  Mr.  Eldred's  second  marriage,  Norman  died 
in  Prairie  Du  Chien,  Wis.,  in  1840;  Mumford  died 
in  California,  leaving  two  children;  Cornelia 
married  Chauncey  W.  Calkins,  of  Allegan  City, 
Mich.,  who  died  leaving  three  children;  Belinda 
died  in  Vermont;  Margaret  married  Harmon 
Myers  and  died  leaving  six  daughters. 

Of  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  our  subject, 
Joanna  and  Dexter  are  deceased;  Leavitt  makes 
liis  home  in  California;  Adoniram  J.  is  a  resident 
of  Sandy  Creek,  N.    Y.;    John    lives  on    the   old 


homestead  in  Sandy  Cnik  loun^liifi,  (j-w.-go 
County,  N.  Y.;  Ruth  is  tlie  wife  of  George  Cole, 
of  Sandy  Creek,  N.  Y.;  Ursula  is  now  Mrs.  C.  M. 
Totuian,  and  resides  in  Adams,  N.  Y.;  and  Milton, 
the  youngest  member,  of  the  family,  died  in  Sandy 
Creek,  N.  Y.,March  i,   1892. 


/  E\'I  KRAUSE.  Man}-  years  have  passed 
since  this  gentleman  was  called  from  the 
^  scenes  of  time  to  eternit}-,  but  there  are  still 
living  those  in  whose  memory  he  dwells,  who 
revere  his  uprightness,  honor  and  devotion  to  the 
community.  He  aided  greatly  in  the  upbuilding 
of  Kalamazoo  and  although  he  was  taken  from 
earth  ere  the  village  had  become  a  citj-  or  gained 
its  present  fame  among  the  other  cities  of  the 
State,  he  contributed  his  efforts  to  effect  this  desir- 
able result. 

Born  in  Allen  town.  Pa.,  Mr.  Krause  there  passed 
his  early  years,  with  few  advantages  in  the  way  of 
an  education — save  what  could  be  obtained  from 
observation  and  experience.  In  1836  he  removed 
to  the  great  unsettled  West,  making  his  home  in 
Kalamazoo  from  that  time  until  the  daj'  of  his 
death.  Four  years  after  locating  here,  lie  was 
married,  October  1,  1840,  in  Townsend,  Yt.,  to  Miss 
Mary  L.  Holbrook,  an  estimable  lad}',  who  was  his 
helpmate  throughout  his  entire  life  and  who  now 
survives  him  at  an  advanced  age. 

Mrs.  Krause  was  born  April  11,  1814,  in  Towns- 
end,  Vt.,  and  spent  her  early  years  in  her  native 
State.  In  the  fall  of  1838,  she  accompanied  the 
family  of  Isaiah  Goodrich  to  Kalamazoo,  where 
she  made  her  home  with  the  wife  of  Maj.  Ransom, 
who  was  her  mother's  cousin.  She  returned  to 
her  old  home  to  be  married,  and  then  accompanied 
her  husband  to  their  new  home  in  K.alamazoo. 
Mr.  Krause  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  erected 
many  of  the  first  structures  of  the  village,  where 
he  made  his  home  until  he  died,^Iarch  30,  18.57,  at 
the  early  age  of  thirty-nine  years. 

The  first  planing  mill  in  Kalamazoo  was  started 
as  the  result  of  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Krause  and  he 
also  built  and  ran    a  sawmill  at  Wayland.     The 


326 


POETEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


cozy  residence  in  which  his  widow  has  for  fifty 
years  made  her  home  was  erected  by  him  in  1841, 
and  he  worked  extensivel}-  as  a  contractor  and 
builder.  lie  built  the  first  Episcopal  Church  in 
Kalamazoo — St.  Lulie's,  erected  in  1843 — and  was 
identified  with  it  as  long  as  he  lived.  Mrs.  Krause 
has  been  a  faithful  member  of  the  same  church  for 
fifty  j-ears,  being  numbered  among  its  first  mem- 
bers and  taking  an  active  part  in  all  society  and 
benevolent  work. 

The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krause  comprised 
the  following  children:  Ustick  O.,  who  is  mana- 
ger for  N.  K.  Fairbank  in  Montreal,  Canada; 
Wallace  II.,  who  is  an  engraver;  Francis  A.,  wlio 
is  a  dealer  in  agricultural  implements  at  Kalama- 
zoo, and  Fannie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Scott  L. 
Waterbury,  a  native  of  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
a  resident  of  Kalamazoo  until  his  death  .Inly  12, 
1878.  Mrs.  "NVaterbury  now  makes  her  home  with 
her  widowed  mother.  A  sincere  Christian,  jMrs. 
Krause  is  much  loved  and  highly  respected  by  her 
extensive  cu'cle  of  friends. 


O^RIN  S.  IIOAG  is  one  of  the  representative 
|1  farmers  of  Geneva  Township,  Van  Buren 
S5;g^  County.  He  is  at  present  engaged  in  culti- 
vating a  portion  of  the  soil  on  section  12,  and  is 
making  a  signal  success  of  liis  calling.  He  was 
born  in  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio,  in  1831,  and  came 
to  the  above-named  township  in  1H,")2,  where  he 
located  liis  present  farm. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  .lolin  and  Kliza- 
betli  (Le.Munyan)  Iloag.  The  father  was  luirn 
near  Utica,  N.  Y.,  and  located  nl  .-m  early  day  in 
Oliio.  He  was  of  Holland-nntch  ancestry  and  the 
inotiier  fif  oui-  subject  \v;is  descended  from  Fi'cnch 
stock.  Orin  S.  Hoag  and  Miss  Laura  A.  Brottwere 
united  in  marriage  in  IH.'il  and  liave  l)econie  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Watson  resides  in  Kala- 
mazoo; I>«)uella  is  the  wife  of  1).  Robinson  and 
makes  her  home  in  Wnodvillc,  this  Slate;  Wilbur 
and  Keync)lds  reside  at  home. 

In  I'llirnary,  1M(M,  Mr.  Iloag  enlisted  in  IIk; 
Third  ,Miehi;;aii  Cavalry  and  going  directly  to 
Arkaiisa.s  n^inained    with   his   regiineiil   until    the 


close  of  hostilities.  He  then  returned  home  and 
has  since  given  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  farm.  When  first  coming  to  Van 
Buren  County,  he  experienced  all  the  hardships  in- 
cident to  life  in  a  new  country.  All  his  marketing 
was  done  at  South  Haven  and  Breedsville  and 
his  mail  came  to  Lawrence  which  was  fifteen 
miles  distant.  Mrs.  Iloag  was  a  woman  of  refine- 
ment and  culture  and  taught  school  one  year  prior 
to  her  marriage.     She  died  November  19,  1889. 

In  politics,  he  of  whom  we  write  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican and  is  a  member  of  the  Zach  Chandler 
Post  No.  35,  G.  A.  R.,  at  South  Haven. 


T^REI)  T.  WARD,  meml)er  of  the  lirni  of 
\sj)  Henderson  ife  Ward,  publishers  of  the  Alle- 
/il  o^i^  Jo^n-nal,  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J., 
November  3,  1849,  and  is  a  descendant  of  the  four 
Ward  brothers,  who  were  among  the  first  settlers 
of  that  citv.  After  attaining  a  comnum-school 
education,  he  entered  the  oflice  of  the  Rod  Bank 
(N.  ,T.)  Standard,  published  by  an  older  brother,  as 
an  apprentice,  working  there  two  years.  Later  he 
linished  learning  his  trade  in  large  otlices  in  New- 
ark, N.  J.,  and  AVorcester,  Mass.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years,  he  removed  to  Galva,  III., 
where  he  purchased  the  Galva  Journal.  That  i)a- 
per  he  published  six  j'earsand  then  sold  it  to  form 
a  iiaitiiership  with  his  brother,  W.  J.  Ward,  who 
had  moved  to  Weiiona,  now  West  Bay  City,  this 
State. 

The  iiarlnership  thus  formed  continued  in  We- 
noiia  forseven  years,  when  tlie  lirothers  removed  to 
l''liiit  and  started  a  d:iily  ptiper.  This  venture 
proving  disastrous,  they  sold  out,  and  our  subjeet 
tluui  took  up  the  foremaiiship  of  the  Flint  GMic, 
and  aftiTward  of  the  Flint  Cili::i'ii,  reliiuniisliiiig 
the  latter  to  puich;is(!  a  one-third  interest  in  the 
Allegan  Journal  and  Tribune,  in  the  spring  of  188;"!. 
,\t  lliat  linie  the  firm  was  composed  of  Messrs. 
Henderson,  ISailey  i^'  Ward,  but  two  years  after- 
ward it  became  Henderson  A'  Ward  (Mr.  Uiiiley 
selling  his  interest  to  his  l\vii  pMitiiei's),  anil  has  so  N 
eoiilinued  to  the  present  time. 

On  .lune  9,  IS79,  Mr.  Ward  w.-is  nuiiried  to  Muss 


rORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RF.COUD. 


327 


Ivate  E.  Cooper,  who  was  then  a  teacher  in  the 
.schools  of  West  Bay  City,  and  wlio  has  aided  her 
husband  greatl}'  by  her  talents  as  a  writer  and  her 
reportorial  abilities.  These  abilities  have  brought 
her  recognition  among  the  newspaper  women  of 
the  State,  and  she  is  now  Vice-president  of  their 
Women's  Press  Association.  In  politics,  Mr. Ward 
has  always  been  a  stanch  Republican,  and  his  ac- 
tive participation  in  political  movements  has  given 
him  a  wide  .aciiuaintance  among  the  leading  men 
of  the  State.  He  is  also  an  active  worker  in  secr(^t 
society  circles,  being  a  member  of  the  Masonic,  Odd 
Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Knights  of  Honor 
societies,  at  this  time  holding  the  olHces  of  Clian- 
cellor.  Commander  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
Dictator  of  the  Knights  of  Honor. 


^^f  LANSON  LILLY.  The  gentleman  whose 
WlUl'  name  we  place  at  the  head  of  tjiis  sketch, 
(i  and  who  is  one  of  the  prominent  agricul- 
turists of  Allegan  Countj^,  is  farming- 
one  hundred  and  twont}''  acres  of  land  on  section 
16,  Allegan  Township.  He  was  born  in  Franklin 
County,  Mass..  December  12,  1817,  and  is  the  son  of 
Austin  and  Roxana  (Sears)  Lilly,  natives  of  ihe 
Nutmeg  State,  where  the  father  carried  on  fann- 
ing. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  moved  to  Cuyahoga 
County,  Ohio,  in  18.32,  where  thej'  engaged  in 
farming  and  resided  until  their  death.  The  elder 
Mr.  Lill>'  was  prominent  in  local  affairs,  and  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Township  Trustee  of  the 
town  of  Dover,  Ohio.  While  a  resident  of  Mass- 
achusetts, he  was  Selectman.  His  parents  were 
Bethnel  and  Hannah  (Smith)  Lilly,  also  farmers, 
who  lived  and  died  in  Ashfield,  Mass.,  after  having 
reared  a  large  family  of  thirteen  children.  They 
were  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  His  father, 
tne  great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  also  that  of  1812. 
He  was  of  Scotch  descent. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were 
Roland  and  .Jedidiah  (Counant)  Sears,  natives  of 
New  England,  where  they  were  farmers,  and  lived 


and  died.  Their  lamilj,  iii.-lii<k-(l  ui^hl  chiUlren. 
The  family  of  Austin  and  Roxana  Lilly  numbered 
ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living:  our 
subject,  Albertus,  Fayette  and  Smith. 

Alanson  Lilly  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
M.assachusetts  and  Ohio,  and  remained  at  home 
assisting  in  the  duties  upon  the  farm  until  reach- 
ing his  majority.  He  was  tlien  engaged  working 
by  the  month  for  four  j-ears,  wlien  he  purchased 
a  farm  in  Olmstead  Township,  Cuyahoga  Count}-, 
Ohio,  which  he  cultivated  for  eight  j-ears.  Then, 
disposing  of  his  property'',  he  came  to  Michigan  in 
1852,  and  located  on  a  wild  tract  of  land,  which 
is  his  present  home.  He  applied  himself  indus- 
triously to  clearing  and  improving  liis  land,  erect- 
ing for  his  family  a  board  shanty,  which  later  gave 
way  to  a  comfortable  and  modem  residence. 

In  1843  Miss  Emily  Miles,  a  native  of  Ashfield, 
j\Iass.,  became  Mrs.  Alanson  Lilly.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Ezekiel  and  Sarah  (Vincent)  Miles, 
also  natives  of  M.assachusetts,  where  they  were 
farmers  and  lived  and  died.  Their  family  in- 
cluded seven  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Mrs.  Iluldah  Smith,  now  aged  eighty-six  yeai-s, 
and  Airs.  Lillj'. 

Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  his  wife  is  an  Episcopalian.  The\- 
have  only  one  child,  a  daughter,  Florana,  now 
Mrs.  A.  W.  Lutts,  who  has  a  son,  Harry.  'I'hej"^ 
reside  in  the  village  of  Allegan. 


-^]. 


€+-^[ 


"S3 


A]\IES  H.  JOHNSON,  an  Attorney-at-Law 
at  South  Haven,  Van  Bureu  Couutj',  is  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
is  also  one  of  the  firm  of  Johnson  &  Sisson, 
dealers  in  evaporated  fruit  and  manufacturers  of 
ciders  and  jellies.  He  has  always  been  an  active 
business  man,  and  is  meeting  with  the  success  which 
his  industry  and  perseverance  deserve.  Mr.  John- 
son was  born  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  June  29, 
18t9,  his  parents  being  William  C.  and  Sarah 
(Brooker)  Johnson.  The  paternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  Peter  Johnson,  was  born  in  New  York 
in  1795,  and  is  still  living  in  Onondaga  Count}-, 
in  that  State.     He  luis  fallowed  tlie   occupation  of 


328 


PORTRAIT  A^■D  BIOGKAPPUCAL   RECORD. 


a  farmer  most  of  liis  life,  and  at  one  time  was  en- 
gaged on  the  Erie  Canal. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  New  York, 
about  1820,  and  still  resides  in  his  native  State, 
where  he  carries  on  farming.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  died  when  he  was  quite  j'oung,  leaving  a 
family  of  three  children :  Peter  W.,  a  resident  of  Port 
Orange.  Fla.;  our  subject;  and  Rosalie  (Mrs.  Mills), 
who  lives  in  Allegan  County,  this  State.  The 
father  was  married  a  second  time,  and  of  that  union 
two  children  were  born:  Alhertus  U.,  a  resident  of 
Livingston  County,  N.  Y.;  and  Sylvester  P.,  who 
lives  in  ilonroe  County,  the  same  State. 

Our  subject  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  and  re- 
ceived his  earl}'  education  in  the  common  schools, 
afterward  becoming  a  student  in  the  Normal  School 
at  Oswego,  N.  Y.  lie  resided  in  iiis  native  State 
until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  during  that  time 
engaging  in  teaching  school  for  two  years.  In  1871 
he  came  West,  reaching  Chicago  just  after  that  city 
had  lieen  destroj'ed  by  fire.  He  went  from  there 
to  Sharon,  Walworth  County,  AVis.,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  for  one  year.  He  then  came  to 
South  Haven,  being  engaged  in  farm  work  and  as 
a  teamster  for  S.  M.  Ti'owbridge.  After  one  year 
spent  in  this  way,  he  clerked  in  a  store  for  about 
the  same  length  of  time,  and  then  went  to  Kala- 
mazoo, where  lie  read  law  in  theoflice  of  Scvcrens, 
Houdeman  <t  Turner  for  four  years,  when  he  was 
aduiilted  to  the  liar.  Mr.  Johnson  tlien  located  at 
South  Haven,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in 
llie  practice  of  law,  al.so  carrying  on  the  in- 
surance and  real-estate  business.  He  owns  a  tract 
<»f  tlirce  luindred  acres  near  South  Haven,  and  also 
u  quantity  of  land  in  Dakota  and  Nebraska. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1882  to  Miss  Emma 
C.  Williams,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  David  IJ.anil  Clara  Williams, of  South  Haven. 
One  child  has  been  born  to  them,  but  is  now  de- 
cea.Hcd.  Mr.  Johnson  has  held  several  important 
ofllces,  having  been  Circuit  Court  Commissioner, 
anil  I'resident  of  the  \'illage  lioard  for  three  terms; 
lie  is  now  Chairman  of  the  Hoard  of  Water-works 
of  South  Haven.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
tint  IS  not  !\  menilier  of  any  religious  or  civic  so- 
ciety. .Mr.  Johnson  h.'id  the  misfmtune  to  have 
lii.x  olllce  destroyed   by  (ire  in  July,   18'.tl.  during 


his  absence,  thereby  losing  his  fine  library  and  all 
his  records.  He  has  .always  been  an  earnest,  active 
business  man,  making  his  own  way  in  the  world, 
and  is  deserving  of  the  success  which  has  attended 
his  efforts. 


,/;RANCIS  M.  STORMS,  President  of  tlie 
5)1  A'illage  Board  of  Plainwell,  Allegan 
County,  is  also  carrying  on  an  extensive 
hardware  establishment,  .Mud  is  known  as  a  success- 
ful business  man.  He  is  a  native  of  ^Michigan,  be- 
ing born  in  Otsego,  January  2.'),  1845.  His  parents 
were  Adam  D.  and  Martha  E.  (Nichols)  Storms, 
the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of 
Canada.  They  were  married  at  Otsego,  having 
come  to  this  State  in  1838.  Here  they  lived  for 
two  years  .and  tlien  took  up  Government  land  in 
Prairieville  Townshi]),  Parry  County,  this  State, 
whore  tile  father  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enty-four years.  The  mother  died  in  1884  when 
sixty-two  3'ears  old.  Of  their  family  of  live  chil- 
dren, four  are  living. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm 
and  there  received  his  early  education.  When 
eighteen  years  old,  his  father  gave  liim  liis  time, 
and  he  began  farming  for  iiimself  one  mile  west  of 
Praiiieville.  Here  he  rem:iined  for  altout  nineteen 
years.  In  1882  he  came  to  riainwclland  engaged 
in  tlie  hardware  business  and  two  years  later  sold 
his  farm.  He  started  on  a  small  scale,  but  through 
his  iiuhistry  and  perseverance  he  made  it  a  success 
and  in  188.')  was  able  to  Imild  his  present  line  brick 
storeroom  in  which  he  now  carries  a  large  and 
complete  stock  of  general  haithvarc  and  has  an  ex- 
cellent tiade. 

Mr.  Storms  was  marrii'd  In  l.sill  to  Miss  licssie 
Mason,  a  native  of  IJichlaiid  Tuwnsliip,  K;ilama/A>o 
County.  She  is  a  daugliter  of  Edwaid  and  Cl;irissa 
(Johnson)  Mason,  n;itives  of  Connecticut,  wiio 
came  to  Kalamazoo  County,  in  1838,  .settling  in 
Richland  Township.  Tlie  father  is  now  living  at 
the  .•ichanced  age  of  eiglity-eight  years,  and  tiie 
mother  ilii'<l  in  IH'.IO.  Our  subject  and  his  wife 
have  only  one  cliiid,  Uciiiice,  who  was  born  March 
10,  1872,  and  is  a  line  musician. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL  RK(T)IJD. 


320 


Mr.  Storms  is  a  Democrat  and  lias  been  a  delegate 
to  State,  coiiiit_v  and  district  conventions.  He  lias 
been  Treasurer  of  the  Union  Agricultural  Society, 
of  Plainwell,  for  several  years,  and  is  now  serving 
his  fourtli  term  as  President  of  the  village.  He 
also  served  as  Village  Treasurer  ff)r  one  year. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  and 
Ihc  IMasonic  fraternities. 


'LFRED  B.  TAYLOR.  One  of  the  oldest 
and  most  reliable  mercliants  in  Saugatiick 
is  Alfred  B.  Ta3ior.  He  does  a  thriving 
(^'  business,  and   keeps  a  complete   line    of 

general  merchandise  and  by  his  honest  and  court- 
eous treatment  of  customers  is  greatly  respected 
and  receives  a  good  patronage.  He  is  the  son  of 
J.  Rice  and  Henrietta  (Leonard)  Taylor,  natives 
of  New  York  State  and  England,  respectively. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  is  a  prom- 
inent merchant  in  Amsterdam. 

Alfred  B.  Taylor  was  born  in  Milan,  Erie 
County,  Ohio,  October  8,  1846,  and  received  a  fair 
education  in  tlie  scliools  of  liis  neighorhood.  His 
fatlier  was  an  Episcopalian  minister  and  for  a  fuller 
account  of  his  history  the  reader  is  referred  to  his 
sketch  in  another  part  of  this  voluriie.  When  at- 
taining his  fifteenth  year,  our  subject  began  the 
battle  of  life  on  his  own  account  and  went  to 
clerk  in  a  general  store  in  Allegan.  That  was 
in  1861,  and  in  the  spring  of  1868,  he  came  to 
Saugatuck  and  was  employed  by  H.  D.  Moore.  A 
few  years  later  he  was  taken  into  the  firm  and  the}' 
operated  under  the  style  of  H.  D.  Moore  &  Co. 
Our  subject  continued  thus  engaged  until  1873, 
when  he  went  into  business  with  D.  L.  Barber,  the 
firm  name  being  Taylor  &  Barber.  Since  January 
1,  1879,  however,  Mr.  Taylor  has  continued  alone 
and  is  doing  a  verj'  profitable  business. 

In  December,  1871,  the  gentleman  of  whom  we 
write  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  B. 
Russell.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  the  daughter  of  Rali)h 
Russell,  a  pioneer  of  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y"., 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  three  children:  Russell  Rice,  who  was 
born  Januaiy  15,  1877;  Bessie  H.,  born  May  11, 


1879  and  Alfred  B.,  Jr.,  born  August  i:i.  18«2. 
Russell  is  attending  tiie  Kenyon  Jlilitar^'  Academy 
at  Gambler,  Ohio.  The  two  younger  children  are 
being  given  good  educations  in  tlie  liome  .schools. 
(Jur  subject,  although  no  politician,  casts  his 
vote  and  inlluence  in  favor  of  the  Republican 
parly.  He  has  held  manj'  of  the  offices  within  tlie 
gift  of  the  peo|)le  to  bestow  and  is  greatly  res- 
pected as  a  man  of  honor  and  integrity.  The 
members  of  his  family  are  all  Episco[)alians.  He 
is  identified  with  Saugatuck  Lodge,  No.  328,  A.  F. 
cfe  A.  M.,  and  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow,  having  been 
Past  Grand  Master  in  that  order  in  1880.  Will- 
iam W.  Taylor,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  is  a  |)roni- 
inent  minister  in  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Phila- 
delphia. 


^••.  4  l«> 


-^> 


ENRY  IHBBARD  STIMSON,  M.  D.  This 
prominent  gentleman  is  one  of  the  leading 
iihvsicians  of  Saugatuck  as  well  as  one  of 
(^«|)  the  pioneers  of  Allegan  County.  He  is  the 
son  of  Ephraim  and  Mary  (Ilibbard)  Stimson,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Massachusetts  and  Vermont. 
Thej'  removed  to  New  Y'ork  State  many  years  ago, 
where  the  Doctor  was  born  July  2,  1826.  He  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  his  parents  when  he  wa.s  a 
lad  of  six  years  and  at  that  early  age  was  thrown 
upon  the  cold  charities  of  the  world. 

Alter  the  death  of  his  parents  our  subject  went 
to  Vermont  to  make  his  home  with  his  grandpa- 
rents. In  1834,  however,  he  came  West  to  Ohio  and 
was  emplo3ed  as  a  farm  hand  for  two  years,  and 
in  1836  came  to  the  then  Territory  of  Michigan 
when  he  was  only  ten  years  of  age.  He  located 
in  AJlegan  County-,  which  was  then  a  part  of 
Kalamazoo  County,  and  lived  for  six  j-ears  at  what 
is  now  Plainwell,  being  engaged  in  whatever  he 
could  find  to  do.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  our3'Oung 
hero  conceived  the  idea  of  becoming  a  physician, 
but  being  without  money  he  realized  that  he  would 
have  to  put  forth  great  effort  to  attain  to  his  desired 
ambition. 

Our  subject  began  teaching  school  in  the  old  pio- 
neer log  school-house,  which  occupation  he  fol- 
lowed for  four  years,  when  he  began  reading  med- 


330 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


icine  imder  Dr.  E.  N.  T^pjohn.  Previous  to  this, 
however,  he  had  devoted  all  his  leisure  moments 
to  the  study  of  pliysiology  and  anatomy.  On  at- 
taiuinji  his  twent\--fifth  year  he  had  acquired  suffi- 
cient skill  and  knowledge  of  the  medical  profession 
to  begin  its  practice,  which  he  did  in  Allegau 
County.  In  1858,  Dr.  Stirason  came  to  Saugatuck 
which  he  has  made  his  home  ever  since  that 
time.  In  1868  he  attended  the  Uennett  Jledical 
College  in  Chicago,  from  which  he  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 

Dr.  Stinison  was  married  to  JNIiss  jNIary  Forbes  in 
1852.  Mrs.  Stimson  was  the  daughter  uC  John 
Forbes,  of  Plain  well.  She  has  proved  a  great  aid 
to  her  worthy  husband  in  attaining  to  his  present 
high  standing  among  the  profession,  and  to  her  he 
gives  due  credit.  Their  marriage  has  been  blest 
by  the  birth  of  four  children,  all  of  whom  are 
deceased.  Their  eldest  son,  Charles  F.,  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five;  William  Henry  died  in  infancy; 
Alice  Mary  died  when  eighteen  years  old,  and  Wil- 
liam Ilibbard  met  his  death  by  drowning,  aged 
nineteen  years. 

Our  worthy  subject  came  to  Allegan  County 
when  it  bore  little  resemblance  to  its  present  con- 
dition. He  has  done  much  for  the  development 
of  the  county  and  as  a  man  of  princi[)le  and  integ- 
rity his  influence  is  as  powerful  in  an  unconscious 
way  as  it  is  helpful  by  intent.  Politically,  Dr. 
Stimson  is  identilied  with  the  Democratic  party. 
His  popularity  in  his  communitj-  i.s  manifested  b}- 
the  fact  tiiat  he  has  been  the  recipient  of  all  the 
township  ollices  within  the  gift  of  the  people. 
Socially,  ho  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  328,  A.  F. 
it  A.  M.  and  is  also  an  (Kid  FcUow.  The  family 
are  all  members  of  the  Episcojjal  Churcli.  and  are 
hiffhly  esteemed  in  this  section. 

J++++4 


AKUI.N  F.  Will  TF,  who  is  a  liigiily  re- 
spected citizen  of  Plaiinvell,  Allegan 
Cfiunly.  where  he  carries  on  a  general 
bhicksuiilh  sliop.  was  born  in  Climax,  Kal- 
amnzfio  t'oiinly,  this  State,  November  25,  1844. 
His  father,  who  bore  tlie  same  iianu:  as  himself, 
died  when  our  Miibjcc^t  was  only  lliree  years  old.    He 


came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Michigan  in  an  early 
day,  and  followed  the  business  of  a  clothier.  His 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Aurinda  31.  New- 
man, also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  is  still  living, 
as  are  four  of  the  six  children  born  to  her. 

Our  subject  gained  his  earl}^  education  in  the 
district  schools,  and  at  sixteen  3'ears  of  age  com- 
menced learning  the  blacksmith  trade  in  Otsego, 
where  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years. 
In  the  fall  of  18G3,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
First  Michigan  Cavalry,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Ch.arles  Towne.  He  joined  his  regiment  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  spent  the  following  winter 
in  camp  at  Culpeper,  Ya.  The  first  fight  in  which 
he  took  part  was  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 
Following  tliis  were  the  engagements  at  Five  Forks, 
Trevilian  Station,  Winchester,  Cedar  Creek,  and 
one  near  Petersburg.  Mr.  AVhite  had  the  good 
fortune  to  be  present  at  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee, 
which  practically  terminated  the  war.  He  also  wit- 
nessed the  Grand  Review  of  the  troops  at  Wash- 
ington. His  regiment  w.as  then  ordered  to  Tex.as, 
but  only  got  as  far  as  St.  Louis,  being  then  sent  to 
Leavenworth  and  from  there  across  the  plains  to 
Salt  Lake  Cit^-.  Mr.  Wiiite  received  his  discharge 
at  Salt  Lake<^ity  November  10,  1865.  He  enlisted 
as  a  blacksmith  and  shod  horses  for  some  time,  but 
w.as  afterward  promoted  and  was  mustered  out  as  a 
Quartermaster-Sergeant.  During  the  fight  at  ]\Iill 
Run,  Va.,  he  had  a  horse  shot  from  under  him  and 
his  spine  was  severely  injured,  from  which  he  was 
laid  u])  in  the  hospital  for  about  three  weeks. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  AVhite  returned 
to  Otsego  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  short  time, 
lie  then  luircluased  a  lialf  interest  in  a  shop  at 
W.iylMiiil,  ;uul  carried  on  the  business  for  several 
years.  In  1876  he  removed  to  Plaiiiwell  where  he 
has  since  carried  on  his  trade,  in  1885  purch.asing 
his  present  shop.  The  marriage  of  our  subject 
took  i)lace  December  25,  1866,  when  he  was  united 
to  ]\Iiss  Lydia  A.  Stearns,  who  is  a  native  of  New 
York.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Henry  W.  and  .lane 
(Ih'uce)  Stearns,  who  came  from  their  native  Slate 
111  Michigan,  settling  in  Gun  Pljiins  Township, 
where  they  eaiiicd  im  a  I'miiii.  They  .'uc  now  liv- 
ing in  Plainwcll. 

Mr.  and    Mrs.    Wliite  arc   llic   parents   of    three 


3/ 


/ 


^, 


I; 


'J' 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


333 


children:  Izora  B.,  the  wife  of  Harry  D.  Oilnioro, 
whi)  is  employed  in  the  ollice  of  the  Rock  Island 
X'  Pacilic  Railroad  Corapanj'.  He  is  the  son  of 
(Jen.  (iilmore,  who  was  formerly  Postmaster  at 
(hieago.  Ray  L.  and  Eva  are  both  at  home.  All 
the  children  have  received  good  educations,  and 
Ray  L.  is  a  graduate  of  the  public  school.  Mr. 
\Miite  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  a 
memlier  of  the  village  Board.  He  has  been  asso- 
'■iated  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  at  present 
Master  of  the  lodge  at  Plainwell,in  which  capacity 
he  has  served  for  six  years.  He  is  Assistant  Chief 
of  the  Plainwell  Fire  Compan3',  and  belongs  also 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Mr.  AVhite  is  a  popular  man  and  is  highly  re- 
spected, not  onh'  on  account  of  his  honesty  and 
integrity,  but  for  his  record  as  a  gallant  soldier. 


•5*='5'='5' 


V 


r 


,^^^EORGE  B.  NICHOLS,  M.  D.,  of  :Martin, 
ill  ,-~j  was  born  in  Naples  Township,  Ontario 
^^^  County,  N.  Y.,  June  12,  1827.  His  father, 
Alfred,  was  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  where  he 
was  bom  in  1802,  and,  being  orphaned  at  au  early 
age,  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  when  still 
quite  j'oung.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  wagon- 
maker,  whicli  he  carried  on  in  Naples,  N.  Y.,  jjrior 
to  his  removal  to  Michigan.  During  his  residence 
in  Naples  he  was  married  to  Miss  Angeline  Lj'^on, 
who  was  born  and  reared  in  Naples,  N.  Y.,  and 
died  in  this  State  in  1873.  Her  father,  Simeon 
Lyon,  wasa  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State, 
and  had  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  settler 
on  the  Holland  Purchase  in  Naples,  N.  Y.  Our 
subject's  great  aunt,  on  his  mother's  side,  was  the 
first  white  woman  who  settled  in  the  village  of 
Naples. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  removed  to  this 
State  in  1864,  and  the  father,  who  still  survives 
and  makes  his  home  with  the  Doctor,  has  the 
honoi'  of  being  the  oldest  resident  of  Martin 
Township.  Our  subject,  who  was  the  oldest  mem- 
ber of  the  family,  is  the  only  one  now  surviving, 
the  others,  William  and  John  INI.,  having  p.assed 
away  in  New  York.  George  B.  Nichols  was  reared 
15 


in  his  native  place,  and  remained  with  his  father 
until  he  reached  his  majoritj',  in  the  meantime  re- 
ceiving his  first  schooling  in  Naples,  where  he  also 
finished  his  educati<jn.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
he  commenced  to  read  medicine  with  liis  uncle, 
Lester  Sprague,  of  Naples,  and  spent  five  years  in 
studying  with  him  and  attending  the  medical  col- 
lege at  Geneva.  He  was  graduated  in  18.")2  from 
Castleton  College,  of  Vermont. 

After  completing  his  medical  course,  the  young 
Doctor  formed  a  partnership  with  his  uncle  at  Na- 
ples as  a  practicing  physician,  and  continued  thus 
connected  until  1858,  when  he  came  to  Allegan 
County,  and  located  where  he  now  resides,  in 
Martin  Township.  At  the  time  of  his  removal 
hither,  he  was  so  poor  that  he  had  only  §1  to  pay 
on  the  house  where  he  now  lives,  but  notwith- 
standing his  poverty,  he  worked  industriously  and 
without  discouragement  until  he  now  has  a  com- 
petency of  this  world's  goods.  In  1853  he  was 
married  in  Naples,  N.  Y.,  to  Eunice  M.  AVatkins, 
who  was  born  in  that  place  November  1,  1832. 
Her  parents,  Bingham  and  Mary  Watkins,  came  to 
Michigan  at  an  early  day,  and  remained  in  this 
State  until  called  hence  by  death,  the  father  pass- 
ing away  in  Calhoun  County,  and  the  mother  in 
St.  Joseph  County. 

Dr.  Nichols  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  as  follows:  Mary  A.,  the  wife  of  J.  B. 
Watkins,  of  Grand  Rapids;  Cora  E.,  who  is  at 
home;  Lillian  M.,  who  graduated  as  a  trained 
nurse,  and  is  now  residing  in  Grand  Rapids;  Net- 
tie M.,  who  is  with  her  parents;  George  B.,  Jr.,  who 
married  IMary  Noble,  and  resides  in  Martin;  (irace, 
who  is  at  home;  and  Jessie,  who  died  when  one 
and  one-half  years  old.  The  Doctor  has  been  in 
practice  in  Martin  for  the  past  thirt3-.fonr  j'eai-s, 
and  is  well  known  in  the  county  as  one  of  its  fore- 
most practitioners  and  public-spirited  citizens.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  board  of  Pension  Examiners 
and  goes  to  Allegan  every  Wednesday  to  examine 
pension-seekers. 

The  Doctor  cast  his  first  ballot  for  A'an  Buren 
and  Adams,  in  1818,  and  since  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party,  has  been  a  firm  adherent 
of  its  principles.  He  has  served  .as  School  In- 
spector,    Town     Clerk,     Superintendent    of    the 


334 


POETRAIT  A:SD  BIOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


Schools  of  ;jraitin  Township,  and  was  Postmaster 
of  Martin  for  four  years,  during  tlie  administra- 
tion of  President  Garfield.  Since  the  jear  of  his 
arrival  in  this  county,  he  has  been  in  school  oflices 
and  is  now  Director  of  tiie  High  School,  and  one 
of  the  most  prominent  men  in  educational  work, 
lie  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  tlie  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  while  during  the  late  war 
he  belonged  to  the  Union  League.  Although  he 
is  not  connected  with  any  cliurch,  he  is  liberal  in 
his  contributions  toward  all  denominations  and 
has  aided  them  often  and  generously  in  a  financial 
way. 

Accompaiijing    this    personal    sketch   ma^'    be 
found  a  portrait  of  Dr.  Nichols. 


JOSEPH  W.  HICKS.  Among  tiie  most  prom- 
inent business  men  of  Plainwell,  Allegan 
County,  may  be  mentioned  tiie  gentleman 
whose  name  heads  this'sketcli,  and  who  is  a 
member  of  tiie  well-known  (inn  of  Soule  &  Hicks, 
owners  and  managers  of  the  Plainwell  Exchange 
Bank.  Jlr.  Ilicks  has  been  veiy  successful  in  his 
business  enterprises  and  lias  acquired  an  enviable 
reputation  for  integiity  and  honest}-  in  all  his 
dealings.  lie  is  a  native  of  Nassau  Township, 
Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  liis  birth  taking  pl.ace 
.\pril  1."),  18.36.  Ilis  father,  .lolin  Ilicks,  was  born 
in  the  same  county  in    1H()8. 

.loseph  Ilicks,  grandfatiier  of  our  subject,  w.-is 
aLso  a  native  of  New  York,  and  was  a  relative  of 
tlie  famous  Elias  Ilicks,  founder  of  the  Ilicksite 
branch  of  the  (Quaker  sect.  The  Ilicks  family 
came  from  lOnglaiid  in  Uic  early  history  of  this 
conntry  .■iiid  were  proniimnl  people  in  the  .section 
where  they  live.  Jo.seph  Ilicks  w.a.s  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  wns  at  one  time  .Sheriff  of  llcns- 
sel.ier  County.  He  died  in  1H12.  .lohn  Ilicks,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  by  an  uncle,  his 
father  having  died  when  he  was  but  four  years  old. 
II(!  married  in  his  native  county  and  lived  upon  a 
farm  until  IH.'ti;.  I  n  the  fall  <»f  Ihat  year,  he  came 
with  his  family  to  Michigan,  settling  in  Rome 
Townsliip,  I,('iia\vi-e  ('()unt\-.  The  country  at  that 
time  was  almost  a  wilderness  anil  our  subject    re- 


members when  a  boy  going  after  the  cows  and  see- 
ing many  deer,  and  also  occasionally  meeting  with 
wolves  and  bears.  'Sir.  Hicks,  Sr.,  was  for  many 
years  an  .active  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
was  one  who  helped  to  organize  the  first  church  in 
this  part  of  the  State,  soon  after  his  arrival  here. 
He  died  in  1881,  when  seventy-three  years  old. 
The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden  name  was 
.lane  AViuegar,  was  a  native  of  Rensselaer  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  of  German  descent.  Like  her  husband, 
she  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baiitist 
Church.  She  died  in  1880  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
j-ears. 

Mr.  Hicks  is  the  second  of  the  three  children  in 
the  parental  family,  all  of  whom  are  living.  He 
had  the  same  meager  opportunities  for  education 
as  other  boys  of  that  time,  attending  school  in  the 
old  fashioned  log  schoolhouse,  with  its  primitive 
seats  and  desks  made  out  of  .slabs,  his  schooling  be- 
ing gained  at  times  when  he  was  not  otherwise  en- 
gaged. "Much  of  his  studying  was  done  at  night 
by  the  light  of  the  fire  of  logs.  The  life  of  a 
farmer's  boj-,  with  its  hard  work,  long  days  and 
little  recompense,  did  not  satisfy  his  ambitious  dis- 
position, and  he  was  anxious  to  fit  himself  for 
teaching,  so  that  he  could  earn  some  money  b}-  the 
time  he  became  of  age.  His  father  did  not  look 
with  favor  upon  his  plans  but  he  finally,  by  the 
help  of  his  mother,  succi?eded  in  getting  his  father's 
consent  to  attend  school.  The  father,  however, 
imposed  the  condition  on  him,  that  if  he  gave  him 
his  time  he  should  not  exiiect  anj-  farther  help 
from  home.  On  the  morning  of  August  26,  18,').'?, 
the  bo_v  left  his  home  tt)  try  his  fortune  in  the 
world.  Ilis  father  gave  him  ^Ki,  with  the  parting 
words,  "Joe,  that  is  your  portion;  m;ike your  way 
and  your  mark  in  life  and  do  not  call  on  me  for 
a  dollar,"  and  he  kejit  his  word.  It  was  not  on  ac- 
counldf  any  harshness  on  his  pml,  but  he  thouglit 
the  boy  would  soon  get  tired  of  his  new  life  :nid 
conic  back  to  the  farm. 

Our  subject  came  direct  In  K:il:iniazoo,  this 
Slate,  and  entcied  the  college  at  that  place  and  he 
remembers  the  lii-sl  few  weeks  as  being  the  longest 
he  ever  spent.  He  worUcd  his  way  through  col- 
lege, doing  various  things  to  raise  money — in  the 
v.'ic.'i lions  tcacliiiig,  etc.     Ho  received  his  room  rent 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


335 


anil  incidental  expenses  in  exchange  for  instruc- 
tions in  vocal  music,  behaving  acquired  a  knowl- 
edge of  tliat  branch  in  country  singuig-schools  at 
his  old  home.  lie  entered  the  Juiiioi-  preparatory 
departnuuit  and  conii)leted  a  six  years'  course  in 
four  years  and  eight  weeks,  making  up  tlie  extra 
time.  His  lioblty  was  mathematics  and  while  he  was 
still  pursuing  his  other  studies  in  a  i)reparatory 
course,  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  his  branch  in 
the  Sophomore  classes.  lie  was  graduated  in  June, 
1859.  He  then  taught  music  and  singing-school 
for  some  time  and  sulisequently  entered  the  office 
of  the  County  Clerk  of  Kalamazoo  County  as  De- 
puty, remaining  there  for  one  year.  He  then  spent 
a  year  in  the  oHice  of  the  Hon.  Charles  S.  May, 
Lieutenant-Governor  of  IMichigan,  studj'ing  law. 
His  health  failed  and  by  the  advice  of  a  physician 
he  sought  outdoor  exercise. 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  Mr.  Hicks  came  to  Plain- 
well  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Gnn  Plain  Townsiiip, 
comprising  one  hundred  acres.  In  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  he  was  called  to  fill  the  cliair  of  Mathe- 
matics in. Kalamazoo  College,  made  vacant  by  tlie 
resignation  of  Prof.  Edward  Olnej-.  He  filled  this 
position  for  one  year,  when  he  returned  to  his 
farm,  where  he  remained  until  1866,  when  he  sold 
the  place,  having  made  off  of  it  in  three  years  as 
much  as  he  paid  for  it.  In  the  fall  of  1866,  he 
located  in  Plainfleld  where  he  was  nominated  on 
the  Kepublicau  ticket  for  County  Surveyor  with- 
out his  knowledge.  He  was  elected  and  served  for 
six  successive  terms,  comprising  twelve  years.  In 
1876  he  purcliased  an  interest  in  the  Plainwell 
Exchange  Bank  with  which  he  has  since  been  con- 
nected. 

Jlr.  Hicks  was  married  in  1860  to  Miss  Helen 
Davis,  a  native  of  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.  She  came 
to  Michigan  with  her  parents  in  1838,  thej^ 
settling  near  Galesbuig,  Kalamazoo  County.  The 
father  died  in  1855  and  the  mother  is  still  living 
at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  Mr.  Hicks  has 
always  been  a  Republican  and  has  taken  a  great 
interest  in  all  matters  concerning  the  welfare  of 
his  county  and  State.  He  has  held  many  promin- 
ent offices  and  is  intimately  connected  with  the 
history  of  the  town  in  ivhich  he  resides.  In  1869 
the  village  of  Plainwell  was  incorporated  and    ]\Ir. 


Hicks  was  chosen  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
which  drafted  tlie  first  ciiart(>r.  He  was  elected  tlie 
first  President  of  the  village  and  .served  seven  j'ears. 
He  has  been  connected  witli  the  management  of 
its  affairs  eitlier  as  President  or  member  of  the 
Council  for  fourteen  years,  lie  lias  been  a  fre- 
quent delegate  to  State  and  county  conventions 
and  when  liis  present  term  lias  expired  will  have 
been  a  member  of  the  School  Board  for  twenty-two 
years.  He  is  also  one  of  the  Trustees  of  Kalama- 
zoo College.  He  was  one  of  the  Directors  of  the 
Kalamazoo  and  Allegan  Railroad  at  the  time  that 
road  was  built.  It  is  now  known  as  the  Lake 
Shore.  He  is  a  stock-holder  in  the  Michigan  Paper 
Company  and  is  Vice-president  of  the  corporation. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Ix)dge 
and  Encampment. 

Mr.  Hicks  and  his  wife  are  both  active  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church  and  i-espond  liberallj'  to 
all  calls  made  upon  their  time  and  purse.  They 
are  held  in  the  highest  estimation  by  all  classes  of 
societj'. 


•^^I®-©©!^!^ 


ETH  W.  LOVERIDGE.  This  owner  and 
resident,  located  on  the  fine  farm  on  sec- 
tion 3,  Ganges  Township,  Allegan  County, 
was  born  in  Monroe  C'ount3-,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 20,  1824.  His  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  is  under  excellent  improvement,  twentj' 
acres  of  it  being  in  fruit.  At  the  time  it  came 
into  his  possession,  it  was  entirely'  covered  with 
hard-wood  timber,  but  b)'  persistent  industry  and 
good  judgment  he  has  brought  it  to  a  high  degi-ee 
of  cultivation. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Caleb  and  Mary 
Loveridge.  The  fatlier  was  born  in  Deerfield, 
Mass.,  in  1792,  and  received  a  thorough  training 
in  farm  duties.  He  remained  at  home  until  reach- 
ing his  majority,  in  the  meantime  serving  an  ap- 
prenticeship at  the  cooper's  trade,  whicii  occupa- 
tion he  followed  through  life.  While  in  the 
Nutmeg  State,  Caleb  Loveridge  met  and  married 
the  mother  of  our  subject,  wliose  maiden  name  was 
Mary,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Matilda  Loomis, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Connecticut. 


336 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Soon  after  tlieir  marriage  the  parents  of  Seth 
^X.  removed  to  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  where  thc}^ 
located  on  a  farm  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
dajs.  They  became  the  parents  of  six  children, 
whose  record  follows:  Lucretia,  who  is  deceased; 
Alfred;  Seth  W.,  our  subject;  Mar}- A.  and  Hub- 
bell,  both  deceased;  and  Louisa.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Loveridgc  was  a  Jacksonian  Democrat  and  was  a 
verv  prominent  man  in  his  community.  He  was  a 
patriot  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Seth  W.  Loveridge  made  his  homo  with  his  par- 
ents vmtil  reaching  his  majority,  when  he  went  to 
work  on  a  farm,  being  thus  engaged  for  three 
years.  While  in  New  York  he  was  married,  in 
1849,  to  Miss  Catherine,  daughter  of  .Joseph  and 
Mehitable  Collins.  Soon  after  that  event,  they 
emigrated  to  Oakland  County,  this  State,  where 
they  located  on  a  farm  and  remained  for  three 
j-ears.  Then,  in  1852,  Mr.  Loveridge  went  to 
California,  and  worked  in  the  gold  mines  for  three 
years.  He  was  ver^'  successful  in  that  venture, 
and  returning  to  Michigan,  located  with  his  fam- 
ily in  Allegan  County,  where  he  purchased  his  pres- 
ent farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  which 
was  tlien  a  dense  wilderness.  He  at  once  erected 
a  "shanty"  and  commenced  the  improvement  of 
his  estate.  He  has  lately  erected  a  beautiful  resi- 
dence on  his  property  and  is  ranked  among  tiie 
progressive  and  intelligent  citizens  of  (!anges 
Township. 

To  our  subject  and  his  first  wife  were  born  two 
children:  .Tudson,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven 
j-cai-s,  and  l'"rank,  now  residing  in  Suugatuck 
Township,  Allegan  County.  After  tlie  death  of 
his  wife,  Mr.  Loveridge  married  Cliarlottc  Collins, 
a  sister  of  his  former  companion,  and  to  them 
have  been  born  a  daughter,  May.  Both  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  arc  members  of  the  Baptist 
Chiircii,  ami  in  politics,  Mr.  Loveridge  is  a  Hepub- 
lican,  tliougli  in  t-ariy  life  lie  stii)porlcd  Demo- 
cratic principles. 

In  IMfil,  our  subject  enleicd  tlic  service  of  his 
country  by  enlisting  in  Company  H,  Tiiirteenth 
Michigan  Infantry,  lie  wius  under  the  commnnd 
of  ( Icn.  Sherman,  and  with  iiis  regiment  paitlci- 
pnted  in  the  famous  inMnli  lu  lln'  >m  and  liie  bat- 
tles   fuiight    at    S.'iv.'innah    .'ind    licnloii villc.     lie 


took  part  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington, 
and  received  his  honorable  discharge  at  Detroit, 
June  20,  1865.  Sociall}',  our  subject  is  a  merabei- 
of  Jacob  Fry  Post,  No.  46,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Ganges. 

Mr.  Loveridge,  besides  his  home  farm,  owns 
forty  acres  in  Saugatuck  Townshiii,  twenty  acres 
of  which  is  in  peaches,  five  acres  in  apples  and 
one  acre  in  grapes.  He  is  a  man  whose  cordial, 
kindly  spirit  has  made  him  warm  friends,  and  wc 
are  pleased  to  present  his  sketch  to  our  readei's. 


I 


who  resides  < 
„  „      ship,  Allegai 


jILLIAM  WHITK  is  a  prosperous  farmer 
;s  on  section  15,  Monterey  Town- 
>an  County,  where  he  owns  one 
hundred  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  and  also 
fort}-  acres  on  section  11.  He  is  the  son  of  Josiah 
and  Fannie  (Mann)  White, natives  of  Pennsjivania 
and  Connecticut,  respectively.  His  father  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Ashtabula  Count}-,  where  lie 
settled  about  1810,  when  all  that  section  was  ;i 
wilderness.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  181 1'. 
Both  his  grandfather  and  great-grandfather  took 
part  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

The  subject  of  this  slcetch  was  born  in  Ashtalmla 
County,  Ohio,  May  3,  1829,  and  was  reared  upo]i 
his  father's  farm,  remaining  tliere  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  wlicn  he  went  to  the 
lumber  woods  in  Bay  County,  Mich.  After  spend- 
ing about  eighteen  months  there,  he  came,  in  18.").'1. 
to  Allegan  County  .and  took  up  the  land  of  whicli 
liis  fatiier  had  obtained  tlie  land-warrant  in  1812. 
On  March  4,  1861,  Jlr.  White  w.as  united  in  m.ir- 
riage  witii  Adelia  C.  Cady,  a  native  of  Oiiio.  llcr 
father  was  a  native  of  Canada,  and  her  mother  :i 
native  of  Ohio;  they  now  reside  in  Alleg.an  County. 
Mv.  and  Mis.  White  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Orvis  W.,  who  married  May  Simmons  and 
resides  in  Antrim  County,  Midi.;  George  E.,  who 
is  engaged  in  lumbering  in  Idaho;  Perry,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  mouths,  and  Lee  C.,  who  Is 
at  home  and  attending  school.  They  also  adoptccl 
a  daughter,  Mary,  who  is  still  at  homo  with   tlicm. 

In  IKdl,  Mr.  Wliitr  (■Mli>lf(l  in  Company  B, 
'riiirlcciitli    Michigan    Inl'nntry,  serving  until  the 


^. 


/^, 


^^fuyt^ 


Sl^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL   RECORD. 


339 


close  of  the  war,  and  being  with  Sherman  in  his 
celebrated  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  discharged 
August  6,  1865.  In  1879  he  purchased  the  farm 
on  which  he  now  resides,  and  which  is  liiglil}'  cul- 
tivated, giving  evidence  of  the  careful  manage- 
ment and  personal  supervision  of  its  owner.  Mr. 
Willie  is  a  man  of  energy  and  enteri)rise,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  as  a  public-si)irited  citizen.  lie 
is  a  member  of  Harlow  Briggs  Post,  No.  80,  G.  A. 
K.,  and  was  its  first  Commander.  He  belongs  to 
Monterey  Grange,  No  247,  of  which  he  has  been 
Master.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat  and  an 
ardent  advocate  of  the  principles  of  that  party. 
His  popularity  is  shown  by  tlie  fact  that  he  lias 
been  Supervisor  of  Monterey  Township  for  nine 
terms,  although  there  is  a  large  Republican  major- 
ity in  the  township.  He  has  also  held  the  offices 
of  Town  Clerk,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  member 
of  the  School  Board. 


AMES  M.  GRAY.  In  a  volume  of  a  bio- 
grapliical  nature,  prominent  mention  should 
certainly  be  made  of  Mr.  Gray,  who  is  a 
leading  and  wealthy  citizen  of  Van  Buren 
Country.  In  his  life  is  exemplilied  the  results  of 
enterprise  and  determination,  and  the  example 
which  he  furnishes  to  the  young  is  well  worthy  of 
emulation.  A  [lersonal  acquaintance  with  liim  re- 
veals the  fact  that  while  he  devotes  the  closest  at- 
tention to  his  business  enterprises,  he  nevertheless 
is  greatly  interested  in  all  measures  having  for 
their  object  the  promotion  of  the  coinmunitj',  so- 
cially or  morally.  He  is  particularly  interested  in 
the  development  of  the  resources  of  Breedsville, 
where  he  has  resided  for  man}'  3'ears.  His  portrait 
appears  in  connection  with  this  biographical  notice. 
Among  the  brave  soldiers  who  served  in  the 
War  of  1812,  was  James  Gray,  Sr.,  father  of  our 
subject.  He  was  a  mere  lad  at  the  time  of  the  con- 
flict, having  been  born  July  5,  1795.  In  his  youth, 
he  learned  the  trade  of  a  millwright  in  Ids  native 
State,  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  i-emoved  to  New 
York  in  his  early  manhood,  and  was  there  married 
to  Miss  Jane  Haynes.  This  lad^'  was  born  in  the 
Empire    State,  August  23,  1798,  and   became   the 


motlier  of  seven  children,  namely:  Valina,  Joseph 
H.,  Thomas  P.,  Ellas  O.,  James  M.,  Mary  E.  and 
W.  R.  Mrs.  Jane  Gray  died  October  15,  1817. 
She  was  a  sincere  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  a  devoted  wife  and  a  loving  mother,  and 
her  noble  traits  of  character  placed  her  in  lii'rh  es- 
teem in  the  community  wliere  slic  resided. 

About  1832,  the  father  of  our  subject  removed 
from  New  York  to  Ohio,  wliere  for  one  year 
he  operated  a  sawmill,  which  he  built  on  the  Maii- 
mee  River.  Later  he  came  to  Michigan,  where  he 
managed  a  gristmill  and  sawmill  for  more  than 
one  year,  and  then,  in  the  fall  of  1835,  came  to 
Lawrence  Township,  \'an  liuren  County.  Piirciias- 
ing  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  he  at  once  set  to  work 
to  effect  its  improvement,  and  meanwhile  also 
worked  at  his  trade.  In  1H53,  he  sold  his  property 
and  removed  to  Breedsville,  but  after  a  sojourn  of 
three  years  in  that  citj',  returned  to  Lawrence 
Township,  where  he  died,  July  28,  1873.  Through- 
out this  portion  of  the  State,  he  was  quite  well 
known,  and  his  labors  as  a  pioneer  and  puliiic- 
spirited  citizen  increased  his  popularity  and  iiillu- 
ence.  He  served  in  various  townsliii)  offices  and 
was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  j\lr.  Gray,  Si-., 
was  married  to  J\Iiss  Marj'  Skelton,  a  native  of 
England,  and  some  time  after  her  demise  was 
united  to  Mrs.  Laura  Orr.  Two  children  were  born 
to  tliem,  Ella  and  Rilla.  Mrs.  Laura  Gray  still 
survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Lawrence  Town- 
ship. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  Decem- 
ber 9,  1828.  and  was  reared  on  a  farm,  receiving 
the  advantages  of  a  common-school  education. 
When  four  years  old,  he  accompanied  his  parents 
in  their  removal  from  his  native  place  in  Lake- 
ville,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  to  the  Bucke3e 
State,  and  from  there  to  Michigan  a  short  time 
afterward.  In  his  youth  he  aided  his  father  on  the 
home  farm,  and  when  twent3--four  engaged  as  a 
clerk  in  a  store  at  Breedsville. 

In  1857,  Mr.  Gray  entered  into  business  with 
his  father-in-law,  and  the  partnership  thus  formed 
continued  until  1867,  when  our  subject  purchased 
the  stock  and  operated  it  alone  until  the  spring  of 
1888.  Since  1882,  he  li.ns  owned  and  managed  a 
gristmill  at  Lawrence,  and  has  been  successful  in 


310 


POETRAIT  AND  BIOGRAI HICAL  RECORD. 


his  milling  operations.  He  takes  considerable  in- 
terest in  local  political  affairs,  and  has  served  as 
Clerk  of  Columbia  Township  for  three  years,  as 
■well  as  Supervisor.  In  his  politic.il  sympathies,  he 
adheres  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party, 
and  socially  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Gray,  July  1,  1858,  united 
him  with  Miss  Marj-  A.  Painter,  who  was  born  in 
Cass  County,  Mich.,  August  5,  1841,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Lorenzo  and  Betsej-  Painter.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gray  became  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Lillian  J., wife  of  George  W.  Fisher,  and  Rosamond, 
now  Mrs.  Byron  J.  Robertson.  Mr.  Robertson  is 
Mr.  Gray's  successor  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Breedsville,  which  he  has  conducted  with  success 
since  he  assumed  control  in  1888.  The  death  of 
Mi's.  Gray,  May  11,  1868,  removed  one  from  earth 
who  had  been  an  efficient  helpmate  to  her  husband, 
a  devoted  mother,  and  worthily  filled  her  sphere 
in  life.  Mr.  Gra3'  is  well  known  as  a  man  of  strict 
integritj-  and  has  received  the  reward  of  his  meri- 
torious life  in  the  good-will  of  his  numerous 
friends. 


Oll.N  C.  •\V11KKLKU.  During  the  [icriod  of 
almost  fifty  years  in  which  Mr.  Wheeler  has 
made  his  home  in  Allegan  County,  lie  has 
become  well  known  to  its  citizens  as  a  kind- 
hearted  and  generous  man,  of  unllinching  integrity 
and  upriglit  life.  He  is  especially  jjopular  in  ]\Iar- 
lin  Townsiiip,  wiiere  he  has  resided  the  greater 
portion  of  his  life,  and  where  he  owns  his  father's 
old  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
acres.  However,  he  is  not  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  but  rents  his  farm  and  devotes  his  time 
tu  hunting  and  fishing.  He  is  a  devoted  follower 
of  Isaac  Walton  and  an  expert  both  witli  tlie  gun 
and  the  fi.shing  rod. 

A  native  of  this  Slate,  .Mr.  Wheeler  was  born  in 
Kairfielrl  Township,  Lenawee  County,  May  .'H, 
18'1().  Williani  S.,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New 
York,  null  was  born  in  Marion  'I'ownship,  Wayne 
County,  in  1810.  At  a  very  early  day  he  emigrated 
t<»  this  State,  where  he  resided  in  Lenawee  County 


several  j^ears,  removing  thence  to  Wayne  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  there  sojourning  about  four  years.  In 
1844,  he  came  direct  to  Allegan  County,  locating 
on  section  8,  Martin  Township,  and  commenced 
the  improvement  of  the  tract  of  land  which  he  had 
purchased.  In  the  spring  of  1845,  he  built  a  small 
log  house,  into  which  he  moved  when  only  half  of 
the  roof  had  been  placed  thereon.  There  he  re- 
mained until  he  died,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
years. 

A  prominent  man  of  this  community,  Williani 
S.  Wheeler  was  well  known,  first  as  a  Whig  and 
later  as  a  Republican.  He  served  as  Supervisor  of 
his  township,  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twelve  3'ears, 
Town  Clerk,  and  in  other  official  positions  of  trust 
and  responsibility.  The  mother  of  our  subject, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  M.  Cook,  was  born 
in  Palm3'ra  Township,  Ontario  County',  N.  Y.,  in 
1815,  and  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 
Her  father,  John  Cook,  was  a  native  of  Dorset,  Vt., 
and  removed  first  to  New  York  and  later  to  ]Mich- 
igan,  locating,  in  1844,  in  Martin  Township. 

The  family  of  which  our  subject  was  a  member 
comprised  two  children.  Cyrus  B.,  the  elder  son, 
enlisted  in  the  Nineteenth  Jlichigan  Infantry  and 
was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
dying  in  the  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  John  C, 
the  3'ounger  son,  was  four  and  one-iialf  years  old 
when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Martin  Township, 
and  his  schooling  w.as  received  in  a  log  building 
near  his  father's  home.  He  was  married,  September 
30,  1862,  to  Maiy  J.,  the  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Margaret  Benson,  and  with  his  young  wife  located 
on  section  8,  Martin  Township,  where  he  opeiated 
as  a  fanner  and  made  his  home  in  a  small  frame 
house.  In  1876,  he  removed  ti>  the  place  where 
he  now  resides,  a  fine  farm,  which  has  first-class 
improvements  and  a  substantial  set  of  buildings. 

Mr.  Wheeler  has  been  deeply  bereaved,  for  he 
has  been  called  to  mourn  the  death  of  his  four 
children,  ••md  on  September  24,  181)0,  his  loving 
and  f.'iithful  wife  p.assed  from  earth  and  her  body 
now  lies  buried  in  the  Martin  Cemetery.  Mr. 
Wheeler  took  for  his  second  wife  Jliss  Katie  \\'!ill, 
daughter  of  iMlward  and  Agnes  (Peel)  W.-ilI,  na- 
tives of  ICngland.  Mrs.  Wheeler  was  born  in  .Mar- 
tin Township,  .Seplenilii'r    II,  I.SCK").      Her  niMiriage 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


341 


with  our  subject  took  place  at  the  liome  of  her 
parents,  on  the  ;50lh  of  Maivh,  1892. 

Politically,  iSIr.  Wheeler  is  a  slronj;  Kepublicaii, 
and  devoted  to  the  measures  which  will  benelit  his 
conlnlllnit}^  At  one  time  he  was  elected  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  but  did  not  qualify;  he  also  served 
as  Constable  for  six  j'ears,  and  in  other  positions 
of  local  responsibility  and  inii)ortance.  He  has  a 
host  of  warm  jjcrsonal  friends  in  the  townshi]) 
where  he  has  lived  for  so  man^'  years  aud  is  uni- 
versally esteemed  and  respected. 


^^RSON  G.  VAIIUE.  This  gentleman,  who  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Vahue  &  Brand,  pro- 
prietors of  the  City  Meat  Market  at  Allegan, 
is  one  of  the  substantial  business  men  of  Allegan 
County.  His  parents,  Philip  and  Arminda  A. 
(Gillett)  Valine,  were  natives  of  Vermont,  whence 
they  came  to  Michigan  as  early  as  1854,  settling 
in  Allegan,  Allegan  Townshi|).  Here  the  father, 
who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  operated  an  ex- 
tensive tract  of  land  and  was  also  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out, 
his  patriotism  was  aroused  and,  although  over 
fifty  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Michigan 
Infantry,  but  was  not  allowed  to  muster  in  on  ac- 
count of  his  defective  teeth,  he  being  unable  to 
bite  off  the  end  of  a  cartridge.  Ha  was,  however, 
not  to  be  discouraged  in  this  way,  but  tried  again, 
aud  finally  succeeded  in  becoming  a  member  of 
the  Third  Michigan  Artillerj',  as  Baggage  Master. 
He  was  in  the  service  fourteen  months,  when  he 
was  taken  ill  and  sent  home,  being  dischaiged  on 
account  of  disability  and  dj^ing  a  few  years  after- 
ward. 

Mr.  Vahue  was  a  strong  Republican  and  intensely 
loyal  to  the  Union,  having  a  detestation  of  the 
men  who  were  in  sympathy  with  the  seceders,  as 
well  as  those  who  were  actively  engaged  in  seeking 
to  procure  the  disruption  of  the  Union.  He  was  a 
man  of  excellent  habits,  never  used  tobacco  or 
spirituous  liquors  and,  with  his  wife,  was  a  devoted 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  they  took 
a   prominent   and  influential  part.     This   worth}" 


couple  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom 
three  are  now  living:  Mrs.  Phidelia  L.  Peet,  of 
Allegan;  Charles  S.,  a  farmer  of  Allegan  Township; 
an<l  our  subject. 

Orson  G.  Vahue  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  of  Allegan  Township,  afterward  attending 
for  two  years  the  High  School  in  Allegan.  He  was 
reared  upon  the  farm  and  remained  with  his  parents 
until  theii-  death.  He  now  owns  a  part  of  the  old 
homestead,  to  which  he  has  made  large  additions, 
and  has  one  of  the  finest  and  best  conducted  farms 
in  the  county,  comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres.  On  this  he  has  excellent  buildings,  a  hand- 
some residence  costing  $3,000,  and  numerous  horse 
and  other  barns,  the  former  costing  81,000.  In 
addition  to  his  farming  operations,  he  has  made  a 
specialty  of  raising  fine  draft  horses,  aud  has  excel- 
lent stock  of  other  kinds.  The  firm  of  Vahue  & 
Brand  owns  a  good  brick  block  in  the  center  of 
the  village,  where  they  carry  on  their  business,  and 
also  nine  acres  of  land,  which  they  also  use  in 
their  butchering  operations. 

Mr.  Vahue  was  married,  November  2,  1869,  to 
Miss  Ella  Nichols,  a  daughter  of  John  S.  Nichols, 
of  Speucerport,  N.  Y.  Three  sons  have  been  born 
to  them:  Frank,  Ray  P.  and  Earl.  Mr.  Vahue  be- 
longs to  the  Democratic  party  and  has  held  various 
responsible  positions  in  the  village,  having  been  a 
member  of  the  School  Board  and  President  of  the 
Allegan  County  Agricultural  Society,  ex-President 
of  the  Village  Board  and  one  of  its  members  at 
the  present  time.  He  has  also  been  Chairman  of 
the  Financial  Committee  and  one  of  the  Street 
Committee.  He  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial men  of  his  community,  who  may  be  counted 
upon  to  assist  in  every  laudable  undertaking. 


-^]. 


"^ 


^+^ 


l^^ 


ylLLIAM  M.  KENNEY.  This  gentleman  is 
one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Covert  Town- 
^'  -^  ship,  Van  Buren  County,  having  taken  up 
his  residence  here  in  the  fall  of  1860.  He  was 
born  in  Halton  County,  Canada,  April  10,  1824. 
His  father,  Samuel  D.  Kenney,  was  a  native  of 
Penns3-lvania,  where  he  was  born  April  4,  1797. 
He  married   Lucy  Bobbins,  who  was  a  native  of 


342 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Massachusetts,  the  date  of  her  birth  being  Novem- 
ber 13,  1802.  Their  m.Trriage  took  place  iu  Can- 
ada, to  wliic-h  place  their  respective  families  had 
moved  just  after  the  War  of  1812.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  a  blacksmith,  and  during  the  War 
of  1812  was  in  the  employ  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment, from  which  he  received  two  hundred  .icres 
of  land  in  Ilalton  County  in  return  for  iiis  ser- 
vices, and  on  which  he  settled  after  his  marriage. 
Here  he  passed  his  remaining  years,  dying  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two.  His  wife  departed  this  life 
October  17,  18G0.  They  were  the  parents  of 
twelve  children  as  follows:  Timothy  C,  AVillinm 
M.,  Elizabeth  Ann,  Rebecca  M.,  Samuel  W.,  John 
S.,  David  R.,  Lucyntha.  Ruth  Emily,  Nathan  C 
George  C.  and  .Io?ci)h  F. 

Our  subject  was  reared  ui)on  his  father's  farm, 
and  ^klarch  10,  1816,  ^^as  married  to  Miss  ^lar^ 
Sherlnirne  who  was  born  in  Canada,  in  Ilalton 
County.  May  21,  1825.  ^Ir.  Kenney  followed 
farming  for  some  yeai-s  and  later  eng.aged  in  the 
nursery  business,  but  the  climate  proving  too  cold 
for  him  he  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Covert 
Township  ,then  known  as  Deerfield  Township.  The  ! 
country  was  at  that  lime  wild  and  entirely  unim- 
proved, the  place  which  he  purchased  being  covered 
with  timber.  This,  with  much  labor,  he  cleared  off 
and  cultivated,  making  of  it  a  fine  farm  of  forty 
acres,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  are  the  ))arents  of  the  following 
children:  James  W.,  a  merchant  at  Covert  and 
•South  Haven;  Mary  J.  (Mrs.  George  E.Sherbourne), 
of  So\itli  Haven;  Lucy  A.,  the  wife  of  F-yman  Car- 
jienler  of  Covert;  Samuel  D.,  a  merchant  at  Covert; 
Cynthia  A.  (Mi-s.  Frank  Reed),  of  Chicago;  Lottie 
E.  (Mi-s.  E.  <;.  Allen)  and  Kmma.  wife  of  Beuna 
Marvin,  both  of  whom  re.-idc  at  Chicago,  and  Will- 
iam M. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Kenney  is  a  IJcpiililican  and  has 
lielil  the  ollice.s  of  .lusti(.-e  of  the  I'eacc  and  Super- 
visor, both  however,  to  till  vacancies,  as  he  has  no 
tastii  for  i)ublii  life  and  prefers  to  devote  his  at- 
t(!nlion  to  iiis  home  andbii.'-incss.  He  was  foimcrly 
connect4-d  with  the  Metiiodist  Episcopal  and  also 
witli  till' Congregational  Cliunli  :ind  altliougli  now 
not  a  inernlxT  of  cither,  leads  an  upright  Clirislian 
hfe.  He  is  paying  conmderable alien tioii  to  the  rais- 


ing of  fruit  and  has  been  very  successful  in  grafting 
trees,  of  which  he  docs  considerable  for  other 
parties.  He  and  his  family  are  well  known  through- 
out the  county,  and  stand  high  in  the  estimation 
of  all  who  come  in  contact  with  them. 


3; 


i-5"5-*-5-i 


^X-i**! 


'■i"i"ir-i-^m,m  ♦•{••J^F 


;^  ETH  K.    TANNER,    who   is   a    prominent 
farmer  and  breeder  of  standard  bred  horses. 


resides  on  section  22,  Monterey  Township, 
Allegan  County,  where  he  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres  of  fine  Land,  highly  cultivated 
and  well  improved  with  good  buildings.  He  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Kenyou)  Tanner,  na- 
tives of  the  .State  of  New  York,  where  the  subject 
of  this  .sketch  was  born  in  Washington  County. 
March  17,  1830. 

The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Allegan 
County  when  the  latter  was  but  nine  years  of  age 
and  located  upon  the  farm  now  owned  bj^  his  son. 
There  were  only  .about  twenty-eight  acres  cleared, 
and  the  young  man  assisted  his  father  in  the  hard 
labor  necessary  to  make  a  comfortable  home,  and 
continued  in  this  occupation  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  in  the  meantime  acquiring  his  edu- 
cation at  the  district  schools.  In  1802,  Mr.  T:innor 
was  happil_v  married  to  j\Iary  Brown,  a  daughter 
of  W.itson  Brown,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  St^ate, 
but  who  removed  to  IMassachusetts  some  years 
after  his  daughter  was  born.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  oursuliject  and  liis  wife,  two  of  wlion\ 
survive:  Ella  M.,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents 
and  Joseph  Roy,  who  is  .attending  the  business 
college  at  Kalamazoo. 

ISIr.  Tanner  has  made  his  own  way  in  the  woi-ld 
starting  out  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  with  ^T)))  in 
(■.•i>li  and  a  yoke  of  steers.  He  wjissuccessrui  in  liis 
various  undertakings  and  aftci'  his  father's  dcMtli 
in  1871  he  bought  out  the  oilier  heirs  nnd  toojc 
possession  of  the  old  homcslciul.  Here  he  is 
busily  engaged  in  opeiatiiig  his  farm  and  .-ilso  in 
lireeding  horses, of  which  he  has  now  about  twenty- 
live  lua<l.  I  Ic  inlicrilcd  his  love  for  this  aniiiKii 
fioiii  his  rather  and  takes  great  interest  in  iiiisiiig 
the  grade  of  the  .•iiiimals  used  in  this  eounlry. 
Among  his  horses  is  "Ceiieiy  Iviiig"  No.    l.'i,.')iHi,  a 


""^^^^(/cycii^ ^ '  ^a^n^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


345 


three-year-old  of  great  promise.  He  also  owns  an- 
other fine  stallion,  "Magna  Wilkes"  hy  name,  wliioli 
for  beauty  has  not  an  equal  in  the  county  and  from 
his  breeding  and  build  will  make  a  fine  record 
among  the  fast  liorses  on  the  turf.  Our  subject  has 
several  other  fine  colts  that  promise  great  results  in 
the  future;  among  them  is  a  tine  three-year-old  in- 
bred "Black  Hawk."  He  also  has  a  fine  line  of  Jersey 
cattle  in  which  he  takes  great  pride.  He  has  long 
been  engaged  in  breeding  horses  and  cattle.  He 
thoroughly  understands  the  business  and  fully 
realizes  the  fact  that  it  is  just  as  cheap  to  raise  a 
fine  animal  as  it  is  to  raise  a  scrub.  Mr.  White  has 
two  good  dwelling-houses  on  his  farm  and  is  en- 
joying life  as  only  an  independent  farmer  can. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  vari- 
ous local  ofliccs.  He  and  his  family  are  highly  es- 
teemed in  their  community. 


^>^^<m^ 


?]I)WARD  J.  LANE,  of  Arlington  Township, 
a  pi'osperous  farmer  of  Van  Buren  County, 
h.as  a  noble  military  record  for  valor  and 
fidelity  to  the  Union  cause  during  the  late  war, 
that  contributed  to  tlie  high  reputation  of  one  of 
Michigan's  most  gallant  cavalry  regiments.  Mr. 
Lane  was  born  in  the  year  1831,  in  Lewis  County, 
N.  Y.  His  parents  were  Zebina  and  Polly  (Sykes) 
Lane,  who  were  natives  of  Hartford,  Conn.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  who  was  born  in  England, 
but  came  to  America  early  in  life,  was  a  brave 
soldier  in  the  ranks  of  the  Continental  Army  dur- 
ing the  revolution  that  freed  the  American  colonies 
from  British  rule. 

Our  subject  is  the  3'oungest  of  eight  children, 
as  follows:  Horace,  a  resident  of  .Jefferson  County, 
N.  Y.;  Juliette,  who  married  John  Bailey,  and 
with  her  husband  died  in  Lewis  County,  N.  Y.; 
Zebina,  Jr.,  who  lives  in  that  county;  Betsy  A., 
wife  of  Truman  P.  Greene,  of  Lewis  County,  N.Y.; 
Francis,  deceased;  Emeline,  wlio  liecame  the  wife 
of  .Jacob  Ausman,  of  J^awrence,  Mich.;  .James,  who 
served  in  the  arm3'  and  gave  up  his  life  for  his 
country  during  the  war,  and  Edward  J. 

Our  subject  spent  his  early  life  amid  the  pleasant 
scenes  of   his  birth,  and   after  attaining  manhood 


married  and  settled  in  his  native  count}'.  In  18.55 
he  determined  to  avail  himself  of  tiie  many  excel- 
lent advantages  offered  to  a  practical,  wide-awake 
farmer  I)y  the  rich  soil  and  cheap  lands  of  Van 
Buren  County,  in  the  State  of  Michigan,  and.  witli 
the  exception  of  the  time  that  he  spent  in  the 
South  helping  to  fight  his  country's  b.attles,  he  has 
lived  here  ever  since,  and  has  won  a  place  among 
our  most  useful  citizens  in  the  township  of  Arling- 
ton. His  farm  contains  one  hundred  acres  of  fine 
fanning  land,  which  has  been  rendered  ve.vy  pro- 
ductive by  judicious  cultivation,  and  the  place  is 
amply  supplied  with  suitable  buildings,  and  the 
various  kinds  of  modern  machinery  for  facilitating 
agricultural  operations,  besides  being  well  stocked 
with  cattle,  horses  and  hogs. 

In  1862  Mr.  Lane  responded  to  the  call  of  the 
Government  for  more  troops,  enlisting  in  Com- 
pany' C,  Fourth  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  in  the  en- 
suing years  of  hard  and  bitter  warfare,  displayed 
a  true  soldierl.y  spirit  and  devotion  to  his  country, 
which  merited  and  gained  him  the  ccnifidence  of 
his  commanders.  His  regiment  was  with  Rosecraiis 
while  he  was  in  command,  and  remained  with  the 
same  department  throughout  the  war,  and  our  sub- 
ject and  his  comrades  took  an  .acti^-e  part  in  man}- 
engagements  with  the  enemy.  Thev  were  at  the 
front  in  the  fight  at  Bowling  Green,  Ivy.,  won 
added  laurels  at  Stone  River,  and  did  gallant  ser- 
vice in  the  Atlanta  cami)aign;  while  their  last  en- 
counter with  the  Confederate  forces  was  at  Selma, 
Ala.,  shortly  before  the  close  of  the  Rebellion. 

Our  suljject  did  not  go  through  the  war  un- 
scathed, but  succumbed  to  the  terrible  hardships 
of  a  soldier's  life  in  the  summer  of  '63,  was  taken 
home  on  a  sick  furlough,  and  for  some  weeks  lay 
at  the  point  of  death.  His  hardy  constitution 
triumphed,  and  with  undaunted  patriotism  he  re- 
joined his  regiment  as  soon  as  he  was  sufficiently 
recovered  to  do  duty,  and  served  faithfulh-  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  quietl}'  resumed 
his  occupation  as  a  farmer,  which  he  has  since  so 
successfully  jtursued.  The  Republican  party  had 
his  earnest  support  on  the  battlefields  of  the  South, 
where  he  fought  for  its  principles,  he  having  been 
with  it  from  the  first,  casting  his  vote  for  Gen. 
Fremont,  and  he  is  still  to  be  found  in  its  ranks. 


346 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Mr.  Lane  was  fii-st  married  in  liis  native  county 
to  Miss  Eliza  Johnson,  who  died  in  1866,  leaving 
one  son,  ,T.  .1.,  a  resident  of  Michigan  City,  Ind. 
In  1868  Mr.  Lane  was  married  to  Mi?s  Eliza  Oates, 
and  to  them  was  born  one  daughter,  Ilattie  P., 
now  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Temple.  Mr.  Laiu'  was 
married  to  his  present  wife,  formerly  Mrs.  Maria 
(Stearns)  Lamphear,  in  October,  1876, and  to  them 
have  Ijeen  born  two  children:  Gertie  E.  and  Glen 
E.  Mr.  Lane  is  a  member  of  Wadswortli  Post,  Iso. 
49,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Lawrence. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  is  invited  to  the 
lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Lane,  presented  on 
another  page. 


HARLES  II.  PRENTISS,  who  has  an  art  store 
at  Olsego,  is  one  of  the  representative  busi- 
ness and  i)ublic  men  of  this  part  of  Allegan 
County,  and  is  also  well  known  in  polilicul  :ind 
social  circles,  and  he  ha.s,  too,  a  good  niilit;iry 
record  as  an  able  and  patriotic  soldier  during  the 
late  war.  Mr.  I'reiiliss  is  a  native  of  the  eit^-  of 
New  York,  born  October  1,  1830,  the  second  son 
and  fiiurth  chilil  of  his  parents.  AVhen  a  small 
child  he  was  taken  bj-  his  grandparents,  and  was 
reared  bj'  them  until  he  was  ten  yeai-s  old.  At 
that  youthful  age  he  became  self-supporting,  going 
to  work  in  a  .store  for  an  uncle.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  hired  out  to  a  farmer  at  $8  per  month, 
with  the  privilege  of  attending  school  during  the 
winter  months,  and  w.is  enabled  to  do  so  one  sea- 
.son.  I'p  to  that  tune  ho  had  had  no  chance  of 
obtaining  an  education,  for  which  he  longed.  In 
IM.'iO  he  began  an  apprenticesliip  to  a  marl)le  cutter, 
l)ut  nfU'r  working  at  that  four  yeai-s,  he  was  obliged 
to  give  it  up,  as  he  found  the  work  did  not  agree 
with  him. 

At  tlint  point  in  his  life  our  subject  took  an  iiii- 
port.ant  step  by  coming  Westward  to  Michigan, 
and  the  ensuing  six  years  he  wa.s  engaged  in  the 
luml>er  businc-w,  in  thi-s  Slate.  In  I8G0  he  removed 
to  ( jt-sego  and  located  on  a  farm  in  this  towiisliip, 
and  wasdcvoling  iiini.Hi'lf  to  its  improvement  when 
llie  reltcllion  liroke  out.     lie    w.-ilchcd    ji.s    cour.-c 


with  interest,  and  in    1862  arranged  his  affairs  so 

that  he  might  take  his  part  in  defending  the  Gov- 
ernment. He  enlisted,  August  11,  in  Company  B, 
Nineteenth  ]Michigan  Infantry,  commanded  by 
Col.  II.  C.  Gilbert,  and  went  with  his  regiment  to 
the  front.  After  nearl3'  a  year's  service,  during 
which  he  had  participated  in  several  engagements 
with  the  enemy,  he  and  a  number  of  his  comrades 
were  taken  prisoners  at  the  battle  of  Brentwood 
Station,  by  Cien.  Forest  and  his  raiders, on  the  21t!i 
of  March,  1864.  They  were  marched  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  iiiiles  in  fifty-four  hours,  without 
a  morsel  to  eat  and  with  their  clothing  freezing  on 
them,  through  having  to  wade  streams.  They 
finally  arrived  at  Richmond,  inoie  dead  than 
alive.  There  our  subject  had  a  month's  experience 
of  life  in  Libby  Prison,  Init  lYirlunalcly  at  tlic  end 
of  that  time  he  was  exchanged. 

After  a  short  furlough  at  home,  on  the  expi- 
ration of  Ins  imprisoniiiciit,  Mr.  Prentiss  returned 
to  the  field,  but  owing  to  ill  health,  he  was  not  able 
to  do  active  duty  at  the  front,  and  iiis  Colonel  ex- 
erted himself  to  obtain  a  post  for  him  .as  Assistant 
Topographical  Engineer,  in  the  Department  Head- 
quarters of  <!cii.  Thomas.  He  seived  in  that 
capacity  with  entire  satisfaction  until  the  wnr  was 
over,  he  and  others  of  the  party  occasionally  en- 
countering the  enemy  while  surveying,  .and  he 
was  wounded  in  some  of  the  skirmishes  that 
resulted.  He  was  mustered  out,  .lune  '25,  186,'),  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  returnc(l  Northwanl  with  a 
wcll-cariic(l  reputation  for  elliiient  and  gallant 
serv  ice, 

.\fter  leaving  the  army,  Mr.  i'rculiss  built  a 
planing  mill  at  Otsego,  aud  opt'iated  it  with  good 
success  twenty-two  years,  lu  1881  his  mill  was 
burned,  but  he  rebuilt  and  operated  it  six  years 
longer,  when  he  sold  it,  lie  has  since  conducted 
an  art  store  in  a  building  whii'h  he  owns,  and  is 
doing  well  linancially  in  catering  to  the  ;csthetic 
tastes  of  au  intelligent  public,  which  palronizcs 
him  extensively. 

Our  sul)jcc't  was  nianii'd,.luly  I,  l.s.'iH,  to  Miss  Uo- 
oinaC. Clark,. "i  native  of  New  York.  Tlicy  have  one 
of  the  atlr.'u  live  homes  of  the  villagt',  which  is 
t.'istcfully  litlc(l  up,  and  is  the  seal  <if  awarm  hospi- 
tality, wliich  is  ol'trn  cnjoycil  by  Ihc  many  fiicuds 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


347 


that  they  have  gathered  around  them  during  their 
many  years'  residence  at  Otsego.  Mr.  Prentiss  is  a 
self-educated  man  of  much  culture,  who  l)y  exper- 
ience, observation  and  reading,  lias  gathered  a  rare 
fund  of  information,  and  can  converse  intelligently 
on  all  topics  of  general  interest.  He  is  genial, 
courteous  and  obliging  in  his  intercourse  with 
others,  and  stands  high  in  the  business  world  as 
regards  his  credit.  Sociallj',  he  is  a  Royal  Templar 
of  Temperance  and  a  Grand  Army  man,  while  in 
in  politics,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  has  held  vari- 
ous local  offices,  has  been  a  member  of  the  Village 
Board,  and  at  the  spring  election  of  1892  was  re- 
elected to  the  office  of  Village  and  Township  Treas- 
urer. A  true  public  spirit  has  characterized  his 
otlicial  record. 


^^^I@^@l 


ACOB  nOEK,  Master-mechanic  at  the  Bar- 
deen  Paper  Mills  at  Otsego,  and  one  of  the 
original  stockholders  of  the  company,  is  a 
very  competent  man,  and  has  contributed 
in  no  small  degree  to  the  successful  operation  of 
the  mill,  with  which  he  is  connected.  He  is  a 
native  of  the  Netherlands,  born  in  the  Kingdom 
of  Holland,  August  1,  1843.  .John  and  Martha 
Hoek,  his  parents,  were  natives  of  the  same 
province  where  he  had  his  birth.  In  1850  the 
family  emigrated  to  America,  and  soon  after  their 
arrival  in  a  strange  land,  were  overwhelmed  by  a 
sad  bereavement  in  the  death  of  the  father  from 
cholera,  eight  daj's  later,  at  Kalamazoo.  He  had 
been  a  brave  soldier  in  his  native  country,  serving 
in  the  army  of  Holland  nine  years,  and  taking 
part  in  the  war  between  that  kingdom  and  Belgium. 
His  wife  survived  him  many  years,  her  death  oc- 
curring in  August,  1887,  at  the  venerable  age  of 
seventy-seven  years.  Both  were  sincere  Christiant--, 
clinging  to  the  faith  of  the  Reformed  Church,  of 
which  they  were  devout  members.  Seven  children 
accompanied  them  in  their  migration  to  the  New 
World,  of  whom  three  are  yet  living. 

Our  subject  is  the  fourth  child  of  the  family. 
His  principal  schooling  was  obtained  in  the  winter 
seasons,  up  to  the  time  when  he  was  twelve  years 
old,  partly  in  Holland  and  partly  in  the  schools  of 


Michigan,  he  being  a  lad  of  seven  years  when  bis 
parents  brought  him  to  the  United  States.  At 
the  former  age,  the  independent,  ambitious,  keen- 
witted boy  began  his  struggles  with  the  world 
single-handed.  lie  found  employment  on  a  farm 
in  Kalamazoo  County,  where  he  received  at  first 
*1.50  a  week,  in  payment  for  his  services.  He 
continued  as  a  farm  laborer  until  he  was  twenty' 
years  old,  and  then  entered  into  an  apprentice- 
ship to  learn  carpentering.  He  is  gifted  with  a 
decided  mechanical  genius,  and  became  a  thorough 
master  of  his  calling  in  every  detail.  He  served 
three  years,  and  then  was  employed  at  that,  or  at 
other  things,  as  he  chose,  and  he  gradually  picked  up 
a  practical  knowledge  of  the  trade  of  a  millwright, 
which  he  has  engaged  in  the  most  of  the  time 
since.  In  1867  he  accepted  a  situation  with  the 
Kalamazoo  Paper  Co.,  and  remained  with  that  as 
Master-mechanic  sixteen  years.  He  was  subse- 
quently engaged  in  the  bending  works  and  saw- 
mill at  Kalamazoo. 

In  1887  Mr.  Hoek  engaged  with  JVIessrs.  Bardeen, 
Ilodges  &  Bryant  in  the  organization  of  the  Bar- 
deen  Paper  Co.,  of  which  he  thus  became  one  of 
the  original  stockholders,  and,  accepting  the  posi- 
tion of  Master-mechanic,  he  came  to  Otsego  to 
oversee  the  erection  of  the  largest  paper  mill  in 
the  State  of  Michigan,  with  which  he  has  ever 
since  been  connected  in  the  office  indicated.  He 
is  finely  fitted  for  this  responsible  position  by  his 
wide  experience,  accurate  knowledge  of  mechanics, 
and  remarkable  skill  in  handling  any  and  all 
kinds  of  machinery,  to  say  nothing  of  his  devo- 
tion to  his  business.  He  is  one  of  the  solid  men 
of  the  village,  financially  speaking,  having  accu- 
mulated a  handsome  propertj',  and  among  other 
possessions,  he  has  a  fine  brick  residence,  built  in 
1888,  of  if  pleasing  style  of  architecture,  and 
modern  in  its  appointments.  Mr.  Hoek  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  has  an  intelligent  knowledge  of  politics, 
as  every  loyal  citizen  should  have,  whether  a 
native  of  the  country  or  of  foreign  birth. 

Much  of  his  success  and  happiness  in  life  has 
come  to  our  subject  through  his  amiable  wife,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  1871,  and  the  son  and 
daughter  born  of  their  union,  John  .1.  and  Jennie, 
who  complete  their    pleasant    home   circle.     Mrs. 


n 


348 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Iloek,  whose  maiden  name  was  Cati-ina  Ossewarda, 
is  a  native  of  Ottawa  Country,  Zeeland  Township, 
this  State,  and  a  daughter  of  AVilliani  and  Jennie 
Ossewarda,  who  were  both  natives  of  Holland. 
They  both  came  to  this  country  in  1848,  and  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Ottawa  County  in  this 
State.  The  father  died  in  1876,  and  the  mother  in 
1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  only  three  are  living. 


\L\IS  WHITNEY  is  one  of  the  enterpris- 
ing farmers  of  Saugatuck  Township,  Alle- 
'■'  gan  County.  He  makes  his  home  on  ten  acres 
of  beautiful  land  on  section  10,  and  owns  besides 
that  property  a  tract  of  two  hundred  and  foi'ty 
acres  on  sections  2  and  11,  fortj'-seven  of  which 
are  covered  with  timber.  He  is  the  son  of  Robert 
and  Sarah  (Harris)  AYhitney,  natives  of  New  York 
State.  His  parents  came  to  the  Wolverine  State 
before  their  marriage. 

Robert  Wiiitne,y  was  twice  married,  our  subject 
l>eing  the  eldest  son  by  his  second  marriage.  He 
was  given  the  advantages  of  a  common-school 
education  and  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen  started 
to  carve  out  his  own  fortune.  That  his  industry 
hius  l>een  rewarded  can  be  answered  by  viewing  his 
line  estate.  lie  worked  at  brick-laying,  however, 
until  the  outbreak  of  tiie  Civil  War,  when,  Augu.st 
28.  18GI,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Third  Michi- 
gan Cavalry.  His  regiment  was  sent  to  ISIissouri 
and  did  good  service  under  Gen.  Fremont.  The 
first  engagement  in  which  he  participated  was  at 
New  .Madrid,  .Mo.,  and  at  that  time  he  was  only 
iieventccn  yeai-s  old.  His  regiment  was  discharged 
nt  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  in  February,  18(T').  He  saw 
three  years'  service  and  veteranized  at  I.a  (Jrangc, 
Tcnn.  His  regiment  was  under  the  command  of 
Fremont,  I'ope  an<l  Grant  at  different  ])eriods  and 
our  xubjecl  w.'is  one  of  the  very  few  fortunate 
one.H  who  fought  in  the  army,  as  lie  was  never 
taken  pri.ioner  or  received  a  wf>und. 

After  his dis<'harge  frf)ni  the  army,  C.-ilvin  Whit- 
iii'y  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  attended  Hryant 
A  Stratlon's   Bii.sines.s  College.     On    linishing  his 


course,  he  came  to  Saugatuck  where  he  engaged  as 
"mine  host"  of  the  Saugatuck  Hotel  for  about  six 
years.  In  May,  1874,  he  was  happily  married  to 
Jliss  .Johanna  C.  Burns,  daughter  of  John  Burns,  a 
native  of  I'russia.  Her  parents  emigrated  lo  Amer- 
ica about  18.54  and  Jlrs.  Whitney  was  born  in 
Baltimore,  Feljruary  ,'j,  185,5. 

Mr.  and  jNIrs.  AVhitncy  of  this  sketch  have  a 
beautiful  liome  adjoining  the  village  of  Saugatuck, 
wliere  they  entertain  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Mr. 
Whitney  is  very  prominent  in  business  circles  and 
is  at  tlie  head  of  the  lirm  of  C.  Whitney  it  Co.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  stalwart  Republican  and  has  been 
lionored  by  being  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace.  His 
father  lives  on  a  farm  adjoining;  his  mother 
died  in  1891.  Mr.  Wiiitney  is  one  of  the  wealthy 
men  of  Saugatuck  Township,  where  he  and  liis 
family  are  greatly  respected. 


mfmL^^m^  I    I  i  M^l 


'j^^ORTON  p.  KELLOGG.  Among  the  many 
I  )))  »*l^^'it  soldiers  who  went  from  the  State 
iV\,iL\  of  Xew  York,  and  served  faithfully  during 
the  late  Civil  War,  m.ay  be  mentioned  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  who  can  recount  many  a  story 
of  the  battlefield,  and  the  hard  experiences  of  the 
boys  in  blue.  Like  a  majority  of  the  volunteer 
soldiers,  when  the  need  for  their  services  w.asover, 
he  returned  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  life  and  has 
become  one  of  the  prominent  and  respected  citi- 
zens of  Plainwell,  Allegan  County,  Mich, 

Mr.  Kellogg  was  born  in  Marion,  Wayne  County, 
N.  v.,  February  2,  1811.  His  father,  Rodney  K. 
Kellogg,  was  also  a  iimIIvc  of  New  York, and  was  a 
farmer  and  butcher  by  occupation,  and  for  several 
years  carried  on  a  meat  market  in  Marion.  He 
came  to  Michigan  in  1871,  and  died  in  M.ni'ch, 
187;3,  when  sixty-five  years  old.  Both  he  and  liis 
wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  ('lunch.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  whose  inaiden  n;iMu'  was 
Harriet  M.  Bailey,  was  al.so  a  n;iti\('  of  New  ^'orU, 
and  died  while  on  a  visit  to  lici-  old  lionic  in  that 
State,  in  1882. 

Our  subject  is  the  second  born  in  :\  iMiiiih  of 
live  children,  of  whom  four  . 'ire  now  li\ing.  llere- 
ceived  his  early   education   In   the  district  schools, 


POKTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIITCAL  RECORD. 


;i49 


t'uni|il('ting  it  at  the  Collegiate  Institute  in  Marion, 
wbcii"  lie  wa.s  a  student  for  some  time.  When  six- 
teen years  old,  lie  began  teaching,  which  occupation 
he  f'dl lowed  for  some  time.  On  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Civil  ^Var,  he  deemed  it  his  duty  to  volun- 
teerin  his  country's  defence  and  in  September,  1801, 
lie  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Ninety-eighth  New  York 
Infantry,  under  Col.  Dutton.  lie  begaiThis  active 
service  in  the  Peninsula,  under  Gen.  McClellan. 
He  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Yorkstown,  AVill- 
iarasburg,  Seven  Pines,  and  Fair  Oaks.  He  was 
taken  prisoner  on  .June  29,  1862,  just  before  the 
battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  and  was  exchanged  and  re- 
turned to  his  regiment  December  13,  1862.  He 
rej(»ined  his  regiment  at  Yorktown,  it  being  sent, 
December  25,  to  re-inforce  (ien.  Foster  in  North 
Carolina,  where  it  remained  only  about  two  weeks, 
and  was  then  ordered  to  South  Carolina  to  join  an 
expedition  that  Cen.  Hunter  was  fitting  out 
against  Charleston.  He  remained  in  South  Caro- 
lina until  that  expedition  proved  a  failure,  when 
he  returned  to  North  Carolina  in  April,  1863,  and 
spent  the  summer  near  Newliern.  In  the  fall,  tliej' 
were  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  .lames,  under 
Gen.  Ben  Butler.  In  the  winter  of  1863  and  18G4, 
his  regiment  was  stationed  at  Pongo  Bridge,  thirty 
miles  south  of  Norfolk,  to  guard  that  bridge.  In 
the  spring  of  1864,  Butler  concentrated  all  his 
forces  at  Yorktown,  and  reorganized  the  army  of 
the  .Tames.  He  landed  them  at  City  I'oint  and  be- 
gan operations  against  Petersburg,  destroying  the 
railroad  communications,  etc.  Early  in  May  a  bat- 
tle was  fought  at  Swift's  Creek,  and  the  13th,  14th, 
and  15th  of  the  same  month  at  Drury's  Bluff.  They 
were  sent  from  there  down  tlie  James  and  up  the 
York  and  Pamunkey  Rivers,  and  fought  a  battle 
at  Cold  Harbor,  where  our  subject  saw  ten  thous- 
and men  stretched  upon  the  ground  in  a  few  min- 
utes. The  part  of  the  army  with  which  our  subject 
was  connected  returned  to  Bermuda  Landing  on 
the  morning  of  the  loth  of  .June,  and  crossing  the 
Appomattox  River  took  the  Heights  of  Petersburg 
on  the  evening  of  the  same  day.  From  that  time 
on  they  had  continuous  fighting  for  some  time. 

Mr.  Kellogg  was  wounded  on  June  24th,  while 
in  front  of  Petersburg,  by  a  shell,  but  was  only 
laid  up  for  a  short  time.     On   the  3d  of  Jul}',  he 


was  in  the  fight  at  tiie  mine  explosion,  on  Ceme- 
tery Hill.  September  29,  tliev  ciiarged  upon  and 
took  Ft.  Harrison  on  New  ^larket  Jleigiits,  and  on 
October  22,  was  in  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks.  Mr. 
Kellogg  started  out  as  a  private  soldier,  but  was 
promoted  to  be  Second  Lieutenant  on  October 
12,  18()  1,  in  reward  for  his  gallant  services  in  sev- 
eral battles.  On  the  27th  of  October,  he  again 
showed  liis  bravery  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  on 
tlie  following  day  w.as  recommended  for  promo- 
tion as  First  Lieutenant,  and  was  given  that  posi- 
tion on  the  25th  of  November,  1864.  In  Decem- 
ber of  the  same  \ear  he  was  sent  under  Gen.  But- 
ler to  Ft.  Fisher,  N.  C,  but  w;is  soon  sent  back  under 
Alfred  II.  Terry,  who  assaulted  the  works  at 
Ft.  Fislier  on  the  13th  of  .lanuary  1865,  and  cap- 
tured them.  Our  subject  assisted  in  the  cap- 
ture at  Wilmington,  N.  C,  on  the  27tli  of  Feb- 
ruaiy,  1865,  and  remained  there  under  command 
of  Sherman,  being  in  the  depaitmont  of  this  cele- 
brated General  until  the  surrender  of  -Johnson, 
after  which  he  was  sent  back  to  Wilmington,  and 
was  Assistant  Provost-Marshal  of  that  city  until 
his  discharge  in  October,  1865. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Kellogg  returned  to 
his  home  in  jNIarion  Township,  and  for  three  ^-ears 
was  engaged  in  manufacturing  tinware.  In  the 
spring  of  1869,  he  came  to  Plainwell,  where  he 
taught  school  for  three  terms,  and  was  also  en- 
g.aged  in  various  milling  enterprises.  In  May,  1877, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Merrill  Milling  Com- 
pau}',  and  has  worked  his  waj'  up  until  he  became 
the  manager  of  the  mills,  which  position  he  has 
held  since  July  10,  1882.  These  mills  are  linely 
equipped  and  have  a  capacity'  of  two  hundred  bar- 
rels a  d.ay.  Their  products  are  sent  to  all  parts  of 
the  country,  including  the  New  England  and 
Southern  States. 

In  the  fall  of  1867,  Mr.  Kellogg  was  married  to 
Miss  L.  S.  Sanders,  a  native  of  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
The}-  have  one  child  named  Fay.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Presljyterian  Church  in  which 
they  take  an  .active  part.  In  politics,  Mr.  Kellogg 
is  a  Republican,  and  is  interested  in  all  affairs  re- 
lating to  the  Government,  both  local  and  National, 
using  his  intluencc  on  the  side  of  right  and  jus- 
tice.    He  has  held  several  local  offices,  has   been  a 


350 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


member  of  the  School  Board  for  several  3'ears  and 
is  at  present  Moderator  of  the  same  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council.  Socially,  he  belongs  to 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  and  the  Odd  Fellows.  In  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  he  holds  the  office  of  an 
Elder,  and  is  also  a  Trustee  and  tlie  Treasurer  of 
the  Society. 


-J 


JAMES  W.  KENNEY.  One  of  the  most  wide- 
awake and  successful  business  men  in  West- 
ern Michigan  is  thegenlleinun  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch,  and  who  is  carrying  on 
two  stores,  one  at  Covert  where  he  resides,  the  other 
at  South  Ilayen.  He  was  born  in  Ilalton  Count}', 
Canada,  August  5,  1847,  his  parents  being  Will- 
iam M.  and  Mar}-  (Sherburne)  Kenne3%  The  family 
came  to  Michigan,  and  settled  in  Van  IJiiren  County 
in  1861,  where  the  father  purchased  unimproved 
land  which  he  cleared  <ip  and  devoted  liimsclf  to 
the  culture  of  fruit.  Our  subject  attended  school 
in  Canada,  which  was  no  laughing  matter  to  the 
boys  of  those  days,  there  being  only  one  week's 
vacation  throughout  the  entire  year  and  but  one 
day,  the  (Queen's  bi; thda^-,  on  which  there  was  on 
school.  He  also  attended  school  after  coming  to 
Van  Buren  County,  and  acquired  a  good  business 
educati(»n. 

The  father  of  mir  >ubject  was  limited  in  means, 
and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  James  W.  agreed 
to  pay  him  ^2.00  for  his  time  until  he  w.as  of  age, 
and  tiien  prepared  to  [laddle  his  own  canoe  in  the 
voj'agc  of  life,  lie  was  for  a  time  engaged  in 
lumbering  and  also  dealing  in  land,  and  for  eight 
yean  owned  and  operated  a  stage  route  between 
South  Haven  and  Wateryliel.  When  the  West 
.Michigan  Kailroad  was  being  built  he  took  a  con- 
tract to  grade  a  portion  of  the  road,  and  cleared 
4.3,000  by  the  f)peratiou.  This  was  a  good  start 
for  the  young  man  but  he  wa.s  exceedingly  liberal 
with  his  newly  acquired  wealth  and  gave  a  goodly 
portion  of  it  to  his  relatives. 

Ill  1881  Mr.  Kenney,  with  a  I'.'ipital  of  ¥800,  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  at  Covert,  in 
which  he  was  very  successful.     Four  ^cars  later  he 


i-emoved  from  his  rented  storeroom  into  a  large 
and  convenient  building  of  his  own  and  his  business 
annually  increased,  people  coming  many  miles 
and  passing  through  other  towns  to  -'trade  with 
Kennej',"  whose  name  became  familiar  to  all.  In 
1890  he  decided  to  enlarge  his  operations,  and  ac- 
cordingly made  arrangements  to  open  a  store  in 
South  Haven.  For  this  purpose  a  building  was 
erected  by  the  Hon.  C.  J.  Monroe,  and  here,  on 
Febru.ary  10,  1892,  he  opened  a  large  store,  carry- 
ing all  classes  of  goods.  He  visits  all  the  princi- 
pal markets  of  the  East  semi-annuall}-,  and  purchas- 
ing his  goods  for  cash  and  selling  in  the  same  way, 
he  is  enabled  to  compete  with  any  one  in  the 
surrounding  country. 

Mr.  Kenney  was  married,  December  1,  1874,  to 
Miss  Hattic  Wynn,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Eliza- 
beth Wynn.  Of  this  marriage  three  children  have 
been  born,  Lena,  Eva  and  Wynn.  Mr.  Kenney 
votes  the  Republican  ticket,  but  has  not  time  to 
trouble  himself  about  the  politics  of  the  country. 
He  is  a  very  energetic,  enterprising  man,  whose  suc- 
cess is  due  to  his  own  efforts  and  he,  with  his  wife 
and  family,  holds  a  prominent  place  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  reside. 


,R1N  .1.  WOODAUI),  who  resides  in  Plain- 
well,  Allegan  County,  was  born  in  Saratoga 
County,  N.  Y.,  March  Hi,  1833.  His  father, 
Jonallian  Woodard,  was  a  native  of  Washington 
County,  the  same  State,  and  was  born  February 
12,  1801.  In  his  early  life  he  was  a  manufacturer 
of  reeds  for  weavers'  looms,  but  later  became  a 
fanner.  He  removed  to  Michigan  in  1847,  and 
located  in  Kalamazoo  County,  bujing  a  farm  in 
Cooper  Towiishi|).  His  land  was  partially  cleared 
and  he  carried  on  its  cultivation  until  18()3,  when 
he  removed  to  Kalamazoo,  where  his  death  took 
place  in  1877.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence  in 
his  coinnmnity,  holding  various  local  ollices  and 
being  .lustice  of  the  Peace  and  Sui)ervisor  of 
Cooper  Township  during  the  tjine  he  lived 
there.  He  was  Second  Lieutenant  in  a  company 
of  State  Militia  in  New  York,  and,  during  his  resi- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPHICAL  RECORD. 


351 


deiK'C  in  tliat  State,  was  a  inem)>er  of  the  Bap- 
tist (luircli.  On  first  coming  to  Michigan,  lie 
united  witli  tlic  Congregational  Church,  hut  on  re- 
moving to  Kalamazoo,  returned  again  to  the  Bap- 
tist faith.  He  was  a  School  Trustee  for  several 
years.  The  grandfatlier  of  our  subject,  Abrara 
Woodard,  was  also  a  native  of  New  York,  born 
December  10,  1773,  and  dying  August  20,  1820,  at 
forty-eigiit  j'ears  of  age.  The  AVoodard  family 
emigrated  from  England  about  two  hundred  years 
ago.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Nancy  (Hart) 
Woodard,  was  a  native  of  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y., 
her  birth  taking  place  February  10,  1805,  and  her 
death  in  December,  1855.  Four  of  her  family  of  six 
children  are  now  living,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
third  and  eldest  son. 

Jlr.  Woodard  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  the 
age  of  twenty-one  3ears,  receiving  a  district 
school  education.  He  came  to  Michigan  with  his 
father's  family  in  1847,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
Ijegan  teaching  school,  which  business  he  followed 
four  terms.  In  spite  of  his  early  disadvantages  in 
the  way  of  schooling,  he  has  always  been  a  hard 
student,  embracing  every  opportunit}-  to  add  to 
his  knowledge  of  books,  and  is  emphatically  a 
self  made  man.  On  reaching  his  majority,  he 
worked  for  one  year  on  the  farm  for  his  father, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1855  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  at  Cooper.  Two  j'ears  later  he  jjur- 
cliased  a  farm  which  he  operated  until  the  spring 
of  1861,  when  he  again  entered  the  mercantile 
business  at  Cooper.  Here  he  remained  until  1866, 
when  he  removed  to  Plainwell  and  resumed  his 
business  here.  He  again  sold  out  in  the  sjuing 
of  1870,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Cooper  Town- 
ship, Kalamazoo  County,  in  1877,  which  is  now 
operated  bj"  a  tenant. 

Mr.  Woodard  was  agent  for  the  American  Ex- 
press Company  for  eight  years;  also  during  that 
time  being  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  real-es- 
tate business.  Since  giving  up  his  express  busi- 
ness, he  has  devoted  almost  his  entire  time  to  in- 
surance, real  estate,  conveyancing,  etc.  He  has 
an  excellent  knowledge  of  law,  and  is  often  asked 
to  give  advice  in  difficult  cases.  Although  he 
makes  no  pretense  of  practicing  law,  he  is  everj'- 
where  recognized  as  a   safe    counselor.     He  repre- 


sents the  following  insurance  companies:  Hart- 
ford, C(mtinental,  Pluenix;  Fire  Association,  of 
Philadelphia;  Commercial;  l'nion,of  London;  and 
Boylston,  of  Boston. 

Our  subject  was  married  April  26,  1857,  to  Miss 
Melissa  E.  Stratton,  who  is  a  native  of  Portage 
County,  Ohio.  Of  this  union  one  child  iia.s  been 
born,  Jlary  C,  wife  of  the  Rev.  C.  W.  Barber,  pas- 
tor of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Battle  Creek,  Mich. 
The  Rev.  IMr.  Barber  is  a  native  of  Quinc}-,  Mich., 
and  a  graduate  of  Kalamazoo  College,  and  ^[or- 
gan I'ark  Theological  Seminary  of  Chicago,  flnisii- 
ing  his  course  in  the  latter  college  in  1882.  lie 
was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Fcnton,  ^lich.. 
for  eight  years,  and  was  tlien  called  to  the  church 
at  Battle  Creek.  Mrs.  Barber  was  graduated  in 
1880  from  Kalamazoo  College,  completing  the 
Latin  and  scientific  course.  She  is  a  life  member 
of  the  Woman's  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  West,  and  is  engaged  in  teaching 
Bible  stud}'  and  Christian  doctrine  for  missionary 
eai  didates — 3'ouug  ladies  who  are  preparing  them- 
selves for  missionaries.  J\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Barber  are 
the  parents  of  two  children,  Mabel  and  Ethel. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Woodard  were  Joseph  B. 
and  Ruth  (Olin)  Stratton.  The  father  was  a  na- 
tive of  Vermont,  removing  from  there  to  Portage 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  and 
where  he  lived  until  his  death,  in  1887,  when 
eighty-seven  years  old.  Her  mother  died  in  1881. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  famous  Olin  familj',  and 
eleven  of  her  twelve  children  are  living.  She  was 
an  excellent  woman,  and  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Woodard  was  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party  until  1884,  since  which  time  he  has  voted 
with  the  Prohibitionists.  He  has  held  a  number 
of  local  offices,  having  been  Constable  one  }'ear. 
Township  Treasurer  two  years,  Justice  of  the 
Peace  eight  years.  Township  Clerk  two  years 
School  Inspector  two  years,  and  President  of 
the  Village  two  years.  He  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  School  Board  for  twenty-three 
years.  Both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  has  been  an 
Elder  for  sixteen  years,  and  also  one  of  the  Trus- 
tees.    He  has  been  a  member  of  the  !^Lasonic    fra- 


352 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


t*niit\-  for  thirty  jeai-s.  Mr.  Wood.ird  is  a.  man 
of  prominence  in  this  localit.v,  and  bis  estimable 
wife  shares  with  him  in  the  esteem  and  confidence 
of  all  with  whom  the_v  are  associated.  !Mr.  Wood- 
ard  always  being  a  great  reader  is  now  compelled 
to  forego  that  pleasure,  his  eyesight  having  failed 
him  to  that  extent  that  he  must  depend  upon 
othei-s  to  read  for  him. 


-S) 


-^^ 


■  n=' 


ICERO  M.  STUCK, M.  D.  Tiiis  gentleman, 
.ilthough  young  in  years,  is  regarded  .as  the 
'^'  leading  ph^'sician  in  Plainwell,  Allegan 
County,  where  he  has  built  u|)  an  excellent  practice 
by  strict  attention  to  his  business,  .and  lias  acquired 
the  confidence  of  the  people  by  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  profession  which  he  h.as  adopted 
as  his  life  work.  Dr.  Stuck  was  born  in  Otsego, 
Allegan  County,  November  12,  1851.  llis  father, 
Henr3'  D.  Stuck,  a  native  of  Seneca  County,  N.  Y., 
emigrated  to  ^licliigan  and  located  in  Ypsilanti  in 
1832.  lie  there  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  re- 
maining until  twenty-one  years  of  age  in  that 
place,  when  in  18,51  he  removed  to  Otsego,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death  in  18811,  at  the  age  of  sixt^'- 
nine  yeai-s.  He  had  taken  up  land  two  miles  west 
of  Ot.sego,  which  he  cultivated  and  made  into  a 
good  farm,  llis  wife,  whose  maiden  name  w.as 
Sarah  Pratt,  was  born  at  Bratlleboro,  XL,  and  came 
to  Michigan  witii  lier  parents  in  1837.  She  died 
in  1M72  when  furty-fivc  years  old.  Of  tlieir  family 
eleven  children  are  living,  our  subject  lieing  the 
.•*ixth  in  onlcr  of  birth,  there  being  fourteen  cliil- 
dren,  thirteen  boys  and  one  girl. 

Dr.  Stuck  received  a  good  education,  being 
graduated  from  the  Otsego  High  School  in  1870. 
lie  learned  the  trade  of  a  tinner  an<l  followed  liiat 
until  lie  Iwgaii  reading  medicine,  subsequenlly  en- 
tering the  .Michigan  Tniversity  at  Ann  .\rl)or  in 
I M7M,  where  he  spent  one  year.  He  then  entered 
the  IJerinetl  K<-lectic  Medicjil  College  in  Chicago, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  18H1.  He  located 
lir.-«t  at  Hopkins,  this  Stale,  where  he  remained  for 
eighteen  nioiitlis,  from  there  remcjving  to  Kent 
County,  where  he  resided  for  live  years.  On  De- 
cember 17,  188G,  he  Clime  to  Plain  well  where   he 


has  since  resided,  enjoying  a  good  practice  and  oc- 
cupying a  prominent  position  in  the  community-. 

Dr.  Stuck  was  married  In  1878  to  Miss  Ella 
Engles,  of  Otsego,  and  of  this  union  two  children 
h.ave  been  born,  Olin  and  Ora.  In  politics,  our 
subject  is  a  Democrat  and  while  in  Otsego  was  a 
member  of  the  School  Board,  lie  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  V'illage  Board  of  this  place  for  two^ears 
and  was  a  candidate  for  County  Commissioner. 
Sociall}',  he  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  He  belongs  to  the  State 
and  National  Eclectic  Societies,  the  Kalamazoo 
Academy  of  Medicine  and  tlie  (hand  River  A'allev 
Medical  Association. 


4r^ 


a  AMUEL  P.  WILSON,  who  is  the  manager 
of  (icorge  Hannahs'  real-estate  and  lumber 
1)  business  in  South  Haven,  is  a  pioneer  resi- 
dent of  this  county,  having  come  here  in 
October,  1854.  He  was  born  in  Seneca  County, 
N.  Y.,  July  15,  1835.  His  parents  were  Hugh  and 
Jeanic  (MoMaster)  Wilson,  the  father  being  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland  where  he  was  born  near  Belfast  in 
January,  1800.  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  also 
learned  the  trade  of  a  stone  mason,  llis  wife  was 
also  a  native  of  Ireland  but  of  Scotch  descent.  In 
1834  this  couple  came  to  the  I'nitcd  States  and 
first  settled  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  removing  in 
1843  or  1844  to  Wayne  County,  the  same  State, 
where  he  died  in  July,  1881,  his  wife  having 
p.assed  away  in  1872.  They  reared  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  years  of 
maturity.  These  are:  Hugh,  Jane,  John,  James, 
Samuel  P.,  Rosa  una,  Klinor,  Elizabeth  and  l,-.racl. 

Our  subject  was  I'cared  upon  a  farm  and  attended 
the  district  school  until  the  age  of  seventeen,  when 
he  commented  teaching,  which  oc(n|ialion  he  f(j|- 
lowed  for  thirteen  terms,  three  of  those  being  in 
New  York,  two  in  Illinois  and  eight  in  Michigan. 
In  the  si)ring  of  l.s."il,lie  came  lo  this  State,  first 
settling  ill  South  Haven  where  he  followed  teach- 
ing. He  also  taught  school  in  Winnebago  Coiinly, 
111.,  and  resided  in  l,ee  and  Ogle  Counties,  111.  In 
1.S(>.'1,  Mr.  Wilson  ipiit  teaching  and  engaged  in 
the  wood  and  bark  trade  at  South  Haven;  he  served 


1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


sr,r, 


as  Township  Treasurer  four  years,  Supervisor 
eight  years,  and  in  tlie  fall  of  1882  was  elected 
County  Recorder,  servinsj  four  years  in  that  ofllce. 
Since  1887  he  haslioen  in  the  employ  of  the  Hon. 
George  Hannahs. 

Jlr.  AVilson  was  married  in  Deeemlier,  18G8,  to 
Alice  M.  I'.rown,  dauglitei'of  Samuel  and  Angelina 
Brown.  She  was  a  native  of  Winnebago  County, 
111.,  where  she  was  born  May  17,  1842,  in  which 
county  her  father  was  among  the  early  pioneers  of 
18.34,  and  was  one  of  its  most  substantial  farmers. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  have  three  children,  Jeanie, 
Samuel  II.,  and  Angelina.  Mi-.  Wilson  is  a  stanch 
Republican  and  actively  interested  in  everything 
which  tends  to  the  upbuilding  of  his  town  and 
county.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  having  served 
as  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  for  two  years.  He 
is  a  Director  of  the  First  St.ate  Bank  of  South 
Haven  and  a  stockholder  in  the  West  Michigan 
Savings  Bank  at  Bangor. 

Mr.  Wilson  and  his  family  hold  a  prominent 
place  in  the  community,  in  which  he  bears  the 
reputation  of  a  good  business  man  and  a  public- 
spirited  citizen. 


APT.  JAMES  S.  DONAHUE.  No  more 
popular  man  can  be  found  in  this  part  of 
^''  Michigan  than  the  gentleman  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch,  and  whose  portrait  is  shown  on 
tlie  opposite  page.  As  keejier  of  the  lighthouse  at 
South  Haven,  he  has  distinguished  himself  for  brav- 
ery and  besides  has  an  enviable  record  as  a  gallant 
soldier  throughout  the  late  war.  A  short  sketch 
of  his  life  w-ill  prove  interesting,  not  only  to  those 
who  arc  acquainted  with  him  but  to  others  who 
find  pleasure  in  pursuing  the  history  of  noble 
deeds. 

Capt.  Donahue  is  a  native  of  Addison  Countj-, 
Vt.,  and  was  born  March  18,  1840.  His  parents, 
]Manday  and  Nellie  (Loan)  Donahue,  were  natives 
of  Ireland,  where  their  marriage  took  place.  Upon 
coming  to  the  United  States  they  settled  in  Addi- 
son County,  Vt.,  where  they  died  at  the  ages  of 
sixty-five  and  sixty-four  years  respective!}-.  Of 
their  family  of  seven  children  six  grew  to  matur- 
16 


ity,  namely:  Katie,  w!io  married  .lames  McMann, 
and  resides  in  ]\liddlebury,  \t.;  John,  a  locomotive 
engineer  in  California;  Nellie,  who  married  John 
McNulty,  and  died  in  Worcester,  Mass.;  Edward,  a 
resident  of  South  Haven;  James  S.  and  Hen r}-,  a 
horse  dealer  at  Wichita,  Kan. 

When  twelve  years  old,  our  subject  went  on 
board  a  whaling  vessel,  sailing  from  Oreenport, 
L.  I.,  via  Cape  Horn,  to  the  Pacific  and  Arctic 
Oceans,  and  other  points.  Returning  after  a  voy- 
age of  fort^-four  months,  he  worked  for  three 
years  in  a  machine  shop  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  after 
which  ho  came  West  to  Detroit.  About  that  time 
the  Civil  War  broke  out  and  he  enlisted  in  June, 
1861,  as  a  private  of  Company  A,  Eighth  Michigan 
Infantry,  serving  at  different  intervals  during  the 
war  with  Companies  A,  B  and  K,  of  that  regiment. 
Their  first  engagement  was  at  Hilton's  Head,  S.  C, 
followed  by  those  of  Broad  River,  Ft.  Pulaski, 
Wilmington  Island,  Bufort  Island,  Tybee  Island, 
and  .James  Island.  In  the  last-named  battle  he 
was  wounded  in  the  shoulder  b_y  a  grape  shot  weigh- 
ing one  pound  and  five  ounces,  which  caused  his 
confinement  in  the  hospital  on  David's  Island, 
N.  Y.,for  several  weeks. 

When  he  rejoined  his  regiment,  Capt.  Donahue 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Santilla,  South  Moun- 
tain, Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  campaign  of  Vicks- 
burg,  Jackson,  Crab  Orchard,  Cumberland  Gap, 
Louden,  Blaine's  Cross-roads  Bull's  Gap,  Straw- 
berry Plains,  Knoxville,  Brandy  Station  and 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  May  6.  ISrM,  his 
left  leg  was  pierced  b}'  a  minie  ball  and  had  to  be 
amputated  at  the  thigh,  thus  disabling  him  from 
further  service.  He  then  resigned  and  returned  to 
Detroit.  Entering  the  service  as  a  private,  Capt. 
Donahue  was  promoted  from  time  to  time  and  in 
1862  was  commissioned  Captain  of  Company  A, 
witli  which  rank  he  retired. 

After  leaving  the  service  Capt.  Donahue  re- 
mained in  Detroit  for  some  time  and  then  removed 
to  Gratiot  County,  whence  in  1874  he  came  to 
South  Haven  to  accept  the  appointment  of  light- 
house keeper,  which  he  has  since  retained  and  in 
which  he  has  made  an  excellent  record.  During 
these  years  he  has  passed  eight^'-eight  nights  in  the 
lighthouse,  but  of  all  these,  one  iu  October,  1882, 


HI 


356 


POIiTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL   RECORD 


was  the  worst  he  ever  experienced.  On  that  night 
the  Alpena  was  lost  with  one  hundred  and  one 
souls  on  board.  Every  sea  that  struck  the  pier 
■went  over  the  top  of  the  lightliouse  and  every  in- 
stant its  keeper  expected  to  be  his  last.  His  faith- 
ful wife  sat  bj-  the  window  of  their  house  all  night 
long,  watcliing  the  light  and  the  form  of  her  hus- 
band inside  the  tower,  and  his  brother  walked  the 
shore.  It  was  an  awful  night  never  to  be  forgot- 
ten. 

Keeping  the  light  has  not  been  all  of  his  work, 
for  until  1887  there  was  no  life-saving  station  at 
South  Haven,  and  Capt.  Donahue  was  the  means 
of  rescuing  fifteen  persons  from  drowning.  For 
this  the  United  States  Government  presented  liim 
with  a  silver  medal  on  one  side  of  which  is  inscribed, 
"United  State?  of  America,  act  of  Congress  June 
20,  1874,"  and  on  the  reverse  side,  "To  Capt.  James 
S.  Donaiiiie,  for  bravely  rescuing  several  persons 
from  drowning  in  187,') — 1889."  Surrounding 
this  is  the  inscription,  "In  Testimony  of  Heroic 
Deeds  in  Saving  Lives  from  the  Perils  of  the  Sea." 
On  the  evening  of  his  forty-sixth  birthday-,  Capt. 
Donahue  was  called  upon  by  fifty-two  seamen  who 
presented  him  a  gold  medal  inscribed  on  one  side, 
"Presented  to  Capt.James  S.Douahue  by  the  seamen 
of  South  Ilav^en,  March  18,  1885,"  on  the  reverse 
side  is  an  engraving  of  tlie  liglitliouse  of  South 
Haven.  He  also  h.as  a  personal  letter  from  the 
late  Secretary  Windom,  saying  although  there  was 
no  law  to  give  him  a  gold  medal  yet  he  should 
have  one.  Capt.  ]Jf)nahue  also  has  charge  of  the 
signal  station  at  South  Haven  and  owns  a  fleet  of 
the  very  best  row  boats,  some  twenty  in  nunilier. 
His  residence,  which  is  furnished  him  by  the  Gov- 
ernment, is  located  on  the  lake  shore  and  tliere  is 
no  plea'iaiiter  liome  in  South  Haven.  He  owns 
considerable  i)ropcrly  in  the  town. 

Politically,  Capt.  Donahue  is  a  I{(|mliiic,iii  and 
has  served  two  terms  as  President  of  the  Vilhif'e 
IJoard  of  South  Haven,  and  also  as  Township 
Treasurer  of  Seville,  Gratiot  County,  Mich.  He  is 
a  iiienilierof  IIh- .Society  of  "Comrades  of  the  Hattle 
Field,"  or"Ninety  Days  I  iider  Fire,"  and  very  few 
soldiers  have  a  bettor  record  entitling  them  to 
menilier-'liiii  in  such  a  society.  .Socially,  he  is  a 
meinbi  T  uf  I'.IiK'    l.<"lge.    Chapter   .and  Council  in 


the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  which  bodies  ho  has  held 
important  ottiees.  lie  is  Post  Commander  of  M.  J- 
Dickinson  Post,  No.  345,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  member  of 
the  Enterprise  Club  of  South  Haven. 

Cai)t.  Donahue  has  been  twice  married,  his  first 
union  taking  place  June  17,  1872,  to  Sophia,  daugh- 
ter of  Adam  Oberlin,  who  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  Ohio,  in  1845,  and  at  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage resided  in  Gratiot  County,  Mich.  She  died 
July  3,  1875,  leaving  one  son,  Edward  JM.,  born 
March  17,  1875,  who  is  now  on  the  United  States 
Government  Bo.at  "Hancock."  The  second  wife 
of  Cajit.  Donahue,  to  whom  he  was  married  April 
19,  1876,  was  Ann  Kymc,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Ann  Kymc,  who  was  born  in  Oswego  County,  N. 
Y.,  April  29,  1854,  coming  to  South  Haven  from 
Pennsylvania  in  1874,  and  residing  with  a  brother. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Donahue  were  natives  of 
England;  the  father  was  born  in  Hull  and  the 
mother  in  Rounds,  Northamptonshire.  The  mother 
came  with  her  grandparents  to  this  country,  land- 
ing in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1827.  The 
father  was  mate  on  the  same  vessel  that  brought 
them  over,  and  in  that  way  became  ac(iuainted 
with  his  future  wife.  To  the  captain  and  his  wife 
five  sons  have  been  born,  namely:  Walter  E.,  John 
Bagley,  Calvin  C,  James  M.,  and  Watson  R. 

Capt.  Donahue  is  exceedingly  popular,  being  a 
genial,  warm-hearted  man  whose  many  excellencies 
draw  .about  him  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

X ♦^•i«^* .  ' 


r 


\ 


ILLIAM  OlvH,  a  prominent  and  prosperous 
fanner,  residing  on  section  26,  Ganges 
^^  Township,  Allegan  County,  was  boni  in 
1826,  on  board  the  Brig  "Trusty,"  of  London,  on 
the  Atlantic  Ocean.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Orr, 
a  native  of  Bath,  Ireland,  where  he  was  born  in 
1802.  There  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
studied  three  years  for  the  ministry  of  the  Church 
of  EnglMiul,  liul  hi'  (li-opped  his  profession  and 
learned  Ihe  Iraile  of  a  shoemaker.  While  on  the 
farm  he  was  niairied  to  .Sarah  McCaeice, a  daughter 
cif  I'alrick  and  Mary  (Camson)  McCaeice,  and  the 
Miiiiliri- <if  our  subject.     Patrick  McCaeice   was  an 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


357 


innkeeper  in  Ireland  and  well  known  in  the  vicin- 
ity. The  parents  of  Samuel  Orr  were  AVilliam  and 
Rachel  (Wright)  Orr,  of  Ireland,  and  lived  on  a 
farm. 

In  a  few  3'ears  after  the  marriage  of  the  parents 
of  our  subject,  they  emigrated  to  America  and 
were  fourteen  weeks  on  the  water  in  a  sailing 
vcsseh  The  boat  drifted  north  among  icebergs, 
and  south  to  the  Torrid  Zone.  All  on  board 
nearly  starved  to  death  before  they  reached  land. 
On  landing.  Mr.  Orr  located  in  New  York  State 
and  two  years  later  came  to  Michigan,  locating 
first  in  Eaton  County.  In  1838  he  came  to  Alle- 
gan County  and  settled  in  Gun  Plains  Township, 
but  finally  went  to  Saugatuck  Township,  where  he 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  Wli"n  a 
young  man,  this  gentleman  enlisted  in  the  Scotch 
Grays  in  the  English  Army.  The  mother  died  in 
1886,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  six  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  The  others  are  John,  Margaret, 
James,  deceased,  and  Mathew.  Our  subject  received 
all  his  education  before  ten  years  of  age,  but  his  wide 
range  of  reading  has  fitted  him  to  battle  with  the 
world.  He  was  nothing  but  a  mere  lad  when  his 
father  removed  to  this  county,  and  since  then  he 
has  cared  for  himself.  He  ran  away  from  home 
when  fourteen  years  old  and  went  upon  the  lakes, 
and  for  nine  years  he  sailed  in  the  summers  and 
worked  in  the  lumber  woods  in  the  winters. 

In  1850  Mr.  Orr  was  married  to  Lucy  M.  Hale, 
one  of  four  children  born  to  James  C.  and  Martha 
Hale.  They  are  Mrs.  Orr,  William,  Julia  R.  and 
James.  Ten  children  have  blessed  the  fireside  of 
our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife.  Three  died  in 
infancy.  William,  James  and  Thomas  died  before 
reaching  manhood.  Edward  P.;  Mathew  S.;  Lucy 
S.,  wife  of  William  Chart,  and  Julia,  wife  of  An- 
drew Morris,  are  still  living.  The  mother  of  this 
family  was  called  from  earth  in  1873.  Our  sub- 
ject was  a  second  time  married,  taking  as  his  wife 
Jane  Mosej-.  Our  subject's  first  location  was  on  a 
farm  in  Saugatuck  Township,  this  county.  In 
1858  he  pvirchased  a  small  farm  on  section  17, 
Ganges  Township,  which  he  improved  and,  in 
1875,  traded  it  for  the  farm  where  he  now  lives. 

This    gentleman  enlisted    in  the  defence  of  his 


country  in  18G3,  in  llie  Third  Michigan  Cavalry, 
Company  E,  and  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the 
AVest.  He  fought  in  many  of  the  most  important 
battles  of  the  war,  the  last  one  being  at  Mabel, 
lie  was  very  fortunate  in  never  being  wounded 
or  taken  prisoner.  He  had  three  brotliers  besides 
himself  who  fought  for  tiie  old  Hag,  and  James  was 
the  only  one  wounded,  he  dying  from  this  injury 
a  few  years  afterward.  Our  subject  is  a  member 
of  the  Jacob  Fry  Post,  No.  196,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Ganges, 
and  in  politics,  is  a  stanch  Democrat. 

He  has  probably  cleared,  by  his  own  labor  and 
money,  as  mucli  land  as  any  man  in  Allegan 
County.  In  the  last  ten  years  he  has  cleared  five 
hundred  acres  and  has  also  taken  contracts  and 
built  many  of  the  roads.  lie  is  known  far  and 
wide  as  a  reputable  and  well-to-do  farmer. 


_^g 


M>^^<\ 


(Q>^ 


aHARLES  S.  MILLS.  This  prominent  farmer 
and  fruit-grower  of  Casco  Township,  Alle- 
'  gan  County,  is  residing  on  sections  19  and 
24,  where  he  has  an  excellent  farm  of  seventy-four 
acres,  twenty-five  of  which  he  devotes  to  fruit- 
raising.  He  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N. 
Y.,  in  1848,  and  is  the  son  of  Philo  P.  and  Sarah 
(Justin)  Mills.  The  father  of  our  subject  died 
when  Charles  was  but  five  years  of  age,  and  he  was 
doubly  orphaned  the  following  .year  by  the  death 
of  his  mother.  lie  was  then  taken  into  the  home 
of  his  maternal  grandparents,  the  Rev.  Ira  and 
Sally  Justin,  who  were  natives  of  Connecticut. 

Charles  S.  Mills  remained  with  his  grandparents 
until  ten  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  live  with 
Samuel  Fuller,  of  Livingston  Countj-,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  then  returned  to  his  grand- 
parents, where  he  remained  one  season.  He  went 
to  the  family  of  Danford  Stover,  in  Genesee  County, 
and  remained  with  them  until  reaching  his  major- 
ity. Mr.  Mills  was  very  ambitious  to  obt>ain  a 
good  education,  and  went  to  school  winters  after 
reaching  his  twelfth  year,  walking  a  distance  of 
many  miles. 

Our  subject  chose  the  occupation  of  a  farmer 
when  starting  out  in  life  on  his  own  account, 
having  been  reared  to  that  vocation,  of  which  he 


358 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


has  made  a  signal  success.  "When  establisliing  a 
home  of  hisown.he  was  married  Janiiarv  31,  1872, 
to  Miss  Rosalia,  daughter  of  William  C.  and  Mary 
A.  (Brooker)  Johnson,  also  natives  of  the  Empire 
State.  A  few  years  after  theirmarriage  the  young 
couple  came  to  Michigan,  locating  in  Clinton 
County,  where  they  remained  a  twelvemonth.  In 
1882  the}-  came  to  their  present  home  in  Allegan 
County,  where  Mr.  Mills  purchased  seventj'-four 
acres  of  land,  most  of  'which  was  improved  when 
it  came  into  his  possession. 

To  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Mills  of  this  sketch  have  been 
born  four  children:  William  C,  James  A.,  Charles 
J.  and  Ira  Juston.  Socially,  our  subject  is  con- 
nected with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, of  wiiich  order  he  is  a  charter  member,  and 
has  been  Its  first  blaster  Woj-kman.  Politicallj',  he 
is  a  stanch  Republican  and  has  represented  his 
townshii)  in  the  ollicc  of  Treasurer,  lie  has  also 
held  man}-  otiier  positions  of  responsibility,  acquit- 
ting himself  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  He  and  his 
excellent  wife  are  members  in  good  standing  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  are  greatl}'  respected  in 
their  community. 


VILLIAM  PRATT  had  nearly  attained  his 
majority  wlien  lie  enlisted  in  a  ^lichigan 
regiment,  and  soon  went  to  the  front  to 
help  light  his  countr}''s  battles.  He  won  an  ex- 
cellent military  record  for  good  soldiership,  and 
since  thwe  trying  times  has  shown  himself  an 
equally  good  citizen.  Allegan  is  his  native  county, 
and  on  his  farm  on  section  1."),  Martin  Townshi[), 
he  is  conducting  a  genera!  farniiiig  l)usiiiess. 

Our  subject  was  l)orn  in  the  village  of  Plainwell, 
Mareli  .1,  1«I3,  the  sixth  child  of  Hubbard  and 
.M;irtli!i  ( .Mcllriile)  Pratt,  of  whom  finllier  reference 
will  be  found  in  the  sketi-h  of  om- subject's  brollicr 
Daniel.  Our  .nubject  had  the  misfortune  to  lose 
his  mother,  her  untimely  death  occurring  wlien  he 
wa.1  but  four  years  old.  lie  continued  to  live  with  his 
father  until  he  was  sixteen,  and  at  that  age  he  be- 
gan life  f)n  his  own  account,  lii.s  iirain  and  musde 
hi.H  only  capit.-il.  Ih;  worked  out  by  tlu-monlh  on  a 
farm  in  finind  Prairie,  Kalama/.oo  Couritv,  f<u'  live 


summers,  and  in  the  winter  seasons  devoted  his 
time  to  completing  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  worked 
six  months  in  a  rake  factory'  at  I'lainwell.  lie 
watched  the  course  of  the  war  wi£li  patriotic  in- 
terest, and  in  1864,  the  j'ear  that  he  became  of 
age,  he  enlisted  in  Company  15,  Eighth  IMichigan 
Cavahy.  His  regiment  was  at  Jackson  one  month 
after  it  was  recruited,  and  was  then  dispatched  to 
Xicbolasville,  Kj'.,  to  assist  in  military  operations 
in  that  region.  Six  weeks  later  it  was  sent  to  do 
dut}-  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  from  there  went  to  take 
part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  and  was  again  active 
in  a  skirmish  at  Columbus.  At  the  expiration  of. 
his  term  of  enlistment  for  ten  months,  our  subject 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  army  at  Pul- 
aski, Tenn.,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville, 

After  his  exciting  experiences  of  the  war,  our 
subject  returned  to  his  home  in  IMartin  Township, 
and  settled  down  to  the  life  to  which  he  had  been 
reared,  buying  a  tract  of  land  on  section  15,  which 
was  the  first  farm  that  he  owned  here.  He  [lut  up 
a  small  house,  and  entered  vigorously  upon  the 
work  before  him  of  placing  his  land  under  culti- 
vation. He  lived  upon  it  until  1887,  and  made 
of  it  a  line  place.  He  then  removed  to  the  farm 
upon  which  he  now  makes  his  home.  He  has  here 
two  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land,  of  which  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  are  under  tillage,  and 
he  devotes  it  to  general  farming  purposes,  keeping 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  head  of  cattle,  sevcnt^'-flve 
sheep,  and  other  stock  in  proportion,  all  of  good 
breeds. 

Mr.  Pratt  was  mairied  in  Trowbridge  Township, 
this  county,  March  ;!(),  18C9,  to  Emma  Eliza,  the 
only  daughter  of  William  and  Caroline  (Bradley) 
Buchannan.  She  was  Ixu'ii  in  AV.ayland  Township, 
January  21,  18.')1.  Her  parents  were  natives  of 
New  York,  and  iiionceis  of  Allegan  County. 
W'lu'ii  she  was  two  and  a  half  years  old.  lur  fallior 
went  to  California,  and  she  was  reared  by  licr 
gr.'indparents.  Dr.  David  and  Kli/.a  Ihadley-  Tlie 
Doctor  was  a  very  pidiiiiiuiit  nian  In  Ihe  township 
of  Waylaiid,  and  was  the  liisl  Postmaster  at  the 
village  of  that  name,  lie  kcqila  hotel  on  his  farm 
at  the  time  the  stage  ran  on  the  road  fioiii  Kala- 
mazoo   to   (mmikI    K'.ipids.      Mrs.    I'lati-    iciuaiiied 


/^  ^,  /'iA.J^^/i-t^i.^yi^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAr.  KIXORIj 


361 


with  liercjr.amlpaients  until  ten  years  old,  and  then, 
licr  niotlier  ninrryinn'  Allen  Wells,  she  w(nit  to  live 
with  them.  Her  mnrringe  with  our  siilijcet  lias 
been  hallowed  hy  the  liirtli  of  two  sons  and  one 
(laughter:  Frank  A.,  who  is  attending-  school  at 
Valparaiso;  (Jlcn  W.,  also  attending  school;  and 
lial)y  Ruhia. 

Our  subject  is  well  endowed  with  those  attributes 
tliat  are  necessary  to  success  in  an\'  walk  of  life, 
and  these  have  won  him  the  cordial  good-will  and 
trust  of  his  fellow-eitizens.  lie  has  been  i)rominent 
in  school  matters,  always  evincing  a  decided  inter- 
est in  education,  and  has  held  the  offices  of  School 
Treasurer  and  School  Director.  His  polities  are  of 
the  Republican  order.  Sociall3',  he  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Wheeler  Post  G.  A.  R.,  at  Martin; 
religiously,  he  is  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  that  village  as  tme  of  its  most 
conscientious  members,  and  he  is  well  known  for 
his  generosity  in  contributing  to  the  support  of  all 
g()od  causes  that  will  in  any  way  enhance  the  wel- 
fare of  the  community. 


■^OHN  W.  BRIGHAM,  an  inlluential  citizen 
of  Plainwell,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,Maj' 
27,  1822.  His  ancestors  for  many  3^ears  re- 
sided in  New  England,  and  were  of  English 
extraction.  Lyscom  Brigham,  his  grandfatlier, 
was  a  farmer  in  his  native  place,  Westboro  Town- 
ship, Franklin  County,  Mass.,  and  there  died  at  the 
age  of  seventj'-seven.  Curtis,  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  the  eldest  among  five  childi-en,  and  was 
a  native  of  Franklin  County,  his  birth  occurring 
May  21,  1793.  His  school  advantages  were  very 
meager,  and  he  left  his  home  in  1812  to  seek  em- 
ployment in  Boston.  In  order  to  reach  the  city, 
he  was  compelled  to  walk  ninety  miles,  and  shortly 
after  his  arrival  secured  a  position  on  a  ship  that 
made  trips. between  Boston  and  the  coast  of  Maine. 
During  the  third  voyage  made,  the  ship  was 
fired  on  and  captured  by  a  British  gunboat;  the 
cargo  was  taken,  and  all  the  men  with  one  excep- 
tion were  put  in  a  leak}'  boat  and  set  adrift.  For 
twentj-four  hours  the}-  were  on  the  ocean  without 


food,  and  one  man  was  kept  busy  all  the  time  at 
the  pumps  in  order  to  keep  the  boat  from  sinking. 
Finally  the  exhausted  castaways  reached  Bath,  Me., 
and  were  rescued  from  threatened  death.  Mr. 
Ihigham  returned  to  Boston,  where  he  soon  opened 
a  small  shoe-shop  and  was  successful  at  his  trade. 
About  that  time  he  was  married,  August  14,  1817, 
to  Lydia  Woodbury,  a  native  of  Salem,  Mass. 

In  1833,  Mr.  Brigham  determined  to  come  West 
to  Michigan,  and,  [iroceeding  by  way  of  the;  lakes 
to  Detroit,  walked  from  that  cit}-  to  Ciull  I'rairie, 
Kalamazoo  County,  to  prospect  for  a  location. 
The  outlook  was  so  favorable  that  he  I'eturned 
East,  and  on  October  30,  1834,  started  with  his 
wife  and  ten  children  for  their  future  home  in 
Western  Michigan.  The  journey  was  made  over- 
land in  a  covered  wagon  drawn  by  three  horses, 
and,  crossing  Canada,  the  little  party  arrived  at 
Gull  Prairie,  December  10.  Their  first  home  was 
in  a  log  cabin  containing  only  one  room,  but  the 
spring  following  their  arrival,  they  removed  to 
Gun  Plain,  Allegan  Count}',  where  the}-  made  their 
home  in  a  lGx20-foot  house.  That  was  the  first 
frame  building  put  up  in  the  viciuity,  and  the 
lumljer  was  fastened  in  place  with  wooden  pegs. 
Within,  the  furniture  was  meager,  consisting  mainly 
of  a  table  and  two  home-made  chairs. 

The  father  rented  eighty  acres  of  land  until  the 
fall  of  1835,  when  he  entered  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  heavily  timbered  Government  land 
situated  in  Gun  Plain  Township.  During  the  sum- 
mer of  the  following  year,  he  moved  into  a  log 
house  on  that  place,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  thickly 
wooded  country,  where  Indians  and  wild  animals 
were  numerous,  the  succeeding  years  were  passed 
in  arduous  toil.  A  zealous  Christian,  IMr.  Brigham 
had  been  licensed  to  preach  prior  to  leaving  the 
P^ast,  and,  upon  coming  to  Allegan  County,  found 
that  no  religious  meetings  had  been  held  here  up 
to  that  time.  Accordingly,  he  invited  his  neigh- 
bors to  meet  in  the  little  log  schoolhouse  on  March 
8,  1835.  At  the  appointed  time  five  persons  were 
present  and  listened  to  a  sermon  from  Mr.  Brig- 
ham. On  May  10,  of  the  same  year,  a  Sunday-school 
was  organized  with  fourteen  members.  Through 
his  efforts  the  first  Baptist  society  in  the  county 
was  organized,  December  26,  1835. 


362 


PORTEATT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Through  all  the  years  of  his  pioneer  life,  Mr. 
Brigham  continued  to  do  everything  in  his  power 
for  the  good  of  his  fellow-men,  and  was  widely 
known  and  respected.  AVhen  the  first  church  was 
erected  in  the  county,  he  was  invited  to  preach 
the  dedicatory  sermon;  he  also  ofliciated  at  many 
funerals.  His  death  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  seveutj-- 
nine  3'ears,  was  sincerelj-  mourned  and  called  forth 
testimonies  of  regard  from  his  large  circle  of  ac- 
quaintances. His  wife,  who  was  also  a  devoted 
member  of  tlie  Baptist  Church,  survived  until  the 
fall  of  1877,  and  attained  to  the  good  old  age  ot 
eightj'-seven  ^-ears. 

Our  subject  was  the  third  in  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  of  whom  are  now  living.  He  remained 
at  home  until  he  was  twentj-three,  and  in  the 
meantime  received  a  meager  education,  his  entire 
schooling  covering  a  period  of  not  more  than  nine- 
teen months.  Upon  starting  out  for  himself,  he 
bought  a  tract  of  land  six  miles  north  of  Plainwell, 
and  built  a  log  cabin,  10x15  feet,  upon  the  place. 
Two  j-eai'S  after  settling  there,  he  built  a  more 
commodious  structure,  where  his  sister  kept  house 
for  him  about  two  ^ears.  Workingout  by  the  day, 
he  accumulated  enough  money  to  buy  five  calves 
and  twenty  lambs,  and  thus  a  beginning  was  made. 
After  spending  four  years  in  improving  his  farm, 
he  sold  it  and  cultivated  his  father's  place  on 
shares. 

Two  j-ears  after  taking  charge  of  liis  fatlier's  es- 
tate, he  purcha.scd  forty  acres  of  it  and  added 
thereto,  until,  when  he  sold  it  in  1868  for  |ilO()  per 
acre,  he  owned  sixty  acres.  His  farm  was  one  of 
the  best  improved  in  the  county,  and  he  intro- 
duced all  modern  improvements  in  its  cultivation; 
he  also  sowed  and  raised  the  first  red  clover  in  the 
county.  Me  removed  to  Plainwell  in  1808,  where 
lie  built  his  present  commodious  residence,  llo 
has  l)een  administrator  for  a  large  number  of  es- 
tates, among  them  that  of  liis  brother-in-law,  the 
settlement  of  which  required  six  years. 

In  1849,  our  sul)jeet  was  married  ti(  Mary  Ann 
Fox,  who  was  l>orn  in  Sus.sex,  Kngiand,  .Inly  H, 
182.'),  and  came  to  America  in  18|fi,  in  company 
with  n  cousin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ISrigliani  have  trav- 
eled extensively,  and  spent  about  one  year  in  Cali- 
fornia, going  there  in  .lune,    1875,  and   returning 


home  in  April  of  the  following  j'ear.  In  his  pol- 
itics, Mr.  Brigham  has  always  been  a  strong  Repub- 
lican. He  served  as  Highway  Commissioner  for 
twelve  years.  Notary  Public  for  eight  years,  and 
h.as  filled  the  various  school  offices.  He  and  his 
estimable  wife  are  identified  with  the  Baptist 
Church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  Deacon  for 
forty  years,  and  as  Superintendent  of  the  Sundaj-- 
school  for  twenty-six  years. 

In  this  connection  the  reader  will  notice  a  litho- 
graphic portrait  of  Mr.  Brigham. 


I  '      ;    I    I 


■^*i*i'^ 


'if  OHN  P.  WADE.  Education  may  do  much 
for  a  man,  but  it  is  an  old  saying  that  wit 
and  gumption  are  the  most  important  fac- 
^  toi'S  in  making  a  man.  He  of  whom  we 
write  is  not  lacking  in  these  qualities,  and  by  virtue 
of  these  he  has  made  his  way  in  the  world  and 
attained  to  his  present  prominent  and  enviable 
position.  He  is  truly  the  architect  of  his  own 
fortune  and  is  a  self-made  man,  both  in  education 
and  financial  standing.  Beginning  at  the  foot  of 
the  ladder,  he  is  now  one  of  the  most  poi)ular, 
prominent  and  enterprising  men  in  Ganges  Town- 
ship, Allegan  County.  He  has  a  fine  farm  on  sec- 
tion 11,  which  he  devotes  largel_y  to  the  raising  of 
fruit,  of  which  he  has  some  splendid  varieties. 

John  P.  Wade  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
in  INIassachusetts  in  1822  and  is  the  son  of  Snell 
and  Deborah  Wade.  His  father,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  the  Bay  State,  was  the  son  of  a 
sea  captain.  Snell  AVade  learned  the  cooper's 
trade,  which  occupation  he  followed  the  greater 
portion  of  his  life.  His  father  dying  when  ho 
was  quite  young,  he  w.as  compelled  to  support  his 
mollier,  so  that  his  cducation.al  advantages  were 
limited.  He  worked  at  his  trade  in  different  parts 
of  M.issachusetts  and  finally  purchased  a  farm 
nc.'ir  Lancaster,  where  he  was  very  i)rf)niiiiciit  in 
local  affairs. 

Tiic  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Deborah  H.,  a  daugiiter  of  Itichmond  and  I-eafy 
.Iacol)s,and  by  her  union  witli  Mr.  Wade  she  became 
the  mother  of  five  children,  one  of  whom  died 
when  young.     The  remainder  of  the  family  were 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIilCAL   RECORD. 


363 


named  Perez;  Leafy,  now  deceased;  Snell  O., 
and  John  P.,  our  subject.  Snell  Wade  stood  very 
high  in  the  order  of  Masonry  and  in  politics  was 
a  Whig.  The  latter  years  of  his  life  wei-e  spent  at 
his  old  home  on  the  coast. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  given  an  excel- 
lentcducation  in  his  native  State,  and,  api)reciating 
the  value  of  a  knowledge  of  books,  made  the  best 
of  his  opportunities,  and  is  to-day  a  cultured  and 
intelligent  gentleman.  Me  began  in  life  on  his 
own  responsibility  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  by 
acting  as  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store  in  Lancaster, 
Mass.  He  followed  that  occupation  for  several 
years  in  different  parts  of  the  Jiny  State,  previous 
to  which,  however,  he  worked  in  a  shingle  mill  for 
his  father  a  few  _years. 

In  1814  John  P.  Wade  came  to  Allegan,  where 
there  were  only  two  stores  on  the  site  of  that  now 
thriving  village.  He  then  went  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Kalamazoo  River,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
selling  goods,  but  for  the  first  six  months  did  not 
realize  much  from  his  labors,  as  the  firm  he  was 
■working  for  became  bankrupt.  Our  subject  was 
then  employed  in  different  stores  of  Saugatuck  for 
the  succeeding  ten  }'ears,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  under 
the  style  of  J.  P.  Wade  &  Co.,  doing  a  general 
merchandise  business. 

After  disposing  of  his  mercantile  interests,  Mr. 
Wade,  in  1858,  bought  a  seventy-two-acre  tract  of 
wild  land  in  Ganges  Township  on  which  he  lives 
at  the  present  time.  He  erected  a  plank  house  on 
his  property,  16x24  feet  in  dimensions,  which  later 
gave  way  to  the  commodious  and  pleasant  dwelling 
which  ranks  among  the  best  in  the  township.  All 
the  improvenients  on  his  place  have  been  the  result 
of  his  own  perseverance  and  good  judgment.  The 
first  few  }-ears  of  life  on  his  new  farm,  Mr.  Wade 
was  engaged  as  book-keeper  for  a  firm  in  Kalama- 
zoo, lie  also  taught  school  in  his  township,  at  one 
time  having  five  of  his  own  children  among  the 
pupils. 

When  twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  of  whom  we 
write  was  married  to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Ezekiel 
Oilman,  and  of  their  union  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Lottie,  has  been  born.  After  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Wade,  our   subject   married  Sarah   S.  Barnes,  the 


daughter  of  John  and  Melissa  (Parish)  Barnes. 
Nine  children  have  been  granted  to  them,  who  bear 
the  respective  names  of  \'iola,  Linda,  Willar<I, 
Theodosia,  Sarah,  Leafy;  Mary,  deceased;  Joseph- 
ine, and  John  P.,  Jr. 

Mr.  Wade,  of  this  sketch,  is  a  member  of  several 
different  social  orders,  among  which  are  the  Free 
and  Accejjted  Jlasons,  of  which  he  has  attained  to 
the  Royal  Arch  Degree  of  Allegan  l^odge,  No.  50; 
he  also  belongs  to  Blue  Lodge,  No.  193,  of  Douglas, 
where  he  is  a  charter  member;  the  Odd  Fellows  of 
Fennville  and  the  Patrons  of  Industry.  He 
belongs  to  several  temperance  societies  and  in  ])ol- 
itics  is  independent  in  local  affairs  but  in  National 
elections  casts  his  vote  for  the  Republican  candi- 
dates. Mr.  Wade  is  very  popular  in  his  township 
and  has  been  called  upon  to  serve  in  numerous 
responsible  positions.  We  are  pleased  to  be  able 
to  i)resent  to  our  readers  a  sketch  of  so  worthy  a 
gentleman. 


M  ADISON  MILLER,  who  is  carrying  on 
IVi  general  farming  on  sections  16  and  22, 
Is  Monterey  Township,  Allegan  County, 
where  he  owns  one  hundred  and  seven- 
teen acres  of  highly  improved  land,  is  an  early 
settler  of  Michigan,  of  which  his  parents  were 
pioneers.  He  is  a  son  of  Ira  and  Lydia  (Graves) 
Miller,  who  were  natives  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
They  came  to  Michigan  in  the  '20s,  and  located  in 
Macomb  County,  where  our  subject  was  bom  Jan- 
uary 5,  1832.  After  residing  in  this  State  for  a 
short  time,  they  returned  to  New  York  State,  thence 
coming  to  Illinois,  and  in  1845  to  this  county, 
where  the  father  took  up  one  hundred  and  sixt3^ 
acres  of  Government  land  on  section  14,  Monterey 
Township. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  had  a  very  limited 
education,  but  he  was  quick  and  bright,  and  had  a 
natural  turn  for  business  affairs,  which  he  used  to 
good  advantage,  and  has  made  a  success  of  what- 
ever he  has  engaged  in.  He  has  spent  almost  his 
entire  life  upon  a  farm,  and  is  now  enjoying  the 
results  of  his  industrj'  and  perseverance. 

Mr.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage,  December  18, 


364 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


1859,  with  Elizabeth  Porter,  a  daughter  of  Eliphalet 
Porter,  who  was  a  native  of  the  Empire  State,  but 
removed  to  >.'ew  Hampshire  where  ;Mrs.  ^lillcr  was 
born.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife,  as  follows:  Delora,  who  married 
Tell  Myers  and  died  May  24,  1888.  at  the  age  of 
twenty-nine  years;  she  left  one  daughter.  May, 
who  resides  with  her  grandparents.  Georgia,  who 
resides  at  home,  has  been  carefully  educated  in  the 
district  and  the  Allegan  High  Scliools;  Cuy  w.as 
born  September  2,  1868,  and  married  Miss  Cora 
Bishop.  He  .also  was  educated  in  the  Allegan 
High  School,  and  lives  upon  the  home  farm,  .assist- 
ing his  father  in  carrying  on  the  same.  Mr.  Miller 
afFiliates  with  the  Repulilican  party,  but  has  never 
aspired  to  an}-  political  honors,  his  time  being 
fully  occupied  in  looking  after  his  owu  affairs. 
The  family  are  highly  respected  and  esteemed  and 
have  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


lU^  ANNIBAL  IIAUT.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch,  who  holds  the  position  of  Pros- 
ecuting Attorney  for  Allegan  County,  is 
*Z^  a  prominent  citizen  of  Allegan,  who  is  held 
in  high  esteem  for  his  personal  qualities  and  also 
for  his  e.\cellent  record  as  a  gallant  soldier  during 
tiie  late  war.  He  w.as  born  in  the  Province  of 
t^uebec,  .luly  3,  1839,!ind  isason  of  Nathaniel  and 
Almira  (I'ierce)  Hart,  natives  of  New  Hampshire 
and  Canada,  respectively.  His  father  was  a  far- 
mer and  lumberm.an  by  trade,  who  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  1830,  settling  in  Otsego  Township,  Allegan 
C<iunly,  of  which  he  w.as  a  pioneer.  He  purchased 
wild  land,  which  he  cleared  off  and  oii  which  he 
lived  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  held 
the  ollice  of  Assessor  of  Otsego  T<>wnshi|),  and 
wan  a  prominent  man  in  his  section  of  the  country. 
In  his  early  days  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  wa.s  bit- 
terly ripposed  to  hiiuiaii  slavery  ."iiid  joined  the 
Abolition  party,  later  liccoming  a  liepiihlican.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  .seven  children,  of 
whom  four  are  living,  namely:  Hannibal;  Mrs. 
Andrew  'I'hornlon,  of  Otsego,  this  county;  Milo,  a 
fanner  in  Ottego   Township;  Willard,  a   resident 


of  Hart,  Oceana  County,  this  State.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject  w.as  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire and  w.as  an  old  Revolutionaiw  soldier  who 
served  throughout  the  war.  Later  he  became  a 
farmer  in  Canada,  where  he  lived  and  died,  having 
reared  a  large  familj*. 

Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  district  and 
High  Schools  of  Otsego  Township,  and  afterward 
taught  one  term  at  Trowbridge.  He  remained  upon 
his  father's  farm  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He 
tlien  read  law  for  one  j-car  with  Judge  AVilliams, 
of  Allegan,  after  which  the  Civil  Wiir  breaking 
out,  his  patriotism  overpowered  every  C)tlu'r 
consideration  and  in  August,  1862, he  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  Fifth  ISIichigan  Cavalry,  for  three  years, 
or  during  the  War.  His  command  was  mustered 
in  at  Detroit,  whence  they  were  sent  to  Washing- 
ton and  became  a  part  of  the  Army  t>f  the  Pottunac 

Mr.  Hart  was  made  Commissary-Sergeant  wliilc 
at  Detroit.  His  regiment  w.as  in  the  Custer  Bri- 
gade and  Kiljiatrick  Divison  (Cavalry)  and  took 
jjart  ill  twenty  different  battles.  The  first engage- 
iiieiit  in  which  Mr.  Hart  took  part  was  .at  Hanover, 
I'a.,  .Iune30,  1863,  and  the  second  at  Gettysburg, 
.lulv  3,  of  the  same  3'ear.  He  afterwards  partici- 
pated in  the  following  battles:  Montgomery, 
llageistown,  Williamsport,  Boonsboro,  Snicker's 
Gap,  Ashbj'  Gap,  Newbury  Crt>ss  Hoads,  Culpeper 
Courthouse,  Braudy  Station,  and  ISucklin  Mills. 
At  the  latter  place  he  was  wounded  b}-  a  sliell, 
which  broke  his  left  arm,  and  he  was  in  the  hospi- 
tal for  three  months  ati  Washington,  being  dis- 
charged from  there  the  15th  of  .lanuary,   1861. 

At  the  close  of  his  service  in  the  army,  ]\rr.  Hart 
returned  home  and  became  a  student  in  tlif  Law 
Department  of  the  University  of  Miclii;,!in,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1866,  and  the  same 
year  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  State  Supreme 
C(nirt  and  later  in  the  United  Slates  Court.  .Vfter 
his  graduation  he  was  elected  County  Clerk,  serv- 
ing two  terms  of  two  years  each.  He  then  formed 
a  law  partnershi|)  with  1''.  .1.  Liltlejohn,  under  the 
lirmn.'imcof  Litthjoliu  it  Hart,  which  continued 
for  some  years.  He  w.as  afterward  .associated 
with  ,'\.II.  Fenii,  the  linn  being  known  liy  the 
name  of  I'"eun  >{■  Hart  and  later  as  Pope  A'  Ihirt, 
which  lalli'r  iiarlncisliip  existed    for   siime    twelve 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


367 


years.  Mr.  TTart  was  a  member  of  the  Scliool  Board 
for  some  3'ears  aiirl  also  served  as  President  of  the 
village  of  Allegan.  He  was  elected  to  his  presiuit 
office  in  1890  and  has  filled  it  with  credit  to  liiiu- 
self  and  to  tlie  satisfaction  of  the  pnljlic. 

Mr.  Hartw.as  married  in  April,  18(iG,  to  Miss 
Priscilla  M.  Parsons,  of  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.  They 
have  one  child,  Gr.ace.  who  is  a  graduate  of  tiie 
High  School.  Mr.  Hart  lias  a  line  farm,  two  and 
one-h.alf  miles  from  town,  and  a  beautiful  home  on 
Crescent  Street,  which  is  the  resort  of  a  large  circle 
of  friends,  who  are  most  hospitably  entertained  by 
his  estimable  wife  and  daughter.  All  the  family 
are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  which 
they  hold  an  influential  place.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Hart  is  a  Democrat  and  socially,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masons,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic, 


l^+^l 


Tp^UFUS    M.BROWN.     The  gentleman  whose 
V^/      life  sketch  and  portrait  we  here  present  has 


K 


m 


been  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Bloom- 
\^j  ingdale,  where  he  is  honored  as  one  of  its 
representative  citizens.  He  comes  of  old  English 
stock,  who  early  emigrated  to  this  country  and  to 
whose  record  he  can  point  with  pride,  his  immedi- 
ate ancestors  being  brave  soldiers  in  the  War  of 
the  Revolution.  He  has  also,  himself,  proved  his 
valor  upon  the  field  of  battle,  and  is  a  worthy  de- 
scendant of  his  patriotic  forefathers. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Thomas  Brown, 
who  was  the  son  of  James  Brown,  was  born  in 
England,  and  came  to  Massachusetts  with  his  fa- 
ther in  the  early  Colonial  days.  He  served  during 
the  Revolutionary  War,  and  was  a  Sergeant  under 
Ethan  Allen  at  the  battle  of  Tieonderog.a.  He  was 
a  wheelwright  by  trade.  He  married  Jane  McNett, 
who  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  of  their  union  five 
sons  and  four  daughters  were  born.  He  afterward 
removed  to  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  arriving  there 
January  1,  1800,  and  settled  upon  a  soldier's  claim, 
which  he  cleared  and  improved,  and  where  he  lived 
until  his  death  at  the  age  of  sixty-four.  His  wife 
survived  until  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  They 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and   a  most 


worthy  couple.     He  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  some  time. 

Uufus  lirown,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  Rutland,  Vt.,  January  17,  1787,  and  lived  in 
Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  until  the  summer  of  1844 
when  he  removed  to  Michigan,  settling  in  Ypsi- 
lanti,  where  he  died  in  1854.  His  wife,  who  was 
born  February  23,  1797,  died  in  June,  1881.  The 
father  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  and  served  as 
a  drummer  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  held  the  of- 
fice of  Justice  of  tiie  Peace  and  other  minor  posi-" 
tioiis.  In  religion  he  was  a  Universallst,  while  his 
wife  was  a  Baptist.  They  had  a  family  of  nine 
children,  of  whom  two  sons  and  five  daughters 
grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Rufus  M.;  Charles,  who 
served  in  the  late  war  as  Sergeant  in  Company  A, 
Third  Michigan  Cavalry;  Ruby,  Margaret,  Susan, 
Eliza  and  Mary.  The  mother  of  our  .subject  was 
l><>rn  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.  Her  p.arents  were 
Thomas  and  Margaret  (McKinney)  O'Dell,  her 
father  being  a  native  of  Holland,  and  the  mother, 
of  Ireland.  Mr.  O'Dell  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  served  in  the  AYar  of  1812. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  ]May  13, 
1816,  in  Fajette,  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.  He  re- 
ceived a  common-school  education,  .and  learned  the 
trade  of  a  wheelwright  with  his  father.  When 
twenty-tliree  years  old,  lie  began  working  for  him- 
self, following  his  trade  until  1856  where  he  re- 
moved to  Michigan,  settling  In  Bloomingdale  in 
1854,  when  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  sec- 
tion 16,  and  cut  down  the  first  tree  ever  felled 
where  the  village  now  stands.  He  has  sold  all  of 
his  land  but  six  lots.  In  1855  he  built  a  sawmill 
here  which  he  operated  for  six  years.  He  was  elec- 
ted Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  spring  of  1855  and 
served  twenty-one  years.  When  the  war  broke 
out,  Mr.  Brown  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Third 
Michigan  Cavalry,  being  elected  First  Lieutenant, 
but  resigned  about  two  months  later. 

Mr.  Brown  married  Lucretia  Melvin,  a  daughter 
of  John  Melvin,  and  a  native  of  Burton,  Ohio.  Of 
the  union  four  children  were  born:  George,  who 
died  when  twenty-eight  years  of  age;Mathias,  who 
died  at  eight  j'eare;  Alice,  wife  of  Milfred  Gilbert, 
and  ICddie,  who  also  died  when  eight  years  old. 
The  mother  of  these  children  wlio  was  a  most  esti- 


368 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


mable  woman,  and  a  member  of  the  Disciple  Church, 
died  in  November,  1875.  Mr.  Brown  has  served  as 
Notary  Public  for  twelve  j'ears,  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fr-iternity,  and  a  sUinch  Democrat.  He 
relates  some  interesting  stories  of  his  life  in  the 
early  d.iys  of  Bloomingdale.  In  18.56  he  put  up  a 
store  which  was  the  firet  oue  erected  in  the  place, 
and  there  sold  the  first  j'ard  of  calico  and  the  first 
pound  of  tea  ever  sold  in  the  village.  Indians  were 
still  living  in  the  vicinity  and  he  carried  on  quite 
an  extensive  trade  with  them.  He  witnessed  the 
ceremonj'  which  united  in  marriage  the  son  of 
Chief  Bear  of  the  Pottawattomie  tribe  and  the 
daughter  of  Chief  Kincwhip,  of  Canada. 


€^- 


'^ 


'\|'  OHN  C.  FOX,  who  has  a  beautiful  home  on 
his  farm  on  section  17,  Allegan  Township, 
is  entitled  to  a  high  place  among  the  pioneers 
of  Central  Michigan,  of  which  he  was  a  res- 
ident several  3-ears  prior  to  settling  in  Allegan 
County.  He  was  born  in  the  to>ra  of  Byron,  (ien- 
esee  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1820.  His  parents  were  Dr. 
Chauncej'  D.  and  Rosanna  (Lenox)  Fox,  who  were 
natives  of  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.  His  father 
was  a  physician  of  some  repute,  and  was  also  a 
fanner.  In  1842  he  removed  with  his  familj'  to 
Michigan,  and  settled  among  the  pioneers  of  the 
town.ship  of  Burns,  in  Shiawassee  Countj',  where 
he  followed  his  profession  and  farmed  until  his 
death  (lei)rived  his  community  of  one  of  its  most 
valued  and  honored  citizens.  He  was  a  man  of 
large  jmblic  spirit,  and,  notwithstanding  his  pro- 
fesMonal  lal)<)rs  and  the  care  of  his  farm  occupied 
a  great  deal  of  his  time,  he  accepted  the  ollice  of 
Highway  Commissioner,  and  was  instrumental  in 
the  improvement  of  the  traveling  facilitie.-i  of  his 
section,  lie  and  his  wife  reared  a  family-  of  eleven 
children  to  maturity,  eight  of  whom  are  now  liv- 
ing, namely:  Charles  L.,  Uoliert  L.,  Sarah,  our  sub- 
ject, ( J  corge,  Lucy,  Albert  and  Mary. 

Jolin  C.  Fox,  of  this  l)iograpli leal  review,  received 
ft  soiinfl  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  taught  school  one  term  after  he  came 
to  Midilgan.  lie  was  reared  on  a  faiin.  early  be- 
cnnieexp(!rl  in  agricultural  pursuit.s,and  al  the  age 


of  sixteen,  desiring  to  be  independent  and  to  make 
his  own  way  in  the  world,  he  sought  a  situation  as 
a  farm  hand,  and  worked  out  until  he  came  to 
Michigan  in  1842,  in  the  month  of  October.  He 
spent  the  ensuing  six  yeare  in  Shiawassee  County, 
and  then  he  purchased  timber  land,  comprising 
three  different  farms,  that  he  opened  up  and  after- 
ward sold  at  a  good  price.  He  subsequently  went 
to  Cliuton  County,  and  bought  forty-five  acres  of 
land,  to  which  he  added  forty  acres  adjoining  at  a 
later  period,  buying  it  of  the  Government.  He 
cleared  thirty-five  .acres  of  the  whole  tract,  and 
then  disposed  of  it  at  a  good  advance  on  the  orig- 
inal cost.  His  next  move  was  to  an  eighty-acre 
tract,  three  miles  distant,  two  acres  of  which  were 
cleared.  He  cut  off  sixtj'-eight  acres  of  timber  on 
that  farm,  and  in  the  comfortable  home  that  he 
built  up  there  lived  thirty-five  years.  In  1883  he 
sold  that  place  and  purchased  his  present  farm  in 
Allegan  Township.  This  comprises  one  hundred 
and  four  acres  of  valuable  farming  land,  and,  with 
its  fine  set  of  farm  buildings,  and  all  the  modern 
appliances  for  carrying  on  agriculture,  is  one  of 
the  model  farms  of  this  locality.  Mr.  Fox  has 
given  his  son  charge  of  the  farm,  and  h.as  built 
for  himself  another  dwelling  upon  it,  which  is  a 
handsome  residence,  standing  nearer  the  street  than 
the  farmhouse. 

Mr.  Fox  wasuniti'd  in  marriage  in  184!l,  to  Miss 
Caroline  M.  Richmond,  of  Green  Bush,  Clinton 
County-.  She  was  born  at  Leroy,  N.  Y.,  a  daughter 
of  Preserved  and  Mary  (Luther)  Richmond,  who 
had  nine  children,  of  whom  she  is  the  only  survivor. 
She  is  a  ladv  of  rare  culture  and  literary  attain- 
ments, and  was  formerly  eng.agcd  in  the  profession 
of  teaching  in  this  State.  She  and  our  subject 
have  a  family  of  four  children:  Franklin  B.,  who 
married  Miss  Lizzie  Cook,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Palmer  .1.;  Frances  L.,  who  has  one  son,  Clifford; 
ISIIlton  A.,  who  married  Miss  Cella  .Tudd,  and  has 
two  children,  (irace  and  Clare;  and  I'Morence  E. 

OiM-  subject  possesses  an  Independent,  energetic, 
decisive  character,  and  has  always  been  a  force  in 
any  community  where  he  has  lived.  He  has 
actively  assisted  in  the  administration  of  inibllc 
affairs  .-is  an  incumbent  of  various  ri'sponsiblc 
odices,  such   us  that  of  Supervisor  and   School  In- 


1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


369 


spcctor,  and  has  always  thrown  the  weight  of  his 
inlluence  to  secure  local  imi)rovements.  ITe  is  a 
member  of  the  Grange,  and  is  deeply  interested  in 
its  advancement.  Politically,  he  is  a  prominent 
Democrat  of  the  township. 


J-S'***^ 


"•{••{••{••5-^^ES 


AR,SHALL  BUGDEN,  a  representative 
farmer  on  section  15,  Casco  Township, 
Allegan  County,  is  a  native  of  the  Mother 
Country.  He  was  born  March  11,  1831), 
near  Sutton,  Kent  County,  England,  to  John  and 
Mary  (Crisp)  Bugden,  both  natives  of  the  same 
place  as  their  son.  The  father  was  reared  in  his 
native  place  on  a  farm,  and  to  him  and  his  wife 
were  born  ten  children,  our  subject  being  the 
youngest.  Marshall  Bugden  remained  in  the  place 
of  his  birth  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Kosciusko 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  worked  until  the  breaking- 
out  of  the  war. 

Our  subject  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  his 
adopted  country  in  1861,  in  Company  B,  Forty- 
fourth  Indiana  Infantry.  He  was  with  the  Army 
of  the  Cumlierland,  and  fought  in  many  of  the 
most  important  battles,  namely':  Pittsburg  Laud- 
ing, Chattanooga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Ft.  Donel- 
son.  Stone  Kiver  and  Chickamauga.  This  gentleman 
was  fortunate  in  never  having  received  a  wound 
nor  was  he  taken  prisoner  during  his  service.  He 
re-enlisted  in  1863  in  the  same  company,  and 
served  gallantly  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

On  returning  from  the  war,  Mr.  Bugden  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  in  Ganges  Township, 
this  county.  The  land  was  covered  with  a  dense 
forest  and  he  at  once  set  to  work  and  improved  a 
portion  of  it.  In  1870  he  sold  it  and  pui'chased 
eighty  acres  of  his  present  farm,  and  afterward 
purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  sec- 
tion 1  of  this  township.  His  farm  was  all  unim- 
proved when  he  settled  on  it,  and  by  his  own 
industrious  labor  he  has  ninety  acres  under  the  plow, 
besides  ten  .acres  which  are  set  in  fruit.  He  has 
gained  his  farm  and  all  that  he  possesses  by  his 
own  hands,  for  when  he  arrived  in  the  United 
States  he  had  but  a  few  dollars  in  his  pocket,  and 
lie  miwht  well  be  termed  a  self-made  man. 


In  1866  Mr.  Bugden  married  Helen  Chajilin,  a 
daugliter  of  M.  P.  and  Sarah  A.  (Morris)  Chaplin, 
n.-ilivcs  of  New  York  and  Ohio,  respectively,  and 
v(My  early  pioneers  in  Kosciusko  County,  Tnd., 
locating  there  before  their  marriage  in  1830. 
To  this  worthy  couple  six  children  have  been  born, 
one  dying  in  infancy:  Edith,  Rose,  Bert,  Marian 
and  Jennie.  Edith  died  when  fovuteen  years  old. 
Our  subject  is  a  member  of  Zach  Chandler  Post, 
('.  A.  R.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Patrons  of 
Husbandry.  He  and  his  wife  have  been  members 
of  the  Grange  for  eighteen  3'ears.  Mr.  Bugden  was 
Supervisor  of  his  tnwnship  for  six  years,  and  has 
held  many  responsible  and  minor  oflices  of  his  town- 
ship. He  was  also  Assessor  of  his  School  District 
fifteen  years.  Himself  .ind  family  are  prominent 
in  the  social  circles  of  the  community. 

V ♦^♦^^       y 


^ 


ENRY  BIRD,  Postmaster  of  Douglas,  Allegan 
Count}',  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  and 
business  men  of  the  pl.ace.  Besides  his 
duties  as  Postmaster,  he  gives  his  attention 
to  conducting  a  drug  store  which  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  village.  Henry  Bird  was  born  in  Wash- 
tenaw County,  this  State,  .January  7,  1843.  His 
parents  were  Henr}'  and  Desiah  (Van  House)  Bird, 
natives  of  New  York  State. 

Our  subject  was  two  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  went  to  Whcaton,  111.,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  received  a  good  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  at  Wheaton  College.  In 
1866  he  came  to  Allegan  County,  and  in  1878 
entered  into  the  drug  business,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  a  registered  pharmacist. 

November  10,  1869,  Henry  Bird  was  happii}' 
married  to  Ellen  S.  Collins,  a  native  of  Lockport, 
111.  That  union  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  six 
children:  Frederick  H.,  Edith,  Harold;  Helen,  who 
is  deceased;  Leon  and  Kenneth  M.  In  his  political 
relations,  our  subject  is  a  thorough  Repuldican, 
and  socially  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor 
and  Van  Arsdale  Post,  No.  148, G.  A.  R.  In  May, 
18G3,  he  responded  to  his  coi:ntiy's  call  and  en- 
listed in  Company  II. One  Hundred  and  Forty-fust 


370 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Illinois  Infantry.  His  regiment  formed  a  p.art  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  our  subject  en- 
dured all  the  h.ardships  and  privations  of  war 
until  1865.  when  he  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge, lie  is  very  prominent  in  local  affairs  in 
his  township,  and  is  Secretary  of  the  Pomological 
Society,  in  which  position  he  has  served  for  three 
j'eai-s.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  fruit  growers 
of  this  section,  and  in  all  his  undertakings  has 
been  more  than  ordinarily  successful. 


-?-= 


i>-^^<i 


\l7  OVETr  EAMES.  The  early  life  of  this 
(©)  pioneer  of  Kalamazoo  was  a  struggle  against 

— ^v  adverse  circumstances,  but  with  indomitable 
will  and  unfaltering  trust,  he  kept  the  even  tenor 
of  his  waj-,  and  his  last  3^ears  were  brightened  by 
the  consciousness  of  a  well-spent  life,  with  some- 
thing done  for  humanity. 

Born  in  Rutland,  Jeffei-son  County,  N.  Y.,  .Vpril 
22,  1810,  our  subject  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mollie  (Wight)  Eames,  members  of  old  Xew  Eng- 
land families,  whose  ancestors  settled  at  Dedliam, 
Mass.,  at  an  early  day.  The  first  represenlative 
of  llie  Eanius  family'  in  America  was  Thomas  Ivuiios, 
who  emigrated  from  England  in  1620,  settling 
in  Dedliam  ten  years  later,  and  building  a  house 
there  which  was  bui'ned  by  tlic  Indians  during 
King  Philip's  war. 

L<jvelt  ICames  was  the  thirteenth  and  youngest 
child  in  the  i)arental  family,  and  his  j'dulhful  days 
were  pa.ssed  in  the  Empire  Slate.  In  1833  he  came 
to  Michigan,  spending  one  year  in  .lackson  County, 
and  tlieii  .settling  in  (!rand  Pijiirio,  Kalaiiiazoo 
County,  where  he  continued  farming  operations 
four  yeai-s.  lie  was  married,  .luiic  23,  18.'!'),  in 
Adams,  N.  Y.,  to  Mixs  Lucy  C.  .Morgan,  who  was 
born  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  .Iiinc  22,  LSI  I.  Her 
parent.-  were  the  Rev.  Klisha  and  I'olly  (liabcock) 
Morgan,  natives  of  Coiineclicut,  and  descendants 
of  three  brothers  who  emigrated  from  "Wales  :iiid 
.settled  ill  dilTeri'iit  pjirts  of  the  I'liited  States. 

In  1M31  .Mrs.  Kaiiics  came  to  ,\iin  Aibnr  to  visit 
her  brotlier,  1..  \\  .  Morgan,  .'iiii|  wliilr  IcMclii  ii^f 
then'  met  the  geiillcmaii  wlioiii  she  .sodii  .•il'tcrw.arcl 
married.      After  ic.>>i<liiig  fiiiir  ye;irs  mi  their  farm, 


the  young  couple  located  in  Kalamazoo  and  pur- 
chased the  place  where  the  widow  now  resides.  No. 
775  ^V.  South  Street.  The  first  work  of  Mr.  Eames 
was  the  manufacture  of  wooden  iniinps,  in  connec- 
tion with  which  he  conducted  a  chair  and  bedstead 
factory. 

Having  naturally  a  mechanical  mind,  Mv.  Eames 
turned  his  attention  to  tlie  inventitm  of  api>lianees, 
and  his  first  one  was  a  mortising  machine  for  liulis. 
He  also  invented  an  engine  for  use  in  raising  water, 
and  a  grain  meter  for  measuring  grain  passing 
through  elevators.  While  he  neither  sold  iiur  man- 
ufactured his  patents,  he  was  constantly  perfecting 
some  machine,  and  continued  in  that  line  until  his 
death,  September  6,  1863,  when  lie  was  fifty-three 
years  old.  He  had  also  i)uicliased  consideialile 
real  estate,  and  sold  town  lots,  the  college  standing 
on  a  ])ait  of  his  original  tr.act. 

The  children  born  to  ^Ir.  and  ISIrs.  Eames  are  as 
follows:  Elisha  1).,  of  Watertown,  N.  Y.;  Lucia  .\., 
who  married  II.  F.  lUount,  of  Wa.shington,  I).  (_'.; 
Fred  W.,  deceased;  Wilfred,  a  manufacturer  of 
pumps  in  Ypsilanti,  this  State;  Judson  M.,  who 
died  wlieii  ten  years  old;  (Jardner  T.,  who  is  a 
manufacturer  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.;  Cliarles  H., 
who  is  conducting  a  loan  and  collection  .agency  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  Xellie  IX.  who  is  the  wife  of 
C.  Def!raff,  of  Evansvillc,  Ind. 

Mrs.  Eames  still  occupies  the  old  lioinestead. 
She  has  been  active  in  ladies' .societies  and  attends 
the  rresbyterian  Church,  of  which  she  h.as  been  a 
liberal  supporter.  Since  the  organization  of  the 
Ladies'  Library  .Vssociation,  she  has  been  aetivciy 
identilied  with  its  grt)wtli,  and  has  never  shirked 
when  duly  called  for  her  assistance.  Every  enter- 
prise wiierc  woman's  biaiii  and  liaiids  have  been 
neces.sary  has  found  in  her  a  clianipion,  and  she 
is  to-d.ay  a  lovely,  culttuvd  lady,  whom  it  is  a 
plcasiiic  to  know. 

The  ciiildreii  have  been  imliued  witli  much  of 
the  inventive  genius  which  ehaiactcrized  tiieu- 
father,  and  all  but  one  of  tlie  sons  have  been 
granted  Ii'tters-|)atent  for  some  labor-saving  iii- 
venlion.  I'"red  W.,  whose  inventive  genius  car- 
ried him  bacU  to  the  old  liomestead  in  New  ^<l^U. 
became  interestc-d  in  patents  covering  safety  brakes 
for  liiilwav  service,  and    was  coiiiiect('(l   with  their 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


371 


mamifncture  and  sale.  lie  met  with  mueli  op|)0- 
sition  from  monied  corporations,  whose  products 
were  infringements  upon  his  patents,  and  struggled 
unceasingly  to  perpetuate  his  rights.  He  was 
killed  in  1883,  at  the  early  age  of  thirt\'-nine,  by 
a  man  who  had  formerly  been  befriended  by  him 
but  who  was  endeavoring  to  wrest  from  him  the 
products  of  energy  and  toil.  During  the  Civil 
War  he  had  enlisted  under  the  gallant  Capt.  May, 
for  service,  and  was  the  second  man  in  Kalamazoo 
who  enlisted. 

.  YER  C.  PUTNAM.  This  lumored  gentle- 
man is  one  of  the  leading  mci-cliants  in 
the  thriving  little  village  of  Douglas, 
Allegan  County.  He  launched  out  in  his 
present  business  in  1866  and  since  that  time  has 
made  a  signal  success  of  bis  undertaking,  being 
gentlemanly  and  courteous  in  all  his  dealings.  His 
parents  were  Dj'cr  and  Lucy  (Conger)  Putnam, 
natives  of  Connecticut  and  New  York,  respect- 
ively. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  the 
Empire  State,  having  been  born  in  Oswego  County, 
December  20,  1843.  Young  Dyer  was  only  eight 
years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  South  Bend, 
Ind.  There  his  father  died,  and  he  remained  with 
his  mother,  caring  for  her  until  reaching  his  major- 
ity. The  limited  circumstances  of  the  family  pre- 
vented him  from  being  given  many  advantages  in 
the  way  of  an  education,  but  he  was  very  bright 
and  quick  to  learn  and  is  to-day  intelligent  and 
well  read. 

In  1865  Dyer  C.  Putnam  came  to  Douglas,  Alle- 
gan County,  and  the  succeeding  year  started  in 
business  in  the  same  building  which  he  occupies  at 
the  present  time.  He  was  very  popular  among  his 
fellow-townsmen  and  was  honored  with  the  posi- 
tion of  Postmaster,  being  the  first  in  the  village, 
which  office  he  held  for  twenty  years.  His  mar- 
riage with  Catherine  ,J.  Enoch  took  place  in  1872. 
Mrs.  Putnam  was  born  near  Rockford,  111.,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  Hon.  A.  .J.  and  Catherine  (Davis) 
Enoch.  Her  union  with  our  subject  has  been 
blessed  with  the  birth  of  lour  children:  Ralph  E., 


Ethel,  Dyer  C,  Jr.,  and  Hazel  G.,  all  of  whom  are 
at  home  witli  their  parents  and  are  receiving  the 
training  which  will  make  of  thein  good  and  useful 
citizens. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  has  been  very 
active  in  the  development  of  various  enterprises  in 
Douglas  and  is  a  stock-holder  in  the  Douglas  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  also  acting  in  the  capacity 
of  Treasiu-er  of  that  company'.  In  politics  he  casts 
his  vote  and  inlluence  for  Republican  candidates, 
and  socially  is  a  member  of  Dutchess  Lodge,  A.  E. 
&  A.  M.,  No.  193.  At  the  present  writing  he  is 
Worshipful  Master  in  that  order,  and  a  Trustee  of 
the  Congregational  Church,  in  which  he  and  his 
family  are  active  members,  from  the  date  of  its  or- 
ganization. His  interest  in  education  is  manifested 
b}'  the  fact  that  he  has  been  on  the  School  Board  for 
fifteen  years;  he  has  also  been  connected  with  the 
Village  Board  and  held  the  various  town  offices. 
All  in  all,  he  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Doug- 
las and  we  are  pleased  to  be  able  to  present  his 
sketch  to  our  readers. 


ARRY  A.  WALKER.  It  gives  us  pleasure  to 
inscribe  on  these  pages  the  life  record  of 
this  venerable  pioneer  of  Allegan  County, 
(^^  who  settled  here  when  Michigan  was  a  Ter- 
ritory, and  when  Nature  had  full  sway  in  the  track- 
less forests  and  on  the  lonel3'  prairies  of  this  re- 
gion, and  who  labored  hard  with  his  fellow-pioneers 
to  redeem  the  rich  virgin  soil  of  this  part  of  the 
eoiintry  from  its  original  wildness.  Our  subject 
was  one  of  the  first  to  settle  in  JIartiu  Township, 
locating  on  section  22,  where  he  cleared  a  fine 
farm  from  the  woods,  and  is  now  comfortably  pass- 
ing the  sunset  of  life,  living  retired  from  active 
business  in  the  pleasant  home  that  he  built  upon  it 
when  he  was  in  the  prime  of  manhood. 

Mr.  Walker  was  born  in  the  town  of  Highgate, 
Franklin  County,  Vt.,  May  6,  1811.  His  father, 
John  Walker,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Green 
Mountain  State.  He  was  a  son  of  James  Walker, 
who  was  of  Scotch  birth  and  antecedents.  lie 
came  to  America    when  a  j"Oung  man.  and  during 


372 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


the  Revolution  cast  in  liis  lot  with  his  fellow-col- 
onists to  free  his  adopted  country  from  British  op- 
pression. He  enlisted  in  the  Continental  army  as 
a  private,  and  wiis  promoted  for  meritorious  con- 
duet  in  battle  to  the  rank  of  Corporal.  In  one  of 
the  battles  in  winch  he  was  engaged  he  was 
wounded  in  tlie  hip  by  a  musket  ball.  The  old 
hero  lived  to  be  seventy  years  old.  He  was  a 
prominent  man  in  his  time  in  that  part  of  Vermont 
where  he  settled.  Our  subject's  maternal  grand- 
father, Jeremiah  Brewer,  was  also  a  brave  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  he  sacrificed  his  life 
for  the  cause,  dying  from  the  effects  of  a  wound 
caused  by  a  ball  from  an  enemy's  musket,  while 
he  was  fighting  at  the  front  in  one  of  the  hotly- 
contested  liattles  of  that  war. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  .John  Walker  left  the 
hills  and  valleys  of  his  native  State  and  betook 
himself  to  Quebec,  Canada,  where  he  worked  in  a 
ship-yard  some  three  years.  Returning  to  Ver- 
mont at  the  end  of  that  tiine,  he  began  business  as 
a  general  farmer.  He  married  Hannah  Brewer, 
who  was  also  a  native  of  that  State,  and  the^y  re- 
moved to  Lower  Canada,  locating  in  the  town  of 
Stanbridge,  in  the  District  of  Montreal,  where  he 
bought  a  farm,  and  gave  his  attention  to  its  culti- 
vation the  ensuing  fourteen  years.  Ilis  next  move 
was  to  New  York,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of 
si.\ty-live.  His  wife  died  at  the  same  age  and  at 
the  same  place.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  intelli- 
gence anel  fif  Iirond  views  of  life.  In  politics,  he 
wa-s  a  Wiiig  until  llie  Republican  party  came  into 
existence,  and  lluii  his  allegiance  w.is  transferred 
to  that  parly,  as  he  was  heartily  in  sym|)alhy  with 
the  object  of  it.s  fiirmation.  Religiously,  he  was 
n  ruivcrsalist.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born 
six  children,  Uvtt  sous  and  four  daughters,  all  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Harry,  Kerdi- 
uand.  a  resident  of  Wisconsin;  iMiiMiHla,  deceased; 
Laura,  widow  of  .lames  Haskin,  and  a  resident  of 
Ionia,  .Mich.;  Abigail  is  still  single;  Teressa 
widow  of  .lames  Wood,  and  a  resident  of  SarMriac 
Ionia  County. 

The  subject  of  this  liiographical  review  was  seven 
years  old  when  his  parents  went  to  Canada,  and  lir 
remained  with  them  until  he  alljiini'd  his  iiiajority. 
He  then   .>«!l  out    in  the  world    empty-handed,    but 


with  a  brave  heart,  to  trj'  life  for  himself.  He  found 
emploj-ment  on  a  farm  and  in  a  sawmill,  working 
by  the  month,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  about 
two  years.  He  then  bought  his  father's  farm  in 
the  town  of  Stanbridge,  District  of  Montreal,  Can- 
ada, and  carried  on  general  farming  thereon  the 
ensuing  two  j-ears.  He  then  sold  that  pl.ace  and 
came  directly  to  Allegan  County,  and  bought 
eighty  acres  of  the  farm  where  he  now  resides. 
^Michigan  was  then  under  territorial  government, 
and  this  part  of  it  w.as  but  vevy  little  settled. 
His  land  being  in  the  midst  of  the  primeval  forests 
he  had  to  find  his  way  to  it  by  marked  trees.  His 
first  work  was  to  clear  a  space  upon  which  to 
erect  a  dwelling,  and  of  the  logs  thus  cut  down  he 
built  a  house,  16x26  feet  in  dimensions.  The  flour- 
ishing city  of  Kalamazoo  at  that  time  contained 
only  abovit  six  houses,  and  but  very  little  had  been 
done  in  the  w.ay  of  making  roads,  except  for  some 
that  were  almost  impassable  in  certain  seasons  of 
the  j-ear.  No  wagons  were  in  use  here,  but  sleds, 
drawn  by  oxen,  took  their  places  summer  .and  win- 
ter. 

Our  subject's  was  the  second  famdy  to  settle  in 
the  township,  and  his  nearest  neighbor  w.as  four 
miles  aw.ay.  He  worked  diligently  to  develop 
his  farm  and  put  it  in  good  order,  and  has  suc- 
ceeded in  making  it  a  valuable  place,  with  excel- 
lent imiirovements,  and  all  the  appointments  that 
goto  make  a  good  farm,  lie  has  increased  its 
original  size  by  the  addition  of  twenty  more  acres 
of  subsequent  purchase,  and  now  has  one  hundred 
acres  of  choice  land,  lie  has  retired  fnmi  its  ninn- 
agement,  and  it  is  now  under  the  charge  of  his  sou, 
who  kee[)s  it  up  to  a  high  standard.  Our  subject's 
fellow-citizens  have  alw.ays  luld  him  in  high  re- 
gard, and  have  desired  him  to  take  [)art  m  local 
affairs,  electing  him  to  ollices,  but  he  would  never 
serve.  Ilis  first  rresidential  vote  waseast  in  favor 
of  Andrew  .Jackson,  lie  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket  but  once,  and  ever  since  the  Republican 
party   was  organized  he    has  stood  firmly  by  that. 

.Mr.  Walker's  first  marriage,  which  took  ])lace  in 
his  native  State,  w.as  wi'.h  Miss  Louisa  Coiy,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  N'eiiiiont.  She  departed  this 
life  in  1HI6,  leaving  two  children:  ,lohn  W.,aresi- 
deut   of    Martin  Township;    and    Laura,  wife   of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


373 


Michael  McDonoiigli,  of  Martin  Township.  Our 
subject's  second  marriage  was  with  Miss  Jane 
Pratt,  and  they  have  had  two  children:  Berton  A., 
who  lives  with  his  father;  and  Teressa,  wife  of 
lliram  Babcock,  who  is  a  jeweler,  and  is  now  in 
Minnesota. 


>    I  I     ;   I  J   I   6 


i'  '\  'I  - 


TKPIIEN  ODELL,  a  veteran  of  the  late 
war,  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  sec- 
tion 29,  Trowbridge  Township,  Allegan 
County,  His  father,  B.  W.  Odell,  was  a 
native  of  Seneca  Counter,  N.  Y.,aMd  married  Caro- 
line Smith,  who  was  also  born  in  the  Empire  State. 
In  1850  he  brought  his  family  to  Michigan,  loca- 
ting on  section  22,  Trowbridge  Township,  where 
from  the  wilderness  he  developed  a  good  farm. 
His  wife  died  in  1846  and  he  married  Wealthy- 
Odell,  who  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  lifty-eight 
years.  Seven  children  were  born  of  his  first  mar- 
riage, six  now  living,  and  there  are  also  sis  sur- 
vivors among  the  children  of  the  second  union. 
Two  of  the  sons  served  in  the  Civil  War.  Mr. 
Odell  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in 
politics  was  first  a  Whig  and  th  en  a  Republican, 
lie  died  in  1877. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Seneca  County,  N.   Y., 
April  30,  1835,  and  when  a  young  lad  went   with 
his  parents  to  Huron  County,  Ohio.     When  about 
fifteen  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Michigan  and  three 
years  later  began  life  for   himself,   working  as  a 
farm  hand  by  the  month,  but  when    the    late   war 
broke  out  he  offered  his  services    to  his  countr}^ 
enlisting  in  September,  1861,  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany A,  Third  Michigan  Cavalry.     From  Corporal 
he  was  promoted  to  Sergeant  and  performed  the 
duties  of  Orderly-Sergeant.    The  regiment  was  or- 
ganized at  Grand  Rapid,  under  Col.  Misner   and 
was  sent  to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis.   Our  subject 
took  part  in  the  raid  after  Dick  Thompson,  the  bat- 
tles of  New  Madrid,  Corinth,  Holly  Springs,  Talla- 
hatchee  River,  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  more  than   fifty    i 
skirmishes.     Then  proceeding  to  Pittsburg   Land-   ' 
ing  the  following  battles  were  afterward    fought:   ' 
luka.  Mobile  and    Baton   Rouge.     The    regiment   | 
then  went  up  the  Red    River   into  Texas,  where,    | 


after  serving  for  four  years  and  seven  months, 
Mr.  Odell  received  his  discharge.  He  was  one  of 
sixty-four  men  who  crossed  the  Tennessee  River 
at  midnightand  made  a  raid  on  Clifton,  capturing 
the  town,  destroying  a  large  amount  of  supplies 
and  taking  eighty-seven  prisoners.  Mr.  Odell  was 
never  off  duty  except  during  two  months  of  sick- 
ness but  was  always  found  at  his  post  and  partici- 
pated in  all  the  engagements  of  the  regiment. 

It  was  in  1864  that  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Odell 
and  Martha  J.  Fairehild  was  celebrated.  Her  par- 
ents, Asa  and  Elizabeth  (Lockhai't)  Fairehild,  were 
both  natives  of  Ohio,  the  former  born  in  1817,  the 
latter  in  1822.  The  father  was  a  mechanic  by  trade 
and  died  in  Iowa.  The  mother  is  still  living  at 
the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  Of  their  seven  chil- 
dren only  two  survive:  Andrew  J.,  and  Mrs. 
Odell.  The  brother  was  a  soldier  of  the  Eighty- 
second  Ohio  Infantr}^  served  throughout  the  war 
and  with  Sherman  marched  to  the  sea.  He  now 
resides  in  the  Upper  Peninsula  of  Michigan.  Mrs. 
Odell  was  born  June  6,  1842,  in  Ashland  Count3', 
Ohio,  and  came  to  Michigan  in  1863.  By  the  mar- 
riage of  our  subject  and  his  wife,  ten  children  were 
born,  nine  yet  living:  Maylon  V.,  born  in  1865; 
Caroline  E.,  in  1866;  Arthur  U.,  in  1868;  Ella 
M.,  in  1869;  Delia  May,  in  1871;  Flora  Blanche,  in 
1873;  Johnnie  Tully,  in  1875;  Nina  Vivian,  in 
1884;  and  Ernest  Leroy,  in  1887.  Jesse,  born  August 
12,  1878,  died  September  12,  following. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Odell  began  their  domestic  life 
upon  an  unimproved  farm  on  section  29,  Trow- 
bridge Township,  of  which  he  cleared  fifty  acres. 
Subsequentlj'  they  removed  to  another  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  the  same  township 
and  of  this  he  placed  thirty  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion. Afterward  he  cleared  and  improved  twenty- 
acres  ou  section  31,  then  removed  to  Allegan, 
where  he  resided  for  four  j'ears.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time  he  took  up  his  residence  on  the  farm 
which  is  yet  his  home  and  made  manj-  improve- 
ments thereon.  He  now  has  one  hundred  and  nine 
and  one-half  acres,  of  which  one  hundred  yields 
tribute  to  his  care  and  cultivation.  He  built  his 
pleasant  dwelling,  his  barns,  and  made  other  im- 
provements which  bespeak  the  thrift  and  enterprise 
of  the  owner. 


374 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Mr.  Odell  is  a  warm  friend  of  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation and  L.1S  given  liis  cliildren  excellent  advan- 
tages in  this  line.  Caroline,  .4.rthur  and  Delia 
have  all  engaged  in  teaching  and  the  first-named 
is  now  studying  medicine  iu  Detroit.  In  politics, 
our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  has  served 
as  Township  Treasurer,  Commissioner  of  High- 
ways, Assessor,  Koad  Supervisor  and  School  Di- 
rector. Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  C.  J.  Bassett 
G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Alleg-an  and  of  the  Grange; 
his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Jlethodist  Church  and 
has  been  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school,  and  both 
are  members  of  the  Pioneer  Society  of  Allegan 
County.  This  worthy  couple  are  held  in  the  high- 
est esteem  b}'  all  who  know  them  and  have  a  wide 
circle  of  friends  and  acquaintance  throughout  the 
community.  Their  home  is  a  hospitable  one  and 
cheer3'  greeting  and  good-will  always  welcome 
their  cuests. 


jp^TEl'IlEN  I).  ROCKWELL  is  a  prominent 
^^^  farmer  residing  on  section  32,  Trowbridge 
Township,  Allegan  County.  His  father, 
Koswell  Rockwell,  was  born  in  Vermont 
in  1809,  and  was  a  farmer  b}'  occupation.  His  fa- 
taer  was  .Tames  Rockwell,  and  a  native  of  Connec- 
ticut. The  maiden  name  of  our  suliject's  mother 
was  Hannah  Foster,  and  she  was  born  in  Danliy 
County,  X.  Y.,  in  1812.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Stt'piien  and  Sarah  (Dunham)  Foster,  farnu'rs  and 
early  settlers  of  Seneca  County,  Ohio,  whilhcrthcy 
removed  in  IH2ii.  They  are  deceased  and  were 
the  jiarcnts  of  six  cliildren,  only  two  of  whom  are 
living. 

'I'he  parents  of  our  subject  were  married,  in 
18.32,  in  Seneca  County,  Ohio,  wliere  lliey  resided 
until  1817.  They  then  came  to  Micliig:ui  nml  m.-ulc 
their  home  on  one  hiindrcrl  and  one  acres  of  wild 
land,  which  the  father  had  taki'ii  up  from  the  Gov- 
ernment. Neighbors  were  frw  and  far  between  in 
llmt  early  day,  thcie  being  only  two  families  be- 
twer-n  their  home  .and  I'aw  I'aw,  fonrleen  miles 
distaiil.  Wild  animals  were  plentiful,  as  were  also 
Indian".  There  were  no  roails  laid  out  and  IMr. 
liockwcll  assisted  greatly  in   ((reimiiiig   lli<'   <'oiiii- 


try  for  those  who  should  come  after.  He  died  in 
1855  and  his  wife  was  again  married;  she  is  now  a 
widow. 

Eight  children  were  included  in  the  parental 
famil}'  of  our  subject,  five  of  whom  are  living: 
James  R.,  Stephen  D.;  Sarah  E.,  who  is  now  Mrs. 
.Southward;  Cornelia  E.,  ]Mrs.  Connery,  and  Caro- 
line L.,  JIis.  Henry.  The  elder  Mr.  Rockwell  w.as 
an  active  AVhig  in  politics  and  greatly  interested 
iu  school  matters,  helping  to  organize  many  of  the 
school  districts.  He  was  a  first-class  farmer  and 
devoted  most  of  his  time  and  .ittention  to  tiie  cul- 
tivation of  his  land. 

Stephen  D.  Rockwell  was  born  .Tauuary  19, 1835, 
in  Seneca  County,  Ohio,  and  was  ten  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  came  to  the  Wolverine  State.  He 
was  given  a  good  education  in  the  district  schools 
and  remained  at  home  until  rc;icliiiig  his  twentieth 
j'car.  He  then  learned  tiie  car[ieiiter's  trade,  and 
after  the  death  of  his  father  carried  on  the  home 
farm,  lie  was  eng.aged  for  five  years  in  Allegan, 
manufacturing  shingles  and  following  his  tr.ade. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  married,  in  1857,  to 
Hannah  Soi)hia,  daughter  of  Ciiarles  and  Mary 
Ann  Wentworth.  Her  parents  removed  from  New 
York  to  Maryland  in  an  early  d.iy,  and  in  1857 
came  to  ]\Iichigan  and  settled  in  Trowbridge 
Townsliip,  where  the  father  died  in  1885;  the 
motlier  is  still  living  and  married  to  Mili'iiell 
Brown,  and  lives  on  the  old  farm.  She  liccaiiu'  the 
mother  of  live  children.  I\Irs.  Uockwell  was  horn 
in  1810,  in  New  York  Slate,  where  she  was  given 
an  excellent  education,  and  taught  school  si'vei;il 
years  before  her  marriage  to  our  subject. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Uockwell  have  become  tiie  ])arents 
of  three  cliihliiMi:  Ida  I\I.,who  istlic  wife  of  Martin 
C.  IhesI,  livt's  in  Trowliridg(>  Township,  and  has 
one  child;  Ellie  M.  and  Edith  l''loy.  Tiiey  have  all 
liccii  given  good  ediicalioiis,  and  Ida  lias  taught 
school.  They  are  .all  good  performers  on  the 
liiano  and  arc  much  sougiil  after  in  the  society  of 
Trowbridge  Township.  Mr.  Kockwcll  is  a  nieiiiher 
of  the  Grange,  in  which  body  he  has  been  .Secre- 
t;irv  and  Treasurer,  holding  the  latter  ollici^  for 
four  years.  He  has  alw.ays  taken  great  interest  iu 
e<lucation.'il  matters  and  has  been  on  the  Sciiool 
Board  for  a   number  of  years.      He  has  also  been 


Alvin    Chapman 


MRS    Alvin  Chapman 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


879 


Township  Treasurer  for  four  years  and  is  greatly 
respected  in  his  communit}'.  In  politics,  he  is 
independent. 

Our  subject  owns  thirty-eiglit  acres  of  land, 
and  carries  on  a  general  farming  business.  His 
place  is  stocked  with  good  grades  of  horses,  cat- 
tle and  slieep,  and  is  embellished  with  a  flourish- 
ing pear  and  apple  orchard.  His  aged  mother 
makes  her  home  with  him. 


LVIN  CHAPMAN,  who  resides  in  Arling- 
ing  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  is  des- 
cended from  Robert  Chapman,  a  native 
of  England,  whose  name  is  found  in  his- 
tory as  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Saybrook,  Conn. 
The  family  was  a  prominent  one  in  those  days, 
and  its  members  have  a  good  record  as  men  of 
sterling  integrity,  who  in  the  Colonial  days  did 
much  to  aid  in  building  up  the  great  Common- 
wealth of  Connecticut,  always  so  prominent  in 
New  England  history. 

Robert  Chapman  emigrated  from  England  in 
1635,  and  located  in  Boston,  where  he  remained 
but  a  short  time,  afterward  settling  in  Saybrook. 
From  this  sturdy  pioneer  and  his  family  of  seven 
children,  have  sprung  man}'  of  the  enterprising 
and  progressive  spirits,  who,  leaving  their  native 
mountains,  have  founded  for  themselves  new 
homes  in  the  prairies  of  the  West,  and  have  been 
instrumental  in  building  up  these  States,  as  their 
forefathers  were  those  of  New  England.  The 
children  of  Robert  Chapman  were  John,  Robert, 
Anna,  Hannah,  Nathaniel,  Mary  and  Sarah. 

Our  subject's  paternal  grandfather,  William 
Chapman,  was  born  in  Westbrook,  Conn.,  and 
served  during  the  Revolutionary  AVar,  and  in  af- 
ter years  related  many  stories  of  that  terrible 
struggle.  He  was  at  one  time  cooking  for  the 
officers  of  a  division  of  the  army,  when  an  eighteen- 
pound  cannon  ball  passed  through  the  house, 
alarming  the  inmates,  but  doing  no  serious  damage. 
Our  subject  was  the  son  of  William  and  Anna 
(Kelsey)  Chapman,  and  the  parental  family  con- 
sisted of  six  children:  William,  Elihu,  Emily,  Al- 
17 


vin,  Benjamin,  and  Susan.     Tlie  latter  is   still    re- 
siding at  Westl>rook,  Conn. 

Alvin  Chapman  was  born  in  ^lay,  1824,  at  West- 
brook,  where  ho  grew  to  mature  years,  reeeivin"' 
a  good  common-school  education  and  being 
trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  application.  In 
1850,  he  was  married  to  Miss  I.aura  Wright, and  in 
a  few  years  after  the  young  couple  decided  to  see 
what  life  might  hold  for  them  in  the  far  West, 
where  land  was  more  plentiful  and  ojiportunitics 
for  making  money  much  greater  than  in  the  New 
England  States.  Accordingly,  in  1855  Mr.  Chap- 
man, with  his  wife  and  (me  child,  removed  to 
Micliigan,  settling  in  Van  Buren  County,  where  he 
hns  ever  since  resided.  Here  lie  purchased  a  farm, 
which  was  wild  land  on  which  a  furrow  had  never 
been  turned,  but  which  now,  under  his  industrious 
hands  and  careful  management,  has  been  met- 
araorphosized  into  a  fertile  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres. 

In  1864  Mr.  Chapman  enlisted  in  Compan}'  I, 
Thirteenth  ^Michigan  Infantry,  serving  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  marching  with  Sherman's 
command  from  Chattanooga  to  Washington. 
.Since  that  time  he  has  devoted  most  of  his  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  pursuits,  being  vcrj'  successful 
in  all  his  enterprises.  When  the  West  Michigan 
Savings  Bank  was  organized  at  Bangor,  Mr.  Chap- 
man was  made  Vice-president,  which  position  he 
has  held  ever  since,  also  being  the  owner  of  the 
building  and  fixtures  of  the  bank.  This  institu- 
tion is  doing  a  good  business,  for  which  it  is  in- 
debted to  the  wise  counsel  and  correct  judgment 
of  its  officers. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  departed  this  life 
in  1877.  She  was  a  devoted  wife  and  tender 
mother  and  her  loss  was  irreparable.  Not  onl}' 
in  her  own  home  is  she  greatly  missed  but  in 
the  many  social  relations  in  which  she  took  such  an 
active  part  and  which  benefited  liy  her  precepts  and 
example.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapman  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  as  follows:  Flora,  wife  of 
Theodore  Reynolds;  Eva,  wiio  married  George 
Reynolds  and  is  now  deceased;  Mary,  wife  of  Prof. 
Allen  Redding,  of  Findlay,  Ohio;  William  who 
lives  at  the  old  homestead,  and  Abbie,  a  teacher, 
also  residing  in  Findlay,  Ohio. 


380 


POETRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


In  connection  with  this  sketch  vrill  be  noticed 
lithographic  portraits  of  Mr.  Chapman  and  his  de- 
ceased wife.  He  is  noted  for  his  benevolence, 
having  been  liberal  almost  to  a  fault  in  the  aid  of 
every  worthy  enteri)rise  which  has  been  projected 
for  the  advancement  of  the  community  in  which 
he  resides,  and  his  many  kind  deeds  will  be  re- 
membered long  after  he  shall  have  passed  away 
from  earth.  He  has  been  an  extensive  traveler,  and 
during  his  many  journeyings  has  made  a  large  col- 
lection of  curios,  relics  of  various  kinds  and  valu- 
able bric-a-brac,  which  he  prizes  highly  and  which 
aid  in  the  decoration  of  his  beautiful  home.  His 
library  is  n.adc  up  of  choice  books,  works  of  the 
most  noted  authors  of  this  and  other  countries  and 
one  can  gain  a  fair  estimate  of  the  character  of  the 
man  by  noticing  the  class  of  literature  in  which 
he  is  most  interested,  lie  has  a  fine  residence  one 
and  a  half  miles  from  the  town  of  Bangor,  which 
isa  model  of  comfort  and  convenience,  and  in 
which  he  is  happily  spending  the  latter  years  of 
his  life.  His  children  have  been  well  educated  and 
well  trained,  and  are  occupying  enviable  jjositions 
in  society.  Mr.  Ciiapman  is  a  through-going  Re- 
publican and  socially,  is  a  prominent  Mason,  hav- 
ing taken  the  'riiirty-sccond  Degree  and  is  now 
Commander  of  the  A.  Lincoln  Post,  No.  9,  O. 
A.  R. 


I^hH 


>-(^ 


^^ILES  A.  PIPER,  I).  I).  S.  Tins  well-known 
and  highly  respected  resident  of  Allegan  is 

^  one  of  the  finest  dentists  in  the  county.  He 
is  the  son  of  Dr.  William  A.  Piper,  and  was  lioni 
in  IJoston,  Mass.,  Novenibei-  25,  IHlO.  His  father, 
aUliougli  a  native  of  New  York  State,  lived  in 
Massftcliusetts,  wliei'e  he  successfully  followed  the 
)»rofes>ion  of  a  dentist.  The  jiarental  family  in- 
cluded two  children:  Dr.  Piper,  of  this  .sketch, 
and  Lolta.now  .Mrs.  Willi.-ini  lioicc,  of  Ciiicago. 

Dr.  W'illiani  ,\.  I'iper  reniovi'il  from  Massachu- 
setts to  Cliicngo,  III.,  wliere  lie  remained  a  sliorl 
time,  and  tln-ii  caiiic  to  Kalania/oo  Coiinly,  IMJcli. 
There  he  was  engaged  in  dental  surgery  until  IHal, 
the  date  of  lii.s  coming  to  Allegan,  lie  was  ac- 
tively engaged  in  practice  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1M77.     His  partner    in    business,  after   i 


coming  to  Allegan,  was  Dr.  Streeter,  and  they  soon 
established  a  reputation  for  doing  some  of  the 
finest  work  in  the  county. 

Our  subject  was  given  an  excellent  educaticm, 
being  a  graduate  of  the  Allegan  High  School. 
After  finishing  his  studies,  he  clerked  in  a  store, 
and,  when  deciding  to  choose  a  life  work,  learned 
the  dental  business  in  his  father's  ollice.  On  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  our  subject,  together 
with  his  father,  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Michi- 
gan Cavaliy,  .and  was  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Custer.  His  father  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of 
Gettj-sburg,  and  received  an  honor.able  discharge, 
with  the  rsink  of  Sergeant.  Giles  A.  served  his 
country  three  years,  .and  was  wounded  three  times, 
first  in  the  battle  at  Yellow  Tavern,  where  he  was 
shot  in  the  ankle;  then  at  Cold  Harbor,  where 
he  was  wounded  in  the  side,  and  the  third  time  at 
Morton  Ford,  receiving  a  wound  in  the  col- 
lar-bone. He  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  lltli  of 
,lune,  in  the  battle  of  Trevilian  Station,  Va..  and 
was  kept  in  captivity  for  six  months  and  eleven 
days,  being  in  Libby,  Belle  Island,  .\ndcrsonville, 
Florence  and  Charleston  prisons.  He  suffered 
greatly  during  his  confinement  in  those  vile  dens, 
weighing  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  pounds  when 
taken  prisoner  and  when  released,  only  eighty- 
five  pounds.  When  in  Andersonville,  his  ra- 
tions consisted  of  one  i)int  of  corn  .and  cob 
l>er  d.ay.  put  in  water,  and  one  spoonful  of  salt 
per  week.  The  soldiers  were  so  frantic  for 
water  that  they  would  dig  down  in  the  ground 
seventy-three  feet,  and  our  subject,  among 
others,  went  down  that  distance  without  the  well 
being  curbed  or  stoned  up. 

Dr.  I'iper  received  an  honorable  discharge  from 
the  army  the  3d  of  July,  ISti.'j.  After  his  return 
home  his  health  was  so  shattered  that  he  lay  a 
iMoiitli.  not  lieing  able  to  recogni/.e  any  of  his 
friends.  When  fully  recuperated,  he  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Allegan,  in  which 
he  has  been  succes>fiilly  engaged  since  tlial  time. 
Dr.  (iiles  A.  Piper  .and  Miss  Ida  Campbell  were 
married  in  Allegan,  October  9,  IH.Sl.  Slie  was  the 
daughter  of  .lolm  and  Mary  (M(  DiilTce)  Cniiiplu'll. 
natives  of  New  York  State.  Her  [lareiits  came 
to  Allegan  County  in  |K72,  where   the   father   en- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


381 


gaged  as  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant.  lie  folhjwcd 
that  business  until  his  death  in  1887.  The  mother 
is  still  a  resident  of  this  county  and  has  lieconie 
the  motiier  of  two  children:  Mrs.  Dr.  Piper,  and 
Jennie.  In  politics,  Mr.  Campbell  was  a  Repul)licaii. 
Our  subject  is  an  active  and  influential  member 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  identified  with  the 
(Jrand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Dr.  Piper  is  a  very 
jirominent  man  in  liis  profession,  and  is  the  center 
of  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  meriting  the  esteem 
and  confidence  wliicli  is  accorded  liim  on  every 
side. 


OG.  SIIEFFER.     This  old   pioneer,  who  is 
one  of  the  sturdy  representatives  of  the 

agricultural  community,  was  born  in  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  1823.  He  is  at  present 
residing  on  a  beautiful  farm  on  section  .36,  Casco 
Township,  Allegan  County,  and  is  the  sou  of 
George  and  Polly  Sheffer.  The  father  w.as  born  in 
Schoharie  Count}',  N.  Y.,  in  1800,  where  he  spent 
his  early  life  on  a  farm.  His  parents  were  pioneers 
of  the  above  named  county,  and  were  well-to-do 
people. 

George  Sheffer,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  met 
with  a  serious  accident  l)y  cutting  his  knee,  and 
for  several  years  lie  was  ver}'  lame.  He  was  a  self- 
made  man  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word,  for  while 
his  school  days  were  very  limited,  he  was  an  intelli- 
gent and  well-read  man.  The  elder  Mr.  Sheffer  re- 
mained at  home  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred 
when  he  was  about  nineteen  years  of  age, 
Miss  Hester  Vaughn  becoming  his  wife.  Their 
union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children,  Will- 
iam and  Maria,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  the  fatlier  of 
our  subje'^t  was  married  to  Polly  Chamberlain,  of 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  had  previously 
gone.  Mrs.  Poll}^  Shefifer  was  the  mother  of  the 
original  of  this  sketch,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
Nicholas  and  .Sarah  (Gates)  Chamberlain.  Her 
parents  were  of  Puritan  stock,  and  natives  of  Massa- 
chusetts; Mrs.  Sheffer  was  born  in  Oneida  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1799,  on  the  spot  which  is  the  present 
site  of  Clinton  College.  Her  parents  were  the  lirst 
white  settlers  in  that  county,  and   her    playmates 


were  the  Indian  children,  whose  language  she  could 
speak  as  well  as  her  own. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  born  to  them  ten 
children:  S.  G.,  our  subject;  Sarah,  who  is  the 
wife  of  E.  K.  McLouth;  Clark;  Mary,  Mrs.  D.  INIar- 
lattc;  Lowell;  (Uara,  the  widow  of  Albert  Smith; 
Martha,  Mrs.  Charles  Lee;  John, deceased;  and  two 
who  died  when  young,  one  of  whom  was  a  twin  of 
our  subject.  Soon  after  his  second  marriage,  the 
father  of  our  subject  learned  the  trades  of  tanner 
and  shoemaker,  which  he  followed  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  In  1840  he  came  West  to  Washtenaw 
County,  where  he  was  among  the  earliest  pioneers. 
His  last  days  were  spent  at  the  home  of  a  daughter 
in  Lenawee  County,  this  State,  his  death  occurring 
in  18G4.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  llie  belter 
land  by  ten  years.  He  had  united  with  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Jlasons  while  a  young  man  residing 
in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  in  which  order  he  be- 
came M.aster  Mason.  He  was  a  Baptist  in  his  early 
years,  but  his  later  life  was  spent  as  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cliurch,he  having  united 
with  that  denomination  because  there  was  no  Bap- 
tist Church  in  his  vicinity.  His  wife  was  a  Pres- 
byterian. In  politics,  he  was  first  a  Jacksonian 
Democrat,  but  later  joined  tiie  Whig  party. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  John  Sheffer, 
a  native  of  New  York.  His  father  was  a  Baron  in 
Germany,  and  in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth 
century  emigrated  to  America  and  purchased  the 
Township  of  Sharon,  in  Schoharie  Count}-,  N.  Y. 
He  named  the  township  in  honor  of  the  rose  of 
Sharon,  found  in  Germany.  Both  the  paternal  and 
maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  fought  in  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

S.  G.  Sheffer,  of  this  sketch,  was  given  a  good 
education,attendingan  academy  in  Caj'uga  County, 
N.  Y.,  until  reaching  the  age  of  fifteen.  He  then 
engaged  to  work  on  a  farm  by  the  month,  and  con- 
tinued so  employed  until  liis  marriage  in  1848.  The 
lady  who  became  his  wife,  bore  the  name  of  Lavina 
M.,  daughter  of  Henry  P.  Snyder.  Mrs.  Slicffer 
was  a  n.ative  of  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  .and  came 
of  German  descent.  A  few  years  prior  to  his  mar- 
riage, Mr.  Sheffer  had  come  to  Michigan,  loc^ating 
in  Lenawee  County. 

In  1851,  the  original  of  this  sketch  came  to  Alle- 


382 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


gan  County,  and  in  November  of  that  year  located 
on  liis  present  farm  in  Casco  Township.  Here  he 
purchased  eightj'  acres  of  land  from  a  Mr.  Fowler, 
who  had  entered  the  tr.ict  from  the  Government. 
The  township  was  hut  thinly  settled  at  the  time  of 
his  locating  here,  and  our  subject  has  done  valu- 
able service  in  helping  to  la}'  out  roads,  erect 
schoolhouses,  and  otherwise  open  up  the  countrj^ 
for  those  who  would  follow.  The  mail  was  brought 
to  the  settlers  twice  a  week,  sometimes  by  a  boy, 
but  oftener  by  a  neiglibor  who  Iiappened  to  be 
passing  the  postoffice. 

The  first  house  of  our  subject  was  a  board 
"shant}',"  12x14  feet  in  dimensions,  which  served 
only  to  keep  the  sun  out,  for  when  it  rained  every- 
thing inside  was  "so.iked."  The  cabin  has  given 
way  to  a  comfortable  and  commodious  residence, 
in  whicli  our  subject  and  his  family  make  their 
liome.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheffer  have  been  granted 
four  children:  Charles  AV.,  residing  in  Casco  Town- 
ship; Agnes  v.,  who  is  a  teacher  in  Washington; 
Sarah,  !Mrs.  A.  E.  IJriggs,  and  Byron,  also  re- 
siding in  Casco  Township. 

Mr.  Sheffer  is  a  member  of  the  Freeand  Accepted 
Masons,  belonging  to  the  Blue  Lodge  of  South 
Haven;  he  has  attained  to  the  Roval  Arch  Degree. 
He  is  also  a  Knight  of  the  Red  Cross,  a  Knight  of 
Malta  and  a  Knight  Templar,  of  Kalamazoo.  In 
|)olitics,  he  is  non-parti.-an,  altluiugh  he  was  sent 
as  a  delegate  to  the  first  National  Republican  Con- 
vention, in  18.")8.  He  also  served  in  a  like  position 
to  tlie  lirst  National  Greenback  Convention,  at  To- 
ledo, Ohio.  The  following  is  an  original  poem, 
read  by  S.  G.  .ShclTer  at  the  Allegan  County  Pio- 
neer Society,  August  1!),  1«H1: 

"Anoliier  year,  and  here  we  nucl 

To  cla.sp  the  hand  of  friendship  true; 

Ami  welcome  to  our  hearts  our  friends, 
<  )ur  social  friend.>4hi|)s  to  renew. 

"We've  met  to-day  to  welcome  those 
Who  sought  the  wilderness  long  ago. 

To  grapple  with  those  lofty  trees, 
And  have  llitir  lofty  (ops  laid  low. 

"And  to  live  o'er  tlios<!  wondrous  scenes 
That  crowd  around  our  cabin  door. 

Wlirn  howl  of  wolf  lit  iiiglil  w.'is  lii;iii|, 
And  red  men  .slej)l  on  our  cabin  lloor. 


"Our  neighbors  few  and  far  between. 
Yet  always  true  in  time  of  need. 

And  joyously  we  welcomed  them 
To  our  cabin  by  the  mead. 

"And  when  the  day  of  work  was  done 
And  we  sat  around  the  frugal  board. 

With  pleasant  sounds  our  memory  stirred 
When  at  the  door  our  friends  were  heard. 

"And  when  strong  arms  and  hearts  of  steel 
Have  conquered  the  forest  there 

And  broad  rich  fields  and  barns  well  stored. 
And  homes  are  seen  both  rich  and  rare. 

"When  we  o'er  the  wild  domain, 
That  years  ago  was  one  wild  wood. 

That's  planted  now  with  tree  and  vine, 
We  enjo}'  just  as  we  should. 

"Though  storms  arise,  and  troubles  come, 
AVith  patience  strong  we  stand  the  test. 

Nor  think  of  aught  but  pleasure  good 
That  tills  the  home  that  we  love  best. 

"And  as  old  age  creeps  on  apace. 
Time's  hoary  hand  is  on  us  laid. 

Yet  smiling  still  ovu-  work  pursue 

And  cheerful  meet  what  change  has  made. 

■'We  like  to  cast  a  b.ackward  thought 
To  those  rude  days  of  early  years, 

And  live  again  in  memory  dear. 

Those  days  when  we  were  pioneers." 


4^  •^■" 

;  ONATHAN  M.  HOWARD.  This  gentleman, 
who  has  resided  on  his  present  farm  on  scc- 
^^^  I  tion  34,  CheshireTownship,  Allegan  County, 
^^^  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  is  the 
present  amiable  Treasiirer  of  his  township,  serving 
his  fifth  year  in  that  ollice.  He  w.as  born,  March 
17,  18;?(),  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  I)eing  the 
youngest  of  two  children  born  to  his  parents.  His 
sister,  Adeline  1$.,  is  the  wife  of  Willard  A.  Cooley, 
a  resident  of  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  to  farm  pursuits  and  has 
always  followed  this  as  his  life  vocation.  When 
fourteen  years  old,  he  commenced  to  work  out  for 
others,  receiving  but  small  recompense  for  his 
labors. 

.lon.'ithan  ]\I.  Howard    came  to  Michigan    in  the 
fall  of  Ibjl   with  his  parputs  und  assisted  his  fa- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


383 


tlier  in  clearing  liis  farm  and  here  has  ever  since  re- 
mained. He  VV.1S  married,  A|)ril  18,  1806,  to  Sarah 
C.  Moore,  who  was  born  .inly  6,  1814,  in  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  there  received  a  good  educa- 
tion. She  has  become  tlie  mother  of  two  children, 
named  Emma  and  Arthur.  lie  h.as  added  forty 
acres  to  his  estate  and  now  has  a  hundred  .acres. 
Eight}'  acres  are  higlil}'  tilled,  with  splendid  ))uild- 
ings  thereon,  and  general  farming  and  stock-raising 
is  carried  on.  Mr.  Howard  is  a  member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Eellows  at  Blooming- 
dale,  VanBuren  County,  this  State,  and  has  passed 
all  the  chairs  in  the  lodge.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Orange,  of  which  he  w.as  Grand  Master.  The  of- 
fice of  School  Director  was  his,  and  the  office  of 
Assessor  of  the  district  has  been  held  by  him 
twenty  years,  and  he  is  at  present  Treasurer  of  his 
township.  His  political  influence  is  cast  with  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  well  liked  b}'  every  one 
witli  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  Tiie  parents  of 
Mrs.  Howard  were  William  C.  and.Tulia  (.Johnson) 
Moore,  natives  of  New  York,  who  came  from  that 
Commonwealth  to  Michigan  about  1845.  and  set- 
tled in  VanBuren  County.  The  mother  passed 
from  this  life  in  1856.  while  the  father  survived 
until  1884. 

Jonathan  Howard,  the  father  of  the  gentleman 
of  whom  we  write  this  history,  was  a  native  of 
Rome,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  May  19,  1808.  He 
was  a  son  of  Timothy  Howard,  and  followed  the 
vocation  of  a  farmer.  His  good  wife,  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sophia 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  she 
having  been  born  iu  April,  1813.  Eler  father  was 
Ransom  .Johnson,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who 
followed  farming.  Her  mother  was  Hannah  (Ben- 
nett) Johnson,  also  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who 
bore  her  husband  thirteen  children,  only  two  of 
whom  yet  survive.  The  father  of  our  subject 
died  in  1849,  and  the  mother  p.assed  away  the 
year  following.  They  were  married  in  January, 
1839,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Monroe  Countj', 
N.  Y.  They  lived  Ave  years  in  Orleans  Countj', 
when  thejM'eturned  to  Monroe  County  and  resided 
until  1854,  in  which  year  they  came  to  Michigan. 
In  the  spring  of  1855,  they  settled  on  their  farm, 
erected  a  los  house  and  commenced    to  hew  down 


the  immense  forest.  They  at  lirst  had  but  fortj' 
acres,  and  lived  to  see  the  place  wonderfully  im- 
proved and  a  good  house  erected.  He  died  Janu- 
uary  10, 1883,  the  mother  p.assing  aw.ay  January  20, 
1892.  She  was  a  member  of  the  P.aptist  Church, 
while  her  husband  was  a  AVhig  in  politics  and  la- 
ter joined  tlie  Republican  party.  He  was  Post- 
master at  Cheshire  for  six  years  and  was  a  well- 
educated  man. 


V. 


■?* •i'z=' 


_y 


\f|OHNNIESis  one  of  the  class  of  Holland 
citizens  who  have  done  so  much  to  aid  in 
the  upbuilding  of  the  Western  States,  whei-e 
their  industrious  habits  and  perseverance 
have  been  rewarded  by  the  .acquirement  of  comfort- 
able fortunes  and  an  honored  record  in  the  history 
of  their  adopted  country.  Mr.  Nies  is  a  promi- 
nent hardwiire  merchant  of  Saugatuck,  where  he  is 
also  engaged  in  the  pension  business.  He  is  a  son  of 
Derk  and  Ikien  (Niewenhuis)  Nies,  natives  of  Hol- 
land, where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Groningden,  February  29,  1836.  Mr.  Nies  is  one 
of  the  few  people  who  can  celebrate  their  birthd.ay 
but  once  in  four  years. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  emigrated  to  America 
in  1854,  when  he  was  sixteen  3-ears  old,  and  located 
in  Fillmore  Township,  Allegan  County,  where  he 
was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  there  remained  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion.  On  September 
10,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Second  Mich- 
igan Cavalry,  being  assigned  to  the  Ai-mv  of  the 
Cumberland,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Sheridan. 
This  regiment  participated  in  the  one  hundred 
engagements  whicli  are  the  subject  of  a  book 
r/ritten  by  Lieut.  Thatcher,  entitled  "One  Hundred 
Battles."  Mr.  Nies  was  never  absent  from  dut^' 
during  his  service  of  three  years  and  forty-two 
days,  and  narrowly  escaped  death  several  times, 
on  one  occasion,  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  having  his 
horse  shot  from  under  him. 

He  was  discharged  October  22.  1804,  and  at  once 
returned  to  Michigan  where  lie  was  occupied  at 
farming  initil  1865,  at  that  time  becoming  interested 
in  the  hardware  business  which  he   carried  on  by 


384 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


himself  until  1887.  At  that  time  he  took  as  his 
partner  John  Koning,  who  had  been  a  trusted  em- 
ploye for  thirteen  years,  and  in  1888  he  began  to 
solicit  iieusions.  in  which  he  has  been  highly-  sucess- 
ful. 

Mr.  Nies  w.-i?  married  December  15,  1864,  to 
Johanna  Kruiseuga,  a  daughter  of  Everhardus 
Kruisenga,  also  a  native  of  Holland.  Thirteen 
children  have  been  born  of  this  union;  those  living 
are  as  follows:  Ida,  Mrs.  Fred  Wade,  residing  in 
Saugatuck;  Kate,  Mi-s.  Harry  D.  Moore,  who  resides 
in  Jlontana  where  her  husband  is  an  attorne_y-at- 
law;  Eva  married  Rev.  C.  East,  who  resides  in  St. 
Louis,  this  State;  John,  Ray,  Harry,  Edw}',  Florence 
and  "William.  John  is  attending  the  Agricultural 
College  at  Lansing  in  the  civil  and  mcclianical  de- 
partment Mr.  Xies  is  a  st-alwart  Republican  and 
has  been  frefjuently  called  to  serve  his  fellow-citi- 
zens in  various  otlices.  He  has  been  Supervisor 
for  five  terras,  School  Director  and  a  member  of 
the  A'illagp  Hoard.  His  family  are  members  of 
tlie  Metliodist  Episcopal  (,'hurch  and  are  popular 
in  their  community.  His  mother  is  still  living  at 
the  age  of  eighty  years,  in  possession  of  all  her 
mental  faculties. 


•i- 


^>-^<\ 


ISy— 


^11. MAM  L.  O'BRIEN  is  very  |ir(iminenl  in 
local  aflaii-s  in  Clu'siiire  I'ownsliip,  Alle- 
'vy  gan  County,  having  lield  the  ollice  of  Sup- 
ervisor for  tiiree  years  and  Assessor  of  the 
School  Diclrict  for  twenty-two  years.  He  is  at  pres- 
ent residing  on  section  21,  and  carries  on  general 
farming.  He  was  born  May  19,  1839,  in  County 
Roscommon,  Ireland.  His  parents  were  William 
L.  and  Sarah  (Devnisli)  O'Brien.  The  father  died 
July  3,  1888,  when  seventy-five  years  of  age;  the 
mother  still  survives  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years.  'I'iiey  ciime  to  America  in  18.")0,  and  lo- 
cated in  Lorain  County,  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of 
I8.")9  they  emigraU-d  to  ^Micliignn  .-ind  located  on 
section  2H,  Ciieshire  Towiisliip,  Allegjin  County, 
when  it  wa.M  raw  land.  Tiiey  reaicd  a  family  of 
eight  cliildren,  all  of  wlioin  are  living,  with  one 
exception.  They  were  nicnibers  of  tlie  ICpiscop.'d 
Church,  and  in  politics  .Mr.  O'Brien  was  a  Kcpubli- 


can  and  a  strong  temperance  man.  He  held  the 
position  of  Ilighw.ay  Commissioner  of  this  town- 
ship. 

William  L.  O'Brien  of  this  sketch  was  the  eldest 
of  the  parental  family  and  was  eleven  jears  of  age 
when  crossing  the  .\tlantic.  He  was  given  a  good 
education  and  remained  at  iiome  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  When  starting  out  for  himself,  he 
purch.ased  a  farm  on  section  21,  from  the  Govern- 
ment, and  immediately  cleared  and  improved 
twenty-five  .acres.  April  20,  1870,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Lizzie  Smith  of  Bloom ing- 
t(m.  111.,  and  a  native  of  New  York  State,  her 
birth  occurring  in  1844.  Mrs.  O'Brien  was  the 
daughter  of  James  and  Jael  Smith,  who  came  to 
the  Wolverine  State  in  1858  and  located  in  Bloom- 
iugdale  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  where  thej- 
died.  Tiiey  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
four  of  whom  are  now  living. 

]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  O'Brien  have  been  granted  two 
children:  Ethel  and  .\lice  J.  Our  subject  has 
eight^'-four  acres  of  land,  fort3' of  which  are  under 
the  plow.  His  daughter  Ethel  has  been  a  student 
at  Hope  College  at  Holland,  this  Stale,  and  has 
taught  school  for  three  years.  The  famil>'  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  where 
the  father  has  been  Steward,  Class-leader  and  Sup- 
erintendent of  the  Sunday-school.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Grange  and 
in  politics  ^Mr.  O'Brien  is  a  Republican.  He  has 
been  Clerk  of  Cheshire  Township  for  twenty-one 
j-eai-s  and  is  the  present  incumbent  of  the  office. 


**^^1 


m^m 


^1,  NDREW  J.  ]\IUNGER.  deceased.     In  the 
[@yLHi    death  of  this  gentleman,  Casco  Townsliip, 
Allegan  County,  lost  one  of  her  most  pros- 
^gy  perous   and    respected    citizens.     He   was 

born  in  New  York,  Niagara  County,  December  28, 
1828,  and  was  reared  in  his  native  State  on  a  farm, 
attending  no  educational  institution  excepting  the 
common  schools,  lie  had  always  been  a  very  close 
reader  and  w:is  conversant  with  all  the  topics  of 
the  day. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  was  the   son 
of  Clark  and   Minerva   (Sylvester)    Munger,  both 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RF/T)i;i). 


385 


natives  of  New  York.  They  Tvere  the  worthy  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was 
the  seventh  in  order  of  birth.  He  remained  witli 
his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  noarl}^ 
eighteen  years  old  when  he  came  to  Michigan,  set- 
tling in  Cass  County.  He  there  worlted  on  a  farm 
a  few  years  and  after  his  marriage  rented  a  farm 
until  IHGO.  In  the  last  named  year,  Mr.  Munger 
decided  to  make  his  home  in  Allegan  County,  and 
purch.ased  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  7.  A 
part  of  this  was  improved,  and  after  breaking  the 
remaider,  he  added  to  this  eiglity  acres  more, 
ni.aking  in  all  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  all 
(if  which  is  now  under  the  best  of  cultivation,  the 
greater  part  being  done  by  his  own  strong 
hand.  Twenty-five  acres  of  tliis  estate  are  devoted 
to  tlie  raising  of  fruit,  both  small  and  large.  He 
also  erected  a  very  beautiful  and  spacious  residence 
in  wliich  his  family  now  reside. 

While  in  Cass  County,  Mich.,  Mr.  Munger  was 
married  to  Eliza  J.  Boj'd,  a  native  of  New  York 
City  and  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jane  Boyd, 
who  were  also  natives  of  New  York  State.  The 
father  was  a  sea  captain  by  occupation  and  roamed 
over  the  waters  from  his  early  jouth  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  when  Mrs.  iMunger  was  but 
three  years  old.  The  good  wife  and  mother  w.as 
also  taken  awaj^  at  the  same  time  and  she  went  to 
live  with  an  aunt  residing  in  Cass  County. 
She  received  a  good  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  New  York,  completing  it  at  a  boarding 
school  at  Staten  Island. 

The  home  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  has  been 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  two  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  The  other,  l^obert  C,  makes  his 
home  with  his  mother.  He  married  Etta  S.  Smith 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Ida  M. 
and  Oran  A.  In  September.  1864,  our  subject 
entered  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  Company  F, 
Twelfth  ISIichigan  Infantry.  He  served  in  the 
Mississippi  Department,  but  a  few  months  after 
entering  the  service  was  taken  siclt  which  neces- 
sitated his  going  to  the  hospital,  where  he  re- 
mained until  nearly  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  for 
physical  disability.  He  contracted  a  disease  in  the 
war    from   which    he    never    recovered   and   from 


m 


which  he  died,  April  1«,  l«)i«.  His  memory  still 
lives  and  his  honorable  and  successful  career 
stands  forth  as  a  lifting  example  of  what  can  be 
done  by  earnest  and  constant  effort.  He  was  a 
member  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Jacol) 
Fry  Post,  !uiil  he  w.xs  a  worthy  member  of  the  Me- 
thodist Episcopal  Church  of  which  his  wife  and 
son  are  still  consistent  member.s. 


^OIIN  W.  HUMPHREY  is  the  proprietor  of 
the  Model  Peach  Farm,  at  South  Haven.  He 
is  a  native  of  Ireland,  having  been  born  in 
County  Antrim,  April  1,3,  18.32,  and  is 
the  son  of  Hugh  Humphrey.  His  father  was  born 
near  Belfast  and  was  a  nail-maker,  a  trade  also 
followed  by  his  father.  Hugh  Humphrey  mar- 
ried .Jane  McAllister,  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  in 
1832  emigrated  to  Canada  and  resided  at  Dur- 
ham. Soon,  however,  they  came  to  the  States  and 
located  at  Malone,  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
they  carried  on  farming. 

The  father  of  our  subject  received  :in  injuiy 
which  resulted  in  his  death  four  3-ears  later.  He 
was  fifty-six  years  old  at  that  time.  His  good  wife 
survived  him  many  years  and  died  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five  years.  They  reared  a  family  of  eight 
children:  Margaret,  who  married  John  K.  Graham 
and  resides  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.;  our  sub- 
ject, who  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth;  James, 
who  died  in  Berrien  County,  Mich.;  Robert,  who  re- 
sides in  Van  Buren  County;  Mary,  who  married  L 
11.  Mayott,  a  merchant  of  Springfield,  M.ass.;  Ehza, 
who  is  Mrs.  J.  B.  Moore,  of  JIanchester,  N.  H.; 
William,  who  died  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.;  and 
Joseph,  who  makes  his  home  in  the  above-named 
county.  Our  subject's  father  had  seven  brothers, 
two  of  whom  came  to  America:  .lohn,  who  was 
married  and  died  in  Canada,  and  Thonnis,  who 
was  a  resident  of  Franklin  County,  N.  Y. 

John  W.  Humphrey  was  but  eleven  weeks  old 
when  his  parents  removed  to  Canada,  his  bo.yhood 
being  passed  upon  the  farm  in  Franldin  County, 
N.  Y.  When  fourteen  years  of  age,  lie  commenced 
to  work  in  a  sawmill,  and  when   reaching  his  ma- 


386 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


joritj'  came  to  Michigan,  fii-st  stopping  at  Ply- 
mouth, "Wayne  County,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
an  agricultural  implement  factor}-.  In  1855,  he 
married  Mary,  adopted  daughter  of  the  Hon.  T. 
T.  Lyon,  wliose  sketch  will  be  found  on  another 
page  in  this  volume. 

Our  subject  was  a  resident  of  Plymouth  for 
eight  years,  and  then  went  to  Berrien  County 
with  his  brotiier  James  and  E.  E.  Hendriek, 
where  the^-  were  occupied  in  the  manufacture  of 
staves.  He  was  in  business  only  a  twelvemonth, 
however,  when  his  factoiy  was  destroj'ed  bj'  fire. 
The  succeeding  two  years  were  spent  in  Grand 
Rapids,  and  he  again  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  staves  in  St.  Joseph.  He  remained  so  occupied 
for  three  j-eai-s,  at  the  same  time  purchasing  five 
acres  of  land,  which  he  laid  out  as  a  peach  orch- 
ard. He  tlien  returned  to  Plymouth  and  was  en- 
g.aged  in  farming  and  fruit-growing  until  1877, 
when  he  came  to  South  Haven.  After  locating 
here,  he  purchased  the  property  of  the  West  Lake 
Shore  Nursery  Association,  and  conducted  the 
same  for  five  j-ears,  in  connection  with  T.  T. 
Lyon.  He  tlien  owned  one  hundred  and  seven 
acres  of  land,  but  much  of  it  was  swamp  land  and 
covered  with  stumps  and  logs.  He  cleared  his 
property,  drained  it  and  prepared  the  land  for 
cultivation.  Fruit-growers  said  he  was  very 
foolish  to  set  out  peach  trees  on  such  ground, 
but,  notwithstanding  the  advice  given  him,  he 
])lanted  trees,  and  now  has  an  orchard  of  three 
thousand  bearing  trees,  to  which  the  name  of  the 
Model  Fruit  I'arm  has  been  very  appropriately 
given. 

The  original  i>f  this  sketch  now  owns  sixty -six 
acres  of  land  within  Ihccity  limit.s  of  South  Haven, 
and,  liesides  his  fine  peach  orchard,  raises  many  of 
the  smaller  fruits.  In  1891  he  built  a  handsome 
residence,  wiiicii  is  one  of  the  attractive  homes  of 
the  viil.age.  It  is  located  on  Paw  I'aw  Street,  in 
the  soutliem  part  of  the  town.  !Mr.  .'lud  Mrs. 
IInm|)hrey  liave  a  family  of  :<ix  cliliclrcn:  Car- 
rie E.,  who  is  tiic  wife  of  .\rtiiur  I).  Wriglit; 
Clinrles  (J.;  James  A.,  who  die<l  at  tlic  interesting 
nge  of  twenty  years,  wliile  attending  tiie  Com- 
mereial  College  at  Detroit;  William  I..,  Frank; 
and  Marilla,  who  died  aged  four  year.-*. 


In  his  religious  matters,  Mr.  Humphrey  is  a 
Baptist,  holding  the  position  of  Deacon  in  that 
society.  Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  has  passed  all 
the  chairs  in  that  order.  The  Republican  party 
numbers  him  as  one  of  its  most  active  workers. 
He  is  a  life  member  of  the  State  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, from  which  he  has  obtained  many  premiums 
for  fine  fruit  exhibitions.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  West  INIichigan  Horticultural  Society  and 
South  Haven  Pomological  Society.  Mr.  Hum- 
phrey's health  has  been  poor  for  several  years,  and 
the  winter  of  1887-88  he  passed  in  California. 
He  had  no  sooner  reached  the  Golden  State  than 
a  position  was  offered  him  to  superintend  the 
work  in  a  nursery,  which  he  did.  In  18(;i  lie 
offered  his  services  to  the  Union,  but  was  not  ac- 
cepted. He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  pros- 
perous residents  of  South  Haven  Township,  and  is 
greatly  respected  in  the  county. 


^U|  <(<  ^1    Ml 


EVI  iSrORSE  is  at  present  residing  on  sec- 
tion 7,  Ganges  Township,  .VUegan  County, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of 
his  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He 
was  born  December  8, 1813,  in  Wnsliiuglon  County, 
Vt.,  and  is  the  son  of  Levi  and  Louisa  (Miller) 
Morse.  His  father  was  the  first  white  child  born 
in  what  is  now  Washington  County,  Vt.,  and  the 
first  male  child  born  in  that  portion  of  the  State. 
To  add  to  that  honor,  the  State  gave  him  a  large 
tract  of  Land. 

The  education  of  Levi  Morse  was  received  in  the 
common  .schools,  and  he  remained  at  home  assist- 
ing his  father  until  reaching  his  twenty-fourth 
yenv.  About  that  time  he  was  married  to  the  mo- 
ther of  our  subject,  whose  maiden  name  was  Louisa 
Miller,  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Amy  Miller. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morse  after  their  iinion  immediately 
located  ui)on  their  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  in  Washington  County,  where  they 
in.Milc  llic'ii-  honu-  iiiilil  their  death.  The  father 
.served  his  country  as  a  volunteer  in  the  W:ir  of 
1812. 

Levi  Morse,  Sr.,  was  the  son   of  .lolin   Morse,  a 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


389 


native  of  Eiislaiul,  who,  with  two  brothers,  emi- 
grated to  tli(!  I'liited  States,  two  locating  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  John,  the  grandfather  of  our  sul)- 
jeet,  settling  in  A'ermont.  They  were  all  three  in 
the  Revolutionary  War,  Benjamin  fighting  at 
Bunker  Hill.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Levi 
Morse,  Jr.,  was  also  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and 
held  an  official  position. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  with  his  seven  brothers 
and  sisters  received  a  good  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  the  Green  Mountain  State.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age,  he  began  to  m.ake  his  own 
way  in  the  world  by  working  out  for  other  parties 
on  farms.  In  18.37  he  was  married  to  Lj'da, 
daughter  of  Isaiah  and  Ruth  (Stockwell)  Preston. 
To  them  have  been  granted  seven  children: 
Louisa,  wife  of  the  Rev.  William  Russell,  of  the 
Free-will  Baptist  Church;  Sarah,  who  married  A. 
Harris;  Emma,  who  became  Mrs.  Gilman  Harris; 
Joseph,  Benjamin,  Levi  and  Nellie,  now  Mrs.  Or- 
rin  Norcross. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Morse  bought  a  f.arm  in 
Vermont  and  there  lived  for  about  thirtj'  years, 
when,  in  1866,  he  came  with  his  family  to  Allegan 
County  and  purchased  sixty-nine  acres  of  his  pres- 
ent one  hundred  and  sixty-acre  tract.  It  was 
then  in  its  primitive  condition  and  beautifully  lo- 
cated on  the  banks  of  Ilutchins  Lake.  He  has  put 
his  property  under  good  cultivation  and  finds  that 
the  best  methods  and  latest  improvements  in  the 
way  of  machinery  net  the  largest  returns.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Democrat. 


lf/^_^  ON.  RICHARD  FERRIS,  who  is  engaged 
in  general  farming  on  section  17,  Cheshire 
Township,  is  one  of  the  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Allegan  Covinty.  He  has  a  wide 
acquaintance  in  this  community,  also  throughout 
surrounding  counties,  and  his  friends  will  notice 
with  especial  interest  his  life  sketch  and  portrait. 
He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Butler,Wayne  County, 
N.  Y.,  August  7,  1822,  and  is  the  seventh  in  a  fam- 
ily of  nine  children,  whose  parents  were  Leonard 
and  Elizabeth  (Ryan)  Ferris.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  the  Highlands  of  New  York  and  a  farmer 


by  occupation.  For  a  few  years  after  his  marriage 
he  resided  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Wayne  County',  where  he  hewed  out  a 
farm  in  the  midst  of  tiie  forest.  His  wife  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years  and  he  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety-three.  Mrs.  Ferris  was  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Of  their  six  sons 
and  three  daughters,  six  are  now  living.  The  fam- 
ily was  represented  in  the  late  war  by  John  A., 
who  served  in  an  Indiana  regiment. 

Upon  his  father's  farm  our  subject  was  reared  to 
manhood,  and  in  the  district  schools  of  New  York 
partially  aciiuircd  his  education.  Empty-handed, 
he  began  life  for  himself  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
and  two  years  later  sought  a  home  in  the  West. 
In  ^lishawaka,  Ind.,  he  worked  in  a  sawmill  yard 
and  afterward  w.as  employed  at  harvesting.  Sub- 
sequently he  spent  eight  months  as  a  farm  hand  in 
Cass  County,  then  returned  to  j\Iishawaka,  where 
he  attended  a  select  school  during  the  winter.  In 
the  spring  he  again  went  to  work  in  the  mill-yard 
for  $20  per  month  and  boarded  himself.  lie  did 
the  work  of  two  men  and  his  empl03'er,  William 
Milburn,  seeing  his  usefulness,  made  him  a  sawyer, 
and  he  was  afterwards  given  entire  charge  of  the 
mill,  being  there  employed  from  the  spring  of 
1845  until  1851,  with  the  exception  of  ten  months 
in  1848-49,  when  he  was  a  student  at  Notre  Dame 
(Ind.)  University.  The  year  1850  witnessed  his  ar- 
rival in  Michigan,  and  for  one  summer  he  was  em- 
ployed in  a  mill  in  Lawrence,  Van  Buren  County, 
after  which  he  there  taught  school  in  the  winter  of 
1850-51.  The  following  spring  he  returned  to 
Mishaw.aka  and  bought  a  one-eighth  interest  in  a 
new  steam  sawmill,  having  charge  of  the  saw  de- 
partment. 

About  this  time,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1851,  Mr. 
Ferris  wedded  Hannah  Milburn,  sister  of  his 
former  employer.  She  was  born  in  England,  Jan- 
uary 1,  1826,  and  in  1848  came  to  America  with 
her  brother  William,  making  her  home  in  Misha- 
waka.  In  August,  succeeding  their  marriage,  Mr. 
Ferris  sold  out  and  removed  to  Lawrence,  Mich., 
where  he  bought  a  third  interest  in  a  mill, 
helped  to  rebuild  it  and  followed  that  business  un- 
til 1854.  He  then  again  sold,  and  removed  to  his 
present   farm   in   December  of   that  year,  having 


390 


PORTEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


here  resided  since.  The  home  has  been  blessed  by 
the  presence  of  four  children:  'William  :M.,  who 
married  ^Minnie  Wood,  and  is  now  living  in 
Waldo,  Kan.;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Robert  C.  O'Brien, 
of  Cheshire  Township,  by  whom  she  has  four 
children :  Marcus  A.,  a  farmer  of  the  same  town- 
ship, who  married  Florence  Motter,  by  whom  he 
has  one  child;  and  Joseph  G.,  who  died  at  the  .age 
of  nineteen  years. 

Mr.  Ferris  settled  upon  a  four  hundred  and 
eightj'-acre  tract  of  wild  land,  eleven  miles  from 
Allegan,  and  built  a  double  log  cabin.  Indians 
were  still  frecjuent  visitors  in  the  neighborhood, 
few  roads  liad  lieen  cut  through  and  the  work  of 
devcl((i)ment  and  progress  seemed  scarce!}-  begun. 
In  May,  l^.'j.),  Mr.  Ferris  began  buikling  a  saw- 
mill, wliicli  he  operated  for  a  number  of  years, 
when  it  was  totalI\-  destroyed  by  fire.  He  then 
built  about  eight}-  rods  from  the  old  site,  but  tiie 
water  afterward  failed  and  lie  discontinued  its 
operation  and  began  improving  liis  farm.  Since 
then  he  has  given  his  entire  attention  to  agricult- 
ural pui-suits  and  now  has  three  hundred  .and  eigh- 
teen acres  of  valuable  land,  two  hundred  and  forty 
of  wliicli  are  liighly  cultivated.  He  has  cleared  and 
fenced  his  farm  himself,  and  added  greatly  to  its 
value  and  attractive  appearance  by  many  improve- 
ments. He  pa3-s  considerable  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  fine  grades  of  sheep  and  draft  and  coach 
horses.  Ilis  home,  which  w.as  erected  in  18C0,  is 
tlie  finest  residence  in  the  township  and  is  tiie 
abode  of  hospitality.  The  members  of  the  family 
hold  a  liigh  pf)sitii>n  in  the  social  world  and  their 
friends  throughout  the  community  are  many. 

Mr.  Ferris  is  member  of  the  Catiiollc  C'lnncli. 
Hi-*  wife  belonged  to  the  Congregational  Cliurch 
in  England,  but  of  late  years  has  been  an  active 
wf)rker  in  the  Jlethodist  Cliurcli.  With  .school 
inl<-re:.ls  he  lia-*  been  actively  identiiied,  has  given 
his  chilili'un  good  .'ulvantages,  .and  two  have  been 
t«nehers.  So  eflicient  was  he  as  member  of  the 
liiiard.  that  those  who  first  opposed  him  were  after- 
ward VftciferoiiH  in  their  entreaties  for  him  to  con- 
tinue ill  odlce.  He  <-ast  his  fii-st  I'residential  vote 
for  Henry  Clay  ami  ^u|>porleil  the  Whig  ])arty 
until  the  organi/alion  of  the  Uepiiblican  party, 
witli  which  lie  liaii  since  been  identified.    Me  is  one 


of  the  prominent  Republicans  in  this  community 
and  has  fought  many  hard  practical  liattles,  espe- 
cially in  trying  to  get  the  party  to  embody  tem- 
perance principles.  He  served  as  Clerk  in  Law- 
rence Township,  Xnn  I3uren  County,  w.as  also 
School  Inspector,  and  in  1855  w.as  elected  Clerk  of 
Cheshire  Township.  He  held  the  oflice  of  School 
Inspector  here  until  tlie  organization  of  the  school 
districts. 

Elected  as  Representative  from  his  district,  Mr. 
Ferris  served  in  the  Legislature  in  1871  and  1872, 
when  he  declined  a  re-nomination.  During  that 
time,  he  helped  elect  Thomas  W.  Feriy  to  the 
United  States  Senate,  was  Chairman  cif  the  Lumber 
Committee,  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  State 
Prisons  and  also  of  the  joint  committee  to  visit  the 
penal  and  reformatory  institutions  of  the  State. 
The  cause  of  temperance  ever  finind  in  him  a 
stanch  advocate,  and  all  social,  educational  and 
moral  interests  i'eceive  his  hearty  sujiport.  Ilis 
[lulilic  and  jirivate  life  are  above  reproach.  He 
has  been  a  faithful  public  officer  and  a  valued  citi- 
zen of  the  coinmunity,  who  has  done  much  for  the 
upbuilding  of  the  county  during  liis  m.any  years 
of  residence  here.  lie  h.as  the  respect  of  his  m.any 
acquaintances  and  the  warm  regard  of  a  large 
circle  of  friends. 


ANIEL  PRATT,  who  is  a  son  of  one  of  the 
pioneer  families  of  Allegan  County,  was 
reared  under  the  primitive  inlluences  that 
prevailed  in  the  early  years  of  the  settlement  of 
this  region,  and  has  taken  his  ])lace  among  the 
busy,  pr.actic.al  farmers  of  M.-irtin  Township,  where 
most  of  his  life  has  been  passed  since  he  was 
brought  here  in  rliildhood  from  his  native  Stale. 
He  is  a  son  of  Hubbard  Pratt,  and  was  born  in 
Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  .lune  27,  1830,  Phelps 
Township  being  his  birthplace.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  ^'ermollt,  but  was  reared  in  New  York, 
anil  was  married  in  Seneca  County,  that  State,  to 
Miss  Marth  McHridc,  who  was  Ixirn  and  reared  in 
that  ConiinoiiwcMlth.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occui)a- 
tion.    Mild    after  iiiarriMge  he  located  on    a  rented 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


331 


farm.  He  and  his  wife  removed  to  Ohio  in  1834, 
and  the  following  year  came  to  Blicliigan,  coming  di- 
rect to  Allegan  County ,beiiig  among  the  first  settlers 
in  Martin  Township,  where  the  father  selected  a 
tract  of  land  on  section  15.  lie  built  a  typical 
pioneer  abode  of  logs  for  the  shelter  of  his  familj', 
and  tlien  entered  upon  the  hard  labor  required  to 
fell  the  timber  with  which  his  place  was  covered. 
In  time  he  hewed  out  a  good  farm  from  the  for- 
ests, and  lived  thereon  in  comfort  and  content- 
ment the  remaining  years  of  his  life,  which  was 
brought  to  a  close  at  a  ripe  old  age  in  1880.  lie 
was  a  sturdy  Democrat  in  his  politics,  and  was  in 
every  wny  a  good  pioneer  citizen,  who  was  useful 
in  developing  the  agriculture  of  this  county.  He 
was  a  son  of  William  Pratt,  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  1812,  and  he  came  of  good  old  New  England 
stock,  as  did  his  wife's  people  also.  She  died  some 
years  after  the  family  came  to  Michigan.  She 
was  the  mother  of  eight  cluldren,  three  daughters 
and  five  sons,  all  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and 
womanhood,  except  one  that  died  in  infancy. 
The  others  are  Lewis,a  resident  of  Wayland;  Dan- 
iel; Jane,  wife  of  Henry  Walker;  Maiy,  who  mar- 
ried John  Corning,  both  of  whom  are  now  dead; 
Alonzo,  a  resident  of  Martin  Township;  William, 
who  also  lives  in  that  township;  and  Martha,  who 
married  William  Chapman,  and  is  now  dead. 

Daniel  Pratt  is  the  second  son  of  the  family.  He 
was  five  years  old  when  the  familj-  came  to  Michi- 
gan. He  obtained  his  entire  education  in  a  little 
log  schoolhoiise,  on  section  22,  Martin  Township. 
He  early  became  familiar  with  the  details  of  farm- 
ing, through  having  to  assist  his  father  on  the  old 
homestead,  helping  him  to  clear  and  improve  the 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he 
began  life  on  his  own  account.  He  worked  out  by 
the  month  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  .Tan- 
uary  24,1855,to  Miss  Sarah  Spooner,a  native  of  New 
York.  In  her,  he  had  a  helpmate  kind  and  true,  a 
veritable  homeinaker,who  looked  carefully  after  the 
comfort  of  her  household,  and  was  a  wise  and  tender 
motherto  her  children.  She  died  August  27,  1891, 
leaving  behind  her  the  record  of  a  life  well  spent. 

Three  children  were  born  to  our  subject  b}'  his 
marriage,  namely:  Harriet,  who  married  Closes 
Ward,  and  has  a  little  girl,  Jessie  May,  eight  ^^ears 


old;  Willis,  a  resident  of  Martin  Township,  wliu 
married  Jliss  Eva  Burnham,  and  had  two  children: 
Bert,  and  Mabel,  who  is  deceased;  and  George, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  months. 

Mr.  Pratt  and  his  wife  began  their  married  life 
in  a  house  that  he  built  of  logs,  on  his  present  farm, 
which  at  that  time  formed  a  part  of  tlie  forest  that 
prevailed  here.  Only  five  acres  of  it  were  cleared 
when  it  came  into  his  possession,  and  he  cut  the 
logs  for  his  dwelling,  which  he  built  16x24  feet  in 
dimensions.  He  now  has  the  sixty  acres  compris- 
ing his  homestead  under  fine  tillage,  and  amply 
provided  with  all  the  necessar}^  improvements  for 
carrying  on  agriculture  conveniently.  He  does  a 
general  farming  business,  and  raises  a  good  class 
of  stock. 

Mr.  Pratt  is  a  man  of  excellent  sense  and  sound 
understanding,  whose  career  as  a  farmer  reflects 
credit  on  his  township,  in  whose  development  as 
a  prosperous  and  wealthy  agricultural  center,  he 
has  been  an  important  factor.  In  him  the  Repub- 
lican part}'  finds  a  steadfast  adherent. 


l-^-!-^-[ 


I^ANIEL  D.  HARRIS,  Postmaster  and  gen- 
I  Jl)  eral  merchant  at  Shelb^yville  Station,  is 
J#^  classed  among  the  active  and  enterprising 
3'Oiiiig  business  men  of  Allegan  County,  who  are 
so  potent  in  sustaining  and  extending  its  commer- 
cial and  other  interests.  He  is  a  native  of  Soutli- 
ern  Michigan,  born  in  the  town  of  Galesburg,  Maj' 
5,  18,59.  His  father,  D.  Harris,  and  his  grand- 
father, James  Harris,  who  were  both  natives  of 
New  York,  the  former  born  in  Otsego  County  in 
1825,  were  both  early  pioneers  of  Kalamazoo 
County,  where  they  settled  in  1834.  The  grand- 
father was  one  of  the  first  to  settle  in  Charlestown 
Townsbi[),  that  county,  where  he  took  up  a  tract 
of  land  from  tlie  Government.  He  was  a  son  of 
an  Englishman  who  came  to  America  when  a 
young  man  and  made  his  home  in  tlie  Empire 
State. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  but  a  boy  wlien 
his  parents  settled  in  the  forest  wilds  of  Kalamazoo 
County,  and  in  after  j-ears  he  was  there  married 
to  Miss  Adeline  Ralph,  a  native  of  that  county. 


392 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Her  parents,  George  and  Hettie  Ralph,  who  are 
natives  of  England,  are  honored  in  the  annals  of 
that  county  as  pioneers  of  Charleston,  where  they 
settled  in  1835.  They  have  attained  the  venerable 
ages  of  ninety-one  and  eighty-nine  years  respec- 
tively, and  have  enjoyed  an  unusually  Ions:  wedded 
life  of  sixty-nine  years.  The  parents  of  our  sulijeet 
have  four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter. 
Their  son  Willard  died  at  the  .age  of  seven  months; 
their  son  Jay  is  clerking  for  his  brother  Daniel,  and 
their  daughter  Cora  is  also  with  him. 

D.  D.  Harris  is  the  second  child  and  the  second 
son  of  the  family.  He  passed  his  boyhood  in  his 
native  town,  and  was  well  educated  in  its  schools. 
He  gained  his  first  experience  of  the  mercantile 
business  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Messrs.  Schroder 
A:  Olin,  of  Galesburg,  with  whom  he  remained 
eighteen  months.  He  then  went  north  to  Keweenaw 
County,  where  he  clerked  in  a  general  store  a  like 
length  of  time.  Returning  to  this  part  of  Michi- 
gan, he  htcated  where  he  now  resides,  and  formed 
a  parlnei-sliip  with  Mr.  Schroder,  Jr.,  to  conduct  a 
general  store.  They  were  together  two  years  and 
nine  months,  and  tlien  !Mr.  Harris  bought  iiis  part- 
ner's interest  in  the  concern,  which  he  has  since 
carried  on  alone.  He  has  a  neat  and  well-arr.anged 
establishment,  which  is  completely  stocked  with  a 
One  a»,sortment  of  dry -goods,  groceries,  crockery, 
paints,  oils,  etc.  He  has  built  up  an  extensive  and 
profitabh-  trade  on  a  solid  basis.as  he  has  a  thorougli 
understanding  of  iiis  business,  gives  it  his  undivided 
Attention,  ha.s  a  keen  comprehension  of  what  is  best 
suited  to  the  want.s  and  t.astes  of  his  patrons,  wlio 
alw.avs  find  liim  courteous  and  obliging,  and  strictly 
relinlile  in  ail  his  transactions,  his  credit  standing 
high  in  financial  circles.  Mr.  Harris,  as  before 
mentioned.  a<lds  the  duties  of  Postmaster  to  liis 
other  business,  liaving  been  a|)i)ointed  to  that  pos- 
ition in  IHHO.  He  began  life  with  but  little  means, 
and  though  still  in  the  prime  of  early  manhood 
lm.H  already  won  an  assured  place  among  the  mon- 
ied  men  of  this  section  of  the  crmnty.  He  is 
popular  so<-inlly,and  is  a  member  of  I'rairie  I,odge, 
No.  U2,  A.  K.  A'  A.  M.,  at  Gale.sburg.  He  was  at 
one  lime  Jiislire  of  the  Peace.  In  his  political 
relatione  he  stands  with  the  Uepuiilic.'in  party. 

Mr.  llarrJH  was   married   in   his  native  town  in 


April,  1882,  to  Miss  Louise,  a  daughter  of  Luke 
Keith,  of  that  place.  They  have  established  one 
of  the  coziest  homes  at  Shelbyville  Station,  and 
their  pleasant  household  is  completed  by  their 
three  children:  Lavern,  Floyd  and  Leone.  Their 
little  son  Jav  died  at  the  .age  of  four  vears. 


NDREW  PYL,   a   resident   of   Kalamazoo 

City,  where  he  makes  his  home  at  No.  842 
South  Burdick  Street,  is  a  native  of  the 
land  across  the  sea.  He  was  born  in  Hol- 
land, February  2,  182(),  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
P}-!,  who  was  a  mason  by  trade.  Our  subject  be- 
came a  mason  also,  by  trade,  but  in  the  winters 
made  wooden  shoes,  continuing  in  this  until  he 
came  to  the  United  States  in  18,j5.. 

Upon  coming  to  the  United  States,  Mr.  Pylcame 
direct  to  Kal.amazoo,  and  began  working  at  his 
trades  until  1?70.  the  last  five  years  of  that  time 
being  einiiloyed  in  masonry  at  the  asylum,  under  Dr. 
\'aii  Duscn.  The  year  1870  he  was  engaged  quite 
extensi\cly  in  making  soap  with  Mr.  Franzee.  They 
sold  out  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for 
some  sixteen  years  very  successfully,  on  South 
Burdick  Street,  at  the  corner  of  Alcott.  Since 
that  time,  Mr.  Pyl  has  not  been  engaged  in  any 
active  labor.  He  is  living  retired  in  a  pleasant  and 
hajjpy  home,  surrounded  with  all  the  comforts  of 
life.  His  daughter  and  son  reside  in  adjoining 
houses  which  he  has  built. 

The  date  of  the  marriage  of  our  subject  to  INIiss 
Synthia  Wageinaker  was  December  10,  1858,  at 
Kalamazoo  City.  Mrs.  Pyl  was  also  a  native  of 
Holland,  coming  to  this  country  two  years  after 
Ml-.  Pyl  did.  She  was  calle(l  from  her  home  and 
ehililreu  April  '.I,  1888.  Slie  liore  her  husband  the 
following  named  children:  Beiijrunin,  Jennie 
(who  died  .al  the  age  of  four  and  one-half  years), 
.leiiiiie  and  .Inliii.  Benjamin  is  a  graduate  of 
the  St;ite  University,  and  is  practicing  medicine  at 
(Jrand  Hai)ids,  where  he  has  a  lucrative  practice, 
.leniiie  is  the  wife  of  Sirk  Wykkel,  of  Kalamazoo, 
.lohn  is  a  jeweler  in  company  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Mr.  Wykkel.  Mr.  Pyl  was  a  second  lime 
married, . I uiie    in.    IHH!),  to  Mrs.  Johanna  Mariali 


f'ORTEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


393 


DeRoo,  of  Roseland,  Chicago,  .'lud  tlie  widow  of 
Hiram  Vaiiderbilt,  to  wliom  she  was  inarried  in 
Keokulc,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Pyl  was  born  in  Holland,  and 
is  the  mother  of  two  daughters  by  her  first  hus- 
band, Johanna  and  Jennie  Yanderbilt,  both  resid- 
ing at  Koseland. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  and  have  been  very  ac- 
tive in  church  work,  he  holding  the  oliices  of  Elder 
of  the  church,  and  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school  for  twenty-six  years.  Mr.  Pyl,  of  this 
sketch,  has  been  a  successful  man  in  his  business 
undertakings,  crediting  his  prosperity  to  strict  at- 
tention to  business.  For  the  last  twenty  years  he 
has  occasionally  dealt  in  real  estate,  and  has  like- 
wise built  several  houses  in  the  city  of  Kala- 
mazoo, which  he  has  sold.  He  has  gained  a  coni- 
])etency  and  is  now  living  a  retired  resi)ected  life. 
He  and  his  good  wife  are  held  in  tlie  highest  es- 
teem by  the  people  of  the  community. 


-j.5..5.^.^.^i^.{..5.^.5.j_ 


-'•5-*'i-*'^!S?"5-*'}"5-F 


'jfj  ACOB  GUNSAUL  is  the  popular  Postmaster 
at  Covert,  and  also  holds  the  office  of  Su- 
pervisor of  Covert  Township,  Van  Buren 
County.  His  residence  in  the  place  dates 
from  November,  1871,  he  being  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  that  town.  He  was  born  in  Guilford 
Town.ship,  Medina  County,  Ohio,  October  10,1840, 
and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Catherine  (Long) 
Gunsaul,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His  parents 
were  married  in  their  native  State  and  removed  to 
Miami  County,  Ohio,  where  tliey  were  among  the 
early  pioneers.  There  they  bought  a  tract  of  un- 
imi)roved  land  whicli  they  cleared  up  and  im- 
proved into  a  fine  farm,  where  the  father  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty-three.  The  mother  is  still  liv- 
ing at  Chatham,  Ohio.  They  reared  a  family  of 
thirteen  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  ninth 
in  order  of  birth. 

The  early  life  of  Mr.  Gunsaul  was  passed  upon 
a  farm,  and  his  school  advantages  were  very  lim- 
ited, as  he  was  able  to  give  but  very  little  time  to 
attendance  at  the  common  school.  He  has,  how- 
ever, made  up  for  any  deficiency  in  this  respect  b^' 
careful  reading  and  study  since   arriving  at  man- 


hood and  has  thus  acquired  a  good  business  educa- 
tion. In  1861,  Mr.  Gunsaul  emigrated  to  Michi- 
gan and  for  a  short  time  was  engaged  in  cutting 
cordwood  in  Ganges  Township,  Allegan  County. 
He  was  married,  August  9, 18fi2,  to  Miss  Harriet  J. 
Bostwick,  daughter  of  William  R.  and  ICliza  Bost- 
wick,  who  was  born  in  Edinburg,  Portage  Countj', 
Ohio,  August  20,  1842.  The  War  of  the  Rebellion 
was  at  that  time  lieing  waged,  and  two  days  after 
his  marriage,  on  August  11,  Mr.  Gunsaul  left  his 
young  bride  and  enlisted  on  the  side  of  the  Union 
in  that  great  struggle.  He  was  mustered  into  the 
service  in  Company  B,  Nineteenth  Michigan  In- 
fantry, going  at  once  to  Cincinnati  and  from 
there  marching  through  Kentucky  to  Chattanooga. 
The  cry  was  then,  "On  to  Richmond,"  and  with 
his  command  he  took  part  in  tlie  battle  of  Spring 
Hill,  March  4,  18G3.  The  brigade  was  captured, 
our  subject  being  among  the  number;  he  was  held 
a  prisoner  for  one  month,  being  in  Libby  Prison 
for  nine  days  at  that  time.  He  was  at  the  time 
Corporal  of  his  company,  v^fter  being  released 
from  prison  he  went  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  and 
was  for  thirteen  days  at  home,  when  he  was  called 
back,  soon  afterward  taking  part  in  the  campaigns 
from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  participating  in 
most  of  the  skirmishes  and  liattles  incident  to  that 
campaign.  He  marched  with  Gen.  Sherman  to  the 
sea,  and  from  thence  to  Washington,  where  he  wit- 
nessed the  Grand  Review.  During  his  service  in 
the  army,  he  was  in  thirteen  regular  engagements, 
besides  numerous  skirmishes,  etc. 

On  his  discharge  from  the  arin3',  June  10,  186.5, 
]\rr.  Gunsaul  returned  to  Allegan  County,  Mich., 
and  purchasing  land  engaged  in  farming.  In  1871, 
he  removed  to  Covert  and  was  in  the  emplov  of 
the  Packard  Lumber  Company  for  some  three  years. 
At  the  end  of  this  time  he  again  went  on  a  farm, 
where  he  remained  until  1889,  when  he  sold  out 
and  purchased  property  in  Covert,  where  he  was 
soon  after  appointed  Postmaster.  He  also  carries 
on  the  groceiy  business  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  place.  He  has  one  child,  a  son,  Charles, 
who  was  born  August  20,  1867.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Gunsaul  is  a  Republican.  He  was  Treasurer  of 
Covert  for  two  years  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth 
term  as  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.     He 


394 


PORTRAIT  A^•D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


is  a  member  of  George  Allen  Post,  Xo.  351,  G.  A. 
R.,  of  whicli  be  is  Post-Commander.  lie  also  be- 
longs to  tUe  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars, 
in  which  he  has  been  an  active  member.  Tie  is  ac- 
tive in  temperance  work  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Temperance  Club,  which  is  an  organization  formed 
for  the  purpo.*e  of  enforcing  the  laws  controlling 
the  liquor  trattic.  Mr.  Guusaul  is  a  man  of  great 
force  of  character  and  believes  that  wliatever  is 
worth  doing  at  all  is  worth  doing  well. 

s^  AMUKL  llADAWAY,  a  representative 
farmer  residing  on  section  8,  Casco  Town- 
ship, Allegan  County,  was  born  in   Kent 

'  County,  England,  on  December   17,  1830. 

lie  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Iladaway.  The 
father  was  also  born  in  Kent  County  in  17!)1,  and 
was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  which  he  followed 
all  his  life.  His  education  was  very  limited. 
When  quite  a  young  man  he  married  Sarah  Siartup. 
To  this  couple  were  born  eight  children,  three  of 
wlioni  died  when  young  in  life.  Those  who  grew 
to  ycai-s  of  maturity  are  John,  of  England;  Sarah; 
William,  now  dece:u>ed;  James  and  Samuel. 

Our  sul)ject,  like  many  others  of  his  day  in 
England,  began  to  make  a  portion  of  his  living 
when  a  mere  child,  going  to  work  for  twopence 
a  day.  His  school  days  were  few,  for  from  the 
time  he  was  large  enough  to  do  anything,  he  had 
to  work.  Thus  he  struggled  along  until  nearly 
reaching  his  majority,  when  there  came  a  financial 
)>anic  in  his  country,  and  he  could  not  get  any- 
thing to  do.  He  became  entirely  destitute,  and 
was  compelled  to  go  to  the  poorhouse.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  borrowing  ^.OO  to  pay  his  passage  to  the 
Unit<'d  Suites,  and  landed  in  ^^ew  York  in  1849 
with  biitonc.sliilling.  lie  soon  found  work,  which 
wa.s  tpiiU;  encouraging  U)  the  young  man.  Ho 
UK-ated  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked 
on  a  farm  four  years.  Thus  he  Wius  enabled  to 
return  the  iMirrowed  mrmey  during  his  first  eight 
months'  residencir  here. 

While  a  resident  of  Wayne  Cotinly,  N.  Y.,  iMr. 
llndaway  v/aa  married  to  I'^lizabetli  (Joodwin,  Sop- 
lein'"'!-  "■>.  IH.J.'J.     This  union   has  been  l)les.scd  by 


the  birth  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  died 
when  young:  Sarah  J.;  Julia,  deceased;  Martha, 
deceased;  John,  Grace,  and  Dwight  A.;  Edward  and 
William,  twins,  deceased.  In  1856  our  subject  re- 
moved wit'i  his  family  to  Kosciusko  County,  Ind., 
where  he  remained  on  a  farm  several  years,  and 
in  1863  moved  to  ]Micliigan,  locating  at  once  in 
Casco  Townsliij),  on  his  present  farm,  lint  instead 
of  a  beautiful  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  with 
nice  buildings,  etc.,  which  it  now  is,  it  was  naught 
but  a  wilderness,  with  a  small  board  shanty,  as 
crude  as  a  barn.  Mrs.  Iladaway  died  in  September, 
1878,  and  our  subject  was  married  to  Mrs.  Rachol 
A.  Eowler,  the  widow  of  John  Fowler,  and 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Maria  (Lee)  Ostrander. 
She  was  the  mother  of  one  child  by  her  first  union. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Iladaway  are  vahiecl  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  Cluuvii,  and  politically,  flie  hus- 
band is  a  Repulilican. 


YRON  A.  POWELL.  We  are  pleased  to 
present  to  the  consideration  of  our  readers 
a  citizen  of  ^lonterey  Township,  Allegan 
County,  who  stands  high  in  the  estimation 
of  his  neighbors  and  is  justly  locked  upon  as  one 
of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  county.  He  is 
a  i)rogressivc  and  successful  farmer  and  stock- 
breeder, whose  beautiful  estate  of  two  hundred  and 
ninety-three  acres  lies  on  section  16.  He  is  one  of 
the  most  extensive  horsemen  in  this  county  and 
breeds  fine  standard  and  thorougbrcd  animals,  de- 
voting one  hundred  acres  of  his  estate  to  the 
horse  farm.  He  is  an  excellent  judge  of  horse- 
flesh and  has  in  his  stables  some  very  valuable  ani- 
mals. In  ills  fanning  operations  he  finds  that  the 
best  methodsand  latest  iniprovcments  bring  him  in 
the  largest  returns. 

Myron  A.  Powell  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Catherine  (Wright)  Powell,  the  father  a  native  of 
New  Y'ork  State  and  the  mother  born  in  Stuttgart, 
wliicli  is  the  capital  of  Wurtemberg,  (iermany. 
Our  subject  was  born  May  8,  1838,  in  Defiance 
County,  Ohio,  where  his  father  was  the  second  man 
in  I'"armer  Township.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  came  to  Monterey  Township,  .\llegan  County', 


^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


395 


in  1858.  Aftor  his  nirival  here  he  went  to  work 
in  the  liinil)er  woods,  continuing  in  that  line  of 
work  until  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Fifth  Michigan  Cavahy  and  was  attached  to  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  lie  served  under  Dens. 
Sherman,  Custer  and  Kilpatrick,  and  participated 
with  his  company  in  the  various  engagements  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  At  the  close  of  hostilities, 
he  received  an  honoral)le  discharge  and  returned 
to  Michigan. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  we  place  at  the  head 
of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1859  to  Mary  E. 
Dalryniple,  and  to  them  were  liorn  four  children: 
Annie,  who  became  Mrs.  INIartin  Stineman,  resides 
in  (U-and  Rapids;  Carrie  married  James  Schuler 
and  makes  her  home  in  South  Bend,  Ind.;  (iertrude 
is  unmarried  and  teaching  in  the  IMonterey  schools. 
She  has  been  given  a  fine  education,  being  a  grad- 
uate of  Holden  College,  at  IIolden,]Mo.,  and  Alma 
College,  in  Michigan.  Charles,  tiie  fourth  child, 
was  accidentall}'  killed  on  the  railroad  when  a  lad 
of  sixteen.  Mrs. Powell  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel 
Dairynnile,  fi  native  C)f  New  York  State. 

In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  true-blue  Kepulilican 
and  is  an  active  member  of  Post  No.  180,  G.  A.  R., 
at  Monterey.  He  has  been  honored  bj-  his  fel- 
low-citizens b}^  being  elected  to  the  various 
township  offices  and  has  been  .Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  a  period  of  over  twenty  j'ears.  His  fine  estate 
is  truly  the  work  of  his  own  hands,  as  he  started 
out  in  life  without  a  dollar.  His  place  is  now 
stocked  with  thirty  head  of  fine  horses,  in  whicli 
blanch  of  farming  he  is  ver^'  successful.  He  is  a 
lover  of  horses  and  thus  finds  it  no  very  great  task 
to  care  for  them. 

EMAN  A.  FOWLER  is  a  prosperous  farmer 
residing  on  section  18,  Casco  Township, 
Allegan  County,  and  was  born  in  Waldo, 
Me.,  in  1824.  His  parents  were  George  and 
Sarah  (Ward)  Fowler,  natives  of  Maine,  where  the 
father  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  remained  with 
his  parents  until  about  twenty-five  years  old,  at 
which  tioae  he  was  married  to  the  mother  of  our 
subject.     They  reared  a  family  of  seven   children, 


named  as  follows:  Sarah,  wife  of  .Tosiah  AVard; 
Ileman  A.;  IMartha,  who  is  now  deceased;  Natiian, 
Hosea,  .Joseph,  and  .Jennie,  tlie  wife  of  .J.  K.  I'luin- 
nier.  After  the  marriage  of  the  parents  j^of  our 
subject,  they  settled  on  a>  farm  in  Waldo  County, 
Me.,  and  on  this  farm  of  seventy  .acres  the  father 
lived  until  his  death.  He  fought  bravely  in  the 
War  of  1812.  The  grandparents  of  our  subject 
were  Mathewand  Sarah  (Ward)  Fowler,  the  former 
a  native  of  Ireland,  who  with  a  brother  came  to 
America  in  the  eighteenth  century.  After  arriv- 
ing in  this  country,  the  brother  was  never  heard 
from.  Matthew  served  in  the  Revolutionary  con- 
flict. 

Heman  A.  Fowler  lived  with  his  parents  until 
eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  started  in  the  world 
for  himself  b^'  working  in  the  lumber  woods  in  the 
winters  and  in  the  sawmills  in  the  summers.  This 
labor  he  continued  until  the  age  of  twenty-five 
years  when  he  was  married.  He  chose  as  his  life 
companion  Caroline  I^eighton,  whose  parents  were 
Smitbson  and  Eliza  Leighton,  natives  of  the  State 
of  INIaine.  After  the  marriage  of  Mr.  I'owler,  he 
remained  with  his  parents  for  some  years  and  then 
engaged  in  the  general  merchandising  business  at 
JjCwiston,  Me.  In  the  year  1859,  he  came  to  Ot- 
sego, Allegan  County,  where  he  rented  and  car- 
ried on  a  farm  for  three  years.  He  then  came  to 
Casco  Township  where  he  purchased  his  present 
estate  of  one  hundred  and  sixt}-  acres  of  land  in 
the  wilderness.  He  at  once  put  forth  his  persistent 
efforts  and  cleared  away  enough  brush  to  build  a 
sm.all  board  house.  Thus  he  began  with  limited 
means  in  a  new  country  and  by  his  own  industri- 
ous labors  and  sagacious  judgment,  united  with 
economy  and  good  business  qualifications,  he  has 
secured  a  competency  and  is  now  living  in  the  en- 
joyment of  the  comforts  and  luxuries  wealth 
affords.  He  has  placed  upon  his  farm  the  beauti- 
ful buildings  we  now  see  to-day;  he  also  has  a  fine 
orchard  of  forty  acres. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife 
has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  seven  children, 
five  now  living,  and  all  of  whom  are  now  married: 
Llewellyn;  Clarence;  Lillie,  wife  of  Willis  Baker; 
Arthur;  and  Addie  who  married  M.  Bower.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fowler  are  worthy  members  of  the  Meth- 


396 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


odist  Episcopal  Church  and  politically  Mr.  Fowler 
IS  a  stanch  Republican  and  has  been  called  upon  to 
liold  different  local  oHices  in  his  township.  Our 
subject  and  his  family  move  among  the  best  social 
circles  of  the  township  and  are  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  bv  all  who  know  them. 


^i^"  AYKITE  L.  IIOLLLSTER.  This  prominent 
few)'  resident  of  Casco  Township,  Allegan 
/I})  County,  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1840.  He  is  at  present  residing  on  sec- 
tion 24,  where  he  is  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil  in  a 
most  profitable  manner.  His  parents  were  Andrew 
and  JIary  HoUistcr;  the  father  was  born  in  Genesee 
County,  in  1806. 

Andrew  Hollistcr  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
when  quite  young,  went  to  live  with  a  family  by 
the  name  of  Smith.  He  remained  with  them  until 
becoming  of  age,  at  wliich  time  he  commenced  the 
battle  of  life  on  his  own  account  by  teaching 
school.  He  afterward  learned  the  trade  of  a  car- 
penter, which  occupation  he  successfully  followed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  maiden  name  of 
our  subject's  mother  was  Mar\',  daughter  of  George 
Dunlap.  In  1842  she  accompanied  her  husband  to 
Michigan,  where  they  located  on  Silver  Creek,  Al- 
legan County.  There  the  father  purch.ased  a  farm, 
which  he  cuntinued  to  reside  upon  and  improve 
until  l«in,  when  he  moved  to  Blummcrville,  Gan- 
ges Township,  same  county.  He  made  another 
move,  however,  in  1852,  at  which  time  he  came  to 
the  farm  which  is  owned  by  our  subject,  and 
which  contained  one  hundred  acres  of   wild  land. 

The  fu'sl  work  of  the  senior  Mr.  Hollister  on 
coming  to  Ca-sco  Township  was  to  erect  a  cabin  for 
hi."*  family.  He  then  worked  out  by  the  da^-  in 
order  to  obtiiin  the  necessities  of  life.  He  soon, 
however,  traded  his  farm  on  Silver  Creek  for  a 
yoke  of  oxen  and  n  cow,  and  thus  began  the  cul- 
tivation of  his  property,  lie  was  very  industrious 
and  livi'd  to  .Hcc  the  great<'r  pfirtion  of  his  estate 
]ilnced  under  good  cultivation. 

Four  children  were  born  to  our  subject's  parents, 
viz:  Kinmaranda,  now  deceB»<'d,  was  the  wife  of 
John  Kennedy;  Harlnnd,  decea.sed;  Anna,  who  be- 


came the  second  wife  of  John  Kennedy,  and  our 
subject.  The  father  of  these  children  died  February 
8,  1883,  and  the  mother,  December  23,  1871.  Fay- 
ette L.  Hollister  remained  with  his  parents  until 
their  death,  taking  charge  of  the  farm  and  caring 
for  them.  He  now  owns  seventy-five  acres  of  the 
old  homestead,  which  is  highly-  improved,  twenty- 
five  acres  being  devoted  to  fruit-raising. 

In  1869  our  subject  was  married  to  Caroline 
Kennedy,  the  daughter  of  Erick  and  Matilda  (Lar- 
kin)  Kennedy,  natives  of  New  York.  Mrs.  Holl- 
ister was  born  in  Wisconsin  and  was  one  of  nine 
children  born  to  her  parents.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hollister  have  been  granted  five  children:  Edith, 
Mrs.  Byron  Hopkins;  Cora  R.,  IMable,  who  died  in 
1891,  aged  fourteen  3'ears,  Claud  and  Eula.  Mr. 
Hollister  is  a  member  of  the  Township  and  County 
Grange  and  is  also  connected  with  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  .at  South  Haven,  and  the 
Patrons  of  Industry.     In  politics   he  is   a   Repub- 

liCMll. 


^  AMSON  FOX,  a  resident  of  section  5,  Casco 
Township,  Allegan  County,  was  a  native 
of  the  Mother  Country,  where  he  was  bora 
in  Sussex,  in  1831.  His  father  was  Thomas 
Fox,  a  native  of  the  same  place  as  his  son,  whore  he 
was  reared  on  a  farm, gaining  but  a  limited  educa- 
tion. When  he  w.as  yet  quite  a  3-oung  man,  he  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  Dan,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
D.an,  of  Sussex,  England.  They  had  born  to  them 
four  children:  Samson,  our  subject;  AVilliam,  de- 
ceased; Richard,  of  this  township;  and  Thoin.as,  a 
resident  of  England.  The  father  of  this  family 
was  called  to  the  other  world  when  our  subject  wiis 
quite  young  and  his  mother  was  .again  married  to 
James  Ridley  and  to  them  were  born  six  children: 
One  who  died  in  inf.aiH'v,  .himcs,  Henry,  Joseph, 
Daniel  and  Ellen. 

When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  w.as  but  ten 
3'ears  of  age,  he  had  to  m.ake  his  own  living  by 
working  on  a  farm  for  six  cents  a  day  and  pay  his 
own  board.  His  early  life  in  England  had  many 
tri.als  and  he  had  to  struggle  hard  to  keep  soul  and 
body  together.     In  1856  he  set  sail  for  the  United 


.>t 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


399 


Skilfs  iinil  lorated  in  the  western  |):irl  of  New 
York  SUite  whore  he  was  quite  sueeessful  in  farm- 
ing and  remained  tiiere  eight  years.  While  tlierc 
he  was  married  to  Emily  Ashdown  and  to  them 
were  horn  two  ehildren,  both  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fnney. 

In  lH(il,  our  sul)ject  and  his  wife  started  for 
Jliehigan  and  on  reaching  this  place  located  on  his 
present  farm  of  forty  acres.  It  was  then  an  un- 
broken and  wild  piece  of  land,  and  his  first  house 
consisted  of  a  board  cabin,  12x11  feet,  with  only 
one  room.  In  this  humble  abode  and  new  coun- 
try the  young  couple  settled,  but  the  wife  becom- 
ing a  little  dissatisfied  returned  to  her  people  in 
New  York.  Mr.  Fox  was  married  again,  taking  as 
his  wife  Margaret  Patterson.  This  home  has  been 
blessed  with  no  children,  but  their  home  and  hearts 
have  been  thrown  open  to  Maggie  Gibney,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Martha  Gibney  and  a  niece  of 
Mrs.  Fox.  Our  subject  is  a  most  worthy  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  while  his  wife  is  a 
consistent  and  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Politically,  Mr.  Fox  is  a  stanch 
Republican  and  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are  held 
in  high  esteem  in  the  community. 

When  Mr.  Fox  first  came  to  Michigan,  he  had  no 
money  except  ^1  in  silver.  But  he  had  a  strong 
hand  and  a  willing  heart  and  he  was  determined 
to  make  a  success.  By  his  own  persistent  efforts 
and  sagacious  judgment,  he  has  brought  his  estate 
to  what  it  now  is  to-day — a  fertile  and  attractive 
pl.aee,  with  good  and  substantial  buildings  erected 
thereon. 


►5- 


i>-^^<l 


=— J— 


f,^  ON.  ALEXANDER  B.  COPLEY,  a  prom- 
inent Qitizen  of  Decatur,  is  also  widely 
and  favorably  known  throughout  Van 
lUiren  and  surrounding  counties.  Consid- 
ering what  he  has  done  for  the  community  and  his 
influence  therein,  his  life  sketch  and  portrait  are 
valual)le  additions  to  this  work.  lie  was  born  in 
Chamjjion,  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  March  11, 
1822.  His  father,  Alexander  Copley,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  (irund}',  Hartford  County,  Conn.,  Novemljer  22, 
1790,  and  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children, 
18 


The  grandfather  came  from  Eiigi.-nid  in  thi!  early 
part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  His  wife  died, 
leaving  him  with  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  the 
eldest,  eighteen  years  of  age  and  the  youngest  a  lad 
of  six  summers.  The  father,  however,  managed 
to  eke  out  a  living  for  his  family  with  the  assist- 
ance of  thirty  acres  of  poor  land  and  the  income 
from  a  quarter  interest  in  a  gristmill  and  a  half 
interest  in  a  sawmill,  where  there  was  little  to  saw 
and  less  to  grind.  However,  he  kept  his  children 
together,  and  provided  for  their  support  until  they 
were  able  to  care  for  themselves.  In  April,  1851, 
the  oldest  brother  sold  the  property  in  Connecticut 
and  removed  the  family  to  Worcester,  Otsego 
County,  N.Y'. 

There  young  Copley,  father  of  our  subject,  at- 
tended the  district  schools  until  fifteen  years  of 
age  and  at  home  studied  surve3ing.  In  1810.  he 
was  apprenticed  to  his  brother  William  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade  in  .Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
from  1811  until  1814,  worked  with  his  brother  as 
a  journeyman.  On  the  26th  of  September  of  the 
latter  3'ear,  he  married  Esther  Nott,  in  Champion, 
N.  Y'.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  with  varied  suc- 
cess until  June,  1822.  In  1817,  however,  when 
work  was  scarce,  he  made  a  trip  through  Western 
New  Y'ork  and  as  far  as  Cleveland,  Ohio,  looking 
for  employment,  and  spent  part  of  the  summer 
working  m  Fredonia,  N.  Y'.,  but  bettering  his  con- 
dition little.  In  1822,  he  removed  to  Hartford, 
N.  \^,  where  his  brother  William  had  located,  and 
spent  two  years  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  ma- 
chinery for  companies  located  in  New  Y'ork  Mills. 

In  1824,  with  his  brother,  Mr.  Copley,  Sr.,  re- 
moved to  Waldron  on  the  Hudson,  where  the  suc- 
ceeding two  3'ears  of  his  life  were  passed  in  the 
manufacture  of  machinery  for  spinning  and  weav- 
ing. In  1826  he  went  to  Matteawan,  N.  Y.,  ac- 
cepting a  position  as  su[)erintendent  of  the  machine 
shops,  which  he  filled  for  three  years.  On  Septem- 
ber 12,  1829,  he  left  for  the  West,  intending  to  lo- 
cate near  Lafayette,  Ind.,  but  instead  went  to 
Dayton,  Ohio,  arriving  on  the  18th  of  November. 
There  he  put  into  operation  the  machinery  in  the 
first  cotton  mill  at  that  place  and,  purchasing  fifteen 
acres  of  limber  land  near  the  city,  experimented  in 
the  culture  of  silk.     Coming  to  Michigan  in  1832, 


400 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


he  located  laiul  on  whicli  Nieliolsville.  Cass  County, 
is  now  situated.  Ueturniug,  lie  spent  the  winter  in 
preparations  for  removal  and  on  June  !•,  1833, 
started  with  two  wagons,  three  yoke  of  oxen,  one 
span  of  horses,  four  cows,  poultry,  etc.  The  horses 
were  disabled  in  the  Swamp  of  St.  Marys  and  he 
then  bouirht  a  yoke  of  oxen,  arriving  at  Little 
Prairie  Hi.und,  July  1,  1833.  He  traveled  two 
hundred  and  thirty-five  miles  in  twenty-one  days. 
■\Vith  the  exceptiiin  of  one  night  spent  in  a  de- 
serted cabin  on  .Sugar  Hill  in  the  J^lkhart  bottoms, 
the  family  was  compelled  to  camp  along  the  way- 
side and  the  trip  was  a  hard  one. 

Mr.  Copley  built  the  sawmill  in  Nicholsville,  the 
first  in  the  township,  beginning  its  operations  De- 
cember 20.  1835,  and  afterward  added  a  turn- 
ing shoj)  for  the  manufacture  of  chairs,  tables, 
etc.  He  had  brought  with  him  from  Ohio  two  fine 
Durham  cattle,  the  casting  for  three  sizes  of  Wood's 
plows,  Isabella  grajie  vines  and  pie  plant.  He  thus 
introduced  several  important  articles  into  the 
county  and  lie  experimented  with  new  varieties  of 
crops  and  modes  of  culture.  Hearing  a  revolving 
hay  rake  described,  he  made  one. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Copley  was  not  ambitious  but 
served  as  Road  Commissioner  and  Assessor,  and 
with  Dr.  Thomas  and  A.  K.  Hull  acted  as  commis- 
sioner in  laying  out  the  State  road  from  School- 
craft to  St.  .loseph,  in  183i(.  He  built  the  first 
schoolhousc  in  his  district  at  his  own  expense.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-two,  he  joined  the  Free  M.asons 
and  w!Ls  an  active  member  of  the  Swcdenborgian 
Church.  For  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  his 
health  w.as  very  poor  and  he  died  of  consumption, 
January  fi,  IK  12.  No  man  did  more  for  the  county 
in  its  early  history  than  did  Mr.  Copley,  and  his 
deatli  proved  a  great  loss  to  the  community.  One 
of  nature's  noble  men,  he  lived  an  uitright.  honor- 
able life  and  w.as  highly  respected  by  all.  lie  I.  ft 
three  sons  nn<l  six  daugliters  and  his  widow  sur- 
vived him  until  .May  12.  lK.'i2. 

On  his  father's  death,  our  subjeet,  then  twenty 
years  of  agi-,  was  left  wllli  a  widowed  mother,  one 
brother  and  live  younger  sisters  to  care  for.  I'V>r 
many  years  he  continued  the  head  of  the  familv 
and  manager  of  affairs.  In  his  youth  he  attended 
the     dintricl     schools     but     his     cducalion      was 


mostly  of  the  kind  that  a  man  acquires  from  con- 
tact with  the  world  when  he  is  forced  to  make  his 
own  way  in  life.  The  resources  of  his  nature  were 
thus  developed  and  industry,  enterprise  and  faith- 
fulness characterized  all  he  did.  He  was  practi- 
cal, and  became  a  successful  farmer,  and  followed 
tiiat  pursuit  in  Volinia  Township,  Cass  County, 
until  1874,  whin  he  removed  to  Decatur,  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home.  He  was  one  of  the 
original  stockholders  of  the  First  National  liank 
and  served  as  its  President  for  the  greater  i)art  of 
it*  time  until, its  charter  expiring  in  1 890,  it  w.as  suc- 
ceeded by  the  State  IJank  of  Decatur,  of  which 
Mr.  Copley  is  President.  He  is  also  interested  in 
farming  and  owns  a  jirairic  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fift^'-nine  acres  t)f  valualilc  land  which  yields 
him  a  good  income. 

In  1850,  Mr.  Copley  was  married  to  Miss  Jane 
Helen,  sister  of  15.  Hathaway,  of  Cass  County,  and 
unto  them  have  been  born  two  sons:  Edwin  15.,  the 
elder,  who  married  Esther  ISIcKain,  operates  his 
father's  farm  in  Cass  County;  A.  W.  married 
Miss  IMinnie  Morse  and  is  now  pursuing  a  course 
of  law  study  in  Ann  Arbor  University.  Tiie 
mother  was  called  to  her  final  rest  September  21). 
1890,  .and  interred  in  the  cemetery  in  Volinia 
Township,  Cass  County.  She  was  a  lady  whose 
m.any  excellencies  of  character  made  her  beloved 
by  all.  February  29,  1892,  Mr.  Copley  was  .again 
married,  his  wife  being  Mrs.  Emma  W.  Pritchard, 
of  Cherry  Valley,  111.,  a  sister  of  his  former    wife. 

Mr.  Copley  is  a  member  of  the  Swed(>nborgiau 
Cliurch  and  in  politics,  is  a  Reiniblican.  He  lakes 
an  active  interest  in  political  atfairs  and  liiui  been 
called  upon  to  fill  many  offices.  For  si.x  years  lie 
was  a  member  of  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  of  Cass 
County  and  in  l.*^il.'i  lie  leprcsentcd  the  Northern 
District  of  that  county  in  the  State  Legislature, 
and  again  w.as  its  Representative  in  1871  and  1872. 
Ill  1H75  he  represented  the  Eastern  District  of  \an 
IJuren  County,  and  was  re-elected  in  1881.  lie 
proved  a  competent  iikmhIkm'  of  the  fJenerai  .\s- 
.stmbly  and  made  iiimmv  friends  among  the  most 
liromincnt  men  of  the  State.  IMucliof  his  time  has 
been  devoted  lo  pulilic  improvement.  He  was  instrii- 
inental  in  I'onstrucling  the  iinin  roail  across  the 
swamp  souIIkn'isI,  of  Decatur  ami    is    now    laboring 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPH'CAL   RKCX)RD. 


401 


for  the  drainaj^e  and  reclaiming  of  the  Dowawiac 
SwMini).  AV'hat  lie  has  done  for  J)ecaliir  and  the 
county  cannot  be  estimated  hut  his  labors  will  live 
after  him  and  make  him  honored  long  after  he 
shall  have  passed  away.  His  life  has  indeed  been 
■well  and  worthily  spent  and  both  his  public  and 
private  career  are  alike  above  reproach.  lie  pos- 
ses.ses  a  genial  manner,  a  benevolent  and  iihilan- 
thropic  spirit  and  the  high  regard  of  all  who  know 
him. 


-J  .5.  .5.4..}.  4 


^EORfiK    W.   GRIFFIN.     Among  tlie  push- 
^--,  ing,  energetic  and   successful  farmers  and 

a]  fruit-growei's  of  Allegan  County  is  the 
subject  of  this  biographical  notice.  lie  is  the  pos- 
sessor of  one  of  the  finest  fruit  farms  in  the 
county,  which  contains  fifty-three  acres,  and  is 
located  on  section  25.  He  was  born  in  1848,  in 
Dane  County,  Wis.,  and  is  the  son  of  Hiram  and 
Helen  Grillin.  The  father  was  born  in  Connecti- 
cut in  18U'J,  but  his  parents  removing  to  New 
York,  his  boyhood  days  were  passed  on  a  farm  in 
Cliauta\uiua  County. 

Mr.  Hiram  Grittiu  was  an  agriculturist,  and  in 
1840  emigrated  to  LaPorte  County,  lad.,  where  he 
cultivated  the  soil  for  four  years.  Later,  with  an 
ox-team,  he  moved  his  family  and  household 
goods  to  Dane  County,  Wis.,  when  neighbors  were 
few  and  far  between.  He  there  purchased  from 
the  Government  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  paying  therefor  11.25  per  acre.  He  at  once 
began  the  improvement  of  his  land,  and  for  ten 
years  hauled  his  grain  to  Milwaukee  to  market, 
which  was  ninety  miles  distant. 

In  1868,  the  father  of  our  subject  came  to 
Michigan  and  located  near  what  is  now  the  present 
home  of  George  W.  He  bought  a  small  peach 
farm,  and  turned  his  attention  to  raising  fruit 
until  his  decease.  When  twenty-seven  years  of 
age,  he  was  married  to  our  subject's  mother,  who 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  Helen  McCall.  Their 
union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  children,  viz: 
Emily,  now  Mrs.  J.  L.  Colby;  .Judith  E.,  Mrs.  B. 
L.  Wood;  Horace  E.;  Mary;  our  subject.  They 
were  both  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
and  in  politics  Mr.  Grilfin  was  a  Republican,     He 


was  prominent  in  township  affairs,  and  was  the 
recipient  of  many  public  ollices. 

When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  oui  subject  pur- 
chased a  portion  of  his  present  farm,  and  took 
unto  himself  a  wife  and  helpmate  in  the  person  of 
Emma  .J.,  daughter  of  Washington  and  Martha 
Potter,  pioneers  of  Casco  Township,  now  re- 
siding in  South  Haven.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffin 
have  been  granted  three  children:  Harry  M.,  Roy 
S.,  and  Ruth. 

George  W.  Griffin  began  for  himself  in  life  by 
working  his  father's  farm  on  shares.  He  now  is 
the  proud  possessor  of  one  of  the  finest  fruit  farms 
in  the  county,  and  which  nets  him  a  handsome 
income.  Mrs.  Griffin  was  one  of  four  children 
born  to  her  parents:  John  II.,  Eva  M.,  and  one 
who  died  iji  infancy.  Mr.  Griffin's  mother  resides 
on  the  old  homestead,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five 
years. 

Socially,  our  subject  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
140,  A.  0.  U.  W.,  at  South  Haven,  and  has  served 
acceptably  in  the  offices  of  Township  Supervisor 
and  Treasurer.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist  politically, 
and  has  done  much  toward  furthering  the  cause 
of  temperance  in  his  community.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  at  South  Haven.  They 
have  two  sons  who  are  al.so  connected  with  that 
denomination.  The  family  are  greatly  respected 
in  this  county,  and  have  a  large  circle  of  friends 
among  its  residents. 

V ±^E-i-^^ / 


r~ 


'^OHN  M.  HEATH.  Among  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Allegan,  who  by  their  enterprise 
and  public  spirit  have  done  so  much  for  the 
development  of  this  town  and  couuty^  is 
the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  and 
who  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Allegan  Iron  Works. 
He  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Allegan  County, 
coming  here  with  his  parents,  James  M.  and  Susan- 
nah (White)  Heath,  in  1845.  Tiiey  were  natives 
of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  which  State  our  sub- 
ject was  born,  his  birth  taking  place  November 
17,  1823,  in    Nunda  Valley,  Livingston    County. 


402 


POUTKAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   EECORD: 


His  father  was  by  trade  a  carpenter  and  joiner, 
learning  tlie  business  in  Cayuga  County,  wlience 
he  removed,  in  1819,  to  Livingston  County,  and 
helped  to  build  a  gristmill  and  sawmill.  lie  also  ] 
took  up  land  in  Nunda  A'allcy,  two  miles  from  the 
place  where  the  mills  were  built,  and  was  the  fir?t 
settler  in  that  valley.  Here  he  purchased  two 
hundred  .lores,  on  which  he  built,  but  later  sold  the 
property  and  moved  four  miles  south,  where  he 
again  engaged  in  farming.  Later  lie  returned  to 
Nunda  A'alley  and  built  the  Eagle  Hotel  which  he 
rented  and  continued  working  at  his  trade.  He 
lived  there  until  1830,  when  he  sold  his  interest  in 
the  hotel  and  came  to  Jlichigan,  purchasing  two 
hundred  and  fort3'  acres  of  land  one  and  a  half  [ 
miles  from  Flint,  Genesee  County.  He  then  re- 
turned to  New  York,  trading  his  farm  at  Flint  for 
a  farm  im  Oak  Hill.  Mt. Morris, Livingston  Count}', 
where  he  settled  and  remained  until  1812.  In  the 
latter  year  he  again  sold  and  removed  to  West 
Almond  Center,  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  liought  a  farm  and  lived  on  it  until  1815. 

.\t  this  time,  Mr.  Heath  .again  concluded  to  tiy 
his  fortunes  in  the  West,  and,  coining  to  Allegan, 
this  State,  bought  four  hundred  acres  of  land  four 
miles  northwest  from  the  village.  It  was  all  wild 
land,  and  he  was  the  first  settler  in  thai  county. 
He  petitioned  the  Legislature  to  set  olT  a  iiortion 
of  the  township  which  belonged  to  Allegan  Town- 
shij),  and  the  act  was  passed,  it  being  named  for 
him.  Heath  Township.  He  lived  there  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  being  an  eye-witness  to  the  settlement 
of  the  land  and  il.s  conversion  fiom  a  wildcincss 
to  fertile  fields  and  thriving  villages.  He  after- 
ward removed  to  .\llegan,  in  whicii  he  spent  his 
la.st  days,  dying  there  in  August,  1865,  at  the  .age 
of  seventy-two.  The  ni<ither  died  on  the  farm 
when  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  During  the  whole 
time  Mr.  Heath  resided  in  Heath  Township,  he  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  being  appointed  by  the  State 
and  k'ing  the  first  one  given  thai  ollice  in  that  .sec- 
linn  of  <'ounlry.  He  also  hold  the  ollice  of  Supervisor 
and  various  other  lucal  positions.  He  was  a  stanch 
Deniocraf  anil  a  soldier  the  W.'ir  of  IMI2.  He  be-  ' 
longed  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

The  Heath  family  are  of  Seoleh  desc(  lit,,  and  the 
grandfather   of   our   Mibject.   Daniel    I  Icalli,  was  a 


native  of  Vermont.  He  was  a  soldier  during  the 
Revolutionary  War  and  was  severely  wounded. 
He  removed  to  Massachusetts,  afterward  owning  a 
farm  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,and  thence  remov- 
ing to  lUiflfalo  when  there  were  only  three  houses 
where  that  llourishing  city  now  stands.  Later  he 
came  to  Indiana  and  lived  in  Rising  Sun  Town.ship. 
Ohio  County,  until  Ins  death. 

The  parental  family  consisted  of  ten  children, 
of  whom  five  are  living,  namely:  Hor.ace  li.,  a  mer- 
chant of  ilelbourne,  Australia;  ,Iohn  M.;  Amanda, 
i\I.,  who  lives  in  Illinois;  Orra  L.  (Mrs.  Davis),  re- 
siding in  Holland,  Mich.;  and  Martin  N.,of  Cadil- 
lac, Mich.,  who  is  a  broker. 

Thesubject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the 
Kalamazoo  branch  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
and  remained  upon  his  father's  farm  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  then  purchased  laud  in  lle.ath 
Township,  on  which  he  farmed  two  years.  This 
life,  however,  proved  too  monotonous  and  affairs 
moved  too  slowlj'  to  satisfy  his  ambitious  disposi- 
tion. When  a  boy  he  would  take  his  rule  and 
measure  the  corn  morning  and  evening,  but  as  it 
(lid  not  grow  last  enough,  he  determined  to  en- 
gage in  something  which  would  bring  in  n^turns 
more  quickly.  He  therefore  engaged  in  the  liiiii- 
lier  business,  purch.asing  tiiiiher  land  in  Ilealh 
Townshii),  from  whicli  he  cut  tiie  logs  and  tloated 
them  down  the  Kalamazoo  River  to  Saiigatiick, 
where  he  readily  found  a  niarUet.  lie  also  bought 
a  sawmill  four  miles  from  Allegan,  which  he  car- 
ried on  for  eight  years,  when  he  sold  out  in  18(!') 
and  bought  the  machine  shii|i  and  foumliy  whicli 
he  has  licen  operating  since  that  lime.  He  employs 
from  three  to  fifteen  men  and  is  doing  a  nourish- 
ing liusiness.  He  also  deals  in  real  estate  and  op- 
crates  a  sawmill  five  miles  west  of  tiie  town.  In 
addition  to  this,  he  raises  peaches,  having  a  liall- 
inlerc.st  in  twelve  thousand  peach  trees.  I'ur 
twenty  years  he  has  also  been  attorney  for  procur- 
ing'patents  for  inventors. 

I\Ir.  Heath  was  married  to  Mrs.  Delia  (i.  .MUiiis.of 
Allegan,  their  union  taking  pl.ace  in  August,  1872. 
|{y  a  former  marriage  IMr.  Ib'atli  iiail  three  chil- 
dren; KUeii  (.Mrs.  ('apt.  rnniluill):  Nellie  (Mrs. 
Wright),  and  .1,'iiiies  M.  .\niKiliel  is  the  duly  child 
by  tin;  second  marriage. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArillCAL   RECORD. 


405 


Mr.  Heatli  is  a  Dcinocitit  in  liis  political  views 
and  has  held  all  tiie  townshiii  ollieosexfc;;!  tliatdf 
Treasurer.  He  has  been  .Tustice  of  the  Peace  for 
nine  years,  Supervisor  and  one  of  the  Village  Trus- 
tees for  two  years.  lie  has  a  beautiful  home,  which 
is  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  city.  Here  lie 
leads  a  liappy  life,  surroiinded  by  his  family,  and 
finding  time  in  spite  of  all  his  numerous  business 
enterprises  to  indulge  in  liis  love  of  reading  and 
investigation.  lie  is  an  original  thinker  and  has 
a  genius  for  inventing.  Tlie  family  occupy  a 
prominent  position  in  tlie  social  circles  of  Allegan. 


-^]. 


~S] 


^+^ 


tS" 


APT.  JOHN  II.  M<KENZIE,  keeper  of  the 
United  States  Life  Saving  Station  at  Soutli 
Haven,  is  a  man  of  cool  judgment,  great 
courage  and  decided  executive  ability,  traits  of 
character  which  stand  him  in  good  stead  in  tlie 
responsible  position  which  he  so  ably  fills.  He  was 
born  on  the  Island  of  Cape  Breton,  Nova  Scotia, 
January  28,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Alexander  and 
Mary(McLean)McKenzie,  natives  of  Scotland,  born 
in  1824  and  1825,  respectively.  They  emigrated  to 
Cape  Breton  in  about  1850,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject  also  coming  to  that  place. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  seaman  and  re- 
moved from  Cape  Breton  to  Bruce  County,  Cana- 
da West,  and  one  year  later  to  Goderich,  in  Huron 
County.  In  connection  with  his  father  and 
brother-in-law,  Alexander  McKenzie,  he  owned  a 
boat  and  followed  fishing  off  the  coast  of  Nova 
Scotia,  marketing  his  fish  in  Boston.  When  resid- 
ing at  Goderich,  much  of  his  time  was  em- 
ployed in  sailing  on  the  lakes.  He  also  owned  a 
farm  but  gave  most  of  his  attention  to  his  other 
pursuits.  The  parental  famil}^  consisted  of  ten 
children,  of  whom  four  grew  to  maturity,  namely: 
John  H.,  Kate  A.,  and  Johanna,  who  are  at  home; 
and  Isaac,  who  is  a  tailor  by  trade  and  resides  in 
South  Haven. 

Capt.  McKenzie  was  but  a  boy  when  the  family- 
settled  in  (loderich.  His  parents  were  limited  in 
means  but  they  were  willing  to  give  their  son  a 
good  education.  He,  however,  was  more  ambitious 
to  become  a  sailor  than  a  scholar,    and  thus  at  the 


age  of  fourteen  lie  came  to  Micliigan  and  en- 
gaged as  a  sailor  and  fisherman  on  tiie  lakes,  also 
being  employed  one  season  in  the  life  saving  sta- 
tion on  Thunder  Bay  Islands.  In  1881  he  came 
to  South  Haven,  where  he  was  employed  as  a 
fisherman  on  Lake  Michigan,  and  for  one  summer 
worked  for  George  Hanna  in  the  lunilicr  liusiness. 
In  October,  1884,  he  went  to  Muskegon  and  for  ten 
months  was  employed  in  the  life  saving  station  at 
that  place.  March  7,  1887,  he  was  commissioned 
keeper  of  the  station  at  North  Manitou  Islands, 
where  he  was  in  charge  until  January,  1888,  when 
he  received  tlie  appointment  of  kce[)er  of  the  sta- 
tion at  South  Haven. 

Capt.  McKenzie  was  married,  Marcli  17,  1880, 
to  Marcie,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Stover) 
Tliomas,  the  latter  being  a  native  of  England. 
She  was  born  in  Chatham,  Ontario,  September  7, 
18G8.  They  have  been  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  liv- 
ing are  Alexander  Thomas,  Mary  Adelaide,  Henry 
Woods  and  Nancy  Emma.  Our  subject  became 
a  naturalized  citizen  soon  after  he  came  to  his  nia- 
joritj'  and  for  two  years  voted  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  since  whicli  time  he  has  supported 
the  Republican  ticket  in  national  matters,  but  in 
local  afl'airs  votes  for  the  best  man.  He  resides  at 
the  station,  which  is  cozily  furnished  and  finely 
equipped  with  all  the  apparatus  necessary  for  the 
saving  of  life.  Besides  the  keeper,  there  is  a  crew 
of  seven  men  who  are  constantly  on  hand  to  assist 
in  the  rescue  of  wrecked  vessels.  Capt.  McKenzie 
owns  two  cottages  and  five  lots  in  South  Haven. 
He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  and  a  member  of  both 
the  subordinate  and  encampment  lodges  of  the 
Odd  Fellows  and  also  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  AVorkmen  and  the  Knights  of  the  Mac- 
cabees. He  is  very  popular  with  his  associates,  has 
a  large  circle  of  friends,  and  no  better  man  could 
have  been  chosen  for  the  position  which  he  fills. 
In  connection  with  this  sketch  his  portrait  is  pre- 
sented to  our  readers. 

A  short  record  of  the  transactions  of  the  South 
Haven  Life  Saving  Station  since  its  establishment 
may  be  of  interest  to  our  readers.  This  station 
was  founded  in  the  spring  of  1887  with  B.  A. 
Cross  as  keeper,  and  is  equipped  with  all   the  ap- 


406 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


paratus  necessary  for  any  lake  station.  It  has  a 
crew  of  eight  men.  including  the  keeper  in  charge. 

The  first  service  rendered  was  on  June  20,  1887, 
when  the  steam  yacht  "M.vrtle  JlcClure"  sank  in 
the  river.  No  lives  were  endangered.  .Tuly  3, 
1887,  a  sloop  was  being  dismasted  two  miles  out 
and  was  towed  into  the  harbor  witli  two  men  on 
board.  August  10,  1887,  the  '-Lillie  Emiot"  was 
water-logged  and  sank  in  the  harbor.  September 
,10,  1887,  the  schooner"W.  H.  Hawkins"  was  water- 
logged fifteen  miles  out  and  was  towed  into  har- 
bor. Octobers,  1887,  the  "City  of  Green  15ay"  went 
ashore  near  the  harbor,  loaded  with  iron  ore,  and 
of  the  crew  of  seven  men  only  one  was  saved, 
Albert  .Slater.  October  12,  1887,  four  persons 
were  rescued  with  a  surf  boat. 

In  .lanuary,  1888,  Capt.  McKf^nzie  succeeded  B. 
A.  Cross  .as  keeper  and  took  charge  of  the  prop- 
erly, and  under  his  coram.and  the  crew  was  first 
called  upon  .inly  11.  1888,  to  assist  the  "Cora 
Belle."  .Septeml)cr  11,  1-888,  they  assisted  the 
"Libby  Carter,"  and  October  29,  the  "H.  W. 
Williams."  November  30,  1888,  the  "Magdalena" 
called  for  their  aid,  and  April  5, 1889,  the  schooner 
"Daisy"  stranded  and  sank  in  the  harbor.  May  6, 
they  assisted  the  "11.  W.  Williams"  in  getting  out 
of  the  harbor.  .luly  2(1.  1H8<),  the  steamer  "Joseph 
Farnam"  was  discovered  on  fire  twenty  miles  from 
shore.  The  life  saving  crew  was  towed  out  by  the 
steamer  "Glenn,"  and  the  entire  crew  of  the 
"Farnani."  consisting  of  eleven  men  and  one 
woman,  the  captain's  wife,  was  rescued,  .lune  (>, 
tlie  same  year,  they  ."u^isted  the  "Charles  .1.  Sniitli," 
and  Octoljer  12,  the  schooner  "Rambler."  .lanuaiy 
10,  1890,  the  Schooner  "Cora"  went  ashore,  and  a 
crew  of  three  men  was  saved.  October  14,  the 
"Charles  J.  Smith"  went  ashore.  Its  crew  of  three 
men  wa-s  also  saved,  .lune  7,  1891,  an  unnamed 
boat  went  out  on  a  pleasure  trip  and  could  not 
get  back  and  was  assisted  by  the  life  saving  crew. 
.Inly  3,  a  scrliooner  w!is  helped  ashore.  .Inly  1,  a 
man  wa.s  capsized  in  a  row  boat  and  rescued  by  the 
life  .saving  crew.  .luly  (I,  the  yacht  "Spray"  lost 
hci'  spar,  and  w.is  brought  into  [jort  with  two  men 
and  three  woiiu-n  on  bo.-ird.  August  I  I,  the 
whooner  "Phantom"  was  in  dislrens  .-ind  her  ci'cw 
i>f     two    men    were    rcj^cued.      NuvcimIm  r    IK,     tin- 


schooner  "Roekaway,"  loaded  with  lumber,  water- 
logged eight  miles  from  port.  There  was  a  lieav)' 
sea  and  the  weather  was  cold.  The  crew  of  five 
men  were  saved  in  a  surf  boat.  The  "Roekaway" 
sank  soon  afterward  and  was  a  total  loss. 


»lip|lii>-y  W»i  t- 


^,1LL.\1\D  E.  GILKEY,  a  prominent  horse- 
breeder  of  Plainwell,  was  born  in  Prairie- 
ville,  Barry  County,  this  State,  JIarcli  21, 
18.54.  William  Y.  Gilkey  was  his  father,  and  was 
horn  in  'Vermont,  .lune  10,  180,5.  He  remained  in 
his  native  State  until  nineteen  years  of  .age,  when 
he  went  to  Boston,  spending  eight  years  at  various 
pursuits. 

Tiie  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Michigan  in 
1832,  making  the  longjourmey  from  New  England 
overland  with  horse  and  cutter.  His  brother,  Fos- 
ter Gilkey,  had  preceded  him  to  the  State  and 
settled  on  Gull  Prairie,  in  Kalamazoo  County. 
The  brothers  entered  into  partnership  in  cultivat- 
ing their  land  and  remained  together  until  the 
death  of  our  subject's  father,  .lanuary  13,  1868. 
They  were  pioneers  on  (!ull  Prairie,  and  became 
very  wealthy,  owning  large  tracts  of  land  in  Kala- 
mazoo, Barry  .and  Allegan  Counties.  Mr.  (iilkey 
also  eng.aged  extensively  in  stock-raising  and  w-.as 
one  of  the  prominent  and  infiuential  men  of  his 
locality.  Among  his  jiersonal  characteristics 
were  those  of  love  of  (ruth,  justice  and  progress, 
;\nd  a  cordial,  kindly  spiiit  wliuli  made  warm 
friends  and  stanch  adherents,  lie  was  an  active 
mcnilier  of  tlie  Rei)ublican  pjirty  and  a  zealous 
mcmlier  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Till'  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  I.ydia  Biigham.  Slic  w;is  a  native  of  the  Bay 
State,  her  birth  occurring  .lanuary  II,  1820.  She 
was  a  most  capable  .and  worthy  lady  and  respected 
aliki'  liy  neighbors  and  friends.  Her  dcnili  oc- 
riiired  August  27,  IS'.M.  She  was  a  lite-long  liap- 
ll>t.  An  extendcil  notiic  ol'  her  p.-iicnls  will  lie 
found  elsewheri'  in  this  volume. 

The  familv  of  uliich  oin>ulijcct  is  a  member  in- 
cluded four  sons  .■uid  two  <langhters,  of  whoni 
live  .'ire  still  living.  .Mr.  (iilkey  was  rcMred  on  a 
farm    miiiI    al  Ii'IhIcmI     ilie    common    schools    of  his 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAFIUCAL  RECORD. 


407 


neigliliorliood  until  readiiiig  his  flfteonlli  year, 
after  wliich  lie  entered  the  I'lainwell  High  Scliool. 
He  has  kept  up  his  studies  and  systematic  reading, 
and  is  to-day  one  of  the  cultured  and  educated 
gentlemen  of  the  county. 

Wlien  about  twenty  years  of  age,  Mr.  Gilkey  and 
his  brother,  C.  O.,  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
business  in  I'lainwell.  They  continued  together 
in  tiKit  line  for  two  years  when  they  disposed  of 
their  stock  and  opened  up  a.  hardware  store.  A 
twelvemonth  later  they  sold  out  their  business  and 
our  subject  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  own- 
ing at  that  time  a  farm  near  Albion,  this  State. 
He  subsequently  purchased  a  small  farm  within 
the  corporate  limits  of  Plainwell,  and  gave  his 
tiTue  and  attention  to  tbe  improvement  of  that 
beautiful  tract  of  land.  He  erected  on  his  place, 
in  1884,  a  handsome  frame  dwelling  which  is  sup- 
plied with  all  the  modern  improvements  and  con- 
veniences and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  tiie  county. 
He  also  built  at  the  same  time  a  large  stable  with 
comfortable  quarters  for  his  horses,  of  which  he 
has  some  line  specimens. 

For  the  past  few  years  Mr.  Gilkey  has  given  his 
attention  to  the  breeding  of  standard-ljred  liorses, 
having  at  the  head  of  his  excellent  stud  of  twenty 
animals,  "President  Garfield".  He  is  the  first 
horse  bred  .and  raised  in  Michigan  that,  at  the  age 
of  nine  years,  had  one  of  his  get  trot  in  2:20. 
"•Star  Lillie,"  the  mare  accomplishing  this  feat,  is 
now  owned  by  C.  I.  Hood,  the  great  sarsapa- 
rilla  manufacturer,  who  paid  89,000  for  her.  Mr. 
Gilkey  has  several  very  valuable  animals  and  his 
success  thus  far  in  breeding  them  has  been  very 
flattering. 

In  1878  our  sul)ject  was  married  to  Miss  Lizzie 
AValdo,  a  native  of  the  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y. 
Mrs.  Gilke}'  is  the  daughter  of  S.  S.  Waldo,  who 
for  a  number  of  years  was  a  woolen  manufacturer 
in  the  Empire  State.  Both  of  her  parents  are  re- 
siding in  Plainwell,  where  the  father  has  been  en- 
gaged successfully  in  the  grocery  business  for 
several  years.  They  now  reside  at  Ganges,  where 
Mr.  Waldo  is  engaged  in  fruit-raising. 

Our  subject  and  his  most  estimable  wife  have 
adopted  a  little  girl.  Marguerite,  who  is  being 
trained  !>>•  them  in  all  those  accomplishments  that 


will  make  her  a  cultured  woman.  Mr.  (iilkey  iias 
forty-four  acres  of  excellent  land  in  his  home 
place,  also  owning  forty  acres  south  of  Plainwell 
and  tw^o  hundred  acres  in  Prairicville  Township, 
15arry  County.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the 
Michigan  Paper  Company  in  Plainwell,  where  lie 
is  rated  as  one  of  the  prominent  and  influential 
citizens.  With  his  estimable  wife,  he  is  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  to 
the  support  of  which  body  he  is  a  liberal  contribu- 
tor. In  politics,  he  votes  with  the  Republican 
party. 


■^OIIN  F.  HALE,  of  Otsego,  who  has  been 
variously  identified  with  the  interests  of 
Soutliern  Michigan  for  many  years,  and  is 
^  now  associated  with  the  agriculturists  of 
Allegan  County,  is  a  fine  representative  of  our 
self-educated  and  self-made  men,  as  he  has  a  high 
personal  standing  wherever  known,  and  is  hon- 
ored for  his  exemplary,  upright  life,  and  for  the 
wholesome  influence  he  has  exerted  upon  the  re- 
ligion and  morality  of  his  community  by  his  ear- 
nest work  in  the  church  in  behalf  of  temperance 
and  other  reform  movements. 

Mr.  Hale  is  of  New  England  birth  and  breeding, 
born  in  the  historic  town  of  Bennington,  \t.,  June 
25,  1824.  B'or  ancestral  history  see  sketch  of  C. 
P.  Hale.  His  parents  were  Zedock  and  Hannah 
(Chapin)  Hale,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  the 
mother  born  in  Franklin  Countj'.  She  died  in 
1833,  while  j'et  in  the  prime  of  life.  The  father, 
who  was  a  carpenter,  removed  to  the  West,  and 
lived  in  Wisconsin  several  years.  He  died  in 
1866  at  a  ripe  age. 

Our  subject  was  the  fifth  child  of  his  father's 
first  marriage.'  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  he 
was  fourteen  years  old,  his  mother  having  died 
when  lie  was  nine  years  old,  at  which  time  he  had 
gone  to  live  with  others  away  from  his  father's 
home.  The  little  education  that  he  secured  in 
those  years  was  obtained  in  the  common  district 
schools.  At  the  age  mentioned,  he  went  to  work 
in  a  woolen  factory  in  Roe,  IM.ass.,  and,  ambitious 
to  have  more  learning,  h(;  worked  nights  to  pay  his 


408 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


board  and  went  to  school  in  tlie  day  time.  Dur- 
ing the  seven  yeai-s  that  he  was  employed  in  that 
factory  his  wajrcs  raujied  from  *5  to  *9  a  month. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to  North 
Adams,  and  was  similarly  emplo\ed  in  a  factory 
in  that  place,  lie  was  frugal  and  of  steady  hab- 
its, and  in  184i)  he  was  enabled  to  establish  him- 
self in  business.  Accordingly,  he  returned  to  liis 
native  town  among  the  liills  of  Vermont,  and  for 
three  yeai-s  successfully  operated  a  factory  on  his 
0^vn  account,  manufacturing  the  cloth  at  so  much 
per  yard. 

Actuated,  periiaps,  by  a  spirit  of  adventure  as 
well  :us  by  a  desire  for  more  rapid  gain,  our  sub- 
ject settled  up  his  affaii-s  at  Bennington  in  order 
to  embark  for  tiie  gold  fields  of  California  in 
1852.  He  proceeded  to  his  destination  in  a  steamer 
crossing  the  Isthmus,  bj'  the  Nicaragua  route. 
The  steamer  w.is  wrecked  on  the  ^lexican  coast, 
causing  a  delaj-  of  two  months  before  the  voj'.age 
was  at  last  completed.  Mr.  Hale  engaged  in  min- 
ing in  the  Golden  State  two  years,  and  in  1«.')4  re- 
turned home  with  his  gains  by  tlie  way  of  Nic 
aragna.  The  ensuing  three  ^-ears  he  spent  in  a 
w<.>olen  fact<jry  in  Nortli  Adams,  Mass.  In  April, 
1856,  he  sought  a  now  home  in  lliis State,  locating 
on  Gull  Prairie,  in  tlie  township  of  Richland.  Kal- 
amazoo County,  on  a  tract  of  three  hundred  and 
twentj'  acres  of  unimproved  land  that  he  h;id  pur- 
cha.'ied  twelve  years  before.  He  at  once  actively 
entered  ujmn  the  pioneer  task  of  clearing  and  pre- 
paring it  for  civilization,  and  had  brought  it  to  a 
fine  condition  when  he  disposed  of  it  at  a  good 
advance  on  the  original  price,  in  tlie  fall  of  1870. 
He  then  came  to  Otsego  Township,  where  he  was 
variou.-«ly  engaged  the  ensuing  two  years.  In 
IH72  lie  entered  into  partnership  with  the  Stew- 
arts, and  built  a  l.'irgc  chair  factory.  The  lirm 
employed  from  thirty  to  lifty  men,;ind  did  a  good 
l)U!«iness.  At  the  enil  of  five  years  Mr.  Hale  sold 
his  interest  in  that  factory.  an<l  bcc'inie  connected 
with  a  Hour  manuf.-ictory  at  Hastings,  lie  retained 
his  interest  in  that  nc;uly  three  years,  and  his 
next  inf)ve  wR-s  to  buy  a  faini  in  Otsego  Town- 
ship. In  the  .MumiMcr  of  lHn:i,  he  visited  the  West, 
s|H-ndiiig  the  principal  part  of  his  time  in  Miui- 
tniin,  and  after  lii«t  return  lie  |>iii'cli.'i>i'd  a   Uuiix    of 


two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  4,  Otsego 
Township,  upon  which  he  lived  until  the  fall  of 
1890,  when  he  removed  to  Otsego,  where  he  is 
very  pleasantly  situated,  and  isenjoying  the  hand- 
some compentency  that  he  has  accumulated  by  in- 
dustry and  good  business  nian.ngenient,  he  having 
begun  life  with  no  other  capital  than  a  sane  mind 
in  a  sound  body. 

January  21,  1854,  is  the  date  of  an  important 
event  in  the  life  of  our  subject,  as  he  was  then 
united,  in  what  has  been  a  true  marriage,  to 
IMiss  Charity  D.  Iloskins,  of  Bliddletown.  Vt.  Her 
parents,  Hzia  and  Phebe  ((irandy)  Iloskins,  re- 
moved from  the  Green  Mountain  State  to  Wiscon- 
sin, where  they  died.  i\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Hale  have 
been  Messed  in  their  marriage  by  five  children, 
namely:  Ada,  wife  of  William  l)e  Forest;  Lillie, 
wife  of  Clarence  Anderstm,  a  clerk  in  the  Post- 
oHice  at  Helena,  Jfont.;  llatlie,  wife  of  William 
Healy,  of  Otsego;  Allie,  wife  of  .loliii  Andri'w,  a 
business  man  of  Elkliorn,  ^loiit.;  and  Irving  1>., 
who  is  married  and  lives  on  the  home  place. 

Mr.  Ilale  is  a  man  of  a  deejily   religious    nature, 
whose  life  is  that  of   a   consistent    Christian.     Hi 
has  always  taken  a    deep    interest    in    wliatsoevej 
would  lu'iiclit  his    fellow-men,    ami    all    rightco 
causes  tind  in  him    an    earnest   cliainpion.     Kspei 
ially    has    he    been    active    in    tempciance    work 
throwing  the  weight  of  his  iulluciici'   on    tlii'    sidi 
of  Prohibition,  thinking  that  to  be  the   best  mean 
of  dealing  with  this  monstrous  evil — the  drinkin 
haliit.      lie  was  reared  as  a  Whig  of  the   Abolition 
ist  type.     Coiise(|uently  iqion  the  birth   of  the  Ri 
publican  party,  while  he  was  .a  resident  of    Massi 
cliuselts,  he  Iduud  himself    in    syiiipalhy     with    i 
tenets,  and  gave  it  his   licaity    support    for    man 
years,  until  lie  idenlilied  himself  with  ProhiliitiottJ 
ists.      lie  has  held  various  olliees    of  trust,   and   a 
ways  disi'harged  the  duties  thus    incnnibent    upon 
liiii;  with  ;iii  evi'  single  to  the  good  of  the  coiiimii- 
liity.      lie  was  .lustice  of  llie  I'eaee  for  eight  years 
dining  his  residence"  in  Uichland   rownsliip,    Kala- 
mazoo C«iiiiity,  and  held  that  position    four   years 
in  Otsego  Township.      In    l>-7S    he    was   elected    a 
member  of  tin-  .\llegan  County     Hoard    of    Super- 
visors, ami  is  distinguished  ;is  lieing  the    llrst  e;iii- 
diilate    of    that    olliee    eleeli'd    mi  tin'    rrohiliil  ion 


I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Ill 


ticket,  his  party  winning  a  signal  trinTTi])!!  ovpv 
the  comhincil  tickets  of  the  Democrats  and  Ro|)uli- 
lieans.  He  has  been  Drain  Commissioner  fur  five 
years.  Our  suliject  and  his  family  are  among  the 
leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  and  his  wife  have  been  connected 
Willi  that  denomination  thirty-five  years,  and  have 
eontriliuted  greatly  to  its  upbuilding  wherever 
they  have  resided,  and  Mr.  Hale  has  beld  all  the 
church  offices. 


~oi 


aYRUS  H.  LEWIS,  who  has  a  fine  farm  on 
section  3 1 ,  Covert  Township,  has  been  a  resi- 
'  dent  of  Van  Buren  County  since  1868.  He 
comes  of  old  Revolutionary  stock  and  has  proved 
that  he  inherited  the  patriotic  sentiments  of  his 
ancestors  by  his  gallant  service  during  the  late 
Civil  War.  Mr.  Lewis  was  born  in  Tro3'  Town- 
ship, Geauga  County,  Ohio,  August  6,  1838,  and 
was  a  son  of  Samuel  C.  and  Martha  (Roberts) 
Lewis,  natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  Ply- 
mouth, AVindsor  County,  Vt.  The  paternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  Nathan  Lewis,  was  a  native 
of  New  York,  and  emigrated  to  Ohio,  where  he 
settled  in  the  forest  and  cleared  up  a  farm  being 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Geauga  County.  Heie  he 
spent  his  life  and  died  in  1840.  He  reared  a 
family  of  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely:  Ro- 
land, Lent,  Samuel,  DeWitt  C,  Harvey  W.,  George 
AY.  and  Susan. 

Samuel  C.  Lewis,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  New  York,  February  26,  1804.  He  was  a 
small  boy  when  his  parents  emigrated  to  Ohio, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  September  4, 1832, 
was  married  to  Martha  Roberts.  She  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  Windsor  County,  Vt.,  .June  8,  1804, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Giles  and  Catharine 
(Knight)  Roberts.  Giles  Roberts  resided  in  Ver- 
mont and  for  seven  years  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  four  of  his  brothers  also  being 
soldiers  during  the  same  war.  He  was  the  father 
of  twelve  children,  two  of  his  sons  serving  in  the 
War  of  1812.  He  died  in  A'ermont,  and  his  wife 
in  Massachusetts  in  IBl'.l.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  emigrated  to  Ohio  with  her  brother  Lyman 


in  1831    and  the   following   year    w.as    married   to 
Samuel  C.  J>ewis. 

After  their  marriage,  the  parents  of  our  subject 
settled  on  a  new  farm  in  the  forest  in  Troy  Town- 
ship, Geauga  County,  Ohio,  which  they  improved 
into  a  finely  cultivated  place  and  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  that  section  of  the  country.  Mr.  Lewis 
cultivated  a  line  growth  of  maple  trees  on  the 
place  and  it  is  still  known  as  Maple  (J rove  Farm. 
In  1849  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Defiance 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  purchased  another  farm, 
operating  it  until  18.57.  He  then  removed  to 
Hillsdale  County,  Mich.,  where  he  again  purchased 
new  land  and  improved  another  farm.  He  had 
the  genuine  pioneer  instincts  which  led  him  to 
take  up  unimproved  land  and  use  his  best  and 
endeavors  to  leave  it  in  tine  shape  for  those  who 
came  after  him.  In  1873  he  emigrated  to  Kansas, 
settling  in  Wabaunsee  County,  where  he  resided 
with  a  son  until  1875,  when  he  returned  to  Michigan 
and  died  in  Covert  Township,  A'an  Buren  County, 
May  23,  1876.  The  mother  of  our  suliject  is  still 
living  and  resides  with  him. 

The  p.'irental  family  consisted  of  four  children 
as  follows:  .Jane,  who  was  born  April  27,  1834, 
married  John  Barker  and  resides  in  Cassville, 
Barry  County,  Mo.;  Cyrus  IL;  Eben  M.,  born  May 
4,  1840,  resides  in  Morley,  Mecosta  County,  this 
State;  Nathan  B.,  born  June  2,  1842,  is  a  resident 
of  the  same  county.  All  of  the  sons  were  soldiers 
in  the  Civil  War,  Eben  M.  being  a  member  of 
Company  K,  Tenth  Michigan  Infantry,  serving 
from  the  spring  of  1862  till  the  close  of  the  war. 
Nathan  B.  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1863,  being  a 
member  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Michigan  Infan- 
tiy,  and  served  throughout  the  war.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  gunshot  and  in  conse- 
quence receives  a  pension  from  the  Government. 
Cyrus  II.  Lewis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  passed 
his  early  life  upon  the  farm,  remaining  under  the 
parental  roof  until  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  when 
on  July  13, 1861,  he  enlisted  and  in  September  was 
mustered  into  service  as  a  member  of  Corapan}'  A, 
Bissel  Engineer  Regiment  of  the  West.  They  were 
sent  first  to  St.  Louis,  INIo.,  and  thence  to  Lo  Mine 
River,  which  they  bridged  and  there  built  Ft.  La 
iSIiue.  They  also  cut  a  channel  around  Island  No.  10, 


112 


POETRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


and  opened  the  Mississippi  River  to  Vicksbuig. 
They  then  completed  the  Nashville  &  Northeastern 
Railroad.  l>uilding  block-houses  at  every  trestle 
along  the  line  of  the  road.  They  then  went  on  the 
Atlanta  Campaign  and  thence  to  the  sea,  participat- 
ing in  all  the  eng.agenients  incident  thereto.  They 
also  .icconipanied  the  army  to  Washington,  and 
participated  in  the  Grand  Review.  During  their 
service,  the\-  were  in  every  confederate  Stale  ex- 
cept Texas.  Mr.  Lewis  took  part  in  the  following 
l»attles,  New  Madrid,  Mo.;  Island  No.  10,  the  two 
battles  at  Corinth,  Jonesboro,  and  in  all  the  skirm- 
ishes and  marches  in  which  his  command  partici- 
pated. He  had  his  ankle  injured  in  a  railroad 
wreck  but  otherwise  escaped  injury  during  his  four 
years  of  service. 

Returning  to  Michigan,  Mr.  Lewis  resumed 
farming.  August  13,  1865,  he  was  married  to 
Louisa  Holmes,  the  daughter  of  Chauncy  and  Lucy 
A.  (Slocum)  Holmes.  She  was  born  in  Ashtabula 
County,  Ohio,  November  5,  1843.  Her  father  was 
a  native  uf  Chautau(iua  County,  N.  Y.,  born  Janu- 
ary 2;'),  1814.  He  married  Lucj'  Slocum,  who  was 
l)orn  in  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  October  8,  1813.  To  them 
were  iKtrn  six  children:  Edwin  C,  boru  May  27, 
1837,  enlisted  in  August,  1861,  in  the  Twentli- 
ninth  Ohio  Infantry,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Winchi'ster,  afterward  being  exchanged  and  dis- 
charged on  account  of  physical  disability.  He 
sulise(|ucntly  re-enlisted  in  the  Twenth-seventh 
.Michi^'an  Hcgimi-nl  and  was  killed  at  the  Battle  of 
the  Wilderness.  Herman  O.,  born  September  20, 
IHS'.l,  w.as  a  member  of  Comiiany  \\,  Twenty-ninth 
Ohio  Infantry,  and  died  while  in  the  service;  Car- 
oline I,.,  born  October  1,  1841,  married  George 
Allen  anil  resides  at  .Vustin,  Minn.;  H.  Louisa  is 
the  wife  of  our  subject;  Seymour  G.,  who  was  born 
SepteinlK-r  '.l,  IMKi,  resides  in  Lake  County, S.  l^ak.; 
and  Ix>vi  I).,  who  wns  born  Kebruai-y  1.  18;')3,  is  a 
resident  of  Austin,  Minn.  Tlii'  birtli  of  all  these 
chililren  t«K)k  place  in  Ashtabula  County,  ( )liio. 
The  falluT  (lied  in  .May,  1X70;  the  inolhcr  is  .still 
living  ami  resiilcN  in  Austin,  Minn. 

After  his  niarrlngc,  <,iur  subject  resided  in  llill.s- 
flaleCounty  until  !»(>«  when  hecaiiic  to  \nu  lluren 
County  and  sfllled  in  (Icni'va  Towiisliip,  where 
he  improved   n  faiiii.      Here    he    liveil    until    IK72 


when  he  went  to  Wabaunsee  County,  Kan.,  re- 
maining there  until  tlie  fall  of  1875  when  he  re- 
turned to  Jlichigan  and  has  since  resided  at  his 
present  place  where  he  has  cleared  up  and  imin-oved 
a  fine  farm  of  fifty  acres.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Lewis  have 
one  adopted  child,  Stephen  S.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Lewis  is  a  Republican  but  does  not  take  an  active 
part  in  political  affairs.  He  was  Supervisor  of  his 
township  for  two  years.  He  is  a  charter  member 
of  George  Allen  Post,  No.  351,  G.  A.  II.,  and  for- 
merly belonged  to  Garfield  Post,  No.  30,  of  Col- 
oma,  Berrien  County,  Mich.,  of  which  he  is  a  char- 
ter member  and  was  Adjutant.  He  and  his  wife 
occupy  a  iirominent  place  in  the  community  and 
are  higiily  esteemed  by  their  fellow-citizens. 

A    lithographic    portrait   of  Mr.   Lewis   accom- 
panies this  brief  mention  <if  ins  life. 


r^ 


LIVER  E.  GOLDSIVHTH.  This  prominent 
citizen  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Plainwell 
Ilainbletonian  Stables.  He  is  counted  among 
the  old  settlers  of  the  county  and  has  been  ver^- 
eflicient  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  village  of  I'lain- 
well.  He  is  a  good  judge  of  horsellesli  and  keejjs 
sonic  very  valuable  animals  in  his  staliles. 

Oliver  (ioldsniith  was  born  in  Tioga  County, 
Pa.,  October  23,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  AlMaliani 
D.  Goldsmith,  whose  l)iithplaee  was  Heme,  .VI- 
bany  County,  N.  Y.  The  latter-named  gentle- 
man went  to  Tioga  County,  Pa.,  when  a  young 
man  and  engaged  in  lumbering  and  farming.  He 
later  made  the  IJnpire  State  his  iiome  by  locat- 
ing ill  Steuben  County  in  IS  13,  wlieiue  hi'  re- 
moved to  Monroe  County.  In  lcS15  he  eaiiie  to 
tiuii  Plain  Township,  Allegan  County,  wheie  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  land.  Tlie  ciuiiitiy  was  very 
new  at  that  time,  and  the  iiardships  and  priva- 
tions which  lie  eiidure(l  made  a  l;is(iny^  impression 
upon  Ills  iiiiuil.  Iii(li:nis  were  |ileiilirul,  ;is  were 
also  wild  animals,  thus  the  dangers  were  great 
through  which  lliey  passed  in  inaUing  the  country 
ftcoessible  to  those  who  cMiiie  aft<'r.  lb'  died  in 
18(;5,  when  in  his  lifty-lifth  year. 

.loshua  R.  ( ioldsmilli,  the  graiidf;illi(  r  of  our 
subject,  was   a    native    of   Long  Isiaml.  ;iii(l  was  a 


I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


413 


man  of  line  education,  having  tanght  school  for 
forty  years.  He  was  the  author  of  a  booli  and 
contributed  many  able  articles  to  the  newspapers. 
He  was  a  patriot  ui  the  War  of  1812,  and  died  in 
Jackson  County,  this  State,  at  tlie  advanced  age 
of  ninety-three  years.  He  remembered  siiaking 
iiands  with  (!en.  Washington  when  a  schoolboy. 
The  great-giand father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revo- 
lution. The  early  settlers  of  this  family  came 
from  England.  Our  subject's  mother  was  Henri- 
etta (Krusen)  (ioldsmitli,  and  she  was  bom  in  New 
Jersey,  January  13,  181G.  She  was  married  to 
Mr.  Goldsmitli  in  New  York.  Our  subject  is  the 
only  one  of  their  six  children  now  living.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  died  on  the  8th  of  March, 
1892,  at  the  home  of  our  sul)ject,  aged  seventy- 
six  years,  one  month  and  twenty-one  days. 

Oliver  E.  (iolilsmith  was  eight  j'ears  of  age  at 
tlie  time  his  parents  removed  to  Michigan  and 
located  in  (Jun  Plain  Township.  lie  attended 
school  in  a  little  log  schoolhouse  with  slab  seats 
and  stationary  desks  around  the  wall.  .So  anxious 
was  he  to  obtain  a  good  education  that  he  walked 
three  miles  to  and  fro  daily  in  attending  school, 
and  there  ac(iuired  a  good  elementary  education, 
which  he  has  later  supplemented  with  judicious 
reading. 

Our  subject  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of 
clearing  the  farm  from  timber  and  underlirush. 
He  often  drew  logs  to  the  sawmill  in  winters  and 
applied  himself  industriously  to  whatever  he  was 
called  upon  to  do.  Mr.  Goldsmith  was  very  fond 
of  hunting,  and,  indeed,  in  those  early  days,  when 
wild  anim.als  were  so  plentiful,  he  had  many  op- 
portunities for  showing  his  skill  .as  a  marksman. 
He  could  kill  a  deer  running  as  well  as  standing- 
still,  and  was  considered  a  good  shot.  Indians 
often  came  to  their  home  begging  for  food,  and 
many  times  staid  all  night  with  the  family,  sleep- 
ing upon  tlie  floor  in  front  of  the  Hre. 

After  attaining  his  niajorit\r,  the  gentleman  of 
whom  we  write  worked  at  lumbering,  having 
charge  of  a  gang  of  men  in  Allegan  County. 
He  later  farmed  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land  in  (inn  Plain  Township  for  awhile,  and 
then  had  charge  of  a  gang  of  men  in  the  grading 
of  the    Michigan  dt    Ohio  Railroad.     In    August, 


1879,  he  exchanged  his  farm  property  for  pro))- 
erty  in  Piainwell,  where  he  has  a  cherry  orchard 
of  about  three  hundred  bearing  trees.  He  began 
in  his  jn-esent  business  by  breeding  horses,  his 
first  standard-bred  being  "Countersign."  He  has 
since  handled  such  hor.ses  as  "Thatcher  Hamble- 
tonian,"  "Great  Western,"  "American  Boy," 
"Tramp,  Jr.,"  "Goldfoil,"  and  "Alger,"  all  noted 
sires. 

Miss  Caroline  Davis  became  Mrs.  Oliver  E. 
Goldsmith  in  1875.  She  was  a  native  of  Maine 
and  came  to  Michigan  with  her  parents.  They 
have  no  children  of  their  own,  but  are  perform- 
ing the  part  of  parents  to  an  adopted  son,  John 
D.  In  politics,  Mr.  Goldsmith  is  a  Democrat,  and 
socially,  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order. 
Mrs.  Goldsmith  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Our  subject  has  been  Secretary  of  the  Piainwell 
Fair  Association,  and  is  given  the  credit  of  being 
the  pioneer  horsebreeder  in  Allegan  County. 


-^ 


"^1  AMES  S.  HUDSON.  Among  the  prominent 
residents  of  Ganges  Township,  Allegan 
County,  wlio  are  living  retired  from  the  act- 
ive duties  of  life,  we  are  pleased  to  mention 
James  [ludson.  He  makes  his  home  on  his  flue 
fruit  farm  of  forty  acres,  on  section  14,  but  through 
the  industry  of  earlier  yeai-s  has  accumulated  a 
competency,  and  is  now  enabled  to  spend  his  latter 
days  in  peace  and  quiet. 

Our  subject  was  born  October  16.  1831,  in  Sara- 
toga County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  son  of  Polodore 
and  Harriet  Hudson.  The  father  w.as  born  in 
Williamstown,  Mass.,  October  2,  17!)7,  and  by  his 
studious  h.abits  was  enabled  to  educate  himself,  as 
his  father  died  when  he  was  quite  young,  and  he 
was  thus  comjielled  to  do  for  himself.  He  went  to 
work  on  a  farm  wlien  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  line  of  work  until  reaching  his  ma- 
jority. 

When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  Polodore  Hudson 
w.as  married  to  the  mother  of  our  subject,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Harriet  G.  Morehouse.  Mrs. 
Hudson  was  born    August    17,    17i)l),  and  was  the 


414 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


daughter  of  Aaron  and  Parthena  Morehouse.  Her 
father  was  a  tanner  and  shoemaker  by  trade,  and 
during  the  AVar  of  1812  lie  contracted  with  llie 
Goveruraent  to  furnish  the  soldiers  with  shoes. 
Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Morehouse  reared  a  faniily  i>f  nine 
children. 

After  their  marriage  the  parents  of  our  subject 
came  to  the  Wolverine  State,  and  located  in  IVittlc 
Creek,  where  were  but  two  houses  wliere  that 
prosperous  cit^'  now  stands.  He  was  the  first  .Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  in  the  above-named  city,  and 
married  the  fii-st  couple  in  Calhoun  County.  Tiie 
following  seven  children  were  the  brothers  and 
sisters  of  our  subject:  Aaron  G.,  Charles  1).,  Hon. 
r.radley  P.,  Sarah  P.,  Sophia;  Hiram,  who  married 
Ann  Hillings;  and  Andrew  K..  now  deceased.  All 
of  the  above-named  children,  with  the  exception  of 
Aaron  G.  and  Hiram,  are  deceased.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Hudson  wa-i  a  ^VIlig,  and  later  a  Republican. 
In  religious  matters  he,  with  his  wife,  was  a  Presby- 
terian. 

Our  subject  is  a  trul3'  self-made  man.  as  ho  never 
attended  school  but  three  months  in  his  life,  and 
is  to-day  Ihoroughly  convei-sant  u[)on  nil  topics  of 
general  interest,  having  acquired  a  fund  of  infor- 
mation by  systematic  reading.  Like  his  f;illicr,  lie 
started  out  in  life  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  work- 
ing for  >f^>  a  month.  Several  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  railroading  on  the  Michigan  Central  li;ul- 
road.  .So  capable  was  he  in  jjcrforming  the  duties 
assigned  him,  that,  witiiin  a  twelvemonth  after 
entering  the  service  of  the  company,  he  was  pro- 
moted t«i  the  jiosition  of  fireman.  He  remained 
thus  only  tliree  months,  when  he  w.is  given  an  en- 
gine, whieli  he  ran  for  seven  years. 

.Vftcr  abandoning  the  railroad,  Air.  Hudson  lo- 
i-ated  eighty  acres  <>{  land  on  section  11,  Ganges 
Township.  In  l«5fi  he  moved  to  his  present  place, 
wlierc.  in>lc!i(l  of  the  bcMutiful  house  and  pleasant 
surrounding,'.'-  which  the  traveler  may  now  .sec,  was 
nothin<.'  but  a  log  cabin,  set  in  the  mid.st  of  an  un- 
broken wilderncA-*.  He  began  thus  in  life  with 
but  lifly  cent- in  his  pocket,  and  is  to-day  one  of 
the  well-to-do  citizens  of  liis  township.  .Mi.  IIimI- 
»on  wtf  <|nite  a  mu>-ician,  and  l.-iu^rhl  that  art  dur- 
ing llie  wint«'r  months,  giving  hi.s  attention  to  his 
farm    in  the  Miinuner.     After    taking  a    cour.se  in 


music,  he  accepted  a  position  to  travel  with  a  con- 
cert c<mipany.  and  was  thus  eng.aged  for  several 
years.  He  is  the  author  of  many  beautiful  vocal 
compositions,  and  was  much  sought  after  in  musical 
circles  in  his  earlier  3'ears. 

Air.  Hudson  became  general  traveling  agent  for 
AValter  AVood,  who  was  engaged  in  the  binder  and 
mower  business,  his  territory  Ij'ing  in  ten  different 
States.  He  was  married  to  Aliss  Rebecca  J.  French, 
January  1,  1853,  and  of  their  union  were  born 
seven  children:  Stella  AI.,  Edith  M.;  Alinnie  AI., 
deceased;  Herbert  D.,  A'ictor,  Roy  C.  and  .lames. 
.Ir.,  the  latter  two  at  home.  Airs.  Hudson  died 
.tunc  21\,  1879,  and  our  subject  was  a  second  time 
married  to  Susan  II.  AA'ilson. 


[0/ 


^AAIES  D.  (JRAIIAAl.  a  representative  far- 
merresiding  on  section  13,  ( 'hesliirc 'Pown- 
sliip,  Allegan  County,  was  born  April  8, 
1830,  in  County  Sligo,  Ireland.  Tlie  fam- 
ily came  to  America  in  1817,  and  settled  in  Canada, 
our  subject  being  then  seventeen  years  obi.  In 
18-i;>  he  went  to  the  State  of  New  York  and  com- 
iiienced  working  on  his  own  account  in  a  sawmill 
where  he  remained  enii)loycd  for  eight  years. 

Mr,  Graham  was  married,  in  1853,  to  Aliss  Ca- 
therine Puller,  a  native  of  New  A'ork  who  was  born 
in  1838.  Six  years  after  their  marriage  they 
came  to  Alicbigan  and  settled  in  this  e(ninty  and 
township,  and  the  next  year  settled  upon  his  ]ires- 
cnt  farm,  lie  has  added  to  his  original  purchase  and 
now  has  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres,  one  hun- 
dred of  which  are  under  line  cultivation.  On  Ibis 
place  general  farming  is  carried  on,  and  Air. 
Graham  himself  has  done  all  thi^  clearing.  He 
erected  his  present  residence  about  twelve  years 
ago  and  one  barn,  3((xl5.  with  a  wing  12x15;  he 
had  also  erected  two  other  barns.  He  has  a  fine 
orchard  of  four  acres  of  apple  trees.  AVlien  he 
first  settled  here  there  were  no  roads  at  all  and  the 
place  w.'is  in  an  entirely  wild  slate.  He  creeled  a 
b(i;u(l  house  in  which  lie  and  liis  f.'iniily  lived  for 
S(nne  time. 

The  gi'iitleiiian  of  whom  we  write  niid  his  wife 
have  been  blessed    by    the    liiilli    of  nine  ehildien. 


i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


415 


;ill  now  li\'ing,  nuiiioly:  .loliii  ]!.;  .Tiilia  Ann  (Mrs. 
I  I()iac'(?  K  Idled);  Georjic  (J.;  Alifo  K.  (Mrs.  li.  Hunt- 
ley); .I.anies  1).;  Andrew  F.;  Laura  A.  (Mrs.  C. 
Hillman);  Charles  D.;  and  Bertie  H.  The  parents 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  Chiireh  in  good  stand- 
iny  and  Mr.  (irahani  is  a  Deaeon  and  also  a  Trvistec. 
He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  Snnday- 
sehool,  havinsf  been  a  teacher  and  Su|)erintendent 
in  the  same.  He  has  given  all  ills  eiiildren  a  good 
schooling,  and  Ave  of  tiiem  are  now  married  and 
have  homes  of  their  own.  The  office  of  Assessor 
of  the  School  District  has  been  his  for  twelve 
years;  in  jjolitics  he  atHhates  witli  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  has  served  as  Drain  Commissioner 
of  Cheshire  four  years  and  had  the  township 
drained,  but  little  having  been  done  before  this. 
His  sou,  John  B.,  is  engaged  in  breeding  fine 
draft   horses. 


AMES  P.  FITCH,  a  resident  f.irmer  on 
section  0,  Casco  Township,  Allegan  County, 
was  born  in  1818,  his  birthplace  being  Lima 
Township,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.  He  is 
a  son  of  Elias  and  Frances  Fitch.  Elias  Fitch  was 
born  about  1790  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  reared  in  the  village  of  Cooperstown,  where  he 
attended  school  with  James  Fenimore  Cooper.  His 
education  was  limited  to  the  common  schools,  jet 
his  wide  range  of  reading  extended  over  most  of 
the  current  topics  of  the  day.  When  eighteen 
years  old,  he  moved  to  Rhode  Island  and  so(m 
went  upon  the  high  seas,  sailing  for  three  years, 
visiting  many  of  tiie  different  parts  of  the  world. 
While  at  Spain,  one  time,  he  witnessed  the  bat- 
tle between  the  French  and  English.  During  the 
War  of  1812,  his  vessel  was  captured  while  in  Brit- 
ish waters,  and  the  crew  were  all  taken  prisoners 
and  were  not  released  until  after  the  close  of  the 
war.  Previous  to  this  incident,  the  ship  was  cap- 
tured bj-  pirates,  but  the  crew  soon  overpowered 
them  and  got  away. 

After  his  return  from  the  sea  the  father  of  our 
subject  went  back  to  las  home  in  New  York  and 
was  married  to  Frances    Davison,  a  daughter  of 


Paul  and  Sarah  ((iould)  Davison,  l)oth  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Connecticut.  Mr.  Davison  served 
seven  j-ears  in  the  Revolutionarj'  War  as  a  musi- 
cian. In  1811),  Elias  Fitch  with  his  small  family 
settled  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  being  one  of 
the  earliest  pioneers  there.  He  located  in  a  vast 
wilderness  on  an  unimproved  farm.  To  him  and 
his  wife  were  born  nine  children,  named  as  follows: 
James  P.,  Norman  D.,  Rouenna,  deceased;  W^illiam; 
John,  deceased;  Sarah,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Linus 
Bathrick;  Frederick,  deceased;  Marj-,  and  Charles, 
a  member  of  the  Twenty-fourth  New  York  J^ight 
Artillery ,who  died  in  Andersonville  Prison, in  1864. 
Politically,  Elias  Fitch  was  a  strong  Dem<jcrat.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  and  stood  bj'  his  order  during  the  stormy 
times  of  the  Morgan  trouble.  He  and  his  wife  be- 
longed to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
died  at  the  homestead  in  AVjoming  County,  in 
1876,  his  good  wife  surviving  him  several  years. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Paul  Fitch, 
who  married  Eliza  Preston,  both  natives  of  Con- 
necticut.. The  maternal  grandfather  Preston  was 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  fought  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Bunker  Hill,  having  seventeen  rounds  of  am- 
munition, and  also  at  Ston_y  Point,  where  the  Brit- 
ish garrison  was  captured. 

Tiie  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  AVyoming  County,  N.  Y., 
remaining  under  the  parental  roof  until  twentj- 
four  years  old.  At  this  age  he  went  to  Wisconsin 
and  squatted  on  one  hundred  and  sixtj'  acres  of 
Indian  land  before  it  w.as  surveyed.  He  remained 
in  that  State  about  twenty-five  years,  carrying  on 
farming,  and  in  the  winters  lumbering  for  a  num- 
ber of  3'ears.  He  returned  to  New  York  State,  in 
1852,  and  on  October  7  was  married  to  Lorinda 
Hampton,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Hampton.  The 
couple  returned  to  Wisconsin,  but  the  jjrivations 
and  trials  were  too  severe  for  Mrs.  Fitch  and  she 
soon  died.  In  1861,  Mr.  Fitch  was  married  to  Ro- 
setta  Hampton,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  To  them 
have  been  born  five  children.  Two  died  when 
quite  young.  Those  living  are  Charles  L.,  Rosa 
B.  and  Mary,  the  wife  of  John  McCarty.  Mr. 
Fitch  came  to  Michigan  in  1870  and  settled  on  his 
present  estate   of   forty    acres    of   splendidly    im- 


llfi 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


[.luvud  land  uii  wliicli  he  has  erected  a  convenient 
and  attractive  residence.  Here  a  gracious  liospi- 
tality  is  dispensed  and  the  family  are  held  in 
high  esteem  )n'  their  many  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

Mr.  Fitch  entered  the  service  of  his  country  in 
1M(M.  enlisting  in  Cc>nipany  K,  Eighth  Wi.<consiu 
Infantry.  His  regiment  was  attached  to  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  he  participated  in  the  liattles 
of  Hatchies  Run,  Petersburg,  and  P"t.  Sedgwick. 
He  was  honorahh'  discliarged  at  Washington,. June 
2,  1865.  He  is  now  one  of  the  leading  members  of 
Zacii  Ciiandler  Post,  No.  35,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fitch  are  consistent  and  valued  members  of 
tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  C'liurcli. 


-5- 


__-© 


w^-^^<m^^- 


••^lA 


ILKS  FOSTER,  who  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  on  section  20.  Trowbridge  Town- 
lB  ship,  Allegan  County,  was  born  in  the 
Ruckcye  State,  his  birth  occurring  in  Lo- 
rain County,  June  15,  1833.  His  father,  Archi- 
bald Foster,  a  native  of  New  York,  was  boin  in 
November.  1799.  and  by  trade  was  a  siioemakcr, 
but  in  later  life  followed  farming.  AVhen  a  boy  he 
went  to  Ohio,  where  he  became  acquainted  with 
and  married  Kli/.a  Mann,  daughter  of  Enos  Mann, 
a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  Her  death  occurred 
when  our  subject  was  four  years  old,  being  caused 
by  a  ■stroke  of  lightning.  F(uir  children  were  born 
of  that  union,  of  whom  two  sons  and  a  daughter 
are  now  living:  .1.  M.  is  now  a  resident  of  Battle 
Creek,  Mich.;  (1.  M.  is  now  deceased;  Miles  is  the 
next  younger,  and  Eliza  Ann  is  the  wife  of  Rob- 
ert Emmons,  of  Trowbridge  Township.  After  the 
deatli  of  his  lli-st  wife,  ^[r.  Foster  w.-is  again  mar- 
ri('d.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  the  spring  of  1851, 
and  for  a  linic  lived  with  his  children,  but  after- 
ward removed  to  a  smsill  farm  of  his  own.  He 
died  and  was  laiti  to  rest  in  .Mallery  Cemetery. 

As  before  .stated,  our  subject  lost  his  mother 
wluMi  but  n  young  hid, contrary  (o  the  general  oi)in- 
lon  in  reganl  toslepmolhers,lie  foiuni  in  his,a  tender 
and  loving  protector,  who  manifested  no  difference 
in  hiT  feeling  lielwi-en  her  own  children  and  those 
of  (he  first  niarnagi-.      As  the  father  was  in  IlMiitcrl 


circumstances,  his  educational  advantages  were  nec- 
essarily meager,  lu  1853,  with  his  brotiier  (ieorge, 
he  came  to  Michigan  and  worked  for  AVilliam 
Porter  for  a  year,  receiving  §20  per  month  as  a 
compensation  for  his  services.  He  then  worked  in 
the  pineries  one  winter,  after  whicii  one  season 
was  spent  in  the  employ  of  Daniel  F\ister,  and  the 
next  as  fireman  to  Wells  &  .Tohnson's  mill  at  Sau- 
gatiK-k.  lie  then  settled  upon  his  present  farm, 
comprising  eighty  acres,  that  was  almost  in  its 
l)riinitive  condition.  A  heavily  timbered  tracts  hut 
off  all  view,  and  his  neighbors  were  few  and  far 
between.  Only  one  living  in  this  community  at  that 
time  yet  abides.  A  log  cabin  was  liuilt  upon  Mr. 
Foster's  farm,  and  he  at  once  began  clearing  away 
the  timber  and  improving  his  land,  and  in  a  short 
time,  owing  to  his  industry  and  energy,  the  light 
of  day  shone  upon  fifty  acres  of  cleared  land. 

In  the  year  1857,  Mr.  Foster  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Jliss  Henrietta,  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  .lane  (Laraunj'an)  Brown,  who  came 
to  Michigan  in  1851  and  settled  upon  the  farm 
which  is  now  the  home  of  our  subject.  Tiie  father 
died  in  188(;,  and  the  mother  passed  away  in  l)S9(i. 
Mrs.  F^ostcr  was  born  in  F'ebruary,  1838,  and  died 
in  1877,  respected  l)_y  all  who  knew  her.  In  Jsinu- 
ary,  1880,  our  subject  was  again  married,  iiis  sec- 
ond union  being  with  Frances  Schuyler,  daughter 
of  .lohn  and  Catherine  Schuyler,  and  one  of  a 
family  of  five  children  yet  living.  Ilcr  parents 
came  to  Michigan  in  185(5,  and  are  now  residents 
of  Kalamazoo  County.  Mrs.  l'\)ster  w.<is  boin  Sep- 
tembei'  9,  1853.  I'>y  her  marriage  she  became  the 
motiier  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  ari'  yet 
living:  Schuyler  G.,  Florence  and  Lura. 

The  lioiiie  of  tliis  cxcelienl  family  is  a  valua- 
ble farm  of  eighty-eight  acres,  wiiicii  was  cleared 
and  improved  by  Mi-.  Foster,  lie  now  has  nearly 
the  entire  aniount  under  t'\illi\-:il  ion,  ;iiid  besides 
his  own  farm  lias  cleared  over  one  hundred  .-icres 
addilion:il.  The  buildings  were  all  erected  by  hini- 
.self, and  stand  as  monuments  to  liis  thrill  ;nid  ent<'i- 
])rise.  To  genenil  farming  he  d<'\'otes  his  entire 
attention, and  to  the  raising  of  Durluim  cattle.  He 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  pr.'iclical  ;nul  reinesenl- 
ative  farmers  of  tiie  coniniunil  \',  and  is  also  num- 
beri'il    among   the    piil)lic-spiritc(l   and  progressive 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


11 : 


citizens.  He  and  liis  wife  .'ire  nii'nilii'i'.s  of  the 
(■range,  and  in  politie.-i,  lie  is  iiidepi-iident  and  has 
lield  the  olliee  of  Moderator  of  his  district  for 
three  years.  Interests  calculated  to  benefit  the 
coinmunity  have  ever  received  his  hearty' support 
and  co-operation.  lie  ijave  the  site  for  the  school- 
house  and  ])ut  up  the  hiiildinii'  iiiniself.  His  chief 
amiiition  now  is  to  give  his  children  gxiod  educa- 
tional advantages,  thus  fitting  tliein  for  the  prac- 
tical duties  of  life  and  he  has  lived  to  see  them 
become  useful  men  and  vvtunen. 


-^.^••S*.^.^ 


•{••{••i'^'F 


^^^SA  C.  GOODRICH,  M.  D.  This  honored 
(@1U\  and  respected  citizen  of  Ganges  Town- 
ship, Allegan  County,  is  residing  upon 
his  tract  of  ninety-two  acres  on  section  2, 
twenty  acres  of  which  is  in  fruit.  He  thoroughly 
understands  his  calling  and  finds  that  the  best  me- 
thods and  latest  improvements  in  agriculture  bring 
him  the  largest  returns. 

Dr.  Goodrich  was  born  in  1834,  in  St.  Law- 
rence County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  son  of  Chauncy 
and  Hannah  Goodrich.  His  father  was  born  in 
Connecticut  in  1786  and  was  there  reared  on  a 
farm.  In  his  _yonth  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
shoemaker,  tanner  and  currier,  serving  an  ap- 
prenticeshiii  qf  seven  years.  When  a  j'oung  man 
he  moved  to  New  York  and  there  met  and  married 
the  mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Hannah  Brayton.  Fourteen  children  were 
born  of  their  union,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  remaining  twelve  were  named  Henry  C; 
George  A.;  Dr.  Chauncy  B.,  deceased;  Charles  L.; 
James  R.;  our  subject;  Wesley;  Dr.  Lewis  and  Eli- 
zabeth C,  deceased;  Sarah;  Lucy;  and  Eveline. 

The  father  of  our  subject  emigrated  to  the  Wol- 
verine State  in  1855  with  his  family,  locating  on 
the  present  farm  of  Dr.  Asa,  which  then  consisted 
of  fifty-two  acres.  There  he  built  a  plank  house 
and  commenced  the  work  of  clearing  and  improv- 
ing his  farm.  Two  years  after  locating  here,  his 
good  wife  died  and  he  was  again  married,  this  time 
to  Mrs.  Jane  Lemon.  To  them  was  born  one  son, 
Hiram,  our  subject's  father  at  that  time  being  seven- 
t3'-two  vfars  old.  In  politics,  Chauncy  Goodrich  was 


a  Whig.  He  passed  from  this  life  in  180-1,  aged 
seventy-eight  years. 

Asa  C.  (ioodrich  was  given  a  good  ('ducation 
and  early  began  the  study  of  medicine  at  Battle 
Creek,  this  State.  He  completed  his  course  in  the 
Michigan  University  in  18(55,  and,  returning  to 
what  is  now  his  present  home,  and  which  he  had 
purchased  some  time  previously,  he  practiced  his 
profession  for  twelve  years.  He  superintended 
the  work  on  the  farm  during  that  period,  and  al- 
though he  was  flatteringly  successful  in  his  prac- 
tice, at  the  expiration  of  twelve  years,  he  gave 
his  entire  tune  and  attention  to  the  cultivation  of 
his  property.  His  place  is  supplied  with  all  the 
buildings  which  best  serve  the  purposes  of  an 
agriculturist  and,  all  in  all,  he  is  one  of  the  well-to- 
do  citizens  of  Ganges  Township. 

In  1865  our  subject  and  Miss  Emily,  daughter 
of  Joseph  K.  and  Esther  Hill,  were  united  in  mar- 
riage. To  them  have  been  born  three  children, 
one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Maude  is  the  wife 
of  George  Sinclair,  of  New  York  City,  and  with 
her  husband  is  a  graduate  of  the  Peter  Cooper  In- 
stitute of  that  cit3'.  Mildred  L.  is  attending 
school  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.  Mrs.  Emily  Goodrich 
passed  from  this  life  in  1872,  gi'eatly  respected  by 
all  who  knew  her. 

Asa  C.  Goodrich  was  a  second  time  married,  in 
1877,  to  Miss  Florence  Loomis,  daughter  of  Levi 
and  Sally  Loomis,  whose  sketch  appears  on  another 
page  in  this  volume.  In  politics,  Mr.  Goodrich  is 
a  Prohibitionist  and  has  done  much  to  aid  the 
cause  of  temperance  in  this  section.  He  and  his 
wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  and  have  a  large  circle  of  warm 
friends  in  Ganges  Township. 


♦==*^-> 


_y 


"iT?  OSEPII  CROW,  who  is  residing  on  section 
25,  Casco  Township,  Allegan  County,  was 
born  in  Burlington  County',  N.  J.,  October 
^_^  4,  1822.  He  is  the  son  of  George  and 
Susan  Crow.  The  father  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1786,  emigrating  to  America  with  his  parents  when 
twelve  years  old.     He  was  given  a  good  education 


418 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


in  the  model  schools  of  his  native  coiintiy  and 
after  coming  to  the  United  Stales  mastered  the 
English  language  at  the  schools  in  New  Jei-sey. 

^^oon  after  making  this  coimtrj-  their  home,  the 
father  of  George  Crow  bound  him  out  to  John 
Dobbins,  with  whom  he  remained  nntil  reaching 
his  majority.  He  was  treated  vevy  much  as  the 
slaves  were  in  the  South  and  soon  after  leaving 
his  taskmaster  learned  the  trades  of  a  brickmaker 
and  woolen  weaver.  He  was  married  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five  to  Susannah  Johnson,  who  was  a  native 
of  New  Jersey.  In  1834  they  moved  to  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  wliere  they  remained  a  twelvemontli 
and  then  went  to  Randolph  County,  the  same 
State,  wliere  they  located  on  a  tract  of  forty  acres. 
He  was  soon  enabled  to  add  forty  acre^  more  to 
liis  purchase,  all  of  which  he  brought  to  a  good 
degree  of  cultivation.  He  was  a  pioneer  of  that 
region  and  when  emigrating  thither  was  five  weeks 
making  the  journey. 

The  nine  children  comprising  the  parental 
family  were  named  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  Mary; 
John  and  William  deceased;  George;  our  subject: 
Anna  deceased;  Susan  and  Rachel.  The  father  of 
our  sul)ject  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
co|)al  Cliurch,  while  his  mother  was  identified  with 
the  Society  of  Eriends.  In  politics,  the  elder  Mr. 
Crow  was  lir.sta  Eree-soiler  and  later  a  Whig.  His 
death  occurred  July  24,  184!),  at  which  time  he  was 
acciden  tally  killed  by  a  runaway  team. 

The  education  of  our  subject  was  (juite  limited, 
as  the  family  located  in  the  wilderness  in  Indiana 
where  sclif>ols  were  considered  more  of  a  luxury 
than  n  necessity.  Wiien  reaching  his  majority-,  he 
commenced  to  earn  money  bj^  working  out  on 
farms  by  the  month.  A  few  years  later  he  was 
married  to  Asenatli,  daugliter  of  Hugh  and  l']liza- 
lietli  Woody,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and 
(junkers  in  religion.  'I'he  parents  of  IMis.  Crow 
were  early  pitmeers  of  the  Hoosier  State  and  had 
born  to  them  a  family  r)f  eleven  children,  tliree  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  The  remaining  eight 
were:  .losiiiia  and  .\nthony  now  deceased;  Mary, 
Harriet,  Alsoii  ('•.,  Zenoali,  Aaron  and  I^ouis. 

Afl<'r  his  marriage  Jose|)li  Crow  took  charge  of 
his  fatlieiV  estate  for  a  nnmbi'r  of  years,  after 
which  he  made  various  reiiioval.-*  in   Indiana  until 


1870,  when  became  to  Allegan  County.  His  first 
purchase  of  huul  here  was  twenty  .acres  of  what  is 
now  his  splendid  farm,  but  whicli  was  then  in  its 
primitive  condition.  He  has  since  added  forty 
acres  more  to  his  jiossessions  and  I)y  a  proper 
rotation  of  crops  reaps  a  fine  income. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crow  of  this  sketch  have  been 
born  eleven  children,  three  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  JIaitin  I.,  is  residing  in  Kansas;  Soph- 
ronia  A.,  is  the  wife  of  D.  E.  Palmer,  of  JMissouri; 
George  H.  and  llattie  A.,  wlio  is  tiie  wife  of  Charles 
H.  Crary,  are  deceased;  .lolin  C.  E.,  who  makes  his 
iiome  in  Casco  Township;  Alary,  Mrs.  S.  Caniblin; 
Aiiiin.  the  second  wife  of  C.  11.  Crary,  and  William 
H.,  residing  in  Casco  Township.  Our  sul)jecl  and 
his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Claucli  and  in  politics  he  is  a  strong    Reiiuhlicnn. 


©"" 


_^] 


^+^ 


(3- 


=*=^^H|H^;=-^ 


.VKNUISI  H.  DILEEY.  This  progressive 
buiness  man  of  Lacota  is  engaged  in  diar- 
coal  burning  and  also  buys  and  ships  grain. 
He  is  very  successful  in  his  undertaking  and  is 
highly  esteemed  in  his  coiiuiiunity  jis  an  upright 
and  honest  citizen.  He  w.is  horn  in  Nottingham, 
Ohio,  in  18.")f),and  w.as  eight  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  came  to  Michigan  and  located  in  tieneva 
Township,  Van  liuren  County. 

Our  subject  is  the  son  of  \'arnuin  I),  .and  l\Iar- 
garet  J.(Eddy)  Dilley.  The  father  is  a  native  of 
the  Buckeye  State,  where  bis  birth  occurred  in 
1824,  and  tiie  mother  hailed  from  New  York.  Tlie 
elder  Mr.  Dilley  was  one  in  a  family  of  seven 
children,  of  wliom  we  give  the  following:  T. 
Charles  died  in  Ander.sonville  prison  during  the 
late  war;  Varnum  I>.  was  the  second  in  order  of 
birth;  Harris  is  deceased;  Darwin  resides  in  Cleve- 
land, Ohio;  Cl-iy  nuikcs  his  home  in  Cliicago; 
Corwin  died  in  the  army,  and  Caroline  is  .Mrs. 
Natliaii  1.(11(1  Mild  resides  in  Euclid,  Ohio. 

Tiic  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were 
Asa  and  Mary  (Johnson)  DiUey,  wlio  were  .among 
the  early  settlers  of  Cayuga  ('((iiiily.  Ohio.  The 
original  of  lliissketcli  was  rcMicd  on  m  t':iriii  and 
received  a  eoiniiiou  school  cdmalioii.  When 
reaching  his  sixteenth  year,  he  attended  school   for 


M"  VV.  D.  SM  ITH  . 


il 


W.D.SMITH. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


423 


a  twelveniontli  near  Cleveland.  Later  lie  clerked 
a  few  years  for  a  Mr.  Adam  White  of  Lacota  and 
managed  his  store  for  a  period  after  his  death.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  engaged  in  business  for 
himself,  hut  soon  sold  out  his  interests  in  that 
direction  and  established  himself  in  the  charcoal 
business,  in  connection  with  K.  Oraves,  also  buying 
and  shiiiping  grain  on  his  own  account.  He  is 
wide-awake  and  progressive  and  is  making  a  suc- 
cess of  his  undertaking. 

Jlr.  Dilley  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1880  to 
Miss  Hattie  White,  a  very  intelligent  and  estimalile 
lady.  Carrie  Dilley,  a  sister  of  our  subject,  became 
the  wife  of  AVilliam  IJurlingame  and  is  now  de- 
ceased. His  twin  brother,  Marshall,  is  residing  in 
Lacota.  Socially,  he  of  whom  we  write  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at 
Lacota,  and  in  politics  is  a  strong  Re|3ublican. 


>    >' 


T"«-r-    '-r«'-ir 


ILLIAM  D.    SMITH.     Among  the  promi- 
'/    nent  and  influential  citizens  of  Kalamazoo 


County,  we  are  pleased  to  mention  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  who  is  residing  on  an  excel- 
lent farm  on  section  4,  Portage  Township.  His 
estate  is  embellished  with  all  needful  farm  build- 
ings, and  Mr.  Smith  believes  that  the  latest  im- 
provements and  best  methods  in  agriculture  bring 
him  in  the  largest  returns. 

Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  was  the  native 
place  of  our  subject,  his  birth  occurring  September 
18,  1824.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Catherine 
(Ditzler)  Smith,  the  father  a  native  of  the  same 
State  and  county  as  was  his  son,  and  the  mother, 
born  in  Wurtemberg,  (jermany.  Mrs.  Smith  died 
in  Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  after  having  be- 
come the  mother  of  eight  children,  of  whom  Will- 
iam  D.  was  the  eldest. 

The  latter  was  reared  upon  tiie  home  farm,  and 
remained  in  the  Keystone  Stale  until  1860,  at 
which  time  he  came  to  St.  Joseph  Coimty,  and  lo- 
cated near  Constantine,  where  he  resided  until 
after  the  Civil  War.  Then,  selling  his  farm,  he  re- 
turned to  Penns^'lvania,  and  after  a  year  spent  in 
his  old  home,  again  came  to  Michigan,  this  time 
purchasing  property  in  Prairie  Ronde  Township, 
19 


this  county.  There  he  operated  a  farm  for  some 
ten  years,  when  he  sold  and  located  on  his  present 
estate  which  comprises  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres. 

October  3,  1871,  Mr.  Smith  and  Miss  Cordelia 
Childs  were  united  in  marriage  in  Northumberland 
County,  Pa.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  what  is  now 
Montour  County,  that  State,  December  9,  18.31. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Rachel  (Apple- 
man)  Childs,  both  of  whom  died  in  the  above- 
named  county.  Our  subject  has  always  devoted 
his  time  and  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil, 
and  ranks  among  the  wealthy  and  progressive  agri- 
culturists of  the  county.  With  his  wife,  he  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  liody  he  has  been  Deacon  and 
Elder. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  is  directed  to  the 
lithographic  portraits  of  Mr.  Smith  and  his  estim- 
able wife,  which  are  presented  in   tliis  connection. 


I^ss^  HADRACH  II.  HAMLIN.     On    section    7, 

^^^    Casco  Township,  Allegan  County,  may  be 

(ll/jft  seen  a  beautiful  farm  of  one  hundred  and 

eighty-six  acres,  which  is   the  property    of 

Mr.  Hamlin,  of  this  sketch.     Twenty-five  acres  of 

his  estate  is  in  fruit,  of  which  he  has  some  splendid 

varieties.     He  was  born  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  in 

18.32,  and  is  the    son    of    James   E.    and    Matilda 

(Jones)  Hamlin. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  also  laorn  in  Stark 
County,  Ohio,  in  1808,  but  his  mother  was  a  native 
of  A'irginia.  The  elder  Mr.  Hamlin  spent  his  early 
years  upon  a  farm  and  in  attendance  at  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  made  the  best  of  his  limited  op- 
portunities for  an  education,  and  became  an  in- 
telligent and  well-read  man.  When  reaching  his 
majority  he  established  a  hearthstone  of  his  own, 
and  married  Matilda,  daughter  of  Jordan  Jones. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Hamlin  died  when  she  was  an 
infant,  and  she  was  taken  into  the  home  of  an 
aunt  and  given  a  good  education. 

James  E.  Hamlin  was  very  economical,  and  with 
the  *90  which  his  father  gave  him  soon  after  starting 


424 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


out  in  life,  was  enabled  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  Stark  County.  Ohio,  which  was  the  last  Gov- 
ernment land  bought  in  Lexington  Townsliip.  Tiie 
parent;;  continued  to  live  upon  that  farm  until  18()1, 
when  the  fatlier  traded  the  property  for  one  hun- 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  31.  (ianges 
Township,  Allegan  County.  They  made  that  f:irm 
their  home  until  reaching  .an  advanced  .age,  and 
then  resided  with  one  of  their  children.  The 
father  died  .Al.ay  28,  188.5.  His  wife  survived  him 
until  May.  1890.  In  politics,  he  was  first  a  "Whig 
and  later  a  Keinihlican.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  the  son  of  .Stephen  and  Elizabeth  (Feltz)  Ham- 
lin, natives  of  Eastern  Virginia.  Stephen  Ham- 
lin was  born  in  1776,  and  fought  in  the  AVar  of 
1812,  for  which  .action  his  name  was  dropped  from 
the  roll  in  the  (Quaker  Church.  Previous  to  that 
time,  however,  joining  a  company  of  forty-seven 
emigrants  to  Ohio,  he  located  in  Stark  County, 
where  our  subject  w.as  born. 

Shadrach  H.  Hamlin  was  the  oldest  but  one  of 
the  eight  sons  that  were  born  to  his  parents,  viz.: 
Stephen  M.,  our  subject,  Jordan  J.,  Henry  ,1.,  Rob- 
inson C;  Alva  J.,  deceased,  as  was  also  John  B.;  and 
Robert  E.  .\t  the  age  of  twenty,  our  subject  went 
to  work  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county-,  but  soon 
after  learning  the  carpenter's  trade  from  his  brother, 
followed  that  occupation  for  six  years.  In  1865 
he  came  back  to  the  Wolverine  State,  and  pur- 
chased thirty-five  acres  of  land  on  the  lake  shore 
in  Casco  Township.  In  the  fall  he  went  back  to 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  a  twelvemonth,  and  tiicn 
returning  to  Michigan,  purchased  fort}-  acres  of 
what  is  now  iiis  present  farm.  From  time  to  time 
he  has  added  to  his  tract,  until  he  now  is  the  pioud 
proprietf)r  of  one  hundred  and  eightj'-six  mikI  m  liaif 
acres.  It  bears  all  the  improvements  of  a  lirst-cl.ass 
e.«fale,  it.n  owner  ranking  anuing  the  well-to-do 
agriculturists  of  Casco  Township.  Ills  success  is 
due  entirely  to  his  fiwn  effoi't.s  and  economy,  foi', 
with  till'  exception  of  the  little  .'issislance  which 
his  father  gave  liini  when  starting  oiil  on  his  own 
account,  his  line  estate  has  been  !i<-ciiiMiilntc(|  li\ 
his  own  hil)or». 

In  S«!ptember,  1K6I,  our  subject  ami  ll.-inicl. 
daughlcM' of  Willi.'UM  .'ind  Eineline  (  Davison)  lirush, 
were  married.      Mrs.  Hamlin  had    live    sisters    who 


bore  the  names  of  Susan,  Amy;  Sarah  E.,  deceased; 
Fanny  and  iMary  E.,  also  deceased.  To  our  subject 
and  his  wife  have  also  come  five  children,  three  of 
i\hom  died  in  infanc.y.  Oscar  A.  died  after  reach- 
ing mature  years.     Carrie  51.  is  the  only  one  living. 

Mr.  Hamlin  euhsted  in  the  Civil  War  Septemtier 
6,  1864,  joining  Company  F,  Twelfth  Michigan 
Infantry.  He  was  assigned  to  the  Trans-Missis- 
sipiii  Department,  and  with  his  regiment  saw  much 
.active  service. 

He  received  his  honorable  discharge  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  at  Little  Rock, 
Ark.,  September  9,  1865.  On  March  22,  he  was 
allowed  a  i)ension  by  the  Government.  In  politics, 
our  subject  is  a  Republican,  and,  with  his  wife,  is  a 
member  of  the  First  jMcthodist  Episcopal  Chiu-ch 
of  Casco. 


lS^^HOMAS  E.  FRENCH.  This  worthy  citi- 
/iiR^v  zen  of  Otsego  is  the  present  Sui)ervisor  of 
'Vg^  Otsego  Township.  He  enlisted  in  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion,  December  6,  1861,  and  a  grateful 
nation  will  ever  hold  in  honor  those  who,  in  times 
of  peril,  offered  themselves  upon  their  country's 
altar  ;iih1  f:u'ed  death  on  many  a  bloody  battle- 
field. In  their  memory  will  poems  and  songs  be 
written,  anniversaries  remembered  with  flags  .and 
banners  Hying  in  the  air,  and  patriotism  be  exalted 
in  a  million,  throbbing  lu'nrts. 

Tpoii  the  battldield  of  life,  where  patriotism  is 
called  fiM-  no  less  than  wlicn  lacing  ghastly  death 
at  the  cannon's  mouth,  Mr.  French  h.as  made  an 
honorable  record.  A  native  of  Ohio,  he  w.as  born 
in  Mahoning  County,  March  28,  IS  II.  lie  is  the 
.son  of  Thom.as  French,  a  native  <if  the  Keystone 
St.'ite.  He  was  a  shoeniaker  in  his  early  life,  but 
when  emigrating  to  Obit)  he  became  a  farmer.  He 
died  ill  I.sk;,  when  lifty-two  years  old,  linn  in  the 
(JuaUci-  I'ailli.  His  fatlu'r,  the  giandfather  of  our 
subject,  was  born  in   '\I:iss!ichiisctl.s. 

The  mot  her  of  our  subject  was  Martha  Bryant, 
a  native  of  New  ,lers<'y.  She  was  reared  near 
.Moniil  Iloll\  r.riil-c  :ind  ilic(l  in  IST.'i.  Wilhlicr 
famih'  she  was  a  nuinbcr  of  the  Society  of  Fiicnds. 
Thomas  K.  Frenclt  received  his  i)ritnaiy  education 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


425 


in  the  common  schools  iiiid  attcndod  two  leinis  at 
the  Westminster  College  in  Jyuwrenue  County,  Fa. 
After  reaching  his  thirteenth  3'ear,  he  began  to 
earn  his  own  living,  and  apprenticed  himself  to 
learn  the  carpenter's  trade,  receiving  as  his  first 
wages  $7  per  month. 

When  seventeen  years  of  age,  Thomas  E.  French 
enlisted  in  Company  L,  Sixth  Ohio  Cavalry,  under 
Col.  Loyd.  W'ith  his  company  he  was  sent  to  the 
front  and  participated  in  the  following  engage- 
ments: Woodstock,Va.,  .July  1,  1862;  Mt.  .Jackson, 
Jul}'  3,  1862;  Cross  Keys,  Xa..,  July  8,  1862,  which 
was  the  last  battle  before  Gen.  Fremont  was  re- 
lieved; Luray,  Va..  July  28,  1862;  Cedar  Moun- 
tains, August  8,  1862;  the  Second  Battle  of  Bull 
Run,  August  29,  1862;  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  No- 
vember 9,  1862;  Kelly's  I^rd,  Va.,  March  17,  1863. 
In  the  last-named  battle  our  subject  had  his  horse 
shot  from  under  him.  From  July  9  to  November, 
1862,  he  served  as  Orderly  to  Gen.  Sigel,  performing 
duties  in  his  private  oflice  and  doing  some  scouting 
for  the  General,  twice  getting  inside  the  rebel  lines. 
He  then  fought  in  the  second  battle  of  Kelly's 
F'ord,  April  20,  1863;  Chancellorsville,  May  4, 
1863;  Brandy  Station,  June  9,  1863;  Aldie,  Va., 
June  17,1863;  Middleburg,  Va.,  June  19,  1863; 
Upperville,  Va.,  June  21,  1863;  Mt.  Jackson, 
Md.,  July  4,  1863;  Smithburg,  July  5,  1863; 
Hagarstown,  July  6,  1863;  Boonsboro,  July  8, 
1863;  Jones  Cross  Roads,  July  10,  11,  12  and  13, 
1863;  Culpeper,  Va.,  September  13,  1863;  Raiii- 
dan  Station,  September  14,  1863;  Barbers  Cross 
Roads,  A'a.,  September  1,  1863;  Sulphur  Springs, 
October  12,  1863;  Auburn  Mills,  Va.,  October  14, 
1863;  Bristol  Station,  Va.,  October  15,  1863;  Mine 
Run,  Va.,  November  29,  1863;  Custer's  Raid, 
February  28,  1864;  Todd's  Tavern,  May  5,  6,  7 
and  8,1864;  Richmond  Raid,  from  May  9  to  the 
25th,  1864;  Euon  Church,  Va.,  May  28,  1864; 
Travilian  raid,  from  M.ay  6th  to  June  29,  1864; 
at  St.  Maiy  's  Church  he  had  a  horse  shot  from  under 
him,  June  24,  1864;  Malvern  Hills,  June  28,  1864; 
the  second  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  in  1864;  Wel- 
don  Railroad,  July  21,  1864;  Davis,  October  1, 
1864;  Boyton  Plank  Road,  September  30,  1864; 
Boyton  Plank  Road,  number  two,  Va.,  October  27, 
1864;  Stony  Creek  Station,  ^■a.,  December  2,  1864 


Hatcliie's  Run,  Va.,  December  9  and  Id,  IH61; 
Muckneck  Bridge,  ^'a.,  F('l)ruary5,  1865;  Hatcliie's 
Run,  Va.,  February  6,  1«G5.  He  participated  in 
the  battle  at  Dinwiddle  Courthouse,  April  6,  1865, 
where  another  horse  was  shot  which  he  was  riding. 
Jcterville,  April  4;  Jones  Cross  Roads,  April  5; 
Harper's  Farm,  April  6;  Farmville,  Ajiril  7,  1865. 
He  was  at  Appomattox  Courthouse,  April  9,  1865, 
and  saw  the  white  flag  when  it  was  first  raised. 

Not  only  did  Mr.  French  serve  with  valor  in 
the  many  hard-fought  engagements  above  enumer- 
ated, but  his  efficiency  I'eceived  merited  recogni- 
tion and  while  he  entered  the  service  in  the  ranks 
he  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the 
war  as  Commissary-Sergeant.  After  peace  was  de- 
clared, our  sulDJect  served  three  months  in  the 
I^reedmen's  Bureau  and  on  returning  to  Ohio  and 
resuming  his  trade,  found  that  his  hard  service 
bad  unfitted  him  for  carpenter  work.  He  then 
turned  his  attention  to  learning  the  harness- 
maker's  trade  which  he  followed  for  the  succeed- 
ing fifteen  years,  most  of  the  time  being  employed 
by  the  Goshen  Ohio  Harness  Company.  He  came 
to  Otsego  in  March,  1883,  and  located  on  a  farm 
in  Otsego  Township.  He  has  recently  moved  to 
the  vill.age  but  still  superintends  the  operation  of 
his  fine  tract  of  land. 

Thomas  E.  French  was  married,  April  6,  1870, 
to  Miss  Esther  C.  Shreve,  of  Ohio.  She  died  in 
1877,  leaving  a  family  of  four  children:  Alice  who 
is  deceased;  Enocli  J.,  Albert  M.  and  Carrie  M. 
Our  subject  was  a  second  time  married,  his  wife 
on  that  occasion  being  Delora  Otto,  a  native  of 
this  State  and  the  daughter  of  George  D.  and  Ger- . 
trude  Otto,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New 
York.  Her  parents  came  to  Michigan  in  1844 
and  located  in  Otsego  Township,  Allegan  Count}', 
purchasing  a  wild  farm.  The  family  walked  all 
the  way  from  Saugatuck.  The  father  died  in  1879, 
when  seventy-six  years  old;  the  mother  is  still 
living.  By  that  marriage  were  born  four  children. 
They  were  among  the  earl 3'  pioneers  coming  into 
tlie  wilderness  and  did  their  share  toward  giving 
to  posterity  the  broad  acres  which  now  blossom 
like  the  rose. 

In  polities  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican 
and  IS  a  prominent  member  of  the  (xiand  Army  of 


426 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


the  Republic-.  lie  was  elected  Supervisor  of  Ot#ego 
Township  lu  181U  and  is  efficiently  filiiiiir  that 
responsible  position.  Sociallj-,  lie  is  a  Mason  and 
has  been  a  menilter  of  the  Society  of  Friends  for 
tlie  past  thirty  years.  Mr.  French  owns  a  good 
farm  in  Trowbridge  Township,  this  county,  and  is 
a  gentieinan  whose  love  of  truth  and  justice  has 
made  for  him  warm  and  stanch  friends  in  this 
communitv. 


<^ 


■#!• 


II<):MAS  BKNTOX  DUTCHER.  This  en- 
terprising gentleman  was  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Moore  it  Dutcher,  proprietors  of  a 
gristmill,  which  w.as  destroj'ed  by  fire  in  July, 
1891.  Their  mill  was  located  at  Douglas,  Allegan 
County,  and  since  the  above  date  our  subject  has 
been  engaged  in  closing  up  his  extensive  business 
interest^i.  ^Ir.  Dutcher  has  done  an  immense  lum- 
ber business  for  the  past  thirty  3'ears,  residing  at 
different  times  in  Muskegon;  Dennison,  Tex.,  and 
Chicago.  In  1880hec<ameto  Douglas,  where  he 
established  a  gristmill.  The  linn  did  a  prosper- 
ous business,  their  grade  of  flour  being  in  demand 
throughout  the  eountj'. 

Mr.  Dutcher  of  this  sketch  was  the  son  of  AVill 
iam  F.  and  Lucinda  (Detricli')  Dutcher,  natives  of 
Pike  County,  Pa.,  wlicrc  our  subject  was  born 
December  .5,  183G.  When  he  was  sixteen  vears  of 
age,  he  accompanied  hisparent^on  their  removal  to 
Chicago  and  two  years  later  came  to  Allegan 
County,  where  the  father  engaged  m  tlic  hiiiihcr 
hu.'*iness.  Young  Thomas  assisted  his  parents  in 
various  enterprises  until  starting  f)ut  in  life  to  do 
for  himself.  Me  attributes  tci  his  estimable  wife, 
to  whom  he  wius  married,  .Vugust  2(1,  1K,')7,  a  large 
sliare  of  his  success  in  life.  Her  m.-iiden  name 
wiLH  ]{elieccn,  daughter  of  SmmiucI  and  .Saiah  A. 
(Steward)  Cline.  natives  respectively  of  Olijdand 
Pennsylvania. 

To  our  .Hiibject  and  his  amiable  wife  has  lieeii 
lK»rn  a  family  of  llirec  <'liildreii:  Ceorge  L.,  who 
was  born  May  :tl,  !«.'>'.»,  is  married  to  Ada  K.  Por- 
ter, anil  resides  in  Doiighw,  where  he  is  .i  iiiiiiib(  r 
of  the  linn  of  Diilchcr  A- Sim;  he  has  twn  cliildivii: 
Florence  I.  and  Thoiiiiis   Heiiloii.      [■'Iiircncr    Mav, 


the  second  child,  was  born  Xovember  17,  18(51. 
Leah  Bell  was  born  August  3,  1871.  Both  daugh- 
ters remain  at  home  with  their  parents. 

As  has  before  been  mentioned,  our  subject  has 
been  engaged  in  the  lumber  1)usiness  for  the  past 
thirty  years  and  is  ranked  among  the  well-to-do 
and  respected  citizens  of  Allegan  County.  In 
politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  socially  is  a 
member  of  Dutchess  Lodge,  No.  193,  A.r.&  A.M., 
in  which  he  has  been  Past  AVorshipful  Master.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  Allegan  Chapter.  R.  A.  M.,and 
with  his  family  is  a  regular  attendant  at  the  Con- 
gregational Ciiiirch.  We  are  pleased  to  be  able  to 
present  the  sketch  of  so  worthy  a  citizen  of  the 
county  as  the  gentleman  whose  name  we  place  at 
the  head  of  tli is  biography. 


,^^  IMON  IIARNDEN,  a  farmer  on  section  7, 
^^^  Allegan  Township,  Allegan  County,  is  the 
|l\/_j|  possessor  of  forty  .acres  of  good  land.  He 
came  to  Michig.in  in  18.")"2,  and  stopi)ed 
for  a  short  time  in  Ionia  County;  he  lived  in 
Hillsdale  County  two  years  and  then  came  to 
this  county,  living  in  Pine  Plains  for  awhile  and, 
in  18()6,  came  to  this  townsliiit  and  purchased  his 
present  farm.  He  was  born  in  Cayuga  County, 
N.  Y.,  October  3,  1818.  Samuel  and  .\senath 
(Ilighley)  llnrnden,  nativesof  New  York,  were  the 
parent.-;  of  our  subject.  The  father  was  a  boot  and 
shoemaker  and  lived  and  died  in  New  York.  He 
was  a  1  )cm()ci'at  ill  politics,  lielil  tlu' olllce  of  Post- 
master, and  was,  in  religion,  a  member  of  the  I'ni- 
versalist  Clnirch.  He  was  the  parent  of  live  chil- 
dren.     Imios  and  our  suliject  arc  now  lixiiig. 

Simon  llarudeii  received  his  education  in  his 
n.'iti\e  county  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker, 
wliicli  he  followed  for  a  iiumlier  of  years  in  the 
ICast  and  also  since  coming  to  Michigan,  lie  was 
Tnistecof  the  vill;ige  of  Port  Uyion,  in  his  native 
ciiuiity.  He  w.Ms  m.uricd.iii  ISIl.to  Maiwtta  Har- 
rington, the  daiiglilei-  of  ICbenezer  and  lOmily 
(IMciitor)  ll.'irriiiglnii,  u.'itives  of  Massachuscl.ts. 
Mr.  I  l.'uringlnu  w:is  a  can'i.'igcm.'iUer,  and  later  in 
lite  removed  to  Cayuga  Coiinty,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
fuljiiwi'd    his    Ir.'idc    until   death.      His  good   wife 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


427 


bore  him  five  children:  Almira  (Mrs.  Harnden) 
and  Calista  (Mrs.  Storey)  are  now  living'.  lie  was 
a  Whig  in  politics. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  tlie  happy  parents 
of  eiglit  cliildren,  all  living,  whose  record  is  as 
follows:  Almira,  now  Mrs.  George  Whitney,  is  the 
mother  of  two  children,  Laura  and  Glenn;  Roniain 
married  Mary  Peet  and  is  the  father  of  two  sons, 
Lester  and  Clarence;  Lucy  married  Robert  Mc 
Queen  and  they  have  eight  children,  John,  Willie, 
Alice,  .James,  Grover,  Nellie,  Martin  and  Charles; 
Sophia,  Mrs.  Howard  Powers,  has  become  the 
mother  of  two  daughters.  Belle  and  Mina;  Lester 
married  Carrie  Rich,  and  two  children  have  been 
born  to  them.  Rich,  and  Elma;  Alice,  Mrs.  Bliss, 
has  two  children,  Roy  and  Rhoda;  Charles  is  in  the 
grocery  business  at  Battle  Creek,  his  brother-in- 
law,  Mr.  Bliss  being  his  partner,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Bliss  ifr  Harnden;  Emily,  Mrs.  August 
Swedberg,  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Alice.  Mr. 
Swedberg  is  an  editor  at  Battle  Creek.  Mr.  Harn- 
den, of  whom  we  write,  has  a  fine  home  with  all 
modern  conveniences  and  does  a  general  fanning 
business  on  his  place,  in  which  he  is  quite  success- 
ful.    He  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party. 


V,EV.  SAMUEL  M.  FOWLER,  a  minister  of 
the  Christian  Church,  residing  at  No.  507  Elm 
Street,  Kalamazoo,  was  born  in  Riga,  Mon- 
roe County,  N.  Y.,  .July  17,  1817.  His  par- 
ents were  Abel  and  Mary  (Eddy)  Fowler,  the 
former  a  native  of  South  Kingston,  R.  I.,  and  the 
latter  of  Wallingford,  Vt.,  where  their  marriage 
was  celebrated.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer, 
and  served  in  the  War  of  11S12,  participating  in 
the  battle  of  Plattsburg.  The  family  is  of  English 
lineage  and  descended  from  Guy  Fawkes,  of  Eng- 
lish history.  Prof.  O.  S.  Fowler,  the  celebrated 
phrenologist,  was  also  of  the  same  family,  and  Com- 
modore Perry  was  a  second  cousin  to  Abel  Fowler. 
Our  subject  was  the  fourth  of  six  children,  five 
of  whom  arc  yet  living.  One,  Mrs.  Wooster  resides 
in  this  State.  Until  the  age  of  twenty-two  our 
subject  remained  at  home.     His  mother  died  when 


he  was  ten  years  old  but  her  Christian  teachings 
have  never  been  forgotten.  In  winter  seasons  he 
attended  school  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  and 
the  following  year  lie  began  teaching,  which  he 
followed  through  four  winter  terms.  He  afterward 
attended  a  private  school  and  by  home  study  made 
himself  a  well-educated  man.  At  the  age  of  eight- 
een he  joined  the  church  and  read  a  number  of 
theological  works.  He  seemed  drawn  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  be- 
gan preaching.  Failing  health  led  him  to  visit  a 
brother  living  in  Wheatland,  Hillsdale  County, 
Mich.,  and,  attending  meeting  the  Sunday  after  his 
arrival  when  the  Class-leader  announced  that  the 
minister  was  absent,  Mr.  Fowler  seemed  called 
upon  to  speak.  Taking  for  his  text,  "What  shall  it 
profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose 
bis  own  soul,"  he  spoke  earnestly  and  eloquently 
and  was  again  called  upon  to  preach  several  times 
before  returning  to  New  York.  Here  he  formed 
the  determination  to  make  his  life  work  that  of 
the  ministry  and  several  times  told  the  gos[iel 
message  in  the  old  stone  church  in  Sweden  and 
Ogden,  of  which  the  parents  of  Frances  E.  Wil- 
lard  were  members.  Subsequently,  he  again  en- 
gaged in  teaching  and  then  after  another  serious 
illness  he  attended  the  Whitesboro  Academy,  his 
preceptor  being  the  noted  Abolitionist,  Beriah 
Green.  The  following  year  he  began  preaching, 
and  for  six  months  afterward  received  $2.5  per 
month.  He  took  charge  of  the  church  in  T^ester,  Liv- 
ingston County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of 
the  Christian  Church  in  October,  1841,  Elder  Joseph 
Badger  preaching  the  ordination  sermon,  while 
Elder  C.  A.  Morrison,  Jesse  E.  Church,  Stephen 
Fellows  and  S.  L.  Pervier  were  the  ordination 
council. 

Rev.  Mr.  Fowler  was  married  in  Lester,  July  10, 
1842,  to  Miss  Rosetta,  eldest  child  of  Jonathan 
and  Eunice  (Bowman)  Tainter.  Unto  them  have 
been  born  the  following  children:  S.  Mills, a  medi- 
cal practitioner,  of  Gainesville,  Tex.;  Samuel,  who 
served  through  the  war;  Abel  B.,  who  was  also  in 
the  service,  and  Eunice  Rosalia,  wife  of  .James  B. 
Moore,  of  Oshawa,  Ontario,  Canada.  They  now 
reside  in  K.alamazoo. 

After  a  \  ear's  labor  in  Lester,  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler 


428 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


engaged  in  preaching  in  Niagara  County,  and  his 
next  knatiun  was  in  Pekiu,  after  which  he  spent 
two  years  in  Ontario  Count}-,  and  a  year  in  Barry, 
Orleans  County,  holding  successful  revivals  at 
those  places.  Me  then  engaged  to  come  to  Michi- 
gan as  a  missionary  and  in  October,  1849,  joined 
Elder  J.  S.  White  in  Centerville,  St.  Joseph  County, 
who  had  lieen  sent  out  two  years  before.  He 
worked  with  him  one  year  and  then  came  to  Hrady 
Township,  Kalamazoo  County,  where  Dr.  Ezra 
.Smith,  a  jireacher  and  medical  practitioner,  w.as 
located.  He  held  a  number  of  revival  services 
anil  ill  .luly.  Ks.')0,  located  in  IJrady  Township, 
where  he  organized  a  church.  The  next  winter  he 
went  to  Leroy,  where  he  jireachcd  for  two  years, 
and  in  isy^  removed  to  Grand  I'rairic,  wliore 
another  cliurch  was  organized.  In  l!Sr)4  lie  re- 
moved to  the  city  of  Jackson  and  preached  there 
two  j'cai'S.  He  returned  in  the  fall  of  ISoo  to  his 
farm  in  Orand  Prairie,  and  resided  there  a  year. 
In  December,  ISoG,  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler  went  to  New- 
market, Canada,  where  he  preached  for  two  years 
and  also  held  prfitracted  meetings.  On  his  return 
to  Midiigan,  owing  to  earnest  solicitation,  he  lie- 
ciimc  the  financial  agent  of  the  Michigan  Coiilial 
College  at  Spring  Arbor,  and  his  wife  became  ma- 
tron of  liie  ladles'  department.  They  were  con- 
nected with  the  school  for  a  year,  during  wliicli 
time  Mr.  Kowler  was  conlinually  pleaching,  and 
then  returned  to  the  old  farm  on  Grand  Prairie  in 
the  fall  of  I860.  Sickness  soon  afterward  pros- 
trated him  and  for  two  or  three  years  he  was  not 
able  to  either  read  or  study.  About  186;?  he  had 
a  charge  at  Watson,  Allegan  County,  wlune  he 
preached  every  two  weeks  for  about  fonr  years. 
Ills  two  sons  had  joined  the  country's  service  and 
hence  the  heavy  biwden  devolved  iipmi  his  wife. 
In  1809  lie  returned  to  Oshaw.-i,  Ontario  County, 
Canada,  when^  he  .'igaiii  preached  for  two  and  a 
half  3'cars  and  then  went  b;ick  In  his  old  cliiiii  li  iii 
Newmarket.  We  find  liiiii  in  Knlainazoo  in  tlie 
fidl  of  |K72and  tlic  foib)win'j:  spiina-  he  piiicjiiised 
liiti  prciM-'nl  home  but  returned  to  ()>h;iwa,  Caiiiiiia, 
once  more  assuming  the  rjulics  as  minister  of  the 
church  at  that  place.  Subsei|uenti\'.  he  spent  one 
winlei-  in  l''lorida,  then  for  some  lime  h:ii|  no  reg- 
ular work    until  Seplember,   IM'.MI,  when  :i  few  larn- 


ilies  were  organized  into  the  Christian  Clnirch  at 
Kalamazoo,  Rev.  Mr.  Chase,  now  (iovernor  of  In- 
diana, assisting  in  the  work.  In  A|)ril,  1891,  the 
church  was  organized  and  ^Ir.  Fowler  preached 
part  of  the  time  until  August,  1891,  wiien  he  was 
given  full  charge.  There  is  now  a  membership  of 
sixty  and  the  church  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
Kev.  Mr.  Fowler  was  identified  with  the  first  Chris- 
tian Church  organized  in  the  county  and  w.is  a 
memlier  of  the  Washingtonian  Societ\-,  the  first 
temperance  organization,  lie  lectured  on  that 
subject  and  also  against  slavery,  of  which  he  was 
a  bitter  opponent.  Althou<iii  now  well  advanced 
in  years,  iSIr.  Fowler  yet  labors  on.  lie  is  tall  and 
of  line  address,  his  sermons  show  much  thougiit 
and  his  earnest  work  is  resulting  in  iiuicli  good.  A 
noble,  upright  life  h.as  he  led  and  tlie  confidence 
and  high  regard  of  the  entire  community  are  given 
him. 


^^^>^^<m^^ 


RS.  MARY  V.  FOUHES.  Tliis  highly- 
respected  and  intelligent  old  lady  is  an 
early  settler  of  Allegan  County,  and  can 
relate  many  an  interesting  tale  of  pioneer 
life,  as  its  hardships  as  well  .as  adventures  have 
iii.'ide  a  lasting  impression  upon  her  mind.  Sliehas 
a  very  pleasant  home  in  I'laiii well,  and  lier  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  ('apt.  Dyi'kiiian,  resides  with  her. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject  was  Mary 
^'oke.  and  lier  native  place,  I  laiiiiisliire,  England, 
where  her  birth  occurred  .\ugusl  ;il,  1812.  lier 
))arents  were  natives  of  England,  and  bore  the 
names  of  Edward  and  .Mary  (  \  ick)  Yoke.  They 
came  to  America  in  18;i2,  the  voyage  acrt>.ss  the 
Atlantic  occuij^'i'ig  seven  long  weeks.  They  first 
located  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where  llie  father  fol- 
lowed his  trade  of  a  boat-builder.  Later,  however, 
he  turned  his  attenlioii  to  tlie  cullivation  of  the 
soil,  farming  near  llait  laud,  about  sixty  miles  from 
Kocliester.  lie  died  at  the  home  of  liis  son  in 
Cliili.  X.  Y..  in  187  I,  after  having  passed  his  eighty- 
fniulh  liiilliday;  liis  wife  passeil  away  at  Hie  same 
place  and  same  year,  when  eighty-six  years  of  ai;:e. 
They  had  nine  children,  live  of  whom  are  living 
al  llir  pie>eiit  lime. 

Mrs.   l''oibes,  of  this  skelcli,   was  given  a  good 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


429 


education,  attending  the  schools  of  Portsmoutli, 
England.  She  married,  Januar}'  1,  1836,  John 
Robinson,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  where  he  was 
born  December  19,  1805.  When  about  nineteen 
years  of  age,  Mr.  Robinson  removed  to  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  of  a  wood- 
turner. In  1836,  soon  after  their  marriage,  the 
young  couple  came  West  to  Michigan,  and  located 
in  Allegan,  Allegan  County,  when  there  were  only 
a  few  shanties  scattered  about.  He  put  up  a  turn- 
ing lathe  in  Streeter's  sawmill,  and  worked  there 
the  following  summer,  but  later  exchanged  his 
property  for  a  farm  in  Gun  Plain,  whither  he  re- 
moved. The  improvements  on  his  place  were 
meager,  but  with  his  characteristic  industry,  he 
soon  brought  it  to  an  excellent  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  made  his  home  there  for  nine  years.  He 
then  returned  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  remaining  there 
for  three  j'ears,  when  he  came  back  to  the  Plains, 
and  in  1850  removed  to  Kalamazoo  County,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death,  which  sad  event  occurred 
in  1854. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  were  born  three  chil- 
dren: John  v.,  who  was  born  June  30, 1837,and  died 
May  26,  1874,  leaving  a  widow  and  two  children; 
George  J.,  who  is  in  a  bank  at  Petoskey,  this  State, 
and  Mary  A.,  who  resides  with  her  mother  in  Alle- 
gan. Julia  A.  was  born  March  4,  1840,  married 
David  Wing,  November  6,  18G1,  and  died  M.iy  25, 
1867,  leaving  two  daughters,  Mary  E.  and  Minnie 
M.,  both  of  whom  are  deceased,  Mary  djing  May 
16,  1865,  and  the  latter  daughter,  March  7,  1866. 
George  B.  Robinson  was  born  January  28,  1848, 
and  passed  from  this  life  November  29,  1880.  He 
was  a  finely-cultured  gentleman,  having  been  edu- 
cated in  the  Kalamazoo  High  School,  and  later 
took  a  course  in  the  Business  College  of  Detroit. 
He  was  Cashier  in  the  bank  at  Allegan,  of  which 
he  was  the  founder,  and  served  as  clerk  in  the 
Countj'  Recorder's  office  at  Kalamazoo.  In  1878 
he  went  to  Colorado,  and  was  engaged  in  building 
stores  at  Leadville.  He  was  elected  Lieutenant- 
Governor  of  Colorado  on  the  Republican  ticket  in 
1880,  but  was  accidentally  shot  before  qualif^-- 
ing. 

In  1856  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  to 
John  Eorbes,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  emigrated 


to  America  in  1834.  He  located  in  (iun  Plain  at 
an  early  day,  where  he  cleared  and  improved  a 
valuable  tract  of  land,  and  later  removed  to  Kala- 
mazoo. They  removed  from  Kalamazoo  to  Plain- 
well  in  1866,  wliere  they  were  residing  at  the  time 
of  the  death  of  Mr.  Forbes,  which  occurred  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1889.  Mrs.  Forbes  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a  lady  greatl}'  esteemed 
for  her  many  good  qualities  of  mind  and  heart. 

Mrs.  Julia  A.  (Robinson)  Wing,  the  second  child 
of  our  subject,  and  the  widow  of  David  Wing,  was 
married,  January  14,  1879,  to  Capt.  B.  H.  Dyck- 
man,  who  was  a  native  of  New  York.  He  came  to 
Jlichigan  many  years  ago,  and  made  his  home  for 
some  time  in  Iowa;  he  also  resided  at  South  Haven 
for  twenty-five  j^ears.  He  died  November  19, 1889. 
During  the  Cival  War  he  was  Captain  of  Company 
A,  Third  Michigan  Cavalry,  enlisting  in  1861,  and 
serving  until  1864,  during  which  time  he  engaged 
in  many  hard-fought  battles.  His  death  was  the 
result  of  the  exposures  to  which  he  was  subjected 
while  in  the  army.  Mrs.  Dyckman  is  a  very  cult- 
ured lady,  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Phipps'  Female 
Seminary-,  at  Albion,  N.  Y.,  where,  in  addition  to 
other  studies,  she  took  a  thorough  course  in  litera- 
ture and  music,  and  is  thus  highly  accomplished. 
She  makes  her  home  with  her  mother,  where  they 
entertain  a  large  circle  of  admiring  friends. 


'ii]  AMES  GARDNER.  In  presenting  the  bio- 
gra|)hical  notice  of  the  career  of  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  Ganges  Township,  Allegan 
County,  and  a  gentleman  who  is  thoroughly' 
representative  of  its  progressive  element,  we  deem 
it  our  duty  to  first  briefly  advert  to  the  life  of 
those  from  whom  he  draws  his  origin.  He  is  the 
son  of  Matliew  and  Euphemia  (Dalzell)  Gardner, 
both  natives  of  Scotland.  The  father  was  there 
reared  on  a  farm  and  followed  agriculture  all  his 
life  being  also  Land  Agent  in  that  country.  He  was 
married  when  quite  young  to  Euphemia  Dalzell, 
a  daughter  of  Robert  Dalzell,  a  descendant  of  the 
noted  Dalzells  of  Scotland.  Mr.  Gardner  was  a 
widely-known  man  and  held  the  responsible  posi- 
tion of  Land  Valuator.     He  died   at  the   ripe  old 


430 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


age  of  ninety  y^ars.  His  life  companion  passed 
away  some  years  previous  to  bis  deatli. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Lanarkshire,  Scotland, 
born  in  1830,  and  is  one  of  fifteen  children  born 
to  his  parents,  all  of  whom  have  died  but  our  sub- 
ject and  liis  brother  Alexander,  a  minister  and  a 
resident  of  Scotland.  At  the  eai'lj'  age  of  sixteen 
vears.  James  (iardner  was  graduated  from  the  High 
School  and  Academy  at  Carodiss.  He  was  after 
this  bound  to  a  Land  Agent  four  j-ears.  lie  tlien 
went  to  Kngland,  where  he  was  Land  Agent  over 
large  estates  eleven  years.  In  1859  he  set  sail  for 
America  and  landed  in  Canada,  at  Port  Hope, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  eight 
j-ears.  In  1865  he  came  to  tlie  United  States  com- 
ing direct  to  this  township,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained. Having  $5,000  when  coming  to  tiiis 
country-  enabled  iiim  to  make  a  good  start  in 
life.  He  was  engaged  in  himbering  for -many 
yeai"s  in  Kalamazoo  and  now  owns  nearly  a  fourth 
interest  in  the  Douglas  Basket  Factor3\  In  real 
estate,  our  subject  owns  six  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  flanges  Townshi)).  three  hundred  of  wliich  are 
improved  and  about  sixty  acres  in  fruit.  He  also 
owns  over  two  hundred  acres  in  Canada. 

While  residing  in  Kngland,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
eight  yeai-s,  Mr.  (iardner  was  married  to  \'era 
Susan  Russell,  of  Scotland.  I\lrs  Gardner  is  a 
dau;;hter  of  William  and  Margaret  Kusselland  was 
one  of  three  children  born  to  them.  Jlrs.  Gardner 
is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in 
l'])per  Ward,  of  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  and  is  a  sec- 
ond cousin  of  the  Hon.  William  L.  (iladstone,  of 
England.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  High  School 
and  the  Ladies'  Normal,  of  (ilasgow.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gardner  have  come  eight  children,  five  of 
whom  are  living:  Three  died  in  infancy.  The 
living  arc  named  William  H.,  Aera  S.  1?.,  .lane  E. 
U.,  Kobcrl  I),  and  (icorge  ]•".  A.  Mr.  (iardner  has 
taken  great  pride  in  giving  his  children  good  edu- 
cation.". A'cra  is  a  graduate  of  the  Torf)nto  lliirji 
School  and  studied  art  one  year  in  Sccitjand; 
Robert  I),  in  a  law  student  in  .\IIeg;iii,  ;iii(l  (icorge 
is  a  student  of  the  Dou^flas  High  .Vhool,-*.  Our 
subject  and  iiis  wife  are  meniliers  nf  the  Congrega- 
tional Chinch,  of  l»(.ugla.«.  Politically,  hi!  votes 
for  the  nnni,  irrespective  of   parly    principles,      lie- 


belongs  to  the  Douglas  Lodge,  Xo.  196,  V.  S;  A.  M. 
'Mr.  Gardner  and  family  are  the  only  kinsmen  to 
his  brother's  large  estate  in  Scotland  and  iMi-s. 
Gardner  will  st)on  come  into  possession  of  a  large 
estate,  also  in  Scotland.  The  late  .lames  Alexander 
(iardner  was  a  nephew  of  our  suliV'et  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  an  advocate  in  Edinburgh. 
His  death  was  mourned  all  over  England  and  Scot- 
land and  syniiiatliy  from  many  of  the  best  fami- 
lies of  England  and  Scotland  were  sent  to  his  aged 
father.  JNIr.  (iardner  is  a  man  widely-known  for 
his  integrity,  honesty  and  uprightness,  always 
eontriluiting  liherally  to  every  good  cause  and 
ever  striving  for  a  suppression  of  evil. 


RANK  .1.  CLAKK.  Many  of  t!ie  l.usiness 
men  of  L.acota  are  natives  of  the  Wolver- 
^  ine  State,  who  have  Uiken  their  training  and 

education  here  and  .are  thoroughly  in  sympathy 
with  the  institutions,  past  history  and  future  great- 
ness of  Michigtin.  They  take  pride  in  their  State 
which  it  is  scarcely  possible  for  one  who  is  an  alien 
by  birth  to  feel,  and  they  are  willing  to  work  for 
its  upbuilding  and  prosperity.  Among  sueli  we 
find  the  gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the 
head  of  this  sketch,  and  who  was  born  in  (ieiieva 
Township,  ^'an  Buren  County,  in  1859, 

The  parents  of  our  subject  are  Benjamin  K.  and 
.lulia  E.  (Bliss)  Clark,  natives  respectively  of  Lin- 
colnshire, England,  and  New  York  State.  They 
came  to  IMichigan  in  1851.  .-nid  located  west  of 
what  is  now  Lacota,  where  the  father  started  in 
the  merch.andise  business.  He  continued  thus  for 
five  years,  and  then  moved  into  Liicota  and  estab- 
lished in  llie  same  line  iif  lui>iiiess,  and  wliirh  is 
now  (iiMiliieled  by  our snlijeet,  the  transfer  having 
been  made  in  is.s.i.  His  luisiness  has  been  steadily 
increasing  and  he  is  ranked  .iinong  the  progressive 
and  well-to-do  merchants  <if  Ljicota,  In  1891  he 
addi'(l  tiie  undertaking  business  to  his  other  inter- 
ests. 

Socially,  .Mr.  ClarU  nf  lliis  sUelcli  is  a  member 
of  the  Indepeinlenl  ( )i(ler  of  (  lild  l''ell(iws,  and  is 
very  hifih    in    llial    cirdi^i'.      He    li:i>    two   lir<p|liei.s: 


I 


WILLIAM  MILHAM, 


PORTRAIT  AND  LIOGRAPIUCAL  RECORD. 


133 


Ilciniaii  D.,  who  resides  in  Genevn,  tin's  couiify, 
and  Koy  Y.  Tlie  ij.-iteriial  ijraiult'alluT  of  our 
subject  (lied  in  Kngland,  wliile  the  yraiidniolher 
came  to  America  and  jiassed  licr  last  days  in  (ie- 
neva.  In  ])ohtics  Mr.  Clark  is  a  trne-hlne  l\ei)ul)- 
lican.  and  is  warmly  interested  in  all  movements 
tlial  have  for  their  object  the  upliuildinji'  of  the 
comnninitj^  in  whicii  he  makes  iiis  home. 


e^+^i 


® 

ylLLIAM  MILIIAM.  Amonj-- tho  prosper- 
ous and  respected  farmers  and  stock-raisers 
of  Kalamazoo  County,  we  may  mention 
tlie  gentleman  whose  portrait  accompanies  this 
biograi)hy  and  who  is  a  resident  of  sections  11  and 
1 2,  Portage  Township.  His  father,  the  late  John  Mil- 
ham,  was  born  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
took  as  his  wife  Eva  Poucher,  also  a  native  of 
Columbia  County  where  she  died  in  1831.  In  the 
year  1845,  the  father  came  to  Kalamazoo  County 
and  settled  in  Kalamazoo  Township,  where  he  re- 
sided until  his  death  in  February,  188G.  They  had 
by  their  marriage  four  children,  all  sons,  of  whom 
our  subject  was  the  eldest.  The  second  wife  of 
John  Milham,the  father  of  our  subject,  was  Almira 
Rathbone,  who  was  a  native  of  York  State,  and 
bore  her  husband  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 
She  died  in  this  county  in  1848.  Tiie  father  was 
again  married,  in  Kalamazoo  County,  to  Louisa 
Anderson,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  four 
sons  and  three  daughters.  She  passed  away  in 
November,  1866. 

"William  jNIiiham  had  his  birth  in  Claveraek, 
Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  September  6,  1824.  He 
accompanied  liis  father  to  this  county  and  contin- 
ued to  live  with  him  until  the  fall  of  1849,  when 
he  settled  in  Portage  Township,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  Our  subject  was  married  in  his 
native  town  in  April,  1849,  to  Miss  Ann  Elizabeth 
Ham,  a  native  of  the  same  place.  She  was  called 
from  earth  in  this  township  and  county  in  May, 
1862,  leaving  one  child,  Anna  E. 

The  next  marriage  of  our  subject  united  him 
with  Marietta  Root  in  this  county  in  June,  1864, 
and  in  August,  1866,  Mr.  Milliam  was  again  bereft 
of  his  wife.    By  that  union  one  child  was  born  who 


died  in  infancy.  The  thiid  marriage  of  Mr.  Mil- 
ham  took  place  October  27,  1M68,  the  lady  being 
Miss  Emma  Scudder, a  native  of  Newton,  Fairfield 
County,  Conn.  One  child  was  born  of  this  union 
to  whom  tliey  gave  the  name  of  Flora  E.  .Mrs. 
Milliam  died  in  Portage  Township,  March  27, 1876. 
Mr.  Milliam  has  made  splendid  improvcmentson 
his  farm  and  owns  between  four  hundred  and  five 
hundred  acres  of  fertile  land.  He  has  always  fol- 
lowed farming  and  stock-raising  and  makes  a 
specialty  of  cattle  and  sheep,  of  which  he  keeps  the 
best  grades,  Religiously,  Mr.  Milham  has  been 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  twenty 
years. 


"jfjOHN  CRISPE  is  one  of  the  well-known  and 
highly  popular  citizens  of  Oun  Plain  Town- 
ship, Allegan  County,  of  which  he  has  been 
/  Supervisor  for  five  years.  He  is  the  pioneer 
druggist  of  Plain  well  and  bears  also  an  enviable 
record  as  a  gallant  soldier  during  the  late  war. 
Mr.  Crispe  is  a  native  of  England,  being  born  in 
Sutton  Valance,  Kent  County,  June  4,  1839.  He 
was  the  son  of  Edward  and  Elizabeth  Crispe,  na- 
tives of  England,  where  the  father  was  a  farmer 
and  also  a  miller.  He  carried  on  a  bakery  in  con- 
nection with  his  mills  for  a  time.  He  emigrated 
with  his  family  to  America,  February  25,  1851,  lo- 
cating at  first  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  In  November, 
1854,  he  came  to  Plainwell,  where  his  death  oc- 
curred August  21,  1888,  when  he  was  eighty-seven 
years  old.  The  mother  died  January  7,  1884,  at 
the  age  of  eighty  years. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  a  farail}'  of  nine  children, 
six  of  whom  are  now  living.  He  was  twelve  years 
old  when  he  crossed  the  ocean  with  his  parents, 
the  voyage  occupying  thirty  daj's.  He  had  at- 
tended school  before  leaving  p]ngland  and  was 
also  a  student  while  residing  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began  learning  the  milling 
business  at  Otsego,  ^lich.,  following  it  for  three 
years  and  nine  mouths.  When  theCivilWar  broke 
out,  lie  was  the  first  man  in  the  township  to  enroll 
his  name,  but  was  rejected  on  account  of  a  defect 
in    his  eyesight.     In    1863,  howevei-.  in  December, 


434 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


he  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  Micliigan  Cavalrj'  under 
Col.  Stockton.  He  was  enrolled  as  a  private,  but 
was  promoted  to  be  Second  Duty  Sergeant  before  , 
leaving  the  State.  He  served  all  during  tlie  cele- 
brated Morgan  Raid,  ti-avcling  night  and  day,  for 
five  hundred  and  seventy-eight  miles,  after  that 
wily  rel)el,and  w!i<i  greatly  pleased  to  be  present  at 
his  capture  and  to  see  him  disarmed.  He  took 
part  in  the  battle  at  Hickman's  Bridge,  in  the 
evening  of  the  same  day,  having  a  lively  skirmish 
at  Tredets  Bridge  and  defeating  Morgan  at  Buffing- 
ton's  Island.  He  was  at  the  siege  of  Knoxville 
under  15urn?ide,and  followed  Longstreet  to  Bull's 
Gap.  They  were  then  ordered  back  to  Knoxvillej 
where  tliev  left  their  horses  and  footed  it  back 
across  the  mountains  to  Camp  Nelson,  Ky.  Here 
they  were  mounted  again  and  sent  back  to  Chat- 
tanooga and  from  there  went  South  and  came  up 
with  Sherman's  army  at  Resaea.  They  accom- 
panied Sherman  to  Athiiila  iind  were  in  the  en- 
gagement at  Jonesboro,  after  which  they  wore 
under  Thomas  in  the  battles  of  Columl)ia  and 
Fianklin.  Mr.  Crispe  was  discharged  at  Nashville, 
Tenn..  September  22,  18G'),  being  mustered  out  as 
First  Sergeant  of  his  company.  He  played  the 
part  of  a  gallant  soldier  during  the  entire  war,  and 
IfKiks  back  with  much  pleasure  to  his  interosliiig 
experiences  while  lighting  for  his  adopted  country. 

\\hen  his  services  were  no  longer  needed  in  (he 
licicl,  Mr.  Crispe  returned  to  the  pursuits  of  peace, 
and  foiniiig  to  I'laiiiwcll  engaged  for  a  short  time 
in  llie  livery  business.  In  Feliruaiy,  18(17,  he 
started  the  first  drug  store  established  in  Plainwell, 
and  has  been  engaged  in  that  business  ever  since. 
He  was  married,  February  7,  IHG7,  to  Miss  AniMiida 
Mesick,  a  native  of  Columbiaville,  N.  Y.,  who  came 
to  .Michigan  in  18.'>7.  Three  children  have  been 
born  totlicm:  Minnie, Guy  and  Cherry,  .-ill  of  ulioni 
are  deceased. 

Mr.  Crispe  is  a  stani-h  Uipublican  and  cast  his 
llrst  vote  for  Lincoln,  lie  has  Ijeen  a  delegate  to 
district  and  congre>sional  conventions,  and  also 
to  the  Kepublicaii  National  Convention  in  IMK8. 
He  wits  Tren-iurer  of  his  township  for  live  years, 
and  in  .laniiary,  1H77,  was  appointed  roslniastcr, 
.•wTving  for  U-n  years  anil  tlirec  monili--.  In  .\|iril, 
IW8(i,  he    was  electeil    Siiprrvisor,   which    ollirc    he 


has  held  ever  since.  He  has  also  served  as  County 
Commissioner  and  was  a  member  of  the  committee 
under  whose  supervision  the  new  courthouse  was 
built.  Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  !RLasonic 
fraternity,  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Grand  Armj'' 
of  the  Republic.  He  occupies  a  fine  residence  and 
holds  an  intluential  position  in  the  coniinunitv. 


W 


ILLIAM  D.  H.VLL.  Among  the  farmers 
Jl  and  representative  men  of  Casco  Town- 
V^j^'  ship,  Allegan  County,  we  are  gratified  to 
present  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  is  the  pos- 
sessor of  forty  acres  of  very  highly  improved  land 
on  section  22,  and  its  fertile  soil  yields  him  in  re- 
turn for  his  Labors  abundant  harvests.  We  find 
hiiu,  at  the  early  age  of  ten  years,  starting  out  for 
himself  in  the  world,  lie  remained  three  years 
with  a  brother-in-law,  assisting  on  the  farm,  then 
learned  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  but  not  liking 
that  occupation  soon  gave  it  up.  The  next  four- 
teen years  he  worked  at  cigar-making  at  Iligoins- 
ville,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  and  he  then  worked 
for  the  same  length  of  time  on  the  Krie  Canal, 
between  Buffalo  and  New  York  C'ity. 

While  yet  in  his  native  county,  in  1862,  our 
subject  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Blackman,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  T.  and  Elizabeth  (Belscher)  Black- 
man.  ^Ir.  lUackman  was  a  native  of  Knglaiid,  who 
was  horn  November  28, 1802,and  accidentally  killed 
while  clearing  a  part  of  his  farm,  August  22, 
181;).  His  good  wife  was  born  in  New  York 
State,  August  1,  1808,  and  ilicd  Murcli  II.  1884. 
Mrs.  Hall  is  one  of  three  children  born  to  her  par- 
ents, the  other  two  being  named  William  II.  (de- 
ceased) and  Ann  M.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  Ihico 
childicn  have  been  born:  Cora,  wife  of  .ludsoii 
Bailey;   Alasco  II.,  and   Klbridge  W. 

In  1862,  Mr.  Hall  ciiliMcd  in  llir  ialc  wnr,  in 
Company  11,  One  liuiidredand  Seventeenth  New 
York  Infantry,  ami  was  in  the  .\riny  of  the  I'oto- 
mac.  lie  was  soon  .•il'tci  ward  discliaigcd  for  disa- 
bility, but  in  1H()3  re-enlisted  in  Company  K, 
One  Hundred  and  Seventy-sixth  New  '^'ork  liifan- 
ti'v.      He    was    in    llic    Reserve  (^orps  al   Wheeling, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BlOGRAl'HICAL   RECORD. 


435 


W.  Ya.,  aiifl  tliere,  in  1865,  was  hoiiornhl>'  dis- 
cliai',a;ed.  He  is  a  member  of  Zach  ('liaiidlcr  I'ost, 
No.  35,  (i.  A.  R.,  at  Soutli  Haven,  Van  Buren 
County,  and  isalsoa  member  of  tlie  Masonic  Iodide, 
of  South  Haven.  I'olitieally,  lie  is  an  adlieient  of 
tlic  Republican  party,  and  lie  and  liis  estimable 
wife  arc  worthy  meniliers  of  the  I'nited  r.rcthren 
Church. 

The  iiarents  of  the  gentleman  of  whom  we  writ(> 
were  (ieorge  F.  and  Catherine  Ilall.  Tlie  former 
was  l)orn  near  Quebec,  Canada,  .Tune  20,  180(),and 
the  latter  is  a  native  of  the  same  place,  born  in 
1807.  George  F.  Hall  p.assed  his  boyhood  days 
in  the  city  of  Quebec,  as  his  father  was  a  hatter 
and  ran  a  large  store  in  connection  with  his  manu- 
factory. On  October  15,  1832,  Mr.  Hall  was 
united  in  marriage  with  the  mother  of  our  sul)ject, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Catherine  Lilliott,  but  in 
about  two  years  he  had  to  flee  to  the  United  States, 
as  he  took  part  with  the  Ignited  States  in  a  (gov- 
ernment difficulty.  He  at  once  located  at  Boon- 
ville, N.  Y.,  and  took  a  contract  to  build  a  portion 
of  the  Black  Rivei'  Canal.  In  three  years  his 
family  joined  iiim  in  Boonville;  they  now  reside 
in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  engaged  in 
farming,  but  now  is  retired  fiom  active  labor. 
Politically,  he  was  a  Republican,  and  religiously,  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  son  of 
George  F.  Hall,  a  native  of  England,  who  emi- 
grated to  Canada,  in  an  early  d.H3^ 


ELOS  W.  HARE.  No  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  h.as  a  nobler  record 
for  patriotic  devotion  to  his  country  during 
the  late  war,' and  for  true  bravery  and  excellent 
soldiership,  than  Delos  W.  Hare,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Otsego  Township.  He  is  one  of  the  fore- 
most farmei's  and  stock-raisers  of  Allegan  County, 
and  is  especially  distinguished  in  the  annals  of  the 
rise  and  progress  of  agriculture  in  this  region  for 
the  great  influence  he  has  exercised  in  shaping  the 
course  of  sheep-breeding,  not  only  here  but  else- 
where, by  the  introduction  of  a  superior  breed  of 
that  animal,  tlie  Delaine-^Ierino,  which  is  famous 
throni>:liout  tlie  country. 


Mr.  Hare  was  born  in  Schoharie  Township, 
Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  October  30,  1837. 
Steven  and  Elizabeth  (Caniff)  Hare,  n.atives  re- 
spectively of  New  York  and  Canada,  .were  ids  par- 
ents. His  father  was  a  farmer  by  occu[)ation,  and, 
coming  to  Michigan  in  1853,  was  thereafter  a  resi- 
dent of  Otsego  Town.ship  until  liis  death  in  1871, 
at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  In  early  manhood 
he  had  been  prominent  in  the  New  York  State 
Militia,  and  held  both  a  major's  and  lieutenant- 
colonel's  commission  in  tlic  regiment  to  which  he 
belonged.  He  was  a  i)r(innneiit  and  influential 
citizen  of  his  county,  and  was  a  .Justice  of  the 
Pe.ace.  During  the  latter  i)art  of  liis  life  he  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cliiircii,  and  died  strong 
in  tlie  faith.  The  Hare  family  originated  in  Ger- 
many. William  Hare,  the  paternal  grandfather  t)f 
our  subject,  a  native  of  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  carried  on  farming,  and  eventually  died, 
served  in  the  War  of  1.S12  with  two  of  his  sons. 
Themother  of  our  subject  died  in  1868,  aged  fortj'- 
eiglit  years. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  the  children  born  to 
his  parents,  all  of  whom  are  living.  He  was 
reared  in  the  city  of  Rochester  from  the  time  he 
was  eight  years  old  until  he  was  tifteen  and  w.as 
educated  in  its  schools.  When  he  was  thirteen 
j-ears  old,  he  began  to  work  in  one  of  the 
nurseries  of  Rochester  during  the  summer,  con- 
tinuing his  education  in  the  winters.  He  was 
sixteen  years  old  when  he  accompanied  the  family 
in  their  removal  to  this  .State,  and  after  coming 
here  he  worked  on  a  farm  mostly  until  1801.  In 
the  summer  of  that  year,  he  enlisted  in  the  Second 
Michigan  Infautiy.  He  again  enlisted  in  M.ay, 
1863,  becoming  a  member  of  the  Second  Michigan 
Cavalry,  but  the  following  September  he  was  dis- 
charged a  second  time  for  the  same  cause  that  had 
first  obliged  him  to  abandon  military  life.  Noth- 
ing daunted  by  what  he  had  previously  gone 
through,  he  again  enlisted,  .Tune  10,  1864,  in  the 
Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  this  time  saw  the 
war  through,  serving  with  lidelity  until  after  its 
close,  receiving  his  final  discharge  June  9,  1865. 
He  gave  proof  of  his  courage  and  other  good  sol- 
dierly qualities  in  several  eng.ageinents  with  the 
enemy,  the  skirmish,  in  wliicli  his  regiment  partici- 


436 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


pated,  at  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  being  his  first  encounter 
with  the  Confederates.  He  and  his  comrades 
foiight  hiavely  at  Altoona  .lud  Atlanta,  and  did 
f^ood  service  wlien  their  regiment  was  detached 
from  Sherman's  Armj"  and  sent  back  to  confront 
Hood  at  Huntsville,  Ala.  They  followed  that 
noted  rebel  leader  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river  down  to  Savannah,  where  he  crossed  the 
stream,  and  they  did  their  duty  nobly  in  the  bat- 
tle tliat  ensued  at  Ilenr^vsville,  altliough  eventu- 
ally obliged  to  fall  back  before  the  heavy  fire  of 
the  enemy,  until  re-enforcements  finally-  came  to 
their  assistance.  After  that  our  subject  and  his  ; 
fellow-soldiers  were  under  fire  for  twenty-one  days, 
during  which  time  they  helped  fight  the  battles  of 
Columbia,  Duck  River  Ford,  Spring  Hill,  Franklin 
and  X.ashville.  Mr.  Hare  was  wounded  in  the  i 
right  side  with  buckshot  and  ball  .at  the  cng.age- 
menl  at  Spring  Hill,  Xovember  22,  18()t.  His 
horse  was  shot  from  iniiler  him  a  few  minutes 
afterward,  and,  falling  on  him  in  his  disabled  con- 
dition, caused  the  fracture  of  his  riglit  liii).  His 
comrades  secured  another  horse  for  him,  and  he 
remained  on  the  field  until  the  battle  was  over,  en- 
during his  pain  with  cliaraeleristic  stoicism.  He 
was  subsequentl}'  left  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  until 
he  should  be  able  to  t.ake  his  place  in  the  ranks 
again,  and  he  remained  there  until  the  following 
February.  He  wii-;  so  badly  injuic(l  that  it  was 
thought  tliat  hec(»uld  not  recover,  and,  indeed,  he 
wa.-*  reporteil  as  dead  at  one  time.  He  was  sent 
home  in  April,  18G5,  and  it  was  three  j-ears  before 
he  was  able  to  walk,  even  with  the  aid  of  caiK!  and 
crutches.  He  still  carries  two  Ijuckshots  in  his  side. 
While  in  the  service,  he  was  commissioned  i^hiar- 
lerina^^ter  in  fieorgia,  but  was  so  far  from  head- 
(pnirters  he  w.a.s  never  niustered  in  according  to 
regulntioiis.  He,  however,  acted  in  that  capacity 
until  sent  to  Na.-liville. 

Mr.  Hare  had  puiclia--ed  lii>  present  farm  in  Ot- 
sego Township  in  JK.'i'.t,  and  had  worUe(l  out  liy 
the  month  to  pay  foi-  it.  ,\s  soon  as  able,  after  his 
return  from  the  .South,  he  ri'sumed  farmiiig,  and 
Tiow  hn.?  his  land,  which  eomiirises  one  hundred 
and  (ifly-four  acres  on  sections  17  and  7,  in  a  fine 
condition,  lie  devotes  his  farm  to  .stock-raising 
plirpOHCH.      His  cattle  are  of  the    Shoit-liorn  breed. 


while  among  his  horses  are  to  be  found  fine  speci- 
mens of  the  Messenger,  Mambrino  and  Clydesdale 
families.  But  IMr.  Hare  is  more  generally  known 
among  the  agriculturists  of  the  country'  for  his 
success  as  a  breeder  of  the  Delaine-Merino  sheep, 
which  is  thought  by  nian\-  to  be  the  best  breed  of 
sheep  ever  introduced  into  Michigan. 

Soon  after  he  began  farming,  Mr.  Hare  made  up 
his  mind  that  the  American-Merino  sheep  was 
best  adapted  to  this  secticm  of  the  country,  and  he 
determined  to  use  his  efforts  for  their  introduction. 
He  believed  that  in  time  he  would  be  able  to  pro- 
duce a  sheep  of  Merino  blood  free  from  numerous 
wrinkles,  such  as  that  varietj' is  subject  to,  and  witli 
long  fine  wool  free  from  grease.  He  began  by 
breeding  from  the  best  selections  that  could  be 
made,  and  thus  we  have  the  Delaine-Merinos,  a 
new  family,  formed  by  a  cross  of  the  S|)anish  and 
l>lackt(.)i)-Merino  breeds.  It  is  larger  liian  the 
Spanish  or  l>lacktop-J\[erino,  is  smoolli-hodied, 
well-formed,  compactly-built,  and  h.asa  mutton  car- 
cass, such  as  in  the  early  days  vf  sheep-l)reeiling 
would  not  have  been  expected  in  line-wool  sheep. 
The  lleece  is  dense,  fine,  clean  and  white,  and  of  a 
length  of  three  or  four  inches  at  one  year's  growth. 
A  weight  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-live  to  two 
hundred  pounds  for  rams  and  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  for  ewes 
is  claimed  at  niatuiity.  lieiiig  a  iiionccr  in  tlie 
bleeding  of  this  famous  sheep,  .Mr.  Hare  has  be- 
come widely  known  among  wool-dealers,  who  anxi- 
ously seek  his  annual  clippings,  the  wool  being 
easily  recognized  among  thousands  of  others  b}- 
the  manufacturers  of  the  l<".ast.  He  h. as  sold  speci- 
mens from  his  llot'k,  for  breeiling  purposes,  to 
many  sheep-hreedeis  throughout  the  country,  and 
they  can  be  found  in  almost  (neiy  Xorthern  and 
Western  State,  He  annually  receives  a  large  num- 
ber of  iiremiums  at  the  various  fairs  wherever  his 
shee))  are  on  exiiiliitioii. 

Mr.  Hare  w.as  married,  in  ISiK!,  to  Miss  Rachel 
White,  of  Gun  Plain  Township.  Her  father, 
Calvin  C.  \Vliile,  a  native  of  A'eimont,  was  an 
early  pioneer  of  Soullicrii  M  iciugaii,  coming  hi  llicr 
in  IK21),  anil  locating  first  in  Kalam.a/.oo  County. 
In  1H;M  he  reinove(l  to  (inn  Plain  Townsliip, 
and    was    one    ol'    the    x'crv    llrst     to    selllr  in  lliis 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


437 


county.  He  tdok  up  land  I'loni  (ho  Government, 
.ind  ini[)rove(l  a  farm.  He  died  in  llie  fall  of  1880, 
aged  .seventy-seven  year.s  old.  His  wife  died  in 
the  fall  of  1871.  Both  were  stanch  members  of 
the  INIethodist  Episcopal  Clnirc-li.  Mrs.  Hare  is 
their  oni^'  surviving  child. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hare  have  been  born  eight  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Delos  L.,  William  C,  Frank  G., 
R.  L.,  Stephen  M.,    Sarah  S.,  Elmer  J.  and  Rachel. 

Mr.  Hare  is  a  devoted  Republican,  and  has  been 
ever  since  the  daj'S  wlien  lie  cast  his  first  Presiden- 
tial vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  has 
filled  every  chair  in  his  post,  and  h.a?  been  Inspec- 
tor on  the   staff  of   the  Department  Commander. 


-g^g* 


,  ANIEL  FALCONER,  most  generally  known 
as  a  fruit-grower  and  nur.seryman  in  Sauga- 
tuck  Township,  Allegan  County,  is  also  en- 
gaged in  farming.  His  landed  possessions  include 
sixty  acres,  which  are  beautifuUj'  located  on  sec- 
tion 10.  He  is  making  a  success  of  life  and  is 
ranked  among  tlie  well-to-do  citizens  of  his  town- 
ship. 

Daniel  Falconer  is  the  son  of  Duncan  and  Ann 
(IMcGlashin)  Falconer,  natives  of  Perthshire,  Scot- 
land, where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
April,  1831.  His  father  was  a  practical  mechanic 
and  was  in  the  employ  of  the  British  Government 
for  many  years  in  the  armory.  He  was  commis- 
sioned to  go  to  Canada  in  1842,  and  was  given 
charge  of  the  Ordinance  Department  at  Toronto. 
Daniel  was  reared  in  Toronto  and  given  an  excel- 
lent education  in  the  city  schools.  He  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  until  reaching  his  majority 
when  he  started  out  to  battle  with  life  on  his  own 
account. 

In  1850  our  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Ann  Baker,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  one 
of  whom  is  living,  Duncan,  who  now  resides  in 
Nevada.  ISIrs.  Falconer  died  October  31,  1860. 
Our  subject  was  again  married,  this  time  to  Agnes 
Sutherland,  May  1,  1861,  by  whom  he  had  four 
childien:  John,  William,  Anna  M.  and  David.    His 


second  wife  passed  fiom  this  earth  September  10, 
1870. 

March  12,  1873,  our  subject  was  married  to 
Mary  A.  F.  Foster,  daugiitcr  of  John  R.  and  Maiy 
(Patterson)  Foster,  natives  respectively  of  Ireland 
and  Canada.  Mrs.  Falconer  was  born  in  Canada, 
February  28,  1852.  Their  union  has  been  blessed 
with  two  children:  James  A.,  who  was  born  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1876  and  Allen  L.,  in  1879.  They  are  both 
at  home  with  their  parents. 

In  his  political  creed,  he  believes  in  the  tenets 
of  the  Democratic  party.  He  has  never  been  an 
office-seeker,  but  has  frequently  been  called  npim 
by  his  fellow-townsmen  to' represent  them  in  otliees 
of  public  trust.  He  has  served  efliciently  on  the 
School  Board  as  Trustee,  was  Highway  and 
Drain  Commissioner  and  is  the  present  Supervisor 
of  Saugatuck  Township.  He  was  also  Pathmaster 
for  several  years.  In  his  church  relations,  he  is 
connected  with  the  Congregational  Soeiet\'.  Soci- 
all3',  he  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accci)ted 
Masons  and  Saugatuck  Lodge,  No.  196,1.  O.  0.  F:, 
in  which  order  be  is  Noble  Grand. 

The  father  of  our  subject  died  in  1864  and  his 
mother  passed  away  a  few  years  later,  dying  in 
1879.  Mrs.  Falconer's  father  died  in  May,  1888. 
Her  mother  is  still  living  in  North  Branch,  La- 
peer County,  this  State. 


ANUEL  EMETERIO,  who  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time  operating  a  fine  farm  on  sec- 
tion 30,  Casco  Township,  Allegan  Count3', 
was  born  in  .Santander,  Spain,  in 
He  is  the  son  of  Narcisco  and  Juliana 
Emeterio.  His  parents  were  also  natives  of 
Spain,  the  father  born  about  1820.  The  elder 
Mr.  Emeterio  was  reared  to  farm  pursuits  and 
when  quite  young  went  to  Santander  and  served 
an  apprenticeship  of  four  3'ears  to  a  baker.  When 
establishing  in  business  for  himself,  he  at  once  lie- 
gan  in  that  line  of  work  and  made  it  his  life  oc- 
cupation. 

Six  children  were  born  to  the  parents  of  our 
subject,  four  of  whom  are  living  in  the  United 
States.     In  1876,  the  original   of    this  sketch  sent 


1848. 


438 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


for  his  parents  to  join  liim  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  The 
motlier  died  a  few  years  after  locating  here,  but 
the  father  survived  to  make  his  home  with  our 
subject  in  Micliigan,  where  he  died  in  1883.  The 
first  stopping-place  of  Manuel  was  iu  Havana, 
Cuba,  he  having  crossed  the  Atlantic  when  only 
thirteen  yeai-s  of  age.  In  that  city  he  apprenticed 
liinisclf  for  three  yeai-s  to  learn  the  cigarmaker's 
trade.  He  later  came  to  Brooklyn,  N.  V..  wliere 
he  followed  the  cigar  trade  for  a  number  of  years, 
doing  a  large  business. 

In  1881  our  subject  came  to  Casco  Township, 
Allegan  County,  where  he  purchased  twent\-  acres 
of  his  present  farm,  lie  later  added  sixt}'  acres 
more,  and  bj-  industry  and  economy  lias  become 
tlic  owner  of  a  beautiful  estate.  Although  Mr. 
Emcterio  is  a  Republican  in  National  politics,  he 
reserves  the  right  to  vote  for  the  man  whom  lie 
thinks  will  best  fill  the  office  ia  local  affairs.  Ik- 
is  greatly  interested  in  educational  matters  and 
has  held  numerous  offices  on  the  School  Board. 

While  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  our  subject  and  Miss 
Alice  Lewis,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Phebe  (Hulse) 
Lewis,  were  united  in  marriage.  The  parents  of 
Mi's.  P>meterio  were  born  in  New  York,  where  the 
father  followed  the  trade  of  a  carpenter;  he  died 
when  sixty  years  of  age.  The  mother  is  still  liv- 
ing and  makes  her  home  witli  her  daughter.  Mrs. 
Emetcrio  was  one  of  a  family  of  five  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living.  By  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother  of  two  sons 
and  a  d.-iugliter,  namely:  Frank  M.,  Alice  L.  and 
Manu.l   ]'. 


<«  IfcAI.I.ACK  !'..  (iUIFl'IN  is  oiicof  ilu'  npiv- 
\f'l  'tentative  busine-Hs  men  of  Allegan  County, 
^^J  iK-ing  engaged  extcn.sively  and  success- 
fully in  the  fruit-growing  business.  He  is  the 
.HOnior  member  of  the  liriii  of  (Jrilllii  A-  Henry,  ex- 
tensive liinibcr  deah'i-s,  and  is  also  the  manager  of 
the  Fruit  Shippers'  Packet  Line,  operaliiig  hclwc^en 
Chicago  and  Saugnluck.  He  is  the  fortunate  |>os- 
se<tor  of  four  hiinilrcd  ami  twenty  .-leres  of  (ine 
land  on    section    I,  Saugatuck   Township,  eighty 


acres  of  which  he  has  planted  in  peaches,  which 
j'ield  him  a  profitable  income.  The  past  sea>on  he 
shipped  thirty  thousand  baskets  of  this  luscious 
fruit.  He  has  certaiuly  demcmstiated  what  a  man 
can  do  who  is  industrious,  honest  and  capable. 

Wallace  Griffin  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Hannah 
(Wallace)  Griffin,  natives  of  the  State  of  New 
York  and  Virginia,  respectively.  The  parents 
moved  to  Canada  after  their  marriage,  where  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  Januarj'  8,  1812. 
The  father  was  a  mechanic  and  was  somewhat  in- 
clined to  move  from  place  to  i)lace,  going  from 
Canada  to  New  York  State  when  Wallace  was  but 
an  infant  and  in  the  3'ear  1851  he  came  to  the  State 
of  Michigan  and  settled  at  Niles.  At  Buchanan, 
this  State,  AVallace  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
trade  of  machinist,  under  the  supervision  of  Capt. 
Hicliards,  who  was  well  known  as  a  practical  ma- 
chinist and  scientific  engineer. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  August 
I,  1861,  to  the  estimable  woman  who  lias  presided 
over  his  home  for  over  thirt}^  3'ears.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Mary  A.  Post,  a  daughter  of  .lolin  N. 
Post,  of  Buchanan,  Mich.  This  union  was  blessed 
with  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  survives — 
AnnaB.,  who  is  married  to  C.  W.  Wade  and  resides 
in  Allegan  County.  A  bright  and  promising  boy, 
Willie,  died  at  the  .ige  of  twelve  years  and  the 
other  child  died  in  infancy.  In  hsiK!  Mr.  (Willlii 
removed  to  Saugatuck  and  for  ten  years  was  in 
the  employ  of  Stockbridge  it  Co.  At  the  end  of 
that  time,  he  was  admitted  as  a  partner  iu  their 
extensive  lumber  business  and  finally  bought  out 
Senator  Stockbridge's  interest  in   the  firm. 

Mr.  Grillin  has  accumulated  a  fair  share  of  this 

world's  goods  by  industry  and  perseverance  and, 

besides  his  farming  and   fruit-growing  operations, 

he  i)ays  much    atlentiou   to  the  breeding  of  fine 

horses.     Socially,  lie  i>  a  iiu'm1)er   of    Lodge,   No. 

;{28,  A.  F.  >t  A.  M.  of  whi.li  he  is  Fast  Master.     Mr. 

Grillin  is  a  111:111  of  genial    disposition    who   maives 

iii.-iuy  fiicliils  Mild  is  one  of  the   most    |io|iiilar  liti- 

zeus  ill  the  (•omiiiiiiiity. 

j         Mr.  (irillin   is    a     |)cinncrMl     in    iiolitics    but    lie 

i    refers  with  pIcMsiirc  to  liis   long  business  coiinec- 

'    lion  with   Senator   l''iaiik  1!.  Stockbridge   (who  litis 

since  been  electe<I  I'.  S.  Senator),   and   is  proud  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


439 


his  relations  witli  this  distinguished  gentleman, 
who  was  ever  a  gentleninn  of  the  strictest  integ- 
rity, broad  not  only  in  lli^  political  but  in  his 
business  views  and  worthily  represents  his  State 
in  the  census  of  the  nation. 

)  EY.  JOHN  FLETCHER,  who  for  twenty- 
seven  years  has  been  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Plainwell,  is  a  man  of  high  attain- 
^'^ments.  Of  a  lincly  and  delicately  balanced 
nature,  spiritually  and  morally,  he  has  always 
taken  the  highest  stand.  A  man  of  good  education 
and  address,  he  is  fitted  as  an  orator  to  per- 
fect the  good  work  that  his  example  as  a  Christian 
sets  before  his  people.  He  was  born  in  Worcester- 
shire, England,  in  1832  and  is  the  sou  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Miles)  Fletcher,  also  natives  of  Eng- 
land. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Fletcher  of  this  sketch  fol- 
lowed farming  and  gardening,  and  with  his  family 
emigrated  to  America  in  1850,  locating  near  De- 
troit where  he  was  engaged  as  an  agriculturist. 
The  mother  died  soon  after  coming  to  the  New 
World.  She  with  her  husband  was  a  devoted 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  Mr.  Flet- 
cher was  a  Deacon,  and,  although  never  ordained, 
often  filled  the  pulpit  in  England.  They  liecame 
the  parents  of  a  large  family  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  six  are  living,  our  subject  being  the  oldest 
but  one. 

The  early  education  of  Mr.  Fletcher  was  some- 
what limited,  as  his  studies  were  confined  to  such 
schools  as  were  maintained  by  the  Baptist  Church 
at  that  time.  Later,  however,  he  took  a  course  in 
Birminghan,  England.  He  was  in  his  eighteenth 
year  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  re- 
moval to  America,  and  even  after  coming  to  this 
country  lie  found  progress  in  an  educational  way 
rather  diflicult  as  he  was  soon  after  attacked  with 
chills  and  fever.  AVIien  deciding  to  become  a 
minister, he  studied  a  great  deal  alone  and  in  18,59 
was  ordained  in  the  Baptist  Church. 

The  first  charge  of  our  suliject  was  at  Ceresco, 
this  State,  where  he  remained  one  year,  going 
from  that  place  to  Sturgis  and   later    to    Edwards- 


burg  and  was  engaged  in  pastoral  work  at  that 
place  when  he  enlisted  as  Chaplain  in  the  Ninth 
Michigan  Cavalry,  in  August,  ISfil.  He  saw  a 
year's  hard  service  in  the  Army,  marching  with 
his  regiment  to  the  sea  and  through  the  Carolinas. 
Our  subject  was  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Kilpatrick  on  the  march  to  sea,  and  relates  that 
when  within  four  miles  of  Savannah,  r4en.  Kil- 
patrick, under  the  direction  of  Sherman,  was  sent 
to  open  communication  with  the  fleet  and  notify 
them  that  the  army  had  arrived.  On  this  occasion 
the  Ninth  Michigan  Cavalry  was  selected  to  ac- 
company the  General.  Mr.  Fletcher  remained 
with  his  regiment  a  few  months  after  hostilities 
ceased  and  received  his  final  discharge  at  Jackson, 
Michigan,  in  August,  1865. 

After  the  war,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher  accepted,  a 
call  to  Plainwell  and  has  been  the  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  society  here  since  that  time.  A  small 
church  was  in  the  course  of  construction  at  the 
time  of  his  coming  here  and  services  were  held  in 
the  upper  room  of  a  schoolhouse.  The  society  has 
greatly  prospered  under  his  care  and  has  increased 
until  it  is  now  one  of  the  strongest  to  be  found  in 
any  village  of  like  size  in  the  State.  He  has  re- 
cently entered  upon  his  twenty-seventh  year  as 
pastor  and  during  that  long  period  has  been  exceed- 
ingly faithful  to  the  discharge  of  every  duty  and 
is  greatly  beloved  by  his  congregation. 

Our  subject  filled  the  pulpit  for  a  short  time  in 
the  "E"  Street  Church  in  Washington,  D.  C,  whi- 
ther he  had  received  a  call  to  act  as  pastor  and 
while  considering  the  matter  the  people  of  Plain- 
well  called  a  public  meeting  and  presented  to 
Mr.  Fletcher  a  petition,  bearing  the  names  of  all 
the  prominent  citizens,  regardless  of  religious 
creed,  beseeching  him  to  remain  with  them,  which 
he  did.  Since  first  entering  upon  his  work  here, 
he  has  preached  seventy-nine  hundred  and 
seventy  regular  sermons,  officiated  at  eleven  hun- 
dred and  seventy-three  funerals,  performed  four 
hundred  and  three  marriage  ceremonies  and  bap- 
tized three  hundred  and  eighteen  persons. 

Besides  his  duties  as  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Flet- 
cher devotes  considerable  attention  to  the  publi- 
cation of  leaflets  and  pamphlets.  He  was  first 
married,  in  1858,  to  Miss  Alia  H.  Ladd,  who   died 


440 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAI HICAL   RECORD. 


at  Plain  well,  January  2. 1886,  at  the  ngc  of  fortj'- 
eisrht  yoai-s.  She  was  tlie  daughter  of  Henry  AV. 
and  Celinda  8.  Ladd.  She  was  an  exemplary  and 
faithful  Christian  and  whatever  she  did  it  was  a 
lifelong  principle  with  her  to  do  well.  She  was 
endowed  with  superior  social  qualities  and  her 
jn-esenee  in  the  sick-room  was  always  an  inspira- 
tion and  a  comfort. 

January  14,  1887,  our  subject  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Taylor,  who  was  born  near  Bristol,  Eng- 
land. She  was  the  daughter  of  AVilliam  S.  and 
Christina  Taylor.  Her  father  died  in  England  and 
the  mother  with  her  family  emigrated  to  America 
in  18.52,  locating  near  Ceresco,  Calhoun  County, 
this  State.  She  is  still  living,  and  makes  her 
home  in  Lansing.  Mrs.  Fletcher  was  educated  at 
llatlle  Creek  and  later  became  a  compositor  in  the 
olHce  of  her  brother  who  was  publisher  of  a  paper 
at  Charlotte,  this  State.  She  went  to  Battle  Creek 
and  worked  four  years  as  a  compositor  in  the 
Journal  oflice  and  later  for  thirteen  years  filled 
a  like  position  in  the  oflice  of  the  Lansing  Be- 
puhliian. 

In  1873,  in  company  with  her  mother.  Mi's. 
Fletcher  visited  England  and  in  1886  made  a  trip 
to  the  West  and  California.  The  Rev.  ^Ir.  Flet- 
cher is  a  life  member  of  the  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion, of  Michigan,  and  in  politics  has  favored  Re- 
publicans, but  is  now  inclined  to  su|)port  the  best 
men. 


^ILLLVM  ENCiLlSlI.  On  section  21,  South 
Haven  Township,  may  be  seen  a  beautiful 
.V?■^^  farm  adorned  witli  a  liainlsome  residence 
and  flrst-cln-ss  farm  buildings.  There  arc  also  to 
be  seen  a  beautiful  orchard  and  small  fruits  of  the 
Mnest  grade  on  the  place  which  is  tlu'  property  of 
the  gentleman  whose  name  we  have  just  given,  and 
whfi  came  In  \'aii  Uiiren  County  in  June,  IHti.").  In 
llic  fall  of  the  following  year  he  located  on  his 
present  farm. 

William  lOnglisii  was  hoin  in  liiilTaio,  N.  V., 
May  27,  1«.'{7,  and  is  a  son  of  Itobert  and  Mar- 
garet (Workman)  Knglish,  natives  of  Ireland.  His 
grandfather.  Willi:uii  lOnglish,  was  born  in  Comity 
.Monaghaii  wlierc  he  icarcd  a  raiiiily,  and    came   to 


^1 


the  United  States  some  time  in  the  '20s.  He  lo- 
cated in  Canada  East  and  there  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  was  a  farmer  and  attained 
to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety'  years.  The  family 
included  six  children:  John,  Margaret,  Sarah, 
William,  Robert  and  Mary. 

Robert  English,  the  father  of  our  subject,  came 
to  the  United  States  where  he  met  and  married  his 
wife.  He  was  a  hard  worker  and  bj'  economy- 
saved  $2,000,  with  which  he  intended  to  purchase 
a  farm  at  Black  Rock,  Mich.,  but  before  he  could 
make  a  payment  the  money  which  he  held  became 
worthless.  He  then  removed  to  Canada  and  re- 
ceived assistance  from  his  father  who  was  a  well- 
to-do  linen  manufacturer.  His  father  purchased 
one  hundred  and  lift)-  acres  of  land  in  Canada 
which  he  sold  and  in  1850  removed  to  Welling- 
ton County,  Cauada.and  invested  in  farm  and  town 
property.  He  died  at  thati)lace  January  14,  188'.), 
at  the  advanced  .age  of  eighty-two  j'ears.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  died  ,I:iiiu.iry  17,  1856,  aged 
fort\'-flve  years. 

■  The  parental  family  included  seven  children,  be- 
sides our  subject:  Mary  Ann,  who  married  Robert 
Workman  and  resides  in  AYellington  County,  Can- 
ada; Elizabeth,  who  became  Mrs.  William  Rafter 
and  also  resides  in  Can.ada  as  does  Luc}',  Mrs. 
Thom.as  Rafter,  and  Richard.  George  died  at 
South  Haven;  Hannah  became  Mrs.  George  Cook 
of  this  State  and  Sarah  J.  is  the  wife  of  John  IJoyle, 
of  Ontario,  Canada. 

William  Engli^h  was  a  small  boy  when  his  par- 
ents removed  to  Canada,  and  there  he  received  ex- 
cellent school  advantages  and  a  thorough  training 
upon  his  father's  farm.  He  continued  to  make 
his  home  in  the  Dominion  until  1865,  when  lie 
came  to  the  States,  and  on  coming  to  Michigan 
worked  for  l);i\is  Hall,  whose  farm  was  locale<l 
JMst  line  iiiileiiorlli  of  Kahinia/.oo.  He  was  siini- 
larl\'  engaged  for  other  people  until  he  came  to 
Sonlli  Ibiven.in  lUd.').  In  lH(i.S  he  purchased  his 
[iresenl  forty-Mci'e  Ir.Mrl  which  he  liMS  brouglil  lo  :\ 
higli  (legri'c  of  cult! vation  and  ill  l^iDl  creeled  n 
beautiful  residence,  inipidved  with  all  modern  con- 
veniences, lie  also  c.inies  on  a  good  business  in 
fruit-growing. 

Febiiiary  10,  IK74,  Miss  Klla  Moore,  daughtir  of 


TOBIAS  BYERS 


:*."sr«A^ 


%j^' 


JANETTM.BYERS 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


445 


Robert  iind  Jane  Moore,  beoame  INIrs.  William  Enj;- 
lisli.  She  was  born  in  County  Sinicoe,  Canada, 
:iiiil  by  licr  uiiinu  with  our  subject  has  become 
(lie  iiiiither  of  tvvt)  children:  Alvin  J.  and  Maude 
r..  in  politics,  Mr.  English  is  a  J)eniocrat  and  so- 
cially is  a  member  of  the  Star  of  the  Lake  Lodge, 
No.  18,  at  Soutli  Haven.  Me  is  an  Orangeman, 
his  ancestors  being  all  Protestants.  In  the  spring 
of  1889,  our  subject  rented  his  farm  and  removed  to 
Sturgis  where  he  resided  for  two  j'cars  and  farmed 
on  twenty  acres  of  land  which  iiad  been  given  him 
by  his  uncle. 


♦^♦= 


_y 


/ 


TOBIAS  BYERS,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of 
Keeler  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  was 
born  in  Center  County,  Pa.,  in  February, 
1808,  and  is  one  in  a  family  of  twelve  children, all 
of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Their  parents,  Jacob 
and  Fannie  (Zimmerman)  Byers,  were  natives  of 
Bennsylvania  and  descendants  of  Germany.  Our 
subject's  father  served  as  a  Revolutionary  soldier 
and  died  in  New  York,  where  he  had  removed 
when  our  subject  was  but  four  years  old.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  Livingston  County  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1835,  came  to  Keeler  Township,  where  at  the 
time  there  were  but  two  other  white  men  in  the 
township — two  brothers  by  the  name  of  Nesbitt, 
who  soon  left,  thus  leaving  him  the  only  one  m 
the  place  at  that  time. 

In  the  year  1856,  Mr.  Bj'ers  was  married  to 
Janett  M.  Wilson,  who  was  a  native  of  Allegan 
Count}',  N.  Y.,  and  in  1855,  came  to  Keeler  Town- 
ship. Of  the  five  children  born  to  them  but  one 
is  now  li\  ing — Frank  B.,  who  is  married  and  a  res- 
ident of  this  county.  Politically,  Mr.  Byers  is  a 
Democrat  and  has  been  a  much  respected  citizen  of 
tlie  county. 

In  1851,  j\Ir.  B3ers  erected  a  watermill  on  Mill 
Creek,  which  he  ran  nearl}'  fifteen  j'ears  and  sawed 
an  immense  amount  of  lumber.  But  fanning  has 
been  his  main  business,  although  he  has  engaged  in 
other  lines  of  business,  and  was  for  some  time  in- 
terested in  the  manufacture  of  grain  drills  at 
Dowagiac.  lie  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the 
20 


First  National  Bank  in  1870,  at  Decatur  and  when 
its  charter  expired  it  was  rcchartered  as  a  State 
Bank  and  our  sul)ject  has  been  a  stockholder  and 
Director  foi-  man}'  3'ears.  He  is  the  owner  of  seven 
hunrlred  and  seventeen  acres  of  valuable  land  in 
the  county,  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming 
and  when!  he  resides  on  section  l."?. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  is  invited  to  the 
lithographic  portraits  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Byers.  They 
are  well  known  throughout  the  coinmunity  for 
their  great  wortli  of  character,  benevolent  nature, 
and  nobility  of  life,  and  their  friends  wish  for 
them  many  years  of  continued  happiness  and 
well-doing. 


-^. 


~S) 


^+^[ 


\|p— ,7?RANK  L.  DEAL.  One  of  the  proniincnt 
-^^  business  men  of  Lacota,  who  have  been 
_\  active  in  encouraging  industries  of  in- 
trinsic worth  to  the  city,  is  the  gentleman  whose 
name  we  place  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  The 
place  of  his  nativity  was  Kalamazoo  County,  this 
State,  and  his  natal  day,  February  25,  1858.  He 
grew  to  mature  years  in  that  county,  and  was 
given  a  good  education.  He  is  the  son  of  Peter 
E.  and  Sarah  (Belcher)  Deal,  tiie  father  born  in 
1835  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  in  New 
Jersey. 

The  elder  Mr.  Deal  came  to  Michigan  in  185(), 
where  he  took  up  a  farm  from  the  Government. 
In  1857,  he  returned  East,  and  was  married  to  the 
mother  of  our  subject.  The  joung  couple  came 
at  once  to  the  new  farm  in  the  Wolverine  State, 
where  the}-  reared  their  two  sons:  our  subject, 
and  Fred,  who  makes  his  home  in  Oregon.  Mrs. 
Sarah  Deal  died  in  1862,  and  the  father  afterward 
married  Mrs  Eliza  Deal,  daughter  of  P.  D.  Beck- 
with.     Six  children  were  born  of  that  union. 

Frank  L.  Deal  grew  to  mature  years  in  Kala- 
mazoo, and  about  1880,  came  to  Lacota  and  en- 
gaged in  merchandising.  He  carries  a  full  and 
complete  stock  of  dry-goods,  and  is  doing  the 
largest  business  in  the  vill.age.  He  is  courteou.s 
and  gentlemanly  in  his  treatment  of  customers, 
and  his  trade  is  rapidly  increasing.  In  1882  he 
was  married  to  Flora,  daughter  of  D.  C.  Bennett, 


446 


PORTRAIT  A>"D  BIOGRAPinCAL   RECORD. 


and  to  them  have  been  granted  four  children: 
Minnie.  Ralph.  Perley,  and  Bab_v,  who  died  un- 
named. 

In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  Prohibitionist,  and 
has  done  much  toward  aiding  the  cause  of  temper- 
ance in  his  conimunitv.  Socially,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is 
highly-  esteemed  in  Yaa  Buren  County,  as  a  man 
of  push  and  energ}'. 


t.^i  >  >  I J I  1 1  I    I 


^     I    r    1    I  ^  <  m   f 


JOHN  S.  CURTIS  is  probably  one  of  the 
best-known  men  in  Allegan  County,  where 
he  was  born  in  November,  1845.  He  is 
now  living  retired  from  the  active  duties 
of  life  in  Allegan.  .Tohn  and  ^lary  (Pierce)  Cur- 
tis, tlie  parents  of  our  subject,  were  natives  of  New 
Yorit  and  England,  respectivel}'.  The  father  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Allegan,  wliere  he  was 
the  leading  blaelvsmith  for  a  number  of  years. 
Conveniences  for  traveling  were  not  sis  we  have 
them  now,  and  at  one  time  he  walked  to  Kala- 
mazoo and  carried  iiome  with  hiin  a  piece  of  iron 
to  makea  sledge-liammer.  Eor  a  number  of  years, 
the  elder  Mr.  Curtis  was  not  able  to  get  enough 
money  to  pay  his  taxes,  as  everything  was  bought 
and  sold  by  barter.  The  mother  died  in  Allegan, 
but  the  father,  about  twenty  years  ago,  removed 
to  Greenville,  Montcalm  County,  where  lie  passed 
bis  Inst  days. 

Only  two  children  of  the  parental  family  of  six, 
arc  now  living:  Albert  W.,  who  is  a  blacksmith  at 
Muskegon,  and  our  subject.  John  S.  Curtis  was 
given  a  fair  education  in  the  village  schools  of 
Allegan,  and  received  a  thorough  training  in  farm 
l)Ui-suit.H.  At  the  early  age  of  fourteen,  he  started 
out  to  ejirn  money  for  himself,  and  engaged  as  a 
farm  hand.  When  he  became  of  age,  our  sulijcct 
commenced  farming  in  Trowbridge  Townslii|i. 
Allegan  Couiily,  on  shares,  continuing  lliiis  until 
18'Jl. 

In  1863,  Mr.  Curtis  enlisted  in  the  riiinl  .\Ii,li. 
igan  Hattorv  in  the  nineteen-inonths'  service. 
lie  was  taken  sick  when  first  starting,  catrhing 
the  measles  at  Cold  water.     lie    wiw  sick  for  six 


months,  but  remained  with  the  battery  until  dis- 
charged in  1865.  He  superintended  the  operations 
of  his  farm  for  a  time,  while  residing  in  the  village 
of  Allegan  and  carrying  on  blacksmithing.  His  life 
on  the  farm,  all  told,  numbered  (ifteen  years,  and 
during  that  time  lie  was  engage<l  in  breeding  fine 
Perclieron  and  Ilambletonian  horses.  He  also  liad 
on  his  estate,  numbers  of  Southdown  and  Shropshire 
sheep,  and  Holstein,  Durham  and  Jersey'  cattle. 
He  was  one  of  the  wealthy  farmers  of  Allegan 
County,  and  always  found  that  the  best  methods 
and  latest  improvements  brought  liim  the  largest 
returns.  Mr.  Curtis  has  in  his  possession  at  the 
present  time  a  fine  Ilambletonian,  named  "Booby," 
whose  record  is  2:40. 

John  S.  Curtis  and  Miss  Amanda  L^ynes  were 
united  in  marriage  in  1862.  Mrs.  Curtis  is  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Cynthia  Lynes,  old 
settlers  of  this  county.  To  our  subject  and  his 
most  estimable  wife,  one  child  has  been  born: 
Mary,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Marble.  They  moved  to  tlio 
village  of  Allegan  in  1891,  and  are  now  residing 
in  a  beautiful  home  on  Seminary  Hill.  The  old 
homestead  contains  eighty  acres,  in  addition  to 
which,  he  owns  forty  acres  in  Hopkins  Township, 
Van  Buren  County.  He  is  engaged  in  doing  a 
profitable  business  in  real  estate  and  money  loan- 
ing, and  is  one  of  the  wide-awake  and  highly 
esteemed  men  of  the  county.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  socially,  is  an  Odd  Follow,  and  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Ue|)ublic.  The 
family  all  attend  the  Baptist  Chinch. 


IIARLES   I'.   IIAI-K.     This  prominent  bii.-i- 
■i  ness  man  of  Otsego  came  here  in  1890  and 

^\^'  is  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  all  kinds 
of  grain,  lumber,  coal,  lime,  etc.  He  is  doing  much 
touMid  forwarding  the  interests  and  developing 
the  resources  of  this  section,  and  his  persistent  in- 
dustry has  been  well  rewarded,  as  he  is  one  of  the 
\vi'll-li>-do  citi/.('ii>  of  the  county. 

iMr.  IImIc  wms  Ihuu  in  Massachusetts.  Iiis  liiitli 
oeciiiiing  in  liei  ii;ii(l>toii,  Franklin  County,  Janu- 
ary ''to,  1828.     lie   is  a  .son  of  Zcdock  Hale,  whose 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


'117 


native  place  was  Massachusetts. .  The  father  learned 
the  trade  of  m  cMi'pcult'r  when  a  young  man,  liut 
when  removing  to  Wiscoiif-in,  in  1850,  and  locat- 
ing at  Hudson,  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  1860 
he  came  to  Micliigan,  and  died  in  liichland,  Kala- 
mazoo County. 

The  grandfather  of  our  sul)iect  was  Israel  Hale, 
a  native  of  Connecticut.  Later  in  life  he  removed 
to  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farm 
pursuits.  He  was  known  as  Lieut.  Hale,  having 
been  Lieutenant  of  a  conii)any  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  He  passed  his  Last  dajs  in  Massachu- 
setts. The  great-grandfather  of  Mr.  Hale  of  this 
sketch  came  to  America  with  his  two  brothers  prior 
to  the  Revolutionary  War.  One  located  in  New 
Ilampsliire,  one  in  Connecticut  and  the  third  in 
New  York.  They  were  known  as  Capt.  John, 
Lieut.  Samuel,  and  Lieut.  Israel,  the  latter  being 
the  one  from  whom  our  subject  is  descended. 
Israel  Hale  was  one  of  the  prominent  members  of 
the  Unitarian  Cliurch  in  Bernardston,  Mass.,  where 
he  was  one  of  the  representative  citizens.  Our 
subject  made  his  home  with  liim  after  reaching  his 
sixth  year. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother 
was  Annie  Tuttle,  a  native  of  the  same  State 
and  count)'  as  was  our  subject.  Slie  died  in  1834 
in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  after  having  become 
the  mother  of  a  famil}'  of  seven  children,  four 
sons  and  three  daughters,  only  two  of  whom  are 
living.  Edwin  D.,  one  of  the  sons,  was  starved  to 
death  in  Libby  Prison,  during  the  Civil  War.  Our 
subject  was  the  tiftli  in  order  of  Ijirth  and  was  but 
six  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  mother's  death. 
He  was  then  taken  into  the  home  of  his  grand- 
parents, with  whom  he  remained  until  reaching  his 
eighteenth  year.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
district  school  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  tlie 
famous  Connecticut  Valley. 

After  reaching  his  eighteenth  j'ear,  Mr.  Hale  be- 
gan work  in  a  woolen  factoiy, 'where  he  remained 
for  Ave  jears,  being  assigned  to  the  finishing  and 
coloring  department.  He  and  a  brother  afterward 
opened  a  factory  at  Bennington,  Vt.,  where  they 
carried  on  a  successful  business.  Disposing  of 
their  factory,  our  subject  went  to  Meriden,  Conn., 
and   entered  a  cutlery  establishment.     In   the   fall 


of  1851,  however,  he  went  to  California,  going  by 
the  Nicaragua  route  and  spent  two  years  in  that 
delightful  climate,  mining  on  the  soutli  fork  of  tlie 
American  Rivei'.  On  reUuning  to  the  East,  lie 
again  entered  the  cutlety  establishment  in  Meriden 
and  remained  for  one  and  a  half  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1856,  jNIr.  Hale  removed  with  his 
family  to  Micliigan,  and,  locating  at  Cooper,  Kala- 
mazoo Count3f,  purchased  land  and  engaged  in 
farming.  His  tract  at  the  time  it  came  into  his 
possession  was  in  its  primitive  condition  and  our 
subject  erected  his  own  house  which  was  about 
tliree  miles  north  of  Kalamazoo.  He  remained 
upon  tliat  tract  for  nine  years,  in  the  meantime 
clearing  it  and  bringing  the  land  to  a  good  state 
of  cultivation.  After  disposing  of  that  tract, 
he  purchased  a  farm  in  Richland  Township, 
Kalamazoo  County,  which  he  still  owns  and 
iH)on  which  he  made  his  home  until  188:], 
when  he  removed  to  Plainwell  and  engaged  in  the 
grain  business.  In  the  fall  of  1890  he  sold  out  his 
interests  in  that  place  and  came  to  Otsego,  where 
he  purchased  an  elevator  and  is  now  doing  a  most 
profitable  Inisiness  in  buying  and  shipping  grain. 

Charles  P.  Hale  and  Miss  Frances  L.  Pardew 
were  united  in  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1854.  Mrs. 
Hale  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Eliza  Pardew,  the  father  a  native  of 
England  and  the  mother  of  Connecticut.  Her 
father  passed  from  earth  when  she  was  quite  jouiig 
and  her  mother  died  in  1890,  when  eighty -seven 
years  of  age.  The  four  children  born  to  our  sub- 
ject and  his  excellent  wife  are:  Ciiarles  F.,  who  is 
in  partnersiiip  with  Ids  father  in  (ttsego,  is  married 
and  has  one  child.  Henry  A.,  also  married,  is  re- 
siding on  the  old  farm  in  Richland  Township,  and 
has  four  boys.  Lewis  II.  is  living  in  Shelb3',  Oceana 
County,  and  is  engaged  in  the  fruit  business;  he 
also  owns  a  sheep  ranch  near  Sidney,  Neb.,  where 
he  spends  a  great  deal  of  his  time;  he  also  is  mar- 
ried. Nettie  A.  is  the  wife  of  James  Jackson,  and 
makes  her  home  in  Otsego.  All  of  the  children 
were  given  excellent  educations,  and  were  gradu- 
ates of  the  Kalamazoo  Iligii  Sdiool.  Charles  F. 
attended  the  Olivet  College  and  is  his  fatlier's 
eflicient  assistant. 

In  his  political  predilection, Mr.  Hale  isaRepub- 


448 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD, 


lican  and  is  in  favor  of  prohibition.  He  has  been 
honored  by  beinp;  elected  to  many  positions  of  re- 
sponsibility and  trust,  but  the  otlice  has  always 
sought  him,  as  he  has  never  been  a  politician.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hale,  in  tlieir  church  relations,  .are 
identified  with  tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  denomina- 
tion, of  which  body  jNIr.  Hale  has  been  Steward  for 
many  years. 

Our  wortliy  subject  in  addition  to  his  extensive 
business  interests  in  Otsego  has  two  hundred  acres 
of  beautiful  land  in  Ricliland  Township.  He  for- 
merly owned  five  hundred  acres,  but  has  since  dis- 
posed of  a  greater  portion  of  his  estate.  His  farm 
is  one  of  the  best  cultivated  in  the  county'  and  is 
made  to  yield  handsome  returns  by  a  proper  rota- 
tion of  crops.  Our  subject  is  a  trul3'  self-made 
man,  as  he  commenced  in  life  by  working  out  at 
$8  a  month.  Industry  will  always  be  rewarded 
and  the  gentleman  whose  name  we  pl.aco  ;it  the 
head  of  this  sketch  is  a  striking  exami)le  of  what 
persistent  effort  will  accomplish. 


il-^-i^ii^^p 


■50" 


ENRY  BARTON  has  a  high  reputation  as 
rjlj  an  able  farmer  wlio  fully  understands  his 
business,  and  has  a  well-managed,  finely 
^  equipped  farm  in  Otsego  Township  that  is 
classed  with  the  best  in  Allegan  County.  .Mr. 
liarton  was  born  in  Sussex.  England,  December  1, 
1830.  Ills  parents,  .lulm  ;ind  Cntlicrmc  ( Keelv) 
Barton,  were  English  too,  and  spent  Miclr  lives  on 
a  farm  in  tlieir  native  land,  the  mother  dying  in 
1854  and  the  father,  in  1867.  Our  subject  is  the 
youngest  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. His  education  was  conlined  to  the  common 
schools,  which  lie  attended  for  only  a  short  liinc. 
He  has,  however,  learned  iiuicli  in  the  school  of 
(!xpericiice  that  has  stood  him  in  good  stead.  .\t 
the  age  of  eleven,  he  became  general  chore-boy  on 
n  farm,  the  fir.-it  four  years  receiving  a  sixpence  a 
•  lay  for  his  service  in  that  capacity,  boarding 
with  his  imrciits.  The  year  he  was  sixteen,  he 
l>r»arded  with  his  employer,  aiirl  was  given  a  shil- 
ling a  week  for  his  work.  The  next  year  lie  ob- 
tained seven  shillings  a  wcck.mid  lioaidiilliiiiiMlf. 
The  two  ensuing  years  his  wages  were  increa.sud  t<j 


eight  shillings  a  week.  It  maj-  be  surmised  that 
he  w^as  not  getting  very  rich  on  sucli  a  pittance  as 
that,  and  when  he  was  in  his  twentieth  year  he 
wisely  concluded  that  he  would  emigrate  to  the 
United  States,  where  he  supposed  his  pay  would  be 
more  in  accordance  with  the  amount  of  his  labors, 
and,  as  he  has  been  so  prospered  in  this  country, 
he  has  probably  seen  but  little,  if  any,  cause  of  re- 
gret for  tlie  change  then  made,  lie  set  sail  from 
Old  England  March  15,  1850,  and  after  the  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic  in  a  sailing  vessel,  which  lasted 
almost  si.x  weeks,  he  landed  safe  and  sound  in 
New  York  City,  with  three  solid  English  sovereigns 
in  his  pocket  with  which  to  begin  life  in  the  New 
World.  He  made  his  wa_v  to  Monroe  County,  in 
the  same  State,  and  worked  there  on  a  farm  for 
about  three  years. 

In  the  fall  of  185:3,  our  subject  took  another 
important  step  in  life  whereby  he  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Michigan.  He  first  located  in  the  town- 
ship of  Watson,  Allegan  County,  purchasing 
a  tract  of  eighty'  acres  of  land  lying  in  the  woods. 
He  busied  himself  in  clearing  his  land  and  put- 
ting it  under  cultivation  until  ton  years  had 
passed  by,  and  he  then  sold  it,  in  IHO;},  and 
bought  the  farm  in  Otsego  Township,  that  he  has 
ever  since  occupied.  On  his  first  jilace  a  new  log 
house  had  just  been  erected  when  he  took  posses- 
sion of  it,  but  it  was  incomjilete.  The  surrounding 
country  was  very  wild,  and  was  yet  full  of  game, 
lie  has  seen  as  many  as  seven  deer  on  his  clcMnng 
at  Olio  time,  but  he  never  indulged  in  the  pleasures 
of  the  hunt.  His  secmid  farm  w.'is  partly  improved 
when  he  bought  it,  ami  he  li;is  coiriplelcil  Ihc  im- 
proveinents,  which  .'lie  all  liist-class.  He  re()laced 
the  hinnblc  log  house  that  originally  stood  on  the 
place  by  a  sulislantial  I'r.iiiu'  residence,  and  li:is 
erected  good  barns  and  otiuu'  buildings  in  aiH'ord- 
ance.  He  has  ninety  acres  of  land  in  his  liomc- 
stead  on  section  I  1,  mimI  lias  Muothci'  lorly  .'uti's  oT 
line  land  in  the  same  section. 

Mr.  Harlon  was  marrie<l,  Octobci  I'.l,  lS5.'i,  to 
Miss  Ellen  Sim  i  111.  ill  wliuiii  lie  lias  I  imi  I  m  \:i1ii;iMc  iis- 
sisl;iiit  ill  the  iipliiiililiiig  of  M  lioiiie.  Mrs.  Barton  is 
•a  luil  ivf  of  ^\■lll■.■^llMlld,  Monroe  ('oiint\-,  N.  Y.,  and 
a  daiiglilcr  of  Mnrliii  .•iiid  Aiiiif  Ann  ((ioodluie) 
Siiiilli.  who  were  iialivcs  rcsin'cliveh  (if  Massjicliii- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL   RECORD. 


449 


setts  and  New  York.  Her  father  was  a  farmer,  and 
lie  aiiil  lii.s  wife  spent  their  last  days  on  their  farm 
in  Monroe  ('ounty.  These  arc  the  names  of  the 
nine  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ]5arton:  Win- 
lield;  .John  and  .lane,  deecased;  .lames  H.;  .John, 
deceased;  Anna,  Ella  M.,  .Jacob  M.  and  (Jeorge. 
Mr.  IJarton  returned  to  England  four  years  ago 
on  a  visit,  and  caiuc  back  in  about  two  months, 
satisfied  with  his  choice  of  Michigan  for  a  home. 
Our  subject's  life  record  is  an  honor  to  himself 
and  to  his  adopted  township,  with  whose  interests 
his  own  have  been  so  closely  intertwined  for 
nearly  three  decades,  and  in  whose  improvements 
he  has  borne  an  important  part.  He  has  especially 
interested  himself  in  educational  matters,  has  held 
the  various  school  offices,  and  has  been  Treasurer 
of  his  School  District  twelve  3'ears.  Politically, 
he  is  a  stalwart  Republican. 


fS^:55v,OAH   BRYANT.     This  prominent  resident 
[j     ])l  of   Allegan    County  is  Superintendent  of 


!i\^)  the  Bardeen  Paper  Mills,  located  at  Ostego. 
He  is  a  man  full  of  push  and  enterprise  and  is  well 
fitted  to  occupy  his  responsible  position.  He  is  a 
native  of  England  and  was  born  .Tanuary  15,  1839, 
in  Alton,  Hampshire.  He  received  his  elementary 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
country,  making  the  best  of  his  limited  advan- 
tages. 

He  is  thoroughlj-  familiar  with  all  the  detail  of 
work  to  be  done  in  a  papermill,  for  at  the  early 
age  of  eleven  years  he  apprenticed  himself  to  learn 
that  business  in  Hamper  ]Mills,  England.  He  re- 
mained in  one  mill  for  three  years,  receiving  eleven 
cents  a  day  for  eleven  hours'  work.  He  then  en- 
tei-ed  a  mill  in  Wrexham,  North  Wales,  also  as  an 
apprentice,  but  only  remained  there  a  twelve- 
month. At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to 
Maidstone,  in  County  Kent,  where  he  worked  for 
three  years  at  paper-making,  and  then  returning 
to  Alton  and  spending  a  few  months  at  his  old 
home,  he  determined  to  set  sail  for  the  United 
States.  He  was  only  eighteen  years  old  when  he 
landed  on  American  soil,  which  was  in  1857.  His 
excellent  knowledge  of  paper-hanging  found  him 


immediate  employment  in  a  mill  in  East  Hartford, 
Conn.  Leaving  the  Nutmeg  State  he  went  to  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  and  oi)era1«d  a  machine  in  a  mill  there  for 
about  a  year.  •  He  then  returned  to  Connecticut, 
and,  after  spending  a  few  months  in  working  in  a 
mill,  went  to  Roysford,  Pa.,  and  thence  later  to 
Philadel|)hia,  where  he  had  charge  of  a  machine  in 
a  mill. 

While  in  Philadelphia,  the  rebel  army  invaded 
the  Keystone  State,  and  a  regiment  of  three- 
months'  men  was  raised  to  guard  the  State.  Our 
subject  enlisted  in  the  Forty-fifth  Pennsylvania 
Infantry,  Company  I,  serving  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment. His  next  place  of  residence  was  Fitchburg, 
Mass.,wliere  he  was  emplo_yed  liy  Crocker,  Burljank 
ife  Co.,  in  their  papermill.  His  excellent  knowledge 
of  the  business  was  appreciated  by  his  employers, 
and  he  was  made  Superintendent  of  two  large 
mills,  which  responsible  position  he  filled  most  sat- 
isfactorily for  eleven  years.  Coming  farther  West, 
he  was  engaged  in  the  extensive  mills  of  Chatfield 
&  Woods,  at  Cincinnati,  but  only  remained  there 
for  about  a  twelvemonth,  when  he  returned  to 
Connecticut  and  followed  his  Intsiness  at  Turner's 
Falls. 

In  1873,  the  gentleman  ot  whom  we  write  came 
to  Kalamazoo  County,  this  State,  and  for  fourteen 
years  had  charge  of  the  Kalamazoo  Paper  Mills. 
In  1887,  when  the  Bardeen  Paper  Company  was 
organized,  he  became  a  stockholder  in  the  company 
and  was  made  one  of  its  directors.  Coming  to  Ot- 
sego, he  took  charge  of  the  mills  as  its  Superin- 
tendent and  is  now  managing  the  largest  paper 
mill  in  the  State.  The  firm  manufacture  book, 
lithograph,  plate  and  map-paper  of  a  high  grade, 
the  mill  having  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  tons  a  week.  Their  business  increased  so  rap- 
idly that  in  1891  they  were  compelled  to  erect 
another  large  establishment,  which  turns  out  from 
sixty  to  seventy  tons  a  week,  of  about  the  same 
grade  of  paper.  Mr.  Biyaut  has  charge  of  both  of 
these  mills  and  is  recognized  b}'  his  fellow-towns- 
men as  a  man  who  most  thoroughly  understands  his 
business  and  he  is  meeting  with  unbounded  success 
in  his  calling. 

Miss  Elizabeth  Wilmout  became  the  wife  of  our 
subject,   their  marriage   taking  place  in    1865,  in 


450 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


^M^^Di^W^.m. 


B 


^1  OREX  E.  CLARK,  who  is  at  present  serving 
j  (d  liis  sccoiul  tenii  as  Supervisor  of  CiiesLire 
'  \ ,  'rowiisliip,  Allegan  County,  is  a  resident  of 
section  8.  He  was  born  April  26,  1844,  in  Le  Roy 
Township.  Calhoun  County,  tiiis  State.  His  father 
w.a.s  Philander  Clark  and  his  mother  Clarissa  (Law- 
rence) Clark,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Mar}-- 
land.  respeetively.  They  came  to  Mieliigan  in 
18l(t,  and  settled  in  Kalamazoo  County,  remaining 
there  about  three  ^-ears,  and  then  went  to  Calhoun 
County.  They  remained  on  this  farm  until  186], 
improving  the  place.  IJarr^-  County  was  the  des- 
tination of  their  next  move,  and  they  made  a  sec- 
ond move  in  that  same  county,  where  the  father 
died  in  1876,  the  mother  surviving  until  .luly, 
18K1.  She  bore  her  husband  eight  chiidren,  live 
now  living. 

I.oren  received  liut  a  limited  educalioii,  a-^  his 
parents  were  very  poor  and  he  started  ciui  on  his 
own  account,  lindingwork  in  a  sawmii!  and  llnally 
learning  the  trade  of  a  caipenter  and  joiner.  In 
1H72  he  wiLs  married  to  Kllen  Schramling,  a  daugh- 
t<T  of  .lohn  !ind  Polly  ((!ile)  S<'hramling,  natives 
of  New  Voi'kand  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  They 
Mettled  in  Kalama/.oo  (Jounty,  Mich.,  in  I8r>'.t,  the 
father  being  a  bhicksiiiitli    by   ni'ciipatioii.     'I'liev 


Fitchburg.  M.ass.  Mrs.  Bryant  is  a  native  of  Eng- 
land. She  is  a  most  estimable  lady,  well  fitted  to  be 
the  companion  of  her  worthy  husband.  They  have 
had  born  to  them  three  children:  'Elizabeth,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Frank  Milham.  als4j  a  member  of  the 
B:u-deen  Paper  Conipan\.and  who  is  .acting  in  the 
capacity  of  book-keeper;  Priseilla  and  George,  the 
latter  of  whom  is  deceased. 

.\lthough  our  subject  always  casts  his  vote  for 
the  candidates  of  the  Republican  party,  he  does 
not  take  an  active  part  in  politics,  preferring  to 
let  those  fill  oftices  who  have  not  such  extensive 
business  interests  to  occupy  them.  Socially,  he  is  j 
a  prominent  Mason.  Mrs.  Bryant,  in  her  church 
relations,  is  connected  with  the  Baptist  Church. 
They  have  a  most  beautiful  home,  where  they  en- 
tertain their  lio.sts  of  friends  in  a  most  charming 
and  hospitalile  manner. 


are  both  still  surviving  and  reside  on  a  peach  farm 
in  Saugatuck  Township,  on  the  lake  shore,  where 
the^-  have  more  than  three  thousand  peach  tree.'. 

Mrs.  Cl.ark  is  one  of  three  children  borVi  to  her 
parents,  her  birth  occurring  January  15,  1854,  in 
Ashtabula  County,  Ohio.  She  received  a  good 
common-school  education  and  after  her  marriage 
lived  in  the  vill.age  of  Climax,  Kalamazoo  County. 
In  1879  they  came  to  this  townsliip  and  settled  on 
their  present  farm  of  eighty  acres,  practically  ti 
raw  farm,  where  they  lun'C  cleared  sixty  acres, 
fenced  it  and  have  it  uin'ier  the  most  thorough  cul- 
tivation. Two  years  ago  Mr.  Clark  erected  his  neat 
residence,  and  all  the  other  modest  and  commodi- 
ous buildings  on  the  place.  He  and  his  wife  have 
had  born  to  them  three  children:  John  P.,  born  in 
1875;  Daisj'  C,  in  1878;  and  James,  in  1881,  who 
died  when  eight  months  old.  They  are  being 
well  educated.  The  family  attend  and  helii  sup- 
port the  United  Brethren  Church.  Socially,  Mr. 
Clark  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  has 
held  the  offices  of  Senior  and  .Innior  Warden  and 
also  Senior  Deacon.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I'atroiis 
of  Industry  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Grange,  of  which  he  has  lieen  Master  and  Over- 
seer. Mr.  Clark  takes  (piite  an  active  part  in  poli- 
tics and  gives  his  inlluenco  to  the  Industrial  parly 
at  present  Init  he  has  lieretofore  been  a  Denuicral. 
He  is  Moderator  of  School  District  N\>.  7,  and  was 
elected  Siipervi.s(n'  of  this  townslii])  in  I8',)().  and 
is  now  serving  his  seecuid  term.  He  was  elet'ted 
on  the  Democratic  ticket  in  a  township  where  the 
Republicans  have  more  than  one  hundred  niajor- 
itv,  I'ut  both  times  he  carried  a  larye  maiorit\'. 


r^   1    > 


I.EX.WDKR     UKXDER    is   a    highly    re- 
spected member  of  that  part  of  the  farm- 
ing community  of    .Miegan  County  whose 
((jy  .•igricultural  interests   lie   in   the   l()wnshi|> 

of  Martin,  where  he  has  a  feitile  farm  that  is  well 
su|>plie(l  with  iriiproNcineuls  of  a  good  class.  Mr. 
Mender  comes  of  the  pionrn-  >lo(k  of  the  neigh- 
boring State  of  Oliio.  ol'  whicli  he  is  a  native, 
Springlield  Townsliip  \\i>  bii  tliplaee,  and  Septem- 
ber ;!,  IM.'i."),  Ilic  dale  of  his  .•nhenl   into  the  I'aiiiilv 


PORTEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


451 


circle  of  Alexander  and  Permclia  (Crosier)  Bender. 
His  father  was  born  in  Somerset  County,  Pa.,  in 
1799,  and  was  a  son  of  Andrew  J.  Bender,  who  was 
also  a  native  of  that  State,  but  the  family  origi- 
nated in  Germany.  The  mother  of  our  f^uhject 
was  of  Scotch  origin. 

The  Benders  were  among  the  early  settlers  of 
Ohio,  and  there  the  father  was  reared  to  a  stalwart 
manhood.  lie  became  a  blacksmith,  and  followed 
that  trade  many  years  until  his  eyesight  failed  him. 
Me  died  in  Summit  County,  Ohio,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-two.  He  was  a  faithful  follower  of  the 
Democrat  party,  and  at  one  time  held  the  olHce  of 
Constable  and  also  of  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  was 
a  Christian  of  the  truest  type,  and  a  devoted  mem- 
ber of  the  Disciples  Church.  He  was  always  inter- 
ested in  church  work,  and  when  there  was  no 
church  of  his  denomination  for  him  to  attend,  he 
used  to  go  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and 
take  part  in  its  work  as  a  Class-leader,  etc.  The 
nother  of  our  subject  is  a  daughter  of  one  of  the 
old  pioneer  families  of  Ohio,  where  she  was  born; 
she  is  still  living,  having  attained  the  venerable  age 
of  eighty-four  years,  and  makes  her  home  in  Car- 
son, Mich.  Ten  children  were  born  of  her  mar- 
riage, live  sons  and  five  daughters,  eight  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity:  Harriet,  Mary,  Daniel,  Alexan- 
der, .James  and  Elizabeth  (twins),  Julia,  .John..Tan- 
ette  and  Andrew. 

Alexander  Bender,  of  whom  this  sketch  is  writ- 
ten, is  the  second  son  and  the  fourth  child  of  the 
family,  lie  was  reared  in  his  native  town  amid 
pioneer  surroundings,  and  completed  his  educa- 
tion in  the  primitive  local  schools  of  those  days. 
He  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  and  there  learned  lessons  which  have 
been  beneflci.al  to  him  in  his  after  career  as  an  in- 
dependent farmer.  At  the  age  mentioned,  he 
started  out  empty-handed  into  the  world,  but  he 
had  good  capital  in  a  clear  brain  and  strong  mus- 
cles that  ena!)led  him  to  make  his  way  readil}'.  His 
first  employment,  after  leaving  home,  was  on  a 
dairy  farm,  where  he  worked  by  the  month,  and 
was  thus  emplo3'ed  some- four  years.  He  was  fru- 
gal and  industrious,  and  in  no  long  time  had 
money  enough  laid  by  to  enable  him  to  marry, 
and  thus  obtained  a  helpmate   to  assist  him  in  the 


upbuilding  of  a  home     Miss  Flora  Blakely  became 
his  bride,  and  their  union    was  celebrated  Septem- 
ber   9,     1860,    in     her    native    county.    Summit, 
Ohio,  where  she  was  born  August  27,  1841.     Her 
father,  Lyman  Blakely,    was  al.so  a  native  of  thxj 
Buckeye  State,  born  in  the  Township  of  Tall  madge. 
Summit  County,  in  1812,   and  a  son  of  one  of  the 
oldest  pioneer  families  of  that  vicinity.  He  became- 
a  farmer  after  reaching  mature  years  and  plied  his. 
calling  in  his  native  State  for  many  years.  In  1876- 
he  came  to  Allegan    County,   and   spent    his  re- 
maining days  in    Gun  Plain  Township,    where  he 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.     He  was  four  times 
married.     The    maiden    name    of    Mrs.    Bender's 
mother  was  Mary  Hollister,   and   she  was  a  native 
of  New  York.    She  died  when  only  thirty-two  years 
old,  having  had  three  children:  Mrs.  Bender,   the 
eldest,  and  two  sons:  Vening  and  Milton,  both  of 
whom  are  dead.     Mr.  Blakely 's  third  wife  was  Mar}' 
J.  Tibbies,  and  to    them    two   children  were  born ; 
Lutie,  wife  of  Delbert  Olds,  of  Gun  Plain;    and 
Frank,  a  resident  of  the  same  place.     Mr.  Blakely 's 
fourth  marriage   was  with  Mrs.  Sarah  Beedle,  who 
survives  him  and  is  living  at  Plainwell.      One  son 
was  born  to  them,  Lewis,    who    died    at  the  age  of 
three  weeks.     After  marriage    our  subject  went  to 
Peoria  County,  111.,  where  he  remained  six  months. 
He  then    returned  to    Ohio    and    located    in    Pike 
Township,    Fulton    County,    whence    he  removed, 
first  to  York  Township,  next    to  Clinton,    in    tiie 
same  count}',    and   from    the  latter   place  came  to 
Jlichigan  in  1880.     He   has  since   made  his  home 
in  Martin    Township,   on  his    farm  on  sections  23 
and  27,  which   comprises    one  hundred    and  sixty 
acres  of  valuable  land,  which  he    has  improved  in 
many  wa3'S,  but  he  has  it  only  partly  cleared.     He 
does  a  general  farming  business,  and  derives  there- 
from a  comfortable  income. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bender  have  been  blessed  in  their 
wedded  life  with  these  three  children:  Mary,  wife 
of  Greeley  Losure,of  Jlartin  Township;  Cora,  wife 
of  Ulric  Brown,  of  Martin  Township;  and  Lyman, 
who  resides  at  home  with  his  parents.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  are  thorough-going  Christians  and 
conscientious  church  members,  he  being  iden- 
tified with  the  Christian  Church,  while  she  belongs 
to  the  Disciples  Church,  and    both    hold    a  warm 


452 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


place  in  the  hearts  of  tlicir  ueighbors.  \y1io  know 
them  to  be  friendly  and  obliging;,  and  always  will- 
ing to  help  otiiers  who  may  need  their  assistance. 
In  his  political  views.  Jlr.  Bender  is  a  decided  Re- 
piiblictn. 


j,ILEYGR.\NGEK.  One  of  tiic  first  pioneers 
)  break  road  and  ground  in  Allegan 
onnty.  spying  out  the  country  .as  did  his 
predecessor  of  Kentucky  fame,  was  Rilej' 
Granger.  He  is  one  of  the  very  few  early  settlers 
who  are  now  remaining  to  tell  the  hardships  and 
I)rivations  winch  they  endured  in  ni;iking  Ihe  coun- 
try accessible  to  those  who  came  after,  lie  is  a 
native  of  the  Empire  Stale,  having  been  born  in 
Rochester,  October  20,  1820.  His  parents  were 
Moses  and  Ruth  (Cooper)  Granger,  natives  respect- 
ively of  A'ermont  and  New  York. 

Tiie  direct  progenitor  of  our  subject  w:is  a  car- 
penter, who  followed  that  trade  most  of  liis  life  in 
IJochester.  He  died  in  1826,  his  g(jod  wife  sur- 
viving him  many  yeai-s,  iier  decease  occurring  in 
1860.  Rile^'  Granger  was  the  youngest  of  the 
twelve  ciiildren  born  to  his  parents,  and  is  tiie 
only  one  now  living  of  that  large  family,  llis 
father  dying  when  he  was  ipiite  young,  leav- 
ing tiie  family  straightened  in  ciicumi-tances,  our 
subject  was  given  l)nl  very  limited  advantjiges  as 
regards  an  education.  He  lias  been  fully  alive, 
however,  to  tlie  value  of  kiK)wlcdgc,  and  by  persis- 
tent and  sy.slematic  reading  ii.'i.s  become  one  of  the 
intelligent,  educated  gentleman  of  his  county. 

When  fifteen  years  of  age,  our  subject  act^oin- 
jtMiiicd  by  thr  rest  of  the  family  came  to  Michigan, 
the  jiiiiriiey  liilln'i- taking  place  in  1836.  They  came 
overland  from  Detroit  and  our  subjiict  amusingly 
relates  how  tln^y  had  to  carry  poles  with  which  to 
pry  the  wagon  out  of  the  mud  for  about  foil  v 
niile.H.  His  mother  and  one  brother  had  preceded 
the  family  in  March,  taking  an  overl.'ind  route 
through  Canad.-i.  and.  when  locali'd  in  \v|i:it  i.-<  now 
'I'rowbridge  Township,  .\llegaii  County,  entered 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres  from  the  ( loveriiinent. 
They  erected  a  log  house  for  tlic  f.'iinily  .'uhI  IIk'ii 
iiidiistriously   set    about    clearing    and    improving 


their  tract  of  land.  The  hardships  and  adventures 
which  were  theirs  at  that  time  made  a  lasting  im- 
pression upon  the  mind  of  our  subject.  AVhite 
settlers  were  very  few  and  far  between,  but  Indians 
and  wild  anim.als  were  very  plentiful  indeed,  and, 
although  the  maiket  for  their  products  wsis  some 
miles  distant,  yet  their  table  was  always  supplied 
with  choice  wild  meats,  which  could  I)c  had  for 
the  shooting. 

Riley  Ciranger  reinaiiied  on  the  farm  for  tiiii- 
t3'-five  years  .and  in  1871  came  to  Plainwell 
and  engaged  in  lumber  business.  He  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time  at  the  head  of  the  Plainwell  Lumbering 
Company,  which  is  one  of  the  most  successful  en- 
terprises of  this  section.  His  industry  and  good 
judgment  in  business  matters  have  invariaMy 
brought  him  success,  a  fact  whose  truth  has  never 
been  disputed,  as  fortune  usually  showers  her  bless- 
ings upon  the  possessor  of  these  traits  of  charac- 
ter. 

In  1846  jNIr.  Granger  was  married  to  INIary  E.. 
daughter  of  Ilezekinli  and  Lucia  (.lolinson)  .loliii- 
son,  natives  of  New  York.  JMrs.  Granger  was 
born  in  St.  Lawrence  Ct)unty,  N.  Y.,  and  accom- 
panied her  mother  to  Mii-liigan,  where  they  located 
in  Alma,  Kalamazoo  County,  where  she  passed  her 
last  d. ays.  The  father  was  liorn  May  15,  171M, 
and  died  March  ;)1,  18;i;5,  in  New  York  State, 
while  his  good  wife  was  born  jMay  II,  180."),  and 
died  August  7,  18.')2. 

The  family  wliii-li  has  been  granted  to  our 
subject  :ind  his  eslimable  wife  are  Charles  .\., 
who  is  married  and  associated  with  his  father  in 
business;  riiiliiida.  who  is  the  wife  of  Khiss  Wilde- 
boor  and  lives  in  I'lieblo  County,  Col.;  Marion 
II.,  who  is  married  and  is  engaged  in  the  hardware 
business  in  Kendallville,  Ind..  ami  Hiiilon  E..  who 
is  also  married  and  carrying  on  a  thriving  grocery 
business  in  I'lainwell. 

In  his  political  predilections,  our  subject  is  a 
thorough  Kepublicaii,  tinding  in  the  tenets  and 
doctrines  of  that  parte  the  balance  of  what  is 
triiesti  and  \ir>[  in  his  |iolitical  life,  lie  has  repre- 
sented his  party  as  a  delegate  t  ;  county,  district 
and  Stiilc  conventions,  and  is  one  of  the  mo>t  en- 
thusiastic workers.  .Mr.  tlr.ingcr,  in  nildilioii  to 
his    business    interests    in     rifiinwell.   owns  a    line 


JAMES  CAMPBELL, 


1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL  RECORD. 


ir,r, 


faiin  of  eiglity  aores  in  Trowbridire  Township 
Allesnii  C'tmnty.  It  boars  all  the  iiiiproveinents 
of  a  first-class  estate  and  he  lias  refused  the 
offer  of  *100  an  aere  for  it.  His  heauliful  home 
in  riainwell  indicates  that  its  inmates  are  people 
of  refinement  and  culture.  It  is  presided  over  by  his 
worthy  wife,  who  is  much  beloved  by  all  who  know 
her. 

The  lumber  company  in  which  j\Ir.  (Jranger  is 
interested  carries  a  large  stock  of  lumber,  coal,  lime, 
etc.,  and  does  an  extensive  business  in  this  section. 
Upright  and  honest  in  all  his  dealings  jNIr.  (iranger 
is  highly  esteemed  personally.  For  three  years  be 
kept  a  large  store  in  Hamilton.  Mich.,  but  has  since 
disposed  of  it.  lie  was  engaged  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  lumber  for  many  \'ears,  owning  and  running 
a  sawmill.  Mr.  Granger  relates  that  when  in  his 
sixteenth  year  he  was  sent  on  horseback  twenty- 
Hve  miles  distant  to  oljtain  some  peach  trees.  He 
returned  the  same  day,  bringing  with  him  sixteen 
trees,  which  were  the  first  planted  in  Trowbridge 
Township,  Allegan  County. 

The  high  standing  to  which  Mv.  Granger  has  at- 
tained in  a  financial  way  in  his  county  has  been 
the  direct  result  of  his  persistent  industry,  assisted 
by  the  good  judgment  and  economy  of  his  worthy 
wife.  He  now  ranks  among  the  wealthy  citizens 
of  this  section,  and  it  is  with  special  pleasure  that 
we  place  this  sketch  in  the  hands  of  our  readers. 


<t^ 


-^ 


^t?  A ME.S  CAMPBELL.  Among  the  represen- 
tative farmers  of  Portage  Township,  Kala- 
mazoo County,  we  are  pleased  to  name  the 
original  of  the  portrait  presented  on  the  op- 
posite page,  and  the  owner  of  a  pleasant  home  and 
excellent  farm  on  section  1-i.  His  father,  Hugh 
Camjibell,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  his  mother  was 
Elizabeth  Fiulej-,  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland. 
They  both  died  in  their  native  country.  Ten 
cliildren  were  born  to  them,  our  subject  being 
among  the  first  born. 

James  Campbell  had  his  birth  in  County  Down, 
Ireland,  June  29,  1808,  where  he  was  reared  to 
manhood.  He  was  employed  on  a  farm  until  he  was 
about  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  was  apprenticed 


to  learn  the  shoemaker's  trade.  At  the  end  of  three 
years' apprenticeshi|),  he  L'ommenced  to  work  at  his 
trade,  which  he  continued  till  he  was  twent3''-three 
years  old.  At  this  age  he  emigrated  to  America 
to  see  what  this  new  country  held  in  store  for  iiim. 
He  landed  in  (^uebc(!,  and  started  u|)  the  St.  Law- 
rence River,  but,  it  being  the  year  the  cholera  raged 
so,  he  was  obliged  to  stop  at  Kingston,  Ontario,  and 
the  times  being  very  dull  he  was  compelled  to  do 
whatever  he  could  to  obtain  a  livelihood.  He  re- 
mained in  Kingston  a  few  months  and  finally  went 
to  Elba,  Genesee  Country,  N.  Y.,  and  for  a  short 
time  there  followed  his  trade,  and  then  engaged 
in  farming  by  the  month,  for  a  time  of  four  years, 
or  until  1836. 

While  yet  in  Genesee  County,  Mr.  Campljell  was 
married  to  the  lady  of  his  choice,  Ann  Cash,  in 
September,  1835.  Mrs.  Campbell  was  a  native  of  New 
York  State,  and  in  the  spring  of  1836  the  newly- 
married  couple  journeyed  to  tliis  county  and  State, 
and  located  in  Pavilion  Township.  Here  Mr.  Camp- 
bell purchased  eighty  acres  of  Government  land, 
on  which  he  lived  but  a  short  time,  when  he  sold 
and  rented  a  home  in  Kalamazoo  Township,  and 
for  a  period  of  three  years  was  emjiloyed  at  farm- 
ing and  various  occupations. 

In  the  fall  of  1840  Mr.  Campbell  settled  on  sec- 
tion 14,  Portage  Township,  on  a  tract  of  forty 
acres  which  he  purchased.  He  at  once  erected  a 
small  house  and  set  about  in  true  pioneer  style  to 
improve  and  cultivate  the  place,  and  on  this  estate 
he  is  yet  making  his  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell had  born  to  them  two  children,  namely:  David 
who  died  in  Portage  Township  when  forty-eight 
years  old,  and  James,  who  died  in  this  township  at 
the  age  of  eleven  years.  The  good  wife  and 
mother  was  called  from  earth  October  22,  1849. 
Mr.  Campbell  took  as  his  second  wife,  J UI3'  7,  1850, 
Mrs.  Ada  Sherman,  the  widow  of  Nathaniel  Sher- 
man, and  a  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Elizal)eth  Aid- 
rich.  Mrs.  Campbell  was  born  in  New  York  Slate, 
April  12,  1816,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject, 
two  children  were  born:  Willie,  who  died  when 
eleven  months  old,  and  Charles  R.,  who  married 
Miss  Carrie  L.  Ames,  a  daughter  of  II.  C.  Ames  of 
this  township,  February  1,  1888.  This  couple 
have   one    child:    Ruth    E.      Mrs.    Ada    Campbell 


456 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


passed  from  this  life  to  her  everlasting  rest  in  Sep- 
tember, 1881. 

The  old  bouse  which  Mr.  Camplu'll  first  erected 
has  given  way  to  a  coinfoitable  residence,  .ind  a 
nice  and  substantial  set  of  farm  buildings  adorn 
the  estate  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on 
which  general  farming  and  stock-raising  are  carried 
on  with  more  than  ordinary  success.  Mr.  Camp- 
l>ell  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with 
the  township  ollices  of  Supervisor,  which  oHice  he 
has  held  four  years  in  succession;  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  three  terms,  and  Highway  Commissioner 
one  year.  The  duties  of  tiiese  responsible  otli- 
ces  he  discharged  faithfully  and  conscientiously, 
and  with  satisfaction  to  all.  In  politics,  his  vote 
is  cast  with  the  Democratic  ])artv 


V. 


i-i^* 


)EORf;K  H.  HARKER,  a  substantial  farmer 
^ —  residing  on  section  22,  Covert  Township, 
Van  Huren  County,  settled  lioio  in  tiie  fall 
of  IKCS,  altlioiigh  he  had  been  in  the  county  some 
ten  years  previous.  He  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  N.  Y.,  August  12,  1832,  his  parents  being 
Lucius  15.  and  I-iicinda  (P>ly)  Barker,  natives  of 
MiU'<.satliusetts.  The  paternal  gianilfather  of  ()ur 
subject.  Russel  Harker,  removed  from  Massachu- 
setts t<i  New  York,  and  died  in  Madison  County. 
The  faliier  of  our  subject  was  a  child  when  the 
family  came  to  New  York,  wliciv  he  learned  the 
tnide  of  »  blacksmith,  was  married,  and  in  18;3() 
emigratefl  to  Michigan,  settling  first  in  AVashtcnaw 
County,  and  later  in  Livingston  County,  wliere  he 
carried  on  a  farm.  He  died  there  in  the  fall  of 
IHIil,  ill  the  .sixty-lirsl  year  of  his  age.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  is  still  living  and  resides  w'ilh  her 
daiiuhler  in  riciiesee  County,  this  Stat<'.  This 
worthy  eoiipU'  were  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
iiumely:  .Miiry,  .Mi>.  liusli,  resides  in  \Va>iitcnaw 
C<iiiiily;  Kiistcll  .\.,  lives  in  I'lint;  Kllen  marriinl 
Elisha  Hoot,  and  died  in  Mint;  Ocorge  IL;  ,\nge- 
liiie,  Mi-s. 'I'odd,  of  (lenesee  County,  Mich.;  .lane, 
Mr-.  Hawkins,  lives  in  Detroit;  Nancy,  Mrs.  Todd, 
iesidc'<  in  ticiicce  County;  i-'niiik  AL  lives  in 
Wa-thlfiiaw;    riiiiaiidei',  who  wa-  a    rncnilici-  of   llic 


Third  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  died  while  in  the 
service;  and  Sarah,  who  became  the  wife  of  Ed 
Wicks,  and  died  in  Flint. 

Our  subject  was  a  boy  when  his  father's  family 
came  to  Michigan.  There  were  many  children, 
and  each  one  did  what  he  could  to  assist  the  father 
in  gaining  a  living.  George  II.  attended  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  at  times  worked  with  his  father 
at  his  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  but,  disliking  the 
business  very  much,  when  sixteen  years  old  he 
went  to  live  with  a  sister,  and  was  employed  upon 
the  farm  until  he  reached  his  majority.  In  18.')3,  Mr. 
Barker  came  to  Van  Buren  County,  and  worked  in 
the  lunilior  woods.  Three  years  later  he  went  to 
New  York,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Van  Buren  County.  In  the  fall  of  18(;i, 
he  removed  to  Livingston  County;  here  on  Janu- 
ary 1.5,  1862,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  C.  De  Wolf, 
and  in  1803  settled  in  Covert  Township,  where  he 
had  purchased  land  some  years  previous.  Here  he 
cleared  up  and  improved  a  farm,  and  now  owns 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  of  wliich 
ninety  acres  are  under  cultivation.  On  tlicsc  ho 
has  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings, and  all  llic  many 
conveniences  so  necessary  to  a  farmer. 

Mrs.  Barker  is  the  daughter  of  Jason  and  Eliza- 
beth (Near)  De  AVolf,  and  her  birth  took  jjliice  in 
Livingston  County,  ISIit'li.,  June  .'),  1841.  Her 
parents  were  natives  of  New  York,  and  were  jiio- 
necrs  of  Livingston  County,  whore  they  resided 
until  the  dcatli  of  the  fatlier,  at  the  ago  of  eigiity- 
two  years,  ami  the  niothcr.  wiien  si'\onty-nine  years 
of  age.  Diiniel  De  Wolf,  the  giaiidfaliu'r  of  Mrs. 
Barker,  w.as  a  .soldier  in  the  Ivcvolutionary  War, 
and  was  at  ^'alley  Forge  with  (ion.  Washington. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  De  AVolf  had  fivecliildron:  ,\nn,  wife 
of  Homy  Done;  Hiram  J., a  resident  of  Livingston 
County;  Mrs.  Barker;  Mary  L.,  wife  of  Tliomas  ,]. 
Winegar,  of  llowoll,  this  Slate;  .and  Wesley  11., 
also  a  losidoni  of  Livingston  Counly.  Our  subject 
and  liis  wife  liave  also  liad  live  cliililrou,  nMiiioly: 
Hiram  I).,  who  dieil  in  childhood;  /ilpiia  Y.,  and 
Grace  .\..  living  at  homo;  Ceoii,  wlio  was  aocident- 
allv  sliol  .'ukI  killed  in  .Imiiumi  \  .  I  S',1 1 ,  when  eight- 
een \c'.'irs  old;  ami  iMiiost  II. 

Ml.  liarkor  lioiongs  to  the  |{(|nibli<.Hii  paily.  lie 
has  held  si'vcial  local  ollices.  Mini    has    '    on    'I'owii- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


457 


ship  Supervisor  for  several  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  tiie  IiHk'iicndciil  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  nnd 
also  llie  Patrons  of  lliishaiidrv,  being  Master  of  the 
Hee  Hive  Lodge  for  many  years.  The  family  are 
well  known  and  highly  esteemed  by  their  neigh- 
bors and  friends. 


V 


ON.  SAN  FORD  H.  CORBYN.  This  gen- 
tleman is  one  of  the  prominent  pioneers 
of  Michigan  who  can  look  back  over  many 
years  of  hardship  and  toil  to  tlie  early 
days  when  this  now  nourishing  land  was  a  wilder- 
ness of  prairie  and  forest,  given  over  to  the  sav- 
age and  the  wild  beasts.  He  can  trace  with  pleas- 
ure and  pride  the  rapid  advance  of  the  State  in 
civilization,  and  his  stories  of  the  olden  time  are 
exceedingly  interesting  to  those  of  the  present 
generation  who  have  the  good  fortune  to  listen 
to  them. 

Mr.  Corbyn  was  born  in  Windom  County,  Conn., 
September  13,1807.  ^Vlthough  a  mere  child  at 
the  time,  he  well  remembers  hearing  the  cannon- 
ading during  the  War  of  1812.  Joseph  15.  Cor- 
byn, his  father,  who  is  also  a  native  of  Windom 
County,  was  born  October  7,  1773.  lie  was  a 
farrier  by  trade  and  also  carried  on  a  black- 
smith's shop,  at  the  same  time  operating  a  grist- 
mill. In  1815,  he  removed  to  Monroe  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  settled  upon  a  farm.  The  coun- 
try' was  then  new  and  unbroken,  and  much  labor 
was  required  to  establish  a  comfortable  home. 
Here  he  remained  until  1846,  when  he  came  to 
Michigan,  settling  in  Macomb  County,  where  he 
died  in  1848.  He  was  an  excellent  man  and  a 
life-long  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  llis  an- 
cestors came  from  England  and  settled  in  Massa- 
chusetts at  an  early  day.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, whose  maiden  name  was  Poll.y  Howard,  was 
a  native  of  Connceticut,  whose  decease  occurred 
in  the  same  month  and  year  as  that  of  her  hus- 
band. This  wortliy  couple  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  of  whom  three  sons  and  one 
daughter  survive,  our  subject  being  the  fourth  in 
order  of  birth  and  the  eldest  of  the  sons. 

Mr.  Corbvn   received    his  elementary  education 


in  the  district  school,  that  being  the  best  that 
could  be  obtained  at  that  time,  most  of  tlie  .scliool- 
houses  being  of  log  and  the  teaching  generalh' 
corresponding  to  the  i)rimitive  style  of  the 
building.  He  afterward,  liowever,  attended  an 
academy  at  Henrietta,  N.  Y.  Liitil  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  he  remained  at  home  with  his  father, 
assisting  him  in  his  various  duties  and  also  teach- 
ing school  during  the  winters  of  1828-2K-30-31. 
In  the  spring  of  1831,  he  caine  to  Michigan,  land- 
ing at  Detroit  and  spending  his  first  night  on  the 
docks.  Going  from  there  to  Macomb  County,  he 
took  up  a  good  tract  of  land  in  what  is  now  Ar- 
mada Township.  It  was  almost  an  unbroken  wil- 
derness, there  being  no  one  living  within  three 
miles  of  his  place. 

In  this  wild  region  our  subject  began  life  in 
earnest,  his  first  work  being  to  assist  his  uncle  in 
putting  up  a  log  cabin.  They  had  no  lack  of 
company,  for  Indians  were  all  about  them,  and 
wolves  and  bears  made  very  unwelcome  visitors. 
Their  larder  was  well  supplied  with  wild  game, 
and  there  was  much  in  the  new  experience  tliat 
was  interesting.  In  coini)aiiy  with  his  uncle,  Mr. 
Corbyn  built  an  old-fashioned  sawmill;  in  this 
they  manufactured  some  boards  with  which  he 
built  a  very  primitive  frame  shanty  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner:  He  nailed  his  boards  to  trees, 
which  answered  for  posts,  afterward  sawing  the 
trees  off  at  the  proper  height  and  roofing  it  over. 
In  one  corner  of  this  house  he  piled  a  lot  of  stones 
for  a  flre-i)lace  and  made  a  hole  in  the  roof  to  al- 
low the  smoke  to  escape.  In  this  rude  structure 
he  remained  until  the  following  fall,  when  he  re- 
placed it  by  a  better  one  with  a  more  artistic  fire- 
place and  a  stick  chimney.  In  this  he  lived  until 
he  had  cleared  and  partially  improved  his  farm, 
and  in  1848  he  built  a  good  and  substantial 
house. 

In  1866,  Mr.  Corbyn  sold  out  his  first  farm  and 
came  to  Plainwell,  where  he  purchased  a  half-in- 
terest in  a  sawmill,  the  following  year  adding  a 
gristmill,  and  one  year  afterward  selling  out  both 
mills.  For  about  a  year  he  did  not  engage  in  any 
business,  at  which  time  the  mills  were  thrown 
back  upon  his  hands.  A  division  of  the  property 
was  made,   in  which   Mr.  Corbyn  took  the  sawmill 


458 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


as  his  portion.  Tliis  he  operated  for  fifteeu  3'eai-s, 
when  he  sold  out  to  the  Michigan  Paper  Compan.y, 
taking:  tlie  amount  due  hiui  in  stoclc  in  that  com- 
pany, Imt  ha.-!  since  disposed  of  it.  Our  subject 
was  twice  married,  his  fii-st  union  to  Miss  Delia 
T.  Pierson,  a  native  of  Madison  County,  N.  Y., 
taking  place  in  September,  1834.  Mrs.  Corbyn 
was  born  December  20,  1809,  and  departad  this 
life  December  2G,  1874.  Of  this  marriage  three 
children  were  born:  Martha  R.,  Knowlton  P.  and 
Artliur  H.  Martha  R.  became  the  wife  of  Charles 
Jlillspaugli,  a  native  of  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. 
He  came  to  Michigan  in  1834,  at  the  age  of  two 
yeai-s,  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in  Jlacomb 
County,  where  they  both  died.  He  became  a 
resident  of  Plain  well  in  December,  1872,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  and  his  wife  are  the  jwr- 
ents  of  two  children,  Almon  and  Ella. 

Knowlton  1'.  became  a  Civil  Engineer  and  went 
to  Texas,  where  he  followed  his  profession  for 
several  years.  He  was  one  of  the  contractors  who 
put  in  the  water  works  at  Hyde  I'ark,  Chicago. 
He  lost  his  life  while  out  at  the  crib  at  work, 
when  a  gale  swept  himself  and  several  companions 
into  the  lake.  He  was  married  and  had  one 
daughter,  ^Farcia,  who  resides  in  Chicago.  Aiiliur 
II.  is  married  and  lives  on  a  farm  at  Ahuiiu, 
Kalama/oi)  County.  He  has  two  children,  ill". 
Corbyn  after  the  death  of  his  fir.sl  wife  was  again 
married.  May  I,  1876,  to  Mi-s.  Betsey  (Hakes) 
Hitchcock,  a  native  of  New  York,  whose  death 
took   place  April  0,  18'.ll. 

Mr.  Corbyn  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat,  cast- 
ing his  lirsl  vote,  in  1828,  for  Gen.  .I.ackson.  He 
Uas  been  a  delegate  to  various  State  and  county 
conventions.  In  the  fall  of  1850,  he  was  elected 
Stat<'  KcpreM'iilalive  of  .Macomb  County,  attend- 
ing the  regular  session  of  the  Legislature  dur- 
ing tlie  following  winter  and  an  extra  session 
in  .lunc.  lie  M-rvcd  on  several  important  com- 
mittees and  on  a  special  commitlee  pertaining 
to  the  Indian  iiueslion.  He  w.as  elected  one  of 
th(?  three  Coiinly  Commissioners  who  formed 
tlie  )ir?*t  board  ever  elected  in  Macrmib  County 
wrvintr  for  twoyeai-s.  He  al.'.o  lilled  the  odlces 
f>f  .Iti.'<lice  <if  the  l'e<ice.  School  Insjiector,  and 
numerous  others,  being    in  active  service  for  ovrr 


twenty  yeare.  He  was  never  nominated  for  any 
office  in  which  he  failed  of  election.  He  has  been 
a  prominent  and  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church  for  over  sixty  3'ears,  helping  to  organize 
that  church  in  Macomb  County.  He  has  led  a 
most  exemplary  life,  and  has  been  a  warm  advo- 
cate of  temperance  reforms.  In  his  declining 
years  JMr.  Corbyn  can  look  back  over  a  life  well 
spent,  feeling  that  his  influence  has  ever  been 
given  on  the  side  of  justice  and  right  and  that  he 
has  ever  held  an  honorable  place  in  the  esteem  of 
his  fellow-citizens  and  the  warm  affection  of  his 
moi'e  intimate  friends  and  .issociatcs. 


-^^+^P-= 


ILTOX  CHASE,  M.D.  To  be  descended 
from  honorable  and  able  progenitors  has 
111  long  since  been  considered  a  source  of 
honest  pride.  Yet  this  feeling  has  not 
been  cultivated  in  this  country  as  it  is  among  the 
people  of  other  nations,  where  the  heritage  of 
rank  reinforces  the  heritage  of  cliaracter  in  the 
popular  estimation.  Still,  among  our  best  families, 
we  find  a  disposition  to  remember  the  acts  of  our 
forefathers,  and  to  encourage  the  recital  of  their 
deeds;  and  in  remembering  their  woi'tli,  we  are  in- 
cited to  emulate  their  lives. 

Dr,  Chase,  of  this  sketch,  has  h.ad  a  wide  experi- 
ence in  the  medical  profession,  and  is  one  of  the 
prominent  and  successful  physicians  of  Otsego. 
He  keeps  thoroughly  posted  in  regard  to  all  the 
theories  advanced  by  the  profession,  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  popular  medical  works,  has  a  library  of  well- 
selected  books,  the  contents  of  which  fully  attest 
the  culture  and  literary  standing  of  himself  and 
family.  The  Doctor  is  a  strcmg  teniporance  man, 
and  has  done  much  to  advance  the  cause  ot'  pid- 
hibilion  in  .Mlegan  County. 

Dr.  Chase  was  born  in  iMonroc  County,  this 
State,  Sc|i1('iiili('r  1,  l.s:!7,  .■mil  is  the  son  of  Warren 
Chase,  ;i  native  of  Cornish,  Sullivan  County,  N.  II. 
The  father  emigrated  to  iNhniroe  ('<uinly  aboutr 
1832,  where  he  engaged  in  Die  nuTcantih'  liusincss. 
In  18:!H  he  .sent  a  stoi  k  of  di\-good  to  Kenosha, 
Wis,,  where  he  intended  opening  up  in  business. 
ISiil   ii{i(in    :in'i\ing    in    lli.'il    |il:ii'c.  lie    roiniil    lliril 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


4.")  9 


his  goods  had  not  arrived,  so  he  was  without 
iiioiiey  and  without  goods.  lie  immediately  set 
to  work  to  rei)air  liis  hjsl  fortune,  and  remained 
in  that  phice  for  Ave  j'ears.  Later  he  moved  to 
Ceresco,  where  he  organized  the  Wisconsin  Phalanx 
on  the  Fourier  plan  of  co-operative  association. 

AVarren  Chase  was  a  very  prominent  man  in 
politics,  and  became  a  noted  Free-soiler.  He 
was  a  menil)er  of  tlie  first  State,  and  last  Terri- 
torial, Legislature  of  Wisconsin.  He  was  candi- 
date in  181(i  for  Governor  of  Wisconsin  on  the 
Free-soil  tici<et,  carrying  his  own  town  and  county, 
hut  was  defeated.  Mr.  Chase  went  to  California, 
and  there  his  fellow-townsmen,  recogiiizing  his 
superior  executive  ability,  elected  him  to  rei)resent 
them  in  the  Legislature,  his  election  talcing  place 
from  Santa  Barbara  on  the  Greenbaek  ticicet.  He 
was  a  I'adical  politician,  lieing  first  a  Free-soiler, 
then  an  Anti-Slavery  man,  later  a  Republican  and 
Bnally  a  Greenbackcr.  lie  lived  in  various  States, 
and  iiad  a  national  reputation  as  a  lecturer  on 
spiritualism,  being  in  the  field  for  forty  j^ears. 
He  died  at  Cobden  in  1888,  when  seventy-seven 
years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  of  culture  and  edu- 
cation, and  although  studying  law  when  a  young 
man,  never  practiced. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Mary  P.  White,  a  native  of  Newport,  Sullivan 
County,  N.  H.  She  died  in  1881,  leaving  a 
family,  of  whom  three  grew  to  maturity.  INIilton 
Chase,  of  this  sketch,  received  his  primarj'  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Ceresco,  Wis.  His  father 
had  donated  the  land  on  which  to  erect  the  Brock- 
away  College,  and  in  that  institution  Dr.  Chase 
took  a  course  of  study.  On  entering  the  Ann 
Arbor  High  School,  he  intended  to  follow  a  liter- 
ary life,  but  later  adopted  the  profession  of  medi- 
cine as  his  life  calling,  and  in  order  to  perfect 
himself  in  his  studies,  entered  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Michigan  in  18.38,  and 
received  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1861. 

The  August  following  his  graduation.  Dr.  Chase 
enlisted  as  a  private  m  Company  A,  Sixth  Michi- 
gan Infantry,  under  Col.  Curtenius,  of  Kalamazoo. 
With  his  regiment  he  was  sent  to  Baltimore.  He 
had  only  one  day's  dutj'  as  a  private,  and  that 
was  before  he  left  Kalamazoo.     As   soon    as   his 


regiment  arrived  at  Baltimore,  the  Assistant  Sur- 
geon, Simon  S.  S.  French,  was  detached,  and  our 
subject  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy.  He 
performed  the  duties  of  that  po.sition  on  the  pay 
of  a  private  soldier,  receiving  only  $13  per  month. 
January  1,  1862,  he  was  appointed  Hospital  Stew- 
ard, and  in  October.  1862,  he  received  a  commission 
as  Assistant  Surgeon,  to  date  back  to  July  20,  1862. 
He  continued  in  that  capacity  with  his  regiment 
until  August  8,  1864,  when  he  resigned  and  re- 
turned home.  Dr.  Chase  was  one  of  the  mcjst 
reliable  and  conscientious  surgeons,  as  regarded 
his  professional  duties,  in  the  Department  of  the 
Gulf,  being  always  ready  and  willing  to  perform 
.any  work  assigned  him.  His  regiment  suffeied 
greatly  from  sickness,  his  department  being  as- 
signed to  the  Gulf,  where  it  was  very  unhealtii}'. 
Duruig  the  three  years  of  his  enlistment,  he  only 
lost  one  day  on  account  of  sickness,  which  is  a 
most  remarkalile  record,  and  perhaps  can  be  ac- 
counted for,  to  some  extent,  by  stating  that  he 
never  used  liquor  or  tobacco  in  any  of  its  forms. 

December  7, 1861,  Dr.  Chase  and  Miss  Elizabeth  P. 
Moore,  of  Ypsilanti,  were  made  man  and  wife.  Mrs. 
Chaseis  the  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Sarah  Moore, 
the  former  of  whom  was  the  original  inventor 
and  patentee  of  the  grain  drill.  He  was  a  (Quaker, 
and  a  native  of  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  lieing  a 
native  of  the  Salisbury  Church  in  that  county, 
which  was  the  first  Quaker  Church  organized  in 
the  United  States.  Mrs.  Chase  is  also  a  birth-right 
member  of  that  church.  Her  father  died  about 
1876,  but  her  mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of 
eight3'-five  years. 

After  his  marriage.  Dr.  Chase,  in  January,  1865. 
located  in  Kalamazoo,  where  he  practiced  his  pro- 
fession for  two  years.  He  than  came  to  Otsego, 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  now  the  oldest 
physician  in  this  place,  and  is  much  looked  up  to  by 
all  the  fraternity.  The  family  of  the  Doctor  and 
his  amiable  wife  comprises  seven  children:  Sarah 
T.;  Warren  P.  and  jSIary  P.,  twins;  Zantippc,  Zada, 
Alta,  Milton.  Sarali  T.  took  a  four  years'  course 
in  the  Ypsilanti  High  School,  and  is  at  present 
teaching  Latin  and  English  grammar  in  the  High 
School  at  Traverse  City,  this  State;  Warren  is  in  the 
emplo}'  of  the  paper  mill  at  Otsego,  wliile  ;\Iar>'  is 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


teat-hing  school  in  Otsego;  the  remaining  four 
fliildreu  are  at  home  with  their  parents,  where 
they  ai-e  receiving  excellent  training.  Dr.  Cliase 
was  identified  with  the  Republican  party  until 
about  six  yeai-s  ago,  when  he  allied  himself  on 
the  side  of  Prohibition,  and  has  been  Chairman 
of  the   Central  Committee  for  the  past  four  jears. 

Like  his  illustrious  father,  Dr.  Chase  has  been 
very  prominent  in  local  affairs,  and  by  occupying 
the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  seven  years, 
has  shown  himself  to  be  capaljle  of  close  applica- 
tion to  the  duties  which  the  oltice  involves,  and, 
by  his  judicious  decisions  and  wise  course,  has 
been  of  untold  value  to  the  community.  lie  has 
Ijeen  fearless  in  executing  the  law  in  regard  to  the 
sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  in  Otsego,  and  by  so 
doing  has  endeared  himself  to  all  law-abiding  citi- 
zens, lie  lias  done  more,  perhaps,  than  any  otlier 
man  toward  lireaking  the  liquor  "ring"  in  tlie 
towns,  and,  to  his  honor  be  it  said,  there  is  not  a 
licensed  saloon  in  the  place. 

Dr.  Chase  is  a  memljer  of  the  Grand  Armj^  of 
the  Hepublic,  is  a  Patron  of  Husbandry,  and  a 
Hiiyal  Temjilar  of  Temi)eranco.  1  Ic  is  a  member  of 
the  Slate  Medical  Society,  and  at  the  present  time 
is  a  inembei-  of  tlio  Loard  of  Pcn.sion  Examiners 
ill  the  county.  In  chiircli  relations,  iSIrs.  Chase  is 
a  conscientious  member  of  the  Congregational 
Society.  The  Dfictor  holds  the  ollices  of  Secretary 
and  Treasurer  in  the  l',pisco|)al  Mission,  located  at 
(Otsego.  All  in  all.  Dr.  Chase  is  one  of  the  prom- 
inent i)hysiciaiis  of  the  county,  and  we  are  gratilicd 
to  Ik-  able  to  place  in  tlio  hands  of  our  readers,  a 
skctcii  of  so  worthv  a  gentleman. 


1 


(tilN  r>i{.\S()N,  a  self-made  man  who  is  now 
practically  living  a  retired  life  on  section 
17.  Che.sjiirc  Township,  Allegan  County,  is 
%:J  a  native  of  the  ICnipire  .Slate.  lie  w:is  born 
nccenilier  21,  IK'JC,  in  Monroe  Connly,  and  is  a 
^oii  of  .lames  and  .lane  (Love)  Hrason,  who  were 
natives  of  the  Knii-rahl  Isle.  The  f.at her  emigrated 
to  Camda  in  IM2<l,  anrl  there  married  .Miss  Love. 
The  following  year  he  removed  to  Monroe  Coiiiil  v. 


N.  Y.,  where  he  resided  upon  a  farm  but  afterwards 
sold  out  and  took  up  his  residence  upon  an  un- 
improved farm  in  Cattaraugus  County.  After 
partially  clearing  this,  he  removed  to  Allegany 
County.  In  1851,  the  horses  which  he  was  driving 
to  a  threshing  machine  ran  away  and  he  thus  met 
his  death.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1864. 
They  were  parents  of  two  sons  and  a  daughter. 
The  latter  died  in  1846,  and  the  brother,  who  went 
to  California  in  1849,  is  probably  also  deceased. 

In  the  usual  manner  of  farmer  lads,  John  Brasoii 
spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  his 
services  were  given  to  his  father  initil  he  attained 
his  majority.  His  educational  privilege  was  limited 
to  a  few  terms'  attendance  at  a  district  school.  His 
parents  were  poor  and  he  often  had  nothing  to 
take  for  his  luneli  but  johnny-cake  with  "pump- 
kin sass"  on  it.  Beginning  life  for  himself,  he 
worked  as  a  farm  hand,  receiving  from  9ill  to  ^15 
per  month,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  one  man  for 
four  years.  "We  thus  see  that  his  life  was  not  an 
easy  one,  but  perseverance  and  industry  overcame 
the  difficulties  of  those  early  years. 

In  18.")0,  Mr.  Brason  was  united  in  ni;ii  liage 
with  Miss  Susanna  Pierson,  who  was  1  torn  in  Liv- 
ingston Count}',  N.  Y.,  April  1.'),  1831,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Hannah  (Slussar)  Pierson, 
both  natives  of  the  Empire  State,  the  former  born 
in  1804,  the  latter  in  1810.  Mr.  Pierson  w.as  a 
fanner  and  died  in  186;').  His  widow  still  survives 
him  and  makes  her  home  with  Mrs.  Hrason.  In 
the  family  were  four  children,  three  of  whom  are 
now  living.  One  son,  Egbert  15.,  was  a  meml)er  of 
the  Fouitli  New  York  lleav.\  Artillery  in  the  late 
war  and  gave  his  life  in  ilefense  of  his  country. 
He  wiis  stationed  near  Ft.  Ethan  Allen,  near  Wash- 
ington, 1).  v.,  and  ilii'd  in  the  liospital  at  City 
Point,  V.a.,  August  21,  186  1. 

.Vfter  their  marriage,  Mr.  Brason  and  his  wife 
resided  in  Alh'gany  County,  N.  Y.,  until  lS6ii. 
when  tliev  luule  good-by  t,  »  their  old  liome  and 
emigrated  to  Mieliig.'in,  locating  on  .section  16, 
Cheshire  Tn\vM>hip.  A  wild  mihI  I  i  lulnred  trael 
of  land  constituted  their  farm,  upon  which  not  a 
furidw  had  been  tiirnecl  or  an  improvement  made, 
but  vvilh  cliMiaelerislie  energy  Mr.  Hrason  began 
it-i    developMieiit.     Selling    out     in     1H6!),    he     re- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


101 


moved  to  another  farm,  upon  which  he  built  a  res- 
idence, barns  and  fences,  and  cleared  fifty  acres. 
In  1873  lie  sold  it  for  $4,000.  His  present  home, 
he  erected  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  ^2,800.  His  farm 
he  purchased  from  an  Indian  famih%  and  he  now 
has  sixty  acres  under  a  high  state  of  cultiv^ation, 
leaving  only  twenty  acres  unimproved.  With  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brason  reside  tiieir  adopted  daughter, 
Eva  Rose,  and  her  family.  fSlie  was  born  in  Che- 
shire Township,  in  18.")i*,  and  is  now  the  wife  of 
I)e  A^^itt  C.  Smith,  by  whom  she  has  five  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brason  hold  membership  with  the 
Methodist  Cluirch,  in  which  he  has  been  Steward 
and  Trustee  and  in  Sunday-school  work  they  also 
take  an  active  part,  Mrs.  Brason  having  served 
both  as  teaciier  and  Superintendent.  They  have 
lived  upright  lives,  worthy  the  esteem  and  confi- 
dence of  all  and  have  thereby  won  many  friends. 
In  his  political  views,  Mr.  Brason  was  formerly  a 
Rei)ublican  but  is  now  independent.  He  has  held 
a  number  of  olHcial  positions,  having  served  as 
Highway  Commissioner  from  18()2  until  1807,  as 
Supervisor  of  Cheshire  Township  from  1805  until 
1808,  and  has  been  connected  with  the  School  Board 
during  almost  his  entire  residence  here.  A\^e  see 
in  our  subject  a  self-made  man  who,  tlK)Ugli  lie  be- 
gan life  with  nothing,  has  steadily  worked  his 
way  upward,  overcoming  the  difficulties  in  his  path, 
until  he  has  reached  a  position  of  affluence.  Great 
credit  does  lie  deserve  for  his  success. 


y^AMDEL  R.  ARTHURS.  This  gentleman 
^^^  is  a  resident  of  Covert,  where  he  has  been 
l||l/\j)  carrying  on  a  hardware  store  for  the  last 
~~  '  two  j'ears.  He  was  born  in  Portage 
County,  Ohio,  September  19,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  Iv.  and  Francis  (Rogers)  Arthurs,  natives  of 
Clarion  County,  Pa.,  and  Portage  County,  Ohio, 
respectively.  .John  R.  Arthurs  emigrated  to  Ohio, 
when  eighteen  years  old,  and  worked  at  his  trade, 
that  of  a  carpenter,  in  Portage  County,  where 
he  was  married  and  resided  until  18;);),  when 
he  purchased  a  small  farm  and  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  in  that 
county,  October  5,  18;J9,  when  fift3--two  years  old. 


His  wife  departed  this  life,  January  16, 1860,  when 
thirty-seven  years  of  age.  Their  family  comprised 
four  children  as  follows:  AVilliam  II.,  who  is  a 
carpenter  and  resides  in  Ridgway,  Elk  County, 
Pa.;  Philonzo,  who  died  October  4,  1861,  in  Port- 
age County,  Oliio,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years;  our 
subject,  and  Mary  J.,  who  first  married  Cliarles  C. 
Lincoln  and  is  now  Mrs.  Alonzo  1!.  Smitliaud  wJio 
resides  in  Covert  Township. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a 
native  of  Scotland  who  came  to  Pennsylvania 
when  a  young  man  and  there  married.  John  Ar- 
thurs, the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  The  suliject  of 
this  sketch  passed  his  boyhood  on  his  fatlier'sfarm 
where  he  attended  the  district  school  until  four- 
teen years  of  age,  at  that  time  going  to  the  oil  re- 
gions of  Pennsylvania  and  clerking  in  a  store  for 
one  year.  He  then  returned  to  Ohio,  and  attended 
a  select  school  until  the  following  spring,  when 
he  went  to  .leffersOn  County,  Pa.,  and  took  charge 
of  a  general  store  for  an  uncle,  conducting  the 
business  for  four  years.  At  the  expiration  of 
that  time,  he  went  into  the  lumber  regions  of 
Pennsylvania  and  for  one  year  had  charge  of  a 
sawmill  owned  ly  his  uncle. 

In  June,  1809,  Mr.  Arthurs  again  returned  home 
to  take  care  of  his  father  who  was  very  ill  and 
with  whom  he  lemained  until  his  death.  He  af- 
terward worked  on  a  farm  until  his  marriage, 
January  1,  1873,  to  Miss  Nettie  M.  Bostwick. 
This  lady  was  born  in  Portage  County,  Ohio,  May 
14,  1848  and  was  the  daughter  of  Agur  and  Mary 
C.  Bostwick.  Of  this  marriage  two  children  have 
been  born:  Benton  P.,  born  November  5,  1874, 
and  Leroy  E.,  August  2,  1880.  After  his  marriage 
Mr.  Arthurs  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  one 
year,  and  then  went  on  the  road  with  a  wholesale 
notion  wagon  for  Leek,  Doring  &  Co.,  of  Cleve- 
land, which  business  he  followed  for  four  years. 
He  afterward  traveled  for  the  same  firm  three 
years  more  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  Isom 
&  Foote,  traveling  for  them  six  montiis,  when  the 
firm  changed  hands  and  he  remained  with  their 
successors  for  the  rest  of  the  year.  He  was  then 
employed  for  one  year  in  the  same    capacity   with 


102 


PORTRAIT  AjS'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Alcott  Sager  iV-  Co.,  and  for  the  same  lenarth  of 
time  with  .Joseph  Ilora  iV-  Co.,  of  Pittsburg.  On 
ai-count  of  his  health,  he  was  obliged  to  quit  the 
road  and  became  superintendent  of  a  stock-farm 
for  A.  .v.  Kitzmiller,  which  position  he  held  for 
eighteen  months  when  the  farm  was  sold. 

Mr.  .\rthui-s  now  rented  and  conducted  a  large 
farm  in  Portage  County  for  one  year,  when  he 
went  to  Kentucky  to  again  take  charge  of  the  stock- 
farm  for  Mr.  Kitzmiller,  but  only  remained  two 
months,  his  family  not  being  satisfied  with  the 
climate.  He  then  came  to  Covert  and  purchased 
a  farm  wliich  he  cultivated  for  eighteen  months, 
vviien  ho  sold  out  and  purchased  his  present  store. 

Mr.  Arthurs  is  an  active  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican jiarty  and  is  Chairman  of  the  Republican 
Townshij)  Committee  and  always  ready  to  assist  in 
whatever  promises  to  be  for  the  welfare  of  his 
community.  He  has  been  frequently  solicited  to 
l)ecome  a  candidate  for  oHice,  but  cares  nothing 
about  public  life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows,  in  wliidi  society  he  has  passed  all  the  de- 
grees. 


1 


il  )»,n>LIAM  CKISPE,  y.  S.  This  prominent 
\jjj/l  'J"*'"*^*^"'  "!'*"  t*^  Plainwell,  in  addition  to 
^y^  his  duties  as  a  veterinary  surgeon,  is  en- 
gaged in  carrying  on  a  tin-iving  business,  speculat- 
ing in  li<)i>es.  He  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Eliza- 
U-tli  (Miuin)  Crispe,  natives  of  England,  as  was 
also  our  subject,  his  birth  taking  place  Septciiilni- 
•A,  18.31  in  Kent  County. 

The  elder  Mr.  Crispe  was  a  nullei-  by  trade,  but 
engaged  to -some  extent  in  farming.  In  18;')1  he 
einigrale<l  with  his  family  to  .Vmerica,  his  first 
>lopping-place  being  Cleveland,  ( )lii(i.  where  he  re- 
mained for  about  four  years.  :ind  in  1 8 ;");■>  came  to 
Plainwell,  Allegan  County,  when  tliere  was  little 
more  than  a  mere  settlement  where  that  now 
llourisliing  city  in  located,  lie  died  August  21, 
IMKK,  when  in  his  eighty  sevi'iilh  ytiir. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  a  family  of  niiu-  cliildren, 
six  of  whom  are  living.  His  buyhonil  days  in 
Knghind  were  mostly  spent  on  the  farm  and  his 
eilucalional  iidvanlages  lirnilt'd  to  the  common 
vluxil.H.  He  nccomptinit'd  hi.s  parents  to  Aiiierica 
In  \H;)\,  sini-e  whii'li   lime   lie   has   Ijccn    lii>    own 


master.  He  worked  at  various  occupations  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  after  coming  to  Plainwell 
learned  milling  in  the  first  flouring  mill  liuilt  at 
this  place.  He  later  was  eniplo3-ed  in  mills  in 
Battle  Creek  for  about  one  year  and  previous  to 
that  time  went  to  Minnesota,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  a  like  manner;  he  was  likewise  en- 
gaged in  the  miller's  trade  in  AVisconsin,  and  at 
Prairie  Du  Cliien  he  conducted  a  livery  for  about 
'   one  year. 

I  In  18(;()  William  Crispe  purchased  a  livery  stable 
!  in  Plainwell  and  continued  successfully  in  that 
line  of  business  until  1885,  owning  a  'bus  line  and 
carrying  the  mail  in  Plainwell  for  about  seventeen 
3'ears.  Since  disposing  of  his  livery  stock,  he  has 
maintained  a  feed  barn,  and  sells  buggies,  horses, 
etc.  Mr.  Crispe,  after  engaging  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness, gave  some  attention  to  the  diseases  of  horses 
and  made  a  study  of  various  authentic  works  on 
that  subject.  He  has  for  years  been  recognized  as 
a  most  relialilc  and  intelligent  veterina;y  surgeon, 
although  not  a  graduate  of  any  veterinary  college. 
His  judgment  in  that  line  is  considered  second  to 
that  of  no  man  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

Our  subject  and  Miss  Nellie  .Smith  were  married 
April  3,  18(1 1.  Mrs.  Crispe  is  a  native  of  Cale- 
donia, N.  Y.,  a  daughter  of  Martin  and  IMargaret 
(Campbell)  Smith,  and  by  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject has  become  the  mother  of  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, Katie,  a  most  excellent  and  intelligent  young 
lady  and  a  graduate  of  the  Plainwell  High  School. 
In  his  jjolitical  predilection,  our  subject  is  a  thor- 
ough Democrat,  finding  in  the  tenets  and 
doctrines  of  that  i)arty  the  lialance  of  what  is 
truest  and  best  ill  political  life.  He  was  honored 
by  his  townsmen  by  being  elected  to  an  olljcc  on 
the  \'illage  lioard  for  a  term  of  two  years.  In 
social  matters,  he  is  a  iNI.'Vson. 

Hesides  properly  in  Plainwell.  Mr.  Crispe  owns 
a  line  f.'irm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  west  of 
town  in  OUsego  Township.  He  began  life  with  no 
means,  whatever,  and  is  now  recognized  as  (inc  of 
the  wealthy  men  of  the  townshi]), a  jiosition  which 
he  has  attained  by  hard  work  :ind  good  niaMagc- 
nient.  He  is  a  self-made  nnin  in  llic  truest  sense 
of  tli.'il  term,  his  success  being  due  to  Ills  close  and 
intelligent  a|ipli<'Mtion  to  business. 


J?:^- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


465 


^^)  AFf.  WILLIAM  II.  SNYDER.     One  of  the 

(I K~^  picasantest  liomcs  in  Soiitli  Il.'ni'ii  is  that 
'^^^  wliicii  is  jointly  prcsidccl  ovor  l),v  Mi',  and 
Mrs.  Snydei',  wiiosc  intclliiiencc  and  affability 
create  alioiit  them  a  deliglitf ul  atinos[)licie  of  liospi- 
pitalitv  and  genuine  enjoyment.  In  addition  to  his 
residence  in  South  Haven,  C'apt.  Snyder  owns  a  fine 
fruit  farm  of  foity  acres  in  South  Haven  Town- 
ship, whicli  nets  him  a  good  income. 

On  the  oijposite  page  appears  a  portrait  of  C'apt. 
Snyder,  who  was  born  near  Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  1825, 
and  is  the  son  of  Charick  and  Charlotte  (Sher- 
wood) Snyder.  The  father  was  born  in  Albany 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
attended  the  common  schools  of  his  neighborhood. 
He  was  one  of  eight  sons,  and  with  his  l)rotliers 
was  engaged  in  cultivating  a  farm  in  Albany 
County,  N.  Y.  He  started  out  in  life  on  his  own 
responsibility  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  and 
was  married  to  Miss  Charlotte  Sherwood. 

The  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  .Joshua  and 
Elizabeth  (Patria)  Snyder,  also  natives  of  the  Em- 
pire State,  where  they  were  farmers.  Joshua  S.  was 
a  patriot  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  a 
son  of  Solomon  Snyder,  who  w.as  one  of  four  broth- 
ers who  came  from  Holland  in  an  early  day  and 
located  in  different  parts  of  New  York.  Solomon 
left  a  large  tract  of  land  to  lie  divided  among 
three  future  generations,  our  subject  having  re- 
ceived his  portion   of  the  estate. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Charlotte,  daughter  of  Nebemiah  and  Mary  (LTn- 
derhill)  Sherwood.  The  Sherwoods  were  natives 
of  Nova  Scotia  and  of  New  England  descent,  while 
the  Underbills  were  natives  of  New  York.  The 
paternal  ancestors  of  C'apt.  Snyder  were  noted  for 
their  longevity,  as  at  one  time  he  had  two  grand- 
mothers and  two  great-grandmothers  living. 

Capt.  Snyder  began  in  life  for  himself  as  cook 
on  a  boat  plying  the  Hudson  River,  which  occu- 
pation he  followed  for  some  years,  and  before 
leaving  the  river,  was  promoted  to  be  steersman. 
He  then  went  to  work  to  T.  T.  Secore  Ar  Co.,  build- 
ing engines  for  ocean  steamers,  thinking  to  edu- 
cate himself  to  be  chief  engineer  on  steamers.  He 
remained  with  that  company  and  the  Morgan  Iron 
Works  for  five  years,  and  lieeame  an  expert  engi- 
21  V 


neer.     He  then  acted  as  Captain  of  a  screw  propel- 

lor.  wliicli  was  the  first  to  ply  the  waters  of  Lake 
Ontario.  He  soon  transformed  iiis  vessel  into  a 
four-mast  schooner,  and,  disposing  of  her,  went 
into  a  steel  factory  in  New  York  ('if y,  where  he  re- 
mained for  a  twelvemonth. 

In  18.57,  Capt.  Snyder  came  West  to  Illinois  and 
erected  a  large  distillery  at  Liverpool,  on  the  Illi- 
nois River,  which  he  operated  until  1860,  and  then 
removed  it  to  Chicago.  He  continued  thus  until 
1882,  when  he  purchased  a  steamboat  and  trans- 
ported liquors  up  and  down  the  lakes  for  several 
years.  Ho  later  bought  the  steamer  "Mary  Grove," 
which  survived  in  the  severe  storm  which  foundered 
the  "Alpena"  in  1880.  In  1881,  our  subject  moved 
his  family  to  South  Haven,  and  at  the  present  time 
is  leading  n  life  retired  fi'oni  Mctive  work  of  .any 
kind. 

Capt.  Snyder  was  married,  in  1849,  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  William  AVilliams,  and  by  that  union 
became  the  father  of  two  children:  William  A.,  re- 
siding m  Chicago;  and  CHiarlotte,  who  is  the  wife 
of  James  Drinkwater,  also  of  Chicago.  Mrs.  Mary 
Snyder  died  in  1854,  and  the  Captain  was  a  second 
time  married,  his  present  wife  being  Mrs.  Amelia 
(Tommings)  Banker.  Their  union  h.as  been  blessed 
by  the  birth  of  a  daughter,  Mary  E.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  H.  Mackey.  Our  subject  has 
eight  grand-children. 


-5- 


.    ■-<& 


M>^<m 


vip«:VERT  B.  1).  HICKS.     Much    has  been  writ- 

lU]  ten  of  the  hardships  which  fell  to  the  lot 
J' — <i}  of  the  early  pioneers,  the  dangers  incident 
to  the  settlement  of  anew  country,  the  deprivation 
of  much  that  had  hitherto  been  considered  the  ne- 
cessities of  existence,  and  the  few  pleasures  which 
crowned  their  days  of  labor.  However,  there  weie 
many  gleams  of  sunshine  in  their  busy  lives  and 
no  pioneer  survives  to  whom  it  is  not  a  delight  to 
recount  incidents  of  those  early  days,  either  to  (he 
present  generation  or  those  of  his  companions  who 
still  remain.  One  of  those  early  settlers  with 
whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet  is  Mr.  Hicks,  who 
first  came  to  Xan  Buren  County  as  early  as  1838. 
The  Empire  State  is  the  native  home  of  Mr.  Hicks, 


466 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


who  was  born  in  Salina  Township,  in  March,  1819, 
and  grew  to  maiiliuod  in  the  i)lace  of  iiis  birth.  As  a 
youth,  having  heard  mucii  of  the  West  and  the 
bright  prospects  it  offered  to  tlie  young  men  of  en- 
terprise, lie  came  to  Michig-in  on  a  prospecting 
tour  in  1838.  He  sojourned  in  \nn  Buren 
County,  then  an  uncultivated  tract  of  country,  for 
a  twelvemonth,  after  which  he  returned  to  New 
York  and  remained  two  yeai-s.  As  soon  as  he  had 
attained  to  his  m.njority.  he  came  to  make  a  per- 
manent settlement  in  Van  Buren  County  in  1840, 
and  it  was  fort\--niiic  years  lief  ore  he  again  saw 
his  native  State. 

In  1843,  Mr.  Hicks  purchased  his  [jresent  farm, 
which  coni|)rises  one  hundred  .ind  twenty  acres, 
then  wholly  unimproved,  but  now  brought  to  a 
high  sUite  of  cultivation.  The  surrounding  coun- 
ti-j-  was  a  dense  wilderness  and  there  was  but  one 
house  nearer  than  one  and  one-half  miles.  Mr. 
Hicks  was  married  in  December,  1851,  his  bride 
being  Miss  Catherine  Krkcnbeck.  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Helen  Erk- 
eubeck.  The  union  of  our  subject  .-ind  his  estim- 
able wife  has  been  bles.sed  by  the  birth  of  three 
children,  namely:  Helen,  who  became  Mrs.  Frank 
Smith  and  who  is  now  deceased;  Barney  D.,  who 
is  living  in  this  township;  and  Ida  .1..  the  wife  of 
George  Pease,  of  Calhoun  County. 

The  membei-s  of  the  Hicks  family  h;i\c  mostly 
followed  agricultural  pursuit,-;  and  h:i\c  always 
been  honorable  and  upright  citizens  (if  Micir  va- 
rious communities.  The  paternal  grandfatlicr  of 
our  subject,  Durphy  llick.s,  was  probably  I loni  in 
England,  but  came  to  America  in  lime  to  become 
a  participant  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  serving 
throughout  the  entire  conllict.  The  fatlicr  of  our 
subject  bore  the  name  of  liiirncy  llicks,  .■mil  was 
born  in  1780,  nl  New  IJcdford.  Conn,  lie  was 
one  of  nine  cliildri'n,  as  folions:  Itarncy,  I'hillp, 
Gardner,  .lonallian.  Oliver,  Abel,  Durphy,  Lucy 
and  .lane,  llis  wife  w.-is  known  in  maidenhood 
iLs  .lane  Dyckman  .and  was  a  nativr  of    New  York. 

In  his  fanning  operntion.-s  Mr.  llicks  has  been 
remarkably  successful  and  l^  unw  the  ownei-  of  a 
beiiMtiful  residence  surrounded  by  evidences  of 
pro.«>perity.  llis  buildings  .nre  liol-class  and  well 
adapted  to  llieir  various  uses.      In  social  circles  the 


family  occupj'   a   high    position   and  are    worth}- 
members    of  the    Free-will  Baptist   Church,    con- 
tributing liberally  of    their  means  to  the  support 
of    the    same.     In    his    political     principles,    Mr.      , 
Hicks  is  a  stanch    Democrat,    and  believes  in   up-     I 
holding  those  measures  which  will  contribute  to  the 
most    rapid  and  permanent   growth  of  the    com- 
munity.    He  is  a  pleasant,  affable  gentleman,  pos- 
sessing a  genial  disposition   and  charming  conver- 
sational  powers,    and    his    conscientious,  upright 
chai'.acter  pl.aces  him  high  in  the  confidence  of  his      | 
fellow-citizens.  I 


^•{••{•^••i''^ 


'♦•{"{••frF 


eORNELIUS  ERKENBECK.  This  gentU'- 
man,  who  is  a  prominent  farmer  in  Antwerp 
Township.  Xan  Buren  County,  residing  on 
section  18,  is  a  pitineer  of  this  State,  having  come 
liere  nearly  fifty  years  .igo,  and  settled  on  unim- 
proved land,  which  lie  brought  from  its  state  of 
wilduess  into  a  highly  cultivated  farm,  and  upon 
which  he  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  early 
toil.  He  experienced  many  of  the  deprivations  of 
those  early  d.ays,  and  feels  a  pride  in  the  State  in 
which  he  has  witnessed  ^u^■h  advancement  in  ci\ili- 
zation.  lie  is  a  native  of  Montgomery  County. 
N.  Y.,  born  October  18,  182.5.  His  parents,  .lacob 
and  Helen  (Cole)  Erkenbeck,  were  natives  of  the 
same  Stale,  where  the  father  was  born  in  1801  and 
the  mother  in  180(;.  They  were  married  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  N.  Y.,  ami  liocamc  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  ."is  follows:  Williaiii,  Lienor,  Cath- 
erine, Martin,  .lolin,  Cornelius,  Maria,  and  Nicho- 
las, the  last  two  being  deceased.  I'hc  father  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  removed  from  New  York 
to  Ohio  111  1811.  Two  years  later,  he  caine  to 
Michigan,  setllinu  in  \'an  Buren  County,  where  he 
bought  wild  land  and  made  large  improvements. 
lie  died  in  IHT'.t.  and  his  wife  in  1888.  They  were 
both  con^i^liiit  ni(iiiiiri>  of  the  Methodi.st  Episco- 
pMl  Cliurcli. 

'i'lie  subject  of  this  sketch  w:i>  liiai'i'iiMl  in  l,;iw- 
rence  County,  Ohio,  October  12,  1«IH,  to  Miss 
Olive  Lyon,  a  native  of  New  York,  born  M.-iy  31, 
1K27.  Ilcr  prireiits,  (Jeorge  and  Anna  (Chaiiimin) 
L\'oii.  wire  natives  of  New  York  Stati',  both  being 


i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


467 


liiirii  ill  I71M.  Tlieir  m:u'ri:iL;c  louU  pL'icc  in  IMK;, 
;ui(l  llu'v  hccaiiip  liic  [jareiits  of  tlirne  cliildrcii: 
Miirtlia  and  Delia,  deoeased;  and  Olive.  Mrs.  Ki- 
kenbcck's  [>arents  removed  from  New  York  to 
Michigan  in  IH.'iO, and  settled  in  \"an  lUiren  C'onnty, 
wiiere  the  father  died  in  1X8(1,  and  the  mother  in 
New  York  in  1831.  Siie  was  a  member  of  the 
I'reshyterian  ('laircli.  ()nr  snbject  removed  from 
Ohio  to  Michigan  in  1848,  and  settled  in  Antwer[i 
Township,  where  he  rented  a  farm  for  fonr  years, 
and  then  bonn'ht  sixty  acres.  Since  that  lime  he 
has  added  eighty  aci'es  to  his  lirst  i)nrchase,  the 
latter  being  wild  land,  and  he  h.is  the  whole  place 
now  under  good  cultivation,  with  excellent  build- 
ings and  everything  necessary  for  carrying  on  a 
first-class  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erkenbeck  are 
the  parents  of  two  children:  Mary,  who  was  born 
.July  20,  1850,  and  became  the  wife  of  Grandson 
Newell,  who  died  leaving  her  with  one  child;  and 
Edith,  who  was  born  September  21,  1873.  l\Ir. 
Erkenbeck  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at 
Paw  Paw,  and  also  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  in 
which  lodge  he  holds  the  ottice  of  Treasurer.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Eree-will  Haittist 
Church  at  Paw  Paw. 


*==♦=•» 


_y 


ICHAEL  GATES,  a  farmer  living  on  sec- 
tion 2,  Decatur  Township,  Van  Biiren 
County,  is  of  French  birth.  He  was  lioru 
in  Alsace,  France,  .lanuary  1,  1820,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  Gates,  who  with  his  family  emigrated 
to  America  in  1828,  locating  in  New  Jersey,  where 
he  was  employed  in  a  calico  factory  for  about  a  year. 
He  then  went  to  Elizabcthtowii,  that  State,  where 
he  worked  in  a  flax  factory  for  about  five  or  six 
years.  From  that  time  until  183!)  he  resided  in 
Berkshire  County,  Ohio,  and  then  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  1840,  and  made  his  home  with  our  subject 
in  Paw  Paw,  but  after  six  months  returned  to 
Berkshire,  where  he  continued  farming  until  18G1. 
He  then  opened  a  hotel  in  Mondon,  Ohio,  and  was 
thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1862.  Mr. 
Gates  w.as  three  limes  married.  By  his  rust  union 
he  had  three  sons  who  orew  to  manhood:    Michael 


of  this  sketch;  George  who  died  in  Paw  I'aw  in 
ff^fil;  and  .John  who  was  killed  in  tiie  border 
troiililes  in  .Missouri  during  the  early  part  of  the 
war. 

Our  subject  spent  the  first  eight  years  fif  his  life 
in  his  native  land,  and  then  came  with  his  father 
to  America.  In  New  Jersey  lie  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade  which  he  followed  from  the  time  he 
was  nine  years  old  until  lie  was  nineteen  years  of  age. 
Then  accompanying  his  father  to  Ohio,  Mr.  Gates 
aided  in  clearing  and  developing  a  farm  for  a  year, 
when  he  .again  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  year  in 
Utica,  Ohio.  Later  he  was  siniilarly  employed  in 
Delaware  County  for  a  year,  after  which  he  went 
to  Ahim  Creek,  Ohio,  where  he  was  employed  in  a 
Ijlacksmitb  shop  for  two  years.  In  Delaware, Ohio, 
he  next  worked  at  his  trade  for  six  months,  after 
which  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  Michigan. 
Paw  Paw  was  chosen  as  the  scene  of  his  labors  and, 
oijening  a  smithj',  he  there  carried  on  trade  for 
al>out  ten  years  with  good  success.  The  excellent 
work  which  he  did  and  his  fair  and  honest  dealing 
won  him  a  liberal  patronage  and  he  acquired  a 
capital,  wherewith  he  purchased  three  hundred  and 
five  acres  of  land  in  Decatur  township. 

In  1842,  Mr.  Gates  wedded  Miss  Ann  Phillips, 
their  union  being  celebrated  in  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio. 
The  lady  died  in  March,  1875,  and  in  the  autumn 
of  that  year  Mr.  Gates  wedded  Arissa  Shape.  They 
have  since  obtained  a  legal  separation.  In  the 
(iates  family  were  five  children,  three  of  whom  are 
yet  living:  George,  a  resident  of  Missouri;  Sarah, 
deceased;  Mary,  wife  of  A.  M.  Lyle,  of  Decatur 
township;  Michael  who  resides  on  the  old  home- 
stead, married  EduaCampbell,  daughter  of  Edward 
Campbell  of  Decatur  .and  their  union  has  been 
blessed  with  four  children:  Elmer,  Allie,  Lillieand 
Jennie. 

Feeling  that  his  country  needed  his  services,  Mr. 
(Jates  enlisted  for  the  late  war  September  5,  1861, 
as  a  member  of  an  independent  battery,  which  was 
attached  to  the  Eastern  Army.  When  it  was  dis- 
solved, he  joined  the  Kourth  New  York  Light  Artil- 
lery and  with  it  w.as  mustered  out  September  4, 
1864.  He  then  became  a  member  of  the  Fif  teentli 
New  York  Light  Artillery,  in  which  he  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  provinga  faithful  and  valiant 


468 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


soldier.  In  politics,  both  he  and  his  son  are  stalwart 
Republicans  wlio  warmly  uphold  the  principles  of 
the  party.  Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
lodge  (»f  Decatur.  Tlie  farm  which  Mr.  (4ates 
owns  and  whicli  is  operated  l)y  himself  and  son 
comprises  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  acres  and 
is  one  of  the  valuable  places  of  the  comnninity. 
They  engage  in  stock-dealing  and  in  connection 
witli  general  farming,  raise  considerable  mint.  In 
disposition  Mr.  Gates  is  a  i)leasant.  genial  gentle- 
man, liigiily  respected  throughoui  the  community 
in  which  he  resides. 


^  ■!    M-^ 


't  IVILLI.V.M  UITL'IIIK.  :i  well-known  contr.ic- 
\/\l//  ''*^'"  ""'^  builder  and  prominent  business  man 
^^^  has  been  engaged  in  his  present  line  of  trade 
in  Kalamazoo  for  fifteen  yeai-s  and  erected  many  of 
tlie  most  important  buildings  in  this  locality.  He 
makes  a  specialty  of  schoolliouses  and  churches 
and  has  also  put  up  man}*  dwellings,  lie  erected 
a  foundry  at  Battle  Creek  and  lias  now  a  line 
church  in  process  of  construction  in  Schoolcraft. 
He  employs  from  twelve  to  twenty-five  men  and 
does  business  to  the  amount  of  about  !?<30,00()  an- 
nually. 

Mr.  Ritchie  was  born  in  the  County  Armagh, 
Ireland,  twentj'-live  null.-  liom  Belfast,  March  4, 
183!>,  and  is  a  son  of  .lolin  and  Elizabeth  (Adair) 
Ritchie.  The  days  of  his  boyhood  were  spent  un- 
der the  parental  roof  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he 
entered  the  ])OstolIice  as  assistant,  being  thus  em- 
ployed for  three  and  a  half  years,  or  until  he  had 
determined  to  come  to  America.  Biddinggood-by 
to  the  Emerald  I.>le,  he  sailed  from  Liverpool  in 
April,  IH.Ol,  and  on  the  Gtli  of  -lune,  landed  at  New 
York.  Three  days  later  he  reached  Kalamazoo, 
Mich.,  where  he  had  an  uiicli'  living.  Saiiiurl  Mc- 
Fadan,  who  came  to  the  eounly  in  l.Hll,  at  a  time 
when  the  Michigan  Central  Kailroad  extended  no 
farther  than  Mar!<li:ill.  l-'or  twenty-live  years  he 
wius  connected  willi  tlic  railro.ad  but  foi'  sdinetiinc 
lived  a  retircil  life,      lie  is  now  deceased. 

.Mr.  Ritchie  had  no  regular  employment  forabouL 
a  year,  after  which  lie  went  to  another  uncle,  Wil- 
liam Adair,  a  resident  of  Michigan  City,   wliu   was 


Master  Carpenter  for  the  New    Albany    Railroad. 

With  him  nur  suliject  learned  his  trade  and  began 
working  at  l)riilge  building  and  repairing  railroads 
in  Southern  Indiana  duringtlie  war.  In  April,  1H(!4, 
however,  he  returned  to  Kalamazoo  and  for  seven 
years  was  emiiloyed  by  the  linn  of  Bush  A  Patter- 
son. He  then  embarked  in  business  for  himself 
and  has  met  with  excellent  success  in  his  nndo- 
taking.  Among  the  structures  that  stand  as  niun- 
nments  to  his  thrift  and  industry  is  the  building 
on  Main  Street  now  occupied  liy  the  Cazeite,  wliicli 
ho  has  since  sold.  He  also  built  the  City  Water 
Works  and  the  Catholic  Deaneiy,  and  the  Hicliard- 
son  Block  on  East  Main  Street. 

On  the  -ilSth  of  .lanuary,  IHdt,  in  Kalamazoo, 
Mr,  Ritchie -was  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matri- 
mony to  Miss  May  Moore,  also  a  native  of  the 
Kmerald  Isle.  Thair  union  lias  been  blessed  with 
three  children :  .Icnnie  Elizabeth,  now  the  wife  of 
William  INI.  Bryant,  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant  of 
Kalamazoo;  .lessie  .\nn;  (Jeorge  AVilliam  wlioliolds 
a  [losition  in  the  First  National  Bank;  and  Moore 
Adair  wlio  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  Tlie 
three  older  cliildren  are  all  graduates  of  the  high 
school  and  Mrs.  Bryant  was  for  two  years  a  teacher 
in  the  Vine  Street  School.  Mr.  Ritchie  isagenial, 
jileasaiit  gentleman,  successful  in  business  and  in 
his  political  alliliations  is  a  Democrat. 


«^'LEXANDEI{  T.  WALLACK.  Itisac(mi- 
i@fu\  nion  saying  that  the  "good  which  men  do 
li)  is  oft  interred  with  their  bones,"  but 
certainly  this  tiilc  |ndveili  has  loiiiid  an 
exception  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Wallace,  who  is  re- 
memberiMl  with  deep  alfeclioii  by  those  with  whom 
he  wiis  fonunly  :issociated.  An  lionesl,  upright 
man,  whose  iniiiciples  wt  re  irrcproaclijilile  and  dis- 
position i'oiii|iniiioiialil(',  he  lii'caiiie  wi<h'ly  known 
:us  a  pioin'iT  of  \aii  lliircii  Coiiiily,  where  he 
resided  in  Arlington  Township  iiiilil  his  death  in 
1HH;J,  at  the  age  of  eiglily-ciglil  years.  His  meiiiory 
is  now  sacreil  in  the  hearts  of  jiist'liildren,  to  wlioin 
he  was  ever  a  wise  and  devoli'il   father. 

Massachusetts  was  the  native  Stale  of  Mr.  Wal- 
lace .and  17!);')  the  year  of  his  liiiih.   It  was  in  New 


PORTRAIT  AND  BiOGRArHICAL   RECORD. 


469 


York,  liowcver,  that  lie  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Estlicr  Monbriie,  and  with  lier  he  after- 
ward located  in  Indiana.  The  young  couple  were 
industrious  and  economical,  antl  accumulated  a 
competency  as  the  reward  of  their  unremitting 
exertions.  In  hS;");!,  they  removed  to  Van  Buren 
County,  wiierc  tiiey  ever  afterward  lived.  By  a 
former  marriage,  Mr.  Wallace  was  the  father  of  six 
children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  To 
him  and  his  wife  Esther  eight  cliildren  were  horn, 
namely:  Mulvina,  who  is  now  Mrs.  .lulian  Sliel- 
ton,  of  Faw  Faw  Township;  Miranda,  wife  of  O. 
A.  Church,  of  Arlington  Township;  William,  of 
whom  further  mention  is  made  below;  Harriet, 
who  is  now  deceased;  II.  Cook,  who  served  in 
tiic  Thirteenth  Michigan  Infantry,  was  wounded 
and  died  in  New  York  Hospital;  Ellen,  who  became 
the  wife  of  1.  G.  Clarke;  II.  Seymour, and  one  who 
died  in  infancy. 

After  coming  to  Van  Buren  County-,  Mr.  Wal- 
lace cleared  eighty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he 
erected  a  beautiful  residence  and  made  good  im- 
provements. A  single  glance  at  his  place  proved 
the  thrifty  character  of  the  proprietor,  for  during 
the  harvest  season  its  fields  were  waving  with 
golden  grain,  while  first-class  farm  buildings  were 
erected  at  convenient  portions  of  the  estate.  While 
his  farm  work  engaged  his  attention  very  closely, 
he  yet  found  time  to  discharge  the  duties  of  a 
faithful  citizen  and  never  failed  to  cast  his  ballot 
for  the  candidates  who  would  uphold  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party. 

The  youngest  son  in  the  family  is  II.  Seymour, 
who  was  born  in  Indiana  and  came  to  this  State 
when  three  years  old.  This  county  has  been  his 
home  for  thiity-eight  years  and  during  the  first 
part  of  his  residence  here  he  attended  the  district 
schools.  February  3,  1874,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Frances  E.,  daughter  of  George  Worthey,  and 
two  children  have  been  granted  unto  them:  Effle 
E.  and  George  A.  The  old  homestead  is  now  the 
property  of  this  son,  who  is  here  engaged  as  an 
enterprising  young  farmer  and  has  added  to  the 
original  eighty  acres  until  he  now  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety-nine  acres  of  good  land.  As  was 
his  father,  he  is  a  stanch  Keinihlican. 

William    Wallace,  another   son    of    Ihis    woilh\ 


]Moneer,  enlisted  during  the  Civil  War  as  a  mcm- 
l)cr  of  the  Third  Michigan  Battery  of  Artillery 
and  was  ever  at  his  |)ost  of  duty,  a  brave  and 
faithful  soldier.  He  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  when  he  returned  to  his  home  and  was 
.soon  afterward  married  to  Mi-ss  .Jennie  Falmer. 
They  now  reside  on  the  farm  adjoining  that  of  H. 
Se^'mour.  It  will  be  seen  from  this  brief  bio- 
graphical notice  that  the  Wallace  family  is  charac- 
terized by  the  most  intense  patriotism,  and  its 
various  members  have  ever  lived  as  true  patriots 
and  public-spirited  citizens. 


V- 


-    oo 


:jo" 


AMUEL  ELLIS,  a  leading  boot  and  shoe 
merchant  of  Decatur,  has  been  engaged  in 
business  in  this  line  since  1883,  and  is  now 
enjoying  a  liberal  patronage.  From  the 
Ijeginning,  his  trade  has  constantly  increased  and 
by  fair  and  honest  dealing  and  courteous  treat- 
ment of  his  customers,  he  has  built  up  a  large  busi- 
ness which  he  well  merits. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Aurelius  Townshii), 
Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  August  13,  1830,  and  is  a 
son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Ellis.  The  family  is  of 
Welsh  lineage.  The  father  was  a  farmer  of  Cayuga 
County,  N.  X.,  a  leading  citizen  of  the  community 
and  held  the  office  of  Town  Treasurer.  He  wedded 
Mary  Gurney,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State, 
and  died  in  Cayuga  County,  in  1830,  when  our 
subject  was  an  infant.  His  widow  survived  him 
about  eighteen  3'ears  and  departed  this  life  in  St. 
Joseph  County,  Mich.,  in  1848,  to  which  county 
they  came  in  .June,  1836.  In  their  family  were  ten 
children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and  woman- 
hood, but  only  two  are  yet  living:  Samuel,  of  this 
sketch,  and  Nathan  M.,  a  resident  of  Iowa. 

The  district  schools  of  his  native  State  furnished 
our  subject  with  his  educational  advantages,  ex- 
cepting one  year  which  he  spent  in  a  High  School 
in  Indiana.  At  the  early  age  of  eighteen  years,  he 
started  out  in  life  for  himself  by  learning  the 
wagon-maker's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  four 
years,  when  ill  health  forced  him  to  aliandon  that 
occupation.  To  clerking  he  then  gave  his  atten- 
tion   until   18.')2,   when    we    find    him    emiaratina; 


470 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


north.     Locating  in  Otsego.  Mich.,  he  w.as    there  | 
employed  as  a  salesman  for  two  years,   when,  in 
1854,  lie  started  out    on  the  road  selling   notions 
and  was  thus  employed  for  three  and  a  half  years. 
He  then  disposed  of    his  stock    and    returned  to 
Otseuo.  where  he  emliarked  in  the  grocery  business. 
On  Januarv    i.   18()().  Mr.    Kllis  was  united    in 
marriage  to   Miss  Annette    M.  McKenzie,  a  lady 
of  Scotch  descent,  horn    in    Oliio.     lie    continued 
the  grocery  Inisiness  until  18(j2,  wlien  lie  removed 
to  Goshen,  Ind.,  and  there  followed  the  same    line 
of  trade  until  ISfiC.  when  his  health   again    failed 
him.     In  the  autumn  of  that  year  he  went  to  Iowa, 
returning  to  Goshen  in  l,s(i7.  and  in  l.sii'.t.  wt-  lind 
him   in   Decatur,  whiliier  lie    liad  come  to  talic  a 
coui-se  of   medical    treatment.     Different    employ- 
ments engi-ossed  his  attention  for  a  time.     His  fel- 
low-townsmen, appreciating  his  worth  and  ability, 
elected  him  Townsliii)  Clerk  in    1874,  and   he    was 
re-elected  for  the  two  succeeding  terms.     He    was 
also  elected  Village  Clerk   in  the  spring  of  187fi 
and  tilled  both  oflices.     In  the  fall  of  that  yeai'.  In- 
made  the  race  for  County  Register  of    Deeds  and 
won.  and  the  able  manner  in  which  he   discharged 
his  duties  led  to  his  continuance  in   that   position 
for  six  years.     During  thai  time  he  made  his  resi- 
dence in  the  county  scat  and,  in  188:3.  returned  to 
Decatur.     lie  has  also  for  a  niinilier  of  years  held 
the  office  of  Notary  Public, and  in  1884  was  elected 
Towiishi|i  and  Village    Clerk,  and  is    the    present 
incumlient.      By  his  ballot  lie  supports  the  Kepuli- 
liean  jiarlv  and  does  all  in  liis  power   to   pioniote 
its  interests  and  insure  its  success.     When  he  again 
came  to  Decatur,  he  opene<l  the  boot  and  shoe  store, 
as  before  stated,  and  has  since  carried  on  trade  in 
that  line. 

I'lito  Mr.  and  Mi>.  lOllis  was  born  a  danglitei', 
Abliie  May,  but  she  died  at  the  early  age  of  two 
and  a  half  years.  They  Iiave  now  adopted  Horace 
R.  Lincoln, a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Kllis,  whom  Miev  look 
to  their  home  when  he  was  ipiite  young.  Mary 
Gladys  Lincoln,  a  sister  of  llonice  R.  Lincoln,  is 
also  one  of  the  family  circle.  The  l'",llis  home  is 
llie  aliriili'  of  jiiispilality  ami  llie  members  of  the 
lioiiseliold  i.'ink  \\\<^\\  in  soci.al  circles  where  true 
worlli  and  iiilelligeiiee  are  received  a>  llie  pass- 
|K)rt'*   into  good   society.      .Mr.    I^llis  wa-  ;i  clL'tilrr 


member  of  the  IMasonic  lodge  of  Otsego  and  held 
the  offices  of  Senior  and  Junior  Warden,  Senior 
Deacon  and  .Secretary.  None  are  more  worthy  of 
a  representation  in  this  volume  than  he,  and  it  is 
■with  pleasure  that  we  record  bis  sketch.  1 


OUX  HENRY  MrVAV.  a  wide-awake  and 
enterprising  young  farmer  of  A'an  Uuren 
County,  living  on  section  24,  Decatur 
/  Townsliii).  claims  ISIichigan  as  the  State  of 
his  nativity,  Ins  birth  occurring  August  3,  1859. 
His  father,  lleiiiy  .Mc\'.ay,  was  born  in  County 
Down.  Ireland,  in  18;50,  and  spent  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  and  youth  on  the  Emerald  Isle.  After  he 
had  attained  liis  ni.ajorit}-,  he  bade  good-by  to  his 
old  home  and  crossed  the  broad  .Vtlantic  to  Amer- 
ica, making  his  tirst  location  in  the  State  of  New- 
York,  where  he  spent  one  ^ear.  He  then  emi- 
grated to  Marshall.  Mich.,  where  he  resided  for 
twelve  years,  when  he  purchased  forty  acres  of 
land  and  turned  his  attention  to  fanning.  In 
Marshall,  ill  18.37,  he  w.as  united  in  marriage  with 
Eleanor  Redman,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  April 
1,  1828,  and  came  to  the  Ihiited  States  at  the  nge 
of  twenty-six  years.  ^Ir.  iSIcVay  afterwards  came 
to  Van  Bureii  County  and  purchased  a  farm  oi 
eighty  acres  in  Decatur  Township  but  returned  to 
iMarsliall,  where  his  death  occurred  on  March  8, 
l.S()H.  lii>  leinains  being  inlericd  in  the  cemetery 
near  by.  He  was  a  member  of  the  U'oinan  Catholic 
Church  and  in  his  p<ilitical  alliliatioiis  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat. 

Our  subject  was  the  only  child  born  unto  Henry 
and  ICleanor  Mc\'ay.  He  remained  in  Maisli.all 
until  after  the  ile.alii  of  his  f.Mllier,  when  lie  came 
with  his  mother  to  \aii  liuien  County,  and  lliey 
took  up  their  residence  upon  the  farm  which  the 
father  had  previously  imrehased.  Within  lis 
boundaries  is  eomi)iis(d  eighty-one  acres  of  gooil 
land,  sixty  live  of  which  have  beiui  placed  under 
llie  |ilow  and  \  ii'ld  a  golden  liibnl.e  for  llie  care 
and  labor  bestowed  upon  it.  The  pl.aee  presents  ;i 
Ileal  .•ippearanee  and  has  :i  nunilii  r  of  good  iin- 
provemi'iils.       In  counrclion   wilh  gi'iieial  biiliillig. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


4  71 


iNFr.  INIcVav  cari'ies  on  stook-raisinti:,  making  a 
upocialty  of  tJu;  raisini;  of  .sluH'p  and  oaltJii  of  good 
grades;  he  also  lias  four  head  of  good  horses.  The 
Iniildings  uiion  the  farm  were  all  ereeted  liy  him- 
self and  therefore  stand  as  monuments  to  his  thrift 
and  industry. 

Mrs.  McA'ay  still  resides  with  iier  son  and  both 
are  well  anil  favorably  known  in  tliis  eommunity, 
where  they  have  a  large  cii'clo  of  friends  and  ac- 
((uaintanees.  The\-  hold  membership  with  the 
Roman  Catholic  Cliureh  and  in  his  political  views, 
Sir.  McVay  is  a  Democrat.  However,  he  lias  never 
sought  or  desired  public  oflice,  [ireferring  to  devote 
his  entire  time  and  attention  to  his  business. 

AMU  EL  WELKER,  deceased.  Van  Buren 
County  lost  in  the  death  of  this  gentleman 
one  of  its  most  intelligent  and  thrifty 
agriculturists.  He  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land County,  Pa.,  in  1808,  and  there  grew  to  ma- 
ture years  and  chose  as  his  life  companion  Phojbe 
Gardner,  who  bore  him  the  following  children: 
Lucinda,  born  in  1830,  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Folk,  of 
Hancock  County,  Ohio;  Mary  A.  was  born  in  1832 
and  died  when  ^oung;  Sophia  was  born  in  1833 
and  became  the  wife  of  David  Moore,  of  Ohio; 
William  II.  was  born  in  1836,  and  now  resides  in 
(Joshen,  Ind.;  Mordecai  was  born  in  1839  and 
died  single;  Lorenzo's  birth  occurred  in  1843  and 
he  died  in  1862,  while  in  the  war;  John  W.  born 
in  1815,  was  m  the  war  and  met  his  death  at  Stone 
River;  and  Raehael  F.  The  mother  of  this  family 
died  in  1848,  and  Mr.  Welker  afterward  married 
Raehael  Miller  in  Stark  County,  Ohio.  He  located 
in  Ohio  in  the  '40s,  and  resided  in  Hancock 
County  until  the  spring  of  1860,  when  he  came  to 
Van  Huren  County  and  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land  from  Ansen  Goss  and  improved  it,  jjiitting  up 
good  buildings.  Three  children  were  born  of  the 
second  marriage:  Winfield  died  in  infancy;  Becca 
A.  also  died  in  infancy;  and  .leremiah,  who  now 
resides  on  the  old  homestead. 

Jeremiah  Welker,  the  son  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  1853,  and  came  to  ^'an  Buren  County 
with  his  parents,  receiving  but  a  limited  common- 


school  education.  lie  was  married  in  1873,  when 
but  twenty  years  old,  to  Martha  Miller,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Mary  (Tegal)  Miller.  The  father  was 
born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  this  country  after 
reaching  years  of  maturity.  Mrs.  Welker  was  one 
in  a  family  of  four  children  born  to  her  parents, 
her  brother  and  sisters  being  as  follows:  Re- 
becca A.,  wife  of  J.ack  Garrett;  Jonathan  C,  and 
Hannah  E.,  who  died  when  young.  This  gentle- 
man, as  has  l)een  noted,  resides  and  takes  cntii-e 
charge  of  the  home  [ilace,  and  has  himself  cleared 
and  improved  over  half  of  the  estate,  consisting 
of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres.  He  is  an  industri- 
t>us  and  sagacious  tiller  of  the  soil  and  is  looked 
to  by  all  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances  as  a 
straightforward  and  reliable  farmer.  He  is  inde- 
pendent in  his  })olitical  views,  choosing  to  vote  for 
the  man,  irrespective  of  party  principles. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  initiates  this  bio- 
graph}'  identified  himself  with  whatever  would 
best  promote  the  highest  interests  of  this,  his 
adopted  county,  his  lilierality  helping  forward 
many  sehemes  for  its  improvement,  and  he  was 
numbered  among  its  most  loyal  citizens.  He  was 
a  stanch  member  of  the  Re[)u)iliean  iiarty,  under- 
stood well  the  political  issues  of  the  day  and  firmly 
believed  that  he  was  right  in  his  judgment  re- 
garding them. 


'■    '    ^  j 


mi 


i,Y^^RANClS  W.  FIFIELD  owns  and  operates  a 
"i^gN  valuable  and  fertile  farm  of  three  hundred 
i  and  sixty  acres  on  sections  31  and   32,  De- 

catur Township,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
and  influental  citizens  of  Van  Buren  County.  On 
the  paternal  side  he  is  descended  from  one  of  the 
Revolutionary  heroes.  His  grandfather,  Abraham 
Fifield,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  N.  H.,  In  1753,  of 
English  parentage.  Farming  was  his  life  work 
and  he  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  the  coininu- 
nity  where  he  resided.  He  aided  the  Colonies  to 
throw  off  the  yoke  of  British  tyranny,  took  part 
in  the  far-famed  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  and  was 
present  at  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis  in 
Yorktown. 

Samuel  Fifielil,  father  of    our  subject,    was  also 


472 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


born  in  Salisbury,  August  23,  1793,  and  married 
Sarah  Norris.  a  native  of  GrafU)n  Couiitv.  X.  II. 
l'nU_>  them  were  horu  four  eliildren.  who  grew  to 
manhood  and  womanhood  but  Al)igail  I--,  and  Har- 
riet J.,  who  died  soon  after  the}' attained  to  mature 
yeai-s.  Clarissa  is  now  the  wife  of  W.  L.  Van 
Tuyl,  of  Wejl  Hay  City.  Mich.;  and  our  subject 
completes  the  family.  The  fatlier  was  a  Captain 
of  Militia  in  the  old  training  days  and  served  in 
the  War  of  1812.  He  died  September  10.  1843,  in 
Waterford.  Oakland  County,  Mich.,  whither  he 
had  removed  in  April,  1838.  He  was  (me  of  its 
honored  pioneers  and  there  cleared  and  improved 
a  line  farui.  His  wife  long  survived  liiui  and 
passed  away  in  West  Hay  City,  May  20.  1884. 

Our  subject  h:i.>i  the  honor  of  lieing  a  native 
citizen  of  New  York.  He  was  born  April  10, 
1821,  in  Ogden,  Monroe  County,  where  he  resided 
until  nine  years  of  age.  The  succeeding  ten 
years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y., 
and  in  its  public  schools  his  education  was  acquired. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  removed  to  Waterford. 
Oakland  Count}',  Mich.,  where  he  cdiitiiiueil  U) 
make  his  home  until  the  spring  of  1881.  For  ten 
winters  he  engaged  in  teaching,  turning  his  atten- 
tion to  farming  in  the  summer  months. 

Mr.  Fifield  wjis  united  in  marri.age.  December  23, 
1843,  to  Miss  .loan  Morris,  the  wedding  being 
celebrated  at  White  Lake,  Oakland  County.  The 
lady  was  born  in  I.,yons,  Wn\nc  County,  N.  Y., 
March  12,  1820.  Seven  childicn  were  born  unto 
them  but  three  died  iu  infancy  and  Newell  I,,  died 
at  the  age  of  ten  years.  Those  who  still  abide  are 
Annelta,  wife  of  C.  M.  banning,  who  is  engaged  in 

ranching   and    rcanlile  pursuits  in    I't.    Henlon, 

Mich.;  Ilaii'iet .!.,  wife  of  Samuel  Hradt,  manager  of 
the  famous  Hryant  Hotel  in  Flint,  Mich.;  and 
Eugene,  a  member  of  the  well-known  Urin  of  Mci-- 
rill  iV  Filield  of  Hay  City,  the  most  e.vtensive 
wholesale  dealers  in  grcK-eriesand  lunilierinen's  siip- 
plie.t  in  Michigan. 

While  residing  in  Oakland  ('(uinly.  Mr.  Filield 
was  elected  in  1862  to  represent  his  district  in  the 
State  I.«gislatu re.  In  IMCt.  he  embarked  in  the 
mercantile  busincNs  in  Waterford.  which  he  carried 
on  will)  excellent  succes.-.  until  his  ri'inipvjil  to  l)e- 
cntur  in   IHH\.      In  lli.'il  yi:u.  lie  |imiiIims((1  ihr  line 


farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  upon  which 
he  yet  resides,  it  being  one  of  the  most  valuable  in 
the  county.  With  many  other  business  enterprises 
has  he  been  connected.  At  one  time  he  owned 
four  schooners  on  the  lake  and  was  largely  inter- 
ested in  navigation.  Enterprise  and  industry  have 
characterized  his  life  and  these,  supplemented  by 
good  business  ability  and  well-directed  efforts, 
have  won  him  prosperity.  Whatever  he  under- 
takes he  carries  forward  to  completion  and  in  that 
lies  the  secret  of  his  success. 

In  connection  with  the  official  positions  which 
we  have  mentioned,  j\Ir.  Filield  seived  for  twenty 
years  as  school  inspector  in  Oakland  County,  w.as 
.Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twelve  ^ears.  Township 
Clerk  for  three  years  and  Supervisor  of  the  town- 
ship for  seven  years.  The  promptness  and  fidelity 
with  which  he  discharged  his  duties  won  him  the 
commendation  of  all  and  secured  his  continuity 
in  office.  Sociall}-,  he  is  a  JIason  :iiid  for  more  th.an 
a  quarter  of  a  century  held  the  ollice  of  Worthy 
;\Iaster  and  is  now  High  Priest  of  Chapter,  No.  7.5, 
K.  A.  JNI.  The  Democracy  receives  his  sui)port 
on  election  d.ay.  Truly,  .as  before  stated,  is  Mr. 
Filield  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Van 
Buren  Count}',  and  this  work  would  be  incomplete 
without  his  sketch. 


K.  IlKNUV  C.  .MAYNANI).  .\niong  the 
)j/  followers  of  Esculapius  practicing  in  Hart- 
ford, none  are  more  progres^ive  in  their 
prt>fession;il  idcMs  aiul  lcMil('iici<'s  llianoui- 
suliject.  Dr.  Maynard  is  very  ambitious  to  stand 
at  the  head  of  his  profi'ssion  and  is  noted  as  a  skill- 
ful pliysifi.'Ui  lliroughoul  \':ui  Ibucn  County,  lie 
unites  with  his  medical  praclice  a  knowledge  of 
surgery  .and  has  ;i  very  remuner.'itive  pr;U'tice. 

Di.  I  lenry  ('.  .M:i\  n.iril  \v;i>  lioru  in  liulTalo,  N.  ^  .. 
in  18  10,  and  w;is  the  fouitli  in  order  of  birth  of  the 
paicntal  binuly  of  seven  children,  namely :  Charles, 
who  i>  a  |ih\  sici.'iii  ill  r.MU  \':i\\  :  W'illiriiii  II.,  resid- 
ing in  .Muskei;(ui;  Loiinda  II.,  who  died  in  18,")7; 
Smith  H.,  who  makes  his  home  in  St.  .loe;  Thad- 
ilcii>   I..,    11    roM  1 1'Mi-tnr  .-ilitl   iuiilijci',    ol'    llyih'   I'.'irk, 


>. 


I^f^^i4^      /^iM^ 


ruiiTKAlT  AND  LUOGKAi'lIlCAL   KPX'UlilJ. 


17.5 


Chicago;  and  Eliznliflli,  who  is  the  wife  of  Will- 
iam II.  Wiay,  of  Dakota. 

Tlic  parents  of  our  subject  were  William  and 
l.oviua  (Stewart)  Maynard,  the  father  born  in 
Colerain,  Mass.,  May  19,  1803;  he  died  ,7uly  15, 
l8iS(!.  Our  subject  was  (juite  young  wiien  his  par- 
ents removed  to  Erie  County,  Pa.,  where  they  re- 
mained for  twelve  years.  They  later  came  West 
to  Wiscousin  and,  locating  in  Madison,  made  that 
lilace  their  home  for  a  number  of  years  and  then 
came  to  Xiles,  this  State.  It  was  there  that  Dr. 
]\Iaynard  l)egan  to  study  medicine  under  Dr. 
Loomis.  In  18C0,  he  went  to  Paw  Paw,  still  con- 
tinuing his  studies  and  in  1872  was  graduated 
from  the  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He 
immediately  decided  u[)on  Hartford  as  his  future 
home  and  from  the  very  first  has  made  a  success  of 
his  profession. 

Dr.  ]Ma3'nard  and  Miss  Delia  E.,  daughter  of 
Simeon  AVilson,  were  united  in  marriage  in  186;j. 
The3'  have  become  the  parents  of  tliiee  children: 
Grace  E.,  Belle  and  Harry;  the  latter  died  in  in- 
fanc3'.  In  social  matters,  the  Doctor  is  a  Mason, 
and  is  active  in  all  measures  that  have  for  their 
object  the  upbuilding  and  elevation  of  his  com- 
munity. 


^^>~^<B 


^p^ILBERTL.  GREE 
(11  J-—,  prominent  fruit-g 
\^JjJ|   and  resides  on    se 


(By— 

^p^ILBERTL.  GREEN.     This   gentleman  is  a 
III         :  —  4    r....:i_gj.jj^gj.   ^f  Soulli   HaveH, 

section  13,  opposite  Maple 
Grove  schoolhouse.  He  was  born  in  .Jefferson 
County,  N.  Y.,  April  19,  1837,  being  the  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Hoxanna  (Polly)  (heen,  natives  of 
Middlesex  County,  Mass.,  and  Plattsburg,  N.  Y., 
respectively.  The  Green  family  is  of  English  de- 
S(!ent.  Three  brothers  came  to  America  during 
Colonial  times,  one  settling  in  New  .Jersey,  of 
whom  Gen.  (Jreen  of  Revolutionary  fame  was 
a  descendant.  Another  brother  located  in  Mass- 
achusetts, and  the  third  in  Connecticut.  Our  sub- 
ject is  descended  from  the  latter. 

Benjamin  F.  (ireen  w.as  liorn  in  1783.  At  the 
time  of  his  birth  his  older  brothers  were  battling 
for  the  freedom  of  the  American  colonies.  When 
a  boy  he  removed  with  his  familj'  to  New  York 
State  where    he    learned    the    trade    of    a  cooper. 


September  11,  1814,  while  the  l)attlcsof  PlallslMirg 
were  being  fought,  Benjamin  V.  Green  and  Rox- 
anna  Polly  were  united  in  marriage  in  Plattsburg. 
;  Tiie  young  cou[)le  removed  to  Connecticut  where 
they  remained  a  short  time  and  then  went  to  Can- 
ada. After  making  their  home  in  the  Dominion 
for  a  time,  they  came  back  to  the  States  and  located 
in  .Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1813  removed 
to  Lawrence  County,  the  same  State.  While  riding 
along  the  road  near  the  lake  shore,  Mr.  Green's 
horse  became  frightened  at  a  sail  boat  and,  run- 
ning awa^-,  killed  Mr.  Green.  His  wife,  who 
was  with  him,  was  injured  but  recovered;  that  was 
in  1850.  Mrs.  Green  was  married  a  second  time 
and  passed  her  last  days  in   Lewis  County,  N.  Y. 

Gilbert  L.  is  the  3'oungest  member  of  the  family 
of  fourteen  children.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
attended  the  district  school,  and  learned  the  trade 
of  a  cooper.  Soon  after  the  death  of  his  father, 
although  but  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  went  to 
Calumet  Count}',  Wis.,  and  under  the  Homestead 
Graduation  Act,  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  at  lift}'  cents  per  acre.  There  he  re- 
mained for  three  years,  when  he  returned  to  St. 
Lawrence  County,  N.  Y. 

In  1860,  our  subject  was  married  to  Agnes, 
daughter  of  .James  Noble,  who  was  one  of  the 
wealthiest  farmers  of  .St.  Lawrence  County.  The 
next  3ear  he  returned  to  Calumet  County,  Wis., 
and  upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  enlisted 
in  the  First  Wisconsin  Cavaliy,  and  with  his  com- 
pany was  sent  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Nashville,  Tenn., 
Gen  Stoneman's  raid,  and  numerous  skirmishes. 
In  the  spring  of  18G5,  the  First  Wisconsin  started 
on  the  Wilson  raid  and,  in  a  battalion  of  which 
our  subject  was  one,  assisted  the  Fourth  Michigan 
in  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis.  Our  subject  received 
his  honorable  discliarge  while  at  Edgefield,  Tenn., 
.lul}-  19,1865.  In  November,  1864,  i\Ir.  Green  was 
taken  prisoner  but  in  the  evening,  while  the  guards 
were  interested  in  a  game  of  cards,  he  broke  for 
freedom,  swam  the  river  and  reached  the  L^nion 
lines  on  the  oi)i)osite  side.  He  was  thus  a  i)risoner 
but  four  hours. 

After  the  war,  Mr.  Green  went  to  St.  Lawrence 
County,  N.  Y.,    where    his    wife    had  been  during 


476 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


his  absence.  With  his  family  he  came  to  Michigan 
and  pui-sued  farming  for  twelve  months,  in  Branch 
County.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  to 
South  Haven,  and  on  arriving  here  had  not  a  dol- 
lar in  his  pocket  and  owed  1^250.  He  erected  a 
board  shanty  at  Maple  Grove  near  his  present 
home  and  for  three  years  operated  a  sawmill. 
Then,  associated  with  F.  I.  Parks,  he  purchased 
land  from  which  tlioy  cut  timber  and  then  sold 
the  land.  In  1874  Mr.  Green  purchased  his  pres- 
ent home  of  eighty  acres,  and  two  years  later 
built  his  plea.sant  residence.  lie  has  a  well-im- 
proved place  and  for  ten  years  has  given  his  atten- 
tion to  fruit-growing.  He  has  since  added  to  his 
estate,  whicli  now  includes  two  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  and  in  addition  to  fruit-growing,  lie  deals  in 
live  stock. 

To  our  subject  and  ills  amiable  wife  have  been 
born  three  ciiildren:  Elsina  A.;Cora  I.,  wife  of  W. 
P.  .Squair,  of  Blair,  Neb.,  and  Benjamin  G.,  who  is 
interested  in  fruit-grf)wing  and  farming  with  his 
father.  Mr.  Green  is  a  Democrat  and  socially  is  a 
member  of  tiie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and 
isalso  identified  with  tiie  Poinological  Society.  His 
portrait  is  presented  in  connection  with  this  bio- 
graphical notice. 


\\l_,^  KNUV  WICKKl'T.  one  of  the  liiglily  ro- 
ll spectcd  citizens  nf  A'an  Buren  Coiiiily,  now 
resides  on  section  2(>.  Decatur  Township. 
Among  the  earl}'  settlers  he  is  numbered, 
In  fact,  no  otiier  has  so  long  resided  in  this  local- 
ity as  our  subject.  To  general  farming  and  fruit 
growing,  he  devotes  his  attention,  operating  lifty- 
two  acres  of  good  land.  He  also  raises  Iilack- 
Ijcrries,  rns|>berrles,  grapes,  cherries  and  apples, 
having  upon  his  farm  one  lnindred  cherry  trees 
and  seventy-five  apple  trees.  The  improveineiits 
upon  the  place  are  many,  iiieliiding  one  of  the 
best  resiliences  In  the  townsiiip.  In  Hie  s|(riiig  of 
|H;t2  he  expects  to  ei'ccl  a  new   li.-irn. 

Mr.  U'ickett  was  born  in  Cornwall,  Imi gland., 
November  2«,  lK."i2,  and  Is  a  son  of  .biliii  Wiekctt, 
who  was  also  born  in  Cornwall  in  1701.  lie  mar- 
ried Nancy  Wheeler,  am!   in    I«I2    they    <Mnie    In 


this  country.     The  father  was  a  cripple  and    he 

could  not  give  his  children  very  good  advantages, 
so  brought  his  family  to  this  eountrv,  where  he 
believed  better  privileges  were  afforded  than  in 
the  Old  Countries.  His  death  occurred  in  1K71, 
and  his  wife  died  in  1H81.  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four  years.  Of  their  family  of  eleven  cliihben, 
all  lived  to  mature  years,  and  nine  still  .'iliide,  as 
follows:  .lames,  a  retired  mason  in  Canada;  AVill- 
iam,  who  for  forty  years  has  been  foreman  of 
construction  on  a  macadamized  road;  Manuel,  a 
farmer  of  Minnesota;  Richard,  who  follows  fainiiiig 
in  Canada;  Daniel,  also  an  agricultiiiisl  of  that 
countr}';  Alfred,  furniture  dealer  and  undertaker 
of  White  Pigeon.  ^licli.;  Ann,  widow  of  .lolin 
Dean,  and  a  resident  of  Cana<la;  .loaniia,  wife  of 
Henry  Mitchell,  of  Canada;  .lolin,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years;  and  TIhuikis,  wlio  also 
died  at  the  same  age. 

Our  subject  was  a  lad  of  ten  summers  when  lie 
came  with  his  parents-  to  America.  He  remained 
at  home  until  twenty-live  years  of  age  and  then 
came  to  Michigan,  where  his  entire  life  has  since 
been  passed  in  .agrieultmal  pursuits.  .\s  a  com- 
panion and  helpmate  on  life's  journey  ho  chose 
Miss  Maria,  daughter  of  .lames  and  Lucy  Chinery, 
farming  people  of  Canada.  Their  union  was  cel- 
ebrated JNIarch  10,  18.57,  and  they  located  in  the 
valley  where  they  now  live,  Mr.  Wickett  pun  bas- 
ing forty  .acres  of  land,  to  which  he  li.as  since 
aildcd  a  Iwelvo-.icre  tr.icl.  The  entire  amount 
was  in  its  iirimitivo  condition  and  the  work  of  im- 
provemeiil  and  developinont  lias  ;ill  been  per- 
formed by  our  subject.. 

The  home  oC  this  wortliN  (iiuplo  li.qs  been  blest 
with  seven  (children,  and  the  family  circle  yet  re- 
mains unbroken :  Willis,  a  widower,  i-esides  on 
the  old  home  farm;  lleniy  D.  owns  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  acres  in  Decatur  Township;  (Jcorgc  (iil- 
bert  is  engaged  in  railroading  in  the  luirllierii 
part  cf  Michigan;  Wesley  Wellington  is  engaged 
in  teaching  school  in  Decatur  Township;  Charles 
C.  and  Warren  I'\are  yet  at  home;  and  Lillio  IM;ii\' 
is  the  wife  ;)f  Frank  Ito.sewain  of  Dee.'ilur  Town- 
shi|). 

Tile  tempera  nee  (■:iii>e  linils  in  i\lr.  Wiekctt  a 
>t:in(li    advocate     and    at     Natiomil    elections     lie 


PORTRAIT  AMD  BIOGRAVUICAL  RECORD. 


477 


supports  the  Prohibition  p.ai'ty,  hut  in  local  elec- 
tions he  votes  for  the  man  whom  he  thinks  best 
qualified  to  fill  the  office.  Socially,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grange  and  is  (ratc^vceper  of  the  Lodge. 
Mr.  Wickett  was  the  first  man  to  contribute  to  the 
support  of  a  Sabbath-school  in  this  valley.  lie  is 
a  devoted  and  faithful  Christian  worker,  and  gives 
liberally  to  the  support  of  the  Protestant  Meth- 
odist Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  His  resi- 
dence in  this  community  covers  a  long  period  and 
he  has  been  an  eye-witness  to  the  greater  part  of 
the  growth  and  development  of  the  county. 
Since  residing  here,  Mr.  Wickett  has  never  had  to 
pay  any  doctor  bills  for  himself  or  family  and  his 
good  health  may  undoubtedly  be  partially  attrib- 
uted to  his  total  abstinence  jninciples. 


•S^-S^* 


/  ♦^*^=* 


"N 


E  WITT  C.  LYTLE  is  a  farmer,  and  makes 
his  home  on  section  4,  Porter  Township, 
[§)^'  Van  Buren  County.  He  was  born  in  Sen- 
eca County,  N.  Y.,  and  his  parents  were 
David  and  Maria  (McAllister)  Lytle,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  the  father  was  a  farmer  and 
lumberman.  The  family  of  six  children  are  all 
living.  David  L3'tle  died  in  1860,  and  his  wife 
survived  him  until  1S77,  when  she,  too,  i)assed 
away. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  .January  ID, 
18.33,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  district 
schools.  He  began  to  do  for  himself  when  reach- 
ing his  majority,  by  learning  the  trade  of  a  car- 
penter, which  business  he  followed  four  years  as  a 
journeyman.  In  18.54,  he  left  home  and  went  to 
Yellow  Springs,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade  one  summer  and  then,  coming  to  Michigan, 
located  at  Lawton. 

In  the  fall  of  18,5.5,  Mr.  Lytle  bought  his  jjresent 
farm  of  Er.astus  Corning,  of  Albany,  N.  Y.  In  the 
spring  of  the  following  year,  he  began  improving 
his  purchase  and  now  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  .almost  all  of  which  is  under  the  plow.  He 
has  a  pleasant  residence  on  his  estate,  and  all 
the  necessary  outbuildings.  He  has  always  been 
engaged  in  mixed  farming, and  ten  years  .ago  began 


the  culture  of  graiiesand  now  has  ten  acres  in  that 
luscious  fruit,  besides  an  orchard  of  five  hundred 
apple  trees.  He  has  good  grades  of  cattle  and 
lioi'ses.  and  devotes  some  attention  to  stock-raising. 

I\Iiss  Mary  .Jane  Wilcox  became  Mrs  D.  C.  Lytle 
in  1858.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Charles  Wilcox, 
who  was  a  pioneer  of  Kalamazoo  County,  but  is 
now  deceased.  Mrs.  Lytle  was  born  in  the  above- 
named  count3-,  in  1840.  She  received  a  good  edu- 
cation and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  Charles  S.  married  Stella  Birdsell, 
has  three  children,  and  lives  in  Porter  Township; 
David  married  Belle  Ellerson,  and  also  makes  his 
home  in  this  township;  John  married  Miss  Estella 
Monroe  and  has  one  child.  The  remaining  chil- 
dren are  Wilbur,  Nancj'  Verne  and  Robert  Bruce. 

Mr.  Lytle  is  a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Club,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  his 
fellow-townsmen  .as  a  member  of  the  School  Board 
and  on  the  Board  of  Review.  The  Gen.  W.  II. 
L^'tle,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
w.as  a  cousin  of  our  subject's  father. 


■J  Wi.y  ii 


\   i      \    ty*  ^\^  m(^ 


V 


|;1LLIAM    WESTCOTT.     In   the    death    of 
''    William  Westcott,    Van    Buren    County 


suffered  the  loss  of  one  of  its  best  citizens, 
who,  although  not  among  its  earliest  settlers,  was 
entitled  to  a  high  place  among  its  pioneers  for  the 
work  he  i)erformed  in  clearing  a  farm  from  the 
forests,  and  his  name  will  forever  be  associated 
with  the  develoi)menl  of  Bangor  Township, 
where  he  was  eng.aged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
many  years. 

Mr.  Westcott  w.as  a  native  of  Cayuga  Count}^ 
N.  Y.,  and  was  born  in  1822  to  William  and  Re- 
Ijecca  (Calvin)  Westcott,  who  were  probablj-  off- 
spring of  English  parents.  When  he  was  a  lioy, 
the  family'  removed  to  Wayne  County,  in  his  na- 
tive State,  and  there  he  grew  to  mature  j-ears. 
His  educational  advantages  were  verj'  limited,  but 
he  made  the  most  of  them,  and  supplemented  the 
learning  that  he  gained  at  school  by  intelligent 
observation,  and  by  acquiring  a  complete  under- 
standing of  .agriculture  in  all  its  branches.     AVheu 


478 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RPXORD^ 


be  arrived  at  ^-ears  of  discretiou  and  had  to  select 
some  calling,  he  chose  that  of  farming,  for  which 
his  previous  training  had  well  fitted  him.  Indue 
sciison  he  was  enabled  to  take  u|)on  hiuisell  the 
cares  and  responsibilities  of  married  life,  and  he 
was  wedded  to  Miss  Iluldah.  Dean,  whose  active 
co-operation  and  s:ige  counsel  were  of  material  i 
bcnelit  to  him  in  his  work  and  contributed  to  his 
success  in  no  small  measure. 

In  18.57,  yU:  Westcott  came  to  \'an  Buren 
County  with  his  family-, and, settling  in  the  forest, 
entered  heartily  upon  tlie  arduous  work  of  hewing 
out  a  farm  from  the  wilderness.  Me  gave  himself 
up  to  years  of  downriglil  hard  lal)or,  and  in  lime 
w:is  well  rewarded  by  the  accumulation  of  a  val- 
uable properly,  which  made  him  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial men  of  Bangor  Township,  lie  cleared  the 
greater  part  of  his  one  hundred  and  twenty- acres 
of  land,  erected  suitable  buildings,  and  i)rovi- 
ded  a  very  comforUible  home  for  his  family.  In 
1H80,  his  household  was  called  upon  to  mourn  his 
untimely  death,  and  man}'  friends  and  neighborh 
shared  their  grief,  regretting  the  departure  from 
their  midst  of  one  who  possessed  so  many  merits. 
He  left  behind  him  a  golden  memory  of  a  life 
well  spent,  in  which  he  iiad  been  a  tender  husband, 
a  wise  father,  and  a  good  friend  to  his  associates. 
He  had  a  well-earned  reputation  for  strict  honesty, 
and  all  his  dealings  were  fair  and  above  board. 
He  and  his  estimable  wife  reared  a  family  of  seven 
children,  all  irf  whom  live  in  ^'an  liureii  County, 
a.s  follow.*:  Lynuiii;  Eugene;  l.odtMii.-i.  wife;  of 
.loliu  I,.  \'an  .\ukeM;Marv,  wife  of  J-ewis  Wood; 
l';»lhrr,  wife  of  Holicrt  Springelt;  Saiah,  wife  of 
William  Nnmmers;  and  Rebecca,  widow  of  Williur 
Clarke. 

Kngene  Westcott.  who  i>  numbered  amoun  tlie 
most  conipelfut  of  the  .Mclive  mikI  ciilerprisiug 
farmers  and  stock-raiser.-- of  tlilsi)artof  Michigan. 
mid  who  occupie,--  a  lejuliiig  jiosiliiui  iii  that  re- 
spect in  Hangor  Township,  was  boin  in  Wayne 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  IKlK,  and  was  eight  years  old 
wlien  he  came  with  his  parents  to  their  new  home 
ill  this  coiiiily.  Ills  cducalioii  was  ((UMhiclcd  in 
the  comiiioii  schools  siiid  on  his  lallicr's  farm. 
where  he  was  well  drillf"!  in  liis  fill  iiic  calling. 
I  le  owns  one    hniidii'd    and    llfly    acres  of  exceed- 


ingly fertile  farming  land,  the  most  of  which  he 
has  acquired  by  his  own  exertions,  and  this  forms 
a  highly  tilled,  well-drained,  neatly  fenced  and 
finely  improved  farm,  which  is  well  stocked  with 
cattle,  horses,  etc.,  and  is  the  source  of  a  good  in- 
come. 

Mr.  Weslcoll  was  liappily  mariicd.  in  1.S77.  to 
Miss  Jennie  Finley,  who  presides  with  tact  and 
ability  over  their  home,  and  co-o[)erates  with  him  in 
extending  its  bounteous  liosi)italities  to  whosoever 
crosses  its  threshold.  They  have  live  children: 
Floy  B.,  Hazel  M.,  William  F...  Cornie  1?.,  and 
Eula  E. 

Mr.  Westcott  is  a  sensible,  clear-brained,  wide- 
awake man,  and  i)Ossesses  those  pleasant  personal 
attributes  that  win  regard  and  frieiidshi[),  and  is 
alwa^'S  kindly,  courteous  and  accoramodating  in 
his  intercourse  with  his  neighbors.  Politically,  he 
is  a  thorough  Democrat,  and  socially  he  is  a  Mason. 


f      in 


-e^ 


ER  J.   1)1  LEM AN.  one  of  the  reiuesenta- 

e  farmers  of  Bangor  Township,  was  born 

Hancock    County,    Oliio,   in    18,')(i,   and 

\  when  but  eleven  years  of  .age  came  with  his 
parents  to  \'aii  Buien  County,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  received  a  lilieral  education  m  the 
common-schools  of  this  county  and  upon  reacliing 
the  age  c>f  t  wenty-tiiree  years,  he  was  wedded  to 
Sarah,  a  daiigiiter  of  Diuiiel  I'unk.  of  this  town- 
ship. 

The  parents  of  the  gentleman  whose  n;ime  lieads 
this  sketch  were  Adam  and  Kate  (Smith)  Dillninn, 
the  forniei  being  born  in  (Jermany  in  I8-21).  llei'anic 
to  America  at  the  age  of  two  years,  with  his  p:irents, 
who  loc;itc(l  in  .IcfTerson  County,  ()liio,  :uid  it  was 
in  that  county  that  he  grew  ti)  manhood,  lie  was 
one  in  !i  family  of  six  children,  live  of  whom  are 
survi  ving:Adain:  .Vnn  in;iriii'il  Augustus  Miller  and 
resides  in  .Vrlingtiui  Township;  Mary  became  the 
wife  of  .lacob  Wos/manu,  :ind  died  at  Findlay, 
(diio,  leaving  one  child,  ('liarlie;  I'liilip,  a  res- 
ident   of   Ailingtoii   Township;    llarluira,    wife   of 

S: el  llnlT.  of  AiliiiLilon,  Ohio;  and  llenry.ares- 

ideiil  (pI   r.liilllon.  I  Miio.       riie  |i:ii  fills  ol  lliis    Cam- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


179 


ily  were  I'eU'r  nml  l';ii/.MfitM.li  (I'lMriu')  l)illiii:in.  the  [ 
<>T;uul|iMrfii1s  (if  (iiir  siiliji-ct,  who  wcri'  of  (iciiiinii  | 
hiilli.  j 

Our  subject  was  electccj  Siipeivisor  »)f  Bangor  j 
Towiisliip  in  18.S.'?,  ii  position  wliicli  ho  lias  since 
held  in  a  t(j\vnsliip  wliich  gives  a  Republican  ma- 
jority of  from  one  hundred  to  one  liundreil  and 
fifty  votes,  lie  himself  is  a  standi  Deinoei'at. 
Mr.  Dillman,  in  connection  with  his  brotiier  Henry 
and  father,  own  a  very  valuable  estate  wiiicli  em- 
braces two  hundred  broad  and  fertile  acres,  and 
under  the  direct  siiiiervision  of  our  worthy  sub- 
ject it  has  been  brought  to  what  it  is  to-day — one 
of  the  finest  and  most  attractive  pieces  of  proii- 
erty  in  the  countiy  roundabout. 


\fj  EROME  B.  MARSHALL,  a  retired  farmer, 
making  his  home  at  Lawrence,  Van  Buren 
^^  County,  was  born  in  West  Bloom  field,  Oak- 
t^//  land  County,  Mich.,  November  8,  1836. 
He  is  a  son  of  Nelson  S.  and  Alvia  (Ciibbs)  Mar- 
sliall.  The  father  was  born  in  New  York  and  came 
to  Michigan  about  1835,  and  lived  in  O.akland 
County  two  years,  farming  rented  land.  He  then 
came  to  Lawrence  and  bought  the  proi)erty  which 
Is  now  in  the  possession  of  our  subject.  He,  how- 
ever, sold  his  farm  here  and  moved  to  Bangor 
Township,  and  later  went  to  Watervliet,  Berrien 
County,  where  he  died.  He  was  twice  married  and 
had  seven  children  by  the  first  marriage,  four  of 
whom  are  still  living.  The  father  served  as  a  pri- 
vate in  the  War  of  tiie  Rebellion  and  was  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Michigan,  coming  here  wlien  a  poor 
man.  He  was  at  one  time  in  very  fair  circum- 
stances. 

Jerome  Marshall  Iiegan  in  life  on  his  own  account 
when  nineteen  years  old  by  working  by  the  month, 
which  be  followed  four  j'ears  and  tlien  iiurcliased 
forty-one  acres  in  Lawrence  Township  which  he 
partly  improved  and  sold  in  three  years,  making 
about  $600  off  of  it.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  war 
in  Company  C,  Third  Michigan  Calvary  in  186L 
He  was  sick  in  the  hospital  a  great  deal  of  the  time, 
at  St.  Louis,  ]\[o..aiid  New  Madrid,  Mo.     He  was 


honorably  discharged    in    .Inly,  1862,   at  Deti'oit, 
and  is  now  getting  a  iiension  of  ^12  per  montli. 

Oursubject  was  inariied  .I.'inuary  I,  1863,  to  Miss 
Jane  Gage  of  Lawrence.  She  was  born  in  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  July  1,  1840,  and  is  a  daugliter  of 
Elisha  W.  and  Harriet  (Evans)  (iage.  Her  people 
came  to  Michigan  when  she  was  about  three  years 
of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  have  one  child,  Ida 
l\r.,  who  married  Charles  Pritchard  by  whom  she 
has  two  children,  Leo  J.  and  Margie  L.  After  our 
subject  sold  his  farm  he  moved  on  to  the  i)lace 
which  he  now  owns,  but  wliich  was  then  owned  b\- 
his  uncle,  and  farmed  on  shares.  He  bought  it  event- 
ually in  the  year  1880,  and  on  this  place  he  resided 
until  1888.  In  that  year  he  moved  to  Lawrence 
where  he  owns  some  property.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics  and  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Lincoln  in 
1860.  He  served  the  village  as  President  in  1891, 
and  is  at  present  its  Treasurer,  serving  now  on  his 
second  term,  and  discharging  his  duties  .satisfac- 
torily. He  is  a  member  of  the  Giand  Army  of  the 
Republic  and  a  man  who  stands  well  in  the  com- 
munity. He  has  heljied  to  build  churches  and  has 
put  nearly  |il,000  in  the  railroad  which  runs 
tlirough  Lawrence.  lie  is  well  liked  and  respected 
]iy  all  with  whom  be  li.as  dealings. 


APT.  WILLIAM  E.  STEWART,  proprietor 
and  editor  of  the  South  Haven  Sentinel,  has 
the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  newspa- 
per man  in  Van  Buren  County.  He  has  always 
held  a  prominent  and  infiuential  jdace  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  community,  and  is  exceedingly  popu- 
lar wherever  known.  He  was  born  in  Paw  Paw, 
this  county,  April  25,  1841.  His  father,  Archibald 
Stewart,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1813,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith, 
and  emigrated  from  there  to  Le  Roy,  N.  Y.  Here 
he  was  married  to  Eliza  Tanner,  daughter  of 
William  and  Hannah  (Mead)  Tanner.  She  was 
born  in  New  York  State  in  1818.  About  1837, 
Archibald  Stewart  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  at 
Paw  Paw,  where,  in  connection  with  his  trade,  he 
owned  and  operated  a  foundry,  machine  shop  and 


480 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


wagon  shop.  In  1858,  he  removed  to  Wateivliet, 
Bernen  County,  remaining  there  two  j'eai's,  thence 
going  to  Coloiiia.  the  same  county,  where  lie  fol- 
lowed his  trade  during  tlie  remainder  of  iiis  life. 
He  died  in  1887.  The  mother  of  our  subject  is 
still  living  in  Colonia.  They  were  tlie  parents  of 
eight  children,  of  whom  seven  grew  tu  maturity: 
Helen  M.,  wife  of  II.  M.  Marvin.  M.  1).,  of  Covert; 
William  K.;  George  F.,  a  farmer  of  Hninliridge 
Township,  IJerrien  Count3-;  Archibald,  wiio  is  en- 
gaged in  the  State  printing  office  at  Lansing; 
Eliza  A.,  wife  of  E.  R.  Havens,  of  Lansing;  Cliaiics 
H.,  who  died  in  early  manhood,  and  Lucia  I)., 
wife  of  C.  T.  Merrilield,  of  Sault  Ste.  Marie. 

Capt.  Stewart,  when  a  boy,  employed  his  leisure 
time  out  of  school  by  working  in  a  printing  ollice 
and  also  clerked  in  different  stores,  always  being- 
ready  to  answer  to  the  call,  "Boy  Wanted."  Al 
the  age  of  eighteen,  he  entered  the  oHice  of  the 
Enquirer,  at  Niles,  Mich.,  and  worked  there  imlil 
1861,  when  he  offered  liis  services  in  behalf  of  the 
I'nion  cause,  and  in  October,  of  that  year,  was 
mustered  in  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Twelfth 
Michigan  Infantry,  Ijeing  chosen  Corjioral  upon  the 
organization  of  the  company'.  At  the  battle  of  Shi- 
loh,  in  April,  1862,  the  First  Sergeant  was  wounded, 
and  Corporal  Stewart  became  Acting  First  Ser- 
geant. .\ll  things  tended  to  his  rapid  promotion. 
hut  on  July  2,  1862,  he  was  detailed  in  tlie  Divi- 
sion and  l'osl-( Quartermaster's  Department  and  to 
tlie  recruiting  service, and  became  private  secretiiry- 
of  Cf>l.  .1.  R.  Smith,  Military  Commander  of  Mich- 
igan, with  whom  he  remained  until  .Vugust,  1863, 
when  he  again  joined  his  regiment  at  Helena,  Ark. 
In  OctolK-r,  186.3,  he  wsis  promoted  from  the  rank 
of  Seventh  Corporal  to  that  of  Sergeaiit-Major  of 
the  regiment.  In  December,  1863,  he  re-enlisted, 
and  in  March,  1864,  was  promoted  to  be  Second 
Lieutenant,  and  was  detailed  a.s  Acting  Adjutant 
of  the  regiment.  In  April,  1861,  he  was  eommis- 
sioncd  Adjutant  of  liie  regiment,  his  commission 
dating  from  the  d:ite  of  his  commission  as  Second 
Lieutenant.  .March  I'.l,  IKHl.  lie  served  as  .\djii- 
tnnl  until  .lime  21,  186.'i,  when  he  wa.s  (h't.'iilccl  as 
I'ost-Adjniant  at  Wiushington,  Ark.  In  .Inly,  1H(!.'>, 
he  was  commissioiu'd  Captain  of  Conipany  I), 
Twelfth  Michigan    Infantry,  and   w;is  stationed  .-it 


Paraclifta,  Ark.,  where  he  had  military  command 
of  Sevier  County,  whence  he  brought  the  company 
home  and  w.is  mustered  out  of  service  at  .lackson, 
Mich.,  March  6.  18(!(;. 

Capt.  Stewart  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Emma  A.  Clark.  November  15,  1866.  She  w.as  a 
daughter  of  Uowlaiul  and  Cynthia  A.  (Cooper) 
Clark,  and  was  born  in  Niles,  tliis  State,  May  12, 
1845.  Her  father  was  a  stone-mason  and  farmer. 
Of  this  marriage  three  children  have  been  born, 
two  now  living:  Nellie  H.  and  Edward  Zoraster. 
After  his  marriage.  Capt.  Stewart  worked  in  the 
printing  otlice  two  months,  at  Buchanan,  and  six 
months  at  St.  Joseph,  coming  to  South  Haven, 
.\ugust  II,  1867,  where  he  took  the  position  of 
foreman  in  the  otiiee  of  the  JSeiilinfl,  which  paper 
was  then  less  than  sixty  days  old.  In  September, 
1868,  he  ))urcliased  tlie  ottice,  and  has  since  been 
sole  proprietor.  When  Capt.  Stewart  took  charge 
of  the  Sentinel,  it  was  a  six-column  folio  and  was 
run  as  a  neutral  local  paper.  In  1872,  he  enlarged 
it  to  an  eiglit-column  folio  and  it  has  since  been 
Republican  in  politics,  but  lias  independence 
enough  to  opjiose  a  candidate  who  is  not  deemed 
worthy  of  its  support.  Capt.  Stewart  is  an  active 
man.  and,  in  printers'  parlance,  still  "holds  a  case," 
and  is  ever  on  the  alert  for  an  item  of  news.  The 
Scidinel  is  tiie  leading  newspaper  of  South  Haven, 
and  one  of  the  most  intluential  journals  in  West- 
ern Micliigaii.  At  tlie  head  of  the  column  is  a 
hatchet,  bearing  tlie  iiiscrii)lion,  "I  cannot  tell  a 
lie,"  it  being  a  fac-siiiiik'  of  a  gold  hatchet  pre- 
sented to  Ca|)l.  Stewart   by  bis  fiiiMids. 

In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  standi  Heiniblic.an, 
and  soon  after  coming  to  South  Haven  was  elected 
Town  Clerk,  which  ollice  he  held  two  terms.  From 
1872  to  1876,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Republican 
State  Central  Coiiiinillci',  and  tVom  1.S75  to  1878 
was  Deputy  Revenue  Collector,  which  ollice  he  re- 
signed to  accept  the  appointment  of  I'ostm.aster  at 
South  Haven.  In  .lanuaiy,  lcS7',),  the  ofliee  was 
made  a  tliird-elass  ollice,  and  Capt.  Stewart  w.as 
coinmissioiied  l)y  President  llayi's  as  Postm.aster, 
and  held  the  same  until  May,  I8HI.  Socially, 
{'apt.  Stewart  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  having  luld 
the  ollices  of  King  aiul  Scribe  in  the  Chapter,  and 
Senior  Warden    in    tlic    I'.bic    j.odiic.     lie  was  the 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


481 


First  Noble  (iraiid  of  Neptune  Lodge  No.  297, 
I.  O.  O.  F\,  !iii(1  Chief  Patriaieli  of  tiie  Eneanip- 
iiient,  and  a1  piesent  is  District  l)e|)iitv  (Jraiid 
I'atriarcli.  He  w.as  Adjutant-General  of  the  Mieiii- 
u;an  Department  of  Our  Counlry's  Defenders,  was 
tlie  first  Commander  of  M.  .).  Diclfinson  Post, 
(!.  A.  K.,  having  previously  been  Senior  Vice-com- 
niandcr  of  Zaeh  Chandler  Post,  fi.  A.  R.,  and  was 
one  year  Mce-president  of  the  Michig.au  State 
Press  Association. 

Soon  after  settling  at  South  Haven,  Cajtt.  Stew- 
art built  a  good  house,  which  he  occupied  until 
December,  1891,  when  he  removed  to  liis  present 
handsome  residence  which  he  erected  in  that  year. 
It  is  pleasantly  located  and  is  one  of  the  handsom- 
est homes  in  South  Haven. 

<Cl  j^ASIHNGTON  L.  THOMAS.  While  Van 
\nJ//  Buren  County  has  much  in  the  way  of 
W^  natural  resources  and  commercial  transac- 
tions to  commend  it  to  the  public  at  large,  the 
chief  interest  centers  upon  the  lives  of  those  citi- 
zens who  have  achieved  success  for  themselves  and 
at  the  same  time  benefited  the  community  in  which 
they  reside.  Prominent  among  these  men  is  he 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  he  having  been  one 
of  the  early  pioneers  and  t.aken  an  active  part  in 
laying  the  foundation  for  the  present  prosperity 
of  the  county. 

Mr.  Thomas  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y., 
April  15,  1827,  to  George  and  Adeline  (Baker) 
Thomas,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts 
respectively,  the  father  having  been  Ijorn  in  1 794.To 
the  parents  of  our  subject  wei-e  liorn  eight  children: 
George  of  Ohio;  Uriah  1!.;  Levi,  who  died  and  left 
three  children  in  Ohio;  Sylvanus  W.  died  in  1888; 
our  subject;  Andrew  .1.,  also  deceased,  dying  in 
1891  in  Huron  County,  Ohio;  Walter  who  died  in 
the  army;  Isa  B.,  wife  of  Oliver  Thomas  of  Huron 
County,  Ohio;  and  Alvira  A.,  wife  of  A.  Hills,  of 
Geneva  Township.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
one  of  four  Itrotliers,  Amos,  (ieorge,  Hull  G.  .and 
Harry. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  on  his  father's 
side  was  an  Englishman    by   birth    and    education. 


who  joui-neyed  to  the  New  World  with  two  of  his 
brothers  and  located  in  Connecticut.  The  honored 
mother  of  our  subject  was  a  daughter  of  I'riah 
B.ikcr,  of  diieet  Scotch  ancestry.  Mi.  Thomas  se- 
cured for  his  life  companion  Miss  Harriet  1».  Walker 
between  whom  and  himself  marriage  rites  were  cele- 
brated in  1849.  Mrs.  Thomas  is  the  daughter  of 
Ileman  and  Eunesa  (Caswell)  Walker,  the  birth- 
place of  the  father  being  at  Woodstock,  Conn., 
where  he  was  born  in  179.5.  The  mother  was  born 
in  the  same  place.being  five  3'cars  younger  than  her 
husband. 

There  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  the 
following  sons  and  daughters:  Ella  married  Thomas 
.1.  Noggle  and  died  leaving  two  children;  Charles 
resides  in  this  township;  Arthur  L.,  a  resident  of 
this  township;  Garland,  who  died  when  a  lad; 
Erville  II.,  a  resident  of  this  county;  Willie  G., 
who  lives  at  Gaston,  Mich.;  and  Ettie,  the  wife  of 
Myrick  Hnrlbut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thom.as  came  to 
the  State  of  Michigan  in  1858  and  located  on  the 
farm  where  they  now  reside  and  which  was  practi- 
cally a  wilderness.  But  by  means  of  perseverance 
and  energy,  they  finely  improved  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  and  at  the  (ireseut  time  <n\n  three 
hundred  and  thirt^'-three  acres  of  well-tilled  and 
l)roductive  land.  He  has  erected  good  buildings 
upon  his  fine  estate  which  are  a  great  attraction. 
He  also  has  on  his  })Lace  a  sawmill  which  runs  a 
greater  |)art  of  the  time.  Politically,  this  gentle- 
man is  at  present  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party  and  is  an  advocate  of  tariff  reform.  Mrs. 
Thomas  is  an  active  and  valued  member  of  the  Dis- 
ciples Church  and  socially  her  husband  is  an  im- 
portant member  of  the  Patrons  of  Industry. 


f^j  LBERT  ARMS,  a  retired  gentlem.an  living 
at  Kendall,  Yan  Buren  County,  w.as  born 
*  Seiitembcr  21,  1806,  in  Waterbury.  Vt. 
His  parents,  .Jesse  and  Abigail  (Heaton) 
Arras,  were  natives  of  JIassaehusetts  .and  New 
Hampshire,  respectively.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
took  part  in  Shay's  Rebellion  in  M.assaehusetts, 
and  was  a  leading  man  in  his  township;  was  Town 
Clerk  for  fifteen  years.     He  was  a  Democrat  of  the 


482 


PORTR.UT  AND  i'.IOORAPHICAL   RFXORD. 


olden  linie-i.  IK-  died  in  1.^20.  and  liis  wife  in 
1867.  Our  siiliject  i<  tlie  lirst  born  of  bis  father's 
second  marriage,  be  liaving  cigbt  children.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  until  fifteen  _\ears  of  age 
when  he  learned  the  ealtinet-maker's  trade  wbicli 
he  followed  thirty  years.  Ten  years  be  was  in  tin- 
furn'ic-e  and  niaebine  manufactory  at  Kalamazoo. 
and  went  to  R(X-bester,  N.  Y..  in  182f<.  for  two 
years.  lie  l>egan  for  himself  at  Brockport.  N.  Y.. 
remaining  there  ten  years. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  183:3  to  .hilia    Ann 
Cushman,  a  native  of  Randolph.  Vt..  having  been    , 
l)orn  in  ISflfl.    l^hc  bore  lier  husband  four  children. 
two  now  living:  .lulia  A.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Mai- 
tin  Metealf,  of  Hattle  Creek,  is  the  mother  of  three 
children:  and  Lucretia  D..  who  resides  in  Milwau-   , 
kee.     The  mother  died  in    1859.     The  lady    who   : 
now  presides  over  the  home  of  our  subject  became   | 
his  wife  in    18(;2,  and  Iwre  the   maiden    name    of 
Helen  Chamberlain,  tiie  widow  of  Lyman  Kendall 
and  a  native  of  Homer,  N.  Y..  wliere  she  was  born 
in  181(;.     Hy  her  former  marriage    she    had   three   | 
children,  two  now  living:  L.  P>.,  in   Denver,    Col., 
and  {'h:ii-le>  F..  at  Topeka,  Kan. 

.Mr.  .\rnis  came  to  Jlichigan  in  1847, and  located 
for  ten  yeai-s  at  Kalamazoo  in  the  foinidry  busi- 
ness. He  was  one  of  a  company  who  came  to  Ken- 
dall twenty-seven  years  ago  and  built  a  large  mill 
here  and  operated  it,  manufacturing  lumltcr.  staves, 
heading,  etc.  Sometin.e  after,  they  built  a  large 
chair  factf)ry  which  is  now  destroyed,  having  been 
l>urned  out.  The  lumber,  staves,  etc.,  amounted  to 
*10n,00ll  per  year. 

The  oiiginal  of  this  sketch  and  liis  wife  are 
members  of  the  I'resbytcrian  Chvwcli  and  have 
l)een  for  sixty  3'ears.  Mr.  Aims  has  been  for 
lifty  years  an  KIder  and  was  one  of  the  original 
projectors  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Chiircli  :il  Kal- 
amazoo, lie  li;is  always  been  an  active  iirouKitcr 
of  educational  matters  and  has  given  all  his  chil- 
dren the  best  lu' could  afToi'd.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
true-blue  Republican  and  has  always  taken  an  in- 
terest in  Ihr-  same,  attending  jirimary,  county  ami 
Sl«le  conventions,  lie  was  Postmaster  here  for 
llfleen  years,  and  alsoa  Notary  Piililic  Mr.  Arm- 
is  wonderfully  ai-tive,  both  mentally  and  physically. 
for  a  man  of   his  vears.     Ills    wife  is   interested    in 


Home  and  Foreign  Missions  and  also  schools.  He 
h:is  had  extensive  farming  oi)erations  and  now 
owns  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  most  of 
which  is  improved  and  which  he  rents  to  a  tenant. 
Years  ago  he  lived  for  some  time  in  Canada  and 
had  much  tt)  do  with  the  building  of  the  Knox 
Church  at  Hamilton,  also  the  erection  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Kalamazoo  and  has  eng.aged  in 
building  three  or  four  others.  This  gentleman  :uid 
his  worthy  wife  are  looked  up  to  with  honor  and 
respect  by  all  who  know  them. 


1^  ENRY'  WILSON,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser. 
"^  was  born  in  Gustavus  Township,  Trumbull 
County,  Ohio,  August  18,1821.  He  is  a 
son  of  .lames  and  Lydia  (Trask)  Wilson, 
the  father  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  the 
mother  of  Vermont.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  received  but  limited  education.  He  re- 
mained in  his  native  county  until  he  was  about 
seventeen,  wIumi  he  came  to  Michigan  .•ind  worked 
for  Judge  Berry,  of  Adrian,  for  about  three  years. 
He  then  bought  forty  acres  of  land  in  Hillsdale 
County,  and,  after  he  had  paid  for  it,  sold,  and 
went  to  Erie  County,  Pa.,  on  acccuint  of  tiie  sick- 
ness of  his  mother,  from  which  she  never  recovered, 
lie  remaine(l  in  that  State  about  three  years. 

While  in  Pennsylvania  at  the  time  of  his  moth- 
er's sickne-is,  our  subject  was  married,  October 
2  1,  181.3,  to  Miss  Eliza  Olds  of  Erie  County.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Moses  and  Olive  (Jenkins)  Olds, 
the  father  being  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  the 
mother  of  XCimkhiI.  In  IS  1(1.  our  subject  moved 
with  his  wife  and  one  child  Id  Cook  County,  III., 
but  not  liking  the  .country  he  stayed  but  live 
weeks,  then  came  to  \aii  P.ureii  Comity.  lie  hail 
><72,  and  paid  >f^)0  tor  forty  acres  of  land  which  he 
still  has  ill  his  jiossessiini.  Hut  he  li:is  piircliaseil 
iiKiie  laud  rriiMi  lime  lu  liinc  niid  now  has  two 
hundred  acres,  lie  has  given  his  son  eighty  acres, 
lie  has  chvired  with  his  own  hands  all  thai  has 
hceii  rleari'd.  ( )ur  siilijecl  and  his  woiiliy  wife 
were  the  p:irents  of  seven  I'hildren,  four  nf  whom 
ilied   with    spotted    feviu'  in    le.ss  than    a    mouth's 


HENRY    MUN50N 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


485 


tinu'.  The  living  arc:  \V:iilcr.  Iiniii  in  August, 
IH;");'),  ill  Pjiw  P:i\v,  whore  he  iiuw  lives.  He  is 
ill  the  bakery  husiness,  is  iiiaii'ie<l,  aii<l  the  fat.lier 
of  three  chilclren;  ileiirv,  liorii  in  Paw  Paw, 
March  27,  ISIJG,  and  lives  at.  home.  The  good 
helpmate  and  mother  [lassecl  from  this  life  in  Sep- 
tember, 1884. 

Our  subject  was  again  married,  February  27,1888, 
this  time  to  Mrs.  Cornelia  A.  Patterson,  H(?e  Olds,  of 
Herrien  County,  Mich.  She  is  a  sister  of  his  first 
wife,  and  w.as  born  December  3,  1830,  in  Cliautau- 
qua  Count}^,  N.  Y.  She  had  been  twice  married 
before  she  married  Mr.  Wilson.  Her  first  husband 
was  William  Jennings,  to  whom  she  bore  three 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Urania,  wife  of 
Herbert  Witter,  lives  in  this  county;  Jefferson  also 
lives  in  Lawrence  Township,  this  county,  and  is 
married.  Our  subject  is  a  Democrat  and  voted 
first  for  James  K.  Polk.  He  has  always  refused  to 
serve  in  oftice,  preferring  to  give  his  attention  to 
his  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  makes  a  spec- 
ialty of  the  best  grades  of  Merino  sheep.  He  is  a 
self-made  man  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  word, 
and  his  name  is  always  considered  as  good  as  his 
bond  wherever  he  is  known.  He  is  the  only  man 
in  Paw  Paw  who  attended  Gen.  Garfield's  funeral. 


-J- 


^>-^^<i 


.©5^ 


EJvRY  MUNSON,  who  has  a  fine  farm  in 
Antwerp  Township,  \'an  Bnren  County, 
removed  to  this  State  from  New  York  in 
(^^  1856.  He  is  a  native  of  Washington 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  November  18,  1817. 
His  parents,  William  and  Ruth  (Gitt}')  Munson, 
were  natives  of  the  same  State  as  himself,  where 
the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer. 
He  died  in  1868  and  the  mother  in  1870.  l\Ir. 
Munson  was  a  soldier  in  the  AVar  of  1812.  This 
worthy  couple  were  the  parents  of  tlurteon  chil- 
dren, five  sons  and  eight  daughters,  our  suliject 
being  the  second  oldest  son.  Seven  of  the  chil- 
dren are  now  living,  namely:  Henr\-,  Marilda, 
Julia,  Maria,  I>ucy,  Ph(L'be,  and  Betsey.  Those  de- 
ceased are  Jane,  William  F.,  Hannah,  Oscar,  Ira, 
and  Chester. 

February  2.5,  1849,  Mr.  Munson  was  married   in 
22  V 


Cook  County,  111.,  to  Maria  Harnes,  the  daughter 
of  Calvin  and  Elizabeth  (Snell)  Harnes,  who  was 
burn  in  Lewis  County,  N.  Y.,  April  2G,  18:31.  Her 
father,  who  was  a  house  carpenter  by  trade,  removed 
to  Michigan  in  an  early  day,  and  died  in  Wisconsin 
in  1882.  Her  mother  departed  this  life  in  Chicago, 
in  18.50.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children, 
four  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  five  are 
living:  Hiram,  Oren,  Rachel,  Mary,  and  Maria. 
Those  deceased  are  Franklin,  Lovisa,  Charles  and 
Losetla. 

Our  subject  and  his  wifi^  are  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  five  sons  and  seven  daughters,  all 
of  whom  are  living  with  one  exception,  namely: 
James  H.,  born  November  1,  1850;  Frances  M., 
December  22,  1851;  Mary  E.,  August  9,  1853; 
Luc}'  J.,  November  29,  1854;  Henrietta,  August 
21,1856;  Calvin,  February  20,  1858;  William  F., 
June  23,  1860;  Lewis,  September  1,  1865;  Louisa, 
April  12,  1866;  Ruth  A.,  born  September  22,  1867, 
died  September  4,  1869;  Maud,  born  December  5, 
1870;  and  Franklin  L.,  April  4,  1873. 

Mr.  Munson  has  highly  improved  his  fine  tract 
of  three  hundred  acres  on  which  he  hasa  pleasant 
residence  and  is  considered  one  of  the  enterprising 
and  representative  farmers  of  this  section  of  the 
conntiy.  His  place  is  on  section  35,  and  within 
four  miles  of  the  town  of  Mattawan.  His  chil- 
dren have  been  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and 
usefulness,  and  thej'  are  highly  regarded  in  the 
community  in  which  the}'  live. 

A  lithographic  portrait  of  ^Ir.  Munson  .accom- 
panies his  personal  sketch. 


''  LWYN  M.  PROUTY  is  one  of  the  most 
prominent  business  men  of  South  Haven. 
He  located  here  July  3,  1866,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  most  activel}' interested 
in  the  upbuilding  of  the  [Jace.  He  carries  on  .an  im- 
mense business  in  lumber,  coal  and  wood,  also 
owning  a  large  warehouse  and  other  property  in 
the  vill.age.  He  is  a  native  of  Jlichigan,  Kalama- 
zoo County  being  his  birthplace  and  the  date 
thereof,  March  20,  1843. 

The  parents    of   Mr.  Prouty    were  Amai-iali    T. 


486 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


and  Sophia  Prouty,  pioneers  of  Kalamazoo  County. 
The  father  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and 
after  removing  lo  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.,  met  and  mar- 
ried the  mother  of  our  subject.  In  1833  they 
came  west  to  Michigan  and  locating  in  Kalamazoo 
County,  purchased  Government  land,  a  portion  of 
which  is  now  included  iu  the  site  of  tlie  city  of 
Kalamazoo.  He  there  engaged  in  farming  and  at 
the  same  time  did  a  splendid  nursery  business. 
To  the  latter-named  occupation  he  devoted  his 
time  and  attention  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
platted  a  portion  of  his  farm  into  city  lots  and 
thus  accumulated  quite  a  handsome  fortune.  He 
died  July  lit,  1887.  in  his  eighty-fifth  year.  His 
good  wife  followed  him  totlie  better  land  just  one 
month  later,  August  I'J,  when  eighty-two  years 
old.  Thirteen  children  were  included  in  their 
family,  eleven  of  whom  lived  to  reach  mature 
yeai-s. 

Alwyn  M.  Prouty  w.i.*  reare<l  to  farm  pursuits 
and  received  a  good  education  in  the  schools  of 
Kalamazoo.  When  nineteen  years  of  age,  desiring 
to  commence  life  on  his  own  account, he  left  home 
and  went  to  Eaton  County,  Micli.,  where  he  worked 
out  as  a  farm  hand  for  three  years.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Kalamazoo,  which  he  made  his  home  for 
the  ffiUowing  eighteen  months,  engaged  in  getting 
w(jod  for  the  State.  Later  he  came  to  South  Ha- 
ven and  began  work  here  by  cutting  and  deliver- 
ing wood  on  the  river.  He  found  that  to  be  a 
very  pacing  business,  and  enlarged  his  facilities 
for  doing  the  work  from  time  to  time,  \intil  he  now 
does  the  largest  business  in  lumlicr,  wood  and  coal 
in  the  place.  In  1H8(>,  lie  erected  a  stave  and 
heailing  faet4)ry,  which  he  also  con  ductus. 

The  gcnlU'man  whose  name  heads  this  sketch 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Mar}'  S.  Griswold,  in 
1870.  Mrs.  Prouty  w.os  the  daughter  of  1).  1!. 
Griswold,  and  was  horn  in  X'ermont,  .August  20, 
18.|(;.  |{y  that  union  have  been  lioru  four  chil- 
dren: Edwin  a.,  Mary  S.,  Charles  \'.  and  lii^ssic  1,. 
'I'hc  parent-*  of  our  subject  had  a  family  of  seven  sons 
aii<l  four  daughters,  of  whom  we  m.'dic  the  follow- 
ing mention:  Fletcher  <1ied  in  lHj;i  unmarried; 
.Martha,  now  .Mrs.  Gott,  I'esides  in  (Jalesburg,  this 
SUle;  Wells  died  in  New  York  iu  18(;i);  Elizabeth 
iii  alio  dece.'iseil ;  LorelUi  married    II.  S.  Dickinson, 


and  resides  in  Eaton  County,  Mich;  Edwin  died 
in  W;ishington,  in  1862;  Eugenia  died  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  March  20,  1858;  our  subject  was  the 
next  in  order  of  birth;  George  Wallace  was  a 
member  of  Company  L,  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry, 
Custer's  Brigade,  and  was  hung  by  John  Mosbey's 
guerrilliis  in  November,  1861;  Charles  II.  is  agent 
for  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad  at  Three  Rivers, 
where  he  has  been  in  the  emi)loy  of  that  company 
for  twenty-eight  consecutive  years;  Frank  is  also 
a  railroad  man  and  resides  at  IMissouhi,  IMont. 

In  bis  political  relations,  IVIr.  Prouty  of  this 
sketch  is  a  true-blue  Republican.  He  has  served 
his  townsmen  in  the  ottice  of  Township  Treasurer 
for  five  years,  and  was  \'illage  Treasurer  for 
eleven  consecutive  years.  He  is  greatlj'  respected 
in  this  locality  as  a  man  whose  word  is  considered 
as  sjood  .is  liis  bond. 


THOMAS  A.  GRANGER.  The  thriving  vil- 
lage of  Paw  Paw  received  an  importiint 
addition  to  its  population  when,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1854,  this  gentleman  removed  hither  from 
liis  home  in  New  York.  Since  he  located,  here  lir 
has  been  prominently  connected  with  thegrowlli 
of  the  place,  and  has  aided  its  moral  and  educ.'i- 
tional  as  well  as  its  business  interests.  During  tlic 
winter  following  his  arrival,  he  w.as  eng.aged  at 
his  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  hut  in  the  spring  em- 
barked iu  the  grocery  business,  at  which  he  con- 
tinued for  about  three  years.  Then,  selling  out 
his  establislimenl,  he  beg.an  buying  hides,  hand- 
ling leather  and  manufacturing  boots  and  shoes. 

For  fifteen  years,  Mr.  Gr.anger  was  successfully 
ein|)loyed  in  that  way  until  he  lost  the  most  of 
his  stock  by  liii',  and,  as  lie  carried  no  insurance, 
the  disaster  proved  a  tola!  loss.  Although  he 
afterward  rebuilt  his  stores,  he  ha.snol  l)een  closely 
connected  with  any  special  line  of  business,  and 
now  lives  reliicd  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  com- 
petency whiili  lie  lias  jiceumulated  by  3'ears  ol 
arduous  exerlioMs.  lie  is  a  native  of  Massaciin- 
setts  and  was  horn  in  llcrUshirc  County,  January 
II,  I8().H.      His  lalhci.  I'.liliu.  was  born  August   Id, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


487 


17()7,  Mini  111  Ills  \iiiiMi  lc;iinc(l  llir  ti-.-idi'  of  a 
hlac'ksiiiilli,  altli<)iii;li  he  pasM'cl  llic  must  <>(  his 
life  on  a  farm. 

Wliile  still  a  rcsick'ut  of  Massacliiisetts,  Kliliu 
Graiii^er  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Cliloe 
Sage,  a  native  of  that  State,  who  was  horn  .July 
14,  1770.  Some  years  later,  he  sold  his  small 
farm  in  the  old  Hay  State  and  removed  to  .lefl'er- 
son  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  i)urchased  a  tract  of 
land  and  followed  farming  operations.  There  he 
and  his  wife  remained  until  called  hence — the 
former  March  lil,  183.5,  and  the  latter  November 
7,  1825.  At  the  time  of  the  removal  to  New 
York,  Tiionias  A.  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years,  and 
his  education  was  gained  in  the  sciiools  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  New  York.  When  he  was  too  small 
to  reach  the  anvil,  he  was  accustomed  to  stand  on 
a  block  and  assist  his  father  at  his  trade. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen,  Mr.  Granger  assumed 
management  of  the  homestead,  which  he  operated 
until  he  was  twenty-six,  in  the  meantime  aiding 
his  father  in  the  shop  whenever  possible.  He 
also  assisted  his  older  brother  David,  who  was  a 
carpenter,  until  he  gained  a  fair  knowledge  of 
that  trade  and  could  erect  substantial  and  neat 
buildings.  On  September  13,  1832,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Julia  A.  Hubbard,  of  Champion,  Jef- 
ferson County,  N.  Y.,  and  four  children  were  born 
of  the  union,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity:  Clar 
inda  E.,  who  was  born  in  Clianipion,  August 
3,  1835,  was  married  September  11,  1857,  to 
Andrew  J.  Sortor,  and  died  June  G,  1872.  Par- 
nelle,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Champion,  April 
24,  1839,  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  D.  Y.  Dean,  De- 
cember 2,  1858,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren. Dr.  Dean  stands  at  the  head  of  the  pro- 
fession in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  for  ten  years  was 
Superintendent  of  the  City  Hospital  there.  Ar- 
minta  S.,  who  was  born  in  C^hampion,  February 
16,  1841,  married  Daniel  Spicer  November  29, 
186G.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  and 
make  their  home  in  Paw  Paw,  where  Mr.  Spicer  is 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  Julia  C,  born 
in  Champion,  April  12,  184G,  was  married  to 
William  T.  Murray,  October  12,  18G9,  and  now 
lives  in  Peoria.  111.,  where  Mr.  Murray  is  engaged 
in  the  ollice  of  the    Revenue    Collector.     The  mo- 


ther of  this  family  dicil  in  I'aw  I'aw,  September 
2,  1879,  at  the  age  of  sixly-ciglit  years,  iiaving 
been  born  January  3,  1811. 

At  different  times  Mr.  Granger  i)ureliased  land, 
and  when  he  removed  from  New  York,  in  18r)4, 
lie  was  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  acres,  which  he  sold  on  coming 
to  Paw  Paw.  In  the  years  gone  by,  he  was  a 
Whig,  afterward  a  Repulilican  from  the  organiza- 
tion of  that  party  until  Prohibition  was  made  a 
pai  ty  issue  in  1873,  since  which  time  he  has  cast 
his  ballot  for  those  principles  which  he  believes 
best  adapted  to  the  progress  of  our  countiy.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen,  he  volunteered  in  the  Seventy- 
sixth  New  York  Militia,  and  was  mustered  in  as 
Orderly-Sergeant,  afterward  made  Ensign  and 
later  became  Major. 

Mr.  Granger  was  serving  as  CoUjuel  of  his  regi- 
ment when  the  Patriot  War  broke  out,  and  he  re- 
ceived orders  from  Gen.  Corse,  of  Watertown.  to 
collect  five  companies  and  appear  at  Waterto«  n 
at  once.  Before  sunrise  of  the  next  day,  his  men 
were  warned,  although  each  company  was  in  a  dif- 
ferent township.  They  gathered  at  Watertown 
with  arms  and  equipments  for  war,  and  were  dis- 
patched to  French  Creek,  now  Alexandria,  N.  Y., 
where  our  subject  was  in  command  for  twenty- 
one  days.  For  four  jears  he  retained  the  com- 
mand until  he  was  appointed  Brigadier-General 
by  Gov.  William  II.  Seward,  and  held  the  com- 
mand of  the  Fifty-fifth  Brigade  for  two  years, 
afterward  resigning  from  the  service. 

October  26,  1881,  Mr.  Granger  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  (Barber)  Wliitmore,  who  was  born 
in  Cazenovia,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  June  15, 
1813.  Mrs.  Granger  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Thankful  (Lewis)  Barber,  natives  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  became  the  wife  of  John  Wliitmore 
June  18,  1835.  Five  daughters  were  born  of  the 
union,  which  was  solemnized  in  Westfield,  N.  Y.. 
and  of  that  number  four  survive:  Mary  J.,  the 
wife  of  William  B.  Renwick,  lives  in  Grand 
Rapids  and  has  two  children;  Anuetta  is  the 
wife  of  Amos  D.  Rood,  and  resides  in  South  Ha- 
ven; Lizzie  married  J.  S.  Hammond,  Judge  of  the 
Proliate  Court  in  Jackson  County,  this  State,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of   two   children;   Helen  A.  is 


488 


PORTKAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


lUe  wife  of  O.  H.  Siiiiouds,  a  prominent  atlor- 
iie^-  and  real-estate  agent  of  Duliitli.  and  tlie.v 
have  three  children.  Mr.  Whitmoie,  who  was  a 
builder  and  contractor,  aided  in  opening  tlie  Wel- 
land  Canal;  he  died  Ajiril  6,  1871.  Mr.  Granger 
and  his  estiinahle  wife  are  highh'  esteemed  at  Paw 
Paw  and  the  surrounding  community,  and  their 
noble  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  have  won  for 
them  tlie  liighest  respect  of  their  aciiuaintance.s. 


.-I  fc  >  I  p  > ,  >  I  »  ^ 


f^f^^^^^-^^r^^^a 


APT.  Wl  1,1.1  .\.M  S.  BRADLEY,  who  w.is  a 
gallant  soldier  throughout  the  late  war,  is 
now  engaged  in  the  peaceful  occupation  of 
a  fruit-grower  at  South  Haven,  having  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Van  Buren  Count}-  since  the  spring  of 
1884.  He  was  born  in  Lee,  Mass.,  March  11,  1834, 
and  was  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Soi)lironia  (Jarvis) 
Uradlcv,  also  natives  of  Massachusetts.  The  family 
removed  to  Oswego  County,  K.  Y.,  in  1848,  where 
they  settled  on  a  farm  and  where  the  |>arents  died. 
The}-  had  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  grew  to 
maturity,  our  subject  being  the  sixth  in  order  of 
birth. 

Capt.  Bradley  was  a  small  \to\  when  the  family 
settled  in  New  York  and  was  reared  upon  the 
farm,  receiving  iiis  early  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  afterward  for  a  few  terms  at  an  acad- 
emy. At  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  went  to 
Oswego  and  served  four  years'  ap|)renticesliip  at 
the  trade  of  a  tanner  and  curner,  later  engaging 
in  business  at  Phtenix,  which  he  carried  on  until 
18r>8,  when  he  sold  out  and  took  charge  of  a  tan- 
ning business  at  that  place  and  at  Hannibal.  In 
August,  1862,  he  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into 
the  I '.  .S.  service  with  Company  1),  (»iir  Hundred 
and  Tenth  New  York  Infantry  when  the  I'onipany 
was  organized,  being  conimi.ssioncd  as  Secon<I 
Lieutenant.  The  regiment  w.as  assigned  to  the  De- 
partment of  the  Gulf  and  ill  December,  18(;2,  he 
was  promoted  to  Ik!  First  Lienlcnant,  and  was  given 
command  of  the  company.  In  18(11,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  be  Captain.  He  served  throughout  the  war 
and  was  niust<!red  out,  August  25,  1805.  The 
principal  engagements  in  which  he  took  |iail  \vci-c 
Ml   V'l'i'inillioii  itavou   and    Port    Hudson,    l,a.      His 


c^)mmftnd  was  transferred  to  Ft.  Jefferson,  Fla.,  to 
guard  prisoners,  among  which  were  the  men  con- 
nected with  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln, 
and  he  was  also  on  detached  duty  at  Key  West. 

After  the  war,  Capt.  Bradley  went  to  Cedar 
Kapids,  Iowa,  and  became  engaged  in  the  leather 
and  hide  business  which  he  carried  on  until  1881, 
when  he  removed  to  Chicago  and  became  interested 
ill  tlie  hide,  tallow  and  fur  trade.  He  had  been 
associated  in  Cedar  Hapids  with  his  old  employers, 
Hubbard  &  North,  of  Oswego,  but  subseijuently 
became  sole  proprietor  and  then  took  his  brother, 
George  II.,  as  his  partner.  On  his  removal  to  Chi- 
cago, Capt.  Bradley  became  associated  with  others 
and  carried  on  the  business  under  the  linn  name 
of  Cari)enter,  Bradley  tt  Co.  In  1884,  he  came  to 
South  Haven  and  became  interested  in  real  estate. 
lie  owns  "Bradley  Park,"  a  beautiful  grove  on  the 
lake  shore  which  attracts  hundreds  of  visitors  dur- 
ing the  summer  months.  The  Captain  has  built  a 
log  house  here  which  is  surrounded  by  a  lofty 
growth  of  timber  and  has  a  magniticent  view  of 
the  lake.  This  spot  is  bound  to  come  into  pro- 
imiieiu'c  in  the  near  future. 

Capt.  Bradley  is  a  Republican  but  does  not  give 
much  attention  to  political  affairs.  He  is  a  Royal 
Arch  Mason  and  belongs  to  Zach  Chandler  Post, 
G.  A.  R.  Capt.  Bradley  has  a  beautiful  home  of 
ten  acres  in  the  village  of  South  Haven,  where  he 
dispenses  a  liberal  hospitality  to  the  large  circle  of 
friends  by  whom  he  and  his  wife  arc  licld  in  tlic 
highest  estimation. 

'jfjOllN  V.  ROSEVELT,  (me  of  the  largest  land 
owners  in  Kcclcr  Township,  ^'an  Uuren 
County,  is  a  native  of  Orleans  County,  N. 
v.,  where  he  w.as  born  February  22,  182C, 
and  was  one  of  three  brollicrs.  the  brothers  being 
Orinan  and  Jacob.  Their  pMicnts  were  Isaac  and 
Mariah  {\'eeder)  Roscvelt.  Thev  were  born  in 
New  York  City  and  Schcnectad},  respectively,  the 
fatlier  having  had  his  birth  in  IT'.t.'l,  and  the  mother 
a  short  lime  afterward.  The  father  was  one  of  live 
brothers,  John,  (ieorge,  Solomon,  Jacob  an<I  Isaac. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Ja<'ob 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


489 


Rosevolt     who    emigrated    from    Germany    when 
young  to  America,  before  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Our  subject  grew  to  mature  years  in  New  York 
on  a  farm,  learning  farming  tiioroughly.  He 
came  to  Van  Hurcn  County  early  in  the  'oOs,  his 
brother  Orman  coming  some  years  before  him  in 
181 1.  Jacol)  came  with  our  subject  and  they  lo- 
cated where  they  now  reside,  on  adjoining  farms 
purch.ased  from  .Judge  Keeler,  after  whom  the 
townshi|)  was  named.  They  have  wonderfully  im- 
proved their  places  and  both  own  fine  brick  resi- 
dences which  they  erected  in  1868. 

January  20,  1852,  is  the  date  on  which  our  sub- 
ject was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  E.,  daughter 
of  Alexander  Sloan,  who  was  a  pioneer  of  Hamil- 
ton. Unto  them  have  been  born  two  sons:  Charles 
A.  and  Hugh.  Mr.  Rosevelt  has  continued  to 
develop  land  and  add  to  his  farm,  until  he  now 
owns  about  one  thousand  acres,  the  most  of  which 
is  choice  land. 

Politicall}',  he  of  whom  we  write  comes  of  old- 
line  Whigs  and  he  himself  is  now  a  Republican. 
Our  subject  has  held  the  office  of  .Supervisor  of  his 
township  from  1874  to  1876,  and  from  1877  to 
1880.  He  has  also  held  the  honorable  office  of 
.Justice  of  the  Peace  and  other  responsible  ones. 


i^lEORGE  S.  WILSON.  This  worthy  citizen 
III  (=1  of  Waverly  Township,  Van  Buren  County, 
^^j)  is  the  son  of  Cyrus  G.  and  Anna  (Milliniau) 
Wilson.  He  was  born  in  Geneseo,  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y.,  -lanuary  21,  1843.  His  grandpar- 
ents on  his  father's  side  were  Jacob  and  Thankful 
Wilson,  farmers  who  reared  a  family  of  one  son 
and  three  daughters.  The  father  passed  from  this 
life  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  when  seventy- 
three  years  of  age. 

Cyrus  G.  Wilson  was  born  May  5,  1802,  in 
Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.  He  followed  in  his 
father's  footsteps  in  choosing  an  occupation  and 
also  became  an  agriculturist.  He  left  his  native 
county  in  1820,  .and  moved  to  Livingston  County, 
where  he  continued  to  make  his  home  until  1862, 
when  he  came  West  as  far  .as  Michigan  and  settled 


in  Climax,  Kalamazoo  County,  where  his  death  oc- 
curred March  9,  1872.  He  was  married  to  the 
mother  of  our  subject  February  22,  1820,  and  to 
them  were  Ixirn  a  family  of  fourteen  children, 
namely:  Rachel,  Polly  P.  (deceased),  Lucinda, 
Jacob  P.,  Polly  P.,  Cyrus  C,  Abigail  E.,  John  O., 
Martha  J.,  Manerva  S.,  Benjamin  F.,  George  S., 
Frances  J.  and  Sarah  L.  All  of  that  large  family 
grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one.  Jlrs.  Cyrus  Wilson  was  born  in  Liv- 
ingston County,  N.  Y.,  September  25,  1804  and 
died  November  18,  1882.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
John  Milliman.a  farmer  and  pioneer  of  Livings- 
ton County. 

Gecirge  S.  Wilson,  of  whom  we  shall  attempt  to 
give  a  brief  sketch,  was  reared  to  farm  pursuits 
and  received  but  a  limited  schooling,  as  at  an  early 
age  he  was  compelled  to  earn  his  own  living, 
which  he  did  by  working  out  by  the  month  on 
farms.  He  continued  thus  engaged  until  reaching 
his  sixteenth  year,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade.  His  work  in  that 
direction  was  interrupted  by  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War  and  our  subject's  enlistment  in  Com- 
pany E,  Twenty-fifth  Michigan  Infantry.  With 
his  regiment  he  was  sent  South  to  Louisville,  and 
three  months  after  his  enlistment  was  taken  to  the 
hospital  through  sickness,  rem.aining  there  three 
mouths,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  for 
disability,  in  January,  1863. 

On  his  return  to  Michigan,  Mr.  Wilson  again 
applied  himself  to  learning  the  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter, at  which  he  worked  industriously  for  a  twelve- 
month, but  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  rented  a 
farm  in  Kalamazoo  County,  lie  remained  there 
for  twelve  years  and  in  February,  1876,  located  on 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  6,  Wav- 
erly Township,  Van  Buren  County,  which  he  had 
purchased  two  years  previously.  He  cleared  and 
improved  his  acreage,  erecting  thereon  good  and 
comfortable  buildings,  and  from  time  to  time  added 
to  his  oiiginal  tract  until  he  now  has  a  fine  estate 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres. 

Mr.  Wilson  took  unto  himself  a  wife  and  help- 
mate, December  6,  1863,  in  the  person  of  Miss 
Frances  J.  Rogers.  That  lady  was  born  in  Steuben 
County,  Ind..  and    was  the  daughter  of  Henry  and 


490 


PORTRAIT  AND  15K)GRAP1II€AL   RECORD. 


Sarah  J.  (Wlieaton)  Rogei-s,  natives,  respectivel.y, 
of  Iiuliaiia  and  New  York.  Her  father  was  a 
farmer  ami  died  while  in  tlie  Jlexiean  War.  Her 
mother's  decease  occurred  while  on  a  visit  tt)  Deca- 
tur, this  State,  lier  home  being  in  (lalesburgh, 
Kalamazoo  County.  They  iiad  become  the  \my- 
ents  of  two  diiUlren:  Isabella  and  Frances  J.  After 
the  death  of  lier  husband.  Mrs.  Sarali  Rogers  mar- 
ried Charles  B.  (;alligan.  liy  wlioni  she  had  one 
daugliter.  Kliza. 

The  three  living  cliildren  of  our  subject  and  his 
amiable  wife  are. lohn  K..  Charles  S.  and  Claude  A., 
and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  ^Irs. 
Wilson  are  niembei-s  in  good  standing  of  the 
Metlmdist  Kpiscopal  Church.  The  maternal  grand- 
father of  Jlrs.  Wilson  was  William  Whealon,  a  na- 
tive of  New  York.  He  was  a  patriot  in  the  War  of 
1812  and  died  in  Kalamazoo  County,  this  State. 
Her  grandmother  was  Susan  (Sager)  Wheaton  and 
the  mother  of  twelve  children.  The  paternal  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Wilson  was  Braddock  Rogers,  a 
farmer  and  the  father  of  two  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter: Henry.  Mrs.  Wilson's  father;  llnrace  and  Kliza- 
belh.  Tile  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
Welsh. 

KWKLL  CRISSKV,  the  procnt  active  and 
capable  Postmaster  of  Lawrence,  \'an  Huren 
County.  W!is  burn  in  Chautau(|ua  County, 
N.  Y..  on  November  27,  1K29,  and  is  the  ^on  of  Syl- 
vanus  and  I'atty  ('l"hompst)n)  Crissey.  the  father  a 
native  of  New  York,  and  the  motlier  of  Oneida 
County.  N.  V.  The  father  was  a  farnici-,  and  our 
,subject  spent  his  boyhood  day.-  upon  the  farm,  re- 
ceiving a  common-school  education.  He  began 
tencliing  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  when  I  wenty- 
one  w.'is  employctl  l)y  the  (lovernment  to  go  to 
Hriithertowii.  Wis.,  and  teai-li  in  an  Indian  school. 
where  he  leninincd' n  year,  lint  not  likinLr  the 
work,  he  returned  to  New  VorU  and  lurnid  hi- at- 
tention to  farming. 

Newell  Criasey  wa.-  married  to  .Miss  i.ydia  A. 
Chutibuck.and  he  iiiach-  hr-  honic  with  his  father, and 
had  till-  in.'inai;rnieiil  of  the  piiii-i'.  He  i-  the  third 
in  :i  family    of    four   cliildii'ii.    two    d.'iu!,'lili'r>   and 


two  sons.  His  brother  died  and  left  him  to  help 
his  father.  Our  subject  continued  to  live  in  New 
York  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Lawrence,  ]\Iich., 
and  eng.aged  in  lumliering  for  a  nnml)er  of  years. 
He  then  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade  for  two 
years,  and  was  laid  up  with  inflammatory  rheum.a- 
tism  for  some  time.  On  his  recovery  he  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  again  for  a  few 
3-ears.  Mv.  Crissey  clerked  in  a  store  at  Lawrence 
for  a  few  3'ears.  and  while  in  that  position  was  ap- 
pointed to  take  charge  of  the  postoffice  under 
President  Arthur.  He  remained  in  office  from 
1884  until  December  :i  1 .  1S,S7,  and  was  a  second 
time  appointed  to  the  position  of  Postmaster,  dur- 
ing the  lieginning  of  President  llarrisim's  adminis- 
tration. The  dutiesof  this  tillice  he  is  discharging 
faithfully  and  c(mscientiously,  and  gives  satisfac- 
tion to  all  his  constituents,  ^[r.  Crissey  was  a 
Whig  before  the  formation  of  the  Re|iublican  party, 
but, since  1856,  lias  given  his  influence  to  that  party. 
He  has  served  as  Township  Clerk  one  year,  and  is 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  of  the  Ninth  Degree 
with  which  he  has  been  connected  for  thirty-one  cu' 
thirty-two  years. 

When  ]Mr.  Crissey  first  came  here,  Lawrence  was 
a  mere  hamlet,  and  he  has  seen  the  country  grow 
to  what  it  is  to-day.  He  and  his  wife  have  had 
liorn  to  them  two  cliildren:  Clara,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Frank  Kenned}';  she  died  in  188t!,  and  left  one 
child,  Fred.  Plianctte  S.  lixcs  in  Nebraska,  and  is 
;i  farmer. 


3g8    ',     • 


V 


OlIN  M.ALIMNK.  Among  tlie  respected 
and  thrifty  tanner-  of  Kecler  Township. 
\'an  llureii  County,  st.'inds  the  gentleman 
whose  name  initiates  this  sketch.  He  is  a 
native  of  New  York  .State,  having  had  hisbiilli, 
.l.'inuary  28,  1815,  in  Chemung  County,  and  when 
.about  twelve  years  old.  caiiic  to  (ass  County,  Mich., 
and  resided  there  two  years.  .VI  the  end  of  that 
time,  he  came  to  \'an  Huren  County,  .'ind  here,  of 
the  f,amil\'  of  twelve  children,  ten  gicw  to  miitiiic 
years,  ••nid  ;ivv  -till  living,  as  follow,-:  our  suli- 
ject ;  I'^rank,  who  i-  now  a  resiiliMil  of  Charlotte, 
Mich.,  and  is  a  rnivi'rsali.-l  iiiini-l<'r.      He  received 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArHICAI.  I;fX()RI> 


101 


his  education  principally  in  Dowagiae,  and  for 
four  3'cars  was  Siipcrinlcndcnt  of  tiic  schools  of 
ivosciusko  County,  Ind.,  and  for  many  years  was 
cnijaiied  in  teMchiii;,'.  liy roll  also  received  his  edu  • 
cation  at  Dowaijiac,  and  is  now  and  hasliceii  Prin- 
cipal of  the  BoiirliDii  scliodls  in  Indiana;  Minerva 
is  the  wife  of  John  C'apiii,a  hardware  mercliant  at 
Kenuville,  Allegan  County;  Jerome  is  a  resident  of 
Warsaw,  Ind.,  and  has  served  as  County  Superin- 
tendent of  Schools  two  terms,  and  is  now  serving 
his  third  term  in  Kosciusko  Countj',  Ind.  lie 
principally  educated  himself  by  selling  maps,  etc., 
and  in  that  way  was  enabled  to  graduate  from  the 
State  Normal  at  Ypsilanti.  He  lost  his  right  hand 
when  but  a  lad.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Glenn  Gould, 
a  resident  of  Cass  County;  George  A.  is  a  farmer 
of  Cass  County;  Alice  married  William  Wilkinson, 
a  farmer  of  Cass  County;  Schuyler,  the  youngest, 
is  educating  himself  at  the  State  Normal  School. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  George  and  Minerva 
J.  (Palmer)  McAlpine,  were  both  natives  of  New 
York.  George  was  an  only  son,  but  had  three  sis- 
ters; his  father  was  John  McAlpine,  a  native  of 
Scotland,  who  came  with  his  parents  to  America. 
The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  came  to 
America  in  the  interests  of  the  British  Government, 
and  came  as  a  reporter,  but  immediatelj^  took  sides 
with  (he  Colonists,  and  in  consequence  had  all  his 
property  confiscated  in  England. 

Our  subject  came  to  this  county  in  18.58  or  1859, 
and  followed  working  on  farms  for  different  men 
until  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  what  was  after- 
ward known  as  the  Sixty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry, 
in  the  defense  of  his  country's  honor,  lie  was 
with  Sherman  in  all  his  engagements.  At  the  close 
of  the  war,  he  returned  to  this  county,  and  was 
married,  in  1868,  to  INIary  Phillips.  The  father  of 
Mrs.  McAlpine  was  Richard  Phillips,  who  had  been 
a  resident  of  this  township  for  many  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McAlpine  have  had  born  to  them  two  chil- 
dren: Clare,  a  son  who  resides  in  KeelerTowushi[), 
and  Ethel.  Politically,  our  subject  is  a  stalwart 
Rei)ublican,  and  has  served  his  township  as  Super- 
visor for  three  terms.  Socially,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  highly  respected 
citizen,  lie  ca)ne  to  this  county  a  poor  boy,  but 
b\  his  push,  pluck  and  perseverance,  lias   mailc  for 


himself  a  siilendid  competence,  and  a  character 
of  which  any  one  might  be  |)iond.  \U-  is  an  in- 
telligent and  capable  business  man,  and  is  the 
owner  of  a  good  and  fertile  farm  f)f  one  hundred 
and  forty-six  acres  (ui  section  2,  where  Ik^  is  indus- 
triously engaged  in  tilling  the  soil. 


')||()IIN  ROBBINS.  Among  tlio.se  who,  while 
developing  farms  of  their  own,  have  aided 
in  advancing  the  best  interests  of  Van  Buren 
County,  may  properly  be  numbered  Mr. 
Robbins,  who  is  quietly  engaged  in  farming  pur- 
suits in  Arlington  Township.  His  finely  improved 
place  comprises  one  hundred  and  tvventy  acres, and 
since  he  purchased  it  thirty  years  ago,  he  has  de- 
voted his  time  to  clearing  it  from  its  i)rimitive  con- 
dition, and  bringing  it  to  its  [irescnt  high  state  of 
cultivation.  He  possesses  the  genuine  thrift  which 
characterizes  the  natives  of  England,  and  uses  only 
superior  methods  and  the  best  farming  implements 
in  the  cultivation  of  his  estate. 

Mr.  Robbins  grew  to  maturity  in  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land, where  he  was  born  July  16,  1833.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-one,  he  emigrated  to  America,  and 
located  first  in  Canada.  Thence  he  removed  in 
the  spring  of  18.55,  to  Van  Buren  County,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  His  relatives  mostly  reside  in 
England,  where  his  parents,  Abraham  and  Mary 
(.Johns)  Robbins,  were  born  and  passed  their  en- 
tire lives.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  seven 
children,  who  grew  to  mature  years,  and  they  are 
named  as  follows:  James,  now  a  resident  of  Van 
Buren  County;  Ann;  Thomas,  who  makes  his  home 
in  the  same  countj';  William,  who  still  remains  in 
Cornwall,  England;  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
notice;  Jane,  who  lives  in  this  county:  and  Har- 
riet, who  is  in  England. 

On  March  30,  1862,  Mr.  Robbins  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Jane  Martin,  and  of  that  union 
he  became  the  father  of  four  children,  two  still  sur- 
viving, Abram  L.  and  Frederick  W.,  farmers,  who 
are  residing  in  this  county.  Some  time  after  the 
death  of  the  first  wife,  Mr.  Robbins  was  married  to 
Ilomera,  the  daughter  of  Whitfield  and  INIary  Ack- 
ley,  who  removed  from  La  (iiange  County.  1  nd..  ti> 


492 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


this  State,  in  1862,  locating  in  Van  Buren  County. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robbins  have  one  child,  a  son.  John. 
The  various  members  of  the  family  are  higlily  es- 
teemed throughout  \an  Bureu  County,  where  they 
are  well  known  for  their  pleasant  social  qualities. 

Tiie  principles  of  the  Republican  party  are  such 
.as  to  command  the  respect  and  retain  the  allegiance 
of  Mr.  Robbins,  and  although  he  is  by  no  means 
an  .active  partisan,  he  is  nevertheless  well  informed 
on  the  local  and  national  issues  of  the  d.ay.  There 
is  no  measure  proposed  which  has  for  its  object  the 
promotion  of  the  welfare  of  the  citizens  of  Van 
Buren  County,  which  does  not  immediately  secure 
the  adherence  of  Jlr.  Robbins.  He  makes  of  farm- 
ing a  science,  and  his  success  has  been  attained  by 
his  close  attention  to  the  detail  of  his  work,  his  ex- 
cellent judgment  in  Ihc  investment  of  his  capital, 
and  his  iintlaiji^inir  industry. 


on  section  21,  this  township,  and  thus  remembci-s 
much  of  pioneer  life  in  this  locality,  lie  lias 
fliop|)cd  wood  ever  since  he  was  large  enough  to 
handle  an  ax,  and  when  eight  years  old  cut  all  the 
wood  for  the  old-fashioned  liie-place  and  stove. 
He  attended  the  log  sehoolhouse  three  months  in 
the  year  and  began  working  out  for  others  when 
only  fourteen.  He  continued  tt)  be  thus  employed 
for  four  years,  at  whieh  time  he  piuehased  forty 
acres  of  wild  land,  which  forms  a  part  of  his  pres- 
ent possessions. 

October  27.  1861,  Miss  M.ary  L.  Xesbilt  and 
John  Stillwell  were  united  in  marriage.  iSlissMary 
was  tiie  daughter  of  .lolm  and  Caroline  (Scott) 
Nesliitt,  the  father  liorn  in  Ireland  and  the  mother 
in  Ohio.  Mr.  Xesbitt  came  to  tlie  Wolverine  State 
in  about  1830.  and  locate<l  on  a  wild  tract  of  l;ui(l 
in  Prairie  Ronde  Township.  \an  Buren  County. 
The  mother  .accompanied  her  parents  hither  in 
1837,  and  with  them  made  her  home  in  Decatur 
Township,  where  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Nesbitt 
occurred,  fiftj-lliree  years  ago.  The  father  served 
in  tlie  Bl.ack  Hawk  War  and  di.'d  in  1880;  his  wife, 
who  survives,  is  in  her  seven ty-,second  year.  Tiiey 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcoiial  Church 
and  ill  politics,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  a  Democrat  jirevi- 
maiden  name  of  his  mother  was  Delilah  Harmon,  ous  to  1856,  at  which  d;ite  he  joined  the  Republi- 
also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State.  In  1837,  the  j  can  ranks.  In  Porter  'I'owiisiiip  he  was  Treasurer 
parents  came  to  Jlichigan  and  located  in  Plymouth,    j    for  seven  years  and  was  also  .lustiee  of  the  Peace. 


-5- 


-^ 


-^ 


J"^  OHN  .STILLWELI.  is  one  of  l!ie  iinmiinent 
farmers    of  Porter  Township.  N'an  Buren 
:    County,    having   his    property    located    on 
'    section  '.).     He  is  the  son  of  J.acob  Stillwell, 
who  was  born  in  1807  in  Genesee  Flats,  N.  Y.  The 


Wayne  County,  where  the  elder  Mr.  Stillwell  pur- 
chased a  wild  trad  of  forty  acres  which  he  parliall,\- 
improved.  He  later  traded  it  and  came  to  Porter 
Township.  \':iu  ISiiren  County,  which  was  then 
known  as  Decatur  Township,  and,  locating  upon 
the  northea.'il  quarter  of  strction  21,  at  once  com- 
menced clearing  his  property.  Ncighlmrs  were 
few  and  far  lietween.  but  Indiaiisaiid  wild  animals 
were  ver3'  numerous  and  often  proved  to  be  very 
tniiiMesome.  There  th(  y  I'oiiliiiued  to  make  their 
home  until  Iheir  death.  Ihc  molher  dying  in  l)e- 
cemljer,   18.52,  and  the  father  in  .\pril,  IS.")!. 

<  >f  the  ten  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  .Jacob 
.stillwi'll,  only  two  are  living,  our  siibjcci  iiiid  Mrs. 
Caroline  Conklin.  of  .\nlwcrp  Township.  The  fn- 
Mier  witH  a  Direct/u'  in  his  school  dislricl  mihI  al- 
l^'uded  the  lir.Hl  town  meeting  held  in  I'oilcr 
Township.   .lolin  .Stillwell  was  born  .luiie  211,  1810, 


They  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  two  of 
whom  are  deceased. 

Mrs.  Stillwell  w.as  born  August  1!>,  1810,  in 
Porter  Township,  and  was  given  a  good  education. 
She  began  teaching  when  seventeen  and  was  (mi- 
g.aged  for  two  terms  in  the  lioiiic  district.  Soon 
after  his  marriage.  Mr.  .Stillwell  with  his  bride  lo- 
cated upon  the  farm  which  has  been  their  contin- 
uous residence.  Tliev  ha \'e  never  been  blessed  with 
children  of  their  own  but  have  adopted  two: 
Xaoiiri  Bra<lford,  who  became  the  wife  of  (Jeorge 
Newkirk,  lives  in  I'oili  i-  TowMsJiip  and  has  three 
children;  .liilius  Hymes  is  attending  the  (li^trict 
i^chool  .'ukI  is  fifteen  years  of  age. 

(  >M  lii>  one  huiidred  ••iiiil  thirty-live  acres  of 
land,  ;ill  of  which,  with  the  exception  of  ten  acres, 
is  iiiider  the  plow.  Mr.  Stillwell  engMgcs  in  general 
f:iriiiiiii;.      lie  has  devoted  :i  great  de.'il  of  iit.tcnliou 


rORTRAlT  A>;D  lilOGKAl'lIlCAL  IIECOIID. 


4y.o 


for  the  |)ast  twenty  years  to  breeding  coach  horses 
and  now  lias  two  pair  of  as  fine  animals  as  are  to 
he  found  in  Michigan.  He  sold  a  team  to  Senator 
Slockbridge  to  be  used  in  Wasliington,  D.  C,  and 
also  a  team  to  a  Mr.  Fuller  which  weie  sent  to  New 
Jersey.  In  18'J0,  N.  II.  Crawford  liought  a  paiv  of 
hays  and  sent  them  to  Boston,  J\lass. 

Mr.  Stillwell  lias  done  nil  the  work  of  clearing, 
stuiniung  and  cultivating  his  farm  himself.  His 
present  comfortable  residence,  a  view  of  which  is 
shown  on  another  page,  was  erected  in  1872,  and 
his  barn,  which  was  built  in  1868,  has  a  liasement 
under  it  and  is  .35x63  feet  in  dimensions.  His 
horse  barn,  which  also  has  a  basement,  is  30x40 
feet  and  was  built  in  1883.  lie  has  a  tenement 
house  on  hisestate,  24x20  feet  in  dimensions,  which 
he  built  in  1887.  Our  suliject  besides  the  farm 
l)roperty  owns  an  elegant  residence  and  barn  in 
Lawton.  With  his  wife,  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Farmers'  Club  and  has  been  on  the  School  Board. 
He  has  been  elected  Highway  Commissioner  of 
Porter  Township,  and  votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 
While  holding  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner, 
he  caused  the  roads  from  Chamberlin  Hill  to  Law- 
ton  to  lie  graveled,  lieing  a  man  of  great  influence 
on  the  Board. 

On  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  Mr.  Stillwell 
was  drafted  to  enter  the  service,  but  on  account  of 
rheumatism  was  unable  to  go.  He  sold  his  only 
team  and  thus  hired  a  substitute.  In  addition  to 
that,  he  paid  a  portion  of  the  township's  quota  in 
order  to  release  others.  Mr.  Stillwell  is  a  man  of 
temperate  habits  and  is  greatly  resiiected  in  his 
community  for  his  many  good  qualities  of  heart 
and  mind. 


^,  UDLKY  L.  THORNTON.  The  gentleman 
whose  name  we  ])lace  at  the  head  of  this 
(^^'  ^^^^^^^  h'^s  a  beautiful  farm  located  on  sec- 
tion 4,  Porter  Township,  A^an  Buren 
County.  His  estate,  a  view  of  which  is  presented 
on  another  page,  is  pleasantly  situated  and  ele- 
gantly decorated  with  handsome  evergreen  trees. 
A  variety  of  shrubs  and  flowers  are  scattered  over 
the  lawn  and  an  evergreen  hedge  fence  adds  greatly 


to  the  attractiveness  of  the  place.  Air.  Thornton 
is  one  of  tlu;  prominent  and  successful  farmers  of 
Van  Buren  County  and  we  do  not  hesitate  to  say 
that  his  estate  is  the  finest  in  this  section. 

The  parents  of  our  sniijeet  were  Dudley  and 
Nancy  (Gulick)  Thornton,  natives  of  New  York 
State,  where  they  were  farmers.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  the  East,  and  there  resided  until  their  com- 
ing to  Michigan,  which  was  in  1857  or  1858.  They 
located  at  once  on  a  farm  in  Kalamazoo  County, 
which  they  made  their  abiding-place  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  later,  coming  to  Van  Buren  Count}', 
settled  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Chamberlin 
Farm.  They  only  lived  here  eighteen  months, 
however,  when  they  removed  to  Lawton,  and  re- 
tired from  the  active  duties  of  life.  The  father 
died  in  September,  1888,  and  the  mother  passed 
away  in  March,  1890.  They  were  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  reared  a 
family  of  two  children. 

Our  subject  was  the  younger  of  two  sons  born 
to  his  parents,  his  birth  occurring  January  6,  1860, 
in  Kalamazoo  County.  He  received  an  excellent 
education  in  the  common  schools,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Lawton  High  School  in  the  Class  of 
"79.  He  then  started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in 
the  world  and  that  he  has  succeeded  is  evident 
from  viewing  his  handsome  property  on  section  4. 

Miss  Clara,  daughter  of  F.  B.  and  Lucinda 
(Fletcher)  Adams,  became  the  wife  of  our  subject, 
August  1,  1880.  Mr.  Adams  is  now  residing  in 
Lawton.  His  wife  was  liorn  in  Virginia  and 
her  maternal  grandfather,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812,  later  became  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Porter  Township.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Thornton 
were  married  in  the  aliove-named  township,  where 
the  mother  died  in  1877,  after  having  become  the 
mother  of  two  children.  Jliss  Clara  w.as  born  in 
December,  1859,  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
and  High  Schools  of   Lawton. 

After  their  marriage,  our  subject  and  his  wife 
located  on  their  one  hundred  and  twenty  acre 
farm,  almost  all  of  which  is  under  the  most  excel- 
lent cultivation.  Twenty-four  acres  of  his  estate 
are  devoted  to  a  grape  vineyard  and  the  evergreen 
trees  which  are  displ.iyedon  his  lawn  are  the  finest 
in  Porter  Township.     They  have   been  granted  a 


loi; 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


family   of  five   children:    Lulu   N.,  D.  C,  Rena, 
Hale  A.  and  Ralph. 

In  politic-s,  Mr.  Thornton  is  a  .-itancli  Reimblican. 
lie  lias  always  been  warmly  interested  in  educa- 
tional mattei-s  and  has  been  on  the  School  Board 
of  his  district  for  a  number  of  years.  Perhaps 
there  are  no  more  cultured  and  enteri)risiug  resi- 
dents of  the  county  than  Jlr.  and  ^Irs.  Dudley  L. 
Thornton,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  wc  i)lace 
their  sketch  before  the  readei-s  of  this  volume. 

|()11N  l-RKU  During  the  period  of  almost  a 
I  half  century  in  which  Mr.  Free  made  his 
',  home  in  Paw  I'iiw,  he  witnessed  its  growth 
'  from  an  unimportant  and  sparsely-settled 
hamlet  to  a  thriving  village,  holding  an  important 
position  among  other  villages  of  this  section  of 
.Michigan.  A  native  of  Cambridge,  England,  he 
was  born  .Vjiril  Ul.  181;'),  and  was  the  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Elizabeth  (Webb)  Free.  His  youthful 
(lavs  were  spent  on  a  farm,  and  in  the  district 
school,  where  he  received  a  limited  education. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  Mr.  Free  commenced 
to  work  at  malting  and  brewing  in  Cambridge,  and 
soon  became  ipialilicil  to  carry  on  the  business 
alone.  I  ii  his  early  iiianljood.  lie  was  married  in 
England  to  Miss  Mason,  wiio  died  after  a  few 
years  of  wedded  life.  In  April,  183(5,  I\Ir.  Vive 
left  England  to  seek  a  home  in  Ameiica,  and  after 
l:inding,  proceedeil  at  once  to  .Michigan,  where  he 
worked  in  liattlc  Creek  for  about  two  years.  Later 
lie  spi-nl  about  four  years  at  his  trade  in  Augusta, 
and  thence  r(^riioved  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he  worked 
in  a  brewery  ami  n  mill. 

August  I  L  1812,  .Ml'.  I'lee  was  married  in  Kal.'i- 
inazoo  to  Miss  Ann  Wh.aley.  who  w:is  born  in  New 
York,  August  17,  1M2I.  Mrs.  Free  is  the  ilinigliler 
of  Edward  and  S;ir;di  (Ciiase)  Wji.'iiey,  :ind  w;is 
fourteen  years  old  when  her  pjirrnl.s  e.'unc  In  Mich- 
igan, taking  up  lanil  at  Mendon  .■md  .spending  the 
reinaiinler  of  their  days  in  thai  place.  For  a  linu- 
after  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Free  resiiled  in 
K.'dMtria/.oo,  .'ind  !if terw;ird  piiri'hased  a  fariii  in 
Meiidori.    wliieh     llie\     iii.'ide  Ibeli    bonie  toi    m   briel' 


period.  About  1846,  they  removed  to  Paw  Paw, 
where  Mr.  Free  commenced  in  business  as  a  brewer, 
continuing  thus  engaged  for  twenty  years. 

After  retiring  from  the  brewery  Inisiness,  Mr. 
Free  passed  his  time  quietly  at  liis  honu'  in  the  vil- 
lage, and,  relieved  from  the  cares  of  public  life, 
spent  his  declining  years  in  the  enjoyment  of  acom- 
peteney.  He  and  his  estimable  wife  became  the  par- 
ents of  three  children,  namely:  John  William, 
whose  sketch  appears  el.sewhere  in  this  volume;  .•M- 
bert  Ali)honso,  who  was  born  in  Kalamazoo,  De- 
cember 12,  1845, and isnow  married, and  the  father 
of  two  children;  Flora  A.,  who  was  born  December 
9,  1854,  and  married  Albert  .Showerman,  becoming 
the  mother  of  two  children.  Mr.  Free  cast  his  first 
vole  for  William  Henry  Harrison,  and  was  identi- 
fied with  the  Democratic  party.  His  death  oc- 
curred December  30, 1891,an<l  he  is  deeply  moin-ned 
by  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

ellANCY  W.  BUTTERFIELD.  New  York 
was  the  home  of  Mr.  Butterfield.  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Berry,  Orleans  County, 
November  3,  1834.  His  direct  progenitors  were 
Joseph  and  Sylvia  (Wright)  Butterfield,  natives  of 
Vermont  and  New  York.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  Ix.re  the  name  of  John  Ihitterlield  an<l 
passed  his  jjist  days  in  New  York  Slate.  He  was  a 
blncksmith  by  trade  and  became  the  father  of  n 
family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  His 
wife's  maiden  name  was  I'.irkev  aiul  she  was  of 
English  liirlh. 

Joseph  r.iitlerlield,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  November  7,  1772.  in  Bennington,  \'t.,  and 
l)arlicip:ilcil  in  the  War  of  I S 1 2.  He  tilled  the 
soil  foi- a  livelihood  :iiiil  upon  liis  i)arents  remov- 
ing to  New  Hampshire,  he  .■iccom|)anied  them 
lliilher,  :ui(l  hitei-  went  to  Washington  County, 
N.  V.  He  reuiaine<l  llieic  loi-  y<'ars  and  in  1811 
removed  to  ()ileans  County,  wlien^  he  followed  his 
calling  an<l  put  one  hundred  acres  of  land  under 
excellent  iniprovemenl.  and  at  lii>  death,  Novem- 
ber I."),  |8(il,was  well-to-do. 

Marv  Koekwell  became  the  wife  ol  .losrpli  Ihil- 
lei  lii'ld  .and  prior  lo  liei   derea>e  li.ad  borne  liiiri  two 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilOGKArillCAL  RECORD. 


497 


sons  and  four  daughters.  The  father  of  our  sub- 
ject was  again  mai'ried,  his  wife  being  Silva  Wright, 
a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  wlio  became 
the  parent  of  eight  children,  of  whom  oni'  subject 
was  tiie  eldest.  The  remainder  of  the  family  bore 
the  names  of  AVesley  E.,  now  deceased;  Edwin  .T.; 
iMuma  L.;  George  E.,  who  served  in  the  Fourteenth 
New  York  Artillery;  Alice  .7.;  .Tulia  A.  and  Charles 
F.  ^Ir>.  Hutterfield  died  in  February,  1864,  firm  in 
the  faitii  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church.  Mr.  But- 
terfield  was  a  Whig  politically,  but  since  the 
formation  of  the  Republican  i)arty  allied  himself 
witii  that  ])ody  and  always  cast  his  vote  in  favor 
of  its  candidates. 

('lianc_v  W.  Butterfield  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  neighlwrhood  and  trained  by 
his  father  upon  the  farm.  When  reaching  his  ma- 
jority, he  decided  to  make  a  start  in  life  for  himself 
and  accordingly  rented  a  tr.acl  of  land  and  began 
farming.  In  April,  1864,  finding  that  he  could 
better  his  prospects  liy  coining  to  Van  Uuren 
Count}',  he  removed  hither  and  purch.ased  one 
hundred  and  lift}-  acres  of  land  on  section  18, 
Waverly  Township,  and  set  himself  industriously 
to  improving  his  tract.  lie  has  erected  the  various 
buildings  on  his  place  winch  best  subserve  the  pur- 
poses of  an  agriculturist  and  has  brought  his  land 
to  a  higii  degree  of  cultivation.  In  addition  to 
the  raising  of  cereals,  he  also  breeds  high-grade 
Morman  liorses,  having  some  of  the  best  animals  in 
this  section.  From  time  to  tim(%  he  has  added  to 
his  possessions  until  now  his  landed  estate  coin- 
|)rises  one  liundred  and  ninety  acres.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  firm  lieliever  in  and  a  supijorter  of  the  prin- 
ciples advocated  by  the  grand  old  Republican 
party. 

.TanuaryHl,  IHaH,  was  the  date  Mr.  lUitterneld 
took  unto  himself  a  wife  in  tlie  person  of  Clara  A. 
Wright.  Mrs.  Butterlield  was  a  native  of  Beri-y, 
Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  which,  it  will  l)e  remem- 
bered, was  the  birthplace  of  our  subject,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  Eber  and  Lucy  (Olmstead)  AVright. 
The  father  was  a  shoemaker  b}'  trade  and  came  to 
Van  Buren  County  in  l-'ebruary,   1867. 

Tlie  union  of  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Butterfield  has  re- 
sulted in  the  birth  of  six  children,  namely:  Frank 
A.;    Cora    A.,  who  is  deceased,  was    the    wife  of 


M.  Campbell;  Ida,  the  wife  of  Henry  Fo.\;  Arthur 
E.,  Olin  E.  and  Gertrude  E.  Our  subject  and  his 
wife  are  actively  connected  with  the  Free  Method- 
ist Church,  in  which  body  they  aie  influential 
members.  Mr.  Butterlield  is  well  known  through- 
out his  township  .as  an  upright  and  honest  gentle- 
man and  receives  the  resjiect  of  all. 


•■    '    S^ 


E^^ 


HILIP  N.  TEAD  was  born  .January  2b 
,1    1811,  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.    He  is  at 

?^'  present  residing  on  section  27,  Alniena 
Township,  Van  Buren  Count}',  where  he 
is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Mis  parents 
were  Joseph  and  Freelove  (Bailey)  Tead,  and  re- 
sided in  New  York  State  after  their  marriage,  where 
the  father  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner.  The  i)ar- 
ental  family  included  five  children,  our  subject 
being  the  only  survivor. 

Philip  N.  Tead  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  had 
but  limited  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  attain- 
ing his  majority  and  then  started  out  in  the  world 
for  himself.  February  26,  183,'5,liewas  married  to 
.Salinda  Brown,  a  native  of  New  York  State.  Two 
years  later,  the  young  couple  came  West  and  lo- 
cated in  Tecumseh,  Lenawee  County,  this  State, 
where  our  subject  carried  on  the  trade  of  a  car- 
penter and  joiner,  which  he  had  learned  before 
coming  to  Michigan.  They  made  their  home  in 
that  county  until  ISal,  which  was  the  date  of  their 
advent  into  Van  Buren  County.  They  at  once 
located  on  the  tract  which  is  their  present  farm, 
but  which  was  then  a  little  more  tli.an  a  wilderness. 
The  wife  and  mother  died  in  1886,  having  become 
the  mother  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Caroline,  who  by  a  former  marriage  had  one 
chihL  is  now  the  wife  of  Hubbard  Ilill;  Lowell  C. 
married  Eliza  Dix  and  has  two  children;  Augustus 
married  Lettie  Edson  and  has  two  children,  while 
Matilda  (.Mrs.  II.  1!.  Wilson)  has  a  family  of  five 
children. 

Our  subject  was  again  married,  on  the  1st  of 
December,  1887,  this  wife  beingMrs.  Sally  (Walker) 
Fisk,  the  daughter  of  Freeborn  and  Sally  (Pearce) 
Calkins.     The   parents  were  natives    of  ^'ermollt, 


498 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


but  passed  their  last  days  in  IS'ew  York  where  the 
father  was  a  fanner.  Mrs.  Tead  was  the  eldest  of 
their  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  and 
was  Iwrn  February  3,  1820,  in  New  York.  She 
came  to  Michigan  in  1865,  and  located  in  Pine 
Grove  Township,  ^'an  Buren  Count}-,  where  Mr. 
Walker  died  two  je.irs  later.  They  had  become 
the  parents  of  four  children,  all  of  whom,  with  one 
exception,  are  living,  Marj'  (Mrs.  Cobb);  Lindorf 
makes  his  home  in  Pine  Grove  Townt^hip,  and  Lo- 
vinia  (Mi-s.  Boysc)  lives  in  New  York.  After  the 
death  of  Mr.  Walker,  she  became  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Fisk,  and  two  years  after  the  latter's  death  she  be- 
came the  wife  of  our  subject. 

Our  subject,  who  followed  his  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter for  a  number  of  years,  now  owns  and  oi)erates 
one  hundred  and  five  acres  of  good  land.  He  has 
erected  all  the  necessary  buildings  on  his  place  and 
is  making  a  success  of  his  calling.  AVitli  his  fam- 
il}-,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcoi)al 
Church,  in  which  Imdy  he  has  been  Steward,  Trus- 
tee and  Class-leader.  He  has  also  been  very  active 
in  Sunday -school  work. 

Mr.  Tead  has  given  his  children  a  good  educa- 
ion,  one  son  being  a  graduate  of  the  Kalamazoo 
College.  Lowell  served  all  througii  the  Civil  War 
.as  a  meml)cr  of  tlie  Second  Michigan  Batter}'.  He 
was  taken  i»risoner  at  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Land- 
ing, and  was  held  as  such  for  several  montiis. 
When  receiving  his  honorable  discharge,  he  had 
Iteoii  pntnioled  Ut  be  Captain,  and  is  now  Western 
.Manager  of  the  Lf>nibardy  Investment  Company, 
and  is  located  at  Taconui,  Wash.  The  other  son, 
Augustus,  served  in  llie  navj'. 

Tlie  original  of  this  sketch  has  been  a  member 
of  the  (irangc,  in  which  order  he  w.is  Chaplain. 
lie  ha-M  also  U-en  a  schciol  ollicer,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Republican,  lie  has  Ih-cu  prominent  in  township 
alTairs  an<l  M-rved  as  Treasurer  and  Supervisor  of 
.VImena.  When  seventy  years  of  age,  Mr.  Tead  | 
invited  ilhe  old  lesident.s  of  the  township  l^>  his 
home,  which  oi'CJtHion  was  called  the  "old  folks' 
picnic."  They  have  .since  held  annual  iiiecitings 
which  have  lieen  well  attended. 

The  first  wife  of  our  subject  wa.H  born  in  I'ilts- 
towii,  N.  v.,  .Niivi'iiiU'r  22,  IHll.Hud  icreiveil  an 
ncaileinic    education  at    llc'ilh,  Mns.s.      Foj-    main' 


3'eai'S  she  followed  the  occupation  of  a  teacher, 
for  which  she  was  peculiarly  fitted.  She  was  in 
early  life  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and,  when  moving  to  Michigan  after  her  inarri.ige, 
with  her  husband  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  faith  of  which  she  died. 
She  was  a  devoted  Cluistian  lady  and  at  her  death 
was  deepl}-  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her.  At  the 
time  of  their  locating  in  .VImena  Township,  there 
was  no  church  organization.  With  her  husliand, 
she  labored  untiringly,  founding  a  church  and 
erecting  a  house  of  worship.  Her  last  work  as 
Stewardess  of  the  church  w.as  to  collect  the  salary 
of  the  pastor,  which  she  accomplished  a  few  days 
before  her  dcatli.     Thus  ended  her  work  on  earth. 


JAMES  FINLEY,  Si;.,  is  a  progressive  fainier 
residing  on  section  12,  Almena  Townshi|>, 
Van  Buren  County,  and  was  born  in  County 
Queens,  Ireland,  in  1814.  He  was  seventeen 
when  he  came  to  this  countiy  and  landed  in  New 
York  City.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  old 
couiitrv.  His  parents  were  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Gale)  Ginley.  The  father  died  in  Ireland  but  tlio 
mother  came  to  America  with  lier  family.  She 
died  in  Michigan,  where  she  made  her  home  witli 
our  subject.  He  has  alw.ays  been  a  farmer  and 
worked  some  in  the  mines  in  Pennsylvania  also. 

Our  subject  came  to  Michigan  in  the  year  of 
18.'59,  and  the  next  year  he  settled  on  the'  place 
where  he  now  lives.  It  was  all  woods  and  his 
nearest  neighbors  were  the  Eager  family,  two  miles 
away.  Some  Indians  were  here  then  .and  plenty  of 
wild  animals,  especially  the  wolves.  The  faiiii  con- 
sisted of  one  htmdied  and  sixty  acres,  and  on  this 
he  erected  a  log  house  and  began  to  clear  olT  tlie 
land.  One  oi'  two  persons  are  now  here  who  were 
settlers  with  him. 

IMr.  Finley  w:ls  married  in  IMS  in  Louisa  Over- 
acker,  a  native  of  New  York  S'.jite,  and  a  daughter 
of  .lohn  and  Corneli.M  ((iage)  Overaeker.  These 
jiarents  came  to  Michigan  ill  isii;,  and  settled  in 
OshteiiK)  Township  where  they  both  died.  Mrs. 
I'iidey  w.'is  Ixu'ii  in  I822anddied  in  IHHl.  Sheand 
her  hiisliand  were  the  iiareiils  of  six  chihlii'ii,  all  of 


•r'^.'^  '^^. 
,<j.'-'  ^ 


(> 


"^  CJPc^ryvi^*'^'^^^      (j^^^^A^'f' 


■f^  /^^  -yx.&^-tniP 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


501 


wlioiii  urt'w  111  in;i(-uri( V.  D.Miiicl  iiiMi-ricil  .Iciniic 
(inidy  ;hi(1  livos  in  Cliiipiii,  III.,  Avilli  tlieii-  three 
cliildreii;  Williiun  uiixnied  Aliec  Ogden  antl  lives 
in  Cliiir  Cciunty  with  one  child.  Klhi  is  the  wife  of 
J.aek  Smith,  has  one  child  .•uid  lives  in  CJolorado. 
James  R.  is  unmarried.  Ida,  the  wife  of  Chauncy 
Abbott,  has  one  child.  The  children  all  received 
good  educations  and  the  oldest  daughter  was  a 
teacher.  Our  subject  now  has  seventy-five  acres 
of  rich  land  and  has  erected  all  tiie  buildings  on 
the  i)lace,  and  it  is  by  his  push,  pluck  and  perse- 
verance that  he  has  what  he  has  to-day.  He  is  a 
Catholic  in  religion  and  a  Democrat  in  politics. 
Has  been  a  member  of  the  School  Board  here  and 
IS  always  in  favor  of  an}'  movement  that  will  en- 
hance education.  He  volunteered  to  go  to  the 
Mexican  war  but  was  not  needed.  He  and  his 
family  command  the  respect  and  esteem  of  their 
many  friends  and  ac(iuaintanees. 


-^^ 


-^ 


<o^)DMUND  STOWMAN  is  a  general  farmer, 
IIW|  owning  and  occupying  fifty-nine  acres  of 
ll' — ^  land  on  section  1 7,  Waverly  Township,  Van 
Buren  Count}'.  He  was  born  in  Harmony  Town- 
ship, Warren  County,  N.  J.,  June  22,  18-36,  and  is 
the  son  of  Baumont  and  x\nna  (Willet)  Stowman. 
He  traces  his  ancestr}'  back  many  generations,  his 
grandfather  being  the  son  of  Henrj'  and  Rachel 
Stowman. 

Baumont  Stowman  was  liorn  in  Bucks  County, 
Pa.,  his  natal  day  being  .Januar}'  3,  1795.  He  was 
a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  removed  to  New  Jersey, 
where  he  made  his  home  until  185G.  He  then  came 
West  as  far  as  Jefferson  Township,  Miami  County, 
Ind.,  where  his  decease  occurred  April  22,  1869. 
He  had  become  the  father  of  the  following  ten 
children:  Charles  W.,  Henry,  IMary  J.,  Augustus, 
Emeline,  Anna,  Edmund,  Nathan,  Ann  E.,  and 
Sarah.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was 
born  October  29,  180(1,  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Willet. 

The  gentleman,  whose  portrait  and  life  sketch 
we  present  to  our  readers,  was  reared  on  a  farm  to 
the  careful  consideration  of  was's  and  means  and 
obtained  a  fair  education  in  the   c<iminon    schools. 


He  rciiiaincil  unilci- (he  |iarcnlal  roof  nut il  reaching 
his  twentieth  year,  and  then  started  out  to  do  for 
himself  by  engaging  in  milling,  which  occupation 
he  )irosecuted  industriously'  and  successfully  for 
sixteen  years.  In  February,  1865,  he  came  to 
Miami  County,  Ind.,  which  he  made  his  home  until 
his  marriage.  That  event  occurred  December  i:j, 
1865,  when  Eliza,  daughter  of  Daniel  Viall,  became 
his  wife.  She  was  born  in  Ohio  and  her  father  in 
Peru,  Ind.,  where  he  was  a  grocer.  Her  parents 
had  thirteen  children,  namely:  Lydia,  Mary,  Jessie, 
Lovina,  Daniel,  Solomon,  Dorothy,  Allison,  George, 
Benjamin,  Adaline,  Rebecca,  and  Eliza,  all  natives 
of  Ohio. 

In  the  spring  of  1866,  Mr.  Stowman  came  to 
Buchanan,  this  State,  where  he  worked  in  a  mill 
until  the  fall  of  1870,  at  which  time  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  timber  land  on  section  7,  Waverly 
Township,  which  he  partially  cleared.  In  1873  he 
returned  to  milling  at  Buchanan,  but  three  years 
later  again  took  up  his  residence  on  his  farm  where 
he  remained  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  which 
occurred  August  11,  1878.  Mr.  Stowman  then  re- 
turned to  Buchanan,  remaining  in  that  village 
until  1882,  when  he  purchased  his  present  estate 
on  section  17,  Waverly  Township,  and  has  ever 
since  locating  here  been  engaged  in  cultivating 
the  soil. 

The  first  wife  of  our  subject  was  a  very  excellent 
and  capable  woman,  and  it  was  greatlj'  owing 
to  her  good  judgment  and  habits  of  economy  that 
our  subject  has  attained  to  his  present  position  in 
the  agricultural  community.  She  became  the 
mother  of  three  children:  Elmer  Ray,  now  residing 
in  Montana;  Eva  B.,  who  makes  her  home  with 
her  father;  and  Harry  B.,  also  at  home.  Mrs. 
Stowman  was  a  conscientious  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a  lady  much  be- 
loved in  her  neighborhood. 

October  19,  1880,  our  subject  married  Sarah  J. 
Murden,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Miami  County, 
Ind.,  March  6,  1836.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Martha  (Williams)  Murden,  natives  of 
Devonshire  and  Shropshire,  England,  respectively. 
They  came  to  the  United  States  in  1818  and  made 
their  home  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  the  father 
pro.secuted    his    trade    of    blacksmith.       In    1833 


502 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ilii\  larae  by  the  overland  route  West  as  far  as 
Indiana  and  located  upon  a  tract  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  which  Mr.  Murden  had 
entered.  lie  later  disposed  of  ninety  acres  and 
set  about  industriously  to  improve  the  remainder 
of  his  estate,  which  he  made  his  home  until  his 
decease,  March  13,  1871.  He  was  born  May  13, 
1792,  the  date  of  his  wife's  birth  being  February' 
lit,  1793.  Her  death  took  place  June  2,  1887. 
Their  thirteen  children  are  named  as  follows: 
Matthew,  Naomi,  Imri,  Martha,  Thomas,  Henry, 
Klizal)eth,  Ori)ah,  .Mary  and  Timothy  (the  latter  two 
deceased),  Timothy  second.  .Sarah  J.,  and  Cynthia 
Ann.  The  gi'and parents  of  Mi-s.  Stowman  were 
Thomas  and  Martha  (Kvans)  Williams.  Mrs. 
Slownian  and  Kva  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  the  former  having  been  con- 
nected with  that  reliirious  Iiod3'  since  thirteen 
veni-s  of  a<je. 


'u^-^m^ 


eH.VRl.KS  A.  SOUTHARD.  There  are  but 
few  remaininfj;  of  those  early  pioneers,  who 
failing  to  lind  in  the  overburdened  and 
often  st*"rile  land  of  tiic  Kastcrn  States  that  for- 
tune which  Ihey  so  much  desired,  came  to  the  far 
Western  States  among  which  Michigan  was  at  that  ! 
tjmc  classed,  and  here  t<^)ok  up  their  abode,  wlien 
the  forests  were  yet  in  their  primeval  stale,  the 
prairies  were  a  wilderness  of  tall  gr.ass  and  brilliant  , 
Mowers,  anil  the  Indians,  wolves  and  bears  were  the 
principal  settlers.  It  is  to  these  pioneers,  who 
spent  their  youthful  strenglli  in  redeeming  this 
now  fertile  land  from  its  early  wildne.^s,  that  we 
are  now  inilelitcd  for  the  pi-osperous  and  densely 
popiilat^'d  Stjites,  now  no  longer  the  "Far  West," 
but  the  (rnler  of  this  great  constellation  of  States. 
.\innng  Ihisclassor  men, on  whom  weare  greatly 
•  Icpendcnt  for  the  hislfjry  of  those  early  days,  may 
Ih'  cliLsscd  the  subject  of  tluH  sketch,  who.se  varied 
exiH-rlences  would  form  a  most  interesting  story, 
wt're  there  spai-e  in  this  volume  to  give  it  in  full. 
Mr.  Southard,  who  resides  in  iSangor,  and  is  there 
doing  an  r-.xten.slve  business  in  agricultural  iniple- 
nienls,  buggies,  wag<»ns.  sti-ani  engin<'s,  threshers, 
clover  liullei>(  and  s<'W<'r  pipe,  was  boi'u  in  Albany 


County,  N.  Y.,  in  1834.  When  a  child  of  two" 
years,  his  parents  removed  to  Greene  Countj', 
Mich.,  and  in  1837  located  in  Xan  Buren  Count}-, 
near  Bangor,  which  has  been  the  liome  of  the  fam- 
ily ever  since.  At  that  time  there  were  but  two 
or  three  families  living  in  the  township,  and  of 
these  but  veiy  few  survive.  .John  and  Harriet  (llait) 
Southard,  the  parent*  of  our  subject,  were  natives 
of  New  York,  and  reared  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren, only  three  of  wIk  in  are  now  living:  Oscar 
died  in  this  county,  leaving  no  family;  .luliaisthe 
wife  of  J.  W.  Smiley,  and  resides  nt  ArlingU^ii; 
.lolin  resides  in  Bangor.  In  addition  to  their  own 
children,  a  child  was  adopted  by  the  parents  of 
our  subject,  named  Henry,  who  now  resides  in  Lee 
Count}-,  111.  He  was  reared  as  one  of  their  own 
family,  and  did  not  discover  that  they  were  not  his 
own  parents  until  he  was  an  aged  man.  The  South- 
ards are  decended  from  German  ancestrj',  and  on 
the  mother's  side  from  Scotland.  In  the  Colonial 
days  many  of  that  name  were  soldiers  in  the  Hevo- 
lutionary  War.  and  Mr.  Southard's  grandfather 
took  part  both  in  that  struggle  and  the  War  of 
1812. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  this  county  to  J\Iiss 
Liicinda  Hogmire,  their  marr.aige  taking  place  Au- 
gust l.'j,  18G1.  Of  this  union  three  children  were 
born:  Irving,  Cora  and  Mitchell.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  wife,  Air.  Southard  w.is  united  to  Miss 
Kllen  Dowland. 

When  a  boy,  Mr.  Suulhaiil  assisted  his  father  in 
clearing  up  a  home  in  the  wilderness  and  improv- 
ing a  farm.  This  was  hard  work,  ;iiid  he  spent 
many  ii  das  in  choiiping  down  trees,  gnihbing  mi 
slumps  and  burning  logs.  When  nineteen,  he  be- 
gan teaching  school,  following  this  profession  fur 
fourteen  years,  teaching  during  the  winter  and 
working  upon  a  farm  in  the  sumniers.  He  relates 
many  interesting  incidents  of  those  early  days, 
:ind  remembers  the  first  .sciiool  lie  ever  attended, 
which  was  taught  by  Mrs.  Allan  (Harnes)  Rice,  who 
still  resides  in  this  county.  Her  sahiry  vvas  one 
which  would  hardly  be  counted  n  very  lucrative 
one  by  the  teachers  of  to-day,  it  being  |iij  in  money 
and  a  pair  of  geese  for  a  term  of  three  months.  In 
1M7M,  .Mr.  Soiithiird  engaged  in  his  present  business 
whieli    111'    li:is   lieeii    siiecessfiili\    ('(iiidiielinii;  ever 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


503 


siiicu.  For  two  seasons  dining  tlio  war,  hu  was  in 
tiui  eni|)loy  of  the  (lovernnient,  lunning  a  mill  at 
Prospect,  Tenn.,  and  for  a  while  had  cliai'ge  of  a 
wood  yard  at  Ashland,  in  the  same  State. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Sonthard  is  a  Democrat,  and  so- 
cially, is  a  Mason,  having  been  connected  with 
that  order  since  IHGl.  lie  is  a  man  who  is  very 
|io|>ular  m  his  coniiniinity,  and  one  of  the  most 
highly  respected  and  honored  pioneers  of  the  State. 


I'ACOB  HOFFMAN.  The  gentleman  whose 
name  we  place  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  is 
the  proprietor  of  one  hundred  and  eleven 
acres  of  well-improved  land,  located  on 
section  5,  Waverly  Township,  Van  Buren  Count\', 
where  he  gives  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  estate  and  thus  ranks  among  the 
prominent  agriculturists  of  this  section. 

Jacob  Hoffman  was  born  February  8,  1841,  his 
native  place  being  Richland  Township,  Cambria 
County,  Pa.  His  parents  were  Gillian  and  Rachel 
(Shaffer)  Hoffman,  the  father  being  born  in  Somer- 
set County,  Pa.,  which  was  also  the  native  place 
of  the  mother.  The  senior  Mr.  Hoffman  was  a 
farmer  and  blacksmith,  which  combined  occupa- 
tions proved  to  be  very  remunerative.  He  lived 
and  died  in  the  Keystone  State,  his  death  occurring 
when  he  was  ninetj-  years  of  age,  at  Johnstown; 
his  wife  passed  away  in  18GG.  The\-  were  the 
parents  of  twelve  children,  all  of  whom,  with  one 
exception,  lived  to  reach  j'cars  of  manhood  and 
womanhood. 

We  give  the  following  mention  of  our  subject's 
brothers  and  sisters:  Jesse  and  Isaac  served  in  the 
Ninety-third  Pennsylvania  Regiment  during  the 
Civil  War;  Eva,  Polly,  Lena,  Allen,  William, 
Elizabeth,  Jacob,  Catherine  and  Josiah.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  the  daughter  of  Simon 
and  Eva  (Rhodes)  Shaffer,  natives  also  of  Somer- 
set County,  Pa.,  whore  the  father  carried  on  farm- 
ing and  was  also  a  distiller.  They  were  Lutherans 
in  their  religious  faith.  The  grandfather  of  Jacob 
Hoffman  also  bore  the  name  of  Jacob  and  was  born 
ill  Pennsylvania.      He  was  a  farmer  liy  occupation, 


a  Lutheran  in  religion  and  a  Democrat  in  [lolitics. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Boone  and  by  her  became 
the  father  of  a  large  family  of  children.  The 
grandparents  lived  and  died  in  their  native  couiity 
of  Somerset. 

Jacob  Hott'nian  nf  this  sketch  was  trained  to 
farm  pursuits  and  received  limited  advantages  in 
the  way  of  schooling.  He  remained  at  home  lend- 
ing his  assistance  in  the  work  about  the  farm  until 
reaching  his  twentieth  year,  when  he  started  out  to 
make  a  name  and  fortune.  The  term  of  self-made 
can  be  most  truthfully  applied  to  him,  as  he  re- 
ceived no  assistance  whatever  from  his  parents,  and 
what  he  now  has  is  entirely  the  result  of  his  per- 
severance and  industrj'. 

In  September,  1861,  when  the  call  "to  arms"  re- 
sounded tlirough  our  countr3',  Mr.  Hoffman  was 
one  of  the  first  to  volunteer  his  services  in  behalf 
of  the  Union,  and  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Fifty- 
fourth  Pennsylvania  Infantry.  With  his  company, 
he  did  guard  duty  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Rail- 
road, but  in  October,  1862,  was  discharged  at  St. 
John's  Run,  Va.,  for  disability.  In  September, 
186-i,  however,  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Ninety-third  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  and  with  his 
regiment  participated  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek, 
Va.,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Petersburg, 
where  he  was  slightlj'  wounded.  When  hostilities 
ceased  and  peace  was  declared,  he  went  to  Wash- 
ington, I).  C,  where  he  witnessed  the  Grand  Re- 
view and  received  his  discharge  in  June,  1865. 

In  October  following  our  subject's  return  from 
the  war,  he  came  West  as  far  as  Michigan  and  lo- 
cated on  section  5,  Waverly  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  where  he  had  purchased  a  tract  of  fifty- 
one  acres.  He  has  gradually  added  to  his  original 
acreage  until  now  he  is  the  proud  possessor  of  one 
hundred  and  eleven  acres,  which  are  so  cultivated 
as  to  net  him  a  handsome  income.  He  has  erected 
all  the  necessary  outbuildings  on  his  place,  and  in- 
deed it  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  township. 

Mr.  Hoffman,  in  establishing  a  home  of  his  own, 
chose  for  his  wife  Miss  Catherine  Lape,  whose  birth 
occurred  in  the  same  county  and  State  in  which 
Mr.  Hoft'man  was  born.  She  is  a  most  estimable 
lady  and  is  the  daughter  of  Anthony  and  Sarah 
(Richwine)    Lajie,  also   natives    of    the    Keystcme 


504 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


StaU-.  riic\  l.ti-ame  llie  pareiil.- of  eight  children, 
all  of  whom  were  reari-d  to  lives  of  usefulne-is  and 
uprightness. 

Our  subject  and  his  excellent  wife  iiavc  a  family 
of  four  children:  .lames  W.;  Elizabeth,  who  is  the 
wife  of  D.  Naftzarer;  Ida  .\.  and  LaEayette.  They 
were  formerly  identified  with  the  Lutheran  Church 
luitai-e  at  the  present  time  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  denomination. 


olIX  llAYNE,  who  makes  his  home  on  sec- 
tion 10,  Porter  Township,  A'an  Buren 
County,  is  successfully  prosecuting  the  call- 
ing of  a  farmer.  He  is  a  son  of  John  ,ind 
Ann  (Mathews)  llayne,  natives  of  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land, where  they  were  farmers.  The  father  died  in 
his  native  land  in  1839;  the  mother  afterward 
came  to  America  and  made  her  homo  with  our  suli 
ject  until  her  decease. 

The  parents  of  .John  llayne,  .Ir..  had  a  family  of 
eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  Our 
subject  w.os  horn  M.ay  1-t,  1H27.  in  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land. His  parents  being  uiuililc  to  p.a}'  for  his 
schooling,  he  was  obliged  to  attend  night  school. 
He  made  the  best  of  his  opportunities,  however,  and 
is  to-day  an  intelligent  and  well-read  man.  lie- 
licgnn  for  himself  at  the  earlj-  age  of  twelve  years, 
by  working  out  on  the  farm  of  an  uncle,  wlu)  paid 
him  fifty  shillings  i)er  year.  He  continued  in  tiiat 
line  of  work  until  his  emigration  U)  America. 

In  1«.'>2,  our  subject  and  Miss  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  .Incob  and  (irace  (Peardon)  Turner,  were 
united  in  marri.ige.  The  parents  of  Jlrs.  Ilaj-ne 
were  natives  of  Cornwall,  England  and  wore 
farmei's.  Miss  Elizabeth  was  born  Seplcnibci'  1(1. 
1H27.  .\ftcr  their  iiiarrinjje.  the  young  couple  ro- 
niained  in  their  native  land  until  IH,').'i,  when,  on 
landing  in  the  New  World,  they  made  their  way 
dlri-ctly  lo  Detroit  an<l  arrived  there  in  May  of 
that  year,  with  9KKI  In  their  possession.  They 
locati'd  in  Wayne  County,  where  Mr.  llayne 
workeil  out  on  a  fiirm  for  three  years.  In  the  fall  of 
the  Mui-cee<ling  year,  he  came  to  his  present  home 
and,  buildin}^  a   log  house  on   his   purchase,  began 


the  work  of  clearing  and  improving  his  tract.  He 
had  at  that  time  $300  in  money,  a  yoke  of  cattle, 
fwocows  and  a  number  of  hogs  and  sheep.  He  has 
made  his  home  on  this  farm  for  tiiirty-three  yeare 
and  has  one  hundred  and  seventy  out  of  the  two 
hundred  and  forty-three  acres  which  lie  owns  un- 
der good  improvement. 

Nine  years  ago,  Mr.  llayne  eieited  his  present 
comfortable  and  ple.isanl  residence,  which  cost 
%'2,500,  a  view  of  which  appears  on  another  page. 
He  has  all  the  outbuildings  which  best  subserve  the 
purposes  of  an  agricultui'ist  and  carries  on  general 
farming.  He  has  on  his  place  some  fine  tlK)rough- 
bred  Short-horn  cattle,  and  two  valuable  Ilamble- 
tonian  horses.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayne  have  been 
granted  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living: 
Laura  Ann,  who  married  D.  C.  \'an  Antwerp,  h.as 
one  child;  and  John  I).,  who  is  unmarried,  resides 
at  home.  The3'  were  forinorly  members  of  the 
Methodist  Cliuich,  and  in  i)()lities,  our  subject  is 
a  Rt'iiublican.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Inde- 
peiulent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  connected 
with  the  Grange.  He  has  always  been  warmly  in- 
terested in  educational  affairs  and  for  nine  years 
has  been  School  Assessor. 


i^ 


"i|Y'OIIN  MARSHALL,  the  present  Supervisor 
of  Porter  Townshii>,  \'an  Huren  County,  is 
residing  on  section  Ifi,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  operating  a  tine  farm,  lie  is  the  son  of 
Joiiii  and  Grace  (Hayne)  Marshall, natives  of  Eng- 
land, where  they  were  married.  In  1851,  they 
made  the  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  to  the  New 
AVorld.  and  for  two  years  tiicy  resided  in  New 
York  State.  At  liic  end  of  lliat  time,  they  came 
t(i  Miciiigan  .'iiid  settled  on  a  farm  which  is  the 
present  hoiiie  of  our  sulijeel.  Iiul  which  w.as  then  in 
its  original  condition.  Here  the  father  died  in 
December,  18,')3.  Tiie  mother,  who  is  still  living, 
married  John  liaiker,  now  deceased,  and  by  that 
union  she  iind  live  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living. 

Two  children  were  granted  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall, Sr.,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  only  survivor. 
He  was  born  in  I'ltitier  Township,    .Inly   21,    18;')!, 


t    llT^ 


RESIDENCE  OF  COLUMBUS     E  NGLE^  SEC.  24.,  PAW  PAVv/  TR,  VAN  BUREN    CO., MICH. 


RESIDENCE   OF    JOHN     M  ARS  H  ALL,  SEC,  IG.,  PORTER  TR,  VAN  BU  REN  CO., MICH. 


4"^ 


i" 


"^vt-m. 


^  V^^ 


RESIDENCE   OF   JOHN     H  AYN  E,  SEC.  10.,  PORT  ER   TP.,VAN    BUREN   CO., MICH. 


1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHTCAL  RECORD. 


507 


■and  w;is  ij;ivi'n  :i  ^iiod  odlK-atidii,  .■iltciidiny  tlir 
district  .scliools  juid  also  studyiiii;  at  i^avvtoii.  lie 
began  for  liinisolf  wlicii  cislitcen  years  f)f  aye  and 
has  always  followed   the  ()ccu|iation  of   a    farmer. 

Miss  Dale,  daugliter  of  Freeman  and  Harriet 
(Cook)  \'an  Antwerp,  heeanie  tlii'  wife  of  our  siih- 
jeet  in  1883.  Her  parents  were  nativ.'s  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  York  State,  respecti\ely.  Her  p:i- 
lerual  grandfather,  Daniel  ^'an  Antwerp,  was  a 
very  early  settler  in  ^'an  Biiren  County,  and  had 
the  honor  of  naming  Antwerp  Townsiii|).  Tlie 
father  of  Mrs.  Marsh.all  died  in  October,  1861;  her 
mother  makes  her  home  in  Porter  Township.  Miss 
Dale  was  horn  Februaiy  23,  18,5.'),  in  Antwerp 
Township,  and  received  a  good  education  and 
taught  school  for  a  number  of  years.  Four  chil- 
dren have  been  granted  to  herself  and  husband, 
viz:    Grace  H.,  Anna  M.,  Eva  L.  and  J.  Freeman. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  is  the  proprie- 
tor of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  all  of 
which,  with  the  exception  of  twenty  acres,  is  un- 
der good  improvement.  He  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  raises  Short-horn  cattle.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order  at  Lawton,  and  also  be- 
longs to  the  Farmers'  Club,  which  is  a  very  strong 
organization.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Reitublican  and 
is  serving  his  third  term  as  Supervisor.  He  has 
also  been  Township  Treasurer  for  two  years  and 
Township  Clerk  for  four  years. 


eOLUMBUS  ENGLE  is  widely  known 
throughout  Michigan  and  elsewhere  as  one 
of  the  leading  Iruit-growers  of  the  State, 
and  a  pioneer  of  that  industry  in  Van  Buren 
County.  He  has  made  an  intelligent  and  exhaiis- 
tive  stiuly  of  horticulture  as  related  to  his  branch 
of  business,  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
varieties  of  fruit  best  adapted  to  the  soil  and 
climate  of  this  part  of  the  countiy,  and  per- 
\\a\)s  no  one  has  done  more  to  develo[i  the  fruit 
interests  of  the  .State  tlian  he,  as  he  propagates 
new  kinds  from  seedlings,  and  is  quick  to  recog- 
nize the  merits  of  new  species  from  other  places 
and  to  introduce  them  when  the  conditions  are 
favorable.  He  has  one  of  the  finest  equipped  and 
23  Y 


l)esl  managccl  frnil  farms  in  tliis  vicinity,  advan- 
tageously located  on  section  24,  I'aw  I'aw  Town- 
ship, whei'e  he  devotes  sixty  acres  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  peach,  and  has  liesides  tine  orch.ards  of 
|>ears,  cherries  and  ])lums. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  New  York,  born 
amid  the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains, in  the  town  of  Angelica,  .June  0,  1829.  His 
parents  were  Silas  and  Merely  {,\lvord)  Engle, 
who  were  also  natives  of  the  Empire  State.  His 
mother  died  when  he  was  nine  years  old,  and  he 
came  with  his  father  to  Paw  Paw,  Mich.,  his  fa- 
ther being  a  pioneer  settler  of  this  county.  He 
made  the  best  of  his  advantages  to  obtain  an  edu- 
cation, and  after  leaving  the  common  schools  at- 
tended the  academy  at  Albany  two  terms,  but  waa 
obliged  to  abandon  his  studies  on  account  of  ill- 
health.  The  country  was  new  when  he  first  came 
here,  .and  its  forests  and  swami)s  abounded  in 
game  of  all  kinds.  He  early  imliibed  a  taste  for 
liiinting,  becoming  very  exjiert  in  the  use  of  the 
ride,  and  when  as  young  as  eighteen  years  of  age 
he  began  a  practice  that  he  has  ever  since  kept  up 
— that  of  camping  out  a  while  each  fall,  for  the 
purpose  of  pursuing  his  favorite  pastime.  He  has 
only  missed  two  seasons  (while  attending  school) 
and  still  goes  on  his  ex[)editions  each  year,  bring- 
ing home  many  troiihies  of  the  chase,  besides 
gathering  much  wisdom  from  his  observations  of 
nature,  and  deriving  profit  from  the  healthful,  in- 
vigoratiug  exercise  in  which  he  indulges. 

Mr.  Engle's  father  became  involved  financially, 
and  after  he  left  school  our  subject  devoted  his 
time  and  energies  to  paying  off  the  indebtedness 
in  Older  to  save  the  estate  for  his  father.  He  was 
thus  engaged  until  he  was  nearly  twenty-eight 
years  old,  and  as  he  then  saw  Init  little  prospect 
of  accomplishing  his  object  by  the  method  he  was 
pursuing,  he  bought  of  his  father  all  of  his  land 
but  forty  acres,  which  the  latter  retained  for  his 
homo,  and  in  1861  he  made  a  new  departure,  en- 
tering into  the  business  of  fruit  culture,  which  at 
that  time  commanded  Init  little  attention  in  these 
parts.  He  began  with  four  acres  of  peach  trees, 
and  his  success  was  so  pronounced — his  first  crop, 
gathered  in  186.T,  netting  him  about  ¥300  an 
acre — that  he  has  been    graduallv    extending    his 


508 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


business  and  now  derives  a  large  income  from  it, 
his  bearing  trees  yielding  bim  about  ^100  to  the 
acre.  lie  lias  i)lauted  sixty  acres  of  his  farm  to 
peach  trees,  and  has  till"  remaining  ten  acres  in 
pears,  cherries  and  plums  of  the  finest  and  best 
known  varieties.  He  is  considered  a  higli  author- 
ity on  the  culture  of  these  fruits,  and  finds  a  ready 
sale  for  them  in  the  best  markets  of  the  country, 
on  ai-couiit  of  tlieir  superior  qualities. 

Mr.  Kngle  was  married.  August  30,  1887,  to  Mrs. 
Frances  Johnson,  nee  Jones,  and  theirs  is  uiii'  of 
tiie  pleasantcst  and  most  liospilable  of  the  many 
attractive  iionies  in  this  part  of  Van  IJuren  Count}-. 
Mrs.  Engle  was  born  at  Russell,  Geauga  County, 
t)lii«).  October  14,  1841,  a  daughter  of  Clark  and 
Hannah  (Sweet)  Jones,  the  second  of  four  living 
children.  Her  sister  Letitia  married  Sciiuyler 
Kennedy;  her  sister  Azeina  is  the  wife  of  Edward 
Melciior;  her  brother  Everett  is  a  civil  engineer 
at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  of  which  place  the  others 
are  also  residents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  were  na- 
tives respectively  of  \'crinont  and  Massachusetts, 
and  were  pioneers  of  Ohio.  Mrs.  Englc  had  one 
child  liy  her  marriage  with  ]Mr.  Johnson:  Lizzie 
M.,  who  married  Edward  (oilman,  and  died,  leav- 
ing one  child.  Otto,  now  a  boy  of  fourteen  years, 
living  at  Paw  Paw. 

Mr.  Engle  h.is  a  thoughtful,  wcU-traim-d  mind, 
and  is  self-inadc  ;ind  self-educated  in  the  best 
.sense  of  those  terms.  His  solid  business  attain- 
ments and  iiigli  personal  character  give  liim  weight 
and  induence  among  his  fellow-citizens,  who  have 
tried  in  vain  to  lure  him  to  public  life,  but  lie  is 
tcMj  much  interested  in  his  wdik  and  in  liis  home 
to  care  for  civic  lionors.  lie  lias  no  taste  for 
politics,  but  gives  his  adiierence  to  the  Repulilicau 
party. 

The  attention  of  tiie  reader  is  invited  to  a  view 
of  the  honieslea<l  of  Mr.  Engle,  which  appears  in 
connection  witli  this  sketch. 


1>^^<W 


r<s>^    - 


'OII.N    .S.  TICKEY.       Tiie  lirni  of     Wise    ^t 
Tiickey,  proprietors  of  the  Paw  Paw  Roller 
Mill.t,  ha.H  met  witii  un<pialilied  success  from 
the  very  start,  not  only  doing  a   line   local 
bnslni»«4,  bulnl.Ho  biiilding  up  an  extensive g<-neral 


trade  and  shipping  to  Eastern  States.  The  junior 
member  of  the  firm  was  born  in  IMonroe  County, 
X.  Y.,  April  10,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Lucinda  (Rulifson)  Tuckey,  natives  respectively 
of  England  and  America,  the  mother  being  of 
Dutch  and  French  descent.  When  only  nine  years 
old,  our  subject  was  orphaned  by  the  death  of  his 
father  and  w.as  soon  afterward  liound  out  to  George 
.Sheffer,  a  farmer  and  miller,  under  whose  inslruc- 
tit)n  the  lad  learned  the  trade  of  a  miller. 

The  educational  advantages  olTercd  our  subject 
were  limited  to  attendance  in  the  district  sclioc>l 
during  three  months  of  e.ach  year  for  three  years. 
When  he  attained  to  his  majority  he  came  to  Paw 
Paw,  and  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  was  so  jtoor  that 
he  left  his  trunk  with  the  stage  driver  until  he 
could  earn  sutlicient  money  to  pay  his  fare  from 
Eawtoii  to  Paw  Paw.  His  first  work  was  that  ()f  a 
day  laborer  but  after  harvest  he  secured  a  position 
in  the  mill  now  owned  by  Messrs.  Sherman  & 
Stevens,  then  Sherman  &  Rose,  where  he  worked 
for  twenty-two  years  in  various  capacities  and  was 
also  boss  miller  for  ten  years. 

On  December  28,  1863,  Mr.  Tuckey  was  married 
in  Paw  Paw  to  ]Miss  Helen  A.,  daughter  of  (Scorgc 
and  Emeliue  (Storms)  Doughty.  They  became  the 
parents  of  two  children,  one  of  whom  died  when 
twenty-two  months  old,  and  tlie  other,  Edward  ('., 
is  represented  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  At  the 
ex[)iration  of  lwenty-twt>  years  si)ent  with  Sheini:in 
tt  Rose,  .Mr.  Tuckey  went  to  SI.  Louis,  Mo.,  where 
he  remained  one  year  and  learned  the  roller-mill 
process.  Eater  he  engaged  with  the  linn  of  Nar- 
dyke  il-  Morman,  of  Indianapolis,  and  was  em- 
ployed in  putting  the  inllcr-mill  process  into  mills 
atdilTereiit  places.  He  spent  fourteen  months  in  a 
mill  in  Charleston,  III.,  when  the  linn  l)ankn4)led 
and  he,  with  the  ludiauaiiolis  firm,  took  possession 
of  llie  property. 

For  a  period  of  I'onr  ye.'iis  Mr.  Tuckey  was  en- 
gaged in  starting  and  operating  a  mill  at  Detroit, 
after  which  he  formed  a  p:iitiieisliip  with  Mr.  Wise, 
rcnliiiir  a  mill  at  lUuomiiigdale  and  operating  it 
Tim-  Iwip  years  when  they  purchased  their  present 
mill.  I'piPii  entering  into  business  in  Paw  Paw 
llie\  at  once  inlnxluced  the  roller-mill  process, 
August  Ci,   IWHH,  Mini  the  mill  coMiiiiencccI  opeintilig 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


509 


in  January,  1889,  since  wiiich  tiine,bv  the  exercise 
of  sound  common -sense  and  shrewd  judgment,  tiie 
members  of  tlie  (irm  have  become  vvelllinovvn  as  suc- 
cessful business  men.  Politicall}',  Mr.  Tucl<ey  is  a 
Republican  and  cast  his  first  liailot  for  .\braliam 
Lincoln  for  President.  Socially,  he  is  identilted 
with  the  Independent  Order  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Ancient  Order  United  AVorkmen,  and  in  his  re- 
ligious convictions  is  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  is  now  servino  .as 
Trustee. 

X *^ ^ 


r 


EN.IAMIN  HEMPSTEAD.  This  gentle- 
man is  living  retired  from  the  active 
duties  of  life  in  South  Haven.  He  is  a 
native  of  England,  having  been  born  in 
Suffolk,  November  8,  1829.  He  is  the  son  of 
Charles  and  Elizabeth  (Fitch)  Hempstead,  the 
father  dying  in  England,  in  184,5.  The  mother 
subsequently  came  to  the  United  States  and  died 
in  Bellevue,  Huron  County-,  Ohio. 

The  family  of  which  Benjamin  Hempstead  was 
a  member  included  three  sons  and  five  daughters, 
two  of  whom  died  in  England.  Four  children 
accompanied  their  mother  to  the  United  States, 
Benjamin  and  wife  and  his  younger  brother  hav- 
ing come  to  America  two  years  previous.  INIarv 
Ann,  now  Mrs.  Joseph  Clark,  resided  in  Huron 
County,  Ohio;  Sarah  is  now  Mrs.  Daniel  H.  Wood 
and  makes  her  home  in  South  Haven;  Susan  mar- 
ried Mr.  E.Smith;  Charlotte,  Mrs.  Alverson,  makes 
her  iiome  in  Ingham  County,  this  State,  and 
George  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War.  He  en- 
listed in  Company  D,  Thirty-fourth  Ohio  In- 
fantry, and  was  taken  a  prisoner  and  sent  to 
Libby  Prison.  The  hardships  and  privations 
which  he  endured  undermined  his  iiealth  and  he 
died  in  Manteno,  111.,  in  187.3. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  in  his 
native  England  until  reaching  his  majority.  His 
school  advantages  were  very  limited,  but,  desiring 
to  gain  a  good  education,  he  studied  at  night 
after  working  hard  all  day.  After  coining  to 
America.  Mr.  Hempstead  landed  at  Bellevue,  Ohio, 


with  half  a  sovereign  in  his  pocket.  He  imme- 
diately set  about  repairing  his  fortunes  and 
worked  out  as  a  farm  hand,  also  shelling  corn  and 
threshing.  That  his  industry  has  been  rewarded 
is  fully  attested  b}'  his  position  in  South  Haven. 

Mr.  Hempstead  was  married  in  Shorcditcii 
Church  in  England,  just  prior  to  setting  sail  for 
the  United  States.  His  wife  was  Mary  Ann  Will- 
iams, a  native  of  Surrey,  England,  and  who  was 
born  August  19,  1823.  When  leaving  Ohio,  our 
subject  went  to  Manteno,  111.,  making  the  move  in 
18u7.  There  he  purchased  land  from  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  wiiich  he  cleared  and  put  under 
excellent  cultivation  and  where  he  made  his  home 
until  1878.  He  then  disposed  of  that  property' 
and  came  to  South  Haven,  which  has  since  been 
his  home.  He  purchased  a  fruit  farm  here,  which 
he  resided  upon  for  six  years,  and  then  removed 
to  the  village  and  is  now  living  retired.  He  has 
been  very  successful  in  all  his  undertakings  and 
owns  a  store  building,  also  other  property  in  the 
village. 

Our  subject  and  his  amiable  wife  have  been 
gian ted  a  family  of  five  children:  diaries  J.,  Ed- 
ward B.,  George  W.;  Charlotte,  who  is  the  wife  of 
R.  A.  Viall,  of  Kensington,  Chicago,  and  Maiy  I., 
Mrs.  Shepliard  B.  Howes,of  Pullman,  111.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Hempstead  is  a  thorough  Republican  and  has 
been  honored  by  his  fellow-townsmen  with  the 
gift  of  man  J'  local  offices.  In  his  church  relations 
he  is  an  active  worker  in  tlie  Congregational  so- 
ciety. 

JRANCIS  A.  BURGER,  a  resident  of    Ban- 
gor   Township,    Van   Buren    County,    was 
/15s  born  in  Hillsdale  County,    this    State,   his 

birth  occurring  in  1857,  and  was  one  in  a  family 
of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  still  survive, 
namely:  Marietta,  wife  of  Merrill  Miller,  of  Idaho; 
Eleazar,  a  resident  of  Bangor  Township;  our  sub- 
ject; Douglas,  a  resident  of  this  county;  Minerva, 
wife  of  Fred  Duren,  a  resident  of  Bangor;  Judson 
A.,  a  resident  of  Bangor  and  a  teacher  in  the 
county;  and  Melvin.  Those  deceased  are  Jerome, 
Emil}'  J.,  Hettie  A.  and  an  infant. 

The    father    and   mother    of   this    familv    were 


510 


PORTKAIT  AND  iJlOGEAPHlCAL  RECORD. 


Francis  G.  anil  Hettie  A.,  daughter  of  Jake  Stuck, 
'llic  father  was  born  in  Onoudaga  County,  N.  Y., 
in  the  year  ISUt,  anil  journeyed  to  Hillsdale 
County,  this  Suite,  about  the  year  18:31.  with  iiis 
father,  John  Burger.  They  were  both  Imni  in  the 
Empire  State,  but  originally  the  Burger  family  came 
from  Germany.  Francis  G.  Burger  came  to  this 
county  at  a  very  early  year,  and  after  remaining 
liere  some  time,  removed  to  Hillsdale  County, 
where  the  birth  of  our  subject  occurred.  The  same 
year  the3'  returned  to  Van  Buren  County,  where 
lliey  liave  since  resided. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  very  liberal 
education  in  the  district  schools  and  in  thescliot)ls 
of  B:iMgi)r  City  and  was  always  very  studious, 
taking  advanUige  of  every  opportunity  offered  in 
the  way  of  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
j'ears,  be  began  the  work  of  a  pedagogue  in  Ban- 
gor, where  he  taught  three  years  and  for  over  a 
decade  he  taught  at  various  places  in  the  (■(ninly. 
estal)lishing  a  confidence  and  affection  in  :ill  hi> 
pupils. 

Miss  Mar3' Graves,  f he  :unialilo  lady  who  pi-c- 
sides  so  gr.aciously  ovci-  tlie  home  of  our  subject, 
luH-ame  his  wife  April  12.  1S83.  She  is  a  native 
of  Michigan.  Unto  this  union  Ikinc  been  born 
two  cliildren:  Mirth  and  A'ere.  Mr.  llinger  has 
held  the  ollicial  position  of  School  I  nspeclcir  of 
liis  township,  which  position  he  li.as  lield  with 
credit  to  all  concerned  .•ind  of  whit'li  be  has  been 
tlie  incumbent  since  lH8,j.  In  181)1  lie  w.as  elected 
to  the  responsible  position  of  Township  Treasurer, 
the  duties  of  wliicli  he  is  di.scharging  I'MitlifMll v. 


\1|    L.  CLK.MKXT.  Oncof  \  .•ui  Ihiicn  Connly's 
I     energetic  f.arniers  an<l  businessmen  ojjcratcs 


I 

^=^1  a  fai'in  of  one  liundrcd  and  sixty  acres  in 
(^^  Bloomingdah-  Township,  allhough  be  is  a 
resi(h-Mt  of  (;ol)h'viIle.  where  he  also  runs  a  large 
sawmill.  His  f.-ilbcr.  W.  B.  Clenu'nt.  a  native  of 
New  York,  anri  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  was  born 
in  IHO.').  The  mother  w.as  .Sybil  I'etcrs.  and  a  na- 
tive of  the  tiame  place  as  her  husband.  The  father's 
ex|K-rience  liegan  in    Ihc  old-faslii I  mills  of  bis 


youth,  and  he  also  carried  on  his  trade  later  in 
life.  His  last  place  of  residence  in  that  State  wjvs 
at  Little  Falls,  Herkimer  County.  He  came  to 
Michigan  in  183.").  and  settled  on  a  farm  two  miles 
north  of  Marshall,  in  Calhoun  Co\inty.  He  cleared 
this  place,  and  put  i\\i  all  necessary  buildings,  and 
resided  there  sixteen  years.  There  were  very  few- 
settlers  there  then,  but  plenty  of  Indians  and  wild 
animals.  W.  B.  Clement  removed  to  Van  Buren 
County,  in  1851,  and  located  in  I'ine  Grove  Town- 
ship. He  built  a  sawmill  two  miles  north  of  Pine 
Grove  INIills,  and  operated  it  until  it  burned  down 
in  1855.  He  rebuilt  on  the  sanu^  site,  and  con- 
tinued but  a  short  time,  when  it  was  again  de- 
stroyed by  fire  in  1850.  On  the  same  place  be 
erected  a  third  mill.  This  mill  was  moved  away  in 
1863  or  18C4,  and  afterward  burned.  Another 
w.as  erected  by  his  sons.  The  father  renu)ved  to 
Kalamazoo  and  retired,  where  he  died  in  1887.  bis 
got)d  wife  passing  away  in  1875.  They  had  eight 
children  born  to  them,  seven  sui-viving,  our  sub- 
ject being  the  second-ljorn. 

The  birth  of  the  original  of  this  sketch  took 
jilace  l\Iarch  3,  1830.  in  llerkinu'r  Co\nity,  N.  Y.. 
and  he  came  to  AUchigan  with  his  jiarents  when 
live  years  old.  Ho  attended  the  pioneer  schools  of 
Calhoun  County,  and  remembers  distinctl^■  the 
early  experiences  of  the  farm  there.  Ih'  leniained 
at  home  until  after  twenty-om^.  and  worked  in  his 
father's  mill. 

J.  L.Clement,  our  subject,  was  married,  in  1855. 
to  Sarah  Baxter,  a  native  of  the  Keystone  State, 
and  a  daughter  of  Janu^s  Baxter.  Mr.  Baxter  was 
an  early  settler  of  Indiana,  and  came  to  Michigan, 
settling  ui  Bloomingdale  Township,  Ibis  county, 
where  he  cleared  u|)  a  farm.  In  I8()l,  our  subject 
located  on  eighty  acres  of  wild  land  on  section  21. 
Bloomingdale  Townshi[).  and  erected  and  oi)eral('d 
his  first  sawmill.  He  cleared  his  land,  improved  it 
.and  erected  good  and  substantial  buildings.  This 
be  linally  sold  ami  built  a  mill  which  was  soon 
burned,  and  be  siibseiiuently  reliuilt-  his  presenl 
mill  and  oi)erate<I  it  until  1H7'.I,  when  be  went  to 
Kansas  !uid  setflecl  on  a  fjiiiii  in  I'.miIoii  Count\',  of 
six  hundred  .■ind  forty  acres.  He  erected  a  lu)use 
:ind  iciiiMiiicd  there  three  years.  .\l  the  expirati<m 
of  Ibis  lime,  lie  I'd inncil  to  Michigan  and  icsmiicd 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ii;? 


■  i\w  mill  business  and  farming.  He  now  owns  a 
farm  of  one  hunched  and  sixty  acres  in  Hlooniino- 
dale  Townsliip,  wliieli  lie  and  his  sons  carry  on.  Ilis 
■rood  wife  bore  him  three  children:  John  J.,who  mar- 
ried Estella  Brown,  is  the  father  of  three  children, 
and  resides  at  South  Haven;  Martin,  who  married 
Carrie  Smith,  resides  at  Gobleville  with  his  family 
of  three  children;  and  Edward,  who  married 
Jennie  Ilcrron,  is  the  parent  of  two  children,  and 
a  resident  of  (Jobleville.  The  good  wife  and  mother 
passed  from  this  life  in  1886.  ]\Ir.  Clement  was  a 
second  time  married  in  1890.  He  took  as  his  wife 
Mrs.  Mary  (Knapp)  Dilworth,  a  widow,  and  a  na- 
tive of  New  York.  Our  subject  has  given  his  chil- 
dren good  educations  in  the  graded  schools  here, 
and  two  of  his  sons  have  been  graduates  from  the 
Kalamazoo  Business  College.  In  politics,  Mr.  Clem- 
ent votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  has  been 
Townshi()  Clerk  of  Pine  Grove  Township,  has 
taken  a  lively  interest  in  schools  here,  and  has  been 
a  member  of  the  School  Board  for  many  years, and 
is  at  present  serving  on  the  same. 


<«l  IkILLIAM  KILLEFER,  engaged  in  the  real- 
\/iJ/i  ^^^^^^  '"I'l'^  insurance  business,  is  the  present 
W^  l)opular  Supervisor  of  Paw  Paw  Township. 
He  was  born  in  Richfield,  Summit  County,  Ohio, 
August  5,  1816,  and  was  the  son  of  Henry  and 
Abigail  (Coolman)  Killefer.  The  father  was  born 
in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  July  23,  1801,  and  was 
of  German  ancestry;  Mrs.  Killefer  was  born  at 
Shalersville,  Portage  County,  Ohio,  and  was  also 
of  German  descent.  Both  parents  had  been  pre- 
viously married  .ind  liad  had  children  by  the  former 
union. 

The  parental  family  of  our  subject  numbered  two 
children:  William  and  Marj'.  The  latter  is  single 
and  residing  in  San  Bernardino  County,  Cal. 
Henry  Killefer  was  a  cooper  by  trade  which  occu- 
pation he  followed  until  reaching  middle  life,  when 
he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at  Richfield,  Ohio. 
In  1849  he  removed  to  Pendleton,  Putnam  County, 
where  he  aiso  officiated  as  "mine  host"  until  1854, 
and  three  years  later  he  came  to  Michigan  and  lo- 
cated at  Bloomingdalc,  \'an  lUircii  County,  where 


he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  con- 
tinued in  that  line  until  his  death,  wliich  occurred 
in  November,  1872. 

William  Killefer  received  a  f.iii- education  in  the 
common  schools  and  in  August,  1864,  enlisted  in 
defense  of  his  country  in  Battery-  G,  Eirst  Michi- 
gan Light  Artillery.  He  particip.ated  in  the  fights 
at  Spanish  Fort,  Ft.  Blakesley,  and  the  capture  of 
Mobile.  He  .served  in  the  army  until  August, 
1866,  when,  with  his  company,  he  was  on  his  way 
to  be  mustered  out.  Ilis  health  IxMiig  in  such  a 
state  that  it  was  not  thought  |)ossible  that  he 
could  survive  the  trip,  his  comrades  were  going 
to  send  him  home.  He,  however,  overheard  the 
conversation  and  then  and  there  made  up  his  mind 
that  he  would  live,  and  so  went  to.Iacksonand  was 
mustered  out  October  24,  18G(i. 

Returning  to  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  and 
after  fully  recuperating,  our  subject  engaged  with 
his  father  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Blooming- 
dale.  Part  of  the  time  he  officiated  as  clerk,  but 
was  later  taken  in  as  partner.  They  continued 
thus  until  1872,  when  our  subject  disposed  of  his 
interest  in  the  business  and  took  a  trip  to  the  West 
Indies,  expecting  to  engage  in  business  there.  He 
soon  abandoned  that  idea,  and,  returning  to  Bloom- 
ingdalc, again  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade, 
adding  milling  to  that  line  of  business.  He  was 
extremely  successful  in  all  his  undertakings,  and 
in  1884  closed  out  the  above-named  interests. 

June  3,  1880,  Miss  Emma  Ferguson  became  Mrs. 
William  Killefer.  She  was  a  resident  of  Blooming- 
dale  and  w.asthe  daughter  of  Marshall  and  Minerva 
(McClellan)  Ferguson.  Her  birth  occurred  Sept- 
ember 4,  1854,  at  Eaton,  Lorain  County,  Ohio. 
She  accompanied  her  parents  to  this  State  in  1864, 
where  she  was  given  a  good  education.  For  a  few 
years  after  disposing  of  his  mercantile  interest, 
Mr.  Killefer  did  not  engage  in  any  active  business, 
with  the  exception  of  acting  as  administrator  of 
several  large  estates.  In  1888,  he  came  to  Paw 
Paw,  and  purchased  the  insurance  business  of  R. 
O.  Beebe.  He  represents  ten  of  the  [uincipal  in- 
surance companies  and  does  the  largest  business 
in  that  line  in  Van  Buren  County. 

In  politics.  ]Mr.  Killefer  is  a  Democrat,  and  lias 
taken  an  active  part  in  |iulilie  iilTairs  since  reaching 


514 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAnUCAL  RECORD. 


his  majority.  l>ein,<;  at  that  time  elected  Township 
Clerk,  serving  several  years  in  th.it  capacity  and 
as  Treasurer.  Although  the  Republicau  party  has 
a  very  large  majority  in  his  township,  he  h.-is  held 
the  otHcc  of  Sin)ervisor  for  five  terms,  being  elected 
to  that  position  the  next  year  after  his  arrival  in 
the  township.  In  1876. he  was  a  candidate  for  the 
otlice  of  County  Clerk,  and,  although  lie  ran  eight 
hundred  ahead  of  his  ticket,  was  defeated.  In 
1888,  he  was  a  candidate  for  .Judge  of  Probate, 
running  twelve  hundred  ahead  of  his  ticket.  He 
has  been  nominated  by  tlie  Democratic  party  as  a 
Presidential  Elector,  lie  still  acts  as  administrator 
of  various  estjites. 

Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Killefer  are  members  of  the  regu- 
lar Baptist  Church,  in  which  body  our  subject  has 
been  Trustee  and  Superintendent  of  the  Sund.ay- 
school.  Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  is  a  Knight  Templar  at  the  present 
time.  He  has  served  as  Worshipful  M.aster  in  that 
order  for  nine  years.  He  is  also  identified  with 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  attended  the 
National  Encampment  which  met  at  Detroit  in 
1891.  In  connection  with  this  sketch,  his  litho- 
graphic portrait  will  he  noticed  on  another  page. 

*The  four  children  born  to  our  subject  and  his 
wife  are,  Karl,  born  .June  23,  1881;  Ola,  October 
10,  1882;  Wade,  April  13.  1885,  and  William, 
October  10,  1887. 


e^+^ 


P_^,^().\.  Wli.Ll.V.M  11.  IllRLlU  r.  Tills  gen- 
•^^^  tlcnian  Is  one  of  tiie  early  pioneers  of  Van 
Burcii  County,  coming  liere  in  IJSin.  ami 
is  one  of  tlie  most  respected  ami  valued 
citizens  of  tlie  county.  He  was  born  in  Pulaski, 
(Xswego  County,  N.  ^  .,  .\ugust  25,  IHli).  His 
great-grandfather  was  a  native  of  Wales  who  emi- 
gralvd  to  tlic  I'liiled  States  and  settled  in  one  of 
the  New  Hngland  States.  The  grandfather  of 
our  sul)ject,.losiali  llurlbiit,  wjis  liorn  in  this  coun- 
liy  and  served  its  soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Revo- 
lution. He  wftt  a  cooper  by  tra<le.  He  was  three 
times  married  and  dii-(l  in  .lelTerson  County.  N.  Y., 
at  the  ndvniiired  ago  of  ninety  years. 


William  Harrison  Hurlbut,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and    removed  when 
a  boy  witli  his  family  to  New  York,    where,  .July 
4,  1816,  he  was  married  to  Wcilthy  Cross,  a  native 
of  the  Empire  State.      Tliej'  resided    in    Oswego 
County,  that  State,  until  1824,  when   they  went  to 
St.  Hyacinth  district,  Canada.     Thence,  in  1830,  to 
St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y'.,and  in  1833  returned 
to  Richland.  Oswego  Count\-.      In  18l()  they  came 
to  Michigan  and  settled    in    \'an    Huren   County, 
where  the  father  died    in    1852,    aged   fifty-three 
years.     The  mother  died  in  Allegan  County    while 
on  a  visit  in  1882,  at  tlieage  of  eighty-four    years- 
They  were  tlie  i)arents  of    five  cliildren    of    whom 
our  subject  is  the  eldest.     Charles  IJ.,  born  in  Can- 
ada, January  15,  1826,  is  a  blacksmith  and    resides 
allJreedsville;  George,  also  born  in   Canada,  June 
11.  1828,  was  a  shoemaker    by  trade  and   died   in 
Van  IJuren  County,  in  1864;  Joseph  R.,born  in  St. 
Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  December  5,  1830,  was  a 
millwright  and  died  on  the  coiist  of    Mobile    li.iy, 
Ala.     Albert  was  born  in  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  December 
4,  1842,  and  is  a  physician  at  Grand  Junction,  this 
State. 

Our  subject  at  tlie  age  of  si.xteen,  with  the  con- 
sent and  blessing  of  his  parents,  a  cash  capital  of 
seventy-five  cents  and  his  worldly  effects,  consist- 
ing of  an  extra  shirt  tied  up  in  a  cotton  liandker- 
cliief,  left  home  to  seek  his  fortune.  About  suiusel 
of  the  third  day,  weary  and  footsore,  he  found  liim- 
self  a  ranger  in  the  village  of  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  with 
liiit  live  cents  left  of  his  small  stock  of  csisli.  Here 
lie  succeeded  in  t)btaining  eniploynuMit  with  Sam- 
uel P.ayne,  Sr.,  Deacon  of  the  I<'irst  Baptist  Cliureli 
and  one  of  tlie  founders  of  the  l!a|)tist  Theolog- 
ieal  Seiiiiiiaiy  at  Hainilton.  For  nearly  five  years 
young  Hurlbut  reiiiaiiied  with  tlie  Deacon,  receiv- 
ing wages  in  the  suminer  ami  III  the  winter  doing 
chores  for  his  lioaid  and  attending  the  village 
.school.  In  the  fall  of  1810,  with  his  carefully 
hoarded  savings  in  his  wallet,  his  effects  packed  in 
;i  sjiKill  liiiiik  .-iml  with  the  coun.sel  and  blessing  of 
the  good  Deacon,  he  staitccl  for  the  Far  West, 
which  ;it  lli.'U  time  \\;is  .'iny where  lieyoiiil  Lake 
Erie.  In  ( )etoberoT  that  year  he  .•iiriveil  in  \'aii 
Huren  Coiinly  with  li.arely  enough  iiioik  y  lo  enter 
eighty   JU'res  of    l.iml    which   so    f;ir   h.ad  been     tin' 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPHICAL  RECORD, 


515 


height  of  his  boyish  ambition.  Tiiis  land  is  located 
in  section  11,  in  whnt  is  now  Bangor  Township. 

On  this  place  Mr.  Ilurlbut  kept  l)aehelor's  hall, 
employing  himself  in  the  summers  in  chopping  the 
heavy  timber  from  his  land  and  cutting  roads.  In 
winter  he  taught  .1  district  school.  In  a  few  years 
he  traded  this  land  for  a  quarter-section  located 
on  section  13,  tliereby  incurring  an  indebtedness 
of  $400.  May  13, 181.5,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Fannie  Christie.  She  was  born  in  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.,  March  30,  1825,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Woodard) 
Christie.  The  family  came  to  Michigan  in  1829, 
and  resided  in  AVashtenaw  County  until  about 
1838,  when  they  came  to  Van  Buren  County,  and 
settled  at  Lawrence  where  the  parents  died.  They 
had  a  family  of  eleven  children. 

Immediately  after  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hurlbut  settled  on  their  land  in  a  hastily  con- 
structed board  cabin,  having  at  that  time  no  neigh- 
bors within  half  a  mile,  no  clearing  in  sight  and 
no  roads  except  a  blazed  sled-track  through  the 
woods.  Here  commenced  in  earnest  the  second 
stage  of  the  life  l)attle  of  our  subject  and  it  is  now 
the  testimony  of  himself  and  wife,  that  whatever 
success  has  attended  their  efforts  may  be  credited 
in  no  small  degree  to  the  lirni  resolution  with 
which  they  started  out  and  rigidly  adliered  to — 
never  to  run  into  delit.  Mr.  Iluilbutsoon  became 
a  prominent  figure  in  the  county,  being  peisonally 
acquainted  with  every  voter  He  assisted  in  build- 
ing the  first  schoolhousc  at  Bangor  and  also  the 
first  sawmill,  in  which  he  eventuall}^  became  half 
owner.  In  18.50,  he  was  elected  Registrar  of  Deeds, 
which  otlice  he  held  for  two  years. 

In  December,  1861,  BIr.  Ilurlbut  removed  to 
South  Haven  and  improved  a  fine  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  near  the  village.  In 
1868,  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  State  Legislature  and  was  re-elected  in  1870. 
While  in  the  Legislature,  Mr.  Ilurlbut  drafted  an 
act  to  allow  women  to  enter  the  State  University, 
which  was  passed  and  became  a  law  without  change 
or  amendment  and  the  wisdom  of  tiiis  measure  be- 
comes more  ap|)aient  year  by  year.  Mr.  Hurlbut 
gave  his  attention  for  some  years  to  cultivating  his 
farm,  on  wliifh    he    planted   a    pe.Tch    orchard    of 


thirty  acres,  put  up  good  buildings  and  made  of  it 
a  linancial  success.  In  1890,  havingaccumulated  a 
competency,  he  purchased  a  fine  property  in  South 
Haven  and  is  now  trying  to  live  a  retired  life,  but 
having  always  been  an  industrious  man,  he  daily 
finds  work  which  requires  his  attention.  Besides 
his  home  in  the  village,  he  owns  farms  in  Bangor 
and  South  Haven  Townships,  also  one  hundred 
and  ninety  acres  in  Charlevoix  County,  and  one 
hundred  lots  in  the  village  of  Charlevoix. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Hurlbut  was  a  Democrat  up  to 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  with 
which  he  was  identified  until  1876,  when  he  sup- 
ported the  National  Greenback  party  and  has 
since  been  independent.  Besides  the  offices  men- 
tioned, he  has  also  held  those  of  Supervisor  and 
minor  township  offices.  When  lawyers  were  scarce 
in  the  county,  he  freqiientl3'  tried  cases  in  the  Jus- 
tice Courts  and  assisted  his  friends  with  legal  atl- 
vice. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  five 
children,  namely:  Janette  married  Perry  Harvey 
and  resides  in  Bangor;  Caroline,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Harvey  and  also  resides  at  Bangor; 
Jane  who  is  at  home;  Irene  (Mrs.  Gates)  is  a  re- 
sident of  Bangor,  and  Frank  is  living  in  South 
Haven  TownsJiip.  Mv.  and  Mrs.  Ilurlbut  are 
highly  respected  and  are  valued  members  of  the 
community  in  which  thej'  reside. 


)IIOMAS  CORNISH  was  born  in  Cornwall, 
.,  England,  in  .January,  1829.  He  is  at  present 
/  residing  on  a  pleasant  farm  on  section  16, 
Porter  Townshii),  Van  Buren  County,  where  he  is 
successfully  cultivating  the  soil.  His  parents  were 
Edward  and  Ann  (Rogers)  Cornisli;  the  former 
died  in  England,  but  the  mother  came  lo  America 
and  passed  her  last  days  in  Canada.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  c>nl\'  two  of  whom  are 
living. 

Our  subject  has  I)een  a  farmer  all  his  life,  having 
commenced  in  that  line  of  work  at  an  early  age. 
He  was  married  in  1848,  to  Mary  Hayno,  a  sister 
of  John  Il.aynt,  whose  sketch  appeal's  on  another 
p.ige  in  tliis  volume.     Mrs.  Cornisli  was  the  daugh- 


516 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


ter  of  John  and  Ann  (Matthews)  Hajiie,  natives 
of  Cornwall,  England;  they  are  both  now  deceased. 
Mijic?  Marv  was  (torn  iu  February.  1829,  in  Corn- 
wall, and  made  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children, 
all  of  whom  are  living  with  one  exception,  and  live 
make  their  home  in  Porter  Township. 

Thomas  Cornish  was.  married  in  England  ;\ii(l  on 
coming  to  America  in  1852  located  for  two  seasons 
in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  working  out  on  a  farm.  A  year  later  he  came 
to  Michigan  and  made  settlement  on  his  present 
farm  which  w.is  then  in  a  perfectly  wild  state.  l)e- 
ing  heavily  lind)ered.  After  making  his  family 
comfortable  in  n  plank  shant3-,  Mr.  Cornish  began 
the  work  of  clearing  and  improving  his  tract  and 
in  a  short  time  iiad  tifty-tive  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion, lie  h.as  also  cleared  a  great  deal  of  laud  for 
other  people.  His  po.ssessions  now  include  one 
hundred  acres,  he  having  all  but  ten  acres  under  the 
plow.  His  pleasant  residence  was  erected  in  1874; 
the  other  buildings  upon  the  place  arc  correspond- 
ingly neat  and  substantial.  Mr.  Cornish  carrieson 
general  farming  and  has  his  place  stocked  with  a 
good  grade  of  cattle  and  draft  horses. 

The  four  living  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Corn- 
ish are  Mrs.  .1.  W.  Burlington,  the  biography  of 
whose  husband  will  be  found  on  another  page;  .John 
who  married  Mate  R.  Forbes,  has  two  children  and 
resides  in  Porter  Township;  Edward  T.  and  George 
\Y.  who  are  unmarried  and  reside  at  home.  The 
two  deceased  children  are  (irace  P.,  who  died  wlicii 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  Eliza  .1.,  who  passed 
away  in  her  eighteenth  year;  they  both  died  in  the 
fall  of  1875.  (ieorgc  W.  is  a  graduate  of  the  Law- 
ton  High  .School,  linishing  with  the  Class  of '81.  He 
later  took  a  course  in  the  SUUe  Normal  Sciiool  at 
Ypsilanti.lK'ing  graduated  in  1K84,  at  which  lime 
lie  entered  the  medical  dei>arlment  of  the  Michigan 
I'liiversity.  l-Idward  is  al.Mt  finely  educated,  hav- 
ing l»een  a  student  at  the  Normal  .School  al  \'al- 
pnrnixo,  Ind.  He  was  seriously  injured  live  years 
ago  by  the  falling  of  an  apple  tree  which  broke  his 
back.  He  has  .MJiice  been  paralyzed  from  the  breast 
down. 

.Mr.  Coriiisli  \\tis  Ijiken  an  .'ictivc  interesi  In  cdii- 
calional  affairs  and  li!i.s  .served  on  tlK'Sciioul  JMianl. 
lb'  with  Ills  sons  votc.H  Ihc  Republican  lickel.   .iolm 


is  a  member  of  the  Farmei-s'  Club  and  is  also  Treas- 
urer of  Porter  Township.  George  W.  has  been 
Townshij)  School  Inspector  and  also  County  Secre- 
taiy-  of  schools  for  two  years,  which  ottice  is  now 
known  as  Count}-  Commissioner.  He  is  now  at- 
tending the  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago. 


^fiOlIN  lllLIN(i,  Superintendent  of  the  To- 
ledo i^'  South  Haven  Railroad,  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Peninsular  Hotel,  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Paw  Paw  Tow'nship,  Van  Buren 
Country.  He  is  a  native  of  Saxe-Weiniar-Eisen- 
acli,  (iermauy,  having  been  born  May  30,  l.s,}2. 
His  parents  were  William  and  Katherine  (Zillcr) 
Ihling.  The  father  was  Postmaster  and  hotel- 
keeper  in  Germany,  so  that  our  subject  was  reared 
in  town,  receiving  a  thorough  education,  and  gra- 
duated at  Mciningen  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  He 
studied  Greek  and  Latin,  and  on  coming  to  Amer- 
ica in  September,  1849,  attended  school  at  Rich- 
land for  the  sake  of  learning  to  speak  English. 
He  worked  on  a  tana  the  lirst  summer  of  his  ctmi- 
iiighere  and  also  on  the  railroad,  and  in  January, 
1851,  worked  for  the  Jlichigan  Central  Railroad, 
sawing  wood  with  a  buck-saw.  He  next  did  sta- 
tion work  at  Lawton,  and  remained  in  tiic  employ 
of  11u>  railroad  for  llflcen  years. 

( »ui-  suhjc'cl  was  married,  April  3,  1853,  to  Miss 
Katlici  iiic  Siiiiih,  a  daughter  of  tteorge  and  Sarah 
Smilli.  .Mis.  lliliiig  was  born  iu  Wayne  County, 
Ohio,  Mnicli  II,  1H33.  To  them  have  been  born 
three  cliildicn,  llir  liist-lioni  ilying  iu  infancy. 
Eva,  boni  iu  Lawlou,  .Vugusl  2(j,  1855,  died  Aug- 
ust 25,  18(;3;  Cora  May.  born  March  27,  I.S7(I, 
giadualcd  at  Lawton  and  \v;is  married.  May  29, 
l.s.s'.i,  1(1  P'raiik  v..  .Morrill.  riie\'  now  live  under 
the  p.'uciilal  roof  and  are  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Elsa,  born  No\-ciMber  7,  l.s'.MI. 

Mr.  Ihliiig  was  one  of  tlic  prime  movers  in  get- 
ting the  r.MJIroad  from  Lawton  to  Paw  Paw,  and 
bccaiiie  its  Supci  i  iilcndcnl  In  \Ht>H.  He  w.'is  one 
of  three  wlio  liad  llie  io;i<l  exleiided  to  Lawnuici'  in 
IM77,  and  h.  I  l;iit  lord  in  |H,S3,  and  from  lliiit- 
I'olil  lo  Soulli   Haven  in   I.S.ST.       In    I  S.S  L  he  liounlit, 


'§:-^ 


imi 


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to  , 


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a. 

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>>; 


PORTRAIT  AND  IJIOGRAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


519 


thirteen  acres  of  laud  in  Paw  Paw  Townsliip  on 
the  north  side  of  Four  Mile  Lake.  He  erected  a 
hotel  for  his  residence  and  a  summer  resort,  in 
188.'),  which  was  opened  August  12,  of  thai  year, 
by  the  Knights  Templar.  Tlie^'  named  the  hotel 
the  Peninsular,  after  the  name  of  their  Coniman- 
dery,  and  called  the  station  Lake  Cora,  after  the 
only  living  daughter  of  our  subject.  He  did  not 
move  to  this  place,  however,  until  1890.  There  is 
no  fincu'  place  for  a  summer  outing  in  Michigan 
than  this  and  it  is  well  patronized,  [uincipally  by 
Chicago  people.  A  view  of  this  beautiful  summer 
resort  is  presented  on  another  i^age. 

Our  subject  is  a  Democrat,  politically,  but  has 
never  dabl)led  in  politics,  with  the  cxce[)tiou  of 
^erving  as  Supervisor  of  Antwerp  Township  two 
years.  In  religion,  Mr.  Ihling  is  a  Lutheran  by 
training  and  belief.  His  home  in  Germany  was 
only  about  twelve  miles  from  the  castle  in  which 
Luther  made  his  translation  of  the  Bible,  and  he 
has  a  picture  of  that  castle  in  his  possession.  Our 
subject  has  added  to  his  farm  until  he  now  has 
two  hundred  broad  and  fertile  acres.  He  gives  a 
great  deal  of  attention  to  the  raising  of  grapes, 
having  ten  thousand  plants,  and  in  1891,  he 
shiitped  twenty-five  tons  of  this  luscious  fruit. 
This  gentleman  and  family  are  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  bv  all  who  know  them. 


vILLIAM  ANDERSON.  This  gentleman  is 
the  successful  owner  of  a  large  Custom 
mill,  located  one  mile  north  of  the  village 
of  Hartford,  Van  Buren  County.  He  was  born  in 
Washnigton  County ,N.  Y.,  August  1,  1822,  and  re- 
sided in  that  State  until  he  reached  his  majority. 
He  then  went  to  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  with  his 
wife,  whom  he  had  married  in  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
September  28,  1842.  She  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Esther  A.  Stebbins. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa.,  and  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
bore  the  names  of  Robert  and  Hannah  (Scoville) 
Anderson;  and  the  paternal  grandfather,  Robert, 
was  a  Scotchman  and  iiurn  in  either  Scotland  or 
Ireland.     Our  subject  resided  in  Ohio    until    18,j9, 


when  he  located  in  Lawrence,  this  county,  and 
erected  the  Custom  mill  now  owned  and  operated 
by  Gray  &  Fisher.  He  ran  that  mill  himself  about 
tweh'c  years  and  in  1871  bought  the  mill  lie  now 
operates  so  successfully.  He  is  a  sagacious  and 
thorough  business  man  and  is  highly  honored  for 
his  genial  manners  and  square  dealings.  He  owns 
a  farm  of  fifty-two  acres  near  where  his  mill  stands 
which  he  also  superintends. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  reared  nine  children  of 
a  family  of  ten  born  to  them:  .Julian  II.,  J.  Edgar, 
Alpheus  S.,  George,  Eugene  and  Charles  being 
the  ones  still  living.  Louise,  William  II.,  and 
Lula  E.  A.  have  died  since  reaching  3-ears  of  ma- 
turity. Politicall}',  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican and  socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 


"5?. 


■So~ 


AMUEL  MARTINDALE.  The  native-born 
sons  of  ^'an  Buren  County  who  have 
stepped  to  the  front  within  the  last  de- 
cade and  have  become  potent  factors  in 
carrying  on  the  agricultural,  mercantile  and  manu- 
facturing interests  of  this  part  of  the  State  have 
in  Mr.  Martindale  a  fine  representative,  as  he  has 
already  attained  prominence  in  business  circles  as 
a  farmer,  merchant  and  manufacturer.  He  is  one 
of  the  leading  ^-oung  men  of  McDonald,  his  enter- 
prise materially  promoting  its  growth  and  pros- 
perity, and  here  he  has  a  store  for  the  sale  of 
merchandise,  and  a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of 
barrels.  He  also  operates  a  small  farm  of  fif- 
teen acres,  which  he  devotes  to  raising  produce 
for  the  Chicago  markets. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Arlington  Township, 
February  27,  1861,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Mary  (Pierce)  Martindale,  residents  of  Bangor. 
The  father  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1820,  and  the 
mother  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.  Their  son  of 
whom  we  write  has  always  lived  in  his  na- 
tive county,  and  was  educated  in  its  public  schools. 
He  early  displayed  the  energetic  business  qualifi- 
cations and  enteriirise  that  characterize  his  man- 
agement of  his  varied  interests.  He  established 
his  factory    for  making  barrels,  casks,  etc.,  eight 


520 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


yeai-s  ago,  and  has  continued  it  successfully  ever 
since,  buying  the  matciial,  and  having  a  lead^v 
sale  for  all  that  he  can  manufacture.  In  1889,  he 
began  his  career  as  a  meichant  in  connection  with 
Lis  manufactory,  and  is  doing  a  prosperous  l)usi- 
ness  in  that  line,  having  a  neat  and  well  fitted 
up  sttire,  and  carrying  a  full  stock  of  merchandise. 
Besides  attending  to  tliese.  he  finds  time  to  super- 
intend his  market  gardening  operations,  and  has 
his  land,  which  is  very  fertile  and  yields  large 
crops,  under  perfect  cultivation,  so  that  ever}' 
inch  of  soil  is  utilized,  and  is  the  source  of  a 
go<idly  income. 

.Mr.  Martiudale  has  a  cozy  and  attractive  home, 
and  a  true  and  helpful  wife,  who  presides  over  it, 
and  to  whom  he  w.-is  married  in  1883.  Their  little 
son  Howard  completes  their  i>leasaut  household. 
Mi-s.  Martindale  prior  to  her  marriage  bore  tiie 
name  of  Lucy  Snyder,  and  she  is  a  daughter  of 
Frederic  .Snyder. 


\.  . 


*=a*^2*^ 


J 


elLAKI.Ks  11.  M(C()LLUM,  who  is  one  of 
the  pn^minent  fanners  and  .stock-raisers  in 
Arlington's  Addition  to  Lawrence,  is  re- 
siding on  section  .36.  He  was  born  in  fienesee 
County.  N.  Y.,  March  27,  1836,  and  is  the  son  of 
.John  and  Mary  (Moore)  McCollum,  natives  of  New 
York.  Ilis  grandfather,  Robert  McCollum,  was 
lM»rn  in  Scotland,  and  his  grandmother,  Sarah 
(Holmes)  McCollum.  was  horn  on  liie  .Vtlantic 
Ocean  and  was  of  Irish   extraction. 

Our  subji-cl  I'cniained  in  his  native  county  lint  a 
short  time,  and,  moving  to  Orleans  County,  same 
.stale,  made  that  place  his  home  for  the  succeeding 
ten  years.  lie  lived  in  New  York  Slate,  in  all 
sixteen  years,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a  good 
education.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  I8."»2,  in  com- 
pany with  his  f.'illici-,  wh<»  w.-is  a  farmei'  and  who 
purcha.scd  si.\ty  acre.t  of  the  farm  which  i>  now  in 
the  p(»sseAsion  of  our  subject.  X'.-in  IJurcn  County 
wa.t  a  perfect  wildei'nes.s  at  that  time  and  <iur  sub- 
ject cut  the  drat  trees  r)n  the  new  farm.  A  greater 
portion  of  theliarri  work  fell  on  him.  as  he  wa.s  1  he 
eldest  in  n  l.-uge  raiiiily    of   nine  childieii,  eight  nf 


whom  lived  to  come  to  Michigan  and  seven  of 
whom  are  living  at  the  present  time. 

Charles  II.  McCollum  started  out  in  life  on  his 
own  responsibility  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  paying 
his  father  $100  for  his  time.  He  worked  by  the 
month  and  soon  purchased  the  sixty  acres  of  land 
which  his  fathei'  had  been  unable  to  pay  for.  On 
tiie  oiillire.ak  of  the  Civil  War,  Mr.  McCollum 
joined  Company  H,  Michigan  Provost  Gu.ard,  and 
did  duty  in  looking  after  deserters  and  bounty- 
jumpers.  He  had  man}'  a  narrow  escape  from 
death,  but  was  never  wounded  in  the  eighteen 
mouths  in  which  he  saw  service.  AVhile  in  the 
army,  he  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  adjoining 
the  sixty  already  mentioned  and  at  the  present 
time  owns  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  and  a  half 
acres  of  excellent  land. 

After  returning  from  the  army,  Mr.  McCollom 
set  industriously  to  work  clearing  and  imjiroving 
his  farm,  and  December  13,  1865,  was  married  to 
Miss  Anthenett  Dubois,  of  Battle  Creek,  this  State. 
Mrs.  ^McCollum  was  born  t)ctober  25,  1841,  in  the 
above-named  township  and  was  the  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Sally  (Moorehouse)  Dubois.  Her  father, 
who  w.as  born  May  5,  1800,  in  Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,  was  of  German  ancestrj-.  Her  mother  was 
born  December  20,  1804,  in  Saratoga  County,  N. 
Y.  The}-  were  i)ioneers  of  this  State,  having  come 
hither  overland  in  1836.  They  located  in  Bat- 
tle Creek  Township,  where  Ilic  mother  died  Feb- 
nuary  25,  1869,  and  the    father  .Vugust  30,  1875. 

The  fall  following  his  marriage,  our  subject 
erected  a  small  house,  into  which  lie  moved  and 
where  were  born  three  of  his  cliildren.  Clarence, 
whose  birth  occurred  November  8,  1868,  died  May 
20,  1884,  when  fifteen  yearsand  six  months  of  age. 
Bernice,  who  was  born  September  20,  1876,  at- 
tends school  at  Lawrence.  Ksther  was  born  Oc- 
tober 11,1  ><.S5. 

In  early  years,  Mr.  M(X"ollum  was  a  Hejiublican, 
but  now  votes  with  the  (Jreciiback  p;irty.  lie  has 
pi»iliv('ly  refused  to  run  lor  (illicr,  hut.  lijis  reprc- 
seutt'd  his  i)arty  in  coiinlw congressional  and  St.'itc 
(•(luvciitions.  He  anil  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
I-'rci'-will  r.aptisi Cliurcli.  Siici:illy.  Mr.  McCollum 
is  connecli'il  with  the  ( iraiid  Army  of  lh<'  Hepub- 
lic  .Mt  Lawrence.      Mis.    McCollum  is    a  member  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


521 


the  Women's  Relief  Corps  and  was  the  lirsl  Presi- 
dent for  two  years  and  is  now  Secretary. 

Mrs.  McCollum's  maternal  grandfather,  .lohn 
Moorehouse,  died  in  Greenfield,  Saratoga  Connty, 
N.  Y.,  Angust  29,  1859,  and  her  grandmother, 
Kstiier  Moorehouse,  passed  her  last  days  in  the 
same  town  and  county,  dying  March  12,  1859. 
ller  paternal  grandfather,  Gideon  Dubois,  died 
March  10,  1814. 


RA  FOSTER  is  an  enterprising  and  intelligent 
farmer  of  Keeler  Township  Van  Buren  County, 
and  a  native  of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  lie  had 
his  birth  .June  23,  1810,  and  at  the  age  of  eight 
years  moved  with  his  parents  into  Madison 
Count}',  wliere  he  grew  to  mature  years.  His  has 
certainly  been  a  pioneer  life,  as  he  was  born  in 
an  unsettled  county  and  then  removed  to  Madison 
County  while  it  was  also  a  pioneer  county  in  the 
possession  of  the  Indians.  He  came  to  Van  Buren, 
County,  this  State,  as  early  as  1836  and  returned 
to  New  York  and  brought  his  wife  and  child 
hither.  They  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides.  He  was  married  in  January,  1833,  to 
Sarah  A.  Rowe,  and  bj-  this  union  two  children 
were  born:  Riley  and  Newton.  The  tirstdied  in  in- 
fancy and  the  latter  became  a  prominent, lawyer 
and  practiced  for  man}'  years;  he  died  at  Decatur 
in  1878.     Mrs.  Foster  died  in   1839. 

Our  subject  was  a  second  time  married,  taking  as 
his  wife  Caroline  Bishop,  of  Madison  County,  N. 
Y.,  and  by  her  reared  a  family  of  eight  children: 
Irene,  who  married  C.  P.  Sweet;  Maurice,  of  Jlin- 
nesota;  Josephine,  wlio  resides  in  Nashville,  Tenn.; 
Rile}',  of  INIinnesota;  OUie,  Ida,  Dwiglit  and  Dean. 
The  good  wife  and  mother  was  called  from  earth 
in  January,  1891.  Mr.  Foster  has  given  his  chil- 
dren splendid  educations  and  all  but  two  arc 
graduates  from  High  Schools  and  colleges. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  bore  the  names  of  Ira 
and  Sarali  A.  (Wood)  Foster.  The  father  was  born 
in  New  Hampshire  and  the  mother  in  New  Yoi'k. 
They  were  married  in  the  latter  State.  The  Foster 
family  is  of  English  descent,  but  have  been 
residents  of    America  for  many  generations  back. 


Our  subject  is  an  intelligent  and  congenial  man 
and  very  active  for  one  of  iiis  age.  He  and  his 
family  are  highly  respected  in  the  community.  He 
has  devoted  his  attention  to  tilling  the  soil  and 
lias  been  very  successful,  having  cleared  a  farm  f)f 
more  than  two  hundred  acres,  which  he  still  owns, 
and  when  he  came  here  there  was  not  even  an  Ind- 
ian trail  on  his  place  anywliere.  Tliere  were  only 
three  or  four  families  in  the  township,  and  tiiey 
•vJ^ere  Tobias  and  David  Bylers,  Judge  Keeler,  James 
Hill  and  his  son,  Lyman  Hill. 

Politically,  Mr.  Foster  alHliates  with  tlie  Repub- 
lican party  and  has  since  its  organization.  "  Previ- 
ous to  that,  he  was  an  old-line  Whig. 


♦^^[ 


m:WB 


li^^ 


ICHARD  M.  J.  HALL.  Among  the  self- 
made  men  of  Porter  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  none  deserve  greater  credit  than 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  is  in  posses- 
sion of  a  comfortable  amount  of  this  world's  goods, 
obtained  by  hard  work  and  good  management.  His 
home  is  pleasantly  located  on  section  28,  where  he 
carries  on  mixed  farming. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Isaac  Hall,  was  born 
August  6,  1812,  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.  He  was 
the  son  of  Isaac  Hall,  Sr.,  an  old  New  England 
farmer  who  died  when  eighty  years  of  age.  The 
maiden  name  of  our  subject's  motiier  was  Sally  A. 
Jackson,  born  April  20.  1821,  in  Onondaga  County, 
N.  Y.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Richard  M.  J. 
was  Jonathan  Jaclvson,  a  native  of  Vermont, 
who  lived  to  attain  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
three  years.  His  father,  tiie  great-grandfather  of 
our  subject,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  lost  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country 
while  crossing  the  .James  River,  Va.  The  .Jackson 
family  were  of  Welsh  descent. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Hall  of  this  sketch  were  mar- 
ried in  Wayne  County,  this  State,  in  1837,  whither 
the  father  had  come  three  years  before  and  located 
on  a  farm  in  the  above-named  county.  Mrs.  Hall 
accompanied  her  family  to  AVayne  County  in  1831. 
Five  years  after  their  marriage,  they  came  to  Van 
Buren  Connty  and  settled  on  what  is  now  the  farm 
of  our  subject,  but  which  then    bore   no  improve- 


522 


PORTRAIT  AliD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


iiients.  whatever.  Neigliboi-s  were  few  and  far  be- 
tween, and  their  only  roads  were  Indian  trails 
which  connected  Little  Prairie  Ronde"  with  Big 
Prairie  I^>ndc.  :Mr.  Hall  erected  a  log  house  on 
his  |>uicha.-^e,  into  whicii  he  moved  his  family  and 
resided  until  a  more  comfortable  and  commodious 
structure  w.ns  built.  He  was  an  invalid  for 
thirty  ycai-s  and  died  in  1881;  his  wife  still  sur- 
vives and  makes  her  home  in  Lawtoii. 

The  parental  family  of  five  children  arc  all  liv- 
ing with  one  exceiition  and  are  as  follows:  James  II., 
Andrew  .1.,  Kichard  M.  .1.  and  Stephen  K.  The 
eldi-ot  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War.  Mr.  and 
Mi-s.  Isjiac  Hall  were  active  members  of  the  ]\Ieth- 
odist  Episcopal  Church  and  helped  to  organize  the 
church  in  Porter  Township.  In  that  early  day,  the 
postollice  was  located  at  their  home,  the  father  be- 
ing the  "master."  He  was  Township  Clerk  for 
many  years  and  was  also  Justice  of  the  Peace.  I  n 
|>olitics,  he  was  in  early  life  a  Democrat,  but  on 
tlie  organization  of  tiie  Republican  party  joined 
its  ranks. 

Hiihanl  M.  .1.  Hall  was  born  September  20,  1841, 
in  the  old  log  house  on  the  home  farm  in  this 
township  and  received  a  good  district-school  edu- 
cation. He  worked  out  summers  from  the  age  of 
fifteen  to  eighteen  .-iml  went  to  school  in  the 
winter.  When  nineteen  years  of  .age,  he  look 
charge  of  his  father's  esU'ite  and  conducted  it  suc- 
cessfully until  the  death  of  the  latter.  In  1871,  our 
subject  and  .Miss  Margai'Ct  J.  A'an  Ki|)cr  were 
united  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Hall  was  the  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Kmeline  (.'"ipringsteel)  Van  Hiper, 
residents  of  Porter  Township.  Miss  Margaret  was 
born  October  .">,  I«I7,  in  Saddle  Hivcr,  Hergeii 
County,  N.  J.,  and  w.-is  brought  by  her  parents  to 
Michigan  when  seven  years  of  age.  She  w.as  given 
a  good  education,  linishiiig  her  studies  in  the  High 
.Scliool  at   Paw  I'nw. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  and  his  w^ife  have  be- 
c<»me  the  parents  of  two  cliildrcn:  Hei-tram  X.  H., 
who  wiLs  born  April  22,  188(1,  aiid  Winnefred, 
born  ()i-t<iber  .1,  I  k:»(I.  The  piircnts  are  active 
members  of  the  .Methodist  I'^piscopal  Chiucli,  in 
which  society  Mr.  Hull  li.-is  been  Slewarri.  They 
are  bolh  inl4M°ested  in  the  Sund.ay-.scliool,  our  sub- 
ject having  iK'en  .Siipei  inleiidenl.      He  is  at  p|■(^s(•nl 


a  school  officer  in  his  district  and,  with  his  wife,  is 
a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Union,  of  which  body 
he  was  Secretary  for  two  j-ears.  In  politics,  he  is 
a  Reiniblican  and  has  been  ConsUible,  Highway 
Coinniissiouer  and  Township  Treasurer.  He  is  a 
firm  friend  of  temperance  and  canv.assed  Porter 
Township  for  the  cause  of  local  oiilion. 

The  beautiful  residence  of  Mr.  Hall  was  erected 
in  1869  and  cost  |!l,oOO.  He  h.-us  all  the  necessary 
buildings  on  his  estate  which  best  subserve  the 
interests  of  an  agriculturist.  He  owns  one  hundred 
and  twenty-flve  acres  cif  l.nnd,  one  hundred  of 
which  is  under  the  plow.  lie  gives  some  attentitm 
to  the  raising  of  horses  and  sheep,  having  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  of  the  latter  animals.  In  addition 
to  his  home  farm,  Mr.  Hall  owns  one  hundred  acres 
of  Land  on  sections  21  and  28,  Porter  Township, 
seventy-five  of  which  are  under  excellent  cultiva- 
tion. 


'i(_^  ORACE  DOWD,  deceased.  This  geiUlc- 
jf)\',  niaii  w.as  born  in  Berkshire  County,  Mass., 
!^\/^  in  December,  1802,  and  died  in  July,  1870, 
i\£):  ill  Hartford  Townsliii),  Van  Buren  County. 
He  was  one  of  eight  children  born  to  Asli.ael  and 
Tabitha  (Pease)  Dowd,  the  former  born  in  1771. 
His  father,  Nathaniel  Dowd,  was  born  in  1748  and 
his  father  was  Cornelius,  who  in  turn  was  a 
son  of  Cornelius,  who  was  a  son  of  .lolin,  a 
son  of  Henry,  who  came  from  Kngland  in  Ki.'S'.t, 
in  the  colony  from  Surrey  County,  wilh  the  Kev. 
Henry  Whitfield. 

t)iir  subject  located  in  Wayne  County,  X.  Y.,  in 
1829,  as  did  also  his  parents  and  all  the  family. 
In  183;?,  he  went  to  Connectii'ut  and  brought 
home  as  his  wife  Miss  IMary  Barrows,  and  the 
children  who  were  there  born  to  them  were  named 
Henry  11.,  .lefferson  S.;  ('lara,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  Mary  L.  Mr.  Dowd  brouglil  liis  family  l,o 
N'aii  liuren  ('(innl\-  in  ISJI  Mnd  lor:iled  wliei'e 
.Ii'tleison  S.  now  resides,  on  seeiion  21.  M;irv  L. 
hecaiiie  the  wife  of  Alfre(l  II.  Hrown.  Their  ex- 
periences were  nut  iinliUc  Ihnse  of  other  early  .set- 
tlers and  many  were  the  li:iii|>liips  and  trials  they 
had  to  pass  through.      Politically,  iMr.   Dowd    was 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


",23 


an  old-lino  Whig,  hut  on  the  formation  of  the 
Uei)ul)lican  party  cast  his  vote  with  them  and  he 
was  always  an  active  and  onergetie  man.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Cliureh.  Mrs. 
Dowd  died  Marcli  27,  1881. 

Jefferson  S.  Dowd  was  married  April  .5,  18fi5, 
to  Miss  Olive  P.,  daughter  of  Daniel  T.  Fox,  wlio 
was  one  of  the  |)ioneers  of  Bangor  Townsiii|). 
Mr.  Fox  was  born  at  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  son 
of  Asa  Fox,  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  of  En- 
glish descent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jefferson  Dowd 
iiavc  seven  children:  Daniel  II.,  Sarah  Iv,  Willard 
F.,  Mary  B.,  Mabel  E.,  Arthur  J.,  and  Harold  W. 
all  of  whom  are  still  single  and  at  home.  Three 
of  the  oldest  ones  have  taught  school  in  the 
county  and  are  now  in  school  at  Kalamazoo.  The 
father  of  this  family  owns  a  farm  of  ninety  acres. 
In  18()1,  he  enlisted  in  a  company  of  shar|)-sliooters 
in  the  late  war.  He  was  flnallj'  exchanged  to  the 
Sixty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  and  joined  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Ft. 
Donelson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  Dalton,  Dallas, 
siege  of  Atlanta.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term  in  1864  and  imn.edi- 
ately  came  home.  He  was  one  of  a  mounted 
company  and  detailed  on  special  duty  after  his 
recovery  from  tlie  hospital.  Henry  Dowd,  the 
son  of  our  subject,  was  married,  in  1883,  to  Mi.ss 
Mary  A.  Atwater,  a  native  of  northern  New  York, 
and  unto  them  have  been  born  three  children: 
Roy  A.,  Harrison  II.,  and  Ora  M.  He  is  the  capable 
farmer  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  fine    land. 


■If  »i  III.'  I  1 J  »    I 


?   I  '  I 


'  AMES  A.  NICHOLS.  During  the  few  years 
that  he  resided  in  the  township  of  Arling- 
ton, James  A.  Nichols  won  an  honorable 
I  place  among  the  farmers  of  Van  15uren 
County,  and  its  citizenship  sustained  a  loss  at  his 
death  when  not  long  i)ast  the  meridian  of  life.  He 
was  a  native  of  Onondaga  Count}',  N.  Y.,  born  in 
the  year  1813.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  that  State, 
and  in  due  time  was  married  in  Waj'ne  County  to 
Miss  Amelia  Angus,  who  was  to  him  a  devoted 
helpmate,  and  to  her  wise  counsel  and  cheerful  as- 
sistance he  was  greatly  indebted  for  the  prosperity 


he  enjoyed.  Their  felicitous  union  was  blessed  to 
them  by  tlie  birth  of  five  children,  named  as  fol- 
lows: Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  O.  P.  Cooper,  of  Bangor; 
(ieorge  W.;  Ellen,  who  married  Horace  Washburn, 
and  died,  leaving  three  children — Charles,  Emma 
and  Fallen;  John  and  Charles. 

In  18.')3,  Mr.  Nichols  brought  his  family  to 
Michigan,  and  located  at  first  in  Kalamazoo  Count}', 
where  he  lived  until  1861.  In  that  year,  he  re- 
moved to  Van  Buren  County,  and  buying  a  farm 
on  section  29,  Arlington  Town.ship,  was  a  resident 
of  this  place  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  busied 
himself  in  iraproveing  his  property,  erected  a  sub- 
stantial dwelling  and  other  necessary  buildings, 
and  had  an  orderly,  well-equipped  farm  at  the  time 
of  his  death  in  1873.  He  had  acquired  a  compe- 
tency in  his  farming  operations,  and  was  regarded  as 
one  of  the  solid  men  of  the  township  of  Arlington. 
He  was  held  in  great  esteem  by  his  fellow-citizens, 
who  knew  him  to  be  a  man  of  correct  moral  habits, 
of  unsullied  honor,  and  unswerving  integrity  in 
purpose  and  act.  Early  in  life,  he  identified  him- 
self with  the  Democratic  party,  and  always  stood 
by  it  through  its  triumphs  and  reverses.  The  es- 
timable wife  of  Mr.  Nichols  survived  him  eight 
years,  and  then  she  too  passed  away. 

Charles  Nichols,  the  son  of  our  subject,  who  re- 
sides on  the  old  homestead,  and  who  is  a  prom- 
inent and  progressive  farmer  of  Yan  Buren  County, 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1849,  but 
the  most  of  his  life  has  been  passed  in  Michigan, 
as  he  was  only  four  years  old  when  his  parents  set- 
tled in  Kalamazoo  County,  where  he  first  attended 
school,  and  he  was  only  about  thirteen  years  old 
when  the  family  came  to  this  place.  He  completed 
his  education  in  the  local  schools,  and  was  well 
grounded  in  all  that  pertains  to  farming  on  the 
farm  that  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  He  had  a 
natural  taste  for  agricult\u-al  pursuits,  and  has 
made  them  his  life  work  thus  far.  He  keeps  him- 
self well  informed  in  all  that  concerns  his  voca- 
tion, cultivates  the  soil  after  the  most  approved 
methods,  best  adapted  to  the  nature  of  it,  and  in 
raising  stock  he  has  selected  the  finest  breeds,  or 
those  best  suited  to  this  section  of  the  country.  He 
has  increased  the  original  size  of  the  old  home- 
stead since  it  came   into  his    possession,  and  now 


524 


POKTRAJT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


has  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  excellent  land, 
completely  supplied  with  good  and  conveniently 
arranged  l>uildin<r*  for  all  needed  purposes,  and 
everything  alnjut  the  place  is  well  kept.  Mr. 
Nichols  is  endowed  with  an  active,  vigorous  mind, 
clear  common-sense,  and  enjoys  the  reputation  of 
l>eing  a  keen  l)usiness  man.  He  also  stands  well 
with  the  entire  communitj-,  whose  people  have 
watched  his  course  as  hoy  and  man,  and  know  him 
to  Ije  unpretentious  and  honorable,  and  to  possess 
many  pleasing  social  attinbutes.  His  politics  find 
expression  in  the  principles  of  the  grand  old  Ke- 
|)ulillcan  party. 

Mr.  Nichols  wa*  married,  in  1874.  to  Miss  Martha, 
daughter  of  Adoram  Dell,  a  native  of  Canada,  who 
came  to  Van  lUiren  County  in  186.5.  The  con- 
genial marriage  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  luis 
brought  them  two  children.  .Tolin  L.  and  Louisa  A. 


£3. 


^-1-^ 


[=" 


JAME.S  MADISON  HALL,  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Gobleville  If^eu's,  at  Goble- 
ville.  \'an  Buren  County,  is  a  native  of 
Lawrence,  tliis  county,  where  he  was  born 
February  7,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Gideon  Hall, 
who  was  born  at  Stcphentown,  N.  Y.,  in  1832,  and 
.Sarah  (Wood)  Hall.liorn  at  the  same  place  in  18,3!l. 
Thej-  removed  with  their  parents  to  \an  Buren 
County  when  small  children,  and  were  married  in 
1857.  (Jideon  Hall  was  a  graduate  of  the  .State 
Normal  School  at  Vi)silnnti  and  was  well  known 
thrfiughout  the  county,  where  he  taught  a  district 
scliiMil  for  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  also  singing- 
school.  He  afterward  owned  a  sawmill  at  Arling- 
ton Center,  and  after  its  destruction  by  lire  re- 
moved to  his  farm  at  Lacola,  where  he  held  the 
olllce  of  Supervi.'*or  and  taught  schodl.  lie  died 
in  1873.  The  mothcrr  of  our  subject  is  still  engaged 
in  leaching,  which  vocation  she  began  bofdic  her 
marriage  and  has  followed  since  liei-  Inij-liMiiil's 
dentil.  She  i.s  the  mother  of  four  boy.s  and  lluee 
girl.t,  our  subject  U'lng  the  lirsl-born. 

Our  !tul)j«t  began  learning  the  printer's  trade 
at  BaM(,'or.  this  county,  shortly  .'ifter  his  f.'ilher's 
death  and  woikcil  at  Itiingor.  South  ll.'iven  and 
Nn.M|iville.  .Mich.,  and  in   |M7.')wcnl  to  Texas, where 


he  w.as  employed  on  papers  at  Savoy,  Pilot  Point 
and  Sherman, holding  the  foremanship  in  the  oflice 
of  a  daily  paper  at  the  latter  pl.ace  for  nearly  a 
year.  After  a  sojourn  in  that  Stale  of  nearly  four 
3'ears,  Mr.  Hall  returned  North  and  engaged  in  the 
newspaper  business  at  Bangor,  as  i)ublisher  of  the 
West  Mirh/gan  Advance.  In  1882,  he  sold  out  and 
started  another  paper  at  Watervliet,Berrien  County, 
known  as  The  Becord.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
one  term,  and  one  of  the  only  two  who  were  ever 
elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  In  1888,  our 
subject  sold  out  his  paper  and  rcnn>ved  to  a  farm 
which  he  had  purchased  in  the  vicinity  of  Goble- 
ville. In  1890,  Mr.  Hall  again  engaged  in  his 
former  business  and  established  the  Gobleville 
News,  which  is  a  local  family  paper  and  a  verj-  in- 
teresting sheet,  with  a  good  subscription. 

Mr.  Hall  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  .Sarah 
I.  Hart,  an  adopted  daughter  of  W.  S.  Wilder, 
of  Keelersville,  this  count3-.  The}-  have  had  born 
to  them  three  children;  Irena,  Beatrice  and  Floral, 
all  of  whom  are  receiving  the  best  educational  ad- 
vantages possible. 


HILANDKR  TROWBRIDGK,  who  is  now 
)  living  a  retired  life  in  Decatur,  was  born 
*^  ^'     in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  September  27, 

[\  181."),  an<l  is  the  only  surviving  child  of 
Asel  and  Polly  (lloyt)  Trowbiidge.  There  were 
live  children  born  unto  them,  after  which  the 
mother  died  and  Mr.  Trowbridge  was  again  niar- 
ricil.  Ily  the  second  union  he  also  had  live  chil- 
dren. His  death  occurred  in  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  and 
his  remains  were  interred  in  the  cemetery  near  his 
old  liomc.  lie  li;id  innclc  t':iniiiiig  his  life  occupa- 
tion and  was  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  the 
community  m  which  he  resided. 

Our  subject  was  only  thirteen  months  old  when 
his  mother  dieil.  .and  he  went  to  live  with  .1.  Ran- 
dall, his  wife  being  a  c()usin  to  our  subject,  in  On- 
ondaga County,  N.  Y.,  where  lie  ;\(i|nired  his  prim- 
ary education.  When  a  l.ad  of  twelve  summers,  he 
removed  with  Mr.  Handall  to  Oswego  l'"al Is,  and 
coiii|ilete(l    his  school  life  in  the  academy  at  Mexi- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


525 


coville.  In  the  spring  of  1832,  we  find  hin  in  New 
York  City,  wlicre  lie  had  secured  employment  in  a 
commission  house.  After  two  years  spent  in 
that  line,  he  began  clerking,  and  for  five  years 
was  employed  as  a  salesman  in  a  dry-goods  and 
grocery  house,  after  which  he  clerked  in  a  dry- 
goods  store  in  Madison  County  for  ten  or  twelve 
years. 

An  importantevent  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Trowbridge 
occurred  on  Thanksgiving  Day  of  1842,  or  the  8th 
of  December,  when  he  was  united  to  Rebecca  A. 
Hadlej',  in  Jamcsville,  Onondaga  County,  the  cer- 
emony being  performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cleveland, 
father  of  ex-President  Cleveland.  The  lady  is  a 
daughterof  Jacob  and  Sabra  IIadley,of  Jamesville, 
where  the  father  was  a  prominent  miller.  Five 
children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trow- 
bridge, and,  with  the  exception  of  one  who  died  in 
infancy-,  all  are  yet  living:  Edward,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  business  in  Cassopolis,  Cass  Count3', 
Mich.;  Mrs.  Roberts,  of  Decatur;  Theodore,  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacturing  business,  and  Harvey, 
who  carries  on  the  hardware  business  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

From  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  Mr.  Trowbridge 
removed  to  La  Fayette,  Onondaga  County,  where 
for  three  3'ears  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ners  and  then  followed  the  same  pursuit  in  Tuily, 
N.  Y.  His  next  place  of  residence  was  Fabius, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dising for  a  period  of  twelve  years.  At  the  expi- 
ration of  that  time,  he  determined  to  make  a  home 
in  the  West  and  came  to  Decatur,  Mich.,  where  he 
opened  a  grocery  and  drug-store,  in  connection 
with  his  brother.  The  partnership  continued  for 
two  years,when  our  subject  sold  out,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  devoted  his  energies  to  the  real-estate 
business,  although  he  is  now  practicall}'  living  a 
retired  life. 

In  religious  belief,  Mr.  Trowbridge  is  a  Univer- 
salist.  By  his  ballot,  he  supports  the  Democratic 
party,  but  takes  no  active  part  in  political  affairs. 
He  has  done  much  to  advance  the  interests  of  the 
community  in  which  he  resides,  and  Decatur  has 
found  in  him  a  valued  citizen  who  has  been  quite 
prominent  in  business  and  social  circles.  He  has 
hero  a  pleasant  home  and  a  good  income  that  en- 


ables him  to  spend  his  declining  years  free  from 
toil,  enjoying  the  rest  which  he  has  so  truly  earned 
and  richly  deserved.  All  who  know  him  respect 
and  honor  him  for  his  sterling  worth  and  integrity. 


>^^^m^=- 


ARRY  O.  SHELDON.  This  gentleman, 
who  resides  on  section  7,  Antwerp  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County,  is  a  native  of 
the  same  township  and  county,  where  he 
was  born,  September  3,  1865.  His  father,  B.  C. 
Sheldon,  was  an  old  settler  of  this  county,  coming 
here  when  ten  years  of  age  from  Orleans  Countj-, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  Se[)tember  7,  1835.  He 
was  married  in  this  county.,  September  31,  1857, 
to  Miss  Diadama  Mack,  who  was  born  in  Kalama- 
zoo County,  this  State,  March  3,  1835.  The 
father  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Paw 
Paw,  this  county,  in  1858,  in  which  he  continued 
until  the  spring  of  1862,  when  he  sold  out  and 
bought  a  farm  in  Antwerp  Township,  on  which  he 
is  still  living  and  engaged  in  operating.  The 
jiarental  farailj-  consisted  of  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  living,  namely:  Harry  O.  and  Libbie, 
wife  of  Alvin  E.  Auton. 

Our  subject  was  reared  u]5on  a  farm  and  has 
followed  that  occupation  most  of  his  life.  He  re- 
ceived a  good  common-school  education,  and  in 
1886  taught  a  district  school  for  five  months  in 
Allegan  County,  this  State,  and  in  the  fall  of  1887 
taught  a  four-months'  term  and  in  1888,  taught 
another  four-months'  term  in  Almena  Township. 
The  summers  of  1887  and  1889  were  spent  in 
Wyoming  Territory,  he  returning  in  the  winters 
and  teaching  school  here.  In  1890,  he  bought  the 
farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  consisting  of  ninety- 
two  acres,  it  being  the  same  tract  of  land  that  his 
grandfather  purchased  on  coining  to  Michigan  in 
1845.  It  is  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Paw  Paw, 
and  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

Mr.  Sheldon  was  married,  September  30,  1891,  to 
Miss  Clara  A.  Salt.  She  is  a  native  of  this  count}', 
born  October  29,  1864,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Anna  (Frazior)  Salt,  both  of  whom  are 
living.      Her    father's    family    consisted    of    nine 


526 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


children,  tliree  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  living 
are  Anna,  wife  of  E.  A.  Wildej-;  Eliza  C,  wife  of 
W.  C.  Wilde.v:  .leniiie.  wife  of  F.  W.  Rhodes; 
Josepliine.  llcrliort  and  Clara  A.  Her  father  was 
born  in  Canada.  April  5,  1818,  and  her  niotlier  in 
Canada.  February  29,  1827.  and  they  removed 
from  Canada  ti>  Michigan  in  1860,  where  they  are 
now  living  in  Paw  Paw  Township. 

Mr.  Slieldun  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Paw  Paw  (iraiige  Xo.  10,  of  which  organization 
Mr.  Sheldon  is  Master,  .md  the  latter  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  tlie  Baptist  Church.  They  are  well-known 
and  liighly  esteemed  resident.s  of  tlie  townsiii|)  and 
have  a  ple.asant  and  comfortable  home. 


ml 


OlIN  \V.  Nl  Lies,  who  is  a  farmer  residing  in 
Columbia  Townsliip,  Van  IJuren  County, 
was  lx)rn  in  West  liloomfield,  N.  Y.,  Novem- 
ber 1;'),  1830.  He  is  a  son  of  Ezckiel  and 
Sarah  (Morse)  Xiles.  The  grandfatlier  of  our  sub- 
ject, James  Niies,  was  of  Welsh  origin,  lie  came 
til  Micliigan  and  settled  in  Ingham  County,  wliere 
he  lived  with  his  cliiidron  and  died  when  at  llie 
age  of  ninety-seven.  He  was  twice  nianied,  liis 
second  wife  being  the  grandmother  of  our  suliject. 
Ezekiel  Niles  was  born  in  New  York,  where  he 
followed  the  occupatinn  of  a  farmer,  and  came  to 
Arichigan  about  18.37,  remaining  only  a  short  time, 
when  he  removed  to  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio. 
In  1843,  he  returned  to  Michigan  and  settled  in 
Ingliain  County,  taking  up  eighty  acres  of  land, 
forty  of  which  he  cleared  aii<l  improved.  In  the 
fall  of  1K.')7,  he  went  to  Brecdsville,  where  he  died 
DecciiilM'r  II,  IH70.  aged  sixty-three  years.  His 
wife  survived  liitii  until  Decemljcr  14,  1885,  wlien 
she  dc|mrled  this  life  in  Wayland,  aged  seventy- 
five.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  bf)rn  in 
Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  mother  of 
ten  children,  ils  follows:  Pluelie,  deceased;  Hulj- 
Imrd,  who  served  through  the  Civil  War,  and  now 
resides  al  Colorado;  .lames;  .lohn  \\'.;  Sarah,  who 
died  when  foiu'teen  years  of  age;  Lucy;  Betsey, 
who  became  the  wife  of  (!.  Niles,  and  is  now  de- 
cca-ed;  .leionie,  who  served  in  the  Civil  War,  in 
the  .Sixteenth  Michigan  Regiment;   Lewis  .'iiid  Pot- 


ter.    The  parents  of  these  children  were  worthy 

members  of  the  Baptist  Clnircli  and  were  good 
citizens. 

The  suliject  of  this  sketch  received  a  limited 
common-school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen years  began  life  for  himself,  working  by  the 
month  and  jobbing,  and  since  the  s|)ring  of  1857, 
when  he  came  to  Columbia  Township,  he  has  fol- 
lowed almost  everything  connected  with  the  settle- 
ment i>f  the  townshii)  and  county.  In  18G0,  he 
bought  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  21,  to  which 
he  li.as  added  forty  acres  on  section  22,  which  he 
cleared  and  improved,  and  resided  ujjou  it  for 
twelveyears.  In  1881, he  located  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides,  which  he  has  under  a  state  of  good 
cultivatit)ii.  and  has  improved  with  excellent  build- 
ings. 

When  the  Civil  AVar  broke  out,  he  was  one  of 
the  many  who  espoused  the  cause  of  the  North, 
and  on  October  1,  1  SCI,  enlisted  in  Conipanj' G, 
Thirteenth  iSIichigan  Infantry.  He  ]iarticipated 
m  the  battle  of  Cliickamauga  and  served  in  the 
liospital  at  L(i\iisville  for  a  year,  most  of  tlie  time 
acting  as  cook.  He  was  on  the  march  from  At- 
lanta to  Savannah,  and  w.as  discharged  at  the  lat- 
ter place, January  17,  1S()5,  after  wliiih  he  resumed 
his  usual  avocation  as  a  farmer.  l\Ir.  Niles  was 
married,  .luly  4,  18(55,  to  Miss  Emily  Bogardus,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Sarah  (Tyrell)  Bogardus,  who  were  born  in 
New  York  and  Connecticut,  respectively.  The 
father  w.as  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  In  18(i3,  he  re- 
moved to  Brecdsville,  where  he  died  September 
18,  18()!),  aged  sixty  years,  his  wife  departing  this 
life  Se|)tcmber  I,  1M71.  This  worthy  couple  were 
members  of  the  I'.aptist  Church.  They  had  a  f.'iin- 
lly  of  seven  children,  namely:  Benjamin,  who  died 
;it  lifly  years  of  age;  Henry,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Kifty -seventh  riMinsylvania  Regiment  died  at 
Ilarrisburg  while  in  service;  Byron;  John,  who 
served  in  tlicTenlh  I'einisy lv:nii;i  Regiment;  I'-ni- 
ily;  M;iry,  deceased;  .losepli,  who  served  in  Com- 
p:iny  ( !.  Tliirteenlh  Michigan  Infantry,  and  was 
killed  al  I'leiiliiii ville,  N.  C.  The  Bogardus  family 
were  of  Dutch  origin. 

Our  subject  .and  his  wifi'  li:ive  liei'n  the  parents 
of   seven    chililieii.  two  <if    ulioiii  ijieil  in  inl'anc\'. 


-,i^%X^J-?  a'7i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


529 


Those  livinu  :iie:  Clnieiico  A.,  Bert  E.,  ITiiny  :iiid 
Pearl  A.  .leiiiiie  M.  died  at  llie  !il;c  of  seven  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Niles  are  honored  and  respected  cit- 
izens of  their  coininunitv,  who  liave  as.sisled  eacii 
otlier  in  acquiring  a  ooniforta))le  fortune  and  are 
now  enjoying'  t.lie  results  of  tlu'  laliors  of  tlieir 
earlier  year-s. 


y 


\fOSEPII  H.  NYMAN,  a  re.sident  of  Bangor, 
was  born  in  Bethel,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y., 
now  Gorham,  February  22,  1814.  He  was 
the  third  in  a  family  of  six  children,  all  of 
whom  are  living,  as  follows:  Rebecca,  wife  of  Solo- 
mon Ruggles,  of  Milan,  Ohio;  Sarah,  wife  of  (hin 
Ruggles,  of  the  same  place;  Joseph  II.;  Benjamin 
now  a  resident  of  Norwalk,  Ohio;  John,  who  is 
living  in  Chicago,  and  Pliiletus,  residing  in  Tiffin, 
Ohio.  The  parents  of  these  children  were  John 
and  Elizabeth  (IloUenbeck)  Nyman.  The  father 
was  born  about  1775,  and  served  in  the  AVar  of 
1812.  lie  located  in  Huron  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  lived  until  the  time  of  his  death,  his  demise 
however,  taking  place  at  Niles,  Mich.,  where  he 
was  visiting  at  the  time.  He  was  eighty  years 
old. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Detroit,  Mich., 
in  1829,  remaining  but  a  short  time,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  home  in  Ohio.  However,  in  1832, 
he  again  came  to  this  Slate  and  here  decided  to  re- 
main. He  first  located  in  Niles,  where  he  followed 
the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner  and  lived  there 
until  1856,  a  part  of  the  time  being  engaged  in 
milling.  He  also  repaired  distilleries  and  ran  one 
for  some  time.  He  was  married,  in  1835,  to  Eliza- 
beth Els  worth,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy;  the  other,  Elizabeth, 
married  John  Smart,  and  now  resides  in  Califor- 
nia. After  the  death  of  his  tint  wife,  Mr.  Nyman 
was  again  married  this  time  to  Miss  Julia  Young 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  five  children. 

Mr.  Nyman  came  to  liangor  in  the  fall  of  1855, 
and  buying  (iroperty  here  built  a  gristmill,  sawmill 
and  woolen-mill.  The  sawmill  is  rsed  in  the 
manufacture  of  all  sorts  of  material  for  building 
purposes.  Mr.  Nyman  has  been  one  of  the  lead- 
24  V 


ing  spirits  in  buililiiig  up  flu^  town  f)f  Bangor,  and 
it  is  grcadv  iiidcbteil  Id  him  f(»r  the  prosperity 
which  il,  MOW  enjoys.  In  185'.),  he  i)latted  the  village 
and  has  erected  in  all  thirty  buildings  within  its 
limits.  Through  his  efforts  the  postolfice  was  se- 
cured, and  he  served  as  |)ostmaster  for  nine  years. 
For  one  term  he  served  with  great  ability  as  Pres- 
ident of  the  village,  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  two 
terms  and  School  Assessor  for  twenty -seven  years. 
He  gave  ^8,000  tcjwards  the  construction  of  the 
Chicago  it  AVcst  IMichigan  Railroad,  and  also  gave 
the  ground  where  the  present  station  stands. 

Politically,  I\Ir.  Nymaii  is  a  Democrat,  of  which 
party  he  has  been  a  faithful  member  all  his  life, 
and  is  intluential  in  its  councils  in  this  part  of  the 
State.  Socially,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  frater- 
nit}'.  He  is  universally  respected  as  a  jjublic- 
spirited  citizen,  and  is  ever  alive  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  his  communitv . 


/ 


^ 


YMAN  J.  DANE,  of  Lawrence,  Van  Buren 
^  County,  is  engaged  in  the  sawmilling  busi- 
^  ness.  He  was  born  in  Windsor  County ,Vt., 
October  5,  1828,  and  is  a  son  of  Joel  and  Abigail 
Dane.  The  father,  who  was  engaged  in  the 
sawmilling  business,  moved  near  Chicago  when 
our  subject  was  about  seven  years  old.  He  re- 
mained there  one  summer  and  then  removed  to  St. 
Joseph  County,  Mich.,  in  1836,  where  he  followed 
milling  a  few  years.  He  bought  a  large  tract  of 
land  and  lived  there  until  1863,  when  he  went  to 
the  western  part  of  Branch  County  and  there  lived 
until  1877,  when  he  died.  He  was  twice  married, 
and  had  by  his  first  wife  four  children,  of  whom 
our  subject  is  the  second  born. 

Our  subject  received  a  good  conimon-school 
education  and  began  teaching  when  twenty  3ears 
old.  After  one  term  he  studied  preparatory  work 
foi-  teachers  eight  months  and  afterward  taught  a 
number  of  terms  in  St.  Joseph  and  Branch  Coun- 
ties, Mich.,  and  also  in  Steuben  County.  Ind..  being 
successful  in  a  high  degree. 

Mr.  Dane  was  married,  June  29,  1852,  to  Miss 
Gertrude  Danlterry.  of  Colon,  St.  Joseph    County. 


530 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


He  enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  the  Army  of  the 
Cmnherlanil,  in  Oc-tober.  18G2  His  name  was  en- 
rolled in  the  First  Michigan  Light  Ai-lillcry  as  a 
bugler,  and  the  regiment  was  at  Nashville  and  all 
through  the  Atlanta  campaigns,  also  in  other 
numerous  eonllict-s.  At  one  time,  he  had  his  hav- 
ersack shoi  oflf  his  back,  and  August  3,  1865,  was 
hoiuiralilv  discharged,  having  served  in  his  coun- 
try's defense  two  yeare  and  nine  months.  He 
took  i)art  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Nashville.  While 
in  the  army  his  wife  and  four  of  his  children  died, 
leaving  hut  one  child,  Charles  W..  who  lives  in  New 
York  State  and  is  a  railroad  man. 

.\ft«r  leaving  the  service  of  the  old  Hag.  our  sub- 
ject came  to  this  county  and  began  to  run  a  saw- 
mill in  Lawrence  Township,  which  he  ran  eight 
months,  and  in  July.  1866,  he  came  to  Lawrence 
Village  an<l  began  the  erection  of  a  foundry,  the 
firet  and  onl}^  one  ever  established  there.  This  he 
operated  about  twenty-four  years,  or  until  18yi, 
turning  out  agricultural  tools  and  job  casting. 
Mr.  Dane  w.as  married  to  his  present  wife  in  No- 
venil>er,  1881,  she  being  Mrs.  Ruth  Doxtater,  »w 
Loveland.  Jn  1875.  our  subject  put  in  the  (irst 
good  cidermill  in  tlie  county-.  It  has  a  cai)acityof 
one  hundred  barrels  per  d.ay.  In  1881,  he  put  in 
a  sorghum-mill,  which  has  been  a  great  benefit, 
causing  a  development  of  the  sorghum  industry'. 
In  1888,  he  put  in  a  small  sawmill  for  the  purpose 
of  sawing  pickets,  lie  has  ])rol)ably  done  more  for 
the  development  of  the  industries  of  Lawrence  than 
any  other  man  in  the  jilace  and  has  probably  paid 
more  for  hired  help  than  any  man  in  the  lownship, 
tlius  doing  much  fur  the  labor  peojjle. 

Our  subject  wa.s  reared  .a  Democrat  and  cast  his 
first  v<>l<>  for  I'icrcc  in  I8;)2,  but  he  soon  esi)Ouscd 
the  anti-slavery  cause  and  voted  ft>r  Fremont  at 
the  birth  of  the  liepublicau  paity.  and  luis  sup- 
ported this  party  ever  since,  lie  has  held  several 
respon-sible  ollices  of  his  li>wnshi|i  anil  lowii.  hav- 
ing been  Township  Clerk, .luslirc  of  Ihc  l'('acc,and 
.served  eight  terms  on  Ihc  \illage  I'.oaid,  but  de- 
cliiM-d  re-election,  lie  h.as  always  been  a  lover  of 
a  good  hoi-se  and  fast  driving,  and  alw.ays  keeps 
one  or  mure  fur  his  own  pleasure.  .Mr.  I)ane.  so 
i-iaily,  IS  a  charier  iiienibc  r  of  \\;idsworlh  I'osl 
.No.   r.l.  (i.  .\.  I{..  at    l.awitiiic.  ami    atleiid>  .'ill  Ihc 


State  reunions  and  attended  the  National  Ueunion 
(It  Detroit  in  1891.  He  is  the  recipient  vf  a  pension 
of  ^11  per  mouth.  The  ^lasonic  order  at  Lawrence 
claims  Mr.  Dane  as  one  of  its  members,  and  he  has 
held  every  otlice  in  the  lodge  and  is  now  Master  of 
the  Third  Vail, which  place  he  has  held  for  six  3ears. 
Our  subject  was  at  one  time  proprietor  of  the 
Lawrence  Ailrerther  for  about  eight  months  so  that 
he  has  done  some  editorial  writing.  He  has  also 
written  some  account  for  the  papers  of  what  he  has 
seen  in  the  Border  Warfare  of  Missouri  and  Kansas. 
Mr.  Dane  is  looked  u()  to  by  his  neighbors  and 
.friends,  and  as  a  man  is  thoroughly  reliable  and 
honest. 


€>-^^<! 


eAPT.  LEANDER  A.  LKIGHTON,  who  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  State  for  over  thirty 
years,  is  a  prominent  and  [loiiular  steam- 
boat man  and  is  exteusivel}-  known  throughout 
this  section  of  country.  He  is  a  resident  of  South 
Haven,  where  he  owns  a  fine  projierty.  Cap'. 
Leighton  was  born  in  Parkman,  Me.,  August  "i-i, 
1810.  His  father,  Smithson  Leighton,  was  born 
in  Mi.  \'ernon.  Me.,  and  his  ancestors  had  reside(l 
in  the  I'ine  Tree  State  for  .several  generations. 
He  was  a  ship  carpenter  liy  tiaile,  and  as  such 
worked  on  the  Kennebec  and  renobscol  Kivcrs 
until  18('>0,  when  he  came  to  .Michigan,  where  he 
settled  in  .Vlaiiio,  Kalamazoo  County,  and  engaged 
in  fanning.  In  18(!,")  he  removed  to  Casco,  .Alle- 
gan County,  where  he  died  December  1.  1870,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  The  molher  of 
our  subject,  whose  maiden  name  was  Eliza  M. 
Vallalee,  was  of  Knglish  descent,  but  was  born  in 
llallowell,  Me.,  where  her  iiianiage  to  Mr.  Leigh- 
ton took  |)lace.  ller  de.illi  uccuricd  December  21, 
1880,  at  Casco.  This  worlliy  couple  were  the 
parents  of  seven  chi  lilicn.  n.aniely:  ,Iane  i\l;iria. 
who  w.'is  born  In  Koine,  Me.,  .Inly  2'.l,  182.'!. 
was  inarrieil  In  Charles  Laiihaiii  anil  died  in 
Maine,  Iraving  one  .son ;  Frances  .Augusta  w.as  born 
in  .\ugusla.  Me.,  August  20,  182(1,  and  became  the 
wife  of  .lolin  Colbalh  and  resides  in  Kalaiii;izo<i; 
Caroline  !•;.,  born  December  2  I,  I82H,  married  II. 
A.  I'ow  Icr  and  ri'^ides    in    Alleuaii    CoiiiiU;    i'.llza- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


531 


beth  A.,  horn  .lanuary  1,  1831,  married  Henry  B. 
SyiiiuiHls  ■■111(1  also  resides  in  Allegan  County; 
Franklin  1'.,  horn  January  9,  1834,  died  in  Dexter, 
Me.,  l)cceml)er  13,  1842;  Ruth  1.,  horn  Decemher 
23,  183"),  died  May  30,  1843;  Leander  A.  In  pol- 
itics, the  father  was  a  Wiiiii  and  later  a  Repnhii- 
ean.  He  was  an  honest,  u|iiiifiit  man.  and  respec- 
ted hy  all  knew  hiin. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  and  was  graduated  frcni  a  mercantile 
college  at  Lewiston,  Me.  lie  began  his  business 
life  as  clerk  in  a  store.  In  1860,  he  came  West, 
stopping  for  a  short  time  in  Chicago,  then  coming 
to  Otsego,  Allegan  County,  this  State,  where  for  a 
time  he  was  clerk  in  a  store.  In  18(51,  when  the 
Civil  War  broke  out  and  President  Lincoln  issued 
a  call  for  men  to  enlist  for  three  years,  young 
Leightou  at  once  responded,  and  August  22,  the 
day  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  was  mustered 
into  service  as  a  private  in  Company  G,  Sixth 
Michigan  Infantry.  Three  days  later,  he  was  as- 
signed to  the  Commissary  Dei)artment  and  soon 
after  to  the  (Quartermaster's  l)ei)armeut,  where  he 
remained  while  in  the  service.  He  was  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Dix,  at  Baltimore,  and  (ien.  B. 
F.  Butler  at  New  Orleans,  being  one  of  the  tirst 
Uuion  soldiers  to  step  ashore  in  the  latter  city. 
He  was  discharged  in  June,  1863,  on  account  of 
physical  disability,  witli  the  rank  of  ('ommissary 
Sergeant. 

In  1864,  Capt.  Leighton  located  at  Casco  and 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  until  1869,  when 
he  removed  to  Hi^Uandand  there  owned  and  o|)er- 
ated  a  sawmill.  In  1870,  he  settled  at  South 
Haven  where  he  again  engaged  in  merchandising, 
continuing  in  business  until  1884.  In  the  mean- 
time, he  had  also  been  interested  in  other  matters, 
building  the  Leighton  (jpcra  House  Block  in 
South  Haven,  in  1879,  and  in  1881  building  the 
steamboat  "Cupid,"  which  in  1884  he  took  South 
and  sold  at  Mobile,  Ala.  I  n  the  same  jear  he  luiilt  the 
steamer  "Adrienne,"  which  he  still  owns.  At  pres- 
ent he  does  an  excursion  business  on  tiie  lake  at 
Chicago,  running  boats  between  the  Lake  Front 
Crib  and  Lincoln  Park. 

Capt.  Leighton  was  married,  November  26.  1873, 
to  Miss  Sarah  Flint,  who  was  born  in  Galesburgh, 


Mich.,  September  29, 1849.  Iler  parents,  John  and 
Margaret  (Clement)  Flint,  were  natives  of  the  Kia- 
pire  State,  and  were  married  in  Marshall,  Mich. 
John  Flint  was  a  fainier  in  early  life,  but  was 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  (Jalesburgh,  un- 
til 1861,  when  he  removed  to  Climax  Prairie,  Kal- 
amazoo County,  whence  in  1865  he  removed  to 
Casco,  Allegan  County,  where  he  died  in  1884. 
His  wife  is  now  living  in  South  Haven.  They 
had  fifteen  cliildren,  of  whom  fourteen  grew  to 
maturity.  Mrs.  Flint  is  a  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  and  a  most  estimable  woman. 
Capt.  Leighton  and  his  wife  have  two  childien, 
Zella  and  Adrienne. 

Ca])t.  Leighton  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  was 
Marshal  of  Otsego  two  years,  and  held  the  .same 
ollice  for  two  years  at  South  Haven.  He  is  a 
Knight  Templar,  and  has  been  Worshipful  Master 
of  Star-of-the-Lake  Lodge  No.  78,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
He  also  lielongs  to  M.  J.  Dickinson  Post,  G.  A.  R. 
He  has  a  very  pleasant  home  on  the  Lake  Shore 
and  is  a  highly  honored  and  respected  citizen. 


11®^ 


'H. 


\^^^^ 


pj^jENJAMIN  S.  HARRIS.  This  pleasant  and 
^-^  benevolent  gentleman  who  forms  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  is  residing  upon  his 
beautiful  farm  on  .section  24,  Porter  Town- 
ship, \'an  Buren  County.  He  is  the  son  of  Benja- 
min and  ISIary  (Carleton)  Harris,  both  of  whom 
came  to  Michigan  in  their  youth  and  were  married 
in  Kalamazoo,  where  the  father  carried  on  a  black- 
smith shop.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  when 
he  was  six  years  of  age;  his  father  passed  from  this 
life  in  1876.  After  the  death  of  his  wife,  the  elder 
Mr.  Harris  went  to  Loekpoit,  111.,  where  he  resided 
for  many  ^ears. 

Our  subject  was  the  eldest  of  the  parental  family 
and  was  born  November  9,  1847, in  Portage Town- 
shi[),  Kalamazoo  County.  After  the  death  of  his 
mother,  he  made  his  home  with  his  maternal  grand- 
parents, who  were  pioneers  of  the  above-named 
township,  coming  here  when  the  now  prosperous 
city  of  Kalamazoo  boasted  but  one  little  cabin. 
JNIr.  Harris  was  given  a  fair  education,  and  when 
thirteen  vears  of  age  began  working  out,  receivintj 


532 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


as  wages  $10  per  month.  He  continued  in  tliat 
line  of  work  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War, 
when  he  enlisted  February  15, 18G5,  in  the  Twenty- 
eight  Michigan  Infantry,  joining  his  regiment  in 
New  York  City.  After  reacliing  their  destination, 
the  Jlichigan  company  was  sent  home,  their  services 
not  being  needed,  and  Mr.  Harris  continued  to 
work  in  Kalamazoo  Co\inty. 

In  company  with  a  cousin,  he  of  whom  we  write 
purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  and  cleared  twenty- 
five  acres  of  the  same.  In  1869,  he  came  to  Van 
Ruren  County  and  for  a  year  and  a  half  worked 
for  Dorsey  Fletcher,  lie  then  returned  to  his  farm 
in  I'ortage  Township,  and  in  1873  was  mai'ried  to 
KUa  M..  daughter  of  Sanford  and  Eliza  (Matthews) 
Coiey,  natives  of  Xew  York  State.  Mr.  Corey 
came  to  tlic  Wolverine  State  in  1836  and  located 
on  land  in  Prairie  Ronde  Township,  Kalamazoo 
County.  lie  began  for  himself  at  the  a? e  of  eio-ht- 
een  and  aided  in  clearing  many  of  the  farms  in 
Porter  Township,  Van  Buren  County.  After  his 
marriage,  he  located  in  a  log  house  on  section  26, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  in  1876,  had  two 
hundred  acres  of  land.  Mrs.  Core}- died  in  1875. 
The}'  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased,  except  Mrs.  Harris.  Mr.  Corey 
was  a  prominent  man  in  his  locality  and  had  been 
Sn|)ervisor  of  Porter  Township  several  term.s.  He 
was  also  .Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  in  an  early  day 
took  an  active  part  in  school  affairs.  They  were 
memliei-s  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Churdi. 

Mrs.  Harris  was  born  April  18,  1852,  on  the  old 
homestead  on  section  16,  and  after  her  marriage 
our  subject  carried  on  the  Corey  farm  for  three 
years.  He  then  oi)erated  a  farm  on  llic  northeast 
corner  of  section  26.  for  fourteen  years.  Two 
years  ago,  Mr.  Harris  located  ujion  his  present 
farm,  which  comprises  eighty  acres  of  im])r()ved 
land.  He  gives  some  attention  to  the  breeding  of 
Norman  liorses,  and  has  some  very  line  animals. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  two  children: 
Bernice  K.  and  ISertlia,  both  of  whom  are  being 
given  good  educations.  Mr.  H.arris  is  a  member  of 
the  MiLSOnic  order  at  Marcelhis.  :iiid  is  connected 
with  tiie  (Iraiid  y\rmy  Post  at  l.awtoii.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Alliance  and  is  Chaplain 
(if  llic  Incal  alliance.    Willi  lii>  wife  he  1^4  .-i  ipeinbcr 


of  the  Grange  and  has  been  Assessor  of  district  5 
for  twelve  years.  In  politics,  he  is  independent, 
voting  for  the  best  man.  He  has  been  Highway 
Commissioner  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  fel- 
low-townsmen. 


\ 


.4|,  irlLLIAlNI  FRANKLIX  CONNER,  proprie- 
\rJ//  tor  of  Ridge  Side  Farm,  is  an  extensive 
^\f/  dealer  in  live  stock  and  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Covert  Township,  having  made  his  first 
settlement  in  Van  Buren  County  in  1862.  He  was 
born  in  Greene  County,  N.  C,  July  31,  1837,  the 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Conner,  who  were 
also  natives  of  North  Carolina.  In  1850  the  fam  ily 
removed  to  Parke  County,  Ind.,  and  later  to  Cass 
County  in  the  same  State.  They  next  went  to 
Canada  and  eighteen  months  later,  in  1857,  settled 
in  Cass  County,  Mich.  From  there  they  came  to 
Kalamazoo  Count3-,and  later  to  Van  Buren  County, 
where  the  father  now  resides  with  our  subject.  He 
has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  although  eighty 
years  old  is  slill  hale  and  hearty.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  died  August  18,  1857,  in  Cass  County, 
this  State. 

The  parental  family  consisted  of  ten  cliildieii, 
six  of  whom  are  still  living,  William  F.,  John, 
Nancy  (Mrs. Seaton),  Isabelle  (Mrs.  Wesley),  Ade- 
line (Mrs.  Guy),  and  Cordelia  (Mrs.  Ephraim 
Malson).  The  father  of  this  family  w.as  married  a 
second  time,  this  wife  being  Abigail  Wright,  and 
to  them  were  born  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
are   living,  Theodore,  Fred  and  Jennie. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  with  his 
father's  family  until  1857,  being  employed  mostly 
upon  tlu!  farm  mihI  having  but  few  educati(nial 
advantages.  In  th-styear  he  left  home  and  in  1858 
was  married  to  Eliza  Ann  Shepherd,  a  native  of 
Cass  County,  Mich.,  and  a  daiiglilcr  of  Henry  S. 
and  Martha  SlicpluTil.  After  his  iiinrrlagc,  Mr. 
Conner  rented  land  in  Cass  Count  \, where  he  farmed 
until  1863,  when  he  came  to  Arlington,  N'an  Buren 
County,  leasing  land  there  for  two  years,  in  I «(!,') 
ptu'cliasing  eighty  acres  of  liinhci'  land. 

Deccnibei  II,  IKCi.'f,  Mr.  ( 'oiiiicr  ciilisti'd  and  was 
mustered  into  ser\  lie  ill  (diii|iMiiy  I''.  < 'iic  lliiiMlied 


^<^%^^     -Vf.^_,i^^jv-Av^^  ^•'-%:~?-,-r^   ^.>    ^   i^-^^   , 


RESIDENCE  OF  MRS.  MARY    DOYLE  ,  5EC  11.,  HARTFORD   TR.VANBUREN    CO.,  MICH. 


■iv.-^^-;---^ '":-■-■ 


■^'. .: 


■■'■■■■     ,»      '■'/'.■■,'  .    ..':;,:.•     ',','■    ■    '■-    ',■■-■-■    ■       '/ifr-Jf/^jri;-^    .    '•'f.';. 


'./*<  ■;. 


"  DGE5IDE  FARM."  RES.  OF  W,  F.  CONN  ER, DEALER   IN   HEREFORD  CATTLE  AMD  LIVE  5T0CK  .5EC.3^. 

COVERT  TP.,VAN  BUREN  CO., MICH. 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilOGRAPHlCAL  RECORD 


.035 


and  Second  United  States  Colored  Troops,  under 
comniaud  of  Col.  Sliipmaii.  After  leaving  cani[) 
at  Detroit,  they  went  to  Hilton  Head,  S.  C,  and 
tlicre  took  part  in  their  first  engagement  at  Honey 
Hill.  Mr.  Conner  was  in  scver.il  battles  and  .skirm- 
ishes in  Soulii  Carolina,  sei'ving  throughout  the 
war  and  l>eing  i)roraoted  t(j  be  First  Sergeant. 
When  peace  was  declared  he  returned  to  his  home 
in  Arlington,  this  county,  and  soon  removed  to 
land  he  had  previously  purchased  on  section  '2, 
Covert  Tovvnship.  Here  he  commenced  clearing 
u|)  a  farm  and  remained  until  May,  1867,  when  he 
|>nrcha5ed  eighty-one  acres  on  section  34,  and  also 
a  (|nantity  of  timber  land.  He  has  since  resided 
on  tills  place  which  he  has  under  a  line  slate  of  cul- 
tivation and  on  which  he  lias  put  a  good  set  of 
buildings.  He  now  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  and  for  twelve  years  has  been  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  stock-raising. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
seven  cliildren  of  whom  four  are  now  living, 
namely:  .John,  Aurena  Letitia,  Clara,  and  Myrtie. 
The  devoted  wife  [lassed  from  earth  October  24, 
1887.  Mr.  Conner  is  a  nienilier  of  the  Republican 
l)arty  and  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  sev- 
eral years.  He  takes  a  great  interest  in  the  cause  of 
education  and  has  been  a  School  Director.  He  is 
a  devoted  member  of  the  Christian  Church, to  which 
his  wife  also  belonged.  Socially,  he  is  a  member 
of  Covert  Lodge  No.  19,  A.  F.  A  A.  M.,  of  which 
he  has  been  Master.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Bee 
Hive  Grange,  No.  158,  and  Pomona  Grange.  As  an 
old  soldier  he  keeps  in  memory  his  war  days  by  his 
association  with  George  Allen  Post,  G.  A.  R.  He 
and  his  family  are  highly  esteemed  in  their  com- 
munity and  have  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 
Elsewhere  in  this  volume  a|)pears  a  view  of  Ridge 
Side  Farm. 


^ 


<5~ 


=^^+^P 


-m^ 


ATRICK  DOYLE.  In  the  death  of  this  gen- 
j)  tleman,  Hartford  Townshii),  ^'an  Buren 
County,  lost  one  of  its  industrious  and  re- 
spected farmers.  He  was  l)orn  in  County 
Carlow,  Ireland,  aliout  18.'?0,  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica when  a  young  man.     He    located    in    Palmyra, 


N.  Y.,  where  he  was  miuried,  in  isr)^,  to  Alary,  a 
daughter  of  Michael  Kelly.  Mrs.  Doyle  was  born 
in  Ireland,  and  caine  with  a  neighbor's  family  to 
America  in  18.51.  Three  sisters  and  three  brothers 
came  with  her:  Martin,  who  resides  in  Berrien 
County;  Patrick,  of  Canada;  .lohn,  who  lives  in 
.lackson,  Mich.;  Bridget,  the  widow  of  Patrick 
Finley;  Maggie,  tiie  wife  of  Maurice  Mahaney, 
and  Ann,  who  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Kavanaugli, 
of  Palmyra,  N.  Y. 

Our  subject  and  his  estimabh'  wife  came  to  Van 
Buren  County,  Mich.,  in  1857,  and  located  where 
the  worthy  wife  now  resides.  It  was  then  all 
woods,  and  they  cleared  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  acres,  and  she  has,  since  the 
death  of  Mr.  Doyle,  purchased  two  other  farms  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  and  one  hundred  acres 
each.  The  original  of  this  notice  enlisted  in  the 
service  of  the  Union  in  1864,  and  was  killed  in 
the  battle  at  Dallas,  G.a.,  May  27,  1864.  He  left  a 
widow  and  four  children:  Thomas  A.,  of  Hart- 
ford; Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Whalen,  of 
Huron,  Dak.;  Edward,  also  a  resident  of  Hartford; 
and  Steiihen,  who  is  at  home  with  his  mother. 
The  Last-named  stm  was  elected  Suiiervisor  of 
Hartford  Township  in  the  spring  of  1890,  and  re- 
elected in  1891. 

To  Jlrs.  Doyle  is  due  the  credit  of  rearing  a 
family  of  useful  children,  all  of  whom  are  highly 
respected.  On  the  death  of  her  husband,  she  had 
no  means  of  support,  but  so  successfully  has  she 
nian.aged  her  business  affairs  that  they  are  all  now 
independent,  and  slie  is  the  deserving  possessor  of 
half  a  section  of  as  line  land  as  can  be  found 
in  the  township.  Elsewhere  in  this  volume  will 
be  found  a  view  of  her  homestead  with  its  pleasant 
surroundings. 


EDWIN  A.  CHASE  is  a  well-known  farmer, 
residing  on  section  15,  AVaverly  Township, 
Van  Buren  County,  where  he  cultivates  a 
fine  piece  of  land,  numbering  forty-five  acres, 
which,  by  a  proper  rotation  of  crops,  are  made  to 
yiehl   a  handsome   return.     Mr.  Chase  is  a  iironii- 


536 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


nent  man  iu«his  township,  and  for  six  terms  he 
was  Highway  Commissioner  and  three  terms  Su- 
pervisor. In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and 
socially  is  identified  with  the  M.isouic  order. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  give  this  brief  sketch 
was  born  September  2,  1848,  in  Genesee  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  w.as  the  son  of  .Johnson  and  Alniira 
(Baker)  Chase.  The  parental  grandfather  came 
from  Vermont,  and,  after  making  New  York  his 
home  a  number  of  years,  passed  from  this  life,  to- 
gether with  his  wife.  Mrs.  Esther  (Beadle)  Chase. 
The}- were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  six  boys 
and  six  girls. 

The  father  of  uui-  subject  was  the  tenth  child  of 
his  parent's  family  and  was  born  in  Sweden,  Monroe 
County,  X.  Y.,  in  1812.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation and  was  eng.aged  in  the  cultivation  ol'  the 
soil  in  (ienesee  County.  In  the  fall  of  18(11.  he 
came  to  the  Wolverine  State  and  located  ui)on 
forty  acres  of  land  on  section  10,  Wavcrly  Town- 
ship, which  he  cleared  and  improved  and  where 
he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  in  1879. 
He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Eliza 
Marshall,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of  one 
child,  .Jen nette,  who  is  now  deceased.  The  second 
wife,  our  subject's  mother,  bore  her  husband  six 
children:  Edwin  A.,  Wallace  F.,  Albert  L.,  Ella  E. 
and  Ellanora,  who  died  in  infancy,  .and  Charles  M., 
whodied  altln-  iiilcresting  age  of  two  and  iinp-li:ilf 
years. 

The  mollni  ni  l^dwin  A.  Chase  was  burn  in 
JIurr.iy,  Orleans  County,  N.  V.,  .lunc  2,  182-4,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  .lolm  and  Betsey  (Burns) 
Baker,  who  were  prosperous  farmers  in  that  local- 
ity. Mr.  Maker  emigrated  from  Pennsylvania  to 
New  Yoik.and  in  18C1  came  to  Almena  Township 
nn<l  dieil  when  seventy-eight  years  of  age  at  the 
home  of  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Chase.  lie  was  a  devoted 
niembcr  of  the  .Methodist  Eiiiscopnl  Cliurcli,  ;nirl 
was  interested  in  all  good  works,  lie  icand  lo 
lives  of  usefulness  a  family  of  iiinr  rliililicn.  His 
wife  preceded  him  to  tlie  land  lifyond  several 
years,  her  decease  occurring  when  she  w.as  sixty- 
ff»ur  3ears  of  age.  Mr.  .John  Maker  was  the  son  of 
.lohn  Baker,  a  native  of  New  Vork. 

<  )ur  subject  was  reared  to  farming  pur  uils.wliidi 
calling     he    wisely    chose    as    his    life   occupation, 


and  accompanied  his  parents  in  their  removal  to 
]Michigan  in  1864.  At  the  early  age  of  thirteen 
years,  he  started  out  to  do  for  himself  and  worked 
for  his  board  and  clothes  for  some  years.  After 
coining  West,  however,  he  remained  under  the  pa- 
rental roof,  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  to  be 
done  on  the  farm  until  reaching  his  twentieth 
year,  when  he  began  working  out  by  the  montli 
for  other  parties,  sometimes  on  the  farm  and  again 
in  the  mills  in  the  vicinity.  In  six  years,  he  had 
saved  a  sufficient  sum  which  cnaliled  him  to  pur- 
chase forty  acres  of  land.  4'liis  he  cleared  from 
the  brush  and  timber  and  put  under  tiiorough 
cultivation. 

When  ready  to  establish  a  hearllistoiie  of  his 
own,  Mr.  Chase  chose  for  his  companion  Miss  Net- 
tie Ijurns,  a  native  of  ^lichigan  and  the  daughter 
of  Abel  and  .Sarah  (Bidgood)  lUirns.  She  psissed 
from  this  life,  June  12,  1880,  after  having  become 
the  mother  of  a  daughter,  Lottie.  Our  subject  was 
a  second  time  married.  Kheuhama  Iluey  becoming 
his  wife  March  3,  1883.  She  w.as  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  tlie  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Iltnt)  lluey. 
By  this  union  have  been  born  two  children:  Elmer 
E.  and  Lena  M.  Mrs.  Chase  died  June  10,  1889, 
having  been  for  many  years  an  active  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  IMr.  Chase  is 
ranked  among  the  intelligent  and  |)rosperous 
fanneis  of  his  township  and  is  highly  esteemed  as 
;i  man  of  lionestv  and  fair-dealing. 


I/_,  IH.VM  r.VL.MKIi.  I'liis  gentleman  is  a  les- 
r  j)  ident  of  section  7,  I'iiie  (irove  Townshi|i, 
\':\u  Kuren  County.  He  is  the  son  of  .loel 
>))  and  Deliorali  (Demon)  Palmer,  the  fatliiT  m 
native  of  N'i'w  Vmk  State  and  :i  Miillwrigiit,  the 
mollieiM  n;ili\cof  !•' ranee.  Tlie\  were  married  in 
New  Vdik  :\\\i\  spent  their  days  tliere,  tlie  mothei- 
(lying  in   is:!2,  :,nd  the  fatliei'  in   IHli;. 

(  )nr  sniijeel  is  llie  youngest  of  n  ine  eliildreii  lioi  ii 
1(1  Ills  |i.Mi'eiits.  lie  h.'iving  li!id  his  liiilli  June  l."i, 
I  M2."),  in  (  )ileMiis  County,  X.  ^'.,  win  ic  he  \v;is  re.'ircd 
on  a  taiMi.  lie  left  home  when  rourleen  and  worked 
(in  M  l';iiiii  1(11'  ve  y  sni:ill  wages,  and  then  com- 
iiien('i'(l   1(1  leMin   tlie  tiMde  ol'   :i   |i.'iiiiler.      This    did 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RRCORD. 


537 


not  agree  with  his  health,  so  he  toolt  up  the  car- 
penter's trade.  lie  was  married  in  1817,  on  August 
I,  to  Mabel  C.  Bush,  a  daughter  f)f  George  M.  and 
Philena  (Wliittaker)  Bush.  She  is  a  sister  of  ICli 
Bush,  now  a  resident  of  (4oblevillc.  (See  sketcli  of 
Mr.  Bush).  Mrs.  Palmer  was  born  .lanuary  26, 
1830,  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  In  1849,  they 
came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Lapeer  County, 
where  Mr.  Palmer  worked  for  Tobias  Price  three 
years.  He  then  worked  in  a  sawmill  for  A.  N. 
Hart,  of  Lapeer,  for  four  years.  The  next  four 
years  were  spent  with  John  B.  AVilson  in  the  same 
county.  In  1862,  he  came  to  Van  Buren  County 
and  settled  in  Pine  Grove  Townsliip,  and  helped 
to  build  a  mill  here  and  worked  in  it  two  years. 
He  then  moved  to  Waverly  Township  and  bought 
a  steam  mill  whicli  he  ran  only  a  short  time. 

Mr.  Palmer  enlisted  in  tlie  late  war  in  August, 
1864,  in  Company  H,  First  Michigan  p]ngineers 
and  Mechanics  and  joined  his  regiment  at  Carters- 
ville,  Ga.  He  worked  on  bridges,  etc.,  and  helped 
to  build  the  bridge  across  the  Chattalioochie  River. 
He  was  at  Atlanta  after  its  capture  and  lielped  to 
biu-n  the  city.  The  regiment  was  then  at  Savannah, 
Beaufort,  Raleigh  and  was  at  Johnston's  surrender 
at  Riclunond  and  took  part  in  the  (irand  Review 
at  Washington  in  1865.  He  was  at  Arlington 
Heights  for  tliree  weeks  before  being  discharged  in 
June,  1865.  He  served  as  Forage  Master  of  the 
regiment  a  part  of  the  time. 

After  the  conflict,  Mr.  Palmer  returned  to  his 
home  in  Waverly  Township  and  iKiugiit  a  steam 
sawmill  in  Pine  Grove  Township,  wiiich  lie  oper- 
ated eighteen  months  when  it  was  lost  liy  fire.  He 
then  had  to  work  out  again  for  a  coui)le  of  years, 
when  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Pine  Grove  Town- 
ship. He  sold  this  and  bought  anotiier  forty  acres. 
When  just  half  improved,  he  disposed  of  it,  bought 
a  house  and  lot  in  (iobleville  and  lived  in  it  a 
year  and  a  half.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he  traded 
his  village  property  for  forty  acres  adjoining  where 
he  now  lives.  He  finally  sold  his  last  purchase  and 
bought  his  |)resenl  farm  of  sixty  acres,  forty  of 
which  are  undei-  the  plow.  Our  subject  and  his  esti- 
mable wife  have  eight  children:  Lucy  A.,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Fred  W.  Sheldon,  resides  in  this  town- 
ship; Laura  K.  married  George  Wlieepley,  of    this 


township;  (Joriielia  is  married  to  James  Carl,  also 
of  this  township;  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  William 
Wallace,  and  lives  at  yVrlington;  Hattie  is  mariied 
to  Eugene  AVhee[)ley, of  Hastings;  Arvella,  the  wife 
of  Thomas  Freeman,  lives  in  Waverly  Tovvnslii|); 
Philena,  the  wife  of  George  M.  Cameron,  lives  in 
Gobleville;  and  George  F.  is  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents. All  these  children  have  families  of  their  own 
excepting  George. 

Mr.  Palmer  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Arinj'  of 
the  Repulilic  and  loves  to  meet  his  old  comrades  at 
Gobleville.  In  iiolitics,  this  gentleman  is  a  Re- 
publican and  never  swerves  from  his  party.  His 
farm  is  attended  to  by  his  son  George  F.,  but  he 
himself  superintends  it. 


THOMAS  NP:SBITT  is  engaged  in  cultivating 
a  portion  of  the  soil  on  section  9,  Porter 
^  Township,  Van  Buren  County.  His  father, 
John  ISesbitt,  was  born  in  County  Antrim,  Irelan(f* 
in  1804,  and  came  to  America  when  seventeen 
years  of  age.  For  seven  years  he  ^'orked  on  farms 
by  the  month  in  New  York  State,  and  in  1827, 
came  to  Michigan  and  kicated  on  a  farm  in  Big 
Prairie  Ronde,  Kalamazoo  County.  There  he  im- 
proved his  purchase  and  then  deeded  the  tract  to 
his  father  and  mother  and  entered  another  from 
the  Government  in  Keeler  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  which  was  partially  cleared.  In  1836,  he 
made  another  move  and,  coming  to  Porter  Town- 
ship, located  on  section  5,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  for  the  succeeding  seven  years  and  then 
made  his  home  on  section  9,  his  present  abiding 
place. 

On  coming  to  their  new  home  on  section  9,  the 
elder  Mr.  Nesbitt  (jlaced  his  wife,  children  and 
household  effects  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  oxen,  and, 
going  ahead,  cut  a  road  for  them.  The  board 
shanty  in  wliicli  they  lived  was  twelve  feet  Mjuare. 
and  a  bed-quilt  hung  across  an  opening  in  the  wall 
served  as  a  door.  Mrs.  Nesbitt  did  her  cooking 
out  of  doors  and  the  cows  bothered  her  so  much 
that  one  day  while  her  husband  was  in  Paw  Paw 
she  erected  the  first  fence  built  on  the  pl.ace,  When 


538 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


they  raised  their  house,  she  cooked  a  pot-pie  on  a 
log-heap  fire  and  seated  fort\'  men  at  a  table 
spread  out  of  dooi-s.  INIi's.  Ncsbitt  relates  a  stor}' 
of  lier  husband  and  herself  killing  a  deci.  It  came 
close  to  the  house  and  her  husband  hit  it  iu  the 
head  with  an  ax;  she  grabbed  the  butcher  knife 
and  ran  out  of  tlie  house  and  gave  it  to  her  hus- 
band who  cut  the  throat  of  the  deer. 

Mr.  John  Nesbitt  w.as  married  in  July,  183i),  to 
Caroline,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Louisa  (ISIorse) 
Scott,  natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  Con- 
necticut. The  parents  came  to  Michigan  in  1837, 
and  settled  in  Decatur  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  when  there  was  Ijut  one  family  between 
tlieir  farm  and  Paw  Paw.  When  her  youngest 
brother  was  born,  Mrs.  Nesbitt,  who  was  then  only 
seventeen  years  of  age.  took  the  other  cliildren  in 
a  sleigh  and  drove  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  followed 
all  the  wa^-  by  howling  wolves.  Mrs.  Scott  died  in 
August,  1875,  and  the  father  followed  lier  to  the 
bett«r  land  a  year  later.  They  had  become  the 
parents  of  tliirteen  children,  four  of  whom  are  yet 
Mving. 

Mi-s.  Nesbitt  was  burn  October  SO,  ISl'J,  in  Rich- 
land County,  Ohio,  and  was  seventeen  years  of  age 
when  accompaning  her  parents  to  ^Micliigan.  The 
father  of  our  subject  died  November  10,  1880, 
after  a  married  life  of  over  forty  years.  He  was  a 
Rei)ublican  in  politics,  and  fought  in  tlic  Black 
Hawk  War.  He  w.as  Colleclur  of  Ta.xe.s  in  Porter 
Townsliip  for  seven  years  and  .also  filled  I  lie  ullice 
of  .lustice  of  tiie  IVace.  Tlie  parental  family  in- 
cluded (ive  cliildren,  lliree  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  Mary  L.,  Mrs.  .lolin  fStillwell,  whose  sketch 
ap|>ears  on  anotlier  page  in  tiiis  vdlimu';  \\'illi;nn, 
and  our  subject. 

Thomas  Nesbitt  was  born  .liiiic  1<h,  1,s|7,  ,,u  tiie 
iiome  farm,  and  when  seventeen  years  of  age  en- 
ll.tled  in  Company  O,  Twenty-eiglitli  Michigan  In- 
fantry at  Kalamazoo.  With  liis  regiment,  he  was 
sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  from  there  to  Camp 
Nelson  where  lie  did  dul>  gu.-irding  wagon  trains 
to  Na.shville.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Nashville  iiikU'I'  (jeii.  Thomas  and  tiie  following 
spring  when  sent  up  the  river  was  lakeii  sick  on 
the  iHiat  and  for  one  iiioiitli  lay  in  llic  liospital  :il 
l><niisville.      lie  lejoiiied    his   rcgiiiiciil  al  Alexan- 


dria. Va.,  and  they  went  by  steamer  to  Morehead 
City,  N.  C,  later  to  New  Berne,  same  State,  whence 
they  marched  to  Goldsboro.  He  was  struck  by  a 
spent  ball  at  the  battle  of  Kinston,  N.  C,  but  did 
not  suffer  any  serious  result. 

Joining  the  army  of  Gen.  Sherman,  Mr.  Nesbitt 
marched  on  to  Raleigh  and  was  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  (len  J.  E.  Johnston.  He  was  then  sent 
to  Charlotte,  N.  C,  marched  to  Shelby,  back  again 
to  Goldsboro,  and  thence  to  Wilmington,  where  he 
went  into  winter  quarters.  He  received  his  honor- 
.able  discharge  at  Raleigh,  N.  C,  in  June,  1866, 
after  a  service  of  nearly  two  years.  On  returning 
again  to  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life-,  Mr.  Nesbitt 
located  upon  his  farm. 

hi  1872,  our  subject  went  to  San  Francisco,  Cal.. 
and  from  there  took  a  steamer  to  Portland,  Ore. 
Later  he  boarded  a  vessel  bound  for  Wallula,  from 
where  he  went  to  Walla  Walla.  He  then  made 
a  trip  across  the  Blue  Mountains,  killed  Iwar,  deer, 
etc.,  and  returned  to  Kelton,  Utah,  bv  st.agc,  a  dis- 
tance of  five  hundred  and  forty  miles,  making  the 
trip  in  four  and  a  half  davs.  He  then  boarded  the 
homeward-bound  train  on  the  I'liion  I'acilic  Rail- 
road and  soon  reached  home. 

In  1876,  Miss  Alice,  daughter  of  Anson  and 
Sarah  (Bradford)  Johnson,  became  the  wife  of  our 
subject.  Mr.  Johnson  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  while 
his  wife  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  They  were 
early  settlers  in  Branch  County,  this  State,  where 
the  mother  died  in  IS'.tO.  ;in(l  the  father  in  1863. 
I\Ir.  Johnson  served  in  the  navy  during  the  Civil 
War,  and  died  in  the  :iniiy.  Tliey  were  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. 

Jlrs.  Alici'  Nesbitt  was  born  Novemlier  2'.>,  \Sit'2. 
in  Hrancli  County,  this  State,  and  by  her  union 
with  oui-  sniijecl  has  lieeoiue  the  mother  of  two 
children:  ('iiroliMe  S.,  who  was  born  in  1879,  and 
Willi.'un  .1..  Iiorn  in  1H,S,").  In  ptilitics,  our  subject 
is  a  I{epul)liean  and  a  member  of  the  (irand  Army 
I'ost  in  Lawlon.  He  is  the  possesstir  of  seventy- 
six  acres  of  improved  land  and  gives  his  attention 
to  general  farming. 

William  .1.  Nesbitt.  a  lirollier  of  our  siibjeef.  was 
iiiarrieii  lo  ('lara  Weldiii  ami  lia'^  had  seven  cliil- 
(Irrri,  oiil\    four  of  whom  arc  liviriL;'.      Mrs.  Nesbitt 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilOGRAPHlCAL   RECORD. 


51 1 


died  in  1879.  William  .1.  has  visited  the  Western 
country  and  is  now  residing  in  Oklalioina.  He 
was  a  member  of  Company  D,  Sixtli  Michigan 
Infantry  and  was  discharged  for  disability.  Tiie 
four  children  of  William  are  Viola,  Flora,  Ellen, 
jind  John. 


^^ 


=^ 


f/AMES  SELKIRK.  This  well-known  resi- 
dent of  South  Haven  came  hero  in  1866. 
He  worked  industriously,  making  more 
friends  than  money,  however,  but  upon  the 
deatii  of  John  Guy  Vassar,  Mr.  Selkirk  being  one 
of  the  eighteen  heirs,  he,  in  1890,  inherited  a  hand- 
some fortune,  and  can  now  s^jend  his  days  in 
peace  and  comfort.  He  is  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State,  having  been  born  September  11,  1814,  in 
Oneida  County. 

James  Selkirk  is  of  Scottish  ancestry,  his  grand- 
father, Jeremiah  Selkirk,  coming  to  the  United 
States  from  that  country,  and  entering  the  Federal 
army  as  a  drummer-boy.  lie  served  valiantly  all 
through  the  Revolutionary  War.  AVhen  the  War 
of  1812  broke  out,  lie  again  offered  his  services, 
and,  with  two  of  his  sons,  fought  bravely.  He 
was  a  tailor  by  trade,  and  an  excellent  musician. 
In  1835,  he  came  to  Michigan,  and  passed  his  re- 
maining years  in  Allegan  County.  He  was  a  man 
wlio  never  allowed  an3thing  to  wor-ry  him,  and 
took  great  pleasure  in  his  violin  to  the  day  of  his 
death.  He  was  very  active,  and  at  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety  years  killed  wolves,  and  from  the  skins 
made  an  overcoat,  for  which  he  refused  an  offer  of 
$100.  He  died  when  ninety-eight  years  and  six 
months  of  age. 

The  grandparents  of  our  subject  reared  a  fam- 
ily of  five  children.  James  served  witli  his  fatiier 
in  the  War  of  1812.  He  became  an  Episcopalian 
minister,  and  for  twenty-five  years  was  the  Gov- 
ernment missionary  among  the  Indians  in  Allegan 
County,  tliis  State;  he  is  now  deceased.  Loren, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  also  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and,  in  company  with  Mattlicw  Vas- 
sar, was  engaged  in  running  a  brewery-  in  Pough- 
keepsie,  N.  Y.  He  later  removed  to  Cortland 
County,  same  State,  wliere  he  engaged  in   business 


and  lost  his  fortune.  He  then  removed  to  Buffalo 
and  became  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant.  He  was  a 
man  who  had  many  warm  friends,  and  who  appre- 
ciated a  joke  with  the  best  of  them.  His  death 
occurred  in  a  very  distressing  manner.  He,  wiiile 
engaged  in  sport  with  his  partner,  fell,  and  strik- 
ing his  head  on  a  stool,  his  neck  was  broken.  He 
left  a  wife  and  six  small  cliildren.  Jeremiali  Sel- 
kirk, the  third  son,  was  a  painter  by  trade,  and 
resided  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.;  Mary  married 
Judge  (iardiucr,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  who  was  at 
one  time  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
Empire  State;  Elizabetli  married  and  died  in 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Jennie  Vassar.  She  was  born  in  England,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  James  Vassar,  and  a  sister  of 
Matthew  Vassar,  the  founder  of  Vassar  College,  at 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  She  was  brought  to  America 
when  a  small  girl,  where  she  was  reared  and  mar- 
ried Loren  Selkirk.  Their  union  was  blessed  by 
the  birth  of  six  children.  After  the  tragic  death 
of  her  husband,  she  tenderly  cared  for  her  little 
family,  rearing  tliem  to  become  valuable  members 
of  society.  She  removed  to  Detroit,  where  she  re- 
mained for  a  time,  and  then  went  to  San  An- 
tonio, Tex.,  where  she  became  a  slave-owner,  but, 
through  the  influence  of  our  subject,  she  disposed 
of  her  slaves,  and,  returning  to  Michigan,  became 
an  ardent  advocate  of  abolitioj^  of  slaves.  She 
died  in  Detroit. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loren  Selkirk  reared  a  family  of 
three  sons  and  three  daughters.  Olive  was  twice 
married,  her  first  husband  being  Henry  Webb,  and 
her  second,  Edward  Jones,  who  was  a  leading  poli- 
tician, and  one  of  the  principal  men  who  secured 
the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United  States.  She 
died  in  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  just  prior  to  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War.  Charles  W.  Selkirk  was  a 
prominent  Democrat  of  Detroit,  and  died  in  that 
city;  George  died  in  early  manhood;  Catherine 
married  Judge  J.  M.  Edmunds,  a  prominent  man 
of  Michigan,  and  died  in  Detroit;  JMaria,  the 
youngest  of  the  family,  was  adopted,  when  a  child, 
by  a  lady,  and  her  name  changed  to  Sarali.  She 
married  a  Mr.  Davis,  and  now  resides  in  Chiirch- 
ville,  N.  Y. 


542 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


James  Selkirk,  of  this  sketch,  was  only  a  babe 
when  the  family  removed  to  Poughkeepsie,  and 
eight  yeai-s  of  age  wlien  his  father  died.  His 
school  days  were  few,  but  he  studied  at  home,  ob- 
taining assistance  as  best  he  could,  and  thus  ac- 
quired a  fair  education.  He  learned  the  trade  of 
a  cabinet  and  wagonniaker  in  Onondaga  Country, 
N.  y.,  at  which  he  worked  successfully.  In  1835,  he 
accompanied  the  family  on  their  removal  to  De- 
troit, and  assisted  liis  mother  for  a  year  or  more 
in  keeping  a  boarding-house.  In  the  early  part 
of  1837,  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  lie  sold  his 
carpenter  tools.  Obtaining  a  horse  and  saddle,  he 
secured  a  license  from  the  Presiding  Elder  of  the 
Metliodist  Episcopal  Chuich,  and  with  his  Bible 
and  a  few  other  books  in  his  saddlebag,  started 
out  as  a  circuit  rider.  His  circuit  included  the 
towns  of  .'^t.  Cliarles,  Ooneva,  Batavia,  Dundee, 
Elgin  (111.),  and  Kenoslia,  and  was  seventy-five 
miles  in  length.  Although  there  were  no  roads 
laid  out  or  l)ridgcs.  iSIr.  Selkirk  made  tlie  cir- 
cuit every  two  weeks,  tlius  preaching  thirty-two 
sermons  each  montii.  For  his  services  he  received 
^62  a  year.  One  year,  liowever,  proved  suflicicnt 
for  him  .as  a  circuit  rider,  and  he  then  .acted  as  lo- 
cal preacher  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Wisconsin  and 
Micliigan,  until  18  I  I,  when  he  located  on  a  farm 
in  Lake  County,  111. 

Our  subject  helped  to  locate  the  county  seat  of 
Lake  County,  . '111(41110  trees  adorning  the  court- 
yard were  all  planted  by  his  hands.  He  contin- 
ued, however,  to  ])reach  the  Gospel,  and  ever  and 
anon  alluding  to  tlie  wrongs  of  slavery,  tlie 
Clmrcli  dispensed  with  his  services.  He  then  be- 
came an  avowed  .\l">liliiiiiist,  devoting  much  of 
his  lime  to  the  lecliirc  field,  declaring  that  the 
(|iie.slif>n  of  slavery  would  never  lie  settled  with- 
out war.  For  these  utterances  he  was  called  crazy 
by  the  Chicago  TliitoH,  ."ind  many  of  his  friends 
came  long  (|i>taiici'S  to  see  for  Iheiiisclves  how 
badly  hi.s  mind  was  affected. 

Fn  IHI'.I,  the  geiitleinan  of  whom  we  write  went 
to  California,  vi.'i  New  York  .■iiid  the  Isthmus. 
He  wa.H  ab.s<'nt  eighteen  monilis,  .'uid  retiinied 
home  wilh  ii<).0'i0.  with  which  he  engaged  in  the 
real-estate  liii^iiiesM,  in  \V'aiil<e;juii.  lie  was  ex- 
tremely 8llCC'Ci».srul  in  tli;it  iiiMlertAkiiig,Hnil  accum- 


ulated the  handsome  sum  of  |!20.000.  He  w.as  un- 
fortunate, liowever,  and  lost  his  f^ntuiie  in  1857, 
paying  one  hundred  cents  on  every  dollar  which 
he  owed,  and  was  thus  left  a  poor  man. 

When  the  Civil  War  bix)ke  out.  Mr.  Selkirk 
raised  a  company,  his  two  sons  being  among  the 
number.  Offering  his  own  services,  he  was  re- 
jected, and,  demanding  the  reason,  was  informed 
by  Gen.  Benjamin  F.  Butler  that  he  was  (if  too 
much  service  at  home  to  lie  allowed  to  enter  the 
service.  He  thus  gave  his  time  and  attention  to 
raising  troops,  and  Lake  County  generously  re- 
sponded with  thirteen  companies.  This  work  was 
all  done  for  the  love  which  he  bore  his  country, 
as  he  did  not  receive  a  dollar  for  his  services. 

.lames  Selkirk  has  always  lieen  of  a  literary  turn 
of  mind,  and  for  a  number  of  years  has  written 
rhymes,  touching  on  local  affairs.  He  has  become 
well  known  under  the  noni  do  |)lume  of  Cruso. 
INIr.  Selkirk  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
being  Miss  Mary  .Swan,  to  whom  he  was  united  in 
1832.  She  was  the  daughter  of  .^laj.  S.  Swan,  and 
died  in  Onondaga  County,  X.  Y.,  leaving  one 
daughter,  Mary,  who  married  Frank  .kmes,  and 
died  in  Detroit,  this  State. 

In  181 1,  our  siiliject  was  again  married,  in  Lake 
County,  111.,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  JMrs. 
Electa  Xorthrop.  She  died  in  1883,  leaving  a 
family  of  five  children:  Portia,  who  is  deceased; 
Lucian;  Catherine,  deceased:  Charles,  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  War,  who  died  some  years  after  its  clo.se, 
from  the  effects  of  a  woiiinl  i-ee('i\'ed  in  b.'ilt.le;  and 
IM.  \'assar,  a  merchant  in  South  Haven. 

In  I'onnection  with  this  biographical  notice,  may 
be  found  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Selkirk. 

^p\IL\RLKS  (L  CII,\MBKKLAIN,t,lie  popular 
[|(^  and  eflieient  Poslnuisler  of  HreedsvilU',  was 
^^''  born  December  20,  18(;(),  in  Decalur,  Van 
Ihiroii  County,  this  Slate,  .lud  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Harriet  (Kool)  Cliaiiilierliiiii.  His  father,  a 
iKilive  of  Halavia.t  ienesee  County,  N.  Y.,  was  an 
early  settler  of  llreeilsville,  where  he  was  inti'i- 
eslcd  ill  ;i  sawmill  .■mil  t:iiiuei y.  After  his  mar- 
riage ill   lliis  \illMi;e.  Ill'  rciiio\e(l   lo  Dcialiir,  wlieie 


PORTKAIT  A^b  BIOGKAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


543 


lie  was  the  proprietor  of  tlic  Docaliii'  House.  He 
lias  also  held  vaiLous  oflicial  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility-,  among  the  most  important  being 
that  of  Supervisor.  In  his  political  afliliatioiis, 
he  was  a  devoted  adherent  of  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party. 

After  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  Henry 
Chamberlain  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  for  three 
months'  service,  in  an  organization  known  .is  the 
La  Fayette  Light  Ciuards,  but  was  not  acce[)ted, 
the  State  having  filled  its  quota  of  three-months 
men.  The  following  June,  he  went  to  New  York 
with  his  eoinpan}',  where  he  entered  the  Seven- 
tieth New  York  Infantry  and  took  part  in  all  the 
engagements  in  which  his  regiment  participated. 
For  meritorious  service  he  was  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant,  in  November,  1862,  and  on 
May  1st,  of  the  following  year,  was  promoted  to  be 
First  Lieutenant,  in  which  capacity  he  served  un- 
til his  death  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May 
6,  1864.  His  remains  were  buried  on  the  field  of 
battle,  but  his  memory  lives  in  the  hearts  of  his 
descend.ants,  who  are  justly  proud  of  the  heritage 
of  patriotism  and  valor  which  he  bequeathed  to 
them. 

Harriet  Root,  mother  of  our  suljject,  accom- 
panied by  her  mother  and  grandparents,  James 
and  Elizabeth  Lee,  removed  from  Ohio  to  this 
State  at  the  age  of  eleven  years,  making  the  entire 
journey  with  an  ox-team,  arriving  at  Decatur  on 
the  15th  day  of  Jul}',  1849,  from  which  time  until 
the  following  winter,  she,  with  her  mother,  lived 
in  an  open  shanty,  constructed  from  tamarack 
poles,  without  doors,  windows  or  tloor,  their  onlj' 
means  of  cooking  being  an  open  lire.  The  hard- 
ship and  exposure  thus  endured  proved  too  much 
for  the  frail  constitution  of  Harriet  Root's  mother, 
and  she  died  on  January  13,  1850,  seven  months 
after  reaching  her  new  home. 

Henry  Chamberlain  was  twice  married,  his  lirst 
wife  being  Susan,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Car- 
oline (Williams)  Guiles.  After  her  death,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Harriet  Root  (men- 
tioned above),  daughter  of  Lyman  and  Rachel 
(Lee)  Root,  and  a  native  of  Erie  County,  Ohio. 
The  first  union  was  childless,  and  of  the  second 
two  children  were  born:  John  M.  and  our   subject. 


The  latter  remained  with  his  mother  in  Decatur 
until  18(!(i,  when  he  accompanied  her  to  Breeds- 
ville  and  here  ho  has  since  resided.  In  his  child- 
hood he  received  a  common-school  education,  but 
as  he  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources, 
his  opportunities  for  acquiring  knowledge  were 
limited.  However,  by  reading  and  observation, 
he  has  become  well-informed  on  all  matters  of 
general  interest. 

Since  he  was  old  enough  to  work,  Mr.  Chamber- 
lain has  earned  his  own  wa^'  in  the  world.  In 
his  youth  he  and  his  brother  commenced  active 
farming  operations.  Now,  with  his  mother  and 
brother,  he  owns  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  on 
section  33,  the  whole  comprising  a  finely  improved 
farm  and  one  of  the  best  places  in  Columbia 
Township.  He  is  numbered  among  the  best  cit- 
izens of  Breedsville,  having  an  unusual  degree  of 
intelligence  and  honorable  principles.  Politically, 
he  is  a  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  in  May,  1891,  under  the  adminis- 
tration of  President  Harrison,  he  was  appointed 
Postmaster  of  Breedsville. 


r' 


♦^•j-^* 


'jf?  YSCOM  BRIO  HAM  is  prominently  con- 
I  (^  nected  with  the  business  interests  of  Dec.a- 
jl'-^\  tur,  and  is  engaged  in  the  distillation  of 
mint  on  a  more  extensive  scale  than  anj-  other  man 
in  the  State.  A  native  of  Massachusetts,  he  was 
born  in  Shutesbury,  January  31,  1827.  His  par- 
ents were  Curtis  and  Lydia  (Woodbury)  Brigham, 
the  former  a  native  of  Westboro,  Mass.,  and  the 
latter  of  Boston.  By  trade  his  father  was  a  shoe- 
maker. He  came  to  Michigan  in  1834,  and  from 
the  Government  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  in  Allegan  County,  from  which  he  de- 
veloped a  fine  farm,  making  it  his  home  through- 
out the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  prorainentlj' 
connected  with  the  history  of  the  county  in  many 
ways.  He  organized  the  first  Sabbath-school  within 
its  borders  and  for  fourteen  years  filled  the  pulpit 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  one  of  its  Deacons 
during  almost  his  entire  residence  in  the  commun- 
ity.    In    politics,   he    supported    the    Democratic 


.VI 4 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPPUCAL   RECORD. 


party.  He  lived  a  noble  and  useful  life  and  reared 
a  family  of  ten  cliildren.all  of  whom  became  mem- 
Ijei-s  of  the  Bai)tist  Cliurch  .ind  were  an  honor  to 
their  parents.  His  deatli  occurred  February  24, 
1872,  and  Mi-s.  Brigham  passed  awa_v  a  short  time 
after,  at  the  ripe  old  ai;c  of  eighty-six  years.  Seven 
of  their  cliildren  are  still  living. 

Our  subject  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  liirth.  When 
a  lad  of  sis  summers,  he  came  AVest  and  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  acquired  his  primary  education,  which 
was  supplemented  by  study  in  Olivet  College. 
Amid  the  wild  scenes  of  fioulier  life  he  was  reared 
to  manhot)d  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
for  a  year  after  he  had  attained  his  majoritj', 
working  for  his  father,  lie  received  8120  for  the 
year's  work.  He  tlien  luuchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
of  his  father  at  ^3  per  acre  and  when  a  young  man 
of  twenty-two  years  began  farming  on  that  tract  in 
Barry  County,  whidi  he  operated  for  thu-t}'  years. 
To  his  first  purchase  he  added  two  hundred  acres 
and  had  a  liigldy  improved  and  valuable  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  lifty-six  acres  when  he  sold  out. 

Oil  .January-  29,  18.52,  in  Cooper  Township, 
Kalamazoo  Coinity,  Mr.  Brigham  wedded  Miss 
Mary  N'ortun,  daughter  of  Pheron  and  Pluma  Nor- 
ton, prominent  people  of  that  county.  The  death 
of  Mrs.  Brigliani  occurred  November  6,  1869,  and 
was  mourned  by  man}'  friends.  She  left  four  cliil- 
dren: Curtis  D.,  who  was  born  April  3,  18,55,  is  liv- 
ing in  Allegan  C<»uiity;  Lydia  M.,  born  Se|)tember 
12,  IKGO,  resides  with  her  father;  Dexter  E.,  born 
May  14,  1862,  is  engaged  in  the  mint  business  with 
Ids  father;  and  Charles  W.,  born  .lune  29,  1867,  is 
also  at  home.  Mr.  Brigham  was  again  married 
January  26,  1870,  when  Calista  Cressy  became  his 
wift'.  .She  is  a  native  of  Prairieville  Towiislii|), 
liarry  County,  and  a  daughter  of  Erasliis  and 
.Sophrona  Crcs.sy,  her  father  being  one  of  IIkv  lend- 
ing farmers  of  that  eimnty.  Their  union  has  been 
blc>M'd  with  live  cliildien  and  the  family  circleyet 
remains  nnbrokcn.  In  ciiileidf  liirlli  lliey  are  as 
follow.^:  Arthur  i;..  .lolm  F..  Fi:iiik  M..  Alfrc<l  C. 
an<l  Leslie  A. 

.\fU'r  selling  his  farm  in  iianv  Connly.  .Mi'. 
Ih'igham  removed  to  Decatur  in  March.  IKH7.  and 
fur  I  wo  years  engiiged  in  llie  diy-gonds  bn.siiies.s. 
In  Ihe  spi'in;;  of  that  yeuj',  he  also   began  llie    dis- 


tillation of  mint  and  purchased  two  hundred  acres 
of  land  in  Decatur  Township,  foity  acres  belonging 
to  himself  and  son  and  the  remainder  to  himself. 
Of  this,  ninety-two  acres  are  swami)  land,  which  is 
especially  adapted  for  the  raising  of  mint.  Kecentl}' 
he  has  purchased  an  additional  three  hundred  and 
twent}'  acres  of  swamp  land  and  has  built  three 
distilleries.  In  connection  with  this  business,  he 
has  invented  and  patented  a  marsh  shoe  for  horses 
which  enables  them  to  work  in  the  swamps,  and  ex- 
pects soon  to  begin  its  manufacture  on  an  extensive 
scale.  He  does  a  large  business  as  a  distiller  of 
mint  and  ranks  high  in  business  circles  in  this 
communit}'.  In  addition  to  his  other  property,  he 
also  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in 
Pine  Plain  Township,  Allegan  County. 

While  in  Barr}'  County,  Mr.  Brigham  held  mem- 
bership with  the  church  of  Orangeville  and  served 
as  its  Clerk  and  Treasurer  for  about  ten  years. 
Since  coming  to  Decatur,  he  has  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  takes  an  active  jiart  in  its 
work  and  gives  liberally  to  its  sui>port.  He  has  a 
fine  residence,  over  which  Mrs.  Brigham,  a  pleasant, 
genial  and  cultured  lady,  presides  with  grace.  The 
home  is  the  abode  ol  hospitality  and  the  members 
of  the  household  rank  high  in  social  circles.  Thus 
have  we  given  the  life  record  of  one  of  Decatur's 
leading  citi/eiis,  a  man  whose  integrity  is  above 
question,  whose  social  and  Imsiiiess  standing  is  as- 
sured and  who  liy  industry  and  well  directe(l 
efforts  h;is  worked  his  wa^'  upward  to  a  position  of 
wealth  and  allluence. 


--=^^>^^<i 


IS1>^ 


ENRY  .\.  WFLI.S,  a  retired  farmer  and  a 
resident  of  Lawrence,  \'an  Bureii  County, 
was  born  in  ()llawa,  Canada,  on  .InneS, 
)}  1837,  to  Horace  C.  and  Lavoiia  (lUasdell) 
Wells.  Tlie  f.'ithiM'  was  C'aiiadiaii-liorn,  and  came 
of  New  llampsliire  'W'lnkee  Stock,  .'iihI  llie  mother 
was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  Our  suhjeet  was 
about  six  ye.-irs  old  when  the  faiiiily  removed  to 
New  ^■<>rk,  locating  on  :i  f.-inii  near  ( )gdensbin'g, 
where  they  lived  alioiil  three  years,  when  the  f.ather 
sold  anil  removed  to  Cliic.'igo,  111.,  in  ISIO.  He 
there   followed    tl■amin^    from    ('liieago    to  tlie(;a- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIIIC'AT>  KKrOHI). 


545 


lena  lead  iiiiiies  until  tlie  spring'  «(  JH")!,  wlion  lie 
removed  to  Elgin,  III.  lie  fainicd  on  slinrcw 
one  summer,  and  linally  houn'lil  two  liundicd 
and  forty  acres  in  Mclk'niy  County,  where  tiie 
family  lived  until  l^!;)2.  Tlic  father  then  re- 
moved hack  to  Chicago,  and  11  vcd  there  until  May, 
1853,  when  he  crossed  the  lake  to  South  Haven, 
Mich.,  Ins  being  the  ninth  family  in  that  town.  The 
father  here  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lum- 
ber for  four  years.  In  18;JG,  Horace  Wells  bought 
one  liundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Arlington  Town- 
shii),  ^'an  Buren  County,  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  days  there,  dying  March  5,  187(1.  lie  left  a 
wife  and  eight  children  and  eleven  grandchildren. 
The  mother  passed  away  January  21,  1886,  being 
about  seventy-three  years  old.  Tlie  father  was 
born  October  31,  1802. 

Henry  Wells  commenced  for  himself  when  six- 
teen, working  in  the  sawmill  at  South  Haven  by 
the  month,  and  he  was  enabled  to  lay  up  a  little 
money.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  Septem- 
ber 17,  1861,  in  Company  C,  Third  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  New  Madrid, 
Mo.,  Island  No.  10,  Corinth,  luka,  and  ^as  again  at 
Corinth,  October  3  and  4,  1862;  Hatchics  Run, 
Holly  Springs,  Hudsonville.  Lumpkins-Mills,  Oxford 
(where  several  balls  passed  through  his  coat),  Cof- 
fey ville,  Brownsville  and  Panola.  At  this  last  bat- 
tle, he  led  the  charge  with  three  other  men,  and 
drove  forty-five  Texas  Rangers  from  the  picket 
post,  and  captured  four  men.  The  other  three  who 
assisted  in  this  were  Charles  O.  King,  John  Goss, 
and  Erastus  Ferguson,  supported  b}-  Sergeant  O.  W. 
Rowland  and  eight  men.  Our  subject  was  at  this 
time  acting  as  Corporal,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864, 
was  promoted  to  be  Commissaiy  Sergeant  of  Com- 
pany C,  Third  Regiment.  December  15,  1864,  he 
received  the  commission  of  Regiment  Quartermas- 
ter-Sergeant, and  in  the  fall  of  1865,  was  made 
Second  Lieutenant  by  (iov.  Crapo,  for  his  meri- 
torious conduct  and  fidelity  to  the  cause.  He  was 
discharged,  February  12,  1866,  at  San  Antonio, 
Tex. 

On  his  return  from  the  army,  the  gentleman  of 
whom  we  write  bought  forty  acres  of  his  father's 
farm,  and  began  farming.  He  was  married,  April 
21,  1867,  to  Miss  Mary  Ellen  Draper,  of  Lawrence. 


She  was  born  in  Rome,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
June  17,  1841,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Lawton  and 
lOllen  (Nelson)  Draper,  the  father  born  in  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  .January  lit,  1802.  These  parents 
moved  to  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  1847,  and  in  1858, 
came  to  Lawrence,  Mich.  Mrs.  Wells  received  a 
fair  common-school  education. 

Our  subject  lived  on  his  farm  until  the  spring 
of  1874,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Lawrence, 
where  he  has  resided  most  of  the  time  since.  That 
same  year  he  took  a  trip  to  Oregon,  and  in  1875, 
went  to  California,  leaving  the  family  at  Lawrence. 
He  has  served  as  Trustee  of  the  village,  also  doing 
the  work  of  the  Clerk.  He  was  appointed  P^nu- 
merator  for  the  Fourth  Census  District  of  Michi- 
gan, in  1800.  In  politic,  he  is  a  stalwart  Repub- 
lican, and  cast  his  first  vote  foi'  Abraham  Lincoln 
in  1860.  Three  children  have  been  Ijorn  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wells,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  Ining  one,  Gertie  M.,  was  born  at  Benton 
Harbor,  Berrien  County,  November  17,  1882,  and 
is  now  attending  school  at  Lawrence. 


*-^=^=4  ^  l@^@l  ^  1^ 


FREEMAN  VAN  ANTWERP  died  in  Paw 
Paw  in  October,  1865.  He  was  the  son  of 
/ll,  Deacon  Daniel  Van  Antwerp,  a  native  of 
New  Y'ork,  who  came  to  Michigan  in  1836,  and 
settled  in  what  is  now  Antwerp  Township,  Van 
Buren  County,  which  was  named  in  his  honor,  he 
being  the  oldest  settler  there.  Deacon  Van  Antwerp 
purchased  ten  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land, 
upon  which  he  located.  He  was  born  in  1705  and 
died  in  1874.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Rulofson,  died  in  1885,  when  eighty-five 
years  of  age. 

Our  subject  was  born  July  16,  1823,  in  Caledonia, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  he  came 
to  Michigan.  He  was  married  in  October,  1850,  to 
Miss  Harriet,  daughter  of  Dr.  Nathan  and  Ann 
(Hamilton)  Cook.  The  father  was  born  in  New 
Hampshire,  while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Che- 
nango County,  N.  Y.  Dr.  Cook  was  a  graduate  of 
Dartmouth  College  and  came  to  Michigan  in  May, 
1837,  settling  on  the  north  side  of  Gravel  Lake  in 
Porter  Township,  Van  Buren  Conntv.     His  health 


546 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


failing,  Dr.  Cook  abandoned  tlie  practice  of  medi- 
cine and  became  a  farmer.  He  died  January  30, 
1867,  aged  sixty-seven  yeai-s;  his  wife  passed  away 
July  12,  1887  at  the  age  of  eighty-four.  He  took 
an  active  part  in  local  politics  and  tlic  meeting 
was  lield  at  his  house  when  Porter  Township  w.as 
organized,  Mrs.  \'an  .\ntwerp,  who  was  then  a  little 
girl,  suggesting  the  name.  He  was  the  first  Town- 
ship Clerk  and  held  the  olHce  of  Treasurer  for 
several  years.  Dr.  Cook  and  his  wife  became  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Mrs.  Van  Antwerp  and 
Mrs.  Beach;  the  latter  died  near  Topeka,  Kan.,  in 
1867,  and  w.as  the  lirst  school  t<>aclier  in  the  village 
of  Decatur. 

Mrs.  ^'an  Antwerp  was  born  March  29,  1827,  in 
Covington,  Tioga  County,  Pa.,  and  was  ten  years 
of  age  when  she  came  to  ^^lichigan.  She  is  a  liiiely- 
ed\icateil  lady,  having  attended  the  schools  at  Paw 
Paw  and  taken  a  course  in  the  seminary  at  School- 
craft. She  tiiught  school  for  six  years  in  Van 
Buren  and  Cass  Counties.  After  her  marriage  with 
our  subject,  the  young  couple  made  their  home  in 
Antwerp  Townsliip  for  a  number  of  years.  They 
later  removed  to  Paw  Paw  where  Mr.  Van  Antwerp 
engaged  in  the  livery  business  and  where  he  died 
in  October,  186;"). 

Our  subject  and  liis  good  wife  l)ecame  the  par- 
ents of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — 
Daniel  C,  and  Mrs.  John  Marsliall,  a  sketch  of 
whose  husband  will  be  found  on  another  page  in 
tills  volume.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nan  Antwerp  were 
memliers  of  the  Presbj'terian  Church,  in  which  so- 
ciety the  father  wa.s  a  Trustee.  In  politics,  he  was 
a  DenuK-ral.  The  niotiier  makes  her  home  with  her 
son  ill  Porter  Towiisliii). 


\f  AMKs  M.  WILLIAMS,  a  thrifty  an. I  .nictul 
farmer  resiiling  on  section  f),  is  <ine  of  the 
worthy  cili/cns  of  Decatur  Township  that 
the  (Ircen  Isle  of  Kiln  lins  fuinislicd  to  \'aii 
Buren  Coiiiily.  lie  was  Immii  Mny  2.i,  IHI7,  In 
County  Aiilriiii,  Ins  parent.^  in'liig  Aichibald  and 
Anil  .McWilliains,  a  sketch  of  whom  .'ippcais  ei.sc- 
wlii'ir  ill  tlii''  work.      (  iiiiiini:  In  Aimi  ic:i  with    iii^ 


father  when  a  lad  of  sixteen  j'ears,  he  located  in 
Decatur  Township  and  aided  in  the  development 
and  cultivation  of  the  farm  until  twenty  years  of 
.age,  when  he  began  to  earn  his  own  livelihood  by 
work  as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month.  Thus  he  was 
eniploj-ed  until  the  spring  of  1872,  when  lie  rented 
a  farm  on  section  5,  Decatur  Township. 

Mr.  McAVilliams  further  completed  his  arrange- 
ments for  a  home  by  his  marriage,  on  the  13th  of 
November  of  that  3'ear,  to  Miss  Flora  Lyle,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Lyle.  Her  father  was 
then  residing  upon  a  farm  in  Bloomingdale,  but  is 
now  living  retired  in  the  village  of  Gobleville. 
Jlr.  McWilliams  continued  to  rent  land  for  three 
and  a  half  years,  when  he  purchased  the  land  which 
lie  had  rented,  consisting  of  a  sixty-acre  tract. 
About  tW'O  years  previous,  he  had  purchased  fort}- 
acres  on  section  6,  Decatur  Township,  but  after- 
ward sold  this  and  bought  an  additional  sixt}- 
acres  on  section  5.  lie  also  rented  forty  acres  on 
section  8,  and  when  his  financial  resources  in- 
creased, made  anotlier  purchase  of  forty  acres.  His 
landed  possessions  now  aggregate  two  liundred  and 
sixty  acre^  of  which  two  hundred  lie  in  one  body 
and  constitute  his  home  farm.  It  is  all  under  a 
high  slate  of  cultivation  and  well  improved,  being 
divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size  by  well-kept 
fences.  There  are  gooil  barns  and  other  necessary 
outbuildings  for  the  shelter  and  care  of  his  stock, 
which  is  likewise  of  good  grades.  He  raises  all 
kinds  of  cereals  adapted  to  this  climate  and  alto- 
gether his  farm  is  considered  one  of  the  best  in  tlie 
locality,  while  the  owner  is  numbered  among  the 
industricjiis  and  progressive  agriculturists.  'I'ho 
fortv-acie  tract  of  Land  winch  ho  owns  on  sectimi 
14,  Decatur 'I'owiisliip.  is  siilj  uuiniproved. 

Unto  .Mr.  and  Mis.  McWilliams  have  been  born 
six  cliililii'ii  and  the  family  circle  yet  remains  un- 
hidkcii.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows: 
I'laiiU  L.,  born  November  2r>,  1873;  Harry  W., 
Septcinlicr  H,  1S7(!;  Annie  E.,  M.ay  10,  1880;  May 
.1.,  .laniiary  10,  1H,S2;  Unhy.  February  26,  1881;  and 
Alexander  (i.,  January  I,  18H().  Ills  one  of  Mr. 
McWillianis' chief  desires  to  give  his  cliildrcii  good 
eiliicalions  and  thus  lit  them  for  the  practical 
duties  of  life,  lie  is  a  friend  of  good  schools,  and 
to  other   interests   cmIcuImIciI  to    licnelit    tlic    com- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


547 


iminity  he  also  gives  his  hearty  support  and  co- 
opciatioii.  lie  ;nicl  Ills  wife  are  both  iiit'inlicis  (if 
the  Picshyti'i-iaii  Ciniivh  in  Decatur,  to  wliicli  they 
uonli'il)ut-c  lilierally,  at  the  same  tiine  doing  all  in 
their  power  to  promote  its  upluiildiug.  His  right 
ol  franchise  he  exercises  in  support  <if  llii'  Repuli- 
ican  part^-. 


■i».k— »J- 


?  I    '  I  '     I  «< 


jENJAMlN  W.  CLARK,  a  highly  esteemed 
farmer  of  Van  Buren  County,  residing  on 
[fi%]\tl  section  2,  Decatur  Townshi[),  was  born  in 
>f^  Naples,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  May  22, 
IcSf)*!,  and  is  the  only  son  of  Benjamin  W.  and 
Ilaunaii  (Rubert)  Clark.  His  father  was  born  in 
Naples  about  1820,  and  was  a  representative  of 
one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  Ontario,  N.  Y.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  which  he  followed 
some  time,  and  after  attaining  to  man's  estate 
wedded  Miss  Rubert, of  Livingston  Comity,  whose 
father  was  a  cooper.  Soon  afterward,  in  June, 
1858,  he  bade  good-by  to  the  East  and  came  to 
Michigan,  casting  his  lot  with  the  early  settlers  of 
Keeler  Township,  Van  Buren  County.  There  he 
made  his  home  but  at  the  same  time  worked  in 
Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  and  Crown  Point,  Ind.  In 
1870,  he  began  operating  his  land  in  Keeler  Town- 
ship and  to  farming  devoted  his  energies  until  his 
death  in  1878.  His  widow  is  still  livmg  in  the 
town  of  Keelersville,  with  her  daughter  Esther,  the 
only  sister  of  our  subject.  The  father  was  a  Re- 
publican and  his  brother.  Nelson  Clark,  an  able 
lawyer,  was  a  prominent  politician  who  held  the 
ollice  of  United  States  Revenue  Collector  for  some 
years  and  has  since  engaged  in  legal   practice. 

Our  subject  was  onlj'  two  years  old  when  his 
parents  came  to  ]\Iichigan.  In  tlie  graded  schools 
of  Keelersville,  he  acquired  a  good  English  educa- 
tion and  then  worked  upon  the  farm  for  about  ten 
years,  after  which  he  went  to  Chicago  and  for  one 
year  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road Company.  He  then  worked  a  year  and  a  half 
for  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railroad  Company 
in  the  transfer  business,  after  which  we  find  him 
residing  upon  a  farm  in  Summerville,  Cass  County, 
which  he  operated  for  a  3'ear.     Again  Keelersville 


became  his  home  and  he  was  there  variously  em- 
ployed for  about  twelve  months,  wlicii,  in  the 
autumn  of  1881,  he  came  to  Decatur  Township. 
Tiiree  jears  were  spent  in  farming  and  a  change; 
again  occurred  in  his  [)lace  of  residence. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married,  December  5,  188.3,  to 
Mrs.  Frank  A.  Stotler,  daughter  of  Perry  Tinkham 
of  Summerville.  They  have  a  pleasant  home  in 
Decatur  Township  and  are  well  and  favorably' 
known  in  the  community.  Our  subject  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grange  of  Decatur  and  is  a  dcmitted 
memljerof  the  Odd  Fellows'  Lodge.  He  now  sup- 
l)orts  the  Republican  party,  with  which  he  has 
affiliated  for  ten  3'ears.  In  the  sin-ing  of  1891,  he 
was  elected  Commissioner  of  Highways  and  the 
prompt  and  able  manner  in  which  he  discharges  his 
duties  has  won  liim  the  commendation  of  all. 

Mr.  Clark  is  a  popular,  genial  gentleman  and  is 
numbered  among  the  self-made  men  of  the  count}'. 
He  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising, 
making  a  specialty  of  the  raising  of  Hambletonian 
horses.  He  has  all  the  necessary'  improvements 
upon  his  place  and  iiis  is  a  model  farm,  from  which 
he  reaps  a  golden  tribute  in  return  for  his  care  and 
cultivation. 


€+^ 


"S] 


[^" 


RASTUS  OSBORN,  a  self-made  man  resid- 
ing on  section  31,  Hamilton  Township,  ^'an 
f/  Buren  County,  is  a  native  of  Allegan^' 
County,  N.  Y.  He  was  born  March  24,  1838,  and 
is  a  son  of  Stephen  Osborn,  who  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont in  1768,  and  in  the  Green  Mountain  State 
followed  farming.  He  married  Lucy  Parsons,  also 
a  native  of  Vermont,  and  unto  them  were  born  nine 
children.  His  father's  wife  died  in  1834,  and  he 
married  Sally  Hungerford,  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State. 

Mr.  Osborn  removed  from  ^'ermont  to  Allegany 
County,  N.  Y'.,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  for 
twenty  years  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  By 
his  second  wife  he  also  had  eight  children.  In  tiie 
fall  of  1844,  he  came  to  Michigan  with  his  family 
and  spent  the  winter  in  Keeler  Township,  remov- 
ing in  the  spring  to  Hamilton  Township,  of  which 
he  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.     He   bore    the 


548 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


usu«]  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life,  his 
home  being  a  log  cabin  and  his  farm  lie  developed 
from  being  raw  land.  lie  died  on  the  old  lionic:<tead 
in  Hamilton  Township  in  1853,  in  llie  faith  of  tlic 
Baptist  Church,  of  whic-ii  lie  was  a  member,  and 
many  friends  mourned  his  loss.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him  until  January  7, 1892,  dying  at  tlie  home 
of  our  subject.  Siie  was  an  estimable  lady  I'f  pleas- 
ant manner  and  had  the  high  regard  of  all  who 
knew  her. 

Our  subject  was  a  lad  of  only  seven  years  when 
with  his  parentis  he  came  to  Hamilton.  His  edu- 
cational advantages  were  meagre,  being  only  such 
as  the  common  schools  afforded.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  fifteen  years  old. and  tlie  year  follow- 
ing he  started  out  in  life  for  iiimself,  since  which 
time  he  has  earned  his  own  livelihood.  He  began 
hy  working  as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month  and  with 
the  capital  he  thus  ac(piired  purchased  fifty  acres 
of  land.  He  sold  this  on  attaining  his  majority 
and  tlie  following  year  bought  a  forty-acre  tr.act 
and  with  his  three  brotlicrs  also  purchased  eighty 
acres.  His  landed  possessions  now  aggregate  three 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  and  his  is  one  of 
the  model  farms  of  the  county.  The  well-tilled  fields 
and  many  improvements  indicate  the  thrift  and 
enterpri.M'  of  the  owner  who  devotes  his  energies  to 
general  farmingand  stock-raising  with  good  success. 
Seven  years  ago,  he  built  llielionu'  of  the  family,  a 
fine  and  eomnUKhotis  residence,  which  is  supplied 
with  all  the  <'omforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of 
life. 

On  ^[.■lrcll  21.  lHf;.i,  Mr.  Osboni  was  united  in 
marriage  to  .Miss  Annette  M.  Laselle,  a  native 
of  the  Empire  State.  She  came  from  the  TJiousand 
Islands  to  Micliigan  about  1 8(10,  and  three  years 
later  gave  her  hand  in  m.arriage  to  our  subject. 
They  have  two  chihh-en.  Mamie  is  the  wife  of 
William  M\kl('anil  they  reside  on  her  f;itlier's  farm 
in  Hamilton  'I'ownship.  rntotliem  has  been  born 
a  Hon,  Harold  Eriustus.  I, nana,  the  younger  daugh- 
ter, attended  school  in  Deejilui  miuI  (■iiiiiplele(|  her 
eduralion  in  Downgiac,  Mirli. 

Mr.<Nborn  has  been  a  life-long  Di'inocrat  .'uid 
wft-H  Treasurer  of  his  township  for  seven  Ncars, 
iH'ing  elected  at  e.aeh  .sneeessive  election,  a  fact 
which  indieatCM  his  jiopularity  Mud  ilie   connilence 


reposed  in  him,  for  the  township  has  a  Republican 
majority.  When  we  take  into  consideration  the 
fact  that  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  empty- 
h.anded  and  has  had  nothing  to  depend  upon  but 
his  own  exertions,  we  see  that  he  deserves  all  the 
more  credit  for  his  success  in  life.  By  his  per- 
severance, industry  and  good  man.agement.  he  h.as 
acipiired  a  comfortable  competence  nnd  is  held  in 
the  highest  regard  throughout  the  comiiiiinity  in 
which  he  resides. 


OX.  JOHN  S.  CROSS,  one  of  the  most  sa- 
gacious business  men  of  Bangor,  \'an  Buren 
County,  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  .and 
real-estate  business,  which  he  has  success- 
fully carried  on,  and  also  is  chief  among  the  civil 
engineers  of  the  State,  having  held  many  promi- 
nent and  responsilile  positions  in  that  line.  This 
gentleman  is  a  son  of  Charles  U.  Cross,  a  native  of 
Madison  County.  N.  Y.,  where  lie  was  born  Decem- 
ber 25,  LSI  1.  He  there  grew  t^)  mature  years,  re- 
ceiving a  thorough  iiialhematical  and  classical  edu- 
cation at  Hamilton  Academy,  having  been  adopted 
by  his  uncle,  Samuel  P:iyiie,  a  wealthy  farmer  of 
Hamilton.  He  was  married  to  Mary  S.  West .  of 
Hamilton,  N.  Y..  in  IS.'id.  she  being  a  daughter  of 
Orrin  and  Mary  ( Iliibbnid)  West.  The  same  3'ear 
this  newly  married  ctniple  came  to  \'an  Buren 
County  and  located  land  where  the  thriving  village 
of  Bangor  now  strands,  and  which  was  then  but  a 
wild  country,  iiihnbiled  by  Indians  and  wild  beasts 
of  all  kinds.  Tliey  spent  flie  remainder  of  their 
u>eful  lives  on  the  site  which  now  marks  the  home 
of  our  subject. 

The  great-grand  father  of  our  subject,  I'riali 
Cross,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War  as  an  Or- 
derly-Sergeant in  the  regiment  commaiuh'd  by 
Kthan  .Vllen  and  was  W(uiiided  near  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  removed  from  Covington,  Conn., 
where  he  was  born  in  1 7;!  I,  to  Bennington,  Vt., 
and  was  the  father  of  leu  children. 

His  grandparents,  Calvin  :iih1  Polly  (Osiner) 
Cross,  were  both  natives  of  the  (Ircen  Mountain 
State,  and  were  also  tl(C  jiarents  of  ten  children. 

Charles  U.  Croifa  waf  1  he   lirsl    iiiiiii  who  seltled 


PORTKAIT  AND  JJJOGKArillCAL   RECUllD. 


549 


in  what  is  now  Bangor  Township  and  there  com- 
menced tliat  hard  struggle  for  existence  wiiich 
was  the  lot  of  all  or  neai'ly  all  of  the  earl_y  settlers. 
Resides  his  farming  pursuits,  he  followed  surveying 
until  lH()H,at  wiiicli  time,  through  an  accident,()ne 
of  liis  legs  was  broken,  and  he  was  not  able  to  con- 
tinue in  this  work.  He  died  where  he  had  fought 
the  battle  of  life.  May  9,  1872,  on  the  same  sftot 
where  thirty-five  years,  before  his  log  cabin  was 
built.  He  was  a  man  of  extended  influence  and 
the  strictest  integrity,  one  who  will  long  be  I'e- 
niembered  by  the  people  of  Van  Buren  C^ounty 
for  his  genial  manner  and  wise  counsel.  Ills  good 
wife  survived  him  two  years,  passing  awav  at  the 
old  homestead,  November  17,1874.  She  was  a 
woman  of  a  genial  and  fearless  disposition  and 
was  well  qualified  to  be  the  wife  of  a  pioneer. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  is 
a  native-l)orn  citizen  of  this  county  and  township, 
born  in  May,  1849,  and  was  the  fifth  in  the  family 
of  seven  children,  namely:  Samuel  P.,  Orrin  W., 
Sarah  M.,  Herbert  S.,  John  S.,  Charles  U.,  .Tr.,  and 
Albert  C.  Of  these  hut  four  are  now  living: 
Samuel  P.,  Sarah  M.,  John  S.  and  Albert  C. 
Our  subject  grew  to  mature  years  in  his  native 
city  and  attended  the  common  schools,  and  also 
Hillsdale  College  during  the  winter  of  1871, 
where  he  paid  particular  attention  to  the  study 
of  civil  engineering.  He  engaged  with  the  Chi- 
cago and  Michigan  Lakeshore  Railroad  Com- 
pany as  engineer,  working  with  them  about  two 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  went 
to  Pennsylvania  in  the  interests  of  the  Buffalo, 
New  York  and  Philadeliihia  Railroad,  and  had 
charge  of  a  division  of  fourteen  miles  in  the  con- 
struction of  that  road.  He  then  went  to  Wilkes- 
liarre,  Pa.,  in  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  Coal  and 
Navigation  Company,  remaining  with  them  a 
little  more  than  two  years,  as  Assistant  Civil  and 
Mining  Engineer.  In  1874,  he  returned  to  his 
home  and  engaged  in  engineering  in  the  State,  and 
the  next  year  worked  for  the  Wabash  Railroad 
Company,  surveying  in  that  year  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  of  railroad. 

After  this  Mr.  Cross  engaged  in  the  real-estate, 
insurance  and  loan  business,  which  he  has  followed 
ever  since.  In  the  year  18H2,  he  eng.aged  with  the 
25  V 


Toledo  Si  South  Haven  Railroad  .as  Chief  Engin- 
eer, a  [)osition  he  has  since;  held  with  satisfaction. 
In  1884,  he  was  elected  to  the  I.egislalure,  serv- 
ing two  terms,  and  held  the  position  of  Chair- 
man of  the  investigating  coinniittee  of  the  bogus 
life  insurance  coini)anies  which  had  sprung  u() 
throughout  the  State,  and  through  his  instru- 
mentality were  wiped  out  of  existence,  and  a  l>ill, 
which  was  introduced  by  liini  in  revise  the  laws 
relating  to  assessment  insurance  companies,  became 
a  law.  The  title  of  the  bill  is  as  follows:  ".V  bill 
to  revise  the  laws  providing  for  the  incorporation 
of  co-operative  and  mutual  benefit  associatums, 
and  to  define  the  i)ovvers  and  duties  and  regulate 
the  transactions  of  the  business  of  all  such  cor- 
porations and  associations  doing  business  within 
this  State." 

The  Hon.  John  S.  Cross  was  united  in  marriage 
in  August,  1873,  to  Miss  Alice  Brown,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  S.  and  Julia  (Sage)  Brown,  natives  of 
New  York  State,  but  who  came  to  this  State  in 
1835  and  settled  in  Cass  County,  where  Mrs.  Cross 
was  born  in  1856.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cross  have 
been  born  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still 
living:  Millicent  A.,  Sarah  E.,  E.  Charles,  Orrin  N. 
and  Albert  L. 

Politically,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Cross  is  a  stalwart  Re- 
publican, and,  socially,  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  in  1890  served  as  Grand 
Master  of  the  State.  He  was  also  elected  President 
of  the  Methodist  Ei)isco|)al  Lay  Electoral  Confer- 
ence held  at  (Ti-and  Kafjids  in  1891.  He  and  his 
estimable  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  at  Bangor,  and  are  held  in 
the  highest  esteem  liy  their  innumerable  friends 
and  accpiaintances. 


^ 


OBERT  M.  HAYNES,  a  representative 
armer  of  Hartford  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  was  born  in  Livingston  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  28,  1825,  and  was  the  second 
in  a  family  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to 
mature  years.  Our  subject  came  to  this  county  in 
183()  and  located  in  Lawrence  Township,  where  he 
grew  to  mature  years,  and  while  a  resident  of  that 


550 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD, 


towuship.  in  1849,  was  married  lo  Ilaniet  Hill. 
Our  subject  moved  onto  his  present  farm  in  1849 
and  came  inU>  possession  of  it  in  1863.  It  consists 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  hi*  lias 
cleared  all  but  eiirlit^en  acres  of  it. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  .lohn  R.  and 
Margaret  (Winn)  lla.vnes.  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  New  York,  respectively.  Mr.  Ilayues  served 
in  the  "War  of  I8I2..1.-*  did  also  one  of  iiis  brothers. 
Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  reared  a  family  of 
three  children,  one  of  whom  is  now  dece.ised.  Po- 
litically, he  has  at  all  times  been  idcntitit-d  witli 
the  Democratic  party. 

Josinh  Hill,  one  of  llio  i)ioneers  of  llnrtfoiil 
Town>hip.  came  from  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1840.  and  located  on  the  farm  where  our  sub- 
ject now  lives.  He  was  a  native  of  \'i'rinont  and 
moved  to  New  York  wiili  his  parents  in  an  eaily 
da}'.  He  was  there  married  and  lirought  his  fam- 
ily here  when  he  came.  He  partially  cleared  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  was  an 
energetic  man.  He  died  .'ihout  18(;3  on  the  old 
home  near  Hartford. 


'^^ir(55^ 


0~    ATllAN    111  l.HKirr.      Miuiy    noble    repro- 
/  sentatives  of  tlie  (Jnuid    .Vrniy   of  the   Re- 
^  public  make  thrir  lioine  within   the  liorders 

of  \an  llurcn  (  ounty,  are  actively  identilied  with 
it-s  various  industries  and  piofcssions,  and  are 
amonj;  it.-  bc.-t  cili/.fu.s.  It  is  of  one  of  this  num- 
lier.  Nathan  llullK'rt,  that  we  write.  He  is  a  far- 
nu-r  and  sUK-k-raiser,  residini;  <»n  .section  31,  addi- 
tion to  Paw  I'aw  'I'owuship.  lie  is  a  veteran  hero 
of  the  late  war,  whose  cool  d.'irinj;,  unllincliing 
courage  in  time  of  pciil.  and  '^ixnl  soldiership 
generally  won  him  :i  high  military  reputation, 
which  rellected  creilil  on  his  regiment  .-ind  of 
which  he  ami  his  nuiy  well  be  proiiil. 

.Mr.  Hullx-i't  was  born  in  Tio^a  County,  N.  Y., 
.September  22,  |H.'t2,  a  son  of  Loren  :uid  Augusta 
(Snckell)  llulbrrl.  lie  wius  two  yenra  of  age  when 
his  father  ■•.'unr  lo  Miclii;ran.  lie  rcnicil  ground 
near  .Marshall  until  IK.'IT.  and  llini  lu'c'inic  a  pio- 
neer   Jieltler   of    Waverly   Township,    this   comuI^. 


He  bought  one  hundred  and  twenty  .icres  of  wild 
land,  and  was  busily  engaged  in  its  improvement 
and  cultivation  until  his  demise.  Ilis  wife  died 
in   1844. 

Our  subject  was  very  early  in  life  taught  to 
make  himself  useful,  and  was  only  nine  years  old 
when  he  became  self-supporting,  earning  his  living 
b}'  working  out  by  the  month  until  lie  entered  the 
army.  Conseipiently  his  chances  for  obtaining  an 
education  were  limited.  When  the  war  broke  out, 
he  W!is  in  the  tlusli  and  vigor  of  early  manhood, 
rejoicing  in  a  strong  constitution  and  splendid 
health,  and  endowed  witli  a  clear  brain  and  steady 
nerve.  His  patriotic  heart  was  stirred  to  the 
depths  by  the  assault  on  the  v\d  rt.ag,  and  he 
eagerly  volunteered  to  light  ft)r  his  coimtry.  He 
enlisted  in  I'aw  I'aw.  Inil  lie  and  liis  company  lie- 
came  a  meniliei  of  a  New  York  regiment,  the 
.Seventieth  Infantiy,  and  was  placed  in  Conniany 
C.  His  bravery  and  devotion  to  the  cause  were 
shown  on  many  a  hotly  contested  battklield.  He 
fought  in  the  li.attle  of  StalTord  Court  House,  in 
llie  siege  of  Yorktown.  and  in  the  engagements 
with  the  enemy  at  Willianisliurg.  Fair  Oaks,  Wsli- 
iamsburg  Ruad,  Savage  Station,  in  the  two  battles 
at  Nelson's  Farm,  .-md  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull 
Run.  He  also  f.aced  the  enemy  at  Cliantilly,  Fred- 
eiicksliuig,  Chaiicellorsville,  Kelley's  Ford,  Mine 
Run,  Malvern  Hill,  Colil  Harbor,  (iaines'  Mills. 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  in  the  battles  of  llic 
Wildeiuess.  !il  Peleisliiiig,  Antietam,  South  .Moun- 
tain .•iiid  (  u'tlysliurg.  Ilis  Icnii  of  service  lasted 
four  years,  expiring  .lanuary  3,  181)1,  and,  though 
he  was  in  so  m.'iny  battles  and  did  his  shaie  of  the 
li;U(|  (igliting,  he  ese;ipe(l  witlioiil  wounds  or  lie- 
iiig  taken  prisoner.  He  had  many  close  calls,  how- 
ever, as  at  one  time  his  canteen  stayed  the  shot 
meant  for  him  niid  thus  saved  his  hl'e.  At  another 
time,  a  ball  from  a  rebel  rilh'  passed  through  liis 
blouse  near  his  heart,  but  fortunately  left  him  un- 
scathed, and  again  his  knapsack  was  shot  through. 
He  did  not,  liowever,  escape  disease,  brought  on  liy 
the  hardships,  privations  and  exposures  incidental 
to  a  soldier's  life,  and  besides  being  .sick  in  a 
liospilal  for  two  months  during  his  lirst  term  of 
enlistment,  when  he  liii;illy  h'ft  the  army  al,  Mie 
close  of  the  war  his  lieallh    was  sliattcreil. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


551 


After  his  discharge,  Mr.  IliilPjcrt  ro-cnlisted,  and 
when  he  returned  to  the  seat  of  war  from  his  thirty- 
days'  furlough  in  Micliigan,  he  was  assigned  to 
Company  B,  tlie  Eighty-sixth  New  York  Infantry. 
His  regiment  did  conspicuous  service  in  the  liat- 
tles  of  Bermuda  Hundred,  Weldon  Railway  and 
Petersbuig,  being  active  in  the  mine  explosion  at 
the  latter  place,  and  doing  some  gallant  lighting  at 
Fort  Hill  (111  the  Jerusalem  Plank  Road.  They 
were  at  the  front  in  the  three  desperate  charges  at 
Petersliurg,  and  at  the  final  wind-uii.  It  was  there 
that  (lur  subject  performed  a  heroic  deed,  which 
had  an  important  beaiing  on  the  events  of  the  day, 
and  which  is  well  worthy  of  record  among  the 
thousands  of  brave  and  courageous  acts  of  the  rank 
and  file  of  the  army.  In  a  building  near  the  battle- 
field, the  rebel  sharpshooters  were  stationed  and 
were  doing  great  execution.  All  attempts  at  dis- 
lodging them  had  been  in  vain,  until  Mr.  llulliert 
volunteered  to  set  fire  to  the  building.  He  carried 
out  his  plan  with  great  adroitness,  and  to  the 
marvel  of  his  comrades  returned  to  his  jjlace  in  the 
line  without  even  as  much  as  a  wound,  while 
the  siiaipshooters  were  driven  out  of  their  strong- 
hold. 

Our  subject  remained  with  his  regiment  until 
after  the  war  was  brought  to  a  close,  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  .luly  4,  1865.  He  returned  to 
Michigan,  and,  as  soon  as  he  w.is  able,  went  to  fann- 
ing upon  the  eighty-two  acres  of  land  that  he  had 
purchased  before  he  entered  the  army.  He  has 
made  of  it  a  good  farm,  provided  with  comfortable 
buildings,  has  it  well  stocked  with  cattle,  horses, 
etc.,  and  has  gained  for  himself  an  assured  pl.ace 
among  the  substantial  farmers  of  Paw  Paw  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Hulbert  was  married  to  Miss  Rosanna  Covey 
in  the  fall  after  his  return  from  Southern  battle- 
fields, September  24,  1865,  being  the  date  of  their 
weiiding.  Mrs.  Hulbert  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
born  in  Waverly  Township,  October  12,  1842,  and 
there  she  was  reared  and  obtained  a  good  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Almond  B.  and  Ruth  (Armstrong)  Covey.  Her 
jiarents  were  born  and  married  in  New  York,  came 
from  that  State  to  this  in  18.?(!,  and  were  among 
the   pioneer  settlers  of  \'aii  liuren   County.     .Mr. 


and  Mrs.  Hulbert  are  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Carrie  L.,  who  married  Edwin  Colby, 
of  Paw  Paw  Township;  Susie  M.,  who  luaiiied 
Clarence  Smith,  a  farmer  of  Arlington;  Kiley,  who 
was  accidentally  shot  at  the  age  of  three  and  one- 
half  years;  Eva,  who  lives  at  home;  Blanche; 
Chester;  Emery;  Neva,  and  I'enrI,  who  di(>(|  In  in- 
fancy. 

Our  subject  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote 
in  1856.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Re[)ublic,  and  attended  the  National  Reunion 
at  Detroit  in  1891. 


"o2- 


OHN  BLAISDELL.  Passing  years  have 
brought  to  this  gentleman  a  goodly  amount 
^ ,  of  this  world's  possessions,  as  the  reward  for 
^5^//  continuous  and  well-directed  labor  in  his 
chosen  vocation.  A  member  of  the  agricultural 
community,  upon  whom  the  prosperity  of  the 
world  depends,  he  has  devoted  his  life  to  secur- 
ing an  independence  for  his  old  age  and  h.as  also 
aided  in  the  develoinneiit  of  Xnn  Buren  County, 
where  he  has  a  fine  farm  in  Arlington  Township. 
Not  only  as  an  enterprising  farmer,  but  also  as  a 
valiant  soldier  who  enlisted  during  the  dark  days 
of  civil  warfare  and  offered  his  life  in  defense  of  his 
country,  he  deserves  to  have  his  name  perpetuated 
for  coming  generations. 

The  family  of  Medad  and  Lydia  (Main)  Blais- 
dell  consisted  of  nine  children,  as  follows: 
Thomas,  who  died  in  Barry  County,  this  State; 
.Tohn,  of  this  sketch  ;  Pomeroy,  a  resident 
of  Clyde,  N.  Y.  Jeriy;  C.\nthia,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Alonza  Perkins;  Me<lad,  Isabel,  Harvey 
and  George.  John  was  born  in  1820  in  Wayne 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  grew  to  mature  years  in  his 
native  county,  spending  his  youth  in  attend- 
ance at  the  common  schools  and  aiding  his  father 
as  his  strength  would  permit.  In  1844,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lydia  L.,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Ilezekiah  and  Jerusha  (Bunce)  Nichols, 
the  former  a  native  of  Connecticut  born  in  1786, 
and  the  later  born  in  Tully, N.  Y.,  in  17!M. 

Prior  to  her  marriage,  as  for  some  years  after- 
ward, Mrs.    Blaisdeli    resided  in    Wayne    County. 


552 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


She  was  one  of  nine  cbildren,  namely:  James,  de- 
ceased; Bartliolomew,  Chaunce3%  Phoebe  A.,  John 
W..  Daniel  15..  Lvdi.i  L..  llarlo  K.  and  Sarah  M.  .lolin 
W.  served  in  tlie  Mexican  War.  in  l.siC.  .ind  died 
on  Lis  return  home.  Mrs.  Blaisdell  is  a  lady  of 
retinement  and  a  devoted  wife  and  a  lender 
mother.  She  ha.'^  home  her  husband  two  children: 
Sarah,  the  wife  of  Cliristopher  Stalev,  and  Wil- 
liam, who  resides  near  the  old  homestead.  In 
January,  18.)i».  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blaisdell  removed 
West  to  Michigan,  settling  near  where  they  now 
reside. 

In  Septemlier,  ISOl.  Mr.  lilaisdell  enlisted  in 
the  United  States  army,  in  ('um|iany  C.  Third 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and  served  in  various  important 
engagements,  among  them  the  battles  of  New 
>Iadrid  and  I>land  No.  HI.  On  account  of  gen- 
eral disability,  he  was  liouorably  discharged  at 
Jackson,  Tenn..  about  fourteen  months  after  his 
enlistnienl.  Since  liis  return  lioiiie,  he  has  devoted 
hLs  attention  closely  to  his  farm  duties  and  has 
brought  his  place  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres 
to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  His  political  views 
arc  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  the  Re- 
publican party  and  he  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  that 
party.  He  is  accorded  a  high  [ilace  among  his  fel- 
low-citizens, as  his  character  is  above  reproach 
and  he  is  kindly  dispcsed  toward  .ill.  He  does  all 
in  his  power  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  his 
township,  mat^'rially,  socially  .and  morally,  and 
ha.s  aided  in  luinging  the  county  to  its  present 
high  development,  lie  is  a  iihiiiIht  of  Lincoln 
Post,  No.   lit.  C.  A.  l;.  :il   liangor. 


|-..\.l  WIIN    SMITH.  :ih  I c,iv(1miicI  iiinucn- 

tial  cili/.eii  of  Nan  Huren  County,  ownsand 
operates  a  f.'iriii  on  section  (!,  Columbia 
Township.  He  is  a  native  of  New  York 
and  was  born  in  Ly>nnder,  Oiiondag.a  County, 
.\ngiist  r.l,  1M2I.  Ili>  paternal  gran<ifatlier,  who 
waA  born  on  Long  Islinid  and  .served  in  the  |{e- 
voliitionary  War.  ilied  in  Saratoga  Couiilv,  N.  Y., 
leaving  a  widow  and  threi'  children:  Itenjamin, 
llanimh  and  .lonallian.     The  widow,  whose  in.'iiden 


name  was  Polly  Finch,  and  who  was  likewise  a 
native  of  Long  Island,  afterward  became  the  wife 
of  Jesse  Smith. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Jonathan  Smith,  was 
born  ^lay  Hi.  18(10,  near  Ballston  Spa.  Saratoga 
County,  N.  Y.  At  an  early  age  he  removed  tt) 
Onondaga  County,  and  thence,  in  1832.  returned 
to  Saratoga  County.  He  was  there  married  to 
^Nliss  Ilnlda  Hinman,  who  was  born  in  August, 
1803,  in  Ballston  S|)a,  Saratoga  County,  N.  \. 
The  union  waslilessed  by  the  birth  of  the  following 
children:  Betsy.  Benjamin.  William;  Reuben, 
who  died  jouiig;  llulda;  Sallie,  who  passed  away 
when  eighteen;  Isaac,  who  died  at  fourteen;  and 
Ann. 

In  1800.  Jonathan  Smith,  accom|)anicd  liy  his 
family, came  West  to  Jlichigan  and  located  in 
Waverly,  Van  Burcn  County.  After  a  long  and 
useful  life,  he  passed  from  earth  May  10,  1873. 
His  wife  survived  him  three  years,  her  death  oc- 
curring .lanuaiy  7,  1876.  They  were  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Ba|)tist  Church  and  sincere  Christians, 
lioth  in  adversity  and  prosperity.  The  maternal 
grandparents  of  our  subject  were  William  and  Sal- 
lie  Hinman,  natives  of  New  York  and  the  parents 
of  four  sons  and  live  daughters. 

The  boyhood  days  of  our  subject  were  passed  in 
the  district  schools  and  on  his  father's  farm.  .\t 
the  age  of  eighteen,  he  conmicnced  for  himself  and 
until  he  was  twenty-live  engaged  in  fanning 
and  chopping  wood,  being  paid  by  the  month  or 
d;iy.  1  le  airive(l  in  Michigan,  May  Ui,  1811,:ind 
:it  once  .settled  in  Reading,  Hillsdale  County,  where 
he  resided  ten  years.  .Vbout  1847  he  purchased 
his  lii-sl  tract  of  land — fin-ty  acres  of  timber;  he  af- 
terwaiil  bought  and  solil  three  fai'ms,  on  e.ai'h  of 
whirli  he  pl.'iccd  inipro\'eiiienls.  In  18.')t,  he  .sold 
his  properly  in  Hillsdale  Connly.  and,  coming  to 
\'an  ISnreii  (  onnly.. settled  in  W:iverly  Towiisliip, 
and  lionght  I'ighly  acres  of  land,  .\pril  II.  1877, 
he  came  to  the'  f:irni  where  he  now  resides  and  in 
com|)any  with  anotlu'r  man  purchased  thrive  hun- 
dred .acres  on  si  et  ions  (!  and  7.  When  the  hand 
was  divided.  <iur  subject  look  one  hundred  \\\\i\ 
(illy  .'uaes  south  of  the  railroad  ;ind  engaged  in 
cleai'ingaud  improving  the  pl.'iee. 

Dnrinu    the    winter   seasons    of    I  he   past    forty 


I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


i5:5 


years,  Mr.  Smith  has  been  engaged  in  lumbering 
ami  for  four  \'cai's  lias  had  charge  of  (!corge  Ilaii- 
iiali's  liiinltcr  interests.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  lias  served  as  Justice  f)f  the  Peace  and 
Highway  Commissioner.  He  was  married,  .Inly 
28,  1812,  to  Miss  .lane  Stanley,  who  was  horn  in 
Onondaga  County,  N.Y.  Her  father,  Samuel  Stanley, 
was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  engaged  in  farming 
in  New  York,  where  he  died  in  18.36  in  OnondagM 
County.  His  wife,  who  was  known  in  maidenhood 
.as  Dorcas  Odell,  was  likewise  a  native  of  the  Green 
Mountain  State  and  [lasscd  away  in  18.32.  Their 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  at- 
tained to  maturity:  J.ames,  Betsy,  Charles,  Bailey 
and  .lane.  The  union  of  our  suliject  and  his 
estimable  wife  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  three 
children:  Polly,  who  died  when  twenty-two; 
Dorcas,  who  became  the  wife  of  Edward  .Tones  and 
passed  from  earth  when  only  twenty-two  years  of 
age;  and  Bets^-  J.,  who  is  now  living  in  Dowagiac, 
Cass  County,  Mich. 


^^- 


^^-^^■m 


n>— 


ylLLIAM  F.  DEMING,one  of  the  most 
successful  farmers  of  Van  Buren  County, 
is  located  on  section  1,  Paw  Paw  Town- 
ship. He  is  a  native-born  citizen  of  this  township 
and  county,  having  had  his  birth  December  19, 
1857.  He  is  a  son  of  Amos  and  Martha  (Hogmire) 
Deming.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in 
his  native  township,  and  received  a  good  educa- 
tion. He  began  to  do  for  himself  by  working  his 
father's  place. 

William  F.  Deming  was  married,  December  2.5, 
1878,  to  Miss  Nellie  Downing,  of  Alinena  Town- 
ship. She  was  born  in  this  county,  April  2;),  1860, 
to  Decatur  and  Mary  (Smith)  Downing,  both  na- 
tives of  New  York  State.  Our  subject  has  lived 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  the  most  of  the 
time,  .and  he  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  May  Belle,  born  on  the  farm  November 
17,  187  0,  and  Otto  Frank,  born  December  9,  1881. 
Our  subject  started  in  the  evaporating  business 
at  Briggsville  in  1886,  and  after  running  it  a  few 
}'ears,  he  sold  out  and  built  where  he  now  is.  Mr. 
Deming  is  one  of    the  best  farmers   in  the  county. 


and,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  received  a  diploma 
from  the  Agiicull  iir.'il  Society  of  the  Paw  I'aw 
Valley.  He  took  the  first  prize  for  l)oy's  plowing, 
for  years  never  missing  but  once,  atr  which  time  he 
secured  the  .seconil  |)iize.  W  lien  he  received  his 
diploma,  he  contested  in  the  men's  class,  taking 
the  sweepstakes,  and  plowing  against  old  men  who 
had  taken  prizes  in  New  York  and  other  places. 
Our  subject  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but-  has 
never  been  an  .aspirant  for  olllcc 

Amos  Deming,  the  father  our  subject,  was  boi'n 
in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  August  24,  182.3. 
and  is  a  son  of  Roswell  and  iMerany  (Boughton) 
Deming.  The  father  w.as  a  native  of  Connecticut,  of 
English  ancestry,  who  came  to  New  York  in  1811. 
He  was  in  the  War  of  1812,  liiit  was  too  young  to 
be  a  soldier,  so  drove  a  team  and  helped  build  bar- 
racks, while  three  of  his  brothers  fought  in  the 
army.  The  mother  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  was 
a  daughter  of  Polder  Boughton,  a  well-known  min- 
ister of  New  York.  Amos  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  received  a  common-school  education.  He 
started  to  attend  school  at  Rochester  when  fifteen, 
but  was  called  home  on  account  of  his  father's 
losing  his  eyesight  and  not  being  able  to  carry  on 
the  farm. 

The  father  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one,  October  29,  1844,  to  Martha  Hogmire,  the 
mother  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  Deming  was  born  in 
Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  February  6,  1826,  a 
daughter  of  Conrad  and  Lucy  (Miller)  Hogmire, 
the  father  a  native  of  Maryland  and  of  Dutch  an- 
cestry, and  the  mother  of  Connecticut,  of  English 
ancestry.  After  marriage  they  continued  to  live  in 
New  York  on  the  old  homestead  some  twelve  years, 
when,  on  account  of  poor  health,  the  husband  con- 
cluded to  move  to  Michigan,  and  located  in  Paw 
Paw  Township.  He  bought  twenty  acres  of  laud 
on  coming  here,  and  brought  his  family  in  1852. 
His  first  purchase  was  on  section  9,  which  he  still 
owns.  He  moved  his  family  on  this  tract,  but  has 
since  purchased  other  lands,  owning  at  the  present 
time  two  hundred  .and  thirty  acres,  a  part  of  which 
borders  on  Pugsley's  Lake,  on  which  there  is  a 
summer  resort.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Amos  Deming  have 
had  born  to  them  nine  children:  Mary,  born  Au- 
oust  23.  1845,  m  New  York,  and  died    when  eigli- 


554 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


teen  yeai-s  old,  at  Paw  Paw.  Adeline  is  a  native 
of  New  York,  where  she  was  born  February  27, 
1848,  and  is  the  wife  of  Eli  Bierce,  and  livis  in 
Missouri;  they  have  two  children.  Justin,  l)orn  in 
New  York,  .September  29,  1850,  and  lives  on  the 
old  lioinestead;  he  is  married  and  the  fatiier  of  two 
cliildren.  .Vliec.  was  born  .July  18,  1852,  and 
lives  in  Paw  Paw;  Merana,  born  April  23,  1854, 
and  is  married  to  .losc|ili  Sa^c  of  I'aw  Paw,  and 
the  niollu'r  of  one  tliihl.  William,  our  sul)iect. 
Ciiauncy,  born  in  I'aw  Paw,  February  27,  1860, 
and  Lillie,  now  Jlrs.  William  Dansby.  and  they 
have  four  cliildren.  Amos  Deming  was  a  Whig 
in  his  early  d.ays  and  voted  for  Henry  Clay  in 
1H44.  and  fc  r  .lohn  C.  Fremont  in  18o().  On  the 
formatidu  of  the  Republican  |):irty.  he  joined 
that  body  and  has  ever  since  been  a  supporter  of 
its  principles.  He  has  been  lliijhway  Commis- 
sioner eisjiit  years. 


^^1:1^^ 


m\ 


BRAM  CRAMER.  The  village  of  Breeds- 
ville  is  the  home  of  quite  a  nunil)er  of 
gentlemen  wiio  have  retired  from  the 
active  labors  wliicli  formcily  engaged  their 
attention  and  now  in  their  old  agi-are  sui  rounded 
by  the  comforts  which  tlicv  accumulated  during 
theiryears  of  toil.  In  this  class,  ;i  pidinincut  place 
l)elongs  to  Mr.  Cramer,  whose  Ikhiic  is  in  an  at- 
tractive residence  surrounded  by  well-kept  grounds, 
eight  acres  in  extent.  Although  lie  lias  been  a 
rcsidentof  this  |)lace  only  a  few  years,  lie  is  well 
known  and  universally  respected  for  the  gener- 
ous and  gentlemanly  traits  of  character  which 
inv.'uiably  distinguish  his  actions. 

.Mr.  Craniei-  wa>  born  in  Washington  Townsliip, 
Morris  County,  X.  .1..  I'iIm  ii:iiy  2«.  I.sj."),  ami  is 
the  son  of  Al)rani  ami  Kjichel  (.Moore)  Cranu'r. 
His  father  was  a  native  of  .Menilluim.  N.  .1.,  his 
father  linving  emigrated  from  (leniKiiiN  to  the 
I'nited  Slates,  and  seivedas  a  Captain  of  .Vr(iller\- 
duiing  llie  Kevolutionary  War.  'I'he  gr.'indmother 
of  our  subject  att:iine<l  to  tlie  good  old  age  of 
one  hundred  ye.-irs.  ,\bram  ( 'ramer,  .Sr.,  was  a 
blaekMmith  by  trade  and  aho  operalecl  a  small  f.arm 
until  hi"  <l<'!illi.  Nvliicli  occurred  in    Moiris  Conntv, 


N.  J.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  a 
st.anch  Whig  in  his  political  belief.  Religiously, 
he  was  a  member  of    the    Congregatiinial  Church. 

The  family  of  which  our  subject  is  a  member 
comprised  eleven  children,  namely:  Archibald, 
Mary  A.,  Betsy,  William  M.,  Permelia,  .lane, 
Clarissa,  Abram,  Nelson,  Marinda  (who  died  in 
childhood),  and  Lewis  P.  The  mother  of  these 
children,  whose  maiden  n.ame  was  R.achel  Moore. 
w.as  born  in  Mendham,  and  was  descended  from 
Welsh  ancestors.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  but  when  only  eight  years  old,  commenced 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  bl.acksmith  with  his  father. 
At  the  .age  of  eighteen,  he  commenced  for  himself 
at  Mt.  Pleasant,  N.  J.,  and  for  several  ye.ars  con- 
tinued to  follow  his  trade  in  his  native  Slate. 

On  Christm.as  Day,  1838,  Mr.  Cramer  arrived  in 
Middletown,  Ohio,  where,  after  working  forotheis 
about  one  year,  he  opened  a  blacksmith's  shop  and 
in  that  connection  carried  on  different  kinds  of 
work.  For  twenty-two  years,  his  principal  busi- 
ness was  carri.age-making,  and  his  industry  and 
enterprise  brought  him  success.  In  the  spring  of 
1860,  he  removed  to  (lardner.  .Tohnson  County. 
Kansas,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  and  farmed  for  a  twelvemonth.  Afterwaid 
i  he  managed  a  hotel  for  three  years,  but  as 
that  was  the  pei-iod  of  the  war,  he  was  not  al- 
lowed to  remain  unmolested.  The  Rebels  made 
three  raids  on  him  and  not  only  robbed  him  of  all 
his  horses  but  captured  everything  he  had. 

Ill  ISIil,  Mr.  Cramer  reino\-ed  to  a  farm,  which 
he  improved  and  made  his  home  for  twenty- 
eightyears.  In  his  declining  years  he  retired  from 
active  fanning  operations,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1888,  sold  his  farm  and  came  to  Ihei'dsville.  lie 
w.as  married,  September  ."),  1835,  to  Miss  Maiy.  the 
driughlcr  of  King  and  .Sarah  (Ilarrett)  Taylor. 
Mrs.  .Mary  CrMuier  was  born  May  17,  IHI',1,  in 
England,  .nid  .'iccompiuiied  her  parents  to  the 
I'nilcd  St;iles  in  1^(3(1,  settling  in  New  .Jersey. 
Her  death  occurred  March  20,  188(i. 

.Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cramer  became  the  pai'cnts  of  thir- 
teen (tliildren,  namely:  Willi:iMi  II.,  who  diiMl  in 
infancy;  Finina,  the  wife  of  .lohn  Doty;  ( ieorge 
W.;  I''rances,  the  widow  of  l!i'MJ;nnin  Francis; 
Charles,  who    died    when  fourleeii;     Ivlwanl,     who 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


565 


passed  away  at  (^is^lilcen;  Miiu'i-va,  wil'c  of  .1.  15. 
IJiuner;  .loliii  T.;  Sallic,  now  Mis.  ,1.  15.  Todd; 
\Variiii!i:t,oii ;  Elinira,  who  diod  wlicii  Iwo  years 
old;  .loscpli  1).;  aiiil  yViiiia,,  wife  of  II.  l''ost,cr.  On 
.lime  U),  1.SH7,  Mr.  Cramer  was  united  hi  iiiar- 
liage  to  Mrs.  P]liza  A.  (Barber)  Brown,  the 
widow  of  Wells  Brown,  and  a  lady  of  relineiiu'iit 
and  culture.  Mr.  Cramer  was  for  many  years  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  is 
now  a  Spiritualist. 


t«^^HOMA.S  C.  TYNER.  This  respected  citi- 
///S\v  zen  of  Paw  Paw  is  the  |)resent  Registrar  of 
>._•  Deeds.  He  was  boru  in  Lexington  County, 
Ky.,  October  12,  1843,  and  is  the  scm  of  Thomas 
and  Ezylpha  (Caldwell)  Tyner.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  South  Carolina  and  the  mother  of  North 
Carolina.  They  moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
when  our  subject  was  about  six  years  old,  and 
there  he  spent  most  of  his  boyhood  days  attending 
the  cominon  school.  He  later  took  a  course  at  the 
schools  in  White  Water,  Ind. 

Our  subject  entered  the  Union  army  in  April, 
18(51,  enlisting  in  Company  B,  Eighth  Indiana  In- 
fantry, as  a  drummer  boy.  His  regiment  was  as- 
signed to  service  in  West  ^'irginia,  and  thus  he 
was  present  at  the  battles  of  Philippi  and  Laurel 
Hill.  His  term  of  service  expiring,  he  re-enlisted 
in  Company  D,  Ninth  Indiana  Infantry,  as  a  pri- 
vate, and  fought  at  Cheat  Mountain,  Oreen  Brier 
and  Alleghanj-  Heights.  He  was  sent  with  a  corn- 
pan}'  to  guard  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
and  later  was  sent  West  from  Cincinnati  to  N.asli- 
ville  and  formed  a  part  of  the  Nineteenth  Brig.ade, 
Fourth  Division. 

April  6  and  7,  18f>2,  Mr.  Tyner  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh.  He  later  took  an  active  part  in 
the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  battles  of  Perrysburg 
.and  Danville,  Nashville,  Stone  River,  Rock  Falls 
and  Chickamauga.  He  was  wounded  in  the  latter 
battle  in  the  ankle,  in  consequence  of  which  he  was 
honorably  discharged,  June  16,  1863.  After  re- 
maining home  about  four  weeks,  he  assisted  in  rais- 
ing  Company  (!.  One   Hundred  and    Eighteenth 


Indiana  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  as  Sergeant. 
He  saw  duty  at  Cumlierland  Cap,  Blue  Springs 
aiul  (ireeiivillc.  The  company  was  then  detached 
to  do  jnfivosl  duty  .•md  remained  thus  engaged 
until  November  13.  They  were  em|)loyed  in  skir- 
mishing all  that  winter  and  had  a  sliarj)  engage- 
ment at  MaynardsviUe.  In  iNIarcli,  1H66,  Mr. 
Tyner  was  mustered  out,  with  the  rank  of  First 
Lieutenant,  his  term  of  enlistment  having  expired. 
-Inly  16,  1864,  he  again  entered  the  ranks,  this 
time  being  assigned  to  a  company  in  the  Ninth 
Indiana  Infantry.  He  was  detailed  to  do  staff 
duty  for  Brig.-(;en.  Henry  15.  Carrington,  and  May 
16,  1865,  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  our  subject  entered 
Earlliam  College  .at  Richmond,  Ind.,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  18()().  He  then 
began  farming  in  Marshall  County,  Ind.,  and,  ( )cto- 
ber  12,  1866,  was  married  to  Miss  Kezia  M.  Mer- 
ritt,  of  Cass  County,  Mich.  In  1876,  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  .Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
farmed  until  August,  1878,  when  he  returned  to 
Marshall  County.  He  remained  there  only  a  short 
time,  however,  and  iii  1880  came  to  Van  Buren 
County,  this  State,  purchasing  a  farm  of  thirty 
acres  in  Lawrence  Township. 

Mr.  Tyner  has  been  very  prominent  in  public 
affairs  in  his  township,  and  in  1885  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  on  the  Republican  ticket. 
The  succeeding  3'ean-,  while  yet  the  incumbent  of 
the  above-named  oflice,  he  was  elected  Supervisor, 
which  position  he  held  until  1890.  He  was  Chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1890,  and  in 
November  of  that  year  w.as  elected  to  his  present 
position  of  Registrar  of  Deeds.  He  has  never  been 
defeated  on  a  single  ticket  which  has  lieen  jil.aced 
before  the  public. 

The  four  daughters  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T^'ner 
are  Hope  E.,  who  was  born  in  Marshall  County, 
Ind.,  March  3,  1868;  she  has  been  eng.agcd  in 
teaching  school,  but  at  the  present  time  is  her 
f.ather's  assistant  in  the  oltice.  Florence  L.  Avas 
born  in  Marshall  County,  Ind.,  February  1,  1870, 
and  is  the  wife  of  F21don  Long,  a  farmer  of  Law- 
rence Township,  Van  Buren  County;  she  has  one 
daughter.  Ethel  Iv.  was  born  March  23,  1876,  also 
in    Marshall    C<)unt\-,  while   Mav   E.  was  born    in 


556 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Lawrence  Township,  May  15,  1880.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  Ricliard  Tyncr,  w.as  a  soldier 
in  tlie  Revolutioiiarv  War  and  later  in  the  Indian 
War.  in  Kentucky,  lieing  [jrcsenl  at  St.  Clair's  de- 
feat. .Mr.  Tyner  is  a  strong  Grand  Army  of  the 
HepuMic  man.  and  i.>  tlic  i)iesent  Aide-de-Cainp  of 
the  Connnander  in  Chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic. 


^—T- 


(|/_^  ON.  CIIAKLES  L.  E.VTDN,  an  iiilhiential 
I)  citizen  of  I'aw  I'aw.  and  mcml)er  of  the 
Legislature,  was  born  in  Oilcans  County, 
X.  Y..  April  2.  1H46,  and  is  the  son  of 
George  and  Klizabcth  (Hopkins)  Eaton,  natives  of 
the  Empire  State.  His  fatlier,  who  was  a  grain 
dealer,  removed  to  Winnebago  Cuuiity.  111.,  in 
1857,  when  he  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years.  He  w.as 
in  attendance  at  the  Roscoe  Uniun  s<li()()ls  when  he 
enlisted.  .June  2,  18()2,  in  Comi)aiiy  C,  Sixty-sev- 
enth IlliiKiis  Infantry  for  three  months.  He  also 
served  for  a  short  time  as  orderly  to  I.icnt.  Col. 
Kerr  of  the  Seventy-foiirtli  1  Hindis  Infantry.  In 
.Sepleniber,  18G3,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-third 
Battery,  New  York  Liglit  Artillery,  and  was  fi- 
nally discharged  July  1-1,1865.  When  the  war 
closed.  Mr.  Katun  returned  to  New  York,  whither 
ins  parents  iiad  removed,  and  some  time  later  was 
a  student  in  tiie  Brockport  Collegiate  Institute  for 
one  year.  On  account  of  failing  health,  he  came  to 
Michigan  in  1867,  and  engaged  in  teaching  in  Van 
Buren  County.  For  three  years  he  was  Principal 
of  the  schools  at  Maltawaii,  and  while  there  was 
married,  .September  «,  186i),  t)  Miss  Xellie  A 
Joiner,  wlni  was  born  in  Ohio,  Fehruary  4,  184K.' 
The  year  following  his  mai'i'iage.  Mr.  Kiiton  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  at  Mattawan, 
and  rontinued  in  that  way  until  1K75. 

Kiiiiii  |k75  until  IHH.'j,  Mr.  Iviton  was  in  the 
employ  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railway  Company 
as  leli'ffraph  operator  and  station  agent,  .'ifter 
which  he  was  eng.'iged  in  a  general  store  at  Matt^i- 
wan,  and  a  drug-.itore  at  Paw  I'aw.  In  IH8!(,  he 
purchiL'<ed  one-half  interest  in  the  Tnir  Niirth- 
rTH'V,  of  which  he  was  editor  until  IH'.M,  when  he 
sold  oiil    to  Ills     pMI'tnel.       I'oli  1  iial  l\  .  he    is  a     lil'lil 


Republican,  and  has  served  in  various  official  ca- 
pacities. For  two  years  he  was  Treasurer  of  Ant- 
wer))  Township,  and  for  the  same  length  of  time 
served  as  Supervisor.  He  was  Chairman  of  the 
Republican  County  Committee,  and  of  the  Fourth 
Congressional  District  Republican  Committee  for 
four  years,  and  is  still  a  member  of  the  same. 

For  about  ten  j-ears,  Mr.  Eaton  has  served  as  del- 
egate to  the  State  Conventions.  In  1888,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  so  satisfactorily  did 
he  represent  the  interests  of  the  people,  that  he  was 
re-elected  in  1890.  He  has  served  as  Chairman  of 
the  State  jMilitary  Committee,  has  been  a  nieniber  of 
the  Committee  on  State  Affairs  and  School  of 
Jlines,  and  his  faithful  service  li.as  retlected  credit 
upon  his  constituents  as  well  as  brought  popular- 
ity to  himself.  In  March,  1891,  he  was  unani- 
mously elected  Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  De- 
partment of  Jliehigan,  at  Muskegon,  where  about 
nine  hundred  delegates  met  in  .assembly.  Never 
before  in  that  Department  had  such  an  honor  been 
conferred  uiion  anyone,  and  those  who  best  know 
Mr.  Katoii,  can  most  truthfully  testify  to  the  wis- 
dom of  the  choi(H\ 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Katon  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren. Iiotli  of  whom  were  born  in  Mattawan. 
Frank  Stafford,  born  IMareli  12,  1872,  is  a  tele- 
graph operator  and  newspaper  correspondent  in 
Detroit;  Marquis  H.,  whose  birth  occurred  April  5, 
1876,  was  graduated  from  the  Paw  Paw  High 
School  with  the  class  of  "92,  and  was  the  youngest 
graduate  the  school  ever  had.  Me  will  attend  the 
Cuiversity  at  Ann  .\rbor  in  Sepleinbi>r,  lilting 
himself  for  the  legal  profession. 


-^t 


-J- 


f/_^  KNRY  HICK.  There  are  many  beautiful 
farms  in  \'an  liiiren  County,  but  none  per- 
haps are  iiiore  attractive  than  the  estate 
§^  belonging  to  Mr.  liice.  It  comprises 
eighty  acres  in  section  ;i  1  Coliiinhia'rownsliip,  and 
at  the  lime  of  its  purchase  by  oiii-  subject,  in  IH7(t, 
was  covered  with  a  dense  growl  h  of  forest  trees 
and  underbrush.  Since  then  he  has  devoted  his 
energies  to  clearing  the  land  and  fertilizing  the 
soil,  so  as  to    ihikImcc     lliciMo-.!     desij'alile     results. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


557 


.111(1  liy  the  exercise  of  good  Jiiflgment  and  iinrc- 
niilUiig  iiidu.stry,  lias  lirduglil,  tlic  place  In  a  higli 
stale  of  cultivalion. 

Mr.  Hice  was  born  Decenilicr  2(1.  lH21,iii  Wheat- 
field  Township,  .Icffei'son  County,  I'a.  His  grand- 
father, William  Hice,  removed  at  an  early  day 
from  New  .Jersey  to  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in 
farming  operations  there  until  his  death.  By  his 
first  union,  he  became  the  father  of  two  sons:  .John 
and  Samuel.  His  second  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Amelia  Stewart,  bore  him  four  children: 
Henry,  William,  George  .and  Sallie.  The  father  of 
our  subject,  whose  given  n.ime  was  .John,  was  born 
in  17!n,in  Indiana  County,  Pa.,  and  when  quite 
young  learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith.  In  1844, 
he  removed  overland  to  Michigan,  the  journey 
consuming  eighteen  days.  He  settled  in  St.  .To- 
sepli  County,  where  he  died  at  a  good  old  age. 
His  religious  belief  brought  him  into  membership 
with  the  Presbyteri.an  Church,  and  In  his  political 
alliliations,  he  w.as  prominent  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  known  in  her 
maidenhood  as  Peggie  Milliron,  and  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  in  1791,  where  her  fa- 
ther, Philip  Milliron,  eng.aged  in  farming  opera- 
tions. Ilenrv  Hice  received  a  district-school  edu- 
cation in  his  childhood,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen, 
left  home  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  tanner,  which  he 
followed  until  he  came  to  Michigan  in  1844.  Here 
he  located  in  St.  Joseph  County  with  his  father 
and  aided  him  in  farming  operations,  but,  in  1847, 
he  removed  to  Schoolcraft,  Kalamazoo  Ctiunty, 
where  he  rented  a  farm  for  three  years.  Later  he 
bought  forty  .acres,  which,  after  clearing  and  im- 
proving, he  sold  about  187'5,  and  settled  in  the 
town  of  Portage. 

In  the  spring  of  1867,  Mr.  Hice  located  on  section 
29,  Columbia  Township,  and  from  there  removed 
three  years  later  to  section  ;51,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. The  tract  of  eighty  acres  he  had  purchased  I 
prior  to  coming  to  the  county,  and,  after  settling 
upon  it,  devoted  his  energies  to  clearing  and  im- 
proving the  land.  In  his  political  belief,  he  was  a 
Democrat  prior  to  18,56,  but  since  that  year  has 
been  an  active  Republican.  He  was  married,  Au- 
gust 3,  ISt.^i,  to    Miss  Sarah    A.,  daughter    of  Mi- 


c'hael  and  Sar;ili  (Kuan)  Ilindi-rlitcr,  natives  of 
I'ennsyl  vaiiia.  Her  father  followed  the  trade  of  a 
carpenter,  and  jmsscd  his  entire  life  in  the  Ifey- 
stone  State,  where  his  death  occurred.  He  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Kvangelical  Church, 
and  the  pareiils  of  six  children;  Mrs.  Hice,  who 
was  the  second  in  ordei-  of  birth,  was  born  April  .5, 
1827,  in  Northumberland  County,  Pa. 

Eight  children  have  been  horn  of  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hice,  namely:  Mary,  wife  of  William 
Perkins;  Anna,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Adelbert  (iesler; 
Catherine,  wife  of  Charles  Knowles,  a  resident  of 
South  Dakota;  Ellen,  who  married  Thomas  Spriggs; 
George  W.,  whose  home  is  in  South  Dakota;  Wll- 
liam  II.  and  Augusta,  at  home;  and  Elmer  E.,  also 
of  South  Dakota.  Both  our  subject  and  his  wife 
were  formerly  identilied  with  the  Evangelical 
Church,  but,  since  living  in  Michigan,  have  been 
connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
.and  are  active  members  thereof. 


ENRY  M.  CONKLING,  a  ijrominent  and 
well-to-do  business  man  of  Keelersville, 
Van  Buren  County,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
9)  the  mercantile  business,  is  a  native  of 
Chemung  County,  N.  Y.  His  birth  occurred  Au- 
gust 13,  1831,  and  in  his  n.ative  county  he  grew  to 
mature  years.  In  1852  he  came  to  Keeler  Town- 
ship .and  engaged  in  farming. 

Mr.  Conkling  w.as  united  in  marriage,  in  1856, 
to  Miss  Frances  Keith,  and  to  them  have  been  born 
one  son,  whom  they  have  named  .Joseiih.  Our 
subject  continued  to  follow  farming  pursuits  until 
the  spring  of  1880,  at  which  time  he  located  in 
Keelersville  and  engaged  in  the  merchandise 
business  alone  which  he  conducted  until  1887, 
when  he  took  his  son  as  his  partner;  they  are 
doing  a  splendid  business.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  were  Joseph  and  Fannj-  (Mathews)  Conk- 
ling, both  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  the  father 
in  1787,  and  the  mother  in  1790.  Joseph  Conkling 
was  a  son  of  Stodard  Conkling,  a  hero  in  the  War 
of  the  Revolution.  The  mother's  father,  Stephen 
M.athews,  was  also  in  that  conflict.  The  Conklings 
are  descended  from  Scotch  ancestry.     Politically, 


558 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


our  subject  is  ;i  nuMulier  nf  the  Democi'iu-v.  ami 
socially  lie  is  an  Odd  Fellow.  When  lie  eanie  lo 
this  eountv  he  was  a  poor  man  but  was  endowed 
with  good  natural  ability  and  plenty  of  energy 
which  he  has  put  to  srood  use,  and  as  a  result  has 
made  for  himself  a  splendid  competency,  lie  and 
his  family  move  among  the  best  circles  of  Keelers- 
ville. 


^ 


E^^- 


J^  USKl'li  DulXiK.  who  is  now  living  a  re- 
tired life  on  his  farm  on  section  30,  Decatur 
'  Townsliiii.  has  lung  been  a  resident  of  A'an 
'  Buren  County,  and  well  deserves  represen- 
tation m  this  volume.  His  father,  Joseph  Dodge, 
was  burn  in  .N'ew  Ilampliire  in  September,  17S0. 
and  wedded  .Mary  Chase,  a  native  of  Litclilield,  that 
State,  liorn  in  1783.  They  became  tlie  iiareiits  of 
twelve  children,  of  whom  ten  grew  to  manhood 
and  womanhood,  but  only  three  are  now  living: 
Ilor.acc,  who  is  living  in  Geneseo,  N.  Y.;  Joseph, 
whose  name  heads  this  notice. and  Miriam  L.,  who 
is  living  in  Fredericksburg.  Ya.  The  father  of 
this  family  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner  by  trade, 
which  pursuit  he  followed  to  gain  a  livelihood. 
lie  died  in  May,  1H()3,  and  his  wife,  who  survived 
him  some  years.  pa.s.sed  away  March  31,  1872. 

We  now  take  n\)  the  personal  history  f)f  our 
subject,  knowing  Ihal  it  will  be  received  wilii 
interest  by  many  of  our  readers.  lie  was  born 
ill  Peru,  ^'t.,  January  (!,  1817,  and  in  the  eoni- 
mon  schrtols  accpiired  his  education  but  his  ad- 
vantages were  meagre,  for  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  Working  for  a 
carpenter  anil  joiner,  he  followed  that  trade  in 
New  York  until  1K^3,  when  he  emigrated  to  Troy, 
Wis.  Three  years  later,  however,  lie  had  to  go 
cl.sfwhcre  on  .•iccoiint  of  the  health  of  iiis  wife  and 
so  returned  lo  Allcg;iiiy  County,  N.  Y.,  wjn'ir  he 
owned  anil  npeiatcd  a  foundry  and  iiiachiiic-shop 
ill  coiinectioii  with  his  brother.  His  resiilciice  in 
.Michigan  <latcs  from  1ft')8,  when  he  located  in  I'.-nv 
I'aW.  but  r«ooii  afterwards  he  boiighl  a  farm  in 
I.iiwrencir  'i'ownship,  this  coiiiity,  cultivating  and 
improving  llii'  same  for  seven  yeai-s,  when  he  canii' 
to    hccaliir.      A   siinil.'ir    period    wa>   --peiil     in    I  he 


village,  after  which  he  came  to  the  farm  which  he 
now  i.)Ccupies,  in  1871.  It  had  once  been  covered 
with  timber  and  the  trees  were  cut  down  but  the 
stumps  were  not  cleared  away.  This  t.ask  Mr. 
Dodge  performed  and  now  has  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  uudi'r  a  high  slate  of  cultiva- 
tion. The  labors  of  the  farm,  however,  he  has 
given  over  to  other  hands,  while  he  is  resting 
from  all  employment. 

Ere  coming  to  the  West,  Mr.  Dodge  was  married, 
on  the  'iSd  of  September,  1841,  to  Sarah  Randall, 
who  was  born  in  Stafford,  (ienesee  County,  N,  Y., 
I'eliruary  3,  1820,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Stephen 
Randall,  a  iirorainent  New  York  farmer.  Unto 
them  were  born  five  children,  of  whom  four  are 
yet  living:  Fli/.a,  now  the  wife  of  Henry  A.  Carris, 
a  resident  farmer  of  Lawrence  townshii);  Mary 
I'llla,  widow  of  Wallace  E.  Sanborn;  E.  L.,  a  resident 
of  Decatur;  J.  J.,  who  operates  and  manages  the 
home  farm,  and  Emma  L..  now  Mrs.  Parkhurst,  of 
Decatur. 

Of  the  cause  of  lempeiance,  Mr.  Dodge  has  long 
been  a  strong  advocate  and  he  now  votes  with  the 
party  which  embodies  his  views  on  that  subject. 
Neithei'  fear  nor  favor  could  keei*  lum  silent  on 
this  question  and  though  many  threats  have  been 
made  against  him,  he  continues  his  labors  and  does 
:ill  in  his  power  t-ow:ird  enforcing  the  laws  against 
illegal  lii|uor  selling.  He  is  a  faithful  and  consis- 
tent member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  his 
labors  in  its  behalf  have  done  much  to  increase  its 
elliciency.  A  well  and  worthily  spent  life  has  won 
Ml'.  Dodge  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has 
come  in  contact,  wliile  fair  and  honest  dealing  in 
his  business  atTai rs,  cDiiiliined  with  well  directed 
efforts,  has  secured  ti>  liim  a  good  proiierly. 


P.  WATERS  is  a  prominent  fanner  of  Ant- 

Ijl  werp  Township,  \'aii  UiiriMi  County,  where 

•y^    lie  owns  a  tract  of  land,con-;isl,iiig  of  ninety 

'vQ)     acres,  within  two  and  one  half  miles  of  the 

villai^eof    Lawton.  on   section  3.'i.      He  is  a  native 

of  Trnmlinll    County,   Ohio,  his  biilh  taking  place 

Scpleinbei   '.t.    I.Sj.'i.      His   parents,  Asa  M.  a  11  d  Car- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


559 


(iliiie  (Kviiiis)  Waters,  were  natives  of  the  sanio 
eouiity  and  State  as  liiiuself,  his  father's  hirth  tak- 
ins^  plaee  October  20,  1816,  and  his  mother's  May 
2t,  1822.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  was  married  in  Tniiiibnll  ('ounty,  Oliio,  in 
1844.  Five  children  were  born  of  this  union,  three 
sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  three  are  now 
living,  namely:  II.  P.,  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch, 
being  the  eldest  chdd;  James  H.;  C'elia,  wife 
of  B.  F.  Morris;  Jimma  and  Albert  are  deceased.  The 
father  of  our  subject  removed  from  Ohio  to  Mich- 
igan in  18()6,  and  settled  at  Paw  Paw,  tliis  county, 
where  lie  resided  until  1875,  when  he  went  to  re- 
side with  his  son  on  his  farm.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  while  his  wife  is  a  com- 
municant of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church. 

(^ur  subject  was  re.ai'ed  upon  a  farm  and  received 
a  gooo  business  education.  He  came  with  his  par- 
ents from  Ohio  to  this  State,  where  he  was  married, 
December  26,  1870,  to  Miss  Alice  Pugsley.  She 
is  a  native  of  Michigan,  born  in  VaiiBuren  County 
.lune  18,  1851,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  M.  and 
Mary  A.  (Prater)  Pugsley,  early  settlers  of  this 
county.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  England,  and 
her  mother  of  New  York.  Their  family  comprised 
six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Milton  H.; 
Dora  M.,  wife  of  Charles  Lake;  Myra  A.,  wife  of 
Leonard  Shepherd;  Alice,  the  wife  of  our  subject; 
and  .lolin  deceased.  Mr.  Pugsley  is  a  retired 
farmer  living  in  Paw  Paw  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
memlters  of  the  F'ree-will  Baptist  Church. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Harry  C,  born  December  1,  1872;  Charles 
M.,  September  20,  1878,  and  Pearl,  November  15, 
1880.  Mr.  Waters  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war, 
enlisting  in  1862,  in  Company  O,  Eighty-sixth 
Ohio  Infantry,  under  Capt.  AVilliam  F.  Milliken. 
After  some  nine  months'  service,  he  received  a 
wound  in  his  right  hip,  and  was  discharged,  but 
in  1864,  re-enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninety- 
sixth  Ohio  Infantry,  under  Capt.  H.  M.  Hughs, 
.serving  luitil  the  close  of  the  wai'.  He  then  re- 
turned liome  and  after  receiving  a  thorough  busi- 
ness education  at  the  .Spencerian  Commercial  Col- 
lege, at  Geneva,  Ohio,  spent  some  time  teaching 
penmanship  and  book-keeping  in  the  Commercial 
CoUeye    at    Hamilton,    Ohio.       After    coming    to 


Michigan,  he  went  on  the  r(nid  as  salesman  and 
collector  for  L.  (1.  Ihagg  it  Co.,  in  the  nursery 
business.  Mi-.  Waters  has  been  Supervisor  of  Ant- 
werp Township  for  the  past  five  years  and  is  also 
a  partner  with  his  brother.  .T.  II.  Waters,  in  the 
hardware  business  at  Paw  Paw.  His  farm  compris- 
ing ninety  acres  is  highly  cultivated,  the  most  of 
it  being  in  fruit,  he  having  a  vineyard  of  ten 
acres,  twenty  acres  in  peaches,  five  acres  in  pears, 
two  acres  in  cherries,  and  four  acres  in  apple  trees. 
He  has  a  handsome  residence  and  a  fine  barn  and 
several  other  buildings.  Mr.  Waters  belongs  to 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Lawton  Lodge 
No.  84,  K.  of  P.  and  Lawton  Lodge  No.  196  F. 
and  A.  M.  He  is  a  highly  respected  citizen  and 
one  who  uses  his  influences  for  the  best  interests 
f)f  the  community. 


z^ c^Ti^J 


AMES  S.  DODGE.  Among  the  prominent 
farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  Lawrence  Town- 
^^^,  I  ship.  Van  Bureii  County,  is  the  gentleman 
^i^fj  whose  name  we  place  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch,  whose  farm  is  located  on  section  15.  It 
comprises  sixtj'-eiglit  acres,  and  is  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Dodge  was  born  in  Rod- 
man, Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  November  8,  1822, 
and  is  the  son  of  Sylvester  and  Margaret  (McChes- 
ney)  Dodge,  natives  of  Vermont. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  and  passed 
his  boyhood  days  in  Connecticut.  He  later  re- 
moved to  New  York,  and,  when  attaining  mature 
years,  purchased  a  farm  there,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  was  occasioned  by  his  being 
tlirowu  from  a  wagon  when  sixty-three  years  of 
age.  James  S.,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood 
in  the  Empire  State,  and  received  a  good  education, 
finishing  his  studies  in  the  High  School  at  Rod- 
man, and  taught  school  two  terms. 

June  18,  1847,  our  subject  and  Miss  Electa  Sea- 
man were  united  in  marriage.  They  have  had 
born  to  them  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing, and  are  respectively:  Mar^y  A.,  who  married 
Jason  Bailey,  a  farmer,  by  whom  she  has  three  chil- 
dren ;  Solon  .S..  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Cook 
County  Normal  School,  is  Principal  of  the  schools 


560 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


at  Rose  Hill  and  Edgewater, Chicago;  lie  is  inariied, 
and  has  two  children.  Krnnci;  J.,  tlie  third  child, 
is  married  and  resides  on  the  home  farm. 

James  S.  Dodge,  although  a  farmer  in  New 
York  in  early  life,  changed  his  occupation  to  that 
of  a  painter,  which  trade  he  followed  for  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  years.  His  wife  died  in  the  Empire 
.state,  and  .\iigiist  21,  18()().  h<»  was  .igain  married, 
this  time  to  Sophia  (ioodfellow,of  Oneida  County. 
After  his  marriage,  he  came  AVest  to  Monroe,  Green 
County.  Wis.,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of 
a  painter  until  about  the  time  of  the  great  Chicago 
fire,  when  he  removed  to  Englewood,  Cook  County. 
He  continued  to  make  that  place  his  residence  un- 
til 1877,  and  then  removed  to  Saugatuck,  this 
Stale,  where  lie  carried  on  a  fruit  farm  until  his 
removal  to  Van  IJuren  County,  in  1887. 

A  Whig  in  early  life,  our  subject  has  voted  with 
the  Republican  party  since  its  organization  in  1856. 
He  has  been  elected  to  several  township  oHices  but 
refused  to  qualify,  jn-eferring  to  give  his  attention 
to  his  farm.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  while  residing  in  Wisconsin  was  a 
Deacon  in  that  body.  Mr.  Dodge  is  a  self-made 
man  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  term,  and  is  greatly 
respected  for  his  honesty  niid  uprightness  in  this 
section. 

f^llHK  Wli.l.lA.M  |-.\H.MAN,  wlio  has  a 
plc.'isant  lionu'  on  .section  20,  Porter  Town- 
ship, \'an  Huren  County,  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Ann  (Turner)  Earm.an,  natives  of  Suf- 
folk County,  England.  'I"hc  parents  always  resided 
in  the  town  in  which  they  were  liorn,  where  the 
father  was  a  farmer  and  market  gardener.  He  died 
February  l<>.  1887.  aged  eighty-three  years.  His 
wife  is  still  living  on  the  old  lidme,  and  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  Ihirlccn  I'hildrcn.  iiiil\  livi'  <if 
whom  are  living.  They  were  meniliers  of  the 
Primitive  MetlKjdist  ClMircli,  in  which  body  Mr. 
Fnrmaii  wo."*  .Steward. 

William  I''!irm!iii  wji.s  iioiii  I'cbruary  l(i.  18.'?(i,  in 
Oulton,  Suffolk  County.  England,  where  he  was 
given  a  good  education  in  the  model  .schools  of  his 
home,      lie  li.'i.H  always  rolinwcd  the  <i((Mi|i:iti(in    of 


a  fanner,  and,  when  starting  out  on  his  own  ac- 
count at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  came  to  .\merica. 
He  at  once  located  on  a  farm  in  Ontario  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  made  his  home  until  1879,  at  which 
date  he  came  to  Jlichigan  and  located  on  his  pres- 
ent farm.  His  entire  tract  t>f  ninety  acres  is  under 
cultivation  and  he  does  a  general  farming  business, 
also  breeding  some  good  grades  of  stock. 

Our  subject  was  married,  March  211,  18()3,  to  Jane 
Smith,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  who  died  July 
21,  1880,  after  becoming  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren: IMyron  I,,  who  lives  in  Porter  Township,  was 
born  September  1,  1865;  Carrie  E.,  who  was  born 
October  13,  1870,  and  Anna  M.ay,  born  January 
27,  1875.  Mr.  Farman  was  again  married,  April 
24,  1881,  this  time  to  Harriet  (Heach)  Smith,  who 
h.ad  two  children  by  her  former  marri.age:  Al- 
fred B.,  who  died  when  eleven  months  old,  and 
Rali)li  S.  ."Mrs.  Fariran  is  a  daughter  of  Spencer 
and  Sailie  J.  (Dusenberry)  Reach,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Connecticut  and  New  York,  They  were 
married  in  Monroe  County,  N,  \',,  and  resided 
there  until  tliey  came  to  Michigan  in  1852,  where 
they  settled  in  Antwerp  Township,  Van  Buren 
County.  Thirty  years  ago,  Mr.  Beach  removed  to 
section  17,  Porter  Township,  where  hi'  still  makes 
his  home.     His  wife  died  August  1,  18811. 

Mrs,  Faimaii  is  one  of  a  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, only  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  She  was  born 
July  24,  1844,  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  where  she 
received  a  district-school  education.  With  iier 
husband,  she  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church,  in  which  denomination  Mr.  Farman  is 
a  member  of  llic  .Vdvisory  Committee.  He  has 
been  Steward,  Class-leader  and  Sunday-school  Su 
|)erintendent  for  a  number  of  years.  Mrs.  Farman 
has  also  been  Stewardess  and  is  warmly  intereste<l 
in  the  Sundav-.school.  She  h.as  been  President  of 
tiu'  Ladies' Aid  Society  for  two  years.  In  iiolitics, 
our  subject  w.as  fornifiiv  ;i  Kepubllcan,  but  is  now 
a  Prohibitionist.  He  Inis  been  School  Director  and 
Justice  of  the  Peace  .'uid  Uoad  Overseer,  lie  is  the 
I^residcnl  of  llic  Township  Committee  of  the  Pro- 
hibition paity. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  came  to  this  lountry  a 
poor  boy  and  his  present  i)os.se.ssions  are  the  result 
of   his  iiidusli\   and  ijood   ni.Mnaiiciiicnt.      While  In 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


561 


New  York  State,  he  .suffered  a  severe  loss  by  fire, 
but  was  soon  on  his  feet  again.  He  is  a  man  who 
makes  warm  friends  and  stanch  adherents,  and  is 
irreatly  respected  in  Porter  Township.  At  the  time 
(if  his  advent  into  Michigan,  lie  had  $4,000  in 
mojiey,  and  has  since  given  his  son  a  good  farm. 

Mrs.  Farman's  first  husband,  Valentine  Smith, 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  came  to  Michigan 
tliirty-ftve  years  ago  and  located  in  Porter  Town- 
ship. He  served  during  the  Civil  War  in  Com- 
pany (),  Twenty-eighth  Michigan  Infantry,  and 
was  discharged  honorably  September  3,  1864.  He 
liad  formerly  been  a  member  of  Company  H, 
Twelfth  Michigan  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  in 
November,  1862.  Pie  was  accidentally  killed  in  a 
railroad  accident  in  1872. 


^^ 


\Tp5?)  LI  Hl'SH,  a  retired  agriculturist,  residing  at 
ti)  Gobleville,  Van  Buren  County,  has  all  his 
,j' — ^-^  life  been  a  hard-working,  industrious  and 
thrifty  farmer.  He  is  now  the  possessor  of  eighty 
acres  of  handsomely  improved  land,  which  is  the 
result  of  his  own  enterprise.  He  was  born  May 
4,  1818,  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  reared 
to  farming  pursuits,  receiving  but  meager  school 
advantages.  His  parents,  George  and  Philena 
(Whittaker)  Bush,  were  natives  of  New  York,  and 
were  married  In  that  State,  where  the  father 
was  a  modest  farmei-.  Tiie  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  Benjamin  Bush,  a  Revolutionary  sol- 
dier and  a  pioneer  of  Onondaga  County,whocleared 
up  a  farm  there.  The  i)arents  of  our  subject 
moved  to  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1860 
came  to  Michigan  and  made  their  home  with 
their  children,  where  they  died.  The\  had  seven 
children  l)orn  to  thein,  four  now  living. 

Our  sul)ject  is  the  eldest  child  of  the  family  and 
commenced  for  himself  in  life  at  the  early  age  of 
thirteen  years,  working  at  farming.  He  drove  on 
the  tow  path  on  the  Eiie  Canal  awhile.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1839,  he  was  married  to  ISIary  Allen,  a 
daughter  of  Reuben  and  Hannah  (Way)  Allen, 
both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  Mis.  Bush  was  born 
October  24,  1821,  In  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  She 
received  a  good  education,  and  after  her  marriage 


to  Mr.  Bush,  they  lived  one  year  in  Monroe 
County,  and  in  1839  moved  to  Ohio  and  located 
on  a  new  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Lorain  County. 
After  clearing  this,  he  sold  out,  and  in  1853  lo- 
cated in  Waverly  Townshlj),  Van  Buren  County, 
this  State,  on  a  raw  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres.  He  had  to  cut  away  the  timber  to  get 
enough  room  to  erect  a  log  house.  This  section  of 
country  was  then  but  sparsely  settled,  and  there 
were  no  roads.  Indians  were  In  great  numbers, 
wild  beasts  roamed  at  will  throughout  the  forests. 
This  place  Mr.  Bush  cleared  and  on  it  erected 
good,  substantial  buildings,  etc.  He  worked  this 
faithfully  until  seven  years  ago,  when  he  moved 
to  Gobleville,  where  he  at  present  resides.  He  and 
his  wife  began  empty  handed  and  have  passed 
through  many  trials  and  hardships,  but  have  sur- 
mounted them  all  and  are  now  contentedly  en- 
joying the  fruits  of  their  early  labors  and  com- 
mand the  respect  and  love  of  all. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Busii  are  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, all  now  living:  George  is  married  to  Lucy 
Palmer,  and  lives  here;  Mary  Jane  is  the  wife  of 
Phllo  Thayer,  and  lives  in  Bloomlngdale  Town- 
ship; Philemon  married  Belle  Whitelaw  and  re- 
sides in  Gobleville;  Hiram  married  Sarah  Root, 
and  resides  in  Bloomlngdale  Township;  Charles 
married  Ilattie  Baker,  and  they  are  residents  of 
Joliet,  111.;  Clark  married  Jennie  Bramly,  and 
lives  on  the  home  farm;  Emma  married  George 
Leach,  and  lives  in  Bloomlngdale  Township.  Mrs. 
Bush  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  also 
attends  the  Sunday-school.  Shs  Is  at  present  a 
moinber  of  the  Ladies"  Aid  Society,  and  has  been 
overseer  of  the  work. 

Our  subject  enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  Septem- 
ber, 1861.  His  name  was  enrolled  in  Company 
G,  First  Michigan  Mechanics  and  Engineers,  serv- 
ing nine  months.  The  regiment  first  went  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,then  to  Somerset,  and  took  part  in 
that  battle.  He  was  sent  to  the  village  with  a 
load  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and  was  there 
detailed  by  Gen.  Thomas  to  take  charge  of  a  train 
of  wagons  going  to  Lebanon,  and  was  then  de- 
tailed to  take  charge  of  the  hospital  there.  He 
was  taken  sick  himself  and  honorably  discharged 
oil   account  of    disability    in   .lune,  1862.     He  lias 


562 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


never  been  well  since.  When  he  went  into  the 
army,  he  left  his  wife  and  seven  children  at  home 
on  the  farm.  Mr.  liusli  is  .1  nicniber  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  RepuMie,  and  in  politic*  is  a  He- 
publican.  He  has  served  as  Road  Overseer,  and 
is  also  a  member  of  the  School  Board. 


^Il.i.lAM  I'UGSLEY,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  of  section  3,  Paw  Paw  Township, 
^^  Van  Buren  County,  was  born  in  Devon- 
shire, England,  ScpU-mltcr  27,  1830.  He  is  a  son 
of  George  and  Elizalx-th  (Blackniore)  rugslcy* 
and  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  England  and  the 
secoud-lx)rn  m  a  family  of  seven  children.  He 
came  to  America  when  he  w.ns  twenty-three,  and 
was  at  Elgin,  Kane  County,  111.,  three  months, 
working  on  a  farm,  when  he  came  to  Paw  Paw 
Township,  and  worked  by  the  month  the  first  win- 
ter, and  the  next  spring  began  to  farm  on  shares, 
canning  this  on  two  years,  when  he  bought  forty 
acres  of  land.  He  did  not  have  enough  money 
to  pay  f('r  it,  but  just  enough  to  enable  liini  to 
start  to  live. 

October  29,  1857,  is  the  date  of  the  marri.age  of 
Mr.  Pugslej'  to  Be.ssie  Sloly,  a  native  of  Devon- 
shire, England,  born  March  20,  183G,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Richards)  Sloly.  Her 
mother  died  when  she  was  but  .seven  years  old, 
and  she  wa.s  reared  by  an  uncle.  Our  subject 
erected  a  small  fi'aiiie  house  on  his  farm  and  com- 
menced his  married  life  therein,  lie  now  hsis  a 
goml  residence  with  substantial  barns  and  out- 
buildings. Six  chiltlren  have  been  born  lo  lliis 
couple,  five  still  living:  Frederick  William,  burn 
August  '.>,  1858,  is  married  and  lives  in  Klkliart, 
Ind.:  I<la  Belle,  born  May  HI,  18(50,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Ida  Louisa,  born  .luly  211,  18(i2,  is  the 
wife  of  Ebart  Sirealor,  n  farmer  of  .Mlegan  Town- 
ship. .Mlegan  Counly,  ami  h;is  four  children;  Nel- 
lie H<'lle.  lK>rn  November  »,  1X01,  inari'ied  K.  1". 
I,nnc,  of  .Mlegiin  County,  and  lia.s  one  child;  Liz- 
zie .1.,  Iku'ii  Kcbriiary  17,  I80K,  livi>  !it  liunie;  and 
Krankic  .)..  Iiorn  Kebruary  5.  IM7I.  All  these 
children  have  received  good  educal ions,  and  all 
have  gradimlcd  from  school.  I'xri  pi   llic    llrst-liorn. 


After  paying  for  his  forty  acres,  Mr.  Pugsley 
purchased  twenty  more,  and  sul)sequcntly  bought 
more,  until  he  now  h.is  in  his  possession  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  broad  and  fertile  .teres,  llis 
farm  liorders  on  Pugslcy's  I.aUc,  and  no  more 
l)eautiful  pl.ace  can  lie  found  in  I  lie  country.  Our 
subject  is  a  Democrat  in  liis  iiolilical  views,  liut 
not  an  .aspir.ant  for  oHice.  He  has  been  very  un- 
fortunate at  times,  in  1868  losing  his  barns,  and 
everything  the^'  had  in  them  by  fire.  A  year 
or  two  before  the  barns  were  built,  he  was  haul- 
ing timber  across  Pugsley 's  Lake,  when  the  ice 
broke  and  his  only  team  of  horses  was  drowned. 
He  miraculously  escaped  death  himself.  In  De- 
cember, 1861,  he  w.as  assisting  to  move  a  build- 
ing, when  it  parted  and  fell  in  on  him.  lie  was  se- 
riously injured  and  did  not  fully  recover  for 
about  a  year.  He  and  his  wife  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Pugsley  is 
a  Master  Mason. 


YMAN  S.  MONROE.  This  gentleman,  wlio 
III  ws^  ''f'*!-"*  t'lc  responsible  position  of  Cashier 
jiL^  in  the  Eirst  National  Bank  at  South  Haven, 
is  also  carrying  on  a  fine  fruit  farm  near  tlie  citv, 
and  bears  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  tin' 
shrewdest  linanciers  and  business  men  in  Western 
Michigan.  He  is  a  .son  of  the  Hon.  J.ay  R.  Mon- 
roe, for  whose  history  see  sketch  of  C.  J.  Monroe, 
in  another  part  of  this  volume.  Lj-man  S.  was 
born  in  Lawrence,  Van  Buren  County,  this  Stale, 
March  28,  1851,  and  was  educated  in  the  district 
school  and  llic  High  School  at  Decatur,  Mich., 
passing  llis  lioyiiood  .and  youth  on  his  father's 
farm.  .\l  the  age  of  twenty,  he  went  lo  Kalama- 
zoo and  took  a  course  at  Parsons'  Business  Col- 
lege, after  which  he  went  to  Decatur  and  entered 
the  employ  of  L.  T.  Rawson.  an  uncle,  in  the  grain 
trade.  He  came  to  .South  Haven,  .\pril  21,  1873, 
and  was  engaged  as  book-keeper  in  the  First  N.a- 
tional  Bank,  serving  later  as  Assistani  Cashier  and 
Cashier.  When  tlic  Slate  Bank  was  organized,  he 
took  a  .■-iinilar  posiliun  in  it.  which  lie  still  holds. 
Mr.  Monroe  has  a  line  I'liiil  fanii  <<(  sixty  ,'icrcs 
iii'.Mi- Soulli   llaxcn.ol   winch  I'mi  \   acres  are  williiii 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArillCAL   RECORD. 


563 


the  village  limits.  This  was  entirely  unimproved 
:it  llic  lime  of  his  purchase,  but  ho  now  has  it  in 
a  llrst-class  condition  and  planted  princi|)ally  in 
peaches,  altliough  he  raises  some  other  fruits, 
lie  also  gives  considerable  attention  to  real  estate 
and  loans,  dealing  both  in  town  property  and 
in  farming  lands.  He  owns  several  summer  cot- 
tages, and  has  built  a  number  of  other  dwellings. 
Mr.  IMonroe  owns  one  of  the  (inest  and  most  de- 
lightful residences  in  South  Haven,  it  lieing  lo- 
cated in  the  best  part  of  the  village.  It  was  liuilt 
in  1878.  Mr.  Monroe  inherited  considerable  prop- 
erty from  his  father,  which,  added  to  that  ac- 
(luiied  liy  his  own  efforts,  has  given  him  a  com- 
foitaljle  ct)mpetenc_y. 

Mr.  Monroe  was  married,  M.ay  10,  1876,  to  Car- 
rie .1.  Ciirtiss,  daughter  of  George  E.  Curtiss,  of 
Kalamazoo.  Miss  Curtiss  was  l)orn  at  Niles,  Mich., 
October  31,  1855,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren: Mabel  C,  born  March  15,1878;  Lulu  M., 
August  6,  1881;  and  .lay  R.,  .January  6,  1883. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Monroe  are  memliers  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  ot  which  he  has  been  Treasurer  fourteen 
years,  and  has  also  served  as  Trustee.  He  affili- 
ates with  the  Republican  party,  and,  although  not 
an  active  politician,  takes  care  to  vote  for  what  he 
deems  the  best  interests  of  his  town  and  countv. 
He  is  a  n;ember  of  the  Village  Board,  and  he  and 
his  estimable  wife  stand  high  in  the  regard  of  the 
communitv. 


^^LEXANDER  M(  WILLIAMS,  one  of  the 
(@£j  1  well-known  and  prominent  citizens  now 
I  i  living  a  retired  life  in  Decatur,  is  a 
native  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  las  birth  hav- 
ing occurred  in  County  Antrim  on  the  1st  of  No- 
vember, 1837.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of  five  sons 
and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  still  living. 
The  father,  Archibald  ^IcWilliams,  was  Ijorn  in 
County  Antrim,  .buiuary  11,  1811,  and  in  1836 
married  Ann  Pollock,  also  a  native  of  that  county. 
With  his  family  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  18(13, 
and  made  his  first  settlement  in  Decatur  Township, 
Van    Bureu    County,    where    he    purchased    forty 


acres  of  land  on  section  5.  That  farm  is  still  the 
home  of  hiuiscif  and  wife,  who  are  numlK'red 
among  the  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity. They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  they  have  reared  a  family  of  children 
of  whom  they  may  well  be  proud.  Children  and 
grandchildren  together  number  forty.  The  eldest 
of  the  family  is  Alexander;  Catherine  is  now  the 
wife  of  John  Graham,  of  Decatur  Township;  Ann 
is  the  wife  of  Oliver  Lyle,  also  a  farmer  of  that 
township;  James  is  there  engaged  in  farming; 
Jennie  mairied  Clarence  Lindsley,  a  resident  far- 
mer of  Decatur  Township;  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
Marshall  Lyle,  of  Paw  Paw  Township;  John  C. 
is  an  agriculturist  of  Paw  Paw  Township;  Arch- 
ibald P.  is  living  in  Hartford  Township;  Isabella 
resides  with  her  parents;  and  Robert  is  a  farmer 
of  Paw  Paw  Township. 

Our  suliject  spent  the  days  of  his  boj'hood  and 
youth  on  the  green  isle  of  Erin  and  bade  good-by 
to  home  and  friends  in  1857,  when  he  crossed  the 
broad  Atlantic.  He  was  then  in  his  twentieth 
year.  In  the  Emigre  State,  he  followed  farming 
for  .about  two  years  and  then  came  to  Van  Buren 
County,  Mich.,  continuing  his  .agricultural  pursuits 
in  Decatur  Township  for  about  two  and  a  half 
years.  lie  then  made  a  visit  to  his  native  land 
and  on  the  exi)iiation  of  six  months  returned  to 
this  country,  accompanied  by  his  two  oldest  sis- 
ters. After  one  summer  spent  in  New  York,  he 
again  migrated  to  ^'an  Buren  County  and  pur- 
chased eighty  .acres  of  land  in  Lawrence  Town- 
ship, which  he  sold,  after  clearing  about  one  fourth 
of  the  amount.  He  then  purchased  one  hundred 
and  forty  .acres  on  section  6,  Decatur  Township, 
but  subse(iuenlly  disposed  of  all  but  forty  .acres  of 
this  trad. 

A  marriage  ceremony  performed  on  the  1st  of 
January,  1866,  united  the  destinies  of  Mr.  Mc- 
AVilliams  and  Miss  Anna  E.  Bennett,  daughter  of 
George  S.  Bennett,  a  native  of  New  York,  who  be- 
came one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Decatur  Town- 
ship and  one  of  its  most  prominent  citizens.  He 
served  as  .Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twenty-one 
years,  was  Town  Supervisor  and  Treasurer  anil  held 
other  ollices.  Mr.  and  INIrs.  McWilliams continued 
to  reside  upon  tlie  farm   until   April,    1891,    when 


564 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPfflCAL  RECORD. 


they  came  to  Decatur,  where  they  have  a  pleasant 
home  and  many  friends.  In  .lu'iv,  1800,  they  re- 
turned to  Ireland  and  #i)enl  tlic  summer  in  visiting 
the  scenes  of  our  subject  "scliildhood  and  re]iewing 
old  acquaintances.  In  politics,  Mr.  McWiiliams  is  a 
Republican,  as  are  all  of  his  brothers,  and  not  one 
of  them  h.as  ever  used  tobacco  or  intoxicants. 
Surely  it  is  a  model  family,  and  with  the  exception 
of  two  the  entire  number  arc  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  Our  subject  .at  this  writing  is 
Elder  in  the  church  at  Decatur  and  is  one  of  its 
active  workers  and  induenlial  members.  He  li.as  held 
the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  for  nine  years 
and  is  alike  true  to  every  public  and  private  trust. 
His  sterling  worth  and  integrity  have  won  him 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  lie 
h-os  been  brougiit  in  contact.  He  is  now  eiig.iged 
in  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements  at  Decatur. 


-^^ 


E^^ 


W/AMES  ELLLS  resides  in  Decatur  and  his 
business  interests  are  connected  with  a  farm 
of  sixty  acres  on  section  22,  Decatur  Town- 
ship. A'an  Bureii  County,  wiiich  he  owns 
and  operates.  He  is  one  of  four  children  born 
unto  .lames  and  Sarali  (Ball)  Ellis,  l)otli  of  whom 
are  natives  of  Norfolk,  England.  In  tliat  country 
the  fatiier  followed  fanning,  and  there  spent  his 
entire  life.  He  died  in  1879, at  the  .age  of  eight)-- 
six  years,  and  iiis  wife,  who  was  a  meml)er  of  the 
Baptist  Churcii,  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in 
18.36.  Three  of  tiieir  children  arc  still  living: 
Jane,  wife  of  .lonathan  Wright,  of  Norfolk  County, 
England;  .lames,  of  this  .sketch;  and  .lolin,  who  is 
also  living  in  Norfolk.  Sarah  became  the  wife  of 
.lohii  Ortiis  and  died  In  Canada,  leaving  one  son. 
.lames  Ellis,  whose  name  heads  this  record,  w.as 
l»oni  in  Norfolk  County,  March  'M),  182.5,  and  in 
his  native  laml  spcnl  llic  days  of  his  bo.yhood  and 
youth.  On  attaining  his  majority,  he  bade  good-by 
U)  his  old  home  and  ci-osscd  the  briny  deep  to 
Ikdievillc,  Can.'iila,  where  he  learned  the  tanner 
and  currier's  traile,  which  he  followed  for  jiboul 
U;n  years.  In  the  meantime,  he  married  Miss 
Emma  Cliiniiery,  and  live  ehildrcn  were  Imiiii  of 
their  union,  all    of   wlioni    ari'    yel    living,  as    fol- 


lows: Emma  J.,  wife  of  Clayton  M.  Nash,  a  miller 
of  Allegan;  William  ,1.,  who  is  eng.aged  in  the 
milling  business  in  Paw  Paw;  Sarali  M.,  wife  of 
.1.  B.  Richards,  who  follows  the  same  business  in 
Paw  Paw;  Eliza,  wife  of  Calvin  M.  I'arker,  like- 
wise a  miller  of  Paw  Paw;  and  Elnora,  wife  of 
Israel  Galbraith,  a  machinist  of  Grand  llaiiids, 
Mich.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  in  April, 
1801,  in  Decatur,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the 
cemetery  adjoining. 

On  leaving  Canada,  Mr  Ellis  came  to  Decatur, 
where  he  purchased  an  unimproved  tract  of  land 
on  section  23,  Decatur  Township.  Three  years 
hater,  he  sold  it  and  puich.ased  another  tract  on 
section  24,  which  he  himself  cleared  and  imi)roved. 
He  was  again  married  on  the  9th  of  April,  18();5, 
his  second  union  being  with  Susan,  daughter  of 
•John  Gillsinger,  a  native  of  Pennsj'lvania,  who 
engaged  in  farming  near  Ilagorstown,  that  Stale. 
The  union  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  was  cele- 
brated in  Decatur,  where  he  w.as  employed  from 
1860  until  1870  in  the  tannery  of  Ransom  Nut- 
ting. He  then  removed  to  the  second  farm  which 
he  purcluased,  and  began  its  development,  clear- 
ing and  improving  eighty  acres,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  with  excellent  success  until 
August,  1881,  when  he  purchased  lus  present 
home  in  Decatur,  and  h.as  since  resided  here.  In 
the  spring  of  1891,  he  sold  his  eighty-.acre  farm, 
but  still  owns  sixty  acres  on  section  22,  which  he 
operates  himself,  and  it  yields  tt)  liim  a  golden 
tribute  for  the  care  and  cultix  .■ilioii  ln'  bestows 
upon  it. 

In  his  political  views,  Mr.  lOUis  is  a  Di'iiux'iat, 
has  held  the  ollice  of  Highway  Commissioner  and 
has  been  oHicially  connected  with  the  school  in- 
terests for  several  years.  In  his  social  relations, 
he  is  an  Olid  Fellow,  has  held  various  ollices  in 
the  lodge,  and  on  various  occasions  has  repre- 
sented his  lodge  in  the  (irand  Lodge.  Ih;  al.so 
belongs  to  the  Methodist  Chuicli,  of  Decatur. 
Ill  the  month  of  .luiu',  1891,  he  uiadi^  a  trip  to 
England,  remaining  in  that  coiiulry  until  August. 
Many  pleasant  hours  witc  |ia>s(il  in  visiting  I  lie 
scenes  of  his  cliildhoiHl  and  iciicwhit;  the  ac- 
((uaintanees  of  his  yonlli.  Il  was  a  deliiililful 
Irii),  and  \\v  lias  Mian\'    tilings   lo  Irll  of    llic    won- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


565 


dt'i-ful  siglits  of  tlie  Old  Coimtiy,  but  for  a  place 
of  residence  lie  prefers  America  witli  her  free  in- 
stitutions and  liberal  government,  and  no  truer 
American  citizen  can  be  found  tiian  Mr.  Kllis.  It  was 
a  fortunate  day  for  him  when  lie  came  to  this  coun- 
try, for  here  he  lias  found  prosperity  and  won  for 
himself  an  honored  place  among  the  best  citizens 
of  the  county  in  which  he  makes  his  home.  Mr. 
Ellis  and  his  son-in-law,  C.  M.  Parker,  have  leased 
the  Decatur  Flouring  Mill,  where  they  will  turn 
out  the  liest  grade  of  Hour,  etc. 


OBERT  VICKERS.  The  gentleman  whose 
sketch  we  take  pleasure  in  presenting  to  our 
readers  has  been  a  resident  of  Van  Buren 
\^  Count}'  for  the  past  twenty-five  3-ears.  He 
was  Ixjrn  in  Lincolnshire,  Jingland,  J^ovember  11, 
1829,  near  the  city  of  Lincoln,  and  was  one  of  a 
family  of  five  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Martha 
(Vickers)  Vickers,  natives  also  of  England,  where 
the  father  was  a  well-to-do  agriculturist. 

Our  subject's  brothers  and  sisters  were  named 
respectively:  John,  Mary,  Elizabeth  and  Thomas. 
His  parents  came  to  the  United  States  about  1858, 
and,  making  Michigan  their  abiding-place,  located 
in  Kalamazoo  County,  and  thence  came  to  Van 
Buren  County,  where  they  resided  for  many  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  they  removed  to 
Nebraska,  and  there  passed  their  last  days. 

Robert  Vickers  commenced  at  the  early  age  of 
ten  jears  to  battle  with  life  on  his  own  account, 
and  therefore  was  given  very  limited  advantages 
for  an  education.  He,  however,  improved  his 
opportunities,  and  is  to-day  well-read  and  intelli- 
gent, ranking  among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  his 
township.  He  remained  in  his  native  land  until 
the  siM'ing  of  1851,  when,  determined  to  see  what 
fortune  had  for  him  in  the  land  beyond  the  seas, 
he  embarked  on  a  sailing-vessel  and  came  to  the 
New  World.  He  made  Monroe  County,  N.  Y., 
his  home  after  landing  here  until  1854,  when  he 
came  West  as  far  as  Michigan  and  located  in  Kala- 
mazoo County  and  purchased  ninety  acres  of  land 
which  was  in  its  inimitive  condition.  He  partially 
cleared  that  tract,  and  continued  to  uiake  his 
25  1-2  V 


home  upon  it  until  1867,  when  he  removed  onto 
an  eighty-acre  farm  on  section  7,  and  later  pur- 
chased and  cleared  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 

When  our  subject  lirst  came  to  the  Wolverine 
State,  he  worked  out  for  thirteen  years  by  the 
month,  but  at  the  present  time  he  is  the  owner  of 
oni!  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  excellent  land, 
which  bears  all  the  improvement  which  make  it  a 
valuable  estate.  He  has  served  his  townsmen  ac- 
ceptably in  many  oHices  of  responsibility  am] 
trust,  and,  all  in  all,  is  highly  esteemed  in  his 
community. 

Our  subject  took  unto  himself  a  wife  and  help- 
mate in  the  person  of  Miss  Ellen  Cook,  their  mar- 
riage being  solemnized  October  3,  1853.  Mrs. 
Vickers  was  born  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Winters) 
Cook,  also  natives  of  the  Emerald  Isle.  The  fa- 
ther was  a  linen-weaver  in  his  native  countiy, 
where  he  lived  and  died.  Tlis  widow  and  family 
of  five  children  came  to  the  United  States  after 
his  death. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vickers  have  had  eight  children: 
John  and  Mary  J.,  both  deceased;  John  (second); 
Martha;  Ida,  deceased;  Robert,  Willie  and  Jessie. 
Mrs.  Vickers  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  to  the  support  of  which  she  and  her  hus- 
band contribute  liberally  and  cheerfully. 

—4- M -^' 

TRANSOM  T.  PIERCE.  This  gentleman  is 
b#([r  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  Van  Buren 
ili  \\\  Count}',  and  is  now  doing  a  large  business 
^@i  under  the  firm  name  of  R.  T.  Pierce  it;  Co., 
at  South  Haven,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  fruit  packages.  He  is  one  of  the 
sturdy  sons  of  the  Green  Mountain  Stale,  his  birth 
having  taken  place  in  St.  Johnsburg,  Caledonia 
County,  Vt.,  September  17,1848.  He  is  a  son  of 
Charles  K.  and  Sarah  (Barker)  Pierce,  also  natives 
of  that  State,  and  who  came  West  in  1856,  settling 
in  Warren  County,  111.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  a  tinner  and  stove-maker  in  his  native  Statei 
and  after  coming  to  Illinois  vvas  employed  as  agent 
of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  (^uincy  Railroad  at 
Monmouth,  until  1861,  when  ho  removed  to  Michi- 


566 


PORTRAIT  AND  BlOGIiAPHlCAL  RECORD. 


gan  and  located  at  Benton  Harbor,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  fruit-growing,  and  subsequently  became 
agent  for  the  West  Michigan  Railroad.  In  1879. 
he  removed  to  Florida,  where  he  died,  November 
6.  1890.  itged  seventy-three  years.  The  mother 
of  oiir  subject  dieil  in  Vermont  in  1853,  before 
the  removal  of  the  family  to  Michigan.  She  left 
six  children,  as  follows:  .lotham.  who  died  in 
California  in  1^(18.  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Government,  and  was  at  onetime  sent  to  Russia  to 
estjiblish  a  telegraph  line  across  Behring  .Straits; 
Sarah  married  (ieorge  Underwood,  and  resides  in 
Glades,  Tenn.;  Kllen  became  the  wife  of  Cass! us 
Plympton,  and  died  in  Hartford,  Conn.;  Ransom 
T..  our  subject;  Frank  II..  a  resident  nf  Cliicago, 
and  who  is  organist  of  the  Second  P>a|)tist  Church 
of  that  city;  Leslie  died  in  Connecticut  at  the  age 
of  twenty-one.  The  father  of  these  children  was 
married  a  second  time  and  became  the  parent  of 
two  children:  Josie,  the  wife  of  James  Bentley,  of 
Albion,  Pa.;  and  George,  who  also  resides  in  that 
city. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Benton  Harbor,  and  in  1864  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-sixth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  served  for  thirteen  mouths.  Return- 
ing to  Benton  Harbor,  he  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a 
hardware  store  where  he  remained  for  seven  ye.irs, 
at  the  end  of  that  time  being  cniploj-ed  as  clerk 
by  C.  Colby  it  Co.,  of  that  place,  who  wereengageil 
in  the  fruit-packing  business,  also  .acting  as  book- 
keeper. In  IHHI.  he  formed  a  parlnershi|)  with  C. 
.1.  Tulley  ami  T.  .\.  Shaffer,  and.  undiM'  liic  firm 
name  of  U.  T.  Pierce  A-  Co.,  established  his  present 
business.  Thiee  years  later.  H.  \V.  Williams  pur- 
clia.M.'d  the  interest  of  his  i)artners.  and  lias  since 
iKten  as-iociated  with  Mr.  Pierce.  They  are  now 
the  leailing  manufacturers  of  Sdulli  llavi'n.and 
ujirry  on  an  extensive  trade. 

Ml'.  Pierce  was  married,  in  IMMO.  to  .Mi.ss  Carrie 
.\dains,  daughter  of  .lolin  and  Sarah  Adams,  who 
were  natives  of  New  Vf>ik.  .Mrs.  Pierce  wa,s  born 
ill  Nlles,  Mich.,  in  1M,"i7.  (inc  ihild  Ims  been  born 
of  this  union,  named  Leo.  .Mr.  I'ierce  li.as  been 
identided  with  the  ({epiiblican  parly  ever  since 
:.'ainiiig  his  iiiajorily.  and  is  an  aclive  .-iiid  iiiliiii'ii- 
li.'ii  woiUci  ill    iis  irnik.'".      Ilr    i<  now    Pesideiil  of 


the  Village  Board,  and  has  held  other  local  orticcs. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons. He  had  few  advantages  in  his  earl.\-  days, 
and  has  made  his  own  w.ay  in  the  world  l)y  his  in- 
dustry and  perseverance. 


e^+^i 


t=r 


^„  MBROS  11.  Lt)N(;.  all  iMinoicd  and  le- 
WeJIi  spected  resident  of  (Jobleville.  \nn  Buren 
County,  is  eng.agcd  in  farming  .-iiid  the 
produce  business,  which  he  is  canyiiig  on 
with  great  success.  He  is  a  son  of  Dr.  David  Long, 
a  native  of  A'irginia,  who  came  to  Indiana  when  a 
young  man.  He  received  an  elementary  education 
in  his  native  State  and  studied  medicine  and  was 
graduated  in  Indiana.  He  married  Sarah  Russey. 
a  native  of  Indian.i.  who  liccamc  tiic  iiiotlicr  of 
our  subject.  They  came  to  IMichigaii  in  181,')  and 
settled  at  Summerville.  Cass  County,  where  lie 
practiced  his  profession  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
removed  to  a  farm  near  Hrowiiville  in  the  same 
county  in  1851),  and  died  August  25,  188!».  his 
good  wife  and  helpmate  dying  previously,  in  April. 
1881.  They  had  six  children,  all  now  living.  The 
mother  w.as  a  member  of  tiic  Friends'  Church,  .and 
the  father  was  an  Episcopalian,  lie  took  an  active 
interest  in  politics  and  voted  with  the  He|)ulilicaii 
])arty.  He  was  .histice  of  the  Peace  and  Township 
Clerk  Mild  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order.  .V  man 
of  tine  education,  he  always  kept  himself  posted  on 
the  topics  of  the  day.  His  cliildren  are  !\Iary  ('.. 
of  Cass  County;  Winlield  T.,  of  Cliicago;  our  siili- 
jecl;  Klizabeth  .V..of  this  county;  Martha  .1..  a  res- 
ident of  the  old  hoiiieste.-iil  in  Cass  Couuly;  Min- 
nie i\l..  a  roideiil  of  Cliicago.  The  children  . ■ire 
all  married  and  Iim\c  homes  of  their  own. 

( )ur  subject  was  liorii  .Maicli  17.  18|;i,  mI  Suiii- 
ineivilh'.  C.'iss  County,  this  State,  .■ind  there  received 
a  good  di>trict-scliool  education,  lie  reniainecl  at 
home  until  twenty-one  year,'-  u\'  ;ige,  helping  to 
clear  up  the  old  homestead.  .\t  that  age  he  rented 
a  farm  for  three  years  jind  then  bought  a  placi'  lu 
(ianges  Township,  .Mlegaii  Coiinly.and  carrieil  on 
a  pe.'ieli  Carin  there  for  three  years.  In  March.  1880, 
he  removed  to  llii^  county  and  .settled  at  ( lobleville, 
and    since   then  has  been  engaged  in  produce-buy- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


o67 


ing;  lie  also  farries  on  a  fnnii  of  forty  acres,  ad- 
joiiiiiis;:  tlie  village,  all  under  eultivation.  lie  is 
carrying  on  general   fanning. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  nuuiicd,  October 
1(1,  1872,  to  Miss  Laura  S.  Wilcox,  a  daughter  of 
Aniasaand  Partliena  (Kaston)  Wilcox,  both  natives 
of  New  York,  but  now  residents  of  Seattle,  Wash, 
airs.  Long  was  born  in  IHri.'],  in  Cass  County,  Jlich., 
and  there  received  her  education.  This  couple 
have  become  the  parents  of  six  children:  Ilarley 
I).,  Otis  A.,M3-rtie  W.,  Leo  A.,  Bessie  M.  and  Jessie 
F.  All  these  children  have  and  are  receiving  ex- 
cellent schooling,  and  the  eldest  son  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Ciolileville  sciiools.  Mrs.  Long  is  an  active 
and  consistent  worker  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Chuivli  and  also  takes  an  interest  in  the  Sunday- 
school.  J\lr.  JjOng  socially  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  aiid  is  Vice-chancellor  of  the 
same.  In  iiolitics,  he  is  a  Republican,  is  an  active 
worker  and  frequently  serves  as  delegate  to  con- 
ventions. He  is  a  warm  and  active  member  of  the 
School  Board,  of  which  he  is  now  the  Assessor 
and  Treasurer.  He  is  the  correspondent  of  the 
Kalamazoo  Telegraph.  Mr.  Long  is  as  large  a  pur- 
cliaser  of  eggs  as  there  is  in  the  State  of  Michigan 
and  runs  over  $10,000  per  year  in  this  product 
alone.  He  and  his  wife  are  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  the  townshii)  and  command 
the  respect  of  all  witli  whom  tliev  come  in  contact. 

AHRISON  BALFOUR,  deceased.  This  gen- 
tleman was  a  native  of  Ireland,  having  his 
birth  in  Couiity  Coleraine  in  1815,  and 
came  to  Canada  with  his  parents  when  an 
infant,  where  he  resided  until  reaching  mature 
years.  When  a  young  man,  he  located  in  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  where,  in  1838,  he  met  and  married 
Miss  Anne  Lawrence*  who  came  from  AVeymouth, 
England,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  with  her  par- 
ents and  located  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  they 
lived  and  passed  from  this  life.  At  the  time  of 
his  death,  this  gentleman  was  a  resident  of  Van 
Bureii  County. 

Mr.  Balfour  brought  his  young  bride  with  liim 
to  Michigan  soon  after   their  marriage,  settling  at 


Climax,  Kalamazoo  County, but  they  resided  there 
but  a  short  time  when  they  returned  to  Ohio  and 
.soon  afterward  came  to  Van  Iiuren  County,  locat- 
ing in  Lawrence,  the  husband  following  merchan- 
dising and  milling.  In  1812,  they  located  on  a 
farm  on  .section  23,  Lawrence  Township,  and  took 
up  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  which  they  cul- 
tivated. This  was  prior  to  his  merchandising  and 
milling  at  Lawrence.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the 
late  war,  he  and  three  sons,  James,  John  and  Har- 
rison M.,  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  country,  the 
father  entering  as  a  Lieutenant,  being  finally 
made  Captain.  James  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Corinth,  and  Harrison  died  near  Nashville,  while 
John  returned  home  a  physical  wreck,  and  only 
lived  a  few  years. 

During  the  war,  the  father  fought  in  the  battles 
of  Pittsburgh  Landing,  Perrysville,  and  many 
others.  He  followed  Gen.  Bragg  through  the 
South  until  he  surrendered.  James  was  at  F"t.  Don- 
elson.  Ft.  Henry  and  luka,  and  fought  in  man}' 
others,  but  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Corinth.  Capt. 
Balfour  came  home  from  the  war  in  March,  1863. 
and  remained  home  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
wliich  occurred  in  187(5.  In  his  death,  the  county 
lost  one  of  its  well-known  and  honored  members 
of  the  farming  community,  with  which  he  was 
closely  identified  from  pioneer  times  until  his 
death.  He  was  an  excellent  man  and  his  political 
views  were  independent,  he  choosing  to  vote  for  the 
man  rather  than  the  party.  Socially,  he  was  au  ac- 
tive member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

There  were  born  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
and  his  estimable  wife  ten  children.  John  M., 
James  W.,  Harrison  M.,  Marion,  Kosilie,  Douglas, 
are  the  names  of  the  deceased  children,  while  Rans- 
ley,  lOugenie,  Herbert  and  Clara,  wife  of  Edward 
Denslowe,  are  living;  Herbert  F.  resides  on  the  old 
place  and  was  married,  in  1885,  to  Miss  Vannie 
Miles,  and  has  become  the  father  of  four  children. 
He  has  a  beautiful  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  with  a  line  brick  residence  and  splendid  im- 
provements. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Balfour  were  James  and 
Sarah  (Pope)  Lawrence,  who -were  natives  of  F-ng- 
land.  When  they  came  to  this  country  they 
brought  a  family  of  eight  children  with  them:  Wil- 


568 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Ham  died  in  Manchester,  Iowa;  Ann  K.:  "Walter 
was  a  Colonel  in  the  late  war  and  was  killed; 
Richard,  now  of  Cleveland,  Ohio;  James,  who  died 
at  Springfield,  Ohio;  Alfred,  who  has  heen  a  de- 
tective in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  many  years  past; 
Henry,  who  is  now  deceased;  and  Saraii,whois  the 
wife  of  Hamilton  M.i}-©  and  resides  at  Grand 
Rapids.  She  w.as  the  widow  of  Daniel  Evans,  of 
Lawrence,  Mich.,  i)revious  to  her  marri.ige  with  Mr. 
Mavo. 


Sll  ULIIS  II.  KKLLY,  a  dealer  in  hardware,  tin- 
ware and  agricultural  implements,  of  Law- 
rence. Van  Buren  County,  is  a  native  of 
Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born 
August  10,  1839,  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Ann 
(Lindsley)  Kelly,  tlie  father  a  native  of  New  York, 
of  Irish  and  Dutch  ancestr\-,  and  the  mother  a  na- 
tive of  .Scotland.  The  father  moved  to  the  vicin- 
ity of  Butler.  N.  Y.,  when  our  subject  was  about 
four  years  old,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  seven, 
when  they  came  to  Jackson  County,  this  State. 
They  resided  in  the  last-named  place  two  years, 
living  three  years  in  Calhoun  County  and  then 
coming  to  Lawrence  at  the  time  Julius  was  seven- 
teen. Here  our  subject  followed  farming,  team- 
ing, and  whatever  he  could  lind  to  do.  In  18G0, 
he  l)ecanie  of  age,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  and  decided  at  the  same  time  to  en- 
list in  the  defense  of  his  countrv. 

On  September  17,  1861,  lii>  name  was  enrolled 
in  Company  C.  Third  Micliii,'an  (  :iv:dry,  .as  a  pri- 
vate, and  with  his  regiment,  he  was  assigned  to  the 
Sixteenth  .\rmy  Corps  in  the  Southwest.  He  was 
in  many  liattles.  «iich  as  New  Madrid,  Island  No. 
10,  Farminglon  ( .Miss.),  etc.  At  one  time  he  was 
wounded  in  the  leg,  but  not  seriously.  He  served 
four  yeiirs  and  a  half,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged, February  12.  IHlKi,  at  San  .\ntonio,  Tex. 
After  his  return  from  the  army,  our  subject  be- 
gan in  the  grocery  business  at  Lawrence,  which 
lie  followerl  some  eight  years,  lie  then  sold  out 
and  went  t<>  .Ncbritska,  in  IH7I,  where  he  spent 
one  y*'"!'.      l'reviou>  in  Ihi-  tinii'  In-  had  Imcm  iriMr- 


ried  to  Miss  May  Rowland,  of  Lawrence,  the  cere- 
mony taking  place  .Inly  1.5.  1S66.  She  isa  native 
of  Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  Kber  and  .lerusiah  Row- 
land. On  his  return  from  Nebraska,  our  subject 
went  to  Fenton.  (4enesee  County,  wheie  his  family 
had  remained  during  his  absence,  and  worked  in  a 
gristmill  for  about  six  months.  He  then  returned 
to  Lawrence  and  worked  at  various  occupations 
until  1873,  when  he  began  the  tinning  business, 
and  started  his  present  prosperous  store. 

Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  are  the  parents  of  three 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  BertO.,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Lawrence  High  School,  was  l)orn 
in  Lawrence,  April  26,  1870;  Fred  O.  was  born 
March  22,  1874;  Mittic,  born  November  .5,  1871, 
died  November  .'),  187!t.  Our  subject  is  a  He- 
publican,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  \'illage 
Board  three  terms.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Gr.and  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  attended  the 
National    Reunion  at  Detroit  in  1891. 


^ 


^  «•»  t^gs= 


==^ 


^<p,   llAliLKS  DAVIS    is    the   <iwner    of    a    line 
111  farm  of  one  hundred  an<l  ten   acres    on  sec- 

^^i><'  tioii  .M),  five  and  one-half  miles  southeast t)f 
Lawton,  \:\u  Buren  County.  He  also  owns  one 
hundred  and  twenty-six  .acres  on  section  2(),  this 
township.  He  was  born  in  Ont.arit)  County,  N. 
Y.,  March  29.  1831.  and,  in  183:).  moved  with  his 
parents  to  .\shtaliula  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
learned  the  boot  and  shoe  business  when  a  boy  of 
fourteen  years  of  age.  lie  followed  this  trade  for 
some  ten  or  twelve  years,  at  which  time  he  turned 
his  attention  to  fanning  and  has  made  that  his 
chief  occuijation.  lie  riMuoved  from  Ohio  to 
Michigan  in  1H.'')3,  .settling  at  Mattawan.  \;ui 
Ihiren  County. 

Mr.  D.'iviswas  niMiiicd.  in  \X'>[.  to  Itetsey  Coun- 
teniian.  .■nnl  In  thi'iii  have  heen  born  nine  children, 
six  sons  aiul  three  daughters,  namely:  lteiij:imin. 
Levi;  Charlotte,  deceased;  Ainand;i,  wife  of  John 
Hendricks;  Amos;  .Mt;!;  Kdmond.  deceased; 
Charles  F,..  and  Fxro,  also  deceaseil.  Mrs.  Davis 
dcparleil  this  life  in  1HH2.  Our  subject  has  a  good 
farm,  which  is  linely  cultivated  and  which  shows 
evidence  i>(  cinvl'iil  iii:ni:iL;<'iiiciil. 


/^''^UAa..  ^X'^OOv^oC^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArHICAL   RECORD. 


571 


allARLES  L.  BARRETT.  The  portrait  on 
the  opposite  page  represents  a  leading  olll- 
cial  of  Allegan  (bounty,  who  occupies  the 
position  of  County'  Clerk,  discliarging  its  various 
duties  with  much  ability.  His  father,  Marvin  Bar- 
rett, was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and  was  one 
of  tiie  oldest  pioneers  in  Kalamazoo  County,  Mich., 
to  which  he  came  in  1832.  He  carried  on  a  farm 
ill  Richland  Township  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  in  1884.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Helen  M.  Dolson,  w.as  also  a  native  of  New 
York  and  still  lives  at  Richland,  aged  sixty-one 
years. 

Born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  Marvin  Barrett 
was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  resided,  until  lie  was 
twent.y-seven  years  old, with  his  parents,  Hildali  and 
Elizabeth  (Cummings)  Barrett,  who  were  natives 
of  New  York,  and  farmers  by  occupation.  Tliey 
came  to  Michigan  in  1832  and  settled  in  Kalama- 
zoo County,  where  thej'  died.  Hildah  Barrett  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Richland  and  loaned  the  money  to  erect  the 
church  building,  at  that  time  being  one  of  the 
wealthy  men  of  the  conn tj-.  He  and  his  wife  were 
devoted  Presbyterians  and  reared  a  family  of  eight 
children.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  formerly 
an  Abolitionist  and  later  a  Repulilican,  and  occu- 
pied many  prominent  offices  in  his  township.  He 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Richland  in  which  he  held  m.aiij'  respon- 
sible offices. 

The  parental  family  consisted  of  nine  children, 
six  of  whom  are  now  living,  as  follows:  Our  sub- 
ject, Mrs.  Emma  Little,  James,  Frank  W.,  William 
E.  and  George  M.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  .John  11.  Dolson,  was  a  native  of  New 
York  City,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  early  settlers. 
He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  serving  through- 
out the  war.  He  was  married  three  times  and  be- 
came the  father  of  twenty-seven  children,  seven 
sons  and  two  daughters  by  each  wife.  He  was  a 
farmer  through  life  and  came  to  Michigan  in  an 
early  day,  settling  where  Battle  Creek  now  stands 
and  where  he  is  buried. 

In   Kalamazoo  County,  this   State,   Charles    L. 
Barrett  was  born  August  2,  1818.    He  received  his 
education  at  the   seminary  at  Richland  and   the 
26 


Northwestern  University  at  Evanston,  HI.     After 

leaving  school  he  tauglit  for  several  winters,  also 
following  farming  at  Richland.  He  came  to  Alle- 
gan County  in  1876  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Mill  Grove,  which  he  followed  for  some 
four  years.  Afterward  lie  purchased  a  farm  in  Pine 
Plains  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived  and 
which  is  located  three  miles  from  the  village  of 
Allegan.  He  has  held  the  oflice  of  Township 
Clerk  for  four  years  and  has  been  Director  in  the 
schools  for  some  time,  always  taking  a  deep  inter- 
est in  educational  matters.  Mr.  Barrett  w.as  elected 
to  his  present  position  as  County  Clerk  in  the  fall 
of  1886  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term,  which 
proves  his  popularity  with  tlie  people. 

The  marri.ige  of  Mr.  Barrett,  October  15,  1872, 
united  him  with  Miss  Emma  Crosby,  of  Richland, 
a  daughter  of  Randall  and  Elizabeth  (Miles) 
Crosliy,  natives  of  New  York,  who  came  West  at 
an  early  day  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Richland 
Township.  The  father  died  on  the  old  homestead; 
the  motiier  passed  away  in  Allegan.  To  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  were  born  seven  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Rand.all  M.,  Carl  IL,  Florence  B.,  Hattie  C, 
Margery  N.,  Florine  M.,  and  an  infant  unnamed. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Barrett  affiliates  with  the  Republi- 
can party  and  socially  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  the  United  Workmen. 


^^ 


^^  ZRA  A.  PALMER,  M.  D.  The  profession 
|W|  which  represents  the  beneficent  healing  art 
[l' — --^  has  many  noble  members,  whose  lives  are 
filled  with  acts  of  goodness  and  whose  most  stren- 
uous efforts  ai-e  to  attain  that  skill  which  is  neces- 
sary in  saving  life  and  restoring  health.  Such  a 
life  work  raises  a  man  above  the  sordid  motives 
which  .actuate  many  jjcople  and  gives  to  life  a 
meaning  which  more  mercenary  callings  cannot 
grant.  We  are  therefore  always  gratified  to  be 
able  to  introduce  to  our  readers  the  i)hysicians  who 
have  won  for  themselves  a  high  place  in  the  pro- 
fession in  Van  Buren  County. 

Dr.  Palmer,  of  Hartford,  is  one  of  the  prominent 
physicians  in  the  county  and  has  a  lucrative  prac- 
tice.    He  was  born  in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,    in 


572 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


1850,  and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Paw  Paw, 
this  State,  when  three  yeai-s  old.  He  is  the  son  of 
Henry  R.  and  Margaret  (Plantz)  Palmer.  The 
father  was  born  in  1815  in  New  York  and  was  the 
son  of  Samuel  Palmer.  Our  subject  was  the  only 
son  of  his  parent^-,  but  had  three  sisters,  namely: 
Lucretia,  who  is  the  wife  of  Harvey  Clarke;  Nancy 
A.  and  Lovella. 

Dr.  Palmer  grew  to  mature  years  in  ^'au  Buren 
Count}-  and  began  the  studj'  of  medicine  while 
teaching  school,  wiiich  profession  he  followed  five 
years.  He  entered  the  medical  department  of  the 
Michigan  University  in  1874  and,  when  graduating 
from  that  institution,  at  once  began  the  practice  of 
his  profession  in  Hartford.  In  1886  Dr.  Palmer 
took  a  post-graduate  coui-se  in  the  Chicago  Med- 
ical College  and  hears  a  wide  reputation  in  this 
section  as  a  skillful  and  progressive  physican. 
Socially,  he  is  a  M.ason  and  in  political  matters 
votes  with  the  Republican  party. 


-^1= 


"^E5~ 


^,^" 


lj^(  RS.  KLIZAIJETII  JOYCE,  widow  of  H.  D. 
Joyce,  is  a  woman  of  marked  capability 
and  excellent  business  qualifications,  and 
she  is  managing  her  well-ordered  farm  on 
section  25.  Charleston  Township,  with  the  best  of 
success.  Siic  is  a  native  of  Rusli  Township,  Mon- 
roe County,  N.  Y.,  her  birth  occurring  February  9, 
1828.  Her  father  was  Joseph  Fishell,  a  son  of 
Henry  Fislu-ii.  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Penn- 
.sylvania.and  wereof  (^erman  descent.  Mrs.  Joyce's 
father  was  born  near  Pittsburg,  but  when  he  was 
j-oung  his  parents  removed  to  Monroe  County,  N. 
Y.,  and  there  he  grew  to  man's  estate.  He  adopted 
the  calling  of  a  farmer,  and  in  1846  took  up  his 
residence  in  (Jenesee  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  en- 
gaged at  his  occupation  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
becoming  one  of  tiie  largest  farmers  of  his  com- 
luuiiity,  and  one  of  its  foremost  citizens.  lie  died 
at  the  ageof  .scventy-twf)  years,  lie  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat until  18KI  when  he  voted  for  the  grand- 
father of  our  present  President,  and  on  the  for- 
mation of  the  Hcpublican  party  he  gave  it  his 
allegiance.  Tiic  maiden  name  of  tiie  mother  of 
our  subject  wjw  Amelia   l.citer.     She  wns  born    in 


Maryland,  and  lived  in  that  State  nntil  she  was 
twentj'  years  old.  She  then  went  to  jMonroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  she  was  married.  After  tlie 
death  of  her  husband,  she  came  to  Michigan,  and 
spent  her  last  days  with  her  daughter,  of  whom  we 
write,  d3'ing  at  the  age  of  ninety-one  j'ears.  She 
w.as  the  mother  of  nine  children,  four  daughters 
and  five  sons,  one  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of 
eleven  years,  and  these  five  are  3'et  living:  Henry, 
a  resident  of  New  York;  Elizabeth;  Eveline,  wife 
of  Dr.  E.  Cobb,  of  Perry;  Susan,  wife  of  Martin 
Amidon,  of  New  York;  and  Joseph,  a  resident  of 
Ionia  County. 

Mrs.  Joyce  is  the  fourth  child  and  second  daugh- 
ter of  the  family.  She  was  well  trained  in  her 
home  and  became  an  excellent  housewife.  She 
was  eighteen  years  old  when  her  parents  removed 
to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  and  there  her  marriage 
with  Mr.  II.  D.  Joyce  took  place  February  11, 
1858. 

Mr.  Joyce  was  born  in  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.. 
February  14,  1826.  He  was  a  son  of  John  .1. 
Joyce, a  miller  who  plied  his  trade  in  Herkimer 
County  until  his  removal  to  Genesee  County  in 
1840,  his  death  subsequently  occurring  in  tliat 
county.  He  married  Mary  Smith,  a  native  of 
New  York.  Mr.  Joyce  was  tlio  oldest  of  their 
live  children.  After  marriage,  he  and  his  wife  came 
to  Michigan  to  build  up  a  home  in  Kalamazoo 
County,  casting  in  their  fortunes  with  the  pioneers 
of  Charleston  Township,  where  they  at  first  set- 
tled on  section  20.  They  lived  there  about  seven- 
teen years,  and  then  took  n]>  their  residence  on  tiie 
farm  on  section  25,  adjoining  on  the  east,  wiiere 
Mrs.  Joyce  still  makes  her  home. 

September  14,  1887,  Mr.  Joyce  was  killed  by  liis 
team  running  away,  and  all  that  is  mortal  of  him 
now  lies  in  the  cemetery  in  Cliarleston  Townsliip. 
Dying  thus  in  the  midst  of  a  busy  career,  whitl; 
had  been  alike  honoral)le  to  himself  and  to  liis 
adopted  township,  lie  was  greatly  missed  in  this 
part  of  llie  county  where  he  had  lived  so  long  anil 
had  labored  to  such  a  good  purpose  in  developing 
its  resoiu'ces,  and  his  memory  is  warmly  cherished 
by  the  entire  community  by  whom  he  was  so  well 
kiMiuii  Hiid  so  liighly  regarded  for  those  sterling 
qunlilic^  lli.'il,  niMrkcd  liiiii  in  :ill  liis  rclal ions   wilJi 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


/J73 


others.  He  was  alwaj's  greatly  interested  in  what- 
ever concerned  tlie  township  and  county,  and  took 
pleasure  in  their  advancement,  c()ntril)uling  liber- 
ally to  all  feasible  i)Ians  for  internal  iniprovc- 
nicnts  or  for  otiier  i)urposes.  PoUtically,  he  was 
a  good  Democrat,  and  stood  firml}'  by  his  party. 

After  her  husband's  death,  Mrs.  .Toyce  bought 
the  interest  of  the  other  iieirs  in  the  estate,  and 
has  ever  since  had  charge  (jf  tlie  farm,  giving  it 
her  personal  supervision,  looiving  carefully  after 
every  detail,  and  there  is  no  better  managed  farm 
in  the  vicinity  th.an  hers.  She  is  an  indefatigable 
worker,  requiring  no  assistance  in  the  management 
of  her  household  affairs,  which  receive  due  atten- 
tion, notwithstanding  her  multiplicity  of  cares. 
She  has  alwaj'S  done  her  own  housework,  never 
having  had  a  girl  work  for  her  but  for  three  weeks 
while  her  husband  lived.  She  hires  a  man  to  attend 
to  the  farm  the  year  round,  and  during  the  busy 
seasons  has  extra  men  working  for  her.  She  is  a 
general  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  having  her  farm 
well  supplied  with  standard  stock,  and  deriving  a 
comfortable  income  from  her  business. 


'iliOIIN  B.  SHERED.  The  gentleman  whom 
we  here  represent  is  one  who  enjoys  the 
confidence  of  the  business  community',  where 
_  his  word  is  considered  as  good  as  his  bond. 
He  may  be  classad  among  the  thrifty  and  intelligent 
citizens  of  Waverly  Townshiii,  Van  Buren  Countj', 
and  both  he  and  his  excellent  wife  are  highly-  es- 
teemed members  of  society.  He  is  a  native  of 
Venango,  Crawford  Countj^,  Pa.,  and  was  born 
February  28,  1832.  His  father  was  Jacob  Shered, 
a  son  of  Andrew  Shered,  whose  father  came  from 
Germany  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania  during  the 
Colonial  days. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  born  in 
Whitley  County,  Pa.,  in  1772,  and  was  a  currier  in 
his  earl}'  days,  but  afterward  became  a  farmer.  His 
death  occurred  in  1855,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two 
years,  in  Crawford  Countv,  Pa.,  whither  he  had 
removed.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  a  firm  believer  in  the  tenets  of  the  Re- 


formed Church.  The  maiden  name  of  the  grand- 
mother of  our  subject  was  Elizabeth  Mower.  She 
bore  her  liusband  a  family  of  eighteen  cliildren, 
and  died  also  in  her  eighty-second  year. 

Jacol)  Shered 's  birth  also  occurred  in  Whitley 
County,  Pa.,  his  natal  day  being  August  22,  1.800. 
He  w.as  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed 
to  Crawford  County,  where  his  decease  occurred 
in  August,  1891.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  and  a  man  greatly  respected  in  his  com- 
munity. The  mother  of  our  subject  was  Mrs.  Mary 
(Braden)  Shei-cd.  The  following  are  the  names  of 
the  parental  family  of  thirteen  children:  William, 
Lucy,  .Josiah,  Mary  A.,  Hiram,  Simon,  .John  B., 
Andrew,  George  T.,  Elizabeth,  .Jacob,  Susan  R. 
and  Hannah  A.  Mrs.  .Jacob  Shered  died  in  1889, 
in  Pennsylvania,  in  her  eighty-sixth  yeai-.  She 
was  of  Irish  origin. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  we  have  placed  at 
the  head  of  this  sketch  was  given  limited  school 
advantages,  but  made  the  most  of  his  opportuni- 
ties, and  to-daj'  ranks  among  the  intelligent  agri- 
culturists of  Waverly  Township.  He  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  when  twenty  3'ears  of  age  began  life 
for  himself  by  working  out  at  114  per  month.  He 
continued  in  that  line  of  work  for  two  ycars,when 
he  was  married,  and  was  variously  employed  for 
the  succeeding  few  years,  the  greater  part  of  his 
time,  however,  being  devoted  to  his  trade  of  a  ma- 
son. In  18Gl.he  felt  that  he  could  better  his  con- 
dition in  the  oil  regions,  and  thus  began  drilling 
wells,  at  which  he  engaged  for  a  twelvemonth. 
He  then  abandoned  his  occupation  and  began 
teaming,  making  $7,000  in  eighteen  months.  He 
was  so  unfortunate,  however,  as  to  lose  half  of  his 
hard  earnings  by  speculating  in  an  oil  well. 

In  April,  18(55,  Mr.  Shered  came  to  Michigan,  his 
possessions  at  that  .time  including  $2,000  in  money 
and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Paw  Paw  Township,  this 
county,  on  section  16.  In  August,  1867,  he  re- 
moved to  that  farm,  which  he  made  his  home  until 
1876,  having  added  twenty-two  acres  thereto.  He 
then  traded  that  tract  for  ninety  acres  on  section 
16,  in  Waverlj-  Township,  the  same  county, 
where  he  now  resides.  Together  with  his  son,  he 
added  fifty  acres  to  his  ninety,  and  his  sou  besides 
that  owns  forty  acres  in  his  own  right. 


574 


POI^TRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Mr.  Shered  has  been  Drain  Commissioner  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  town- 
ship. The  Democratic  paitv  numbers  him  among 
its  inlluential  mcmbei-s.  with  which  body  he  alwaj'S 
casts  his  vote. 

February  21,  18.56,  our  subiect  was  married  to 
Rebecca  Larkin,  who  was  born  in  Erie,  Pa.,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  .Toiin  and  Mary  Ann  (Corigan) 
Larkin.  natives  of  .'^ussex,  England.  The  parents 
were  married  in  ^Montreal.  Canada, where  the  father 
followed  the  trade  of  a  brick-mason.  He  died  in 
Meadville,  Pa.  Mr.  Larkin  was  twice  married, 
becoming  the  father  of  four  boys  and  three  girls 
by  his  fii-st  marriage.  His  second  wife  was  ]Mrs. 
Mar3'  A.  (Hemlor),  McFarlin,  who  bore  him  two 
sous  and  two  daughters.  In  religious  matters,  he 
was  a  Unitarian. 

To  our  subject  and  his  estim.able  wife  have  been 
born  one  cliild.  a  son,  !Milton  J.,  who  married  Miss 
Isadora,  daughter  of  Tlieodore  and  Mary  A.  (Skin- 
ner) .Snell.  They  have  one  child,  named  (lieu  E. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Siiered  were  formerly  Baptists  in  re- 
ligion, but  are  now  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


ENRY  .1.  KELLOGG  is  a  prominent  farmer 
in  Porter  Township,  Van  Huron  Couiity, 
the  tract  wliicli  he  operates  being  located 
on  section  3;!.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseiili  and 
•Sarah  (Voi-js)  Kellogg,  natives  respectively  of 
Ma-viacliusetts  and  New  Jei'sey.  After  their  mar- 
riage, the  parents  of  our  sul)ject  l)ecame  residents 
of  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  was  a 
nu'clmnlc.  He  was  born  January  12,  177H,  and 
tiie  mother  .November  2H,  1  7H(). 

The  paternal  grandfatlicr  of  our  subject,  Silas 
Kellogg,  served  in  llin  War  <tf  1H12.  and  died  in 
Ills  eighty-sixth  year.  .lames  \'oris,  jiis  mat^'rnal 
grandfather,  .served  in  the  War  of  1H12.  .■md  died 
at  Kenton,  N.  .1.,  when  sixty  years  of  jige.  Mr. 
and  .Mrs.  .loseph  Kellogg  arc  deceased,  tiie  mother 
dying  March  .'JO,  1H')K,  and  ilic  I'miIhi-  pa.ssing 
away  .September  III),  1K(!:1.  They  liecanie  the  par- 
ents of  thirteen  children,  only  three  of  whom  are 
living.     Our  subject    and   liis   lirotiin-,  William  . I., 


served  in  the  Civil  War  in  the  same  regiment. 
William  J.  was  Captain  of  Company  H,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fifty-second  New  Y'ork  Infantry,  and 
during  the  three  years  he  was  in  the  army  saw 
much  hard  fighting. 

Henr^'  J.  Kellogg  was  born  September  15,  1827, 
in  New  Lisbon  Township,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y., 
and  received  a  common  and  high  school  education. 
He  acted  in  the  cajjacity  of  pedagogue  for  ninety- 
nine  terms,  beginning  to  teach  when  only  fifteen 
3'ears  of  .age,  in  New  York  State.  He  was  married, 
October  3,  1854,  to  Emma  M.,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Rachel  (Johnson)  Bower,  who  resided  in 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y'.  On  the  paternal  side  of 
the  house,  Mrs.  Kellogg  is  of  Dutch  ancestry.  Mr. 
Bower  died  February  13, 1865,  and  his  wife  i)assed 
aw.ay  April  30,  1882,  when  in  her  seventy-ninth 
year. 

Mrs.  Emma  M.  Kellogg  was  born  September  12, 
1826,  in  Genoa,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.  August 
26.  1862,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  H,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-second  New  York  Infantry, 
and, was  Hospital  Steward  of  his  regiment,  serving 
until  April  3,  1864.  His  duties  were  prineiimlly 
in  Lincoln  and  Emory  Hospitals  at  Washington, 
D.  C.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  Mr.  Kellogg 
was  sick  for  nearly  two  years.  When  able  to  work 
again,  he  began  teaching,  which  occujiation  he  fol- 
lowed until  he  came  to  Michigan,  April  12,  1867, 
and  settled  on  one  hundred  acres  which  is  his 
present  home.  When  it  came  into  his  possession 
it  was  in  a  perfectly  will!  st.ilc.  lie  immediatel}' 
sot  about  clearing  ;uul  iin])r(iving  his  tract,  erecting 
thereon  a  coinfort;>hlo  residence  and  all  the  neces- 
sary outbuildings.  His  large  barn  has  a  good 
basement  under  it  and  is.30x50  feet  in  dimensions. 
He  also  has  two  line  ordiards  on  his  place  and 
raises  various  Uinds  of  fiiiits. 

Mr.  and  Mi's.  Kellogg  of  tliis  sketch  have  had 
born  to  them  two  cliildion:  l'!il!i  E.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  (Joorge  Fuller.  Iims  two  chilili-on:  Clyde  (i. 
and  Earl  K.,  and  resides  in  Porter  Township.  Cora 
A.  resides  at  home  with  her  |)arents.  l\Ir.  Kellogg 
has  given  liis  cliilili'cn  rxccllcnl.  cdiicMlioiis,  the 
eldest  having  been  a  te.acher  for  some  time.  Our 
subject  and  his  wife  are  active  workers  in  the 
Methodist  Epi>(  op:il  (  liiircli,  in    uliicli   dcnoniina- 


I 

ill 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOCRAPIIICAL  RECORD. 


0// 


tion  Mr.  Kelloga:  lias  been  a  Class-leader  and  Super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday-scliool  for  a  number  of 
years.  While  in  New  York  State  lie  was  Sni)erin- 
tendent  of  a  Sunday-sehool  which  numbered  over 
two  liundred  pu|iils;  he  lias  also  acted  In  that  ca- 
p.aeity  at  Marcellus. 

He  of  wiiom  we  write  h.as  been  on  the  School 
IJoard  of  his  district  for  a  number  of  terms  and 
is  a  (irand  Army  man,  belonging  to  the  post  at 
Marcellus,  of  which  he  was  Commander  for  two 
years.  He  is  now  serving  his  seventh  year  as 
Chaplnin  of  the  same.  In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch 
Reimblican,  and  is  a  friend  of  temperance.  He 
has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  in  1871-72-73, 
served  as  County  Superintendent  of  Schools  in 
Van  Buren  Count}'.  He  has  been  Notary  Public 
nearly  all  his  life,  and  is  a  ver^^  prominent  man  in 
this  locality. 


'  ^*  I  *  >  'i  y  ^  ii  ^  I 


J\ 


;^AUL  H.  SCHUH,  a  resident  of  W.ayland,  is 
well  known  as  a  good  citizen  who  has  the 
best  interests  of  liis  community  at  heart,  and 
whose  influence  is  always  cast  on  the  side 
of  right.  Therefore  his  biography  and  portrait 
are  valu.able  additions  to  this  volume.  His  par- 
ents, David  and  Elizabeth  (Schenabarger)  Schuli, 
were  natives  of  Germany  and  Maryland,  respect- 
ively. They  settled  in  Richland  County,  Ohio, 
where  our  subject  was  born  April  20,  1826,  being 
the  third  in  a  family  of  five  children.  He  was 
given  the  adv.antages  of  a  common-school  educa- 
tion, but,  by  observation  and  careful  reading,  has 
become  a  well-informed  man.  His  father  was  a 
minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  but  lie  decided 
to  learn  a  trade,  and,  at  the  .age  of  fifteen  years, 
learned  the  liarness  business  at  jNIedina  County, 
Ohio,  serving  two  .and  one-half  years,  and  then 
securing  employment  at  job  work  by  himself  about 
three  years. 

Having  determined  to  enter  in  business  for  him- 
self, Mr.  Scliuli  located  at  Spencer,  Medina  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  for  four  years.  Thence 
he  removed  to  Akron,  where  he  resided  four  3'ears, 
and  then  returned  to  Medina,  where  he  remained 
for   six   j'cars.     November   30,  18G6,  he    came    to 


Wayland,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the 
harness  and  saddlery  business.  He  now  makes  a 
specialty  of  manufacturing  a  patent  nock-yoke. 
As  a  business  man,  his  uprightness  and  judicious 
management  are  universally  recognized. 

Mr.  Schuh  was  married  May  1,  18,50,  to  Margaret 
E.  Blanot,  of  Medina,  Ohio,  and  the}'  are  the  par- 
ents of  three  children:  Maurice,  deceased;  William 
H.,  and  one  that  died  in  infancy.  William  H. 
Schuh  is  a  partner  with  liis  father,  having  been 
connected  with  him  since  his  majority,  and  is  now 
operating  a  fruit  farm.  He  married  Nenah  Lillie, 
of  Kalamazoo,  and  they  have  two  cliildren,  George 
and  Norris.  Mr.  Schuh  belongs  to  the  Prohibi- 
tion party,  has  held  the  office  of  Alderman  for  a 
number  of  terms,  and  has  also  been  a  member  of 
the  Sciiool  Board.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Congregational  Cliurch,  and  are  active  in 
all  good  works.  They  are  among  the  substantial 
residents  of  Wayland,  and  are  highly  esteemed  by 
a  large  circle  of  friends. 


ENRY  S.  ROCKWELL.  The  pleasant  farm 
located  on  section  33,  Portage  Township, 
Kalamazoo  County,  is  the  home  of  our  sub- 
ject. He  has  placed  his  estate  under  excel- 
lent cultivation,  and  by  a  proper  rotation  of  crops, 
reaps  a  fine  income.  He  is  honest  and  upright  in 
all  his  dealings  with  his  fellowmen,  .and  is  held  in 
high  esteem  by  his  neighboi-s  .and  acquaintances. 

He  of  whom  we  write  is  the  son  of  the  late  Na- 
thaniel and  Maria  (Van  Iloesen)  Rockwell.  The 
father  was  born  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  the 
mother  in  New  York.  Tliey  made  the  journey  to 
this  State  in  the  fall  of  1852,  coming  liither  from 
W3-oming  County  and  locating  in  Portage  Town- 
ship. They  made  this  place  their  home  until  the 
death  of  Mr.  Rockwell,  which  occurred  in  Janu- 
ary, 1865.  The  mother  still  survives  and  makes 
her  home  with  a  daughter  in  Hinsdale,  111. 

Of  the  parental  family  of  four  sons  and  four 
daughters,  Henry  S.  was  the  fifth  child,  his  birth 
occurring  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  V.,  June  8, 
1837.     He  accompanied   his  parents   on  their  re- 


578 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


moval  to  this  State,  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
farm  in  Portage  Township.  August  4,  1864,  he 
was  married  in  Kalamazoo  to  Miss  Florence  Brown, 
who  was  born  in  .Schoolcraft  Township,  this  county, 
and  liy  whom  he  has  become  the  father  of  two  chil- 
dren, Lena  M.  and  Floyd  N. 

Mr.  Rockwell  has  been  Township  Treasurer  for  a 
period  of  two  yeai-s,  and,  in  polities,  is  an  active 
and  earnest  Democrat.  He  has  always  been  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  owns  at  the 
present  time  one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  acres  of 
improved  property. 


YLVANUS  N.  PIKE.  The  varied  exper- 
iences of  a  half  century  have  given  to  this 
gentleman  a  broad  knowledge  of  human 
nature  on  the  one  hand,  and  a  goodh- 
amount  of  this  world's  possessions  as  well.  He  re- 
sides in  the  village  of  Martin,  where  he  and  his 
family  have  established  an  attractive  home  and  en- 
joy an  acquaintance  among  the  best  people  of  the 
community.  The  business  which  chiefly  engages 
his  attention  is  the  buying  and  selling  of  cattle, 
and  his  ventures  in  that  direction  have  been  finan- 
cially remunerative.  lie  rents  his  splendid  farm, 
which  consists  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  .icroson 
section  23,  Watson  Township. 

The  fireeu  Mountain  Slate  was  the  early  home 
of  Sylvaiius  and  .Miiiira  (Streetcr)  Pike,  parents 
of  our  subject,  ami  Imlh  were  born  in  Whitingliam, 
Windliam  County,  \t.,  the  father  June  2.'},  1811, 
and  the  mother  in  1H()7.  They  p.assed  their  early 
married  life  in  \'<'riiu>nt.  Imt  rcinovcd  tlii^iice  to 
New  York  and  later  came  to  Miciiig.'in,  where  the 
mollicr  died  May  2:i,  1  HOD.  The  father  still  sur- 
vives at  an  advanced  age  and  makes  his  linme  in 
section  2.'i,  Watson  Township.  They  were  the  i)ar- 
entt  of  five  chiiilren,  only  two  of  whom  are  now 
living:  the  subject  of  this  notice.  Mml  .bunes  L., 
who  rcsKh's  in  Trowbridge  Township. 

At  the  agi-  of  seven,  our  siilijcct  acconip.inii'il  ids 
IHirenti  from  his  native  home  in  Whitingliam,  Vt., 
where  he  wnn  born  April  IK,  1«I2,  to  the  State  of 
New  Vf)rk.  After  remaining  in  St.  Lawrence 
County   iiur  yi'ar,  he  accoinpiuiiccl    his    f.'itlier   lc» 


Jefferson  County,  the  same  State,  and  there  so- 
journed four  years.  Later  he  went  back  to  Ver- 
mont and  after  spending  one  winter  there,  returned 
to  the  Elmpire  State  and  from  there  proceeded 
westward  to  Lenawee  Count}*,  this  State,  where  he 
located  on  a  farm.  He  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  in  that  county  for  five  years  and  then 
came  to  Allegan  County  in  1860,  locating  where 
he  now  resides  and  at  once  commencing  the  work 
of  improvement. 

On  April  18,  18G9,  Mr.  Pike  was  married  in 
Otsego,  this  State,  to  Martha  L.  (AVilson)  Kent,  the 
widow  of  James  Kent.  Mrs.  Pike  was  born  in 
Ontario  County,  Canada,  August  6,  1840,  and  her 
union  with  Mr.  Pike  has  brought  to  them  four  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Almira  S.,  Sylvanvs  S.,  Sarah  A. 
and  Linton  A.,  all  of  whom  are  now  at  home  with 
their  parents.  By  her  first  marriage,  Mrs.  Pike  be- 
came the  mother  of  two  children:  Alice  J.,  the  wife 
of  Lewis  Holmes,  of  Kalamazoo;  and  MaryE.,  who 
is  Mrs.  John  Russell,  and  resides  in  Martin.  The 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  which  ^Ir. 
Pike  owns  is  well  iininovcd  and  contains  a  good 
set  of  buildings. 

In  former  years  lyir.  Pike  was  a  firm  Republican 
but  he  is  now  a  rrohibitionist  in  princii)lc  and 
casts  his  ballot  for  the  candidate  whom  he  believes 
best  qualified  for  the  otficc.  He  has  served  with 
elllciency  as  l'nlliniast(M',  and  was  School  Director 
six  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  (Grange  of  AVat- 
son  Township,  and  has  for  years  been  an  active 
worker  in  tlie  t'liurch  of  (uxl,  where  he  is  now 
Deacon  and  has  Iuhmi  Secrotiu'y  for  ten  years.  His 
inlluence  as  an  upright  citizen  has  been  extensive, 
and  his  long  life  of  integrity  has  won  for  him  (he 
universal  esteem  of  his  fellow-liiwiisnien. 

ILKS  S.  UATllUrN.  who  has  engaged  in 
the  gioeeiy  liusiness  in  Decatur  since  1878, 
.)  was  born  on  the  26th  of  March,  1821,  in 
Cayuga  County,  N.  V.,  and  is  one  of  eleven  eliil- 
(ii'i'ii  whose  ii.Mi'enIs  were  .loshna  .'ind  Diailani.'i 
U;illiliun.  His  f.illier  was  a  native  of  the  (Ireen 
iMoiinl;un  Stale  :uid  by  oei'UpMtion  wjis  ji  f:uiner, 
Ueniovintr   to    New    VorU.   In'    ioe.'ilcd    in    C'lvuga 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RFX'ORD. 


579 


County,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits. 
His  death  occurred  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  in 
1826,  and  his  wife  followed  him  to  the  grave  with- 
in a  month.  Of  their  children  all  i>rew  to  mature 
years  and  the  average  age  of  the  five  j'ct  living  is 
over  seventy- five. 

Niles  Rathbun  was  left  an  orphan  when  a  lad 
of  five  summers.  He  was  then  taken  care  of  by 
his  brother  Edward,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
he  had  attained  liis  majority,  when  he  began  work 
asa  farm  hand  and  was  thus  employed  for  two 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period,  he  com- 
menced buying  and  selling  horses,  cattle  and 
sheep  and  soon  afterward  purchased  a  farm  in 
Cayuga  County,  which  he  otx>rated  in  connection 
with  his  stock  business.  At  the  age  of  thirtj'-one, 
he  left  the  county  of  his  nativity  and  going  to 
Allegany  County  began  carrying  on  a  hotel.  Heal- 
so  operated  a  livery  stable  and  while  there  residing 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  position  he 
held  for  eight  years.  In  1867,  he  determined  to 
try  his  fortune  in  vlie  West  and  located  in  Oak 
Claim  City,  Wis.,  wheie  he  engaged  in  loaning 
money.  He  had  resided  there  only  a  year  when 
he  was  elected  .Justice  of  the  Peace,  serving  as 
such  for  eight  years.  He  also  carried  on  the  gro- 
cery and  lumber  business  until  a  decade  had  passed 
when  he  came  to  Decatur.  His  fitness  for  the  of- 
fice of  Justice  seems  evident,  for  during  the  first 
year  of  his  residence  here  he  was  elected  and  served 
for  four  ye.'irs. 

In  185'2,  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  Mr.  Rath- 
bun  and  Miss  Lucy  Cheesbro,  a  native  of  that 
county,  were  married.  Unto  them  were  liorn  two 
children  but  the  elder  died  at  the  age  of  nine 
years.  Their  son,  Edwin  N.,  who  was  born  in 
1859,  is  one  of  Decatur's  rising  young  business  men. 
He  is  now  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business,  is 
Notary  Public,  counselor  at  law  and  correspon- 
dent for  several  of  the  city  newspapers. 

In  his  political  affiliations,  Mr.  Rathbun  is  a 
Repulilican  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bj'terian  Church.  He  embarked  in  the  grocery 
business  in  Decatur  in  1878,  and  has  continued  it 
uninterruptedly  since.  He  is  a  successful  busi- 
ness man  and  one  who  is  highly  respected  for  his 
integrity  and  just  dealings.    He  carries  an  excellent 


and  complete  line  of  goods,  and  the  liberal  patron- 
age whieli  is  now  accorded  him  is  well  merited  as 
the  result  of  his  industrious  and  enterprising  ef- 
forts. The  people  repose  in  him  the  utmost 
confidence  and  their  trust  has  never  been  mis- 
placed. 


aEPHAS  S.KENT.  The  citizens  of  Michigan 
>  who  have  come  from  New  York  have  al- 
'  most  invariably  brought  with  them  such 
traits  and  habits  of  life  as  have  rendered  them  of 
value  in  their  new  home.  Their  industry  and 
frugality  and  their  rugged  perseverance  have 
helped  them  to  attain  such  a  degree  of  success  as 
enchances  the  prosperity  of  their  neighbors.  Such 
a  one  we  find  in  the  man  before  us. 

Cephas  S.Kent  was  boru  in  Oswego  County,  N. 
Y.,  March  31,  1839,  and  was  the  son  of  Ahira  and 
Tryphosa  (Tuckerman)  Kent,  natives  of  Vermont 
and  New  York,  respectively.  The  paternal  an- 
cestors of  our  subject  were  English  and  this  grand- 
father was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  The 
Kent  family  also  figured  prominently  in  the 
Revolutionary'  struggle.  Our  subject  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  this  State,  he 
with  an  older  brother  coming  overland  by  the 
way  of  Canada  and  with  the  family  located  in 
Charlestou  Township,  Kalamazoo  County.  Their 
mother  died  September  18,  1891;  the  father  still 
makes  his  home  on  the  old  farm  and  is  past  four- 
score years  of  age. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  reared  to  man's  estate 
on  his  father's  farm  and  afterattaining  his  majority 
engaged  for  four  years  in  the  merchandising  busi- 
ness in  Augusta.  Pie  was  given  a  good  education, 
supplementing  his  primary  studies  at  the  common 
schools  by  a  course  at  the  Albion  College.  May 
19,  1864,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  C.  AVood- 
ward,  a  native  of  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  her 
natal  day  being  September  24,  1840.  Mrs.  Kent 
was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Eddy) 
Woodward,  who  were  natives  of  the  Empire  State. 
Her  parents  were  of  English  descent  and  Grand- 
father Woodward  was  a  patriot  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War.     In  1853,  Miss  Harriet  accompanied  her 


580 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArmCAL  RECORD. 


parents  on  their  removal  to  Michigan,  where  they 
located  in  Richland  Township,  Kalamazoo  Count}-. 
They  passed  their  last  days  in  Augusta  viUage. 

To  :Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kent  liave  been  born  tlie  fol- 
lowing four  children:  Albert;  Mary,  who  is  a 
teacher  in  the  public  school;  Glenn,  who  is  also 
a  teacher,  and  Richard.  Jlr.  Kent  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  acres  of  cultivated  land,  upon  which 
he  has  made  alt  the  improvements  wliich  stamp  it 
as  a  flrst-cl.ass  estate.  Mrs.  Kent  is  identified  with 
the  Ladies'  Library  Association  of  Augusta  and  al- 
so vdth  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society.  In  politics,  our 
subject  is  a  Republican. 


^>-^^<m 


ETIl  A'ROMAX  is  a  liighly  respected  citizen 
^_  of  Kalamazoo  Countv,  where  he  has  ac- 
,j  quired  a  comfortable  property  ))y  his  farm- 
ing operations,  although  he  has  had  much 
to  contend  with  since  he  settled  in  Brady  Town- 
ship, and  began  to  build  a  home  and  improve  a 
farm  on  section  21.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Aurora,  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  June  19, 1811.  Lewis 
Vroman,  his  father,  wasalso  a  native  of  New  York, 
and  was  born  October  10,  1807.  His  parents  came 
from  German}',  and  died  when  he  was  only  eight 
yeai-s  old.  He  was  a  cooper  in  early  life,  and  also 
engaged  in  shoemaking  and  in  farming  after  mar- 
riage. He  came  to  Michigan  in  18,")8,  journeying 
b}'  I>akc  Erie  to  Detroit,  and  from  there  by  wagon 
to  this  county.  He  setlUil  ii]  llrady  Townslii|i, 
but  a  year  .and  a  half  later  he  went  to  Kansas  in  a 
covered  wagon,  and  was  five  months  on  the  way 
there  and  back,  as  he  did  not  make  a  very  long 
stay  in  tliat  then  troublous  Territory.  Returning 
to  Hrady  Townsliip,  he  located  on  a  farm  here,  and 
n  year  later  bought  forty  acres  of  the  farni  now- 
belonging  to  our  subject.  He  died  on  his  homestead, 
April  Ifi,  IM7."),  and  thus  rounded  out  a  useful  and 
honorable  life  of  sixly-.wven  years,  six  iiiontlisMinl 
six  days.  His  faithful  wifi' did  not  long  survive 
him,  liut  died  Seplenilier  II,  1H7(!.  Ilei-  name 
wni  Sarah  Tripp,  and  she  was  born  in  \Ciiiionl. 
August  .'J,  IKIO.  15olh  she  and  her  liu>li;in(l  were 
conscientious,  consistent  Christians,  and  nieniliers 
of  the   Coilgregatiomil    Cliunh.      They    reared   nIx 


out  of  their  seven  children,  namely:  George,  Lu- 
cius H.,  Seth,  Augusta  M.,  Jane  E.,  and  Charles  H. 
The  ancestors  on  the  mother's  side  of  the  house  were 
genuine  New  England  Yankees.  Grandfather 
Tripp  was  a  farmer.  He  lived  to  be  nearly  a  liun- 
dred  }^ears  old.  His  wife  died  December  18,  1856, 
aged  seventy-nine  years  and  two  days.  They  had 
seven  children. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  much  as  that 
of  other  farmers'  boys.  He  attended  the  district 
school,  which  was  taught  under  the  rate-bill  sys- 
tem, and  on  his  father's  farm  gained  a  good  in- 
sight into  farming.  He  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  also  accom- 
panied them  in  their  journey  to  and  from  Kansas. 
The  countr}''  in  this  region  was  then  but  sparsely 
settled,  with  here  and  there  a  cabin  in  the  woods. 
Deer  were  plentiful,  and  our  subject  occasion- 
ally secured  some  vonisou  with  his  trusty  rifie, 
when  he  found  time  to  hunt.  At  the  .age  of  twenty- 
one  he  began  life  for  himself,  having  worked  out 
by  the  month  for  several  seasons  before  he  attained 
his  majority.  He  bought  forty  acres  of  land  and 
still  continued  an  inmate  of  the  parental  home 
while  he  farmed  it.  Ajjril  G,  IStJo,  he  cast  aside 
his  work  to  enlist,  and  became  a  member  of  Com- 
pany K,  Twelfth  Michig.an  Infantry.  He  was 
mustered  in  at  Kalamazoo,  and  sent  to  the  regi- 
ment at  Devall's  Bluff,  Ark.,  where  he  and  his 
comrades  engaged  in  some  skirmishes  with  the  reb- 
els. Army  life  diii  not  agree  with  him  and  he  was 
taken  sick.  He  was  placed  in  the  hospital  at  that 
pt)iiit  and  remained  there  about  three  weeks,  llis 
military  career  was  brought  to  a  close  by  his  hon- 
orable discharge,  at  Little  Rock,  .Inly,  18(!r).  lie 
eontr.acted  a  chronic  disease  while  at  the  front, 
which  entitles  him  to  a  pension  of  fourteen  dollars 
:i  niiintli. 

Mr.  \  roiiian  returned  to  Hrady  Townslii|)  when 
he  left  the  army,  .and  settled  here  peiniMnenlly. 
lie  has  a  good  l.-nin  of  one  hniidre(l  mid  foily 
acres,  the  most  of  wliich  is  under  a  liigli  state  of 
eiil(iv:ition,  and  buildings  of  a  eoniiiiodioiis.  sub- 
>t:mli:il  mder  ailoiii  llie  place,  lie  erected  his 
residence  in  lHM(i,Mnd  has  a  roomy,  pleasant-  dwel- 
ling, supplied  with  every  eoniforl  and  convenience, 
Mini     lie    liMS   sever:il    liMi'iis  •■iiid     oilier   oiillioiises. 


•,# 


^4 


» 


■f 


'f'UU%i 


pi^iAA't'^v-i^   f4-t,i/L(/AA^7 


-«-/<; 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


583 


He  engages  in  general  farming,  and  raises  Perch- 
eron  horses,  cattle  of  good  grades,  and  both  fine 
and  coarse  wooled  sheep,  and  has  some  of  the  for- 
mer variety  that  he  procured  in  Pennsylvania, 
that  are  registered.  Mr.  Vroman  stands  with  the 
Republicans  in  politics,  yet,  iiotwithstanding  that 
fact,  he  has  held  the  offices  of  Treasurer  and  Iligii- 
way  Commissioner  several  terms,  although  the 
township  is  largely  democratic.  He  is  popular 
among  liis  fellow-citizens,  wlio  recognize  his  fit- 
ness for  public  life,  and  have  sensibly  elected  him 
to  responsible  positions,  regardless  of  party  ties, 
as  they  know  him  to  be  a  man  of  sound,  round- 
about sense,  of  clear  discernment  and  good  business 
habits.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Lodge, 
No.  194,  at  Vicksburg.  It  is  Mr.  ^'roman's  pride 
that  all  that  he  has  he  has  made  himself,  never  hav- 
ing as  much  as  a  cent  given  to  him,  nor  receiving 
outside  aid  in  any  sliape.  He  has  met  with  several 
reverses.  Atone  time  lie  lost  ii!l,()()(l  on  his  wlieat 
by  storing  it  and  another  m.an's  selling  it,  which 
left  him  penniless. 

Our  subject  was  married,  .Tanuary  2.5,  1865,  to 
Miss  Ella  lilair,  who  was  born  in  this  township,  in 
1846;  she  died  without  issue  in  1879.  Mr.  Vro- 
ni.an  was  a  second  time  married,  February  18,1880, 
Miss  Mary  J.  CUiyer  becoming  his  wife.  She  was 
born  ill  Pennsylvania,  February  18,  1863.  Three 
children  are  the  fruit  of  this  union,  named  Pearl, 
Erma  and  Minnie. 


_i.5..{..5.4.;^^.}..j..i..5.|_. 


ARRI80N  IIUTCHINS.  This  wortliy  old 
|]  pioneer,  whose  portrait  is  shown  on  the 
opposite  page,  is  at  pi-esent  residing  on 
section  1,  Ganges  Township,  Allegan 
County.  He  was  born  in  Rutland  County,  Vt.,  in 
1815,  and  is  a  son  of  David  and  Sally  Ilutchins. 
The  father  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  Green  Moun- 
tain State  and  received  a  very  limited  education, 
as  when  quite  young  he  was  engaged  in  lumbering 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  River. 

Our  subject's  mother  was  Sally,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Piurnel,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  spent 
most  of  liis  life  in  Vermont.  Mr.  Eurnel  was  a 
farmer,  and  during  the  Revolutionary  War  served 


his  country  from  the  beginning  to  the  close  of  hos- 
tilities. He  was  very  prominent  in  political  affairs 
in  liis  community  and  served  several  terras  in  the 
Vermont  Legislature,  finally  declining  further 
office  on  account  of  his  advanced  years. 

Harrison  Ilutchins  was  one  of  a  family  of  eleven 
children,  born  to  his  parents,  only  four  of  whom  are 
living.  Two  died  in  infancy,  and  the  remaining 
nine  bore  the  names  of  Sophia,  Adeline,  Alvin, 
Louisa,  Samuel,  David,  Harrison,  Cynthia,  and 
Sarah.  David  Ilutchins,  on  removing  to  New 
York,  first  located  in  St.  Lawience  County,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  running  a  sawmill.  His  next 
removal  was  to  Jefferson  County,  where  he  followed 
the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  Fourteen  years  later 
he  came  to  Allegan  County  with  his  family,  wlitre 
he  lived  until  his  death.  He  w.as  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  stood  by 
his  order  during  the  strong  excitement  of  the 
Morgan  episode. 

Although  his  school  days  were  few,  our  subject 
was  diligent  in  prosecuting  his  studies  at  home, 
and  thus  acquired  a  good  fund  of  information. 
On  attaining  his  eleventh  year,  he  went  to  work 
in  a  factory,  .and  three  years  later  migrated  to 
Canada,  where  he  was  employed  in  a  brickyard. 
He  came  to  Michigan  when  twenty  years  of  age 
and,  in  1838,  located  in  Ganges  Township,  Allegan 
County,  where  he  was  the  first  settler.  His  pio- 
neer life  is  well  described  in  the  following  poem, 
written  b}'  his  wife  and  read  at  an  Old  Settlers' 
meeting  in  Allegan  a  few  years  ago.  It  is  only  a 
small  portion  of  the  poem,  and  the  sturdy  jouth 
referred  to  is  her  husband: 

"No  rushing  cars  in  noisy  haste 

At  Fennville  depot  called, 
No  logs  from  out  the   pinery 

To  Fennville  e'er  were  hauled. 

"The  Indian  Ijuilt  his  wigwam  then 

Beside  tlie  lake  so  fair. 
And  feasted  on  the  shining  bass, 

The  muskrat  and  the  bear. 

"The  houses  then  in  Allegan 

Were  numbered  by  the  score — 
Upon  its  public  square,  my  friends, 

The  pine  trees  numbered  more. 


584 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


"The  rippling  waves  of  Hutcbins'  Lake 

Tiie  unbroken  green  encased, 
And  where  you  now  view  verdant  fields 

There  lay  a  wtioded  waste. 

"McCorniiek,  the  first  pioneer, 

Tiie  emerald  surface  broke, 
And  from  his  clayey  chimney 

First  arose  the  white  man's  smoke. 

"And  next  there  came  a  sturdy  youth 

His  future  home  to  make. 
And  cut  a  path  and  built  a  liouse 

Beside  the  shinins;  lake. 

"His  step,  so  firm  and  buoyant  then. 

Is  not  as  lithe  to-day; 
His  forehead  bald,  his  raven  locks 

Old  Time  has  turned  to  gray. 

"As  time  rolled  on  new  neighbors  came, 

A  liandful,  three  or  four. 
And  wiiile  they  much  of  hardship  saw. 

They'd  courage  to  endure. 

"O'er  rooty  road  from  Allegan 

The  oxen  drew  their  food. 
And  pumpkin  dumplings  in  tliose  da3-s 

Were 'reckoned  pretty  good.'" 

On  coming  to  Ganges  Township,  Mr.  Ilutchins 
purchased  the  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of 
land  which  is  his  present  home.  Here  lie  built  a 
log  cabin  which  contained  but  one  room,  and  com- 
menced the  work  of  improvement.  To  day  his  es- 
tate is  made  more  valuable  by  the  erection  thereon 
of  all  the  buildings  whicii  liest  subserve  the  purposes 
of  an  agiiculturist.  Tiie  pride  which  he  feels  when 
viewing  his  broad  acres  is  justifiable  when  we  learn 
that  his  present  standing  in  tiie  farming  commun- 
ity- has  been  brought  abcnil  solely  by  liis  own  efforts, 
seconded  by  the  wise  judgment  and  economy  of 
his  gi)()d  wife. 

Mr.  Iliili'liiiis  h.'is  lieeii  a  lueuiber  (»f  llic  liaptisl 
Chinch  Uiv  the  |)a.sl  tliirly  years,  in  which  body 
lie  has  filled  the  olllce  of  Deacon.  lie  Imill  the 
fii-st  Baptist  Chiii-ch  in  Ganges  Township,  and 
lift-s  always  been  a  waiin  sup])orler  of  that  faith. 
In  polili(;s,  he  is  a  Hepubliciin. 

Mi.>*.s  Laura  C.  daughter  of  .Milo  I,.  Hudson,  be- 
came the  wife  of  our  subject,  .Iiiiic  H,  1847.  Mr. 
^ud^MMl  was  born  October  I."),  IT'.d,  in  (!oshen, 
Cunn.,and  was  the  .son  of  David  IIu<Ison,born  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1761.     The  latter  nnined  gentleman  is  a 


descendant  of  the  discoverer  of  the  Hudson  River, 
as  is  proved  by  the  following:  Hendrick  Hudson, 
who  discovered  the  Hudson  River  in  1609,  named 
his  youngest  sou  David,  who  in  turn  named  his 
j-oungestson  David.  Thus  the  name  of  David  was 
carried  down  for  seven  generations.  The  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Ilutchins  was  the  sixth  of  that  line, 
being  born  in  Blanford,  Conn.,  February  17,  1761. 

The  paternal  grandmother  of  Mrs.  Ilutchins  was 
Anna  M.  Norton,  and  after  her  marriage  with  David 
Hudson  tliey  resided  in  (Joshen,  Conn.  In  1799, 
the3-  moved  to  Summit  County.  Ohio,  with  their 
six  children,  one  child  having  died  prior  to  their 
removal.  It  was  there,  in  a  one-roomed  log  house 
in  the  midst  of  an  unbroken  forest,  that  the  eighth 
child  was  born,  October  22, 1800,  who  was  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Summit  County,  Ohio.  In 
180f),  another  son,  David,  was  added  to  the  house- 
hold. Our  subject's  wife  was  afterward  born  in 
the  same  house,  on  the  same  farm,  which  was 
afterward  sold  to  the  noted  John  Brown.  The 
house  has  since  been  carried  away  in  pieces  by  tour- 
ists, who  visited  that  historic  place. 

Mrs.  Ilutchins'  parents  died  when  she  w.as  very 
young,  and  she  was  then  taken  into  the  home  of 
her  grandparents.  Her  grandfather  was  one  of  the 
patriots  in  the  Revolutionery  War  and  her  great- 
aunt  was  the  second  wife  of  Ethan  .Mien.  Her 
grandfather.  Constant  Rogers,  was  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  .Tolin  Rogers,  the  martyr  of  Smithfield.  Mrs. 
Ilutchins  taught  the  first  school  in  the  I'nion  Dis- 
trict. The  haiipy  married  life  of  our  subject  and 
his  wife  is  shown  forth  in  the  following  lines, 
which  were  written,  and  read  at  the  forlielli  anni- 
versary of  llirir  marriage,  by  their  daughter,  Mrs. 
Kmily  II.  Ilan'oid,  June  8,  1887: 

"'Twas  fifty  years  ago  or  more, 
A  youth  with  earnest,  honest  air, 

Dejiarled  from  the  Kmi>ire  State 

And  sought  the  Western  forests  fair 

"Some  brave  resolves  were  in  his  thoughts. 
And  braver  still  his  hardy  heart. 

From  out  the  great  wild  wilderness 
He'll  carve  hiniM'lf  !i  biiinblo  jiart. 

"Ills  bank  account  was  priiiciiilc. 
His  stock  in  trade  a  sturdy  arm — 

With  outfit  strapped  u|)on  his  back 
He  souj;hl  in   Michi";aii  a  farm. 


POKTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RF.CORD. 


585 


"From  far  Detroit  to  Allegan, 

Along  the  weary,  wiiuliiig  way, 
Tluougli  many  forests  green  he  trod 

Where  beasts  were  free  and  birds  were  gay. 

"His  father  traveled  by  his  side. 

All  other  friends  were  left  behind — 

Like  TEneas,  of  ancient  lore, 

Tiie  youth  possessed  a  filial  mind. 

"The  muse  would  fain  pursue  him  close 
Through  all  the  scenes  of  daily  life, 

De.scribe  how  brave  with  ])0vcrty 
He  waged  a  hardly  hopeful  strife. 

"How  oft  at  night,  'neath  branching  tree, 

He  laid  his  weary  form  to  rest 
Where  lonely  hoot  and  dismal  screech 

Proclaimed  him  an  unwelcome  guest. 

"Marked  trees  were  oft  his  only  guide 

While  traveling  through  the  lonely  wood. 

And  llesh  of  bear  and  venison 
Made  pioneer  a  wholesome  food. 

"He  said  he  would  not  catch  a  bird 

Without  a  cage  to  put  her  in. 
If,  then,  the  bird  must  sure  lie  caught 

To  build  the  nest  he  must  begin. 

"To  toil  no  stranger  lad  was  he. 

He  gloried  in  his  muscle  strong — ■ 
What  wonder  that  he  ovvned  a  farm 

With  house  and  barn  and  team  ere  long.' 

"The  broadening  acres  dressed  in  green 
Proclaimed  the  spring  from  year  to  year, 

And  garners  stored  with  3ellow  corn 
Awaited  winter's  lonely  cheer. 

"A  loving  sister  followed  soon 

And  sat  beside  his  cabin  hearth; 
She  baked  his  bread,  prepared  his  meal. 

And  kindly  proved  a  sister's  worth. 

"About  the  home  with  feeble  tread 
His  mother's  step  ere  long  was  heard; 

The  cage  was  done,  the  nest  was  built. 
Had  he  forgot  to  catch  the  bird? 

"A  maiden  taught  the  village  school. 
The  j'outli  had  seen  her  gentle  worth. 

And  soon  the  bird  was  in  the  cage; 
He  took  her  to  his  heart  and  hearth. 

""Twas  forty  years  ago  to-day. 

The  man  beside  the  maiden  stood, 

And  their  two  lives  united  were 
For  weal  or  woe,  for  ill  or  good. 


"The  years  came  on,  the  years  went  by, 
With  much  of  trial,  much  of  care. 

God  gave  to  them  prosperity, 

The  orchards  bloomed,  the  fields  were  fair, 

"And  infants  sweet  from  time  to  time 
Found  shelter  in  that  glad  home  nest, 

And  each  one  found  a  welcome  place, 
Till  eight  the  happy  parents  lilessed. 

"The  muse  could  tell  of  washing  days. 
Of  logging  fires  and  harvest  times. 

Could  picture  maple-sugar  canijis. 
Or  tell  of  ciiildish  pranks  and  crimes, 

"But  time  goes  by  on  restless  wings: 
The  children  grew  to  thoughtful  years, 

And  each  in  turn  forgot  their  t03'S, 

Their  childish  pleasures,  joys  and  fears. 

"Two  forms  are  missing  from  our  band — • 
Two  faces  still  remembered  well. 

Our  darling  Mary  early  slept. 
And  our  beloved  Samuel. 

"And  some  have  left  the  dear  home  nest; 

Like  roving  birds  on  restless  wing. 
Soon  far  away  the    fledglings  flit. 

And  for  themselves  they  build  and  sing. 

"But  we  have  all  come  home  to-day 
To  wish  our  parents  happy  cheer. 

And  we  do  foudly  hope  and  pray 

That  they  may  reach  the  'golden  year.'  " 


r~ 


ylLLIAM  H.  PUGSLEY,  a  very  prominent 
farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  section  3,  Paw 
Paw  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  is  the 
owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  a  splendid  con- 
dition. He  was  born  November  21, 1844,  in  Devon- 
shire, England,  and  came  to  this  place  when  ten 
years  of  age.  Here  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
received  a  common-school  education,  making  the 
best  of  his  opportunities.  He  began  to  do  for  him- 
self when  about  twenty -one  years  old.  He  cleared 
land  for  his  father  a  year  or  two  and  then  worked 
by  the  month  for  him  a  year  or  more,  making  con- 
siderable money. 

Mr.  Pugsley  was  married  December  25,  1869,  to 
Miss  Sarah  A.  Harris,  of  Paw  Paw  Township  and  a 
daughter    of    Schuyler     and    Hannah    (Sherman) 


586 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Harris.  Mrs.  Pugslc^' was  born  in  Jackson  Country, 
Mich.,  May  31,  1850,  and  received  a  fair  education 
in  the  district  schools.  In  1871,  our  subject  re- 
moved to  Mishawaka,  Ind.,  and  worked  in  the  31il- 
burn  Wagon  Factory,  in  the  woodwork  department. 
He  staved  there  two  years,  returuing-  to  Paw  Paw 
where  he  rented  a  farm  for  four  years.  In  1877,  he 
purchased  his  present  home,  the  greater  part  of 
which  was  in  heavy  timber  and  no  buildings  on  it. 
He  set  to  work  with  a  will  and  now  has  nearly  all 
of  it  cleared  and  splendid  l)uildiugs  upon  his  place. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject 
and  his  estimable  wife:  Verne, born  in  Mishawaka, 
Ind.,  on  .June  '21.  1874,  was  educated  in  the 
country  schools  and  attended  one  term  of  three 
months  in  the  Paw  Paw  schools.  She  was  able  to 
get  a  certificate  to  teach  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years, 
and  in  teaching  is  more  than  ordinarily  success- 
ful. May,  the  second  child,  had  her  birth  Septem- 
ber H,  187(>;  Clarence  Ra3'  was  born  in  Paw  I'aw 
Township,  Fel>ruary  12,  1883.  Mr.  Pugsley  is  a 
Democrat  in  pf)lilics  and  is  a  member  of  the  Free- 
will r);niti>l  Cliurcli,  to  whicli  his  wife  also  belongs. 


-^ 


^ 


^  )»;ARR1-:N  F.  FRKXCII,  the  present  ellicient 
\/sJ/l  '*^"I"-'i"\i''Or  of  Almena  Townslii|),  \t\n 
^^^  IJuren  County',  is  a  capable  f.-uiiuT,  having 
his  residence  on  section  23.  His  jjarents  were 
Kzra  and  Plicebc  (Taylor)  French,  both  natives  of 
Rutland,  \'l..  where  they  were  n-arried  and  re- 
sided eight  or  nine  years.  The  father  was  a 
farmer,  and  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  In  1827, 
they  settled  in  Franklin  County,  N.  ^■.,  on  a  new 
farm,  and  the  f;i(her  died  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-three  ycai-s  and  >even  months,  while  the 
mother  died  April  11,  18i)0,  agcil  niiicU-one. 
Tliey  lived  for  sixty-two  years  on  tlieir  farm  in 
New  York,  and  .-ilso  spent  a  liiippy  m.-iri-ied  lif(! 
together  for  seventy-two  yeais.  llr  was  .lustice 
of  the  Pence  for  many  years,  and  held  otiier 
town>liip  olllce,-i.  I'hey  were  both  JJaptists  in 
good  standing,  and  took  an  active  part  in  (liuich 
matters.  They  wen;  the  pan'iits  of  ten  cliildren, 
six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  an<I  four  are  now 
living.     All    llie    children    received    gooil    educa- 


tions, and  the  youngest  son,  Hiram  T.,  was  a 
student  at  Middlebury  College,  and  served  in  the 
Civil  AVar.  He  is  now  the  Cashier  of  the  People's 
National  Bank,  at  Malone,  N.  Y. 

Our  subject  is  the  first-born  of  his  father's  family 
and  had  his  birth,  September  8,  1819,  in  Rutland 
County,  Vt.  He  was  reared  to  farm  pursuits,  and 
obtained  a  great  deal  of  experience  in  clearing 
up  heavy  timlier.  He  remained  at  home  until 
twenty-ono,  wlien  he  began  at  his  trade  of  a  car- 
penter and  joiner.  He  was  married,  December  9, 
1841,  to  Sarah  A.  Eager,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Sallie  (Brigham)  Eager,  both  natives  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. They  lived  in  Vermont  for  many 
years,  and  finally  made  their  home  in  Franklin 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  a  wild  farm,  where  the  mother 
died  in  1832,  and  the  father  in  18.')3,  in  Allegan 
County,  Mich.,  where  he  had  come  in  1836.  They 
were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  five  now 
living.  Mrs.  French  was  born  June  2,  1819,  at  St. 
Albans,  A' t.,  and  received  her  education  in  a  log 
schoolhouse. 

After  his  marriage,  our  subject  lived  in  Frank- 
lin County,  N.  Y.,  until  he  came  to  IMichigan  in 
1846,  and  settled  on  this  farm.  The  road  which 
passes  his  place  is  an  old  Territorial  one,  laid  out 
by  an  Indian  tr.ail.  He  erected  a  frame  house, 
16x20  feet,  and  began  clearing,  etc.  He  also 
worked  ;il  his  trade  for  forty  years,  and  has  put 
u))  a  large  number  of  liuildings  in  the  towiislii|). 
This  couple  had  nine  children  born  to  them,  six 
of  whom  are  living:  ]\Iarv  .1..  tlie  wife  of  Levi  .\. 
Brown,  of  this  township;  Henry  A,,  who  niMrried 
Charlotte  Crofoot,  resides  in  Mecosta  County; 
Ella  married  W.  V.  Edgei-ly,  of  i\I()ntc:iliii  County ; 
Walter  F.  lives  in  Wyoming  on  a  stock  ranch; 
Plucbe,  who  is  the  wife  of  (ieorge  l.angden,  lives 
ill  Aliiu'iKi  Township.  miuI  IliiMiii  1'.,  who  marrii'd 
Carrie  C.  French,  lives  in  ()reg(ui.  He  is  Pro- 
fessor of  Agriculture  in  a  college  there,  and  is  a 
gradnnle  of  the  Micliigaii  Agriculliiral  College,  .as 
is  also  his  wife.  Our  subject  ga\r  :ill  liis  cliildren 
good   educational  advantages. 

.Mr.  I'lciicli  .Mild  his  wife  have  been  members  of 
the  (Jrange,  of  which  he  was  Master  and  Secre- 
tary, lie  helped  to  organize  the  school  district 
here,    .•mil    w:i>    Director   for   over    twenty   years. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL   RECORD. 


587 


In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  held  the  office 
of  Township  Clerk  for  ten  years,  and  was  Treas- 
urer of  the  same  one  year.  He  is  at  present  the 
incumbent  of  the  olfice  of  Supervisor,  which  lie 
has  held  for  ten  years  past,  and  the  duties  of 
wliich  he  is  discharging  faithfully  and  conscien- 
tiously. He  has  been  a  candidate  for  county 
offices  a  number  of  times.  His  farm  consists  of 
twenty-one  acres,  all  under  the  best  inii)rovements, 
and  which  is  carried  on  by  himself. 


J^  UGUSTINE  B.  CHASE.  This  gentleman, 
[WlLil  who  holds  the  responsible  position  of 
Cashier  of  the  West  Michigan  Savings 
Bank  at  Bangor,  was  born  near  Galena, 
111.,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  was  apprenticed  to  a 
merchant  at  Savannah,  where  he  remained  a  little 
more  than  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time,  lie  entered  Cornell  College,  and  attended 
school  there  one  year,  improving  his  advantages 
and  fitting  himself  for  mercantile  life.  He  was 
afterwards  emploj'ed  in  a  general  store  at  Elizal)eth, 
and  then  in  one  at  Hanover,  111.,  as  clerk  and  book- 
keeper, being  so  engaged  in  these  two  towns  for 
four  years.  In  1870,  Mr.  Chase  went  to  California 
where  he  remained  only  one  year,  coming  from 
there  to  this  State  and  locating  at  South  Haven 
where  he  opened  a  book  and  news  store,  and  also 
served  as  Deputy  Postmaster  from  1871  to  1877. 
He  also  held  the  office  of  Town  Clerk  for  seven 
years. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Chase  took  place  at  South 
Haven  Januaiy  14,  1872,  at  which  time  he  was 
united  to  Miss  Julia,  daughter  of  the  late  S.  B. 
Moorehouse,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  and  prom- 
inent merchants  of  South  Haven.  Of  this  union 
two  children  have  been  born:  Albert  B.  andllattie 
M.  In  October,  1878,  Mr.  Chase  came  to  Bangor 
and  operated  a  general  store  for  one  year,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  sold  out  and  accepted  the 
position  which  he  now  holds. 

Mr.  Chase  inherits  much  of  his  sterling  integrity 
of  character  and  correct  notions  of  right  and  wrong 
from  the  training  received  from  his  adopted 
parents,  Augustine  and  Lavina  (Pudly)  Chase,  the 


former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the 
latter  of  England.  His  great-grandfather  took  an 
active  part  in  the  Colonial  Army  and  assisted  in 
establishing  the  Union.  Our  subject  and  his  family 
are  highly  esteemed  members  of  societ}'  and  consist- 
ent members  of  the  Disciples  Church.  He  is  giving 
his  children  every  advantage  in  the  way  of  ed- 
ucation and  his  son  Albert  is  a  senior  in  the  Mich- 
igan Agricultural  College.  Politically,  Mr.  Chase 
is  a  strong  Republican  and  now  holds  the  position 
of  Secretary  of  the  Soldier's  Relief  Commission  of 
Van  Buren  County,  receiving  his  appointment 
from  the  Probate  Judge.  Socially,  Mr.  Ch.ise  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  belongs  to 
the  chapter  at  Bangor.  He  is  Secretary  of  the 
Chapter  and  Blue  Lodge.  He  has  held  the  office 
of  Master  of  Coffinbury  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  for 
three  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  High 
School  Board  twelve  years.  President  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  is  now  a  member  of  the  common  coun- 
cil of  the  village. 


'I  I     <   '  i   I 


I '    I  '  I  - 


UAN  McKEYES.  Among  the  leading  mer- 
chants of  Lawton  may  be  classed  this  gen- 
tleman, who   carries  a  fine  stock   of  goods 

and  commands  an  extensive  trade.     He  is  a 

native  of  this  State,  being  born  in  Berrien  County, 
August  26,  1842.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Roxy 
(Taylor)  McKe3'es,  both  natives  of  Connecticut, 
from  which  State  the  father  came  to  Michigan  in 
1832  and  settled  in  Berrien  County.  He  there  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  a  farmer  and  was  married 
in  Kalamazoo  County.  Our  subject  was  the  only 
child  born  of  this  union.  Ilis  parents  had  both  been 
previously  married,  the  father  having  five  children 
by  his  first  marriage  and  the  mother  three.  Samuel 
McKeyes  was  the  first  Supervisor  of  Bainbridge 
Township  on  its  organization.  He  died  in  August, 
1853,  and  the  mother  the  following  year. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  w.as  reared  upon  a  farm 
and  educated  principally  in  the  district  schools  of 
Kalamazoo  County.  For  four  years  he  held  the 
position  of  Civil  p]ngineer  with  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad  Company.  In  1865  he 
built  a  large  flour  mill  at  Lawton  which  he   oper- 


588 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ated  some  ten  years;  he  then  sold  out  and  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  in  the  same  place  in  wliicii  he 
was  engaged  from  187.5  until  1887.  He  then  sold 
his  drug  store,  and  in  1888  entered  into  the  mer- 
cantile business  in  Lawlon  in  partnership  with  T. 
R.  Smith,  which  he  is  still  carrying  on.  He  has  a 
fine  stock  of  goods  valued  at  ^7,000.  ISIr.  JIcKejes 
w.is  married  in  Kalamazoo,  February  2,  1865,  to 
Miss  Maria  E.  C'owgill.  She  is  a  native  of  Kala- 
mazoo County,  her  birth  taking  place  August  4, 
1846.  She  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Eliza 
(Smith)  CowgiU,  early  settlers  of  this  State.  Of  this 
union  two  children  have  been  born:  Frank  H.,  his 
birth  taking  place  in  June,  1867,  and  Grace  in 
June,  1875,  Mr.  McKeyes  held  the  ottiee  of  Su- 
pervisor of  Antwerp  Township  for  five  years  and 
has  served  as  Village  Trustee  .nnd  Milage  Presi- 
dent 


W  EONARD  S.  EVANS  makes  his  liome  at 
il  (f^  the  present  time  in  Galesburgh.  He  was 
JIL^  born  in  Chatham  Township,  Columbia 
County,  N.  V.,  December  24,  1818.  He  is  the  son 
of  Oliver  Evans,  a  native  of  Dutchess  Count}', 
N.  Y.,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation  who  came 
to  Miciiigaii  in  1818  and  located  in  Richland 
Township,  Kalamazoo  County,  lie  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  a  member  of  tiic  IMetliodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Tiie  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  motlier  was 
.Sallie  Davis.  She  was  born  in  Columbia  County, 
X.  Y.,  and  died  in  her  seventy-fourth  year.  The 
parental  family  included  tliree  children,  of  whom 
our  sul)jeet  is  the  youngest  and  only  one  now  liv- 
ing. In  1821,  he  accompanied  liis  jiarents  on  their 
re.Tioval  to  Yates  (OuTity,  N.  \..  wlicrc  they  re- 
mained until  IH.Tl  and  then  made  their  home  in 
Wayne  County.  In  l8.'i7-38  they  made  another 
removal,  tlii.s  time  making  Orleans  Clouiity  llicir 
abiding  |il;iii\  until  18|K  when  tlicy  came  West  to 
.Michigan. 

I^onard  S.  Evans  reniMincil  with  his  piucnt-s  un- 
til reaching  his  ni!ijority,iiaving  Ix'en  given  a  good 
educational  Lyman,  N.  V.  Previous  to  coming  to 
Michigan,  lie  had  been    married,  in    IHUi,  in    New 


York  to  Emil}'  Brown,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State.  The  young  couple  located  upon  a  farm  in 
Orleans  County  where  they  m.ade  their  home  until 
1848,  the  date  of  their  coming  to  Michigan.  Mr. 
Evans  purchased  one  hundred  and  eleven  acres  of 
land  in  Richland  Township,  Kalamazoo  County, 
which  W!is  partially  improved,  .and  there  made  his 
home  until  1853.  At  that  date  he  sold  his  property 
and  purchased  another  farm  in  Kalamazoo  Town- 
ship which  is  now  within  the  corporate  limits  of 
Kalamazoo  and  is  the  race  track  of  Mr.  Brown,  an 
extensive  stockman.  lie  made  that  tract  his  home 
for  five  years,  when  he  disposed  of  the  estate  and 
purchased  property  in  Richland  Township,  which 
consisted  of  one  hundred  acres.  He  there  gave  his 
attention  to  general  farming  until  1863,  when  he 
sold  and  purchased  another  farm  in  Charleston 
Township,  which  included  two  hundred  acres  of 
improved  land.  Mr.  Evans  is  now  living  retired 
from  active  business  in  Galesburgh. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  married  twice, 
having  six  children  bj'  his  first  wife,  namely: 
Youngs  A.  B.,  residing  in  Marshall,  this  State; 
Palmer  S.,  a  groceryman  at  Battle  Creek;  Vivian, 
is  the  wife  of  Park  Bnrdick,  who  is  eng.'iged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  Kalamazoo;  Oliver  L.  is  a 
grocer  in  Galesbuigh;  Charles  B.  is  a  photograi>her 
in  Kalamazoo;  and  Clara  M.  is  the  wife  of  William 
Caywood,  of  Corastock  Township.  Mrs.  Emily 
Evans  died  .January  10,  1871,  and  our  subject  w.as 
then  married  to  Athaline  Hunt,  a  native  of  New 
York. 

In  politics,  Mr.  ICvans  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been 
Supervisor  of  Kichmond  and  Charleston  Town- 
shiiis.  He  has  also  been  on  the  School  Board  in 
Galesburgh  and  is  greatly  rcsixx'ted  in  his  com- 
munitv. 


ll^-^ON.  ()U\  II.LE  II.  FELLOWS.  This  gen- 
~"^^  flcman  has  shown  himself  capable  of  clo.se 
ai)pli("ition  to  the  duties  which  lie  before 
))  him  Mini  his  jnilirlons  decisions  when  al- 
Icmpling  lo  bring  about  . a  worthy  object  are  well 
know  II  to  those  wiio. are  acipiainted  with  the  his- 
tory  of  the  State.     lie  is  .an  old  si'tllcr  in    this  re- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPII'CAL   RFXORD. 


589 


gion   and    is   at  present  residing   on   section     36 
Prairie  Roiide  Township,  Kalamazoo  County. 

Tlie  father  of  our  subject,  Abial  Fellows,  was  born 
in  Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  while  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Dorcas  Hopkins,  was  a 
native  of  Luzerne  Countj^,  Pa.  They  came  to 
Michigan  in  October,  1829,  where  they  pre-empted 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and  also 
bought  a  like  amount  in  Prairie  Ronde  Township. 
They  continued  to  make  their  residence  on  section 
36  until  their  death,  the  father  dying  in  1833  and 
the  mother  in  1866.  Of  the  thirteen  children 
comprising  their  household,  our  subject  was  the 
tenth  in  order  of  birth,  his  natal  day  being  .July 
24,  1820. 

Our  subject  accompanied  his  parents  hither  when 
a  lad  of  nine  years  and  grew  to  manhood  in  this 
township  which  has  since  been  his  home,  with  the 
exception  of  one  year  spent  in  California,  and  one 
year  in  Iowa.  For  three  years  he  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  and  in  manufacturing  plows. 
He  is  the  possessor  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
excellent  land  which  his  industry  and  good  judg- 
ment have  placed  under  the  best  cultivation.  His 
estate  bears  all  the  modern  improvements  in  the 
way  of  machinery  and  buildings  and  is  so  managed 
as  to  bring  him  in  a  fine  income. 

Orville  H.  Fellows  was  married.  May  17,  1846, 
to  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Lucy 
(Clark)  Van  Camp,  natives  of  New  York,  where 
they  passed  their  last  days.  Mrs.  Fellows  was  born 
in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1822,  and  by  her  union 
with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  six 
children:  Lucy  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  liishop  An- 
drews; Alice  E.,  Mrs.  Wilbur  Hackett;  Orra  I.,  who 
married  S.  C.  Carpenter;  AnnaL.;  Maude  L.,  who 
is  the  wife  of  L.  Augustus  Aspinwall.  One  daugh- 
ter, Sarah,  died  in  November,  1881,  when  twenty 
years  of  age. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  the  original  of  this  sketch 
was  elected  to  the  Michigan  Legislature  and  so 
well  and  faithfully  did  he  fulfill  the  duties  of  that 
honorable  position  that  he  was  re-elected  in  1864 
and  again  was  the  incumbent  of  that  office  in  1866, 
serving  three  terms.  For  four  years  he  served 
Prairie  Ronde  Township  acceptably  as  its  Super- 
visor and  was  elected  .Justice  of  the  Peace  but   re- 


fused to  qualify.     He  has  always  taken  an  active 

part  in  ijolitical  affairs  and  has  been  identified 
with  the  Republican  party  since  its  organization. 
He  has  always  been  greatly  interested  in  educa- 
tional affairs  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  School 
Board  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Fellows  is  a 
Mason  socially,  being  connected  with  Schoolcraft 
Chapter  and  Blue  Lodge.  There  are  very  few 
more  cultured  or  enterprising  residents  of  Kalama- 
zoo County  than  our  subject,  who  is  one  of  the 
popular  and  prominent  men  in  his  community. 

The  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Mr.  Fellows, 
Dr.  Samuel  Hopkins,  was  a  Presbyterian  clergyman 
of  Great  Barrington,  Mass. 


*^-N^'^©' 


^;hj 


11^^ 


<^  MLLIAM  PHILLIPS,  whose  farming  inter- 
\rJ//  ests  are  centered  in  Paw  Paw  Township, 
^^^  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  entei-prising 
farmers  and  stockmen  of  this  section,  whose  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  agriculture  and  sound  business 
methods  have  contributed  largely  to  the  substantial 
growth  and  enduring  prosperity  of  Van  Buren 
County. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  born  at  Waterford,  Upper  Can- 
ada, August  12, 1848.  He  comes  of  good  old  New 
England  and  Revolutionary  stock,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  a  family  that  was  well  represented  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  late  war.  His  parents  w-ere 
Aaron  and  Tryphena  (Chapin)  Phillips,  the  former 
a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  latter  of  Can- 
ada, born  respectively,  December  27,  1801,  and 
.lu\y  16,  1812.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  C4ordon  Chapin,  served  throughout  the 
"War  of  1812,  and  won  a  good  military  record. 
Our  subject's  maternal  great-grandfather,  Isaac 
Whitney,  was  a  brave  soldier  in  the  Continental 
army,  devoting  himself  to  the  patriotic  dut}'  of 
helping  to  gain  his  country's  freedom  until  the 
triumphal  close  of  the  Revolution,  and  he  was  in 
Washington's  army  during  that  terrible  winter  of 
encampment  at  Valley  Forge  when  the  troops  suf- 
fered so  dreadfully. 

Aaron  Phillips  was  a  self-made  man,  and  his  en- 
tire career  was  such  as  to  command  the  respect  of 
all  who  knew  him.     He  received  a  common-school 


590 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


education,  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker  in 
his  youth,  working  at  it  as  long  as  he  was  able.  He 
was  also  a  farmer.  The  early  part  of  his  wedded 
life  was  passed  in  Canada,  but  when  his  son  of 
whom  we  write  was  about  four  jears  old,  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  La  Grange  County,  Ind., 
where  he  liought  lan<l,  which  he  cultivated  until 
1860,  when  he  sold  it,  and  then  sought  a  new  home 
in  Decatur  Township,  this  county.  He  bought  fifty 
acres  nf  wild  land,  a  part  of  whicii  he  cleared,  and 
he  lived  thereon  comfortably  for  several  years. 
His  last  days  were  spent  in  Arlington  Township, 
and  lie  passed  away,  October  3,  188'.),  at  a  ripe  old 
age.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  good  citizen,  but 
did  not  care  much  for  politics. 

William  Pliillips,  tlie  subject  of  this  biographical 
review,  is  the  eleventh  in  order  of  birth  of  a  fam- 
ily of  twelve  cliildren,  of  whom  ten  are  still  living, 
and  tlie  following  is  recorded  of  his  brothers  .and 
sisters:  "Aniasa  H.,  the  eldest,  is  a  resident  of  Yan- 
dalia,  111.,  is  married  and  has  two  cliildren;  Charles 
A.,  a  farmer  of  Arlington  Township,  is  married  and 
has  three  children ;  Horace  A.,  a  farmer  in  Noble 
County,  Ind.,  is  married  and  has  six  children; 
Mary  Ann  nnirrled  .loscph  Edmonds,  a  hardware 
merchant  at  (ioshon,  Iiid.,  and  has  one  child;  Ad- 
eline married  Monroe  Selby,  a  farmer  of  Branch 
County,  and  h.is  live  children;  Aaron,  a  dealer  in 
horses  at  Iji  Grange,  Ind.,  is  married  and  has  four 
children;  Isaac  W.  died,  leaving  a  family  of  four 
children;  Cordelia  is  the  wife  of  Erastus  Cash; 
Hliza  .lane  is  tlu;  wife  of  l"r;ink  Wood,  anil  the 
mother  of  two  s<»ns;  Alexander, a  farmer  in  .\rling- 
ton  Township,  is  married  and  has  four  children. 
Three  of  our  snlijeci's  brothers  did  honorable  ser- 
vice in  the  late  war;  ,\miisa  served  three  years  .as 
veterinary  surgeon;  .\aron  was  also  in  the  army 
three  yeai"»,  saw  nmclj  liMid  service,  wlicrchy  he 
lost  Ills  health,  and  had  to  lie  in  the  hospitals  a 
g«Kid  deal.  lie  has  never  fully  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  till'  h.'irdships  and  |)rivations  that  he  un- 
derwent, nnd  now  gel.s  a  peiisjoii  of  ^\'2  a  month 
from  the  ( lovcrnnient  as  pait  piiynient  for  what  he 
suffered  for  the  old  Hag;  Isa.'ic  W.  went  asasubsti- 
lul<'.  but  was  only  gone  ;il(oMt  three  months,  jind 
never  was  in  a  battle. 

Our  subject  wa-s  educated   in  tlu'    puhlie  si'liouls 


of  Indiana.  He  was  a  stirring,  wide-awake  lad,  act- 
ively interested  in  the  various  labors  of  the  farm, 
in  which  he  early  became  very  proficient,  and  as 
he  had  a  natural  aptitude  for  farming,  he  adopted 
that  calling  for  his  life  work.  Well  equipped  for 
life's  battle,  he  entered  into  the  arena  to  fight  it 
out  on  his  own  account  at  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
Soon  after  his  marriage,  he  settled  on  a  tract  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section 
!l.  Paw  Paw  Township,  which  his  bride  had  inher- 
ited. But  little  of  it  was  under  cultivation,  and 
he  bent  his  energies  to  the  severe  pioneer  task  of 
redeeming  it  from  its  natural  wildncss,  and  as  a 
result  of  his  labors,  he  now  has  under  his  control 
one  of  the  most  vahiable  farms  in  this  vicinity, 
supplied  with  all  the  modern  improvements  that 
go  to  make  up  a  model  farm,  including  a  substan- 
tial set  of  buildings,  and  it  is  completely  stocked 
with  cattle,  horses  and  sheep  of  high  grades.  I  n 
1888,  he  met  with  a  loss  in  the  destruction  by  fire 
of  a  fine  large  barn,  which  was  filled  to  the  roof 
with  the  products  of  the  harvest.  He  has  since 
replaced  it  with  another,  which  is  still  more  roomy 
and  is  very  conveniently  arranged.  Mr.  Phillips 
deals  quite  extensively  in  stock.  He  handles  sheep, 
which  he  feeds  for  the  market,  .and  he  also  deals  in 
horses,  formerly  in  heavy  draft  horses,  but  of  re- 
cent _years  he  h.-us  turned  his  attention  more  par- 
ticularly to  fine  roadsters.  He  is  meeting  with 
marked  success  in  his  stock  ventures,  as  he  is  thor- 
oughly familiar  with  all  the  gcuxl  points  of  horses 
and  sheep,  is  a  good  judge  of  those  animals,  is 
quick  to  t.ake  advantage  of  all  good  opportunities 
to  make  a  fair  sale,  and  is  promi)t  and  clear-sighted 
in  all  matters  i)ertaining  to  his  line  of  business.  He 
maintains  a  high  st.andiiig  in  financial  circles,  and 
is  one  of  our  most  substantial  men.  Heisa  .sound 
Republican,  luit  his  )i('rsoii:il  ;ilTairs  absorb  too 
much  of  his  att<'nlioii  to  mIIow  liirn  time  to  d;il>ble 
in  jiolitics. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  married,  Eebruary  22,  18ti(),  to 
Miss  l<;ii/,abetli  Markley,  of  Paw  Paw  Townshij), 
who  has  nlily  and  clieerfully  co-operated  with  him 
ill  llie  \i|iliuil(linL;- (if  llirir  mII  r:ie1ive  home.  They 
liiive  three  sons,  of  wlioiii  llie  following  is  recorded: 
l''r!ink,  born  October  2.  IH72,  wms  well  educatt'd  at 
the  school  ;it  I':i\v  I'liw,  Mud  is  now   in    the  under- 


MS3  B.W.COLBURN. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


595 


taking  business;  Cliarles'  M.  was  born  in  Paw  Paw 
Townsbip,  September  IG,  1875;  Edwin  J.  was  burn 
ill  Paw  Paw  Townslu[),June  8,  1877.  Mrs.  Phillips 
is  :i  native  of  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  born  October 
27,  1848,  the  only  child  of  John  and  Eunice  (Tup- 
per)  I\l:u'kle,v.  Iler  fatiier  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
V!uii:i,  December  lit,  1809,  and  was  of  Dutch  ante- 
cedents. Her  mother  was  born  in  Monroe  County, 
N.  Y.,  April  5,  1812.  The  marriage  of  her  parents 
toolv  place  at  Church ville,  N.  Y.,  January  29,  1839. 
'I'liey  continued  to  live  on  a  f.arm  in  Monroe  County 
some  fourteen  years,  and  then  sold  and  removed 
to  Cluircli ville,  in  the  same  count,y,  where  Mr. 
Markley  worked  in  a  furnace  until  1865,  when 
tlu'V  came  to  Micliigan.  Mr.  Markley  bougiit  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Paw  Paw 
Township,  tiie  same  on  which  his  son-in-law  of 
whom  we  write  is  now  living.  He  cleared  a  small 
pari  of  it,  our  subject  clearing  the  most  of  it,  and 
lie  carried  on  farming  to  some  extent,  although  he 
was  liy  trade  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  of  great  me- 
chanical genius,  besides  being  a  natural  machinist, 
and  his  principal  work  was  in  his  mechanical  capa- 
city, lie  died  Marcli  14,  1888,  and  thus  rounded 
out  a  long  and  honorable  life,  and  his  township 
nioui'ued  the  loss  of  a  valuable  citizen.  His  wife 
had  departed  this  life  but  a  few  months  after  his 
death,  she  d3'ing  October  7,  1889. 


i>-^^<-^ 


lENJAMIN  W.  COLBURN.  The  State  of 
Michigan  has  her  various  occupations, 
)i)||  many  of  which  are  thriving,  but  her  farm. 
ing  interests  stand  among  the  head,  and 
among  those  actively  interested  in  this  latter 
named  pursuit,  we  mention  the  gentleman  whose 
name  initiates  this  sketch.  He  owns  a  splendid 
farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  31,  Allegan  Town- 
ship, Allegan  County,  and  one  of  forty  acres  in 
Trowbridge  Township,  which  is  linely  improved 
and  adorned  with  excellent  buildings.  He  is 
carrying  on  mixed  farming  and  gives  a  great  deal 
of  his  attention  to  the  raising  of  fine  graded  stock, 
the  Holsteins  being  among  his  favorite  breeds  of 
cattle. 
The  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  was  born 
27 


in  HoUis,  Hillsboro  County,  N.  H.,  October  5, 1813. 
He  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Keziah  (Wright)  Col- 
burn,  natives  of  New  ]Iani|)sliire,  where  they  were 
reared  and  married.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  spent  the  last  days  of  his  life  in 
Massachusetts.  He  was  a  participant  in  the  War 
of  the  Revolution  and  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics. 
He  was  the  father  of  a  family  of  seven  sons  and 
daughters,  our  subject  and  his  sister  Sarah  A. 
(Mrs.  Powers),  of  Hollis,  N.  H.,  being  the  only  liv- 
ing ones. 

Our  subject  received  his  education  at  Hollis, 
N.  II.,  and  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  a  farmer 
and  cooper.  Pie  left  New  Hampshire  when  eighteen 
years  old  and  removed  to  Monroe  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  remained  four  years,  engaged  in  the 
cooper  business.  He  was  married,  in  1833,  to  Miss 
Almira  Sargeant,  the  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Sargeant, 
a  native  of  New  Hampshire.  The  father  was  a 
cabinet-maker  early  in  life  and  later  followed 
farming.  Our  subject  came  to  Michigan  in  1836, 
with  his  wife,  journeying  in  the  old  primitive 
way  by  wagon,  and  passing  through  Canada  on 
his  way  to  this  county.  He  located  in  Allegan 
Village  through  the  summer  and  the  following 
winter,  and  in  the  early  spring  moved  to  Trow- 
bridge Township  on  section  7,  and  cut  the  first 
tree  cut  by  a  white  man.  He  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  laud  from  the  Government  and  erected 
a  log  house  eighteen  feet  square,  cleared  off 
the  land  and  lived  on  the  place  over  forty 
years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  sold  his  estate 
and  came  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  also  im- 
proved this  place  and  erected  good  and  substantial 
buildings  thereon.  He  is  engaged  in  mixed  farm- 
ing and  has  some  flue  Holstein  cattle,  and  some  of 
the  finest  breeds  of  swine. 

Air.  Colburn  was  the  first  Constable  of  Trow- 
bridge Township  and  was  also  Overseer  of  the 
Highways.  He  taught  singing  school  while  in 
Trowbridge  Township.  Mrs.  Colburn  passed  from 
this  lite  in  1850.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  chil- 
dren, only  one  of  whom  is  yet  surviving:  Sarah 
E.  (Mrs.  Austin),  who  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren: George  A.,  Benjamin  B.,  and  Frederick  P. 
Our  subject  was  again  married,  this  time,  in  1850,  to 
Elizabeth  R.  Wright,  of  Hollis,  N.  H.,  and  six  chil- 


596 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


dren  came  to  bless  their  home,  two  now  living: 
Luc}-  A.  married  William  H.  McCarn.  and  two 
children  have  been  born  to  them;  Lillie  A.  and 
Floyd  E.  Ettie  E.  is  the  name  of  the  other  daugh- 
ter. The  beloved  wife  and  mother  was  called 
away  by  death  in  1891. 

Our  subject  is  a  Prohibitionist  in  politics,  and  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  witli 
which  he  has  been  connected  for  more  than  thirty 
yeai-s.  lie  is  a  very  prominent  man  in  the  town- 
siiip  and  has  always  been  foremost  in  church  mat- 
ters. He  has  superintended  the  Sunday-scliool, 
been  Class-leader  and  Steward  and  at  present  is 
Trustee.  He  is  seventy-eight  j'ears  old.  He  was 
chorister  for  twenty  years,  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  evervthing  that  will  suppress  evil. 

For  almost  fortj'  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colburn 
struggled  side  by  side,  sharing  their  joys  and  sor- 
rows, and  wc  are  pleased  to  present  their  portraits 
and  life  sketches  in  order  that  their  example  and 
influence,  as  well  as  their  kindly  lineaments,  ma}' 
be  perpetuated  for  coming  generations.  It  maj' 
trulj'  be  said  of  them  that  the  world  is  better  for 
their  havina:  lived  in  it. 


HARLES  HATHAWAY  has  one  hundred 
i(  ^  and  forty-eiglit  acres  of  land  on  section  19, 
^^/  Lawrence  Township,  \':u\  Buren  County, 
where  he  is  engeged  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser. 
He  also  h;is  a  line  a[)i)le  orchard  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty-live  trees,  and  a  peach  orchard  of  fif- 
teen hundred  trees.  Mr.  Hathaway  was  born  in 
Argyle  Township,  Washington  County,  X.  Y., 
OcIoIht  11!,  1H2.J.  lie  is  the  son  of  Klislia  and 
.Susannah  (Wilcox)  Hatliaw.a^',  the  fatlier  a  native 
of  Connecticut,  of  Yankee  parents,  while  the 
mother  was  liorn  in  New  'i't)rk,  and  is  of  Irish  de- 
scent. 

The  cldi'r  .Mr.  Il.-itluiway  was  a  farmer,  and  re- 
moved to  A.--litabula  Cnunly,  Ohio,  when  our  sub- 
ject was  eleven  yeaifi  of  age.  'I'licrc  the  father 
purchased  a  farm;  u|>iin  which  he  resided  until  his 
death,  wliidi  oecinred  in  IKT'.t,  at  the  advanced 
age    of   eighty-live  years.     Our   subject   grew    to 


manhood  in  the  Bucke^'e  State,  and  received  a 
good  common-school  education.  He  began  to 
earn  his  own  money  when  a  lad  of  eleven  years, 
and  soon  after  reaching  his  majority  rented  a 
farm  which  was  furnished  with  all  the  necessary 
machinerj'.  The  drouth  that  season  caused  the 
hay  crop  to  be  very  short,  so  that  in  order  to  win- 
ter his  dairy  cows  he  ran  in  debt  8150.  Tliat  un- 
fortunate event  was  the  3'ear  succeeding  his  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Caroline  Cramer,  of  Ashtabula 
Coun  ty. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hathaway  have  been  granted  a 
family  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Hathawaj'  did  better  in  his  farming  op- 
erations after  his  first  effort,  buying  a  small  farm 
which  he  sold  and  m.ade  a  snug  little  sum.  In 
December,  1854,  he  came  to  Lawrence  Township. 
Van  Buren  County,  and  purchased  eighty-eight 
acres  of  land,  which  was  all  in  timber,  and  which 
forms  a  part  of  his  present  beautiful  estate,  lie 
erected  a  log  house  for  his  family  in  which  they 
made  their  home  for  three  years,  when  he  was  en- 
abled to  build  a  frame  dwelling,  which  is  still 
standing  upon  the  farm.  Mr.  Hathaway  has  em- 
bellished his  estate  by  the  erection  thereon  of  u 
commodious  and  convenient  residence,  which  bears 
all  the  modern  improvements.  His  farm  is  further 
improved  with  all  the  needful  buildings  and  ma- 
chinery, and  ranks  among  the  first-class  estates  <if 
Van  Buren  County. 

IMis.  Caroline  Hathaway  died  Feliniary  IS,  188G, 
and  of  tiieir  live  children,  Caroline  married  l'",d- 
win  Geer;  tliey  have  four  children,  and  reside 
upon  a  portion  of  her  fatiier's  farm,  (ieorgc  is  a 
farmer  in  Pennsylvania,  is  married  and  lias  one 
child;  Klisha  is  married,  has  two  childrin,  and 
makes  his  home  in  N'erniont,  where  he  is  employed 
in  making  carpenters' squares;  Lottie  died  in  in- 
fancy; and  William  C.  lives  at  home.  He  gave 
his  children  every  jiossible  advantage  for  an  edu- 
ealidii,  and  George  taught  srhool  for  a  nunilier  of 
ye.'iis,  lieginning  when  nineteen. 

.I.'inu.aiy  27,  1892,   our  subject    was   married    to 
Mr^.  Ilciirielta  SlalTni-d,  nee  MeXiill.      Airs.  Hatha- 
way w;is  liorn  in  Ashtabula  County,  Ohio,  Novem- 
ber 5,  im2.     She  was  maiiied  Septcmlicr  7,    18()(i, 
j    to   .lonalhaii    StalTord,    of    l'",ii<^    County,    I'a.,    Iiy 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


597 


whom  she  became  the  mother  of  one  child,  John 
C,  wlio  was  horn  .Imio  II,  !«(!(;,  in  Ashtabula 
County,  Ohio.  The  sou  is  maniod  and  operates  a 
portion  of  our  suliject's  farm.  Mr.  Stafford  w.as 
accidentally  killed  by  the  cars  at  (iirard,  Pa.,  March 
14,  18G8. 

I\Ir.  Hathaway  in  early  life  was  an  old-line 
Whig.  In  1852,  he  voted  for  Cla3',  and  in  1856 
for  Fremont.  He  supported  tlio  Hopublican  partj' 
some  years,  but  now  votes  tlie  independent  ticket. 
He  lias  never  lieen  an  office-seeker,  but  has  been 
Commissioner  of  Ilighwaj's  of  his  townsliip  for 
seven  years.  Our  subject  has  traveled  extensively, 
having  visited  the  States  of  Is'ew  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio,  Indiana,  IMichigau,  Illinois,  Wiscon- 
sin, Minnesota  and  Iowa.  He  has  also  been  a 
groat  hunter,  especially  of  j)igeons,  and  has  netted 
those  birds  when  they  were  so  thick  that  they 
could  carry  off  the  net.  In  that  business  lie 
cleared  1450  in  five  weeks  and  two  days.  Mr. 
Hathaway  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  also  of  the  Grange. 

After  the  death  of  her  lirst  husband,  Mrs.  Hath- 
away carried  on  the  millinery  business  in  which 
he  had  been  engaged,  and  at  the  present  time  owns 
a  millinery  store  in  Lawrence,  which  is  ranked 
among  the  flourishing  business  enterprises  of  the 
place. 


TIaCOB  lemon.  Among  the  worthy  pio- 
neer residents  of  Brady  Township,  Kalama- 
zoo County,  we  gladly  mention  the  gentle- 

man,  whose  brief  history  we  here  give.     He 

is  a  native  of  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  born  April  8, 
1815.  .Samuel  was  the  name  of  his  father,  who 
was  a  native  of  Loudon,  England,  and  is  supposed 
to  have  been  the  victim  of  a  conspiracj'.  When 
.seven  years  old,  he  was  kidnapped  and  taken  on 
board  a  man-of-war,  and  sailed  on  the  waters 
until  twenty  years  old.  He  then  settled  in  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  commenced  to  learn  the  trade 
of  a  stone  mason.  In  1831,  he  started  on  a  jour- 
ney to  New  York  City,  but  never  reached  there, 
having  been  drowned  in  a  squall  which  upset  the 
sloop.  Samuel  Lemon  was  a  man  of  intelligence 
and  was  well  liked  by  all.     In  his  political  views 


he  was  a  Democrat.  He  married  Almira  Rockman, 
a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  bore  him  eleven 
children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  be  men  and  women, 
named  as  follows:  J.  Nelson,  Samuel,  Jane  (Mrs. 
Reed),  Rachel  (Mrs.  Piper),  Jacob,  William,  Mary 
(]\Irs.  Wood),  Joseph,  George,  Cinthia  and  Mason. 
lH>ur  of  this  family  yet  survive:  Nelson,  our  suli- 
ject,  William  and  Mason.  The  good  mother  died 
in  her  seventy-fifth  year,  and  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject  was  of  Irish  descent 
and  a  farmer  by  occupation ;  he  died  when  about 
sixty-five  years  old. 

Our  suliject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Ids  native 
county,  where  he  w.as  also  educated  in  the  district 
schools,  conducted  on  the  rate-bill  system.  In  May, 
1831,  when  sixteen  years  old,  our  subject  moved 
to  Chemung  County,  and  two  weeks  later  his 
father  was  drowned.  The  date  of  his  coming  to 
the  Wolverine  State  was  April,  1835.  From  Pal- 
myra he  journeyed  to  Buffalo  on  a  canal  boat;  to 
Dunkirk  on  foot,  a  distance  of  fort}'  miles;  by 
steerage  passage  to  Detroit  across  the  lake  and  fin- 
ally reached  Ann  Arbor  after  another  tedious  jour- 
ney on  foot.  His  financial  possessions  were  com- 
posed of  only  one  cent,  but  he  was  so  fortunate  as 
to  here  meet  a  man  living  in  Jackson  County, 
who  hired  him  to  work  on  his  farm  for  $1 1  a  month. 
This  was  Saturday  evening,  and  our  subject  walked 
the  distance  of  forty-one  miles,  arriving  at  the 
farm  Monday  night.  He  had  had  nothing  to  eat 
on  his  journey  excepting  one  cookie.  On  July  1, 
Jacob  Lemon  left  the  employ  of  this  gentleman 
and  walked  back  to  Ann  Arljor  and  worked  there 
until  fall.  With  the  sa\-ings  he  had  laid  by,  he 
was  enabled  to  purchase  fort^'  acres  of  laud  near 
Grass  Lake,  Jackson  County,  and  in  December, 
1835,  he  hired  to  Piatt,  Hughes  &  Gillas,  a  new 
stage  lirm,  to  carry  mail  and  passengers  from  De- 
troit to  Chicago  and  intermediate  points.  He  re- 
mained with  this  firm  until  the  fall  of  1836,  when 
he  spent  the  winter  with  his  mother  in  Washtenaw 
County. 

The  following  spring,  ]\Ir.  Lemon  became  an 
agent  for  the  stage  companj'  of  Frink  A'  Walker, 
of  Chicago,  bu3ing  grain,  horses,  etc.,  and  driving 
to  Springfield  and  Central  Illinois.  He  formed  the 


598 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


acquaiutance  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Douglas  at 
Springfield.     In    1840,    our   subject   came  to  this 
county,  and  after  a  sta^-  of  three  j-ears,  went  first 
to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  later  to  Burlington,  Iowa. 
"While  at  the  latter  place,  he  was  engaged  with  a 
stage  firm  for  a  few  months,  driving  to  Rushville, 
Mo.    The  City  of  New  Orleans  attracted  his  atten- 
tion, and    he    there    drove   a    public    hack  until 
Ma}-,  1844,  at   which    time    he    returned    to    this 
county.     In    the    meantime,   he    had    pre-empted 
eighty  acres  of  his  jiresent  tract,  which  belonged  to 
the   Pottawaltomie  Indian  Reservation.     Here  he 
built  a  log  house  in  the  woods  and  was  surrounded 
by  Indians,  deer,  beai-s   and,  in  fact,  all  kinds  of 
wild  animals.   The  laud  was  a  vast  wilderness,  and 
with  ax  in  hand  and  a  willing  heart,  he  set  about 
to  clear  away  tlie  forest  and  convert  tiie  ])lace  into 
productive  and  attractive  acres.     He  is  the  oldest 
living  settler  in  Brady  Township  and  has  been  in- 
fluential in  enhancing  the  prosperity  of  the  town- 
siiip,  having  been    its   etlicient   Supervisor.     The 
present  fine  estate  is  composed  of  four  hundred 
and  thirteen  broad  acres,  the  most  of  which  is  un- 
der splendid  cultivation,  and  three  hundred  acres 
of  it  have  been  improved  by  himself.  He  carries  on 
mixed  farming  with  success,  raising  grain  and  stock 
of  all  kinds.     He  attributes  his  success  to  industri- 
ous, persistent  and  economical  habits,  and,  being 
possessed  f>f  a  sagacious  judgment,  he  has  gained 
his  full  (juota  of  this  world's  goods.     Mr.  Lemon 
has  bought  and  sold  a  great  deal  of  stock  from 
time  to  time.     I'lie  fine  large,  capacious  dwelling- 
house  was  erected  in  18G0  and  forms  the  main  at- 
traction of  the  estate.     It  is  surrounded  by  beau- 
tiful evergreen   trees  and  shrubbery  of    different 
kinds,  and  on  the  place  is  a  fine  large  chestnut  tree 
whicii  he  set  out  himself  and  which  is  now  two  feet 
in  diameter.     .\11  necessary  barns  and  outbuildings 
are  U>  \>c   found   here,  which   frf)m   their  neatness 
siiow    with   what   management   tiic    place   is  con- 
ducted. 

The  iiouorable  gciilleinan  wIkjsc  name  heads 
this  sketch  lin.s  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  .Vniy  Spiccr,  and  the 
ceremonj"  took  pijici-  .lanuary  1,  1H.'{8.  Mrs. 
I<4!mon  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y., 
April   28,  1831,  and   bore  her  husband    four   chil- 


dren. Mary  (]\Irs.  Worthington)  and  Mercy  (Mi-s. 
ISIoore)  now  survive.  The  good  wife  and  beloved 
mother  died  Februar}'  6,  1843.  Mr.  Leniun  was 
again  married,  October  18,  1847,  this  time  to 
Hannah  Spiccr,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She 
was  also  born  in  Livingston  County,  X.  Y.,  May 
13,  1827.  She  came  to  this  State  with  her  i)ar- 
ents  in  1849.  Hy  this  union  our  subject  be- 
came the  father  of  twelve  children,  seven  of  whom 
grew  tt)  years  of  maturity:  Nora  (Mrs.  Richard- 
son), Sarah  (IMis.  Persil,  now  deceased),  Eva  (Mrs. 
Tillitson),  Charles,  Fred,  Sanford  and  Frank.  The 
worthy  parents  of  this  family  are  members  of  the 
Church  of  God,  and  have  been  for  many  years. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Lemon  is  a  stanch  Republican,  but 
has  too  much  business  to  attend  inucii  to  politics. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  M.asonic  t)rder,  belonging  to 
Lodge  No.  208,  at  Vicksburg.  He  and  his  estima- 
ble wife  are  people  who  command  the  esteem  and 
respect  of  the  entire  community  in  which  they 
live. 


/^ 


♦^♦s 


TERNE  L.  RIPLEY,  deceased,  w.as  a  pio- 
neer of  Van  lUiren  County,  and  one  of 
the  most  highly  esteemed  residents  of 
Bangor  Township,  with  whose  agricultural 
growth  he  had  been  closely  identified  for  almost  a 
quarter  of  a  century.  In  the  meantime  lie  had  de- 
veloped a  choice  farm,  located  on  section  28,  from 
the  wilderness  that  he  found  when  he  came  here, 
and  placed  it  under  substantial  improvements. 

Our  subject  w.as  born  in  Livingston  County. 
N.  Y.,  t)ctober  31,  1821,  in  which  iil.ace  he  (lasscd 
his  youth  and  received  a  goo<l  education.  Deciding 
it  was  not  good  for  man  to  live  alone,  he  married, 
in  1845,  i\Iiss  Mary  C.  Stedinan,  who  was  a 
native  of  the  same  county  as  himself,  ha\ing  been 
born  in  182,').  In  the  I'ail  of  the  saiiic  yc;ir  as  Ihcir 
mari'iage,  they  came  to  Bangor  Township,  this 
county,  and  Imying  a  farm  began  in  true  pioneer 
style  to  clcar.Miid  improve  it,  and  by  strict  integrity 
and  econoniy  he  succeeded  in  making  of  it  a  valu- 
able cstiitc,  and  on  this  pl;ice  resided  until  the 
brcaUiiig  out  of  the  war,  when  lie  ciilistcil  in  the 
(|ercn>c  of    his  country's  honor.      He  look  up  arms 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


001 


with  the  ThirrI  IMicliigan  Artillery  and  served  with 
tliem  until  18G3,  when  he  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
His  death  was  greatly  mourned  throughout  tliis 
vicinity  as  liy  it  the  township  and  county  lost  an 
honest,  reliable  and  worthy  citizen. 

Mr.  Kiple3'  was  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  four 
children  born  to  liis  parents,  namely:  Sterne  L.; 
Marisi  J.,  who  married  M.  S.  IIawley,"of  liangor; 
Curtis,  now  a  resident  of  Teire  Haute,  Ind.;  and 
Oporge  F.,  also  a  resident  of  Terre  Haute.  The 
pajents  of  this  famil}'  bore  the  n.ames  of  Pyram  B. 
and  Harriet  (Blake)  Ripley,  both  of  whom  belonged 
to  tlie  leading  families  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y. 
After  the  death  of  Mr.  Ripley,  his  widow  married 
Mr.  Matthew  Oik,  of  this  county  and  township. 
Mrs.  Oik  is  a  member  of  a  family  of  nine  children: 
Fidelia,  Henrietta,  Sibyl,  Mrs.  01k,  Elcanah,  Ksther 
and  three  who  died  in  infancy.  Our  subject  and 
his  wife  became  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  whom 
they  named  Hattie  E.,  and  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
Lawrence  Drake,  of  Bangor,  and  lives  on  the  old 
homestead. 


_^] 


^+^ 


[^_ 


"S] 


ILLIAM  T.  FINCH,  who  for  a  number  of 
'll  years  filled  wisely,  judiciously  and  con- 
scientiously tjie  ofHceof  Sheriff  of  Allegan 
County,  came  to  Plainwell  in  1865,  which,  late  as 
it  may  seem  to  a  resident  in  an  older  State  and 
county,  showed  very  few  of  the  present  improve- 
ments. Mr.  Finch  was  born  in  Kalamazoo  County, 
.January  26,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and 
Elizabeth  (Cornell)  Finch,  natives  of  New  York. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  came  to  Kalamazoo 
County  as  early  as  1833,  and  at  the  time  of  locat- 
ing here  were  among  the  very  earliest  settlers  of 
the  county.  Grandfather  Finch  also  came  at  that 
date,  and  entered  from  the  Government  an  eighty- 
acre  tract  of  laud  for  each  of  his  nine  children. 
He  was  a  native  of  New  York,  but  passed  his  Last 
days  in  Kalamazoo  County.  Samuel  Finch  cleared 
and  improved  the  tract  of  laud  which  fell  to  his 
share,  and  made  his  home  thereon  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  June,  1871.  His  wife  followed 
him  to  the  better  land  in  1884,  a  firm  believer  in 
the  tenets  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


The  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  these 
paragraphs,  and  whose  portrait  is  pi'csented  on  the 
opposite  page,  was  the  third  child  and  eldest  son 
of  his  parents'  family,  and  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion, such  as  was  given  the  j'Outh  of  his  da}-. 
When  reaching  his  majority,  he  started  out  to 
battle  with  life  on  his  own  account  by  learning 
the  carpenter's  trade.  He  came  to  Plainwell  in 
1865,  and  continued  to  work  at  his  trade,  many  of 
the  best  residences  of  the  village  being  erected 
under  his  supervision. 

Mr.  Finch  took  for  his  wife  Miss  Eliza  "Woodard, 
their  marriage  being  celebrated  in  1864.  Mrs. 
Finch  was  a  native  of  Cooper,  Kalamazoo  Count}^ 
and  died  two  years  after  her  marriage,  July  19. 
Our  subject  was  married  a  second  time,  January 
14,  1869,  his  bride  being  Lois  Lillie,  .also  a  native 
of  Cooper,  and  the  daughter  of  .loel  and  Hester 
(Downs)  Lillie,  who  were  natives  of  A'ermont  and 
Ohio,  respectively.  They  were  farmers  by  occupa- 
tion, and  have  since  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finch 
are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Freddie,  who  is 
deceased,  and  Cora. 

Soon  after  his  second  marri.age,  Mr.  Finch  took 
to  farming,  and  continued  thus  engaged  for  three 
years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  returning  to  Plain- 
well,  where  he  is  residing  at  the  present  time.  In 
politics,  he  was  a  Republican  until  1872,  when  he 
became  identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  He 
is  a  very  prominent  man  in  iiis  township,  and  for 
two  j'ears  was  a  member  of  the  village  council,  and 
while  in  that  position  used  his  influence  in  pro- 
moting the  best  welfare  of  his  community.  For 
one  term  he  occupied  the  responsible  office  of 
Treasurer  of  Gun  Plain  Townshij),  and  was 
elected  Sheriff  of  Allegan  County  in  the  fall  of 
1886  on  a  fusion  ticket.  His  majority  over  his 
Republican  opponent  at  that  time  was  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  votes,  which  fully  illustrates  the 
high  estimation  placed  upon  him  as  an  efficient 
public  officer.  He  was  a  candidate  for  re-election 
in  1888,  but  was  defeated  by  a  few  votes.  Mr. 
Finch  proved  himself  cap.able  of  close  application 
to  the  duties  which  lay  before  him  as  an  officer, 
and  his  wise  counsel  when  attempting  to  bring 
about  any  worthy  object  is  well  known  to  those 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  history  of   the  State. 


602 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


He  had  always  been  diligent  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duty,  and  all  violators  of  tiie  law  met  with 
speedy  arrest,  and  no  doubt  his  watchfulness  had 
a  tendency  to  defeat  him  for  re-election. 

He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic'order, 
and  has  been  for  over  tiiirty  j'ears,  and  has  repre- 
sented his  party  as  a  delegate  to  country  and  State 
conventions.  The  Ancient  Order  of  United  AVork- 
men  claim  iiim  as  one  of  their  influential  woriv- 
ing  members,  and  he  is  also  a  Knight  of  the 
Maccabees.  Mrs.  Finch  is  a  most  excellent  lady, 
and  is  a  regular  attendant  at  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of    wliich    denomination  she  is  a  member. 

Mr.  Finch  is  still  engaged  in  the  carpenter  work, 
and  has  erected  many  of  the  pretty  residences  in 
the  village  of  Plaiiiwell.  He  may  be  considered 
one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  place,  and  we 
are  thus  pleased  to  be  able  to  place  his  sketch  in 
our  Rkcokd. 


i.?;~f?^a^^ 


rio  " 


^^  IIARLES  GIBSON  is  an  extensive  fruit- 
Ill  _  grower  of  South  Haven,  his  pleasant  home 
^^^  being  located  on  the  lake  shore,  within  three 
miles  of  that  thriving  village.  His  farm  comprises 
seventy-three  acres  on  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  23,  his  residence  here  dating  from  18,51. 
He' is  a  native  of  Michigan,  being  born  in  Oakland 
County,  :May  8,  1827. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Henry  Gibson,  was 
born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  where  he  was  reai'cd 
on  a  farm  and  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth 
CJreen.  They  came  to  the  United  St.ates  in  1817, 
and  resided  in  I'liiladclphia,  Pa.,  some  five  years. 
They  then  migrated  to  Canada,  whence  they  came 
to  Midiigan  and  settled  in  Troy  Townshij),  Oak- 
land County.  They  there  improved  a  good  farm 
and  resided  on  it  until  their  removal  to  Farming- 
ton  Townshij),  Oakland,  where  they  cleared  and 
cultivated  a  .second  tract  of  land.  The  father 
died  in  1837,  being  about  seventy  years  of  atre. 
Th(!  mother  then  removed  to  Hudson.  Lriunvcc 
County,  where  she  died  about  18  IH. 

'l"he    parental    family   of     eight    children    were-, 

besides    our    subject:       Tl las,     ulio     was     boi-n 

in  England,  .Mnrcli    1,'!,   IHO«,  died   in   'IVoy,  Oak-   ^ 


land  County,  this  State;  John,  who  was  born  in 
England,  April  2,  1809,  resides  in  Livingston 
County,  this  State;  Henry  F.,  born  in  England.. luly 
2,  1812,  died  in  the  above-named  county;  George, 
also  born  in  England,  Januar_y  26,  1814,  resides 
with  our  subject:  William,  born  in  England,  April 
27,  1816,  died  in  Oakland  County,  this  State;  Han- 
nah, who  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Elizabeth.who  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
January-  27,  1820,  died  in  Oakland  County,  this 
State. 

Charles  Gibson  of  this  sketch,  who  was  the  only 
member  of  the  family  born  in  Michigan,  passed  his 
b03'hood  days  on  the  farm  and  in  the  district 
school.  He  was  but  ten  years  old  when  his  father 
died,  when  he  was  obliged  to  assist  in  the  work  on 
the  home  farm.  About  1847  he  removed  with  his 
mother  to  Hudson,  Lenawee  County,  and  in  18.V1 
came  to  Van  Buren  Couut3\  Here  with  his  brother 
George  he  purch.ased  a  tract  of  three  hundred  antl 
twenty  acres  of  timber  land,  and,  boarding  with 
some  neighbors  they  commenced  clearing  their 
acreage. 

Miss  Sarah  Leisenring  became  Mrs.  Charles  Gili- 
son,  in  M.ay,  1855.  She  was  born  April  23,  18.'U, 
in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Sarah  (Christopher)  Leisenring, 
who  were  natives  respectively  of  Penns.ylvaniaand 
New  Jersey.  Her  parents  were  married  in  New 
Y''ork  State,  and  in  October,  1849,  came  to  Michigan, 
and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Hudson  where  their  de- 
cease occurred.  Their  family  included  eight  sons 
and  three  daughters. 

After  his  marri.ngc  our  subject  located  on  his 
land  and  ct)mnienccd  the  work  of  clearing  and  iin 
proving  it.  On  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he 
enlisted  as  a  priv.ate  but  was  rejected  by  the  medi- 
cal exan)iners.  In  1HI!4,  he  was  drafted  and  en- 
tered the  serxice  in  Conipiiny  II.  Tliiitecnth  Mich- 
igan Infantry,  and  p.'irtii'ipated  in  all  the  battles 
with  his  company  until  discharged,  July  16,  IH65. 
Returning  home  he  resumed  work  on  his  farm  .'iiul 
rluiing  the  past  lifteen  years  h.as  given  consithMnlilc 
alti'nlion  to  fruit-growing,  his  peach  orchard  In- 
cluding llnrly-lixc  .'icres.  His  f.'u'ni  ciiiliiaccs  one 
hundre<l  ami  tliiily-lhiee  jk  ics  .•md  boiists  of  lirst- 
elass  inii)rovenii'nl>.      In    politics,  Mr.  (iibson   is  a 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORI) 


603 


tiu('-l)lue  Republican  and  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  tlie  Orand  Ai-niy  of  tlic  Republic.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  (iibson  liave  a  daughter — Khza  E.,  who 
was  born  N()veinber  3,  1852.  She  is  the  wife  of 
David  Leisenring  and  has  two  children:  Ora  E., 
born  March  7,  1888,  and  Charles  D.,  born  August 
21,  1888. 


r'-VhlKWi]^ 


'-r"M'<-^<- 


m 


UDSON  .T.  ]\1()SE.S,  who  is  numbered  among 
the  thrifty  farmers  of  Van  Buren  County, 
owns  and  operates  a  fine  farm  of  eighty 
aci'es  in  Arlington  Township.  Splendid 
improvements  have  been  made  upon  the  place, 
and  good  buildings  have  Ijeen  erected  for  the  stor- 
age of  grain  and  tlie  shelter  of  stock.  The  family 
residence  is  a  commodious  dwelling,  ueatl3'  fin- 
ished without  and  tastily  furnished  within,  while 
the  surroundings  indicate  the  careful  supervision 
of  tlie  proprietor.  The  farm  was  piirchased  by 
l\Ir.  Moses  in  April,  1866,  and  has  by  him  been 
brought  to  its  jjiesent  development.  He  had,  how- 
ever, been  a  resident  of  tlie  county  for  ten  years 
jirior  to  the  purchase  of  the  place,  and  is  well 
known  as  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Moses  was  only  fifteen  j^ears  old  when  he 
removed  from  the  county  of  his  birth — Genesee 
County,  N.  Y. — to  this  State,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  18-11.  lie  was  a  stalwart  youth  of 
twenty  years,  when  in  the  fall  of  1861  he  enlisted 
in  Company  C,  Third  Michigan  Cavalry,  and 
served  eleven  months  with  distinguished  valor. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  was  disabled  on  account 
of  measles,  and  was  confined  to  his  room  for  four- 
teen months;  even  after  he  was  able  to  engage  m 
active  labors,  it  was  many  j^ears  before  he  entirely 
recovered  from  the  effects  of  his  illness. 

In  1862,  Mr.  Moses  was  married  to  Miss  Sophia 
Prater,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Soi)hia 
Prater,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  six  chil- 
dren, whose  names  are,  Minnie,  Andrew,  Maud, 
May,  Arthur  and  Allen.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of 
Wesley  ?«icholas,  of  Arlington  Township,  and  the 
other  children  still  remain  under  tlie  parental  roof, 
where    they  are   receiving  careful   training  in  all 


that  will  make  tiiem  honorable  and  upright  men 
an<l  women.  In  his  political  belief,  Mr.  INIoses  is 
liberal  and  votes  for  those  candidates  whom  he 
considers  best  fitted  for  the  office  in  question.  He 
belongs  to  the  Mai?onic  fraternity,  and  is  identi- 
fied with  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Lawrence. 

The  family  of  which  i\Ir.  Moses  is  a  member 
comprised  eight  children  who  were  bcjrn  triScthand 
Sophia  (Pease)  Moses,  named  as  follows:  (ieorge, 
Hiram,  Martha,  Seth,  Judson  J.,  Andrew,  Mary 
and  Lydia.  Andrew  enlisted  in  1861  (at  the  same 
time  that  our  subject  became  a  member  of  the  United 
States  Army),  and  died  in  May,  1862,  at  Hamburg 
Landing,  Tenn.  The  father  of  our  subject,  who 
was  born  in  1804,  was  one  of  six  children,  viz.: 
Augustus,  Laura  D.,  Seth,  Elnathan,  Alonzo  and 
Eliza,  who  were  born  of  the  marriage  of  Rufus 
and  Lydia  (Ramsdale)  Moses. 

From  Rufus  Moses  we  trace  the  family  ancestry 
back  through  Elnathan  to  Benoni  Moses,  who  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
being  a  man  of  considerable  prominence  in  his 
community.  His  father,  John,  lived  in  Simsbury, 
Conn.,  and  was  married  in  1705.  Before  him  was 
another  John  Moses,  who  came  from  England  to 
New  England,  and  located  at  Plymouth  between 
the  years  1630  and  1640.  The  great  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Elnathan,  removed  at  an  early  day 
from  the  parish  of  Simsbury  to  Rutland,  Vt.,  where 
it  is  probable  he  spent  the  remaining  years  of  his 
life. 


<«l  I^ILLIAM  H.  SPAYDE  is  a  leading  mer- 
\^//  '^'''''■"''  ^^^^  druggist  of  Bloomingdale,  Van 
V^/^  Buren  County,  where  he  has  acquired  a 
reputation  as  an  enterprising,  thorough-going  busi- 
ness man,  and,  in  consequence,  is  succeeding  ad- 
mirably in  his  present  occupation.  He  is  a  native 
of  Ohio,  being  born  in  Scott  Township,  Sandusky 
County,  December  6,  1856.  He  is  the  son  of 
George  and  Catherine  (Peck)  Spayde,  who  were 
born  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  respectively. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Willi.am 
Spayde,  who  was  of  Dutch  origin.  George  Spayde 
was  a  blacksmith  and  manufacturer  of  lumber,  and 


604 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


being  desirous  to  more  rapidly  increase  his  for- 
tune, he  went  to  C.iliforuia,  where  he  died.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Albany,  New  York.  She  was 
an  active  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 
The  parental  family  consisted  of  two  children: 
Mary,  who  became  ^Irs.  Tice,  and  is  now  deceased, 
and  who  left  a  son  and  daughter,  and  William  II. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  his  education  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place  and  at  Fostoria  and 
Westerville,  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began 
teaching,  continuing  this  occupation  for  five 
yeai-s.  When  twenty  j-ears  old,  he  began  the  stud}' 
of  medicine  and  chemistry  at  Gibsonburg,  first 
engajfing  in  the  drucr  business  at  Helena,  Ohio. 
In  1882  he  came  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he  estab- 
lished a  drug  store  under  the  firm  name  of  Spayde 
it  Cookson.  lu  Augu.-t,  1884.  he  came  to  Bloom- 
ingdale,  where  he  was  engaged  in  llie  drug  and 
grocery  business  until  May,  188i).  when  he  formed 
a  partnersiiip  with  William  II.  Harrison,  and  now 
operates  a  general  store  in  connection  with  the  drug 
store.  This  is  one  of  the  largest,  ijest  conducted 
stores  in  the  county,  having  an  extensive  trade, 
and  carrying  about  ^12,000  in  stock. 

Mr.  Spayde  was  married,  December  20,  1877,  to 
Miss  .MoUie  Marvin,  daughter  of  J.  W.  and  Martha 
Marvin,  of  Sanduskj-  County,  Ohio.  They  are 
the  parents  of  one  child,  Emerson  D.  Mi\  Spayde 
is  an  .active  Republican,  and  uses  his  influence  for 
the  best  interest  of  his  town  and  county.  He  is  a 
representative  business  man,  and  has  been  the 
architect  of  his  own  fortune.  He  is  a  leading 
and  honored  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity' and 
the  Independent  Order  of  ()<1(1  Fellows. 


'td'      "■•'f^ 


-^ 


IXI.KV  .IFDSON.  Kalanw.oo  County  fur- 
nisiies  a  fitting  arena  for  llie  exercise  of 
f^  energy  and  industry,  which  luing  their  re- 
ward in  prosperity  anrl  often  in  wealth. 
Among  tiie  popular  citizens  of  Conislocl;  Township 
is  Mr.  .ludson,  who  resides  on  section  12,  and  is 
HiH'nding  the  twilight  of  his  useful  life  iiM<lislurbed 
hy  the  perplexing  cares  of  poverty  and  toil.  He  is 
retired    from    the   .■utive  work  of   tillini'    Ihi-   soil 


which,  engaged  his  close  attention  through  many 
years  and  the  estate  which  he  aceunuilatcd  is  now 
conducted  by  his  son. 

Born  in  Oneida  Count}-,  X.  Y.,.7anuar3'  23,  1811, 
Mr.  Judson  is  the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Polly  (Cur- 
tis) Judson,  natives  of  Connecticut.  His  parents 
were  married  in  their  native  Slate,  and  thence  re- 
moved to  New  York,  where  the  father  died  a  few 
years  afterward.  Orphaned  at  the  early  age  of 
six,  our  subject  w.as  thrown  upon  his  own  resources 
in  childhood  and  has  been  self-supporting  almost 
from  his  earliest  recollections.  Not  only  did  he 
support  himself,  but  he  also  aided  in  maintaining 
his  younger  brothers. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  years,  Mr.  Judson  removed  ^ 
to  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  a  short 
time  and  thence  went  to  Auburn,  the  same  State. 
In  1833  he  came  AVest  to  Michig.an  and  located  in 
Monroe  County,  returning,  however,  in  a  short 
time  to  Auburn,  where  he  was  married.  His  sec- 
ond journey  to  Michigan  was  made  in  the  fall  of 
1831,  at  which  time  he  located  in  Charlestown 
Township.  Kalamazoo  County,  and  took  up  eighty 
acres  of  land,  iiaying  for  the  property  from  his 
earnings.  A  log  house,  20x23,  was  one  of  the 
first  improvements  placed  upon  the  farm,  and 
other  buildings  were  erected  and  the  soil  cultivated 
for  a  niunber  of  _years. 

About  184fi.  Mr.  .ludson  sold  his  farm  and 
moved  to  Climax,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
and  afterw.ard  settled  upon  his  present  homestead. 
February  2(5,  1883,  he  w.as  deejjly  bereaved  by  the 
death  of  his  devoted  helpmate,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Polly  Ann  .lohnson.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  namely:  Mary  E.,  who  keeps  house 
for  her  father  and  has  always  been  tenderly  de- 
voted to  his  welfare;  AVilliam  E.,  whose  home  is 
In  Petoskey,  this  State;  Charles  L.,  who  resides  in 
Comstock  Township;  Lucreti;i  I,.,  the  wife  of  S.  K. 
r.l:ni<-li;u(l.  of  Hillsdale,  this  Stale:  Edgai'  I...  who 
h.Ms  ne\'er  niari'ied  Imt  resides  with  Ills  father;  and 
( Jeorge  K.,  deceased. 

The  farm  of  seventy  acres  which  Mr.  .hulson 
owns  is  operated  liy  his  son  who  is  entei-pi'ising 
and  .'iniliiliuus.  lie  is  a  Rcpuliliciin  and  vote<l  for 
(ieii.  .laeksnii  Ihe  second  time  he  was  elected  I'res- 
iilenl.      In  xarious   positions  to    whieli  he  has  liei'ii 


3^— 


\r>' 


.P       -V 


t(yn.y>^L.e.y^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


607 


called  hy  his  fellow-citizens,  lie  has  ably  di.scliargeil 
the  varied  duties  of  the  oflices  and  won  the  con- 
fidence of  others,  irrespective  of  party.  Since  1833, 
he  has  lieen  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  has  served  as  Trustee  and  Steward  for 
many  years  and  contributed  generously  for  church 
and  charitable  purposes. 


S^^@l^,^=^^ 


jpjV  USSEL     B.     FENNER.      This    prominent 

1^^  farmer  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Allegan 
County,  as  he  came  here  in  1844.  He  is  at 
present  making  his  home  on  eighty  acres  of 
land  located  on  sections  4  and  o,Gun  Plain  Town- 
ship. In  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  tract  of 
land,  he  has  followed  threshing  for  the  past  eleven 
years,  and  raises  on   his  place  all  kinds  of  stock. 

Mr.  Fenner  was  born  in  Fompey,  Onondaga 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  19,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of 
James  L.  Fenner,  a  native  of  Long  Island.  The 
father  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  was  a 
farmer  and  millwright  by  occupation.  He  was  ver}' 
l)rominent  in  his  community,  having  held  many  of 
the  local  ofHces.  He  died  when  seventy-four  years 
old.  Our  subject's  mother  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Betsey  Perry,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  a 
cousin  of  Commodore  Perrj'.  She  died  several 
years  before  her  husband,  passing  away  at  the  age 
of  sixty-eight  years.  In  her  church  relations  she 
was  a  Baptist. 

Kussel  B.  Fenner  is  the  fifth  child  of  the  six  sons 
and  three  daughters  born  to  his  parents.  He  re- 
ceived a  common-school  education  and  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  assisting  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  reaching  his  majority.  He  then  de- 
cided to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade  and  with  that 
in  mind  apprenticed  himself  to  learn  the  business. 
He  soon  abandoned  the  idea,  however,  as  he  was 
called  upon  to  manage  his  fatlier's  farm,  which  he 
did  in  a  most  profitable   and    satisfactory   manner. 

Mr.  Fenner  was  married,  in  1837,  to  Miss  Hannah 
\.  Schenck,  a  native  of  the  same  county  arid  State 
as  our  subject.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Rulef 
and  Elsie  (Baird)  Schenck,  natives  of  New  Jerse}' 
and  the  parents  of  a  large  family  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, only  three  of  whom  are  living  at  the  present 


time.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Fenner  was  a  mason 
and  farmer  and  a  man  very  much  respected  in  his 
community.  She,  herself,  was  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  died 
when  seven t\  -two  years  of  age;  her  husband  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years. 

After  his  marriage,  our  subject  continued  to  cul- 
tivate the  soil  until  the  fall  of  1844,  when  he  de- 
cided to  come  West  to  Michigan.  Bringing  his 
family  hither,  they  made  the  journey  via  the  lakes 
to  Detroit,  thence  by  rail  to  ]\Iarsliall  and  by  team 
to  Martin  Township,  Allegan  County,  where  he 
located  on  land,  which  his  father  had  previously 
purchased.  Before  a  suitable  home  could  be  pro- 
vided for  the  family,  he  was  compelled  to  haul 
the  lumber  and  other  material  from  the  nearest 
town.  They  arrived  in  the  township,  October  10, 
and  December  5  took  up  their  abode  in  their  new 
home.  The  dwelling  was  20x34  in  dimensions  and 
although  not  fitted  up  with  all  the  conveniences 
with  which  their  later  home  was  provided,  they 
were  very  happy.  Game  was  plentiful  and  thus 
their  table  was  always  supplied  with  choice  meats. 
Indians  made  frequent  visits  to  their  home  and 
often  spent  the  nig) it  on  the  floor  in  front  of  the 
fire. 

Three  years  after  coming  here,  our  subject,  with 
his  brother  Darius,  erected  a  sawmill  in  Martin 
Township,  which  was  run  by  the  water  power 
from  a  creek.  This  was  the  first  mill  in  the 
township  and  they  operated  it  very  successfullj- 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  1855  our  subject  traded 
his  farm  in  Martin  Township  for  his  present  estate 
in  Gun  Plain,  which  bore  but  few  improvements 
when  it  came  into  his  possession.  B}'  a  proper  ro- 
tation of  crops,  the  land  has  been  brought  to  a  high 
degree  of  cultivation,  while  he  has  erected  the  va- 
rious buildings  which  best  subserve  the  ])urposes  of 
a  first-class  agi'iculturist.  The  family  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fenner  includes  five  children:  Byron  R., 
p]liza  E.,  AVilliam  P.,  Rulef  James  and  Franklin  M. 
Byron  married  Miss  Caroline  Nash,  and  they  have 
three  children,  Byron,  Jennie  and  Nina;  Eliza  E. 
is  the  wife  of  Henry  Scott,  of  Plainwell,  and  they 
have  a  family  of  seven  children;  William  P.  mar- 
ried MissTliornberg  and  they  have  six  children; 
James  took  to  wife  Miss  Marv  Case  and  thev  have 


608 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIC>GRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


one    child;     Fiankliu     M.    married      Ilnnnah     I. 
Honeysett  and  lias  four  cliildren. 

In  his  political  attiliation,  our  subject  is  a  firm 
Democrat,  casting  his  first  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson 
for  President.  ^Ir.  Fenner  has  shown  himself  ca- 
pable of  close  application  to  the  duties  which  lay 
l)eforc  him,  and  his  judicious  decisions  and  wise 
course  during  the  twelve  yeai-s  he  was  Justice  of 
the  Peace  are  well  known  to  those  who  are 
acquainted  with  thehistor3'  of  the  Township,  lie 
has  also  been  Highway  and  Drain  Commissioner, 
and,  as  a  representative  citizen,  we  are  glad  to 
present  his  portrait  and  biographical  sketch  to  our 
readei-s. 


,^=^KinH'.K  V.   UKlJl'ATll  is  a  good  farmer  uf 
f  j  much  practical  exjierience,  who  is  doing  his 

\^i|j  part  in  carrying  forward  the  agricultural 
interests  of  Comstock  Township,  where  his  farming 
interests  lie,  and  also  of  Kalamazoo  Countj-,  of 
wliicii  he  has  been  a  well-known  resident  for  moiv 
than  thirty  years,  lie  is  of  Scoltisli  birtii  .ind  an- 
tecedents, born  in  the  shire  of  Roxburg,  October 
30,  lK3,i.  His  father,  Uobert  Redpatli,  was  also  a 
native  of  .Scotland,  and  lie  died  in  the  Old  Country. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  w.as  Christina  Purves, 
came  to  America  and  died  in  Richland  Township, 
Kalamazoo  County.  .She  w.a.s  the  mother  of  eight 
children,  three  daughters  and  five  sons,  all  of 
wliiim  grew  to  maturity,  and  seven  arc  still  living. 
Our  subject  was  the  third  child  born  to  his  par- 
ents. His  home  was  on  his  native  lieatli  iinlii 
1H5K,  and  in  its  invigorating  air  lie  grew  strong 
and  .active  and  was  well  fitted  to  cojie  with  the 
vicissitudes  of  life,  when  he  came  to  fight  its  Ital- 
tlcs  on  his  own  accounl.  He  learne<l  the  trade  f)f 
a  carpenter  and  worked  at  it  in  the  old  country 
until  the  year  mentioned,  when  he  emigrated  to 
Anifrica.  He  cumc  directly  to  Jrichigan  after 
landing  on  these  shores,  and  located  in  Richland 
Township,  where  he  lived  foi'  several  years. 
After  his  marriage,  in  1H71,  he  came  to  his  jiresent 
farm  on  section  ;'),  Comstock  Townshi]),  which  un- 
der his  wise  management  has  become  one  of  the 
m«>«t  desirable  pieces  of   property  in  this  localily. 


It  is  well  supplied  with  good  buildings  and  fine 
machinery,  and  its  one  hundred  and  forty  acres 
are  ver}'  productive  under  his  system  of  cultiva- 
tion. He  has  a  line  herd  of  cattle  of  good  grades, 
besides  other  well-bred  stock.  The  neat  and  well- 
built  residence  in  which  he  lives  was  erected  by 
him  at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  Besides  attending  to  the 
improvement  of  his  farm  for  fourteen  years,  JNIr. 
Redpatli  did  a  good  business  in  operating  a  thresh- 
ing maeliiiu'  in  different  parts  of  the  county.  He 
possesses  in  a  full  measure  many  of  tlie  best  traits 
of  his  race  and  has  proved  an  invaluable  citizen 
since  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Comstock  Town- 
ship, being  always  ready  to  help  on  any  |niblic 
improvements.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican  of 
no  uncertain  tone.  Religiously,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  .as  is  his  wife  also,  and 
both  arc  active  in  helping  forward  any  good  work 
in  wliich  it  may  be  engaged. 

In  March,  1871,  our  subject  took  unto  himself  a 
wife  in  the  person  C)f  IMiss  Eliza  Chapman,  a  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Mary  (Wilson)  Chapman, natives 
of  England,  and  pioneers  of  this  county,  .and  his 
success  in  after-life  is  partly  attriluitablc  to  her 
cheerful  and  capable  co-operation.  Mrs.  Kcdpath 
is  a  native  of  this  county,  a  daughter  of  one  of 
its  pioneer  families,  and  she  was  born  March  !>, 
1846,  in  Richland  Township.  Her  marringe  with 
our  suliject  has  brought  them  four  children,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters:  Robert,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  three  years;  James,  who  is  a  student  in  the 
business  college  at  Kalamazoo;  Maiv  and  Christ- 
ina, at  home  with  their  parents. 


m>-^\^<m=^ 


yATHAN  SLAWSON,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
/'  resides  on  section  10,  Ro.ss  Township,  Kal- 
is,*^ aniazoo  County.  His  farm,  altliougli  not 
.so  large  as  some  estates  in  the  coiiiinmiily.  is  never- 
theless made  to  yield  the  very  largest  results  possi- 
ble, through  a  careful  fertilization  of  the  soil  and 
proper  rotation  of  the  crops;  its  eighty  acres  are 
divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size,  while  the 
latest  improvements  in  farm  injicliiiiciy  h;ivc  been 
Introduced. 

Mr.  Slawson  was  burii  in  ^■ates   County,    N.    V., 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


00!) 


April  28,  1832.  He  comes  of  Scolch-Irish  descent 
and  his  paternal  ancestors  located  in  i\li(idc  Island 
in  1030,  ten  years  after  the  first  settlement  had 
been  made  in  that  State.  Both  liis  paternal  and 
maternal  grandfather  were  soldiers  in  the  Revulu- 
tionary  War,  and  his  father,  Rnfiis,  served  in  the 
War  of  1812.  A  l)rother,  Ira  INI.,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased, was  a  valiant  soldier  in  the  defense  of  the 
Ilnifm  dnring  the  Civil  War,  so  that  it  will  be  seen 
that  our  subject  belongs  to  a  patriotic  family. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  Hufus  and  Clarissa 
(Jump)  Slawson,  were  natives  of  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  were  people  of  great  worth  of  character. 
Nathan  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  where, 
working  in  connection  with  his  father,  he  beca;ne 
familiar  with  farming  pursuits.  After  completing 
the  course  of  study  in  the  common  schools  of  Yates 
County,  he  attended  Rushville,  N.  Y.,  Academy 
for  a  short  time,  and  subsequently  engaged  as  a 
primary  teacher  during  the  winter  season. 

November  22,  1855,  Mr.  Slawson  was  married  to 
Jane  Cairns,  who  was  born  in  Seneca  Connty, 
N.  Y.,  and  came  of  Scotch  extraction.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  of  the  union,  all  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased, and  the  wife  and  mother  passed  awa}'  Octo- 
ber 20,  1880.  A  few  years  after  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Slawson  removed  to  Barry  County,  this  .State,  and 
located  near  Hickory  Corners  in  1806,  engaging 
there  in  farming  pursuits  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  1877,  became  to  Kalamazoo  Connty  and  settled 
on  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since  resided,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years  when  he  was  engaged 
in  publishing  a  weekly  paper  at  Augusta. 

The  union  of  Mr.  Slawson  to  his  present  esti- 
mable wife  took  place  April  2,  1889.  Mrs.  Slawson 
was  born  in  Country  Antrim,  Ireland,  May  3,  1845, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret 
Crawford,  natives  of  the  North  of  Ireland.  When 
about  seventeen  years  old,  she  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica and  was  married  in  New  York  to  Peter  Red- 
mond, becoming  the  mother  of  two  children: 
James  and  Peter.  After  his  death,  she  became  the 
wife  of  John  Geer,  of  Ross  Township,  Kalamazoo 
County,  one  son  being  born  of  the  union,  William 
deceased. 

In  his  religious  belief,  Mr.  Slawson  is  a  meml)er 
of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church.    Politically, he 


is  a  Republican  and  is  now  serving  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  Ross  Township,  to  whicii  oltico  he  was 
elected  five  years  ago.  He  is  also  a  Notary  Put)lic. 
Besides  his  farm  he  is  the  owner  of  village  property 
in  Augusta,  and  has  his  affairs  on  a  sound  financial 
basis,  the  result  of  constant  energy  and  unremit- 
ting labor  on  his  part. 


NSON  L.  RANNEY.  A  high  place  in  the 
estimation  of  the  citizens  of  Kalamazoo 
County  is  held  by  this  gentleman,  who 
,5g^  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-one 

acres,  pleasantly  located  on  section  30,  Comstock 
Township.  Born  in  Augusta  Township,  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  June  21,  1811,  he  is  the  son  of 
Ebenczer  and  Almeda  (Bartholomew)  Ranney, 
natives  of  Massachusetts.  His  father,  who  was  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer  in  his  early  life  and  was  a  preacher  in  the 
Baptist  denomination. 

In  his  young  manhood,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject removed  to  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
located  on  a  farm.  His  last  days  were  quietly 
passed  in  Madison  Connty,  where  he  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  was  a  prominent 
man  in  that  section  of  the  State  and  held  a  num- 
ber of  responsible  offices,  serving  for  many  years 
as  Supervisor  of  Augusta  Township.  His  political 
affiliations  were  with  the  Whig  party  and  both  in 
public  affairs  and  in  the  work  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
his  opinion  carried  great  influence.  His  wife  died 
when  four-score  years  of  age. 

Of  a  family  of  eight  children,  only  one  survives 
besides  the  subject  of  this  notice:  O.  Russell,  of 
Oneida  Township,  Madison  County',  N.  Y.  After 
completing  his  education  in  the  Madison  Univer- 
sity of  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  our  subject  taught 
school  for  one  term  near  AVilkes  Barre,  Pa.,  and 
then  entered  the  mercantile  business  at  Stockbridge, 
N.  Y'.  He  carried  on  a  general  store  for  eleven 
years  in  that  place  and  at  the  same  time  operated  a 
mill  and  farm. 

Selling  his  property  in  1863,  our  subject  came  to 
Comstock  Township,  and  purchased  his  present 
homestead,  then  only  partially'  improved.  The  one 


610 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


hundred  and  fifty-one  acresarenow  well-improved 
and  embellished  u-ith  good  buildings.  In  this  task, 
which  has  beenarduous,  Mr.  Ranney  has  received 
the  cheerful  co-operation  of  his  wife,  to  whom  he 
was  married  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  September 
27,  1838.  Her  maiden  name  was  Eleanor  T.  Mur- 
ray and  she  was  born  in  Xew  York.  Seven  children 
were  born  of  the  union:  Adelle,  wife  of  Eberle 
Underwood,  of  Galesburgh;  Orlo,  a  physician  in 
Kalamazoo;  Jlaurice  M.,  who  has  charge  of  the  old 
homestead;  Ida  M.  is  with  her  parents;  Bernard 
D.  lives  in  Kansas,  and  Estella  M.  is  at  home. 

Maurice  M.,  who  manages  the  farm,  makes  a 
specialty  of  celery  and  is  now  devising  a  celery- 
digger,  which  promises  to  be  very  helpful.  Our 
subject  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  High- 
way Commissioner,  Supervisor,  and  in  other  local 
offices.  In  the  Baptist  Church  at  Kalamazoo,  of 
which  he  is  a  faithful  member,  he  has  been  Deacon 
for  a  year  and  is  prominent  in  religions  and  liencv- 
olent  enterprises. 


/ 


A 


^SCAR  F.  CA.MPBELL,  a  competent,  well- 
1'  to-do  farmer,  is  now  engaged  at  his  voca- 
tion in  that  part  of  Kalamazoo  County 
embraced  in  the  rich  farming  region  of  Comstock 
Township,  his  farm  and  home  ver>'  pleasantly  situ- 
ated on  sections  2  and  3.  Victor  Township,  Ontario 
Cdunty,  N.  Y..  is  the  native  i)lace  of  o\ir  subject, 
and  Novemlier  28,  182'2,  the  date  of  his  liirtli. 
His  father  was  Capt.  Charles  Camplicll.  who  was 
born  in  Connecticut  and  reared  in  A'ermonl.  He 
was  an  olllcer  in  the  War  of  1812,  bearing  an  act- 
ive part  in  the  piincipal  battles,  notalily  those  of 
Sackelt'.s  Harbor  and  I'lalt-sburg.  He  was  a  promi- 
nent man  in  his  cfmimunily,  and  lived  to  the  ven- 
erable age  of  eighty-five  years.  His  father,  Nathan 
Campliell,  was  born  in  Argyleshii-e,  Scotland,  and 
(•ami;  l<i  this  country  with  liis  parents,  who  .settled 
in  Connecticut  in  C()lonial  days.  He  was  a  volun- 
teer at  thi'  liattle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  did  good 
service  during  the  Iievr>lution  as  a  courageous  and 
elllcient  soldic-r.  He  was  a  man  of  line  plivsique, 
weigliing  two  liundri'd  jiihI   lifl\-^i\    imhiikIs,  mhiI 


standing  six  feet  eight  inches  in  height,  and  so 
strong  was  he  that  he  could  take  a  man  in  each 
hand  and  hold  him  out,  and  could  perform  other 
wonderful  feats  of  strength.  He  died  when  fiftj'- 
eight  j-ears  of  age. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  Esther  McComber 
before  her  man-iage.  She  was  born  in  Jlassachu- 
setts,  but  was  reared  among  the  green  hills  of  ^'er- 
mont.  She  lived  to  be  eighty-seven  years  old, 
lacking  two  da3's.  Her  father,  Jonathan  McComber, 
is  supposed  to  have  been  a  native  of  Massachusetts. 
He  was  a  regularly  enlisted  soldier  in  the  conti- 
nental army  during  the  Revolution,  and  fought 
well  in  the  various  battles  in  which  he  took  part, 
until  he  was  finally  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
New  York  and  put  on  board  of  a  British  prison 
vessel.  He  was  so  reduced  and  weakened  by  the 
sufferings  that  he  underwent  during  his  imprisou- 
ment  that  his  friends  thought  that  he  had  starved 
to  death.  But  they  managed  to  restore  him  to 
consciousness,  and  he  lived  to  be  seventy-seven 
years  old.  He  was  a  pensioner  of  the  Govern- 
ment. His  father  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  who 
came  to  this  country  in  Colonial  days  and  w.-is  one 
of  the  settlers  of  Massachusetts. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  in  \'or- 
mont,  and  made  their  home  in  Rutland  County,  on 
the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain,  until  they  removed 
to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  remained 
about  nine  years.  Tiiey  then  went  to  Canada  and 
spent  six  yenrs  there  before  they  returned  to  New 
York.  Tlioir  remaining  years  were  passed  in 
Evans  Township,  Erie  County.  They  were  the 
parent»s  of  six  daughters  and  seven  sons,  and 
eli'vcM  (if  their  numerous  |)rogeny  grew  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood,  ten  of  them  being  alive 
when  the  youngest  attained  the  age  of  fifty  years. 
These  four  of  the  numl)er  still  live:  Martha,  wife 
of  Orin  Dunning,  of  New  York;  llnrvey,  a  faiiner 
in  Ingham  County;  Cordelia,  wife  of  George 
Murray,  of  New  ^drl<:  :ind  our  sulijcct. 

Oscar  1'.  Camplicll  is  the  ninth  child  :in(l  fifth 
son  of  the  f:iinll\.  lie  reinaiiicd  with  iiis  jiMrents 
until  he  was  Iwcnty-fMie.  :iim1  dining  all  llial  time 
he  nevei'  slept  out  of  the  pjirenliil  home,  even  for 
one  night.  lb-  received  hisscliooling  in  tiie  Evans 
District   Si'liool.  :iliil    lie    lllili/ed    liis    eiliicMtion   li\' 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


fill 


teaching  three  terms.  He  and  his  brothers  after- 
ward farmed  together  in  their  native  State.  He 
first  came  to  Michigan  in  1815,  and  lumbered  for 
one  winter  in  Six  Mills,  below  Grand  Rapids  on 
the  Grand  River.  He  then  returned  to  the  old 
farm  in  Xew  York,  and  was  with  his  father  until 
the  following  September.  In  that  month,  he  went 
to  Ohio  with  his  oldest  brother,  and  built  a  saw- 
mill. He  afterward  sold  his  interest  in  the  mill  to 
his  brother  and  went  back  to  New  York.  He  was 
married  in  Lorain  County,  Ohio,  July  11,  1847,  to 
Miss  Electa  Iliggins,  and,  returning  to  New  York, 
he  worked  his  fatiier's  farm  the  ensuing  two  3'ears. 
Going  back  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  to  Lo- 
rain County,  Ohio,  he  dwelt  there  two  years.  In 
the  spring-  of  1851  his  wife  died,  leaving  two  lit- 
tle children:  Ellen,  two  years  old,  now  deceased; 
and  Electa,  four  weeks  old,  who  is  now  married  to 
Davis  Maze,  of  Oceana  County,  Mich.  Again  he 
took  up  his  residence  with  his  parents,  and  man- 
aged the  old  homestead  until  the  spring  of  1857. 
In  the  meantime,  he  had  been  West  and  had  bought 
a  farm  in  Muscatine  County,  Iowa,  comprising  a 
quarter  of  a  section  near  the  village  of  West  Lib- 
erty. He  traded  that  for  one  hundred  and  six 
acres  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  the  ensuing  two 
years  were  spent  on  that  place. 

In  April,  185!),  Mr.  Cami>bell  came  once  more  to 
Michigan,  journeying  by  water  to  Detroit,  and 
from  there  coming  directly  to  Kalamazoo  County 
with  a  team,  he  having  resolved  to  make  his  home 
here  permanentl3'.  He  at  first  located  in  Cooper 
Township,  where  he  bought  fort}-  acres  of  improved 
land.  On  that  place  two  of  his  children  were 
born:  Jasper  John,  April  27,  1860,  now  living 
on  the  farm  on  section  3,  Conistock  Township;  and 
Maria  S.,  wife  of  Oliver  D.  Carson,  of  Richland 
Townshii).  Mr.  Campbell  sold  his  Cooper  Town- 
ship farm  at  the  end  of  tliree  years,  and  bought 
the  place  where  his  son  resides  on  section  3,  Coin- 
stock  Township.  It  comprises  one  hundred  and 
forty-four  acres  of  well-improved  land,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  desirable  farms  in  the  locality.  The 
place  on  which  our  subject  and  his  wife  reside 
comprises  twent^'-two  acres  of  choice  land  and  is 
the  property  of  Mrs.  Campbell.  They  are  people 
who  are  looked  up  to  by  tlie  entire  community  on 


account  of  their  many  pleasant  qualities,  their 
friendliness  and  consideration  in  their  intercourse 
with  all  who  come  in  contact  with  them,  and  for 
their  trustworthiness  in  all  matteis.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell is  a  man  of  stable,  strong  character,  firm  in  his 
convictions  and  outspoken  in  his  views  when  he 
has  need  to  express  them.  In  politics,  he  is  a  sturdy- 
Democrat,  lie  was  Master  of  the  Grange  for  many 
years,  and  in  all  things  has  sought  to  promote  the 
advancement  of  his  township  and  county.  He  is 
of  a  robust  constitution,  coming  of  fine  old  stock 
and  a  long-lived  race,  is  temperate  in  his  habits, 
and  during  the  thirt^'-tliree  years  that  he  has  been 
a  resident  of  Michigan  he  can  boast  that  he  has 
never  seen  a  sick  daj-. 

Mr.  Campbell's  second  marriage,  which  occurred 
January  31,  1859,  was  with  Harriet,  the  youngest 
daughter  of  John  and  Salome  (Sawyer)  Barrell. 
She  was  born  in  the  town  of  Evans,  Erie  County, 
N.  Y.,  July  22,  1840,  and  lived  there  until  her 
marriage  with  our  subject.  On  her  father's  side 
she  is  descended  from  the  Pilgrims  of  the  "May- 
flower," the  family  being  among  the  colonists  of 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  who  came  over  in  that  vessel. 
Her  mother's  people  were  from  Scotland,  her  ma- 
ternal grandmother,  Mary  Dimick,  having  been 
born  in  that  country.  Her  mother  was  a  very 
powerful  woman,  of  strong  physique  and  forcible 
character. 


■=1, 


"S) 


^+^ 


(=_ 


^  I^ILLIAM  M.  BARNES.  This  name  will  be 
\/\j/l  recognized  by  many  of  our  readers  as  that 
^^^  of  a  gentleman  who  is  taking  a  prominent 
part  in  developing  the  agricultural  resources  of 
Van  Buren  County.  He  owns  and  operates  a  farm 
comprising  seventy  acres  in  Arlington  Township, 
and  his  efforts  to  improve  the  place  have  resulted 
very  satisfactorily,  for  it  is  now  numbered  among 
the  best  improved  farms  of  the  township.  Al- 
though not  containing  as  many  acres  as  some  oth- 
ers, yet  every  spot  of  ground  is  made  to  produce 
the  very  best  results,  and  the  entire  estate  has 
been  redeemed  from  the  primitive  wilderness. 

j\Ir,  Barnes  traces  his    ancestry  to  one   of    two 
brothers,  who,  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 


612 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


tionary  War,  emigrated  from  England  and  settled 
in  the  State  of  Connecticut.  One  of  these  brothers 
w.as  Abel  Barnes,  the  father  of  Uriel  T.,  and  the 
grandfather  of  William  M.,the  subject  of  this  bio- 
gi-aphical  sketch.  Not  long  after  his  settlement  in 
Connecticut,  Abel  Barnes  removed  frem  that  State 
to  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  a  few  years  later 
to  the  town  of  Floyd,  Oneida  County,  in  the  same 
State.  He  married  Jliss  Miudwell  Roljerts,  and 
the^'  became  the  parents  of  eleven  sons  and  three 
daughters,  most,  if  not  all,  of  whom  were  born 
after  their  removal  to  New  York. 

The  fourth  son  of  Abel  and  Mindwell  Barns  was 
named  Uriel  T.,and  was  born  in  Schoharie  County, 
X.  Y.,  October  It,  17i)4.  Wliile  still  a  mere  child, 
he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Floyd,  where,  Au- 
gust 30,  1821,  he  married  lluldah  A.,  daughter  of 
Zenas  and  Mary  (Merrill)  Gibbs,  of  Broome  County, 
>'.  Y.  The  young  couple  settled  in  Floyd,  where 
tlieir  daughter  .Vdelia  w.is  born.  Their  eldest  son, 
Trumas  S.,  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  N.  Y.,  and 
soon  afterward  Mr.  Barnes  removed  to  a  small 
farm  wliich  he  had  bought  in  Oswego  County. 
Tliere  were  three  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife; 
William  M..  tiic  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was 
born  April  20,  1828;  Mary  S.  and  Harlow  O. 

Aboui  that  time,  the  father  sold  his  farm  with 
the  ultimate  design  of  leaving  the  sterile  land  and 
severe  climate  uf  Northern  New  York  to  establish 
a  better  home  in  the  West.  However,  instead  of 
coming  West  at  once,  he  began  to  work  in  a  saw- 
mill in  nurlianiville, and  thus  engaged  during  the 
winter  of  18."Jl-32.  In  the  spring  of  the  latter 
year,  he  wa.s  so  severely  injured  by  the  machinery 
of  the  mill  that  he  remained  a  helpless  invalid  for 
monllis.  During  the  following  December,  l)eing 
unable  to  perforin  any  manual  labor,  lie  commenced 
a  grocery  business  at  W'liiteslioro,  N.  Y.,  but  soon 
found  he  could  not  prosper  in  that  unless  lie  would 
sell  ardent  spirit.s.  'I'hat  he  would  not  iln.  His 
principles  wr)uld  not  admit  of  hiui  supporting  his 
family  by  carrying  desolation  into  the  families  of 
olliei«, so  he  sold  his  business  and  left  Whitesboro. 
During  his  stay  at  that  place,  his  daughter  S:ii:ili 
was  liorii,  .Taniiary  2,  l«;i:!. 

Having  somewhat  regained  his  health,  Mr.  Bjirnes 
staid    for  a   time  in   (lenev.-i,  wheri'    ln'   cliDpned 


wood  for  $26  per  month  and  house  rent.  April 
10,  1834,  he  set  out  with  his  family  for  Michigan, 
by  wa}-  of  the  Erie  Canal  .and  Lake  Erie,  l^pon 
reaching  Detroit,  they  engaged  a  man  to  convey 
them  and  their  few  household  goods  to  .lackson 
Count}',  where  they  arrived  aliout  ^lay  1.  The 
first  settlement  w^as  made  in  Albion,  where  he  en- 
gaged to  work  for  Teuney  Peabody,  but  his  family 
being  taken  sick,  his  $50  was  soon  exhausted. 
However,  he  resolutely  clung  to  his  determination 
to  secure  a  home,  and  took  up  some  Government 
land.  His  neighbors  aided  him  in  building  a  cabin 
which  was  warm  and  comfortable,  though  there  was 
not  a  pane  of  glass  in  it,  nor  was  there  a  nail  or 
sawed  plank  or  board  used  in  its  construction.  Into 
that  dwelling  the  family  moved  in  January,  1835. 

During  the  entire  summer  of  1835,  Mr.  Barnes 
was  sick  with  the  ague,  and  to  add  to  his  troubles 
a  speculator  purchased  his  land  and  demanded 
immediate  possession.  Being  unwilling  to  proceed 
to  extreme  measures,  he  paid  Mr.  Barnes  150  to 
vacate.  This  money  he  invested  in  fifty  acres  of 
land,  and  with  the  help  of  his  neighbors  erected  a 
pole  cabin  upon  it.  In  that  cabin  the  family  were 
comparatively  comfortable. 

In  the  fall  of  1837,  Mr.  Barnes  sold  his  laud  near 
Albion  for  $800  in  "wild-cat"  money,  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1838,  removed  to  Lawrence,  Van  Buren 
County.  His  family  settled  in  a  log  house  on  what 
is  now  the  Baker  and  Richards  farm.  Not  long 
afterward,  he  purchased  from  Eaton  Branch,  for 
$200,  the  eighty  .acres  on  which  his  son  A.  U.  now 
lives.  On  that  land  he  put  u[)  a  frame  house  and 
went  energetically  to  work  to  convert  the  wild 
land  into  a  productive  farm.  He  cleared  almost 
the  entire  eighty  acres  with  his  own  hands,  besides 
doing  a  large  amount  of  work  for  others.  In  the 
year  following  his  settlement,  he  was  chosen  Com- 
missioner of  Highways,  and  w.is  elected  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  1810,  being  a  member  of  the  Board  at 
the  election  licld  :il,  his  Imusc  in  the  fiill  of  the 
year  that  (ien.  Il.uiison  was  clccti'd  ri-e>iilcnt  of 
the  United  States. 

Ill  .hine,  1853,  Mr.  liarncs  iind  a  sudden  and 
violent  illness,  which  ballled  the  skill  of  the  l)hy- 
sicians  who  were  calkMl  to  attend  him.  He  .sank 
rapidly  and   diecl  on  SiindMy,  .luly  3.      At  his  fun- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPHICAL  RECORD. 


613 


eral,  July  4,  the  Rev.  E.  S.  Dunham  preached  from 
the  text  "Precious  in  the  siuhl  of  tlie  Lord  is  the 
deatli  of  liis  saints."  Mrs.  liarncs  survived  her 
husband  thirteen  j'cars  and  died  Scptemlier  30, 
18()(;.  She  was  respected  and  liehjved  by  all  who 
knew  her,  bearing  with  patience  all  the  trials  of 
pioneer  life,  and  her  children  rise  up  and  call  her 
blessed.  Mr.  Barnes  was  converted  in  1820  and 
liecame  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Our  subject  grew  to  mature  years  in  Michigan 
and  was  married,  in  1857,  to  Miss  Fannie  Gates. 
Of  that  union  eight  cliildren  were  born,  namely: 
Ada,  wife  of  Franlc  Fuller;  Albert  married  Miss 
Mattie  Rome;  Carrie  married  Eugene  Baughman; 
Charles,  Frank,  Clifford,  Lena  and  Ivan.  In  the 
same  year  in  wliich  his  marriage  occurred,  Mr. 
Barnes  purchased  his  farm  and  here  he  has  since 
resided.  Mrs.  Barnes  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Pamelia  (Brown)  Gates,  natives  of  Vermont  and 
New  York,  respectively,  who  came  to  Michigan  in 
1855.  Politically,  Mr.  Barnes  IS  a  Republican.  Dur- 
ing the  late  war,  he  was  drafted  into  the  army  and 
went  out  in  Company  D,  Fourteenth  Michigan  In- 
fantry, lie  was  in  the  Western  Corps  and  was 
present  at  the  time  of  .Tolinstcm's  surrender.  An 
upright,  conscientious  man,  he  is  highly  esteemed 
and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  large  circle  of 
acquaintances. 


xORMAN  n.  ADAMS.  An  excellent  exam- 
ple of  the  results  of  industry  and  enterprise 
is  to  be  found  in  the  life  of  this  gentleman, 
who  is  a  well-known  resident  of  Breedsville.  Dur- 
ing the  period  of  thirty  3'ears  that  have  elapsed 
since  he  came  to  this  village,  he  has  risen  from  a 
condition  of  poverty  to  comfortable  circumstances, 
and  while  increasing  his  personal  possessions  has 
by  no  means  neglected  the  welfare  of  the  commu- 
nity, but  contributed  to  the  advancement  of  its 
interests  and  the  development  of  its  resources.  He 
controls  extensive  business  interests  in  the  vil- 
lage, and  is  also  the  owner  of  a  well-improved 
farm,  comprising  seventy  acres  in  Columbia  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Asa  C,  was  a  native 


of  New  York,  where  he  followed  the  profession  of 
a  teacher,  and  was  also  Deputy  Sheriff.  He  re- 
moved from  the  Eniinre  State  to  Massachusetts,- 
settling  near  Nortliampton,  Hampden  County,  and 
operating  a  small  (aim.  His  deatii  occurred  tiiere 
at  a  good  old  age.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Mary  Thor|),  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  be- 
came tlie  mother  of  four  children:  Angeline,  Nor- 
man II.,  David  and  George.  Tlie  two  last-named 
died  in  childhood.  Norman  II.  was  born  August 
22,  1826,  in  Rensselaerville,  Albany  County,  N.  Y., 
and  accompanied  his  parents  when  thej'  removed 
to  Massachusetts.  The  common-school  education 
which  he  gleaned  from  the  text-books  used  in  the 
district  schools  was  afterward  supplemented  by  a 
course  of  study  in  the  High  School. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen,  the  school  days  of  our  sub- 
ject were  brought  to  a  close,  and  he  commenced  to 
earn  his  own  living  by  working  first  on  a  farm,  and 
later  in  a  tannery  for  a  Mr.  Conklin  for  about  three 
years.  After  he  removed  to  jMassachusetts,  he  was 
employed  in  a  tannery  in  West  Springfield,  and 
from  that  place  removed  to  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  where 
he  remained  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1855,  he 
came  West  to  Michigan,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in 
Niles.  The  early  part  of  the  j'ear  1861  marked 
his  arrival  in  Breedsville,  where  he  purchased  a 
one-half  interest  in  the  tannery  establislied  by 
Messrs.  Knowles  &  Barrows.  He  first  conducted 
his  business  in  partnership  with  another  gentle- 
man, but  after  four  years  spent  in  tliat  waj',  a 
change  was  made  and  he  formed  another  partner- 
ship. Since  1876  he  has  been  in  business  alone, 
and  has  dealt  in  hides,  as  well  as  supervised  his 
farm. 

The  political  affiliations  of  Mr.  Adams  have 
brought  him  in  sj'^mpathy  with  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  prior  to  its  organization 
he  was  a  Whig.  He  served  as  Supervisor  two 
years.  Justice  of  the  Peace  ten  years.  Notary  Pub- 
lic for  three  years,  and  is  now  Township  Clerk.  So- 
cially, he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He 
was  married,  May  30,  1847,  to  Miss  Emily  Wood- 
ford, who  was  born  in  Rensselaerville,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 20,  1827.  Mrs.  Adams  is  the  daughter  of 
William  H.  and  Sarah  (Crocker)  AVoodford,  natives 
of  New  York.     The  father,  who  was  a  shoemaker 


614 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


by  trade,  removed  to  Portland,  Me.,  at  an  earlj' 
da}',  and  from  there  to  Readfield,  Me.,  and  thence 
to  Miissachusetts.  In  January.  185.5,  he  came  to 
Mies,  Mich.,  where  he  died  April  6,  1883.  His 
wife  passed  away  August  1-1,  1878.  They  were 
membei-s  of  the  :Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
the  parent;:  of  eight  children. 

Sis  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and 
his  amiable  wife,  four  of  whom  are  still  living, 
namely:  Wilbert  K.,  Frank  A.,  Charles  A.  and 
Arthur  T.  For  some  yeai-s  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  Adams 
were  identified  with  the  Congregational  Church, 
but  now  for  a  period  of  thirty  years  the}' have  been 
active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
They  are  honored  and  respected  wherever  known, 
and  have  a  host  of  warm  personal  friends. 


SILIPHALET  S.  BRISTOL.  The  agricul- 
tural element  that  has  been  so  largely  in- 
slrumental  in  tlie  upbuilding  of  Kala- 
mazoo County  is  well  represented  by  this  gentle- 
man, who  is  tlie  proprietor  of  two  valuable  farms 
in  this  part  of  Michigan,  both  of  which  arc  well- 
equipped  and  stocked  with  fine  breeds  of  cattle, 
hori^es,  etc.  One  is  located  in  Ross  Township,  and 
the  otiier,  the  one  upon  which  he  makes  his  lionie, 
is  pleasantly  situated  on  section  3,  Charleston 
Townsliip. 

Mr.  Bristol  was  born  December  12,  1821,  dm  the 
farm  that  Ijis  grandfather,  F-.  Brislt)!,  had  hewed 
out  from  the  primeval  forest*  of  the  townsliip  of 
Cannore,  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  thai  old  lionie- 
stcad  also  being  the  birlliplacc  of  his  fatlui-,  !•',. 
Bristol,  where  he  was  reared  and  died,  iiis  age 
ill  the  time  of  his  dealli  being  eighty-eigiil  years. 
Ill-  was  a  prominciil  farmer  in  his  townsliip,  and 
\\u>  a  liberal  giver  lo  all  good  c;uises.  He  was  a 
peaceful,  hiw-jibiding  cili/.cn,  who  never  sue<l  any- 
one or  was  never  sued  him.self,  he  being  univers- 
ally liked  by  tiie  entire  commuiiily  where  he 
.spent  a  life  of  nearly  a  centuiy.  In  polilio,  he 
wa-s  ft  .sturdy  iJemocral.  The  [iMleiiKil  giiiiid- 
father  of  our  subject  was  a  native  of  Coiineeti- 
cul,  wliere  he  was  reared  and  married.  He  re- 
moved to  New    York  in  an  eail\   dax,  and  look  up 


the  farm  on  which  his  son  and  grandson,  of  whom 
we  write,  were  born.     He  was  of  English  descent. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  Lucj'  Cripen.  was 
born  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  She  died  when 
only  forty  years  of  age.  She  was  the  mother  of 
seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  jvll 
of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood;  all 
married  and  reared  families,  and  five  of  them  are 
living,  namely:  Albert,  a  resident  of  Livingslon 
County,  X.  Y.;  Benjamin,  a  resident  of  IMadison 
Count}^  N.  Y.;  Eliphalet  S.;  Lucy,  widow  of 
James  Lockwood,  and  a  resident  of  California; 
and  Lydia,  wife  of  E.  Stoubenbaugh,  of  New  York. 
The  father  w.as  married  a  second  time,  Laura 
Crocker  becoming  his  wife,  and  from  that  union 
sjirang  two  sons:  Horace,  who  resides  on  the  old 
family  homestead  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.;  and 
Abel,  now  deceased. 

Our  subject  is  the  youngest  child  of  his  father's 
first  marriage,  and  remained  at  home  with  him  until 
he  attained  his  majority.  After  his  marriage,  in  the 
winter  of  1845,  he  and  his  wife  began  life  together 
on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  .acres  that  belonged  to 
him,  and  was  located  in  his  native  county.  He 
carried  on  a  good  business  as  a  general  farmer  on 
that  place  until  1867,  when  he  came  to  Michigan 
and  located  where  he  now  resides  in  Charleston 
Township.  He  has  here  one  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  choice  land,  mostly  under  cultivation, 
and  provided  with  a  good  class  of  buildings.  IMr. 
Bristol  has  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Ross 
Township,  which  is  a  tine  stoi'k  farm  and  is  ami)ly 
suppilied  with  all  the  modern  improvemenfs  that 
are  us\ially  found  on  such  ;i  farm. 

.iMiiuary  II,  1815,  is  the  dale  of  the  nuirriage  of 
our  subject  and  IMiss  .\nn  ]\I.  Janes,  the  young- 
e>t  of  the  ten  children  *)f  Nathaniel  :ind  .\chsah 
(Harnes)  Janes.  Her  father  was  a  luifive  of  Con- 
necticut, who  went  lo  New  York  when  lie  was 
seven  years  old,  and  in  time  became  a  )iroiiiiiient 
farmer  of  Columbia  County.  Tlie  mother  was 
born  and  reared  in  the  Empire  Stale.  iMis.  Ihislol 
was  boiii  ill  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  November 
2'.*,  IHl!),  ;iiiil  lliere  gr(!W  to  womanhood.  Her 
brothers  and  sisters  were  all  tcaeliers.  her  brother 
I'',li>hM  being  a  prominent  ediieator  in  those  parts, 
and  .•'he,  being  the  youngest,  w;is  oliliged  f,o  .slay  al 


m 


u-t4yi^ 


jinnAAf 


^J^juJZh 


^yU)- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


«17 


home  to  assist  her  mother,  which  was  good  dis- 
cipline fur  lier,  as  sho  acquired  a  notable  sivill  in 
iiouschdhl  affairs.  Her  marriage  with  our  sul)j('et 
has  been  l)iessed  liy  the  hirtli  of  one  son,  Walter, 
who  was  born  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  lie  is 
a  resident  of  the  city  of  Kalamazoo,  wliere  he  is 
engaged  in  tlie  grain  l)usiness.  He  married  IMiss 
Viola  Webster,  and  they  have  tlirec  cliildren: 
Morris,  !\Iar\'  and  Bertha.  Young  I>ristol  is  :i 
member  of  the  Congregational  Churcli,  at  Kalama- 
zoo, and  is  a  valued  worker  in  the  .Sunday-school. 
Mr.  Bristol  has  a  well-i)oised  intellect,  is  keen 
of  vision,  and  is  firm  and  resolute  wlien  he  is  sure 
lie  is  ill  the  right,  his  many  friends  and  acquain- 
tances alwa^'S  finding  him  truthful  and  upright. 
His  political  views  are  in  harmony  with  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Republican  party.  Religiously,  he  is 
a  Congregationalist,  very  infiuential  in  eliuieh 
matters,  and  a  Deacon  of  his  church.  lie  and  his 
wife  are  ardent  workers  in  the  Sunday-school,  she 
having  taught  for  several  years,  and  he  acting  as 
Su|)erintendcnt  for  eighteen  years. 


J 


^    KNRY    AV.    BISHOP.     The     fnrmers     and 

'    fruit-raisers   of    Casco    Township,    .Mlegaii 

County,  have  among  their   number   many 

^^;  whose  intelligence,  activity  and  enterprise 
are  a  credit  alike  to  themselves  and  the  county 
in  which  they  make  their  home.  These  helji  to 
give  to  Allegan  County  a  standing  for  intelli- 
gence, [troductiveness  and  business  al)ilily,  cpialities 
whicii  enrich  every  farmer  within  its  bounds. 

The  gentleman  whose  portrait  appears  on  the 
opposite  |)age  was  born  in  Birmingham,  Kngland, 
in  181(1,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Klizabeth 
(Habington)  Bishop.  The  father  was  born  in 
Hirminghani,  in  1803,  and,  when  a  Ijoy,  was  ajj- 
l)renticed  to  a  baker,  to  learn  that  trade.  His  ed- 
ucation was  limited  to  the  comuKwi  schools,  but, 
making  the  liest  of  ids  advantages,  he  became 
th<n-ouglily  versed  on  all  t(.)pics  of  general  intei'- 
est.  Thomas  Bisho|>  followed  the  baker's  trade 
in  Kngl;uid  for  over  twenty  years,  and,  in  1843. 
set  sail  for  the  United  States,  locating  at  once  in 
28 


St.  Clair  County,  this  State.  There  he  bought  an 
improved  farm,  and  commenced  tilling  the  soil. 
In  about  five  years  he  disi)Osed  of  that  tract,  and, 
going  to  Detroit,  opened  a  lioarding  house,  and 
later,  a  grocery  store.  A  few  years  thus  occiipicii 
ended  his  city  life,  and  he  again  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  farming  pursuits,  this  lime,  however,  neai- 
Battle  Creek,  where  he  had  bought  eighty  aci'cs. 
lie  continued  to  live  upon  that  ])roperty  for  some 
time,  and  then  removed  to  Saginaw,  where  he  re- 
sided a  few  years.  He  then  lived  with  his  son 
Henry  for  nearly  three  years,  after  which  he  iv- 
mained  until  his  death,  in  1887,  with  his  daugh- 
ter Alice,  in  Sanilac  County . 

Henry  W.  Bishop  had  nine  brothers  and  sisters, 
viz:  Martha,  William,  Elizabeth,  Jane;  the  last 
three  named  are  deceased;  Thomas;  Sarah,  de- 
ceased; Benjamin,  Mary  and  Alice.  When  three 
years  of  age,  our  subject  accom|)aiiied  his  parents 
on  their  emigration  to  America.  His  mother  dy- 
ing the  year  following,  he  remained  at  home  until 
eight  years  of  age,  and  then  went  to  live  with  an 
elder  sister,  with  whom  he  made  his  home  until  fif- 
teen years  of  age.  At  that  age  he  started  out  in 
the  world  for  himself,  hiring  out  to  work  by  the 
month  as  a  farm  hand.  During  his  younger  days, 
he  attended  the  common  schools,  and,  after  reach- 
ing manhood,  took  a  special  course  at  Ypsilanti. 
and  prei)ared  himself  to  teach,  which  occupation  he 
followed,  however,  only  a  short  time. 

On  coming  to  the  Wolverine  State,  our  subject 
first  located  in  Sanilac  C(ninty,  where  he  made  a 
purchase  of  forty  acres  of  land.  He  improved  his 
property,  and,  after  making  various  removals,  in 
1870  came  to  Allegan  County,  and  made  perma- 
nent settlement  on  his  i)resent  farm.  In  18(!2,  he 
enlisted  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and  joined 
Conqiany  K,  Twenty -second  ]\Iichigan  Infantry. 
His  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumljerland,  and  while  partiei[iating  in  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga,  he  received  a  gun-shot  wound  in 
his  arm,  which  necessitated  its  am|iiitation.  He 
was  first  taken  to  the  field  hos[)ital  at  Nashville, 
and  from  there  was  sent  to  St.  IMary's.  and  later. 
Harper's  Hospitals,  at  Detroit.  He  was  unable  to 
return  home  until  .June  -iO,  ISd.').  .-it  which  date  he 
received  his  honorable  dischari;e. 


618 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


November  18,  1877.  Mr.  Bishop  and  Miss  Mary, 
daughter  of  Calvin  and  Lama  Drake,  were  united 
in  marriage,  in  Kewaunee  County.  Wis.  Mrs.  Bish- 
op's parents  were  residents  of  that  place  at  tlie 
time  of  her  marriage,  but  were  natives  of  New 
York.  who.  in  18S1.  removed  to  Geneva,  Van 
Buren  County.  Mit-h.  Our  subject  is  a  member 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  of 
So\itii  Haven;  also  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, of  the  same  city.  He  is  a  strong  Repul)lican, 
politically,  and  represented  his  township  in  many 
otlicial  positions,  among  which  was  Township 
Treasurer.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  are 
greatly  esteemed  in  Casco  Township. 


ELIAS  B.  WILLISUN.  The  village  of  Au- 
gusta is  proud  to  count  amoung  its  citizens 
a  number  of  retired  farmers,  who,  after 
lives  of  severe  toil,  have  b}'  industry  and  enter- 
prise accumulated  a  handsome  competency,  and 
are  now  tjiking  their  comforts  in  this  village. 
Among  them  there  is  none  more  honored  than 
Elias  B.  Willison,  whose  sterling  integrity  and 
earnest  advocacy  of  every  movement  in  favor  of 
morality  iiave  given  him  the  resjiect,  and  have 
earned  him  the  gratitude,  of  all  with  wIuum  he 
has  been  associated. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  born  August  22, 
1825,  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son 
of  Samuel  ••unl  Kli/a  (  Banks)  Willison,  natives,  re- 
spectively, of  New  York  and  Connecticut.  His 
Grandfatiier  Willison  wasanativeof  Ireland  and 
liis  grandmother  was  born  in  Wales;  liiey  emi- 
grated to  .\nierica  |)rior  lo  the  Revolutionary  War, 
in  wliich  conllict  the  grandfatiier  fought. 

( )ur  subject  came  to  Michigan  with  his  ji.Trents 
as  early  as  1h:J7,  locating  in  liaiiy  County. 
Their  new  home  was  in  the  woods  and  the  nearest 
neiirhlior  wa>tlirei'  miles  di^lanl.  On  niakhig  (he 
journe\  to  the  Wolverine  Slate,  the  elder. Mr.  Wil- 
luson  came  overland  with  I  wo  yoke  of  oxen,  camping 
out  by  the  wayside  at  night  and  being  four  weeks 
making  tin"  trip,  iilias  15.  Willison  was  reared  to 
man's  estate  among  the  pioneer  scenes   of    Michi- 


gan and  has  done  his  full  share  of  redeeming  land 
from  its  primeval  state.  He  received  his  primary 
education  in  the  regulation  log  schoolhouse  and 
later  attended  school  at  Battle  Creek. 

Mr.  Willison,  .lune  15,  1848,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Nancy  Ilarkness,  who  was  born 
:Marcli  16.  1830,  in  Ontario,  Canada.  Mrs.  Willi- 
son was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Sack- 
smith)  Ilarkness,  natives  of  the  Kmiiire  State. 
When  six  years  of  age,  she  accomiianied  her  par- 
ents to  Kalamazoo  County,  where  they  located  in 
Alamo  Township,  which  place  was  their  home  for 
three  years.  They  then  removed  lo  Barry  County, 
where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilarkness  died,  leaving  a 
family  of  whom  live  are  living,  namely:  Mrs. 
Margaret  ISIott,  Mrs.  William  Willison,  Jlrs. 
Robert  Marshall.  Mrs.  Klias  Willison  and  Saiii- 
muel  R. 

To  our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  born 
eight  children, seven  of  whom  are  living:  Melvin 
J.,  George  E.;  Agnes,  who  is  the  wife  of  John 
Trick;  Kstella,  Mrs.  Charles  Noble;  Frank  L.,  AVil- 
ford  E.  and  Eva  1).  Mr.  Willison  is  the  i>roud 
possessor  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  ex- 
cellent land,  which  bears  all  the  improvcment.s  of 
a  first-class  estate,  lie  was  Supervisor  of  Harry 
Townshii),  Barry  County,  for  one  year  and  also 
served  as  Road  Conunissioner  in  that  county. 
ISIrs.  Willison  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  in  polities  our  sniiject  is  a  stanch 
Democrat. 


*^^^1@^©I^^ 


/^4\  EYMOlli   S.    Cr.M  MINGS,   ex-Postmaster 

^^^    of  IJichland  and  an    early  settler    of   that 

KL/^J    township,    was    a    native     of     New     ^'ork 

State,  his  liirlli  having  occurred  in  Sche- 
nectady County,  March  12,  \M0.  Ills  parent.s, 
lleiijamin  and  l'',li/.alie11i  ( I  lanilin)  Cummings.  were 
also  natives  nl'  lln'  I'.nipire  Stale.  His  paternal 
anci-stors  wi'ie  said  to  have  been  Scotch,  while  on 
his  mother's  side  he  is  of  luiglish  descent. 

The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Kalamazoo 
Count y  in  1H:!I,  several  years  befoie  the  Teriitoiy 
was  adniilled  into  Ihc  Inioii  as  a  Slate.  The 
faniih'  joined  hint  in  the  new  home   the   lollowiiig 


POKTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


(519 


year  and  located  in  Richland  Township  where  he 
had  iiropart'd  a  home  for  them.  The  chler  Mr. 
Ciimmings  w;is  married  twice  and  became  the 
father  of  the  folh)winir-named  chihlren:  Ben- 
jamin F.,  William  II.;  .lulia  E.,  the  widow  of 
George  Watkins;  Irene  B.,  Ephraim  H.  and  Sey- 
mour S.  He  de[)arted  this  life  in  1818,  and  in  his 
dcatli  the  county  lost  one  of  her  early  pioneers 
and  well-to-do  citizens.  He  was  a  millwright  by 
trade  and  built  many  of  the  bridges  in  this  county. 
In  politics,  he  voted  the  Democratic  ticket. 

Mr.  Cummings  of  this  sketch  was  reared  to 
man's  estate  amid  tiie  pioneer  scenes  of  Kalamazoo 
County  and  was  trained  to  all  the  pursuits  per- 
taining to  a  farmer's  son.  The  advantages  af- 
forded the  joutii  of  that  period  were  not  what  they 
are  to-day,  but  Mr.  Cummings  made  the  best  of 
his  (ipportnnitlesand  now  ranks  among  the  intel- 
ligent and  well-read  citizens  of  the  county. 

Noveml)er  1.5,  1860,  the  original  of  this  sketch 
was  married  to  Martha  Cook,  who  was  born  in 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  September  10,  1838.  Mrs. 
Ciunmings  was  the  daughter  of  Norrisand  Syrena 
A.  (Waring)  Cook,  her  parents  being  natives  also 
of  the  Enijiire  State.  Her  ancestors  on  both  sides 
of  the  liouse  were  well-to-do  English  i)eopic.  In 
1H5.5,  with  her  [larents,  slie  emigrated  to  this 
county,  where  the  family  located  in  Richland 
Township.  There  ISIr.  Cook  died  in  1879;  his  wife 
sti!l  survives  at  a  good  <)td  age,  having  been  born 
ill  1817.  Of  the  [larental  fainilj'  of  live  children, 
all  are  living  with  one  exception.  JMary  A.,  is 
the  wife  of  Moiy  A.  Nichols;  Martha  is  Mrs.  S.  S. 
C'ummings;  Harriet.!,  married  Stephen  Wood  and 
Ellen  r>.  is  the  wife  of  George  Shean. 

Mrs.  Cummings  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Ladies'  Aid 
Society  of  the  same.  In  1886,  our  siiliject  was  aj)- 
[lointed  Postmaster  of  Richland  under  President 
Cleveland,  and  served  for  a  period  of  three  years 
and  eight  months.  He  is  a  linn  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  IS  highly  esteemed  as  a  moral  and  upright 
citizen.  Mv.  and  Mrs.  Cummings  are  very  popular 
members  of  society  in  Richland  and  contribute 
lilierally  of  their  means  for  the  furtherance  of  all 
good  olijects.  Tlic  estate  of  our  subject  includes 
ninety  acres  of  valuable  land   and    is   located   on 


section  28.  Although  he  does  not  reside  upon 
his  farm,  he  gives  it  his  personal  supervision  and 
reaps  a  handsome  income  therefrom.  A  sistei'  of 
our  subject,  Irene  B.  C'ummings,  makes  her  home 
with  him. 


IL15ERT  LAM.MON.  Among  the  pionii- 
nent  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Hartford, 
\i3SJ  ^^an  Buren  County,  no  one  is  more  vyorthy 
of  note  than  he  whom  we  here  name,  who  is 
carrying  on  tlie  furniture  business.  He  was  born 
in  .Tefferson  County,  N.  V.,  M.'iy  19,  1826,  and  there 
grew  to  mature  years,  and  married  in  the  county 
of  his  birth  in  1818.  The  ladv  <if  his  choice  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Ellen  Avery.  In  18;').5, 
they  eanie  to  Michigan  and  located  on  a  farm  in 
Van  Buren  County,  which  he  cleared  and  still 
owns.  The  jilace  is  situated  two  miles  east  of  the 
village.  When  he  came  to  this  county  there  was 
nothing  but  a  wild  forest  where  Hartford  now 
stands. 

Mr.  Lammon  is  a  son  of  Noah  and  Nancy  (CJault) 
Lamnion,  natives  of  New  York  State,  the  father  be- 
ing born  in  Ridgewatcr  in  June,  1786.  Our  sub- 
ject was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  and  to 
himself  and  his  worthy  wife  have  been  born  two 
children:  Frank  and  George.  The  former  resides 
on  the  home  farm,  and  the  latter,  in  partnership 
with  his  father,  is  carrying  on  the  largest  business 
of  its  kind  in  the  village.  Poltically,  our  subject 
casts  his  vote  and  influence  with  the  Republican 
party.  The  beloved  wife  of  our  subject  was 
called  to  the  world  beyond  in  August,  1888,  and 
is  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her. 


•4 


.    -m 


^^^as 


M>-^^<m 


OSES  S.  IIAWLEY  has  been  a  resident  of 
Michigan  for  many  years,  and  in  his  early 
li  life  here  w.as  prominent  as  an  educator. 
For  the  past  thirty-tive  years,  he  has  been 
identilicd  witli  the  farming  interests  of  Van  Buren 
County,  and  has  a  good  farm  iileasanlly  situated 
in  Bangor  Townshii).  The  birth  of  our  sul)ject  took 


620 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


place  in  Ontario  County.  X.  Y.,  in  the  year  1812, 
Le  being  the  eldest  in  the  family  of  eight  children 
of  Daniel  and  Currant  (Blake)  Hawley.  Ills  father 
was  l)oru  in  Conneeticut.  and  was  a  valiant  sol- 
dier in  the  AVar  (:)f  1812.  lie  wa.^  a  son  of  Moses 
and  Mary  Hawley,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  sol- 
dier of  Rcvolutionarv  fame.  The  names  of  the 
brother  and  listers  of  our  subject  are  as  follows: 
Augustus,  who  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Jackson  until  his  death  in  that  city;  James 
H.  and  Henry  15..  twins:  Julia  A..  Mai  v  K.,  John 
C.  and  Lyman  C. 

He  of  wliom  we  write  was  tiioroiighly  cdiK-ated 
at  Hamilton  College,  in  New  York,  and  early 
adopted  the  profession  of  te.icher,  in  which  he  en- 
joyed a  successful  career  of  several  years'  dura- 
tion. In  1815,  he  sought  the  young  and  growing 
State  of  Michigan,  for  a  liroader  field  for  his  labors, 
and  in  a  short  time  attracted  notice  as  an  instructor 
of  more  than  ordinary  talent  for  imparling  knowl- 
edge, ■who  was  progressive  in  his  modes  of  teach- 
ing, and  had  his  scholars  under  firm  control.  His 
iii'St  experience  was  at  St.  Joseph,  where  he  taught 
school  two  j'ears;  he  then  accepted  llie  professor- 
ship of  the  Albion  Seminary,  which  position  lie 
held  four  ^-ears;  and  after  that  lie  was  Sui)erinten- 
dent  of  the  Ypsilanti  schools  for  a  like  length  of 
time.  He  also  taught  in  other  places  in  this  State. 
Early  in  1  «.">(!.  he  began  his  course  as  a  farmer,  on  his 
present  farm,  and  has  displayed  an  equal  adaptation 
to  this  vocation.  Energetic  and  well-directed  pio- 
neer lalior  was  retpiired  to  bring  his  land  to  its 
present  excellent  condition,  as  when  it  came  into 
ills  po.'ssession  it  w.'is  in  its  primeval  state,  and  he 
had  literally  to  develop  his  farm  from  the  wilder- 
ness. It  is  now  under  good  cultivation,  is  fenced 
into  convenient  lields,  wiiose  wcil-tiUcd  ;icres  \ield 
abundant  harvests,  and  it  is  supplied  with  all  the 
facilities  for  conducting  agriculture  aflcr  the  incist 
approved  modern  niclliods,  besides  being  slocked 
with  callle,  horses  and  liogs  to  its  full  capacity. 

Ml.  Il.-iwley  wits  married  while  still  a  resident  nf 
New  Viiik,  ti)  Miss  Maria  .1.  Kipley,  !i  native  nf 
Livingnlon  County,  that  Stab',  whose  devotion  to 
hiH  intercuts  linH  been  n  f;realhelp  to  him  in  his  life. 
Of  the  six  ehildreii  burn  to  them,  four  aie  deeeiised: 
WnrwIcU.  Who   died  in   iiifancv:  Smedlev   S.,   who 


died  when  a  child;  Mary  S.,  who  married  James 
Steward,  and  died  in  the  bloom  of  early  woman- 
hood: and  Jennie  ^I..  who  died  when  a  child.  Two 
children  are  spared  to  bless  their  declining  years, 
and  to  make  their  home  cheerful:  Mills  O.  and 
Ilattie  B. 

Possessing  a  mind  well  trained  by  a  liberal  edu- 
cation, and  balanced  b^-  strong  common  sense,  to- 
gether witli  other  traits  that  win  confidence,  our 
subject  from  the  first  has  t)ccupied  a  high  position 
in  the  councils  of  liis  fellow-citizens.  He  has  rep- 
resented Bangor  Township  on  the  County  Board 
of  Supervisors,  and  has  held  many  other  resiionsi- 
ble  offices.  He  has  ever  been  liini  and  consistent 
ill  his  support  of  the  Democratic  party.  Belig- 
iously,  he  and  his  family  are  Presbyterians,  and 
they  are  among  our  best  ]ieople.  socially.  The 
wife  and  mother  depiuted  this  life,  January  11, 
isi(2. 


i^i-H- •»••{•£ 


y***+F 


(^  MLI.IAIM  L.  DAVIS.  This  successful  farmer 
\/\j//  of  Kalamazoo  County  owns  .and  manages 
}y^  a  farm  consisting  of  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty-seven  acres,  iileasanlly  located  on  sec- 
tion 23,  Prairie  Ronde  Township.  Although  not 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  his  resi- 
dence here  of  more  than  tlii:ty  years  h.as  madeliim 
prominent  in  the  public  :iftair>  and  well  known 
among  the  citizens.  Much  of  his  prosperity  is  due 
to  the  fact  that  he  keeps  abreast  with  the  times,  is 
a  practical  :igricultiirisland  thoroughly  .accpiainted 
with  every  detail  of  farm  work. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Davis  were  natives  of 
rcnnsylvania  and  were  by  name  .VIexander  W. 
and  Elizabeth  l{.(Livingston)Davi.s.  After  the  death 
of  Mrs.  Davis,  which  occurred  in  tiie  Keystone 
State,  he  came  West  to  Illinois  and  for  eight  years 
iiiMile  hi>  iioiiie  ill  Will  ('ouiil\.  removing  thence 
to  Kalamazoo  County,  this  Slate,  in  1H(;2.  I''or 
twenty  years  he  was  idenlilicd  with  the  citizens  of 
I'rairie  Bonde  Township,  and  his  death  in  1882 
was  iiKiurned  by  a  large  circle  of  actniainlaiiees. 

'I'iie  eldi'st  of  the  family  of  three  children, 
William  L.,  was  born  in  Ceiitic  Coiiiily,  Pa.,  De- 
cember 20,  I.S12.  He  spent  his  cliildhood  in  the 
Keystone  State  and  acconipunied  his  fatlier  to  Will 


chdAJi  Ovi'^^^-^^yO 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


623 


County,  111.,  when  he  was  about  eleven  years  old. 
Ill  FebriiMiy,  1802,  he  came  to  Prairie  lloude 
Tuwiiship,  whoio  he  has  since  resided.  A  few  ^ears 
after  coming  hither,  he  was  married  in  Lawlon, 
this  State,  .Tan nary  1,  1867,  to  Miss  Mary  C,  daugli- 
ter  of  the  late  Kansford  C.  and  Harriet  (Bair) 
Iloyt,  whose  sketcli,  together  with  tiiat  of  her  two 
brothers,  Owen  L.  and  Jonathan  C,  ai)pears  in  an- 
other part  of  this  volume.  She  was  l)orn  in  the 
township  wliich  is  now  her  liome,  September  2, 
18.50,  and  is  highly  esteemed  liy  tlie  i)eople  among 
whom  her  entire  life  has  been  passed. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  are  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: Alice  L.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Clark  D.  Gil- 
christ, and  Willard  II.  Mr.  Davis  has  been  too 
closely  occupied  with  his  farming  interests  to  de- 
vote any  considerable  attention  to  political  mat- 
ters, and  is  neither  an  active  partisan  nor  an  oflice- 
seeker,  preferring  quiet  domestic  pleasures  to  the 
excitement  and  dissatisfacttion  of  public  life.  lie 
believes  that  tlie  [)latform  of  the  Democratic  party 
is  the  best  adapted  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the 
Government,  and  therefore  favors  its  principles  in 
National  issues. 


_y 


/" 


♦^♦s 


I  I^ILLIAM  G.  PLUMMER.  The  gentleman 
\rJ//  whose  lineaments  are  ])erpetuated  in  the 
^^^  portrait  on  the  opposite  page  is  probably 
one  of  the  best-known  men  in  this  portion  of  the 
State.  He  was  born  in  Kal.aniazoo  County,  in  1832, 
and  is  at  present  cultivating  the  soil  of  sections 
25  and  17,  West  Casco  Township,  Allegan  Countj', 
where  he  has  a  good  estate.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel 
A.  and  Jane  Plumnier,  the  father  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  upon  the 
farm  of  his  parents,  and,  on  their  removal  to  Ohio, 
accompanied  them  thither,  locating  in  Medina 
when  that  portion  of  the  State  was  quite  new. 
The  elder  Mr.  Plummer  was  a  veteran  in  the  Black 
Hawk  War  and  located  in  Kalamazoo  County, 
Mich.,  in  1830.  He  there  met  and  married  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  who  bore  the  maiden  name 
of   Jane    Giddings.     In    1834  the  young    couple 


removed  to  Saugatuck,  where  the}'  were  the  third 
family  to  settle  at  the  month  of  the  Kalamazoo 
River.  Tiiere  the  fallier  foUowcd  shii)-carpentering 
a  few  years  and  later  came  to  Allegan  and  (^iterated 
the  old  Exchange  Hotel,  also  the  Allegan  House. 

In  1849,  Daniel  A.  Plummer  crossed  tJLe  plains 
to  California  in  company  with  several  other  gen- 
tlemen, they  being  six  months  on  tlie  road,  travel- 
ing overland  with  ox-teams.  He  engaged  in  min- 
ing at  Placerville,  (ieorgetown,  and  numerous 
other  places  in  tlie  State.  He  was  very  successful, 
b\it.,  growing  tired  of  mining,  decided  to  hx'ate  in 
Oakland,  Alameda  County,  Cal.,  and  there  died  in 
1888. 

William  G.  Plummer  was  one  of  three  children 
boi'n  to  his  parenls,  his  brother  and  sister  being 
Charles  and  Marj',  the  latter  of  whom  is  deceased. 
When  fourteen  years  of  age  our  subject  began  to 
earn  his  own  living.  He  went  to  work  on  a  farm 
in  Wisconsin,  remaining,  however,  only  a  few 
months,  when  he  commenced  sailing  on  the  lakes. 
He  was  thus  engaged  for  a  twelvemonth,  when  he 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  Saugatuck  Township, 
and  went  to  work  in  the  lumber  woods.  He  later 
commenced  sawmilling,  being  so  employed  for 
twenty  years. 

When  twenty-five  3'ears  of  age,  our  subject  and 
Miss  Susan,  daughter  of  Timothy  and  Emeline 
McDowell,  were  united  in  marriage.  Their  \inion 
has  been  blessed  by  the  advent  of  seven  children, 
viz.:  Charles  E.,  living  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.; 
Alice,  deceased;  Timothy;  Mary  J.,  who  is  the  wife 
of  E.  Holly;  Susan,  a  dressmaker  in  South  Haven; 
Lncj',  a  teacher  of  South  Haven;  and  William,  who 
is  deceased.  Mrs.  Susan  Plummer  died  in  1884, 
and  our  subject  later  married  Miss  Anna  M.  Shaw, 
a  native  of  Ohio. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  located  on  his  present 
beautiful  estate  in  1864.  His  home  place  numbers 
ninety  acres,  which  at  the  time  it  came  into  his 
possession  was  an  unbroken  wilderness.  Mr.  Plum- 
mer can  relate  many  an  interesting  tale  of  pioneer 
hardships  which  have  made  a  lasting  impression  on 
his  mind.  At  one  time,  he  relates  that,  in  com- 
pany with  another  man,  he  went  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Black  River  and  made  hay  a  week  on  the  pres- 
ent site  of  the  thriving  village  of    South  Haven, 


624 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


when  there  was  not  a  lioiise  to  mark  the  spot. 
Sofially.  Mr.  Pliinimcr  is  a  Mason,  and  belongs  to 
both  the  township  and  county  (Iran sic  In  politifS, 
he  is  a  standi  Repuhlican.  His  ijood  wife  is  a 
menihor  of  tiie  Coniiregalional  C'iiiirch  at  South 
Haven  and  is  a  very  enp.'iliU^  and    intfUiuoiit    lady. 


-=]<, 


H^ 


6  """SJ^ 

EDWIN  A.  U)K1I1{.  This  enterprising  and 
industrious  eiti/.en  is  llie  leading  painter 
and  decorator  in  South  Haven.  From 
German  ancestry  lie  derives  the  instincts  of 
frugaiitv  and  careful  consideration  of  ways  and 
means.  He  is  a  native  of  t)liio,  having  licen  horn 
November  2,  18o3,  in  Stark  Ctiunly.  His  paternal 
grandparents,  Joiin  J.  and  Mary  K.  (Snider)  Loehr, 
were  natives  of  Germany,  and  on  coining  to  the 
Fnited  States  located  in  Ohio. 

The  fatlier  of  our  subject.  .lacnli  .1.  Loclir.  was 
also  born  in  Wahlhalben  Uezirk,  Zweibruecken 
Canton,  Waldfisclibach.  lilieinkreize  IJeiern,  on  the 
2Gth  of  August,  1814,  and  was  six  years  old 
when  his  parents  came  to  the  New  \\i)rld.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  the  P>uckeye  Stale,  and  liecame  a 
wheelwright  by  trade.  On  .June  lo,  1857,  he  es- 
tablished a  home  of  his  own  liy  his  marriage  with 
Catherine  Shearer.  He  conliimed  to  follow  his 
trade,  and  tilled  a  farm  which  he  owned,  until  his 
death  on  April  1,  1888.  His  wife  died  Dccciiibcr 
30,  1891,  at  her  home  in  Stark  County,  Ohio. 

\Ve  make  the  following  mention  of  the  parental 
family  of  our  subject,  which  iiulmled  nine 
sons  and  one  daughter:  .Iosi;ih  is  a  farmer  in  Co- 
lumbia Township,  this  county:  Washington  was  a 
mciiibcr  of  Coniii;iny  i>.  One  Hundred  and  Fif- 
teenth Ohio  Infantry,  and  (ills  a  soldier's  grave  at 
.Mapletoii.  .Stark  County.  Ohio;  Henry  .S.  is  resid- 
ing at  Paris,  .Stark  County.  ( lliio:  l.'ciilicii  died  in 
cliildho<id;  John  .1.  resides  in  .st.'irk  ('(uinty,  Ohio; 
our  subject  was  the  next  in  order  of  birth:  Charles 
makes  his  lioiiii' 111  ('.■irroll  Coniilw  Ohio;  (!eorge 
died  in  childhood;  Lincoln  resides  in  Stark  County, 
Ohio,  ."w  does  also  Caroline,  who  is  the  widow  of 
H.  H.  Singer. 

Kilwin  A.  I.fd'hr  passed  his  early  life  altciidiiig 
.sciiool  and  engaged  in  farm  puisiiil.H.      When  (|nile 


yonng,  he  began  earning  money  for  himself  by  sell- 
ing sewing  machines,  and  when  twenty-two  com- 
menced work  at  painting.  Our  subject  came  to 
Michigan  in  1876,  and,  locating  in  Blooniingdale 
Township,  followed  his  trade  for  about  eiglit  years, 
when,  on  account  of  ill-health,  he  purchased  a  farm 
in  Clicshire  Townshij),  Allegan  County,  and  for 
four  years  tilled  the  soil.  At  the  end  of  that  time, 
in  1888,  he  came  to  South  Haven,  and  since  locating 
here,  has  been  eng.aged  as  painter,  decorator,  and 
hardwood  finisher,  beingacontr.actor  in  these  lines. 

Mi.ss  Callie  \'an  \'oorhees  and  Kdwin  A.  Loehr 
were  united  in  marriage  in  1876.  Mrs.  Loehr  was 
the  daughter  of  .loliii  and  Christina  (Kenney)  \'aii 
Voorhees,  prominent  farmers  in  Stark  County, 
Ohio.  Their  union  li.as  been  blesseil  liy  the  birth  of 
t  wo  ( liildren:  Delia  15.  and  Charles  .S.  Politically, 
Mr.  Loehr  is  independent,  and  in  religious  matters 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  h.as  filled  all  the  chairs 
in  that  order.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Na- 
tional Union,  in  which  he  is  and  has  been  Secre- 
tary, from  the  founding  of  the  order  in  South 
Haven,  known  as  South  Haven  Council,  No.  82. 

Mr.  Loehr  erected  his  ple.asant  residence  in  18!) I, 
and  it  ranks  among  the  very  best  in  South  Haven. 
He  is  an  industrious  and  respected  citizen,  and  one 
whose  word  is  considered  as  good  as  his  bond. 

.lolin  \'an  ^'oorhees,  our  subject's  father-iii-law, 
was  lioni  in  ( )sii:iluirgh,  .Stark  County,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember IS),  1821;  Christina  \'an  \'oorhees,  lire 
Kenney,  was  born  in  Canton,  Stark  County,  t)hio, 
September  27,  1827. 


ylLLIAlSI  W.  I'.KOWNKLL.  The  reiire- 
sentalive  of  ;i  family  that  li:is  been  nota- 
ble ill  tlieaniKils  of  llie  history  of  NCniiont 
:ind  Michig.aii,  our  subject  is  now  in  the  enjoyment 
of  rural  life  on  his  fine  farm,  situated  on  sec- 
tion .'i,  I'ort.'ige  Township,  Kalaiiia/.oo  ('ounl\'. 
lie  is  the  son  of  Giles  Mrowiiell,  who  was  prob.ahly 
a  native  of  N'ermont,  while  his  mother,  who  bore 
the  iiiMidcii  iianic  of  Lydia  l>;iker,  [lasseil  her  last 
days  in  K:il:iin;izoo,  this  .Stati'. 

The  original  of   this  sketch  was    the  yiningest  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOrxRAPIUCAL   RECORD. 


625 


the  parental  family  of  four  children,  his  birth  oe- 
ciirring  in  I'ownnl,  Vi.,  Dcecmlier  '.),  181  SI.  He 
was  lull  nine  months  old  when  his  father  died  and 
his  inotiier  married  Joiin  Nichols,  with  whom  she 
removed  to  Pennsylvania  and  settled  in  AA''arren 
C'ounty  where  our  subject  grew  to  manhood.  He 
passed  his  early  years  in  farm  work  in  tlie  summer 
and  lumbering  in  the  winter,  continuing-  to  reside 
with  his  mother  until  April,  185.5. 

William  AV.  Brownell  was  married,  August  SO, 
1842,  to  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Baker)  Sellens,  natives  of  England.  The 
mother  died  in  Warren  County,  Pa.,  while  the  fa- 
ther, who  came  West,  passed  his  last  days  at  the 
residence  of  our  subject.  She  was  the  eldest  of 
the  two  children  born  to  her  parents,  her  natal  da}' 
and  birthplace  being  November  16,  1825,  Sussex, 
England.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage,  Mr.  Brownell 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  the  Key- 
stone State,  but  in  April,  1855,  came  to  Michigan 
and  located  on  a  tract  of  land  in  Kalamazoo  Towji- 
ship,  this  county,  where  he  made  his  home  for  nine 
years.  He  then  removed  to  his  present  residence 
on  section  5,  where  he  has  a  very  productive  and 
valuable  estate.  His  possessions  aggregate  one 
hundred  and  seventy-eight  acres,  which  is  provided 
with  a  good  and  substantial  set  of  buildings,  not 
tlie  least  among  which  is  his  comfortable  brick 
residence. 

Mrs.  Brownell  is  a  most  estimable  ladj'  and  is 
noted  throughout  the  county  as  being  a  model 
housewife  and  caretaker.  By  her  union  with  our 
subject  have  been  born  eight  children,  viz:  Thomas 
(T.,who  is  engaged  in  the  railroad  business  in  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo.;  William  H.,  enlisted  in  the  Union 
Army  and  joined  Company  E,  Eleventh  Michigan 
Cavalry,  and  was  killed  near  King's  Salt  Works  in 
Virginia  by  bushwhackers;  Clarence  is  a  merchant 
in  St.  Mary's,  Kan.;  John  Y.  is  a  manufacturer  of 
windmills;  Alfred  W.  is  also  engaged  in  the  same 
business;  Marion  J.  is  a  farmer;  Mary  is  now  Mrs. 
G.  DeLongand  Francis  E.  is  a  farmer  in  this  town- 
ship. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  the  incum- 
bent of  many  of  the  minor  offices  of  his  township, 
serving  twelve  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
six  years  as  Ilighw.ay   Commissioner.     In  politics. 


he  votes  the  straight  Republican  ticket  and  takes  a 
great  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  his  com- 
munity. AVitli  his  good  wife,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Churcii  and  gives  liberally 
of  his  means  to  the  support  of  all  good  works.  He 
has  been  a  great  worker  in  the  Sunday-school  and 
has  done  efficient  service  as  Superintendent  in  that 
body.  The  friends  of  Mr.  Brownell  are  as  numer- 
ous .as  his  acquaintances  and  he  beais  the  good-will 
of  all  who  know  him. 


I  ,.h  ,  >  >  1  >  hi  ,  h. 


I  <  "^   r^ 


'OHN  KELLOGCt,  a  representative  farmer 
and  stock-raiser  of  Richland  Township, 
Kalamazoo  County,  makes  his  home  on 
__,  section  12.  He  is  a  native  of  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y..  and  was  born  December  14,  1833, 
to  Justin  and  Julia  (Loomis)  Kellogg,  natives  of 
Connecticut.  In  the  spring  of  1844,  our  subject 
accompanied  his  parents  to  Michigan,  they  becom- 
ing early  settlers  of  Washtenaw  County,  where 
they  both  died.  They  were  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  six  children,  tliree  still  surviving:  John,  George 
and  Richard. 

Our  subject  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Washte- 
naw Countj%  and  has  been  a  lifelong  farmer.  He 
attended  the  district  schools  when  a  boy  and  later 
attended  the  old  Ypsilanti  Michig.an  Seminaiy  two 
years.  Mr.  Kellogg  was  married,  October  14,  1861, 
to  Jane  Pearson,  a  native  of  Washtenaw  County, 
having  been  born  June  19,  1839.  Mrs.  Kellogg  is 
a  daughter  of  James  and  Jane  (Muir)  Pearson, 
who  were  natives  of  Scotland.  Her  mother  died 
in  Washtenaw  County,  and  the  father  in  Ottawa 
County,  Mich.;  they  had  six  children,  three  now 
living:  Ezekiel,  Andrew  and  Mrs.  Kellogg. 

One  son,  Andrew  J.,  and  one  daughter,  Carrie 
J.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  have 
come  to  bless  the  home  of  our  subject  and  his 
worthy  wife.  The  son  is  in  business  in  Chicago, 
111.,  at  No.  4309  Berkeley  Avenue,  where  he  deals 
in  electric  bells,  speaking  tubes,  does  locksraithing 
and  repairing  of  bicycles,  locks,  wringers,  guns, 
trunks,  carpet  sweepers,  umbrellas,  etc.  In  1862, 
our  subject  went  to  Barry  County,  where  he  re- 
sided until  1864,  at    which    time    he    came  to  this 


62G 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArinCAL  RECORD. 


townsliip  and  county  and  with  the  exception  of 
four  years  has  lived  iiere  since,  lie  imw  dwiis 
one  hnndied  and  oni'-(inarter  acres  of  lanil  and  is 
a  self-made  man  in  liie  strictest  sense  of  tlie  word. 
He  aHiliat«s  Willi  llie  Democratic  pnrtx  in  politics. 
The  Masonic  order  at  Richland  claims  him  as  one  of 
its  members,  and  lie  and  his  wife  arc  active  in  the 
society  circles  of  the  township.  Mrs.  Kclloiiy's 
sister.  ^latririe  Pearson,  made  her  home  with  onr 
suliject  for  many  ycai-s  and  died  there  in  .lunc, 
ISilt). 


(S^DW.M!!)  1".  IIKUSKV  lias  been  a  resident 
B^  of  \Va\laiiil  Township.  Alleuaii  County. for 
it' — ^  more  than  twcnty-fi\c  years,  and  is  consid- 
ered one  of  it.s  substantial  and  representative 
farmers.  He  was  liorn  in  Chester, (J can aa  County. 
Ohio,  February  21.  l>;iii.  His  parents  were  Daniel 
T.  and  !Mary  (Hobarl)  Ilersey.  his  father  being  a 
native  of  N(n-thaiiiiiton.  Hampshire  County,  IMass. 
and  his  mother  tif  Cattai:iuL;u>  County,  X.  Y. 
His  father  was  l)y  tra(h'  a  carpenter,  but  also  c.ir- 
rieil  on  farming,  to  which  occupation  our  subject 
was  reared. 

Better  facilities  for  acquiring  an  education  were 
given  our  subject  than  were  granted  to  the  major- 
itj' of  hoys  in  that  day.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  for  scveial  years  and  for  two  terms 
was  a  student  at  Chester  Seminary  in  Ohio.  He 
remained  at  home  until  ninclcen  years  of  age, 
when  he  went  to  Wisconsin,  and  for  two  years  fol- 
lowed farming.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  he 
rcturnei]  home,  and  was  married.  .Ian iiaiy  1,  lH(i2, 
to  Harriet  M.  .Morton,  of  Russell,  (icauga  County, 
Ohio,  i'.y  this  marriage,  four  children  have  been 
born,  nam(^ly:  Minnie  C,  Fred  I)..  Maiy  L.  and 
Zoia  I!.,  all  living. 

After  his  marriage,  .Mr.  Ilii>cy  n-idril  in  Ohio 
for  llirec  years,  coming  to  Michigan  .iMiiiiaiy  1, 
ISC"),  and  lociiling  in  the  township  where  he  now 
r('.side.s.  He  look  up  a  place  in  llir  unbroken  for- 
CHt  mid  l)Ogan  Ihc  hard  work  of  clearing  it  and 
preparing  it  for  cnllivalion.  He  now  has  a  line 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  on  wliieh  he  has  plnceil  ex- 
cellent   improvemcntH  and  VNliieh  amply  reiiayi.  by 


its  abundant  harvests,  the  care  th.at  has  been  be- 
stowed n|)on  it.  IJesides  general  tanning,  he  car- 
ries on  stock-raising,  and  <luring  one  year  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cheese.  In  l.ss.'), 
he  erected  a  large  two-story  frame  resi(U>nce  on 
his  place,  a  view  of  which  is  iireseiitecl  in  this  vol- 
ume, and  which  forms  a  conifortable,  convenient 
and  delightful  home. 

.Mr.  Hcrscy  is  a  Uepublican  in  politics  and  takes 
great  interest  in  everything  connected  with  the 
welfare  and  progress  of  his  township  and  eounty. 
He  IS  esiiecially  interested  in  educational  matters 
and  brings  his  inlluence  to  bear  in  the  matter  of 
eni|iloyiiig  competent  teachers  and  building  good 
.schoolhouses.  He  has  held  the  otlice  of  Drainage 
Commissioner.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Congregational  Cliuich  at  AVayland,  and  are 
foremost  in  every  good  work.  His  son  Fred  is  a 
student  in  the  medical  institute  at  Indianaiiolis. 
preparing  himself  for  the  profession  of  a  physician. 
Mary  is  engaged  as  a  stenographer  at  (Jraiid  Rap- 
ids. All  the  children  have  received  excellent  edu- 
cations and  have  been  engaged  in  leaching  school. 
The  family  is  one  of  the  |)roniiiieiit  and  highly 
esteemed  of  Wavland  'I'ownsliii). 


-^ 


^ 


--'-=^ 


yVILLIAM  A.  CHENKY  is  a  proiiiineni 
/  farmer  on  section  .'),  Allegan  Township, 
^^  where  he  operates  ninpty-eiglit  and  a  hall' 
.acres  of  excellent  land.  He  is  a  native  of  Canada, 
having  been  born  March  111,  l.s:i.'5,  aiul  is  the  son 
of  John  L.  and  Kli/.a  (Thornton)  Cheney,  natives 
respectively  of  Connecticut  and  Canada.  The  fa- 
ther was  engaged  extensively  in  the  luiiiber  bii.si- 
ness.  and  continued  to  reside  in  the  Dominion 
niilil  his  death.  'I'lie  parental  family  iiieluded 
llii'ce  children:  onr  subject ;  Marw  .Mrs. . I.  l.ui'as: 
and  I''/li/,a,  IMis.  H.  Robinson. 

\Villiaiii  A.  Cheney  received  a  good  ediical  ion 
in  the  schools  of  Ohio,  whither  he  went  when  ipiile 
yoiiliir.  He  worked  in  the  mills  near  Cleveland, 
thai  Male,  iinlil  reMcliing  his  se\cnleentli  year, 
and  then  came  to  Michigan  and  located  in  Ihanch 
County,  where  he  reniMined  for  two  years.  At  the 
end  of    thai    time,  he   (Mine    to    Allegan    Counlw 


RESIDENCE  OF   WILLIAM     A.  CHENEY,   SEC.  5., ALLEGAN   TP.ALLEGAN  CO., MICH. 


ffi^'         '^^ 


^ 


ntl-: 


\ic.\ul  ICL  OF  ANDREW  A    PLUMMER.5EC    8    GANGES    li  ,  hu.  LomU   lo    Iv,i^.h 


9r»..^i?aii«»..^*fefaK.ii)i^i.Av>  ■>,-^^^..»da8a!iBfe»tfarf>..«a«&M^(aaaaai»^^ 


RESIDENCE   OF   E  .  P.    HERS  EY  ,  SEC.  5.  ,WAYLAND   TP,  ALLEGAN    CO., MICH. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


629 


wliicli  was  ill  Kcliiiiai'y,  1854,  .•iiid,  locMliiio'  in  Al- 
Icuiiii  Townsliii),  (iiignged  In  clc.-ir  scvoiity-l'inii- 
:icri\s  of  !i('a\'v  timlicr  land,  in  company-  witli  (i il- 
licit SliiiR'.  lie  then  worked  in  a  sawmill  in  Al- 
legan for  tliree  years,  and  in  IH.'jH,  lining  imi- 
cliased  a  fai'm  of  forty  acrc>s  in  section  7,  he  coin- 
iiu'iiccil  its  iiiiprovemcnt.  lie  erected  a  frame 
house  on  his  [ilace,  and  continued  to  make  that 
his  home  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War. 

Our  suhject  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Third 
Michigan  Cavalry,  as  a  [irivate.  Mis  company 
went  to  Grand  Rapids,  where  lie  was  detained  for 
three  months;  then  tliej'  were  sent  to  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  where  they  remained  for  a  like  period, 
(ioingdown  the  "Father  of  "Waters,"  the  first  battle 
in  which  they  particijiated  was  at  Farmington. 
Miss.  He  later  took  part  in  many  important  hat- 
ties  and  skirmishes,  and  was  unih'r  command  of 
(iens.  Rosecrans  and  Sherman  at  different  times. 
Mv.  Cheney  was  mustered  out  witli  the  title  of 
Sergeant,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  at 
Brownsville,  Ark.  He  saw  three  3"ears  and  two 
months  of  hard  fighting,  and  during  that  time  was 
only  in  the  hospital  for  eleven  weeks. 

On  returning  home,  Mr.  Cheney  began  farming 
in  Martin  Township,  Allegan  County,  where  he 
remained  for  two  years,  and  then,  selling  his  prop- 
erty, purchased  another  tract  in  section  ii.  He 
m.ade  tliat  his  home  for  two  years,  when  he  dis- 
po.sed  of  his  farm  and  accepted  a  position  as 
Overseer  of  the  Poor  Farm.  He  continued  in  that 
caiiacity  for  eleven  years,  and  gave  the  most  coni- 
liletc  satisfaction  to  both  the  inmates  and  the  town 
authorities.  During  the  time  he  was  the  incum- 
bent of  that  office,  his  wife  died,  September  1(3, 
1H82,  two  children  having  preceded  her  to  the 
belter  land.  In  1881,  Mr.  Cheney  purchased  the 
place  on  which  he  resides  at  the  present  time,  and 
the  same  year  his  wife  died  he  moved  hither.  Ills 
estate  is  embellished  by  a  beautiful  residence,  a 
view  of  which  is  presented  on  another  page,  and 
is  in  every  way  fitted  to  be  the  home  of  an  enter- 
prising and  progressive  gentleman,  such  as  is  Mr. 
Chenej'. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  was  married,  in  18;)7,  to 
Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Sarah  (Brown) 
Howe,  natives  of  Vermont,    who  came    here  at   an 


earl\-  day  and  located  in  Heath  Township,  Al- 
legan County.  Mr.  anil  Mrs.  Cheney  became  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Alice,  Charles  II.  and 
Elmer,  all  of  whom  are  deceased.  Our  subject, 
who  has  been  engaged  in  mixed  farming,  is  ex- 
ti(unely  successful  in  his  calling.  In  politics,  he  is 
a  l\e|iublican,  and  is  a  member  of  the  (Irand  Army 
of  the  Reijublic.  lie  is  also  identified  with  the 
( )dd  Fellows,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  in 
the  county.  lie  served  his  fellow-townsmen  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  term,  with  entire  satis- 
faction to  all  concerned. 


*^^6 


H' 


>m 


1  'A^ •  ■ 


NDREW    PLIMAIER.     This    well-known 
iC'S/Llll    •Hid  respected  citizen  of  Ganges  Township, 
!!    Allegan    County,  is  making  a  success  of 
[1^  agriculture  on  sections  8  and  17,  where  he 

owns  one  hundred  and  two  acres  of  land.  His 
proiierty  bears  all  the  improvements  which  are  to 
be  found  on  a  first-class  estate,  and  he  has  twenty- 
five  acres  devoted  to  the  raising  of  fruit. 

Andrew  Plummer  was  born  inSaugatuck  in  1835, 
lieing  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  township. 
His  parents  were  Iienjamin  and  Elvira  Plummer, 
the  father  born  in  October,  1812,  in  Maine.  The 
grandparents  of  our  subject  removed  to  Wayne 
County,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day.  Benjamin  Plum- 
mer accompanied  them  hither  and  received  a  fair 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  His 
fatlier  dying  when  he  was  yet  in  his  teens,  he  was 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  but  being  strong 
and  willing,  he  soon  made  a  home  for  himself. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  in 
Wayne  County,  Ohio,  and  in  1S34  came  to  Michi- 
gan, loeatingat  Saugatuck.  They  were  transported 
down  the  Kalamazoo  River  on  a  raft  which  the 
father  constructed  and  on  arriving  at  their  desti- 
nation made  themselves  comfortable  in  the  litlk 
log  eabm  which  had  been  prepared  for  them.  The 
elder  Mr.  Plummer  erected  the  first  sawmill  in  this 
locality  and,  in  addition  to  superintending  its  oper 
tion,  cleared  the  land  which  he  had  purchased 
from  the  Government.  In  1850,  he  purchased 
property  in  Ganges  Township,  whence  he  removed 
his  family,  also  being  the  first  man  to  Iniild  a  saw- 


630 


POKTR.UT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


mill  there.  The  parental  family  iiiehulcd  tlie 
folio wiiig-nanied  seven  children:  Frederick,  An- 
diew,  William  II.,  Lucinda,  Elnora,  Mary  J.,  and 
Sarah,  the  latter  four  deceased. 

Andrew  Pliinuner  thought  to  try  his  fortunes  in 
the  State  of  Minnesota,  whither  he  went  after 
reaching  iiis  twenty -second  year.  lie  there  pur- 
chased land  from  the  Government,  but  being  dis- 
satisfied with  his  venture,  went  South  to  Mississippi 
and  Texas,  in  1860,  and  was  compelled  to  remain 
until  tiie  close  of  the  war.  On  his  return  home,  in 
1H6.1,  he  was  married  to  Caroline,  daughter  of  Cy- 
rus and  Cynthia  (Uigsby)  .lerrels.  To  them  have 
l>een  born  four  children:  Otis,  who  died  a1  tlic  age 
of  twenty  yeai-s;  Elmer,  Lewis  and  Ijcnjamin. 

Our  subject  purchased  the  fortj-  acres  included 
in  his  present  home  farm  in  1870.  His  estate  now 
aggregates  one  hundred  and  two  acres,  which  bears 
all  the  modern  improvements  in  the  way  of  build- 
ings and  machinery-.  In  connection  with  this 
sketch  will  be  noticed  a  view  of  this  pleasant  rural 
abode.  In  politics,  Mr.  Plummer  casts  his  vote 
always  witli  the  Republican  i>arty.  A  sket<'h  of 
his  brother,  William  II.  Plummer.  will  Ix'  fnunil  on 
another  page  in  this  volume. 


I^ON.  (ilLHERT  E.  READ.  This  pruniinent 
J;  and  icspected  gentleman  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Riciiland,  Kalamazoo  County,  since 
18  12.  lie  is  a  native  of  Windsor  Count}-, 
\'t.,  his  natal  da\  being  May  6,  1822.  His  parents 
were  Rufus  and  Rlioda  K.  (Dean)  Read,  the  former 
a  native  of  Connecticut  and  llic  latter  of  INIassa- 
cliuselts.  The  Read  family  tnices  its  ancestry 
back  to  the  seventeenth  century,  when  the  jinces- 
tors  were  rcttid<!ntH  of  the  l!ay  State.  ( )ii  the  |iMlfr- 
nal  side  of  the  house,  our  subject  is  of  Knglish  dc- 
.scent.  His  maternal  ^^real-grandfather  was  a  sol- 
dier in  till-  Ri'volutionary  War.  being  a  Captain, 
and    w!ts  killed  at   New  Haven,  Conn. 

(ijlbeitl'",.  R(!ad  was  lifteen  years  of  age  when 
hi.'i  parenL-^  ri'move(l  to  ('lar4Wiiont,  N.  II..  :iiid  tluTc 
they  mad<'  their  home  until  coining  to  Kalama/oo 
Count}',  in   1812.     The   family  made  settlement  in 


Richland  Township,  and  there  our  subject  received 
his  primary  education.  He  later  attended  different 
academies  in  the  State,  and  for  live  winters  was  en- 
gaged in  teaching.  Mr.  Read  li.as  been  a  great 
student  all  his  life  and  is  a  gentleman  who  is  well 
informed  on  all  current  topics. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  son 
in  the  paternal  family  and  was  reared  to  manhood 
on  the  home  farm.  March  6,  1856,  the  Hon.  Gil- 
bert E.  Read  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Daniels,  who 
was  born  October  7,  1831.  Mrs.  Read  was  the 
daughter  of  David  H.  and  Mary  II.  (ISrown)  Dan- 
iels, the  former  now  residing  in  (iaiesburgh,  this 
State,  in  his  eightj'-seventh  yesir.  He  was  a  native 
of  Rhode  Island,  while  his  wife  hailed  from  ISIas- 
sachusetts.  JMrs.  Read  accompanied  her  parents  to 
Richland  Township,  this  county,  in  1832,  thcj-  be- 
ing among  the  very  earliest  settlors  here.  Her 
grandfather.  Deacon  Samuel  Brown,  came  to  Rich- 
land Township  in  1831. 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  Read  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  what  is  now  known  as  the  Old  Branch 
Seminar}-  and  for  two  terms  thereafter  was  engaged 
in  teaching.  By  her  union  with  our  subject,  five 
children  have  been  born,  four  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  Harriet,  who  is  the  wife  of  Justin  Cook, 
of  Homer,  this  State;  Charles  F.,  living  in  Trav- 
erse City,  this  Slate;  Clayton  A.  and  Fannie  K.  are 
graduates  of  the  ]\Iichigan  University,  Miss  Fannie 
being  engaged  in  teaching  at  the  present  time; 
Minnie  R.,  another  daughtei',  is  deceased. 

For  a  number  of  years,  Mr.  Read  served  as  Sup- 
ervisor of  Richland  Township,  and  while  an  in- 
cumbent of  that  position  acted  as  Chairman  of  the 
Koard.  He  has  also  been  Township  Clerk  and 
School  Inspector.  He  was  elected  in  1860  to  the 
Lower  House  of  thelMichigan  State  Legislature  and 
was  successfully  re-elected  in  1862-61,  serving  in 
six  sessions,  there  having  been  three  extra  sessions, 
owing  to  the  war  excitement.  During  his  third 
term,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Read  was  elected  Speaker  of  the 
House,  during  wliii  li  time  he  established  for  hiin- 
s(!lf  a  State  reputation  and  is  ranki'il  .■uiioiig  the 
prominent  and  iiilluential  citizens  of  this  section. 
I>uiiiig  his  lirst  t<'iiii  in  the  Legislature,  Mr.  l{ead 
was  made  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Reform 
Schtjols    and  also   served   on    the   Committee  on 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


C31 


J5:iiiUh,  liicorporfitions,  ete.  During  liis  second 
session,  lu'  served  as  Cli:iinii;iii  of  Uie  Committee 
on  State  Affairs  and  the  State  I'lison  and  was  in- 
strumental in  jiassing  tlic  bill  for  the  granting  of 
the  (irand  Rapids  &■  Indiana  Railroad.  He  w.as  a 
very  aelive  meinlier  of  the  Legislature  and  it  was 
largely  through  his  inlluenee  that  the  api)ropria- 
tion  was  made  for  establishing  the  Insane  Asylum 
at  Kalamazdo. 

In  liS7G,  the  II(jn.  Gilbert  E.  Read  was  elected 
.State  Senator,  serving  one  term  witli  credit  to  him- 
self and  satisfaction  to  liis  constituents.  Four 
years  later,  lie  acted  as  Dejuity  United  States  Mar- 
shal, his  duty  being  to  take  the  census  for  the 
eastern  portion  of  the  count}-.  Mr.  Read  luas  been 
successful  financially,  and  owns  large  tracts  of 
land  in  this  vicinity.  With  his  estimable  wife,  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  where 
the}'  are  active  in  all  good  works  and  are  greatly  re- 
spected. He  has  been  Superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
d.ay-school  and  gives  liberallj-  and  cheerfully  of  his 
means  to  the  support  of  the  church. 

Socially,  our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  in  politics  is  a 
stanch  Republican.  He  has  shown  himself  capa- 
ble of  close  application  to  the  duties  which  lay  be- 
fore him,  and  his  judicious  decisions  and  wise 
course  when  attempting  to  bring  about  a  worthy 
object  are  well  known  to  those  who  are  accpiainted 
with  the  history  of  the  State. 


—5— 


m>-^^<B 


w^^ 


\ELSON  P.  WOODRUFF,  a  representative 
farmer,  residing  on  section  C,  Pine  (Jrove 
\,I^  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  is  a  native 
of  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  born  December  7,  18.38. 
His  father  was  liirdsey  Woodruff,  a  native  of  New 
York,  born  in  171>G,a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812, 
and  a  farmer  by  occujiation.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sarah  P.ovee, 
also  a  native  of  New  York.  She  died  in  183',).  The 
father  married  again,  his  second  wife  l)eing  Eunice 
Piennett,  who  died  in  1884.  He  came  to  Michigan 
in  18,58,  and  settled  in  Hillsdale  County,  on  a 
partly  improved  tract  of  land,  where  he  died  in 
1887,  at  the  age  of  ninety-one  years.     B\-  the  first 


marriage  nine  cliildren  were  born,  live  now  living: 
Mrs.  A.  Ilymes,  .lames  B.,  Sarah  K.,  Louisa  M.,and 
our  subject.  The  parents  were  iiiciiil)i'is  of  the 
Free-will  Ba|)tist  Church. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen,  our  subject  became  inde- 
pendent, commencing  to  work  on  a  farm.  He  was 
married,  November  12,  18fifi,  to  Frances  Sweet,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  AiinaC.  (Menscli)  Sweet, 
both  of  New  York  State.  They  removed  lo  Mich- 
igan in  1848,  and  located  in  Marshall,  Calhoun 
Count}-,  and  for  years  he  carried  the  mail  from 
Detroit  to  Marshall,  following  the  Indian  trails. 
He  lived  in  Hillsdale  County  awhile,  when  he 
came  to  this  county,  and  lived  in  llartfoid, 
and  finall}-  located  in  Goblevillc,  and  thence  b.ack 
to  Ilartfoi'd.  He  died  in  .lune,  1887,  and  his  wife 
in  March,  1885.  Six  of  their  seven  children  sur- 
vive: Mrs.  Weston,  Mrs.  Woodruff,  Franklin  B., 
Celia  Redmond,  William  \V.  and  Willoughby  W. 
They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  P^piscopal 
Church. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  w.as  born  December  7, 
1844,  in  New  York,  and  received  a  district-school 
education.  Our  subject  came  to  Michigan  in 
1860,  and,  in  1862,  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eigh- 
teenth Michigan  Infantry.  They  were  sent  to 
Kentucky,  and  fought  the  guerrillas  through  that 
State.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the  following 
battles:  Perrysville,  Athena,  Fawn  Springs,  two- 
days'  fight  at  Decatur,  Ala.,  and  in  a  number  of 
skirmishes.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  1865, 
after  serving  a  full  term  of  three  years. 

On  Ins  return  from  the  army,  Mr.  Woodruff  set- 
tled in  Hillsdale  County,  and  worked  his  father's 
farm  three  years.  In  1869,  he  removed  to  Allegan 
County,  and  bought  a  small  farm  in  Allegan 
Township,  where  he  lived  nine  years.  At  the  expi- 
ration of  that  time,  he  sold  and  came  to  this  county, 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Bloomingdale  Town- 
ship one  year.  The  next  year  Mr.  Woodruff  came 
to  his  present  farm  in  Pine  Grove  Townshii), 
which  was  a  raw  tract  of  fifty  acres.  Thirty  of 
this  is  well  cleared,  and  all  the  present  substantial 
buildings  he  has  himself  erected. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodruff  are  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Lester,  born  November  12,  1868;  Bes- 
sie, May  15,  1882,  now  living.     They  are  members 


632 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


of  tlio  Metlioflist  Episcopal  Cliurch,  and  are  active 
ill  llie  s:iHK'.  Ml-.  Woodruff  being  one  of  tlu- 
building  coininittee.  lie  is  giving  liis  children  ex- 
cellent sdiool  advantages.  Tiie  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  claim  him  as  one  of  their  leading 
members,  and  he  is  at  present  Sergeant-Major.  lie 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pvthias.  and  in  politics 
is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  are 
friends  of  the  temperance  cause. 


^  E\'I  AC'KLEY,  the  owner  and  occupant  of 
I  (S|  a  lineh"  improved  farm  on  section  30, 
['L-^,  Columbia  Township,  is  one  of  the  best 
known  and  most  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Van 
Buien  County.  He  traces  his  ancestry  b.ack  through 
several  generations  to  Sterling  Ackley,  a  resident 
of  A'ermont,  who  was  descended  from  English 
stock.  The  son  of  Sterling  was  Calvin,  a  native 
of  the  fireen  Mountain  State,  who,  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  enlisted  in  the  War  of  Independence. 
Afterward  hp  removed  to  Schoharie  County,  N. 
Y.,  of  which  he  became  a  very  early  settler,  and 
about  181!)  removed  thence  to  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  engaging  in  farming  there  until  his  de.atliat 
the  age  of  ninety-four.  Politically  lie  w-as  a 
stanch   Democrat. 

The  wife  of  Calvin  Ackley  was  known  in  maid- 
enhfwd  as  Phebc  Sillick,  and  wa.s  the  mother  of 
twelve  children,  eleven  of  whom  attained  to  ma- 
turity, viz:  Levi,  Clarissa,  Ezra,  Whitfield,  Wal- 
grave,  Ionian,  .Tulia,  Eliza,  I'liilctus,  Emily  and 
Chester.  The  member  of  the  family  in  wliom  we 
are  particular  interested  is  Whitfield,  who  was 
lK)rn  in  Sclioharie  County,  N.  Y.,  May  7,  1H0.5,  ami 
accompanied  ids-  iiarcnts  to  Oiiio  when  fourteen. 
lie  wan  a  well-informed  man,  but  his  cducatiini 
was  mainly  self-ac(piired.  He  s('rvc<l  as  .Itistice  of 
the  I'e.'icc  and  in  other  ollicial  capacities  in  the 
Uuckeye  Slate. 

In  IHIU;,  Whitlield  ,\ckh-y  niiiipved  to  Putnam 
County,  ( (hill,  wlierc  he  cntcrrd  a  trad  of  eighty 
acres  and  fur  in.Miiy  years  devoted  his  altiiilinn  in 
its  improvciiii'iit.  In  IH;")!,  lie  came  West  to  La- 
grange, Ind..  HJicre  he  was  bere!ive<l  by  the  death 
of  his   wife.  Mil  estimable   liid\ .   kimwii    in  niaiileii- 


liood  as  Mary  Chambers.  She  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Pa.,  and  was  the  daughter  of  James 
and  .lane  ('\Miarrey)  Chambers,  who  emigrated 
from  County  Down,  Irel.and,  to  the  United  States, 
prior  to  the  War  of  1812.  Their  first  home  was 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  from  th.at  State  they  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  settling  in  Licking  County.  They 
reared  a  family  of  six  sons  and  live  daughters. 
Mr.  Chambers,  who  participated  in  the  War  of 
1812  as  a  private,  followed  the  trade  of  a  farmer 
and  weaver.  Religiously,  he  .and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  Whitfield  and  Mary 
Ackley,  namely:  IjCvi,  our  subject;  .lames  IL; 
Alexis  and  Martha  J.,  who  died  at  the  ages  respect- 
ively of  nineteen  and  thirty-two  years;  Deme- 
trius; Edwin  R.,  who  died  in  childhood;  William 
W.,  who  passed  aw.ay  when  twenty-four;  and  Ilo- 
mera  Robhins.  Whitfield  Ackley  removed  *  to 
Michigan  in  1867,  and  made  his  home  with  his 
children  until  his  second  marriage,  in  May,  1871, 
when  he  was  united  with  Mrs.  llilliard,  of  Berrien 
Count)'.  Me  died  in  lliat  county,  in  January, 
1890.  lie  was  a  man  of  upright  ch.aracter  and  un- 
llinciiing  integrity,  and,  in  his  religious  views, 
was  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Our  subject  was  born  July  27,  1828,  his  birth- 
place one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Newark,  in 
Licking  County,  Ohio.  He  received  a  good  edu- 
cation and  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  to 
his  majority,  when  he  began  for  himself.  He  was 
eng.aged  in  faniiiiiu  during  the  summer  seasons, 
and  followed  tiie  profession  of  a  te.icher  for  fifteen 
winters.  He  accoiniianied  his  father  to  Putnam 
County,  Ohio,  whence,  in  1867,  he  came  to  \':iii 
r.uren  County,  and  resided  in  Arlington  and  Ban- 
gor until  -lauury,  1870.  lie  then  i)iirchased  and 
rciii(>vc(l  to  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  As  a  mcinl)c-r  of  the  Republican 
parly,  he  takes  considendile  iiitcrcsl  in  IocmI  |)oli- 
tics.  and  liiilli  in  ( )lii()  :iiid  Michigan  lias  lilled  va- 
rious otlicial  [losilioiis.  lie  has  served  his  town- 
ship as  Treasurer,  Supervisor,  and  Suiierinteiideiit 
of  schools  for  six  years. 

In  October,  1862,  Mr.  Ackley  enlisted  in  Com- 
p:uiy  K.  Twenty-llrst  Ohio  Infantry,  and  after  serv- 
iiiii  for  nine  iniinlhs   w:is  liouoralil \'    discharged  at 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL   RECORD. 


633 


the  expiration  of  liis  terra  of  enlistment.  Several 
years  prior  to  his  war  service,  he  was  married, 
Ai)ril  4,  18.51,  to  Eliza  Tweedale,  who  was  born 
in  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  April  11,  183.'').  llcr 
parents,  Robert  and  Is.alielle  ( Mel n  tyre)  Tweedale, 
were  likewise  natives  of  County  Antrim,  who  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1838,  settling  in 
Juniata  Count3',  Pa.,  where  the  father  secured 
employment  as  a  blacksmith.  In  the  spring  of 
181,5,  he  removed  to  Pandora,  Putnam  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  died  November,  18,54,  at  the  age 
i)f  (ifty-five.  His  wife  survived  until  October, 
1871,  when  she  passed  away  at  Bloomingdale, 
Mich. 

The  family  to  which  Mrs.  Ackle^'  belongs  com- 
|irised  six  children:  William,  Alexander,  Eliza, 
.lane,  .John  and  Robert.  .Tohn  entered  Company 
E,  Twenty-fifth  Ohio  Infantry,  and  fell  in  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg;  Robert  enlisted  in  company 
A,  First  Ohio  Cavalry,  and  was  taken  prisoner 
after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  lie  died  while  in 
prison  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  April  25,  1864.  Our 
subject  and  his  excellent  wife  have  had  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  Mary  I.,  who  died  when  four 
years  old;  Wallace, of  Mitchell,  S.  Dak.;  Leman,also 
a  resident  of  South  Dakota;  Jane,  the  wife  of 
George  ]>.  Abbott;  Emma  and  John,  who  still  re- 
main at  home. 


v_ 


/  *^=*= 


^S^LIJAII  WARNER  was  born  in  Orleans 
|U  County,  N.  Y.,  November  27,  1828,  and  is 
/*' — ^  at  present  residing  on  a  lieaiitiful  farm  on 
section  4,  Porter  Township,  ^'an  Huron  County. 
His  parents  were  Leonard  and  Lovina  (Thurston) 
Warner,  natives  of  the  Empire  State,  where  the 
father,  who  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  died  in 
1847,  his  good  wife  passing  away  in  1886.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living. 

Elizah  Warner  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
and  received  a  district-school  education,  lie  re- 
mained at  home  until  reaching  his  twentieth  year, 
and  in  18,51  went  to  California  by  way  of  the 
Isthmus,  buying  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  through 


ticket.  It  jiroved  to  be  good  only  as  far  as  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama  and  he  was  thus  detained  in 
that  place  for  two  weeks.  An  English  bark  com- 
ing in,  the  five  hundred  passengers,  who  had  also 
been  imposed  upon,  chartered  the  vessel  and  with 
provisions  for  sixty  da^s started  out  on  the  Pacific. 
In  about  five  weeks  they  found  themselves  to  be 
within  one  degree  of  the  equator,  and  in  three  weeks 
more  were  obliged  to  be  put  on  half  rations.  They 
were  becalmed  under  the  equator  for  two  weeks, 
when  the  crew  began  to  get  sick  and  the  rations 
were  again  cut  down.  After  about  two  months 
'spent  in  sailing  around,  they  had  reached  fourteen 
degrees  north  latitude.  Their  rations  at  that 
time  were  a  half-pint  of  water  and  a  little  rice 
which  were  portioned  out  every  twenty-four 
hours. 

On  that  perilous  voyage  to  the  Golden  State, 
fifty  of  the  passengers  died  from  thirst  and  star- 
vation, and,  when  within  five  hundred  miles  of 
land,  they  had  only  three  days'  provisions,  at  the 
lowest  possible  rate  per  da^'.  That  night  a  wind 
sprang  up  and  in  three  days  they  were  landed  in 
Mansinillo,  Mexico,  and  went  into  port  with  five 
gallons  of  water  on  board.  During  that  period 
our  subject  lost  fifty  pounds  of  flesh.  The  party 
was  still  fifteen  hundred  miles  from  California,  in 
a  strange  country  without  money  or  friends.  They 
were  provided  with  food  by  the  Mexican  authori- 
ties for  six  weeks,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  they 
waited  upon  the  American  Consul  at  San  Bias. 
That  gentleman  said  he  could  not  give  them  aid,  as 
they  were  gold  hunters.  They  then  applied  to  the 
English  Consul,  who,  upon  learning  that  they  had 
five  hundred  tons  of  stone  coal  upon  their  vessel, 
which  was  very  valuable  at  that  time,  agreed  to 
see  them  safel}'  to  their  destination.  The  Consul 
disposed  of  the  coal  to  the  Pacific  Steamship  Com- 
{)an3'  at  Acapulco  and  with  the  proceeds  chartered 
another  vessel  and  sent  the  party  on  their  way  re- 
joicing. The  vessel  was  provisioned  and  filled 
with  leaky  water  casks.  They  again  started  out 
for  a  voyage  of  thirty-two  days  and  after  two 
weeks  were  put  upon  short  rations.  In  four  weeks 
one-half  of  the  contents  of  the  water  casks  had 
leaked  out,  when  a  guard  was  placed  over  the  casks 
and  provisions.     After  sailing  for  three  weeks  they 


634 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


were  within  three  davs'  voyage  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  and  after  being  out  sixty-five  days  passed 
through  the  (rolden  Gate  and  entered  San  Fran- 
cisco. They  anchored  beside  a  clipper  ship  which 
was  ready  to  start  for  Australia.  The  captain 
rolled  up  fifteen  barrels  of  crackers  and  told  the 
starving  passengers  to  help  themselves. 

When  landing  on  the  shores  of  California,  Mr. 
Warner  could  not  walk  more  than  two  rods  at  a 
time.  Accepting  the  offer  of  a  captain  of  a  boat 
bound  for  Sacramento  to  take  as  many  of  the  pas- 
sengers to  that  city  as  wanted  to  go,  our  subject 
made  one  of  the  company.  On  arriving  there,  he* 
was  taken  sick  and  for  Iwo  weeks  lay  in  an  hotel, 
where  he  received  kind  treatment  from  the  land- 
lord. From  Sacramento,  Mr.  Warner  went  to 
Marysville  and  then  to  Park's  IJar,  where  he  bor- 
rowed a  pick  and  i)an  fioni  a  miner,  lie  was  ob- 
liged ttt  beg  his  dinner  after  the  lirst  day's  labor, 
and  then  went  down  the  river  again  to  l\I:uysville. 
For  some  time  he  was  unable  to  find  em[)l()yment, 
but  finally  w.as  engaged  \i<  wlieel  clay  up  out  of  a 
bed  in  a  biickyard.  His  ])Oor  health  would  not 
allon'  him  to  continue  in  that  line  of  work  and  lie 
wa.s  then  occupied  turning  over  bricks  in  the  yard. 
He  worked  thus   for  three  weeks.    ' 

.•\fter  leaving  the  lirickyard,  Mr.  Warner  went 
to  Hanglown  and  upon  arriving  there  hail  -SlOin 
his  pocket.  He  was  so  fortunate  as  to  fall  in  with 
an  old  ac(|uaintance,  who  owned  a  nmch.and  found 
employment  with  him  for  a  lime,  lie  later  met  a 
friend  who  gave  him  V'.W,  with  wliieh  to  procure 
some  better  chpthinL'.  lie  paid^KI  of  that  ainount 
to  get  his  hair  <-ut.  tdi-  a  >liavc,  l>ath  and  sliampoo, 
arul  *  I .')  for  a  vest,  two  shirts,  hat  and  necktie.  He 
was  employed  nine  months  .as  tail  sawyer  in  a  saw- 
mill, working  half  ol  the  d.iy  ;uifl  ni'^ht.for  wliiib  lie 
receive<l  ¥7.')  and  bis  board.  ( )n  one  occasion,  when 
r<'turnin«  fi-oni  the  mill  at  midnight,  he  was  met 
by  an  Inrliau  who  began  to  .string  liis  bow  and 
pirk  out  nn  ariow.  Mr.  W.-irnerdivw  his  ri'volver 
when  the  re<l  man  immediiitely  "made  off." 

After  spending  about  a  year  in  the  Golden 
Sl.ate.  our  subject  had  regained  his  former  vigor 
and  strength  and  li.-id  saved  xl.OtK).  At  that 
time,  in  <'oiiipany  with  two  oIIm  r  iinii.  he  pui- 
('liit'«-d  n  sawmill  wbiih  tlii'\    oprrjitid    in  p.'irtiii'r- 


ship  about  twelve  months,  then  moving  it  sixty 
miles  into  the  mountain  region,  continued  to 
work  together  for  four  years.  At  the  time  they 
began  in  the  sawmill  business,  lumber  was  selling 
at  *300  per  thousand  feet,  and  the  ainount  of 
work  which  they  tuined  out  soon  reduced  the  price 
to  $10(1  per  tlK)usand.  For  the  first  two  years  they 
did  a  business  amounting  to  *1()0,(100.  Selling 
out  his  interest  in  the  mill,  Mr.  Warner  again  be- 
gan mining,  this^time  in  IMue  Canyon  and  fcir  four 
years  was  very  successful  in  his  undertaking,  at 
(me  time  ojierating  twenty  claims  and  his  assess- 
ments running  as  high  as  1700  [ler  week. 

Mr.  Warner  had  a  fine  house  cat  in  his  camp,  when 
all  of  a  sudden  it  "turned  up"  missing.  A  few 
daj'S  later,  in  company  with  .several  of  his  compan- 
ions, he  w,as  invited  to  a  Chinese  dinner,  which  re- 
past he  enjoyed  very  much.  \  short  time  after, 
he  was  told  liy  an  old  Cliinauian  lluil  he  had  helped 
eat  his  cat  himself.  He  got  even  with  the  China- 
niaii,  however,  by  giving  him  a  very  old  hawk  for 
a  chicken. 

Oil  leaving  Ulue  Canyon  our  subject  went  to 
Dutch  Flat  and  engaged  in  hydraulic  mining  for 
two  years,  lu  the  meantime,  a  brother  had  joined 
him  m  the  Western  country  and  they  made  their 
home  in  a  log  cabin  with  a  canvas  roof.  A  short 
time  after  arriving  there,  the  brother  was  taken  se- 
riously ill  and  Mr.  Warnei'  went  nine  miles  over 
rough  niouutaiiious  roads  foi'  a  doctor,  crossing  a 
ii\'ei'  lluee  limes  on  ;i  dark  night.  Two  ('aliloiuia 
lions  had  been  killed  on  that  road  only  a  short 
time  before.  The  doctor  on  arriving  at  their  rude 
home  ordered  the  sick  man  to  be  removed  from 
the  shanty,  and  our  subject  carried  his  brother  on 
his  l)ack  to  an  empty  house,  half  a  mile  distant. 
Tlie  doctor's  fee  on  that  occ.'ision  was  ^^tO. 

The  mining  operations  of  .'Mr.  Warner  at  Dnlcli 
Fl.'it  were  ver\'  successful,  lb'  was  made  I'resiileul 
of  a  cainii  wliicli  bad  a  capital  of  i5<2;')0,000  ;uid 
superintended  the  damming  of  the  middle  fork  of 
the  .American  Kiver.  lie  completed  the  work 
within  live  liundicd  feet  of  the  Ibiine,  the  dam 
being  twenty  fei'l  wide  and  four  feet  deep.  In 
IH()2  our  subject  returned  lumie  to  New  ^'ork  after 
;in  absence  of  eleven  years.  OuriMg  his  residence 
in  ( '.■ilifoini.'i.  be    was  sent  as    deleg:ile  to  the  Stale 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPHICAL  RECORD. 


635 


Democratic  Convention  in  1856,  and  was  also 
Lieutenant  of  a  volunteer  company  of  California 
State  Militia.  With  his  partner,  he  erected  the 
lirst  hotel  in  Dutch  Flat,  Cal. 

After  returning  to  New  York,  lie  of  vvliom  we 
write,  together  with  a  brother,  built  a  canal  boat 
named  the  "L.  R.  Ilernck,"  which  tlie^-  operated  for 
year  on  tlie  Erie  Canal;  then  taking  their  vessel  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  it  was  jmt  into  the  Govern- 
ment service  as  a  transport.  He  ran  it  a  year  and 
during  that  time  sailed  on  all  the  prominent  rivers 
iu  Virginia.  Gen.  Sherman  crossed  a  river  with  all 
liis  troops  on  the  deck  of  this  little  boat.  Selling 
his  boat,  our  subject  returned  home  and  was  en- 
gaged to  press  hay  for  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment and,  while  thus  employed,  crushed  his  right 
hand  and  was  not  able  to  work  for  two  years. 

In  .July,  18G6,  Mr.  Warner  and  Miss  Frances  M. 
Phipps,  of  New  York  State,  were  united  in  mar- 
liage.  Mrs.  Warner  was  a  daughter  of  Aaron  and 
.Judith  (Pratt)  Phipps,  of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. 
The  Pliipps  Union  Seminary,  of  Albion,  N.  Y.,  was 
founded  by  an  aunt  of  Mrs.  Warner,  in  which  in- 
stitution, she  with  a  sister,  was  a  teacher.  Miss 
Frances  was  born  April  12,  1836,  and  received  an 
excellent  education  in  the  above-named  seminary, 
making  a  specialty  of  music. 

After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mi's.  Warner  came 
to  Michigan  and  located  on  their  present  farm 
where  they  have  since  resided.  The  estate  in- 
cludes fifty  acres,  all  well  improved.  Thej-  have 
adopted  two  children — IIattie,who  is  now  the  wife 
of  George  Hubbard,  lives  in  Paw  Paw  and  has 
three  children;  Chester  is  fourteen  years  of  age 
and  is  attending  school.  They  were  botli  taken  into 
the  home  of  our  subject  when  infants.  Jlrs.  Warner 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  has  been  Sup- 
erintendent of  the  Sunday-school;  IMr.  Warner  is 
also  a  memlier  of  that  society  and  has  filled  the 
office  of  Treasuier.  He  li.as  l)eeu  a  member  of  the 
JIasonic  order  fur  thirty  years,  being  inlluenced  to 
join  that  society  by  seeing  the  care  taken  of  the 
Masonic  passengers  when  on  his  trip  to  California. 
He  is  Treasurer  of  his  lodge.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  tlie  chapter  at  Paw  Paw  and  has  been  iMaster  of 
the  (i range  for  the  [last  ten  years.  His  wife  was 
Secretary,  Flora  ami  Treasurer  of  the  saiue  order. 


Mr.  Warner  has  been  an  active  Democrat  and  has 
been  sent  as  a  delegate  to  every  county  convention 
since  coming  to  Michigan.  He  has  l)een  Higiiway 
Commissioner  for  two  terms  and  Supervisor  of  Por- 
ter Township  for  four  terms,  although  the  township 
is  strongly  Republican.  He  was  candidate  for  Rep- 
resentative to  the  State  Legislature,  but  was  de- 
feated by  the  Republicans.  He  is  interested  in  the 
Lawton  Co-oi)erative  Packing  P'actory  and  has 
been  a  Director  in  tliat  company  every  since  its 
organization. 


-£3. 


'^ 


^+^1 


■^OHN  M.  WILSON,  a  well-to-do  farmer  and 
an  old  resident,  living  on  his  finely  equipped 
farm  on  section  29,  Climax  Township,  will 
alwa3'S  hold  an  honorable  place  in  the 
history  of  Kalamazoo  County  as  one  who  has  ma- 
terially aided  in  the  development  of  its  rich  agri- 
cultural resources.  Bradford  County,  Pa.,  is  his 
native  place,  and  .luly  24,  1837,  the  date  of  his 
birth.  His  father,  .John  Wilson,  was  liorii  in  Eng- 
land, but  he  was  only  a  year  old  when  his  parents 
brought  him  U>  this  country.  They  settled  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  he  be- 
came a  manufacturer  of  furniture,  manufacturing 
the  wood  screw  bedstead  for  a  long  time,  both  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Kentuckv.  He  moved  from 
Kentucky  to  Indiana  and  located  at  Huntington 
when  he  was  fifty  years  old.  He  was  deeply  relig- 
ious, a  preacher  in  the  Methodist  Church,  and  he 
followed  a  circuit  in  Pennsylvania  for  some  years, 
afterwards  preaching  locally  during  his  residence 
in  Kentucky  and  Indiana.  He  was  a  Whig  in  pol- 
itics. ]Mr.  Wilson  mariied  Isabella  Cole,  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania.  She,  too,  was  quite  active  in  the 
work  of  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  she  was  a 
memlier  until  her  invalidism  in  later  life  prevented 
her  parliciijaling  in  tlie  work.  She  was  forty-live 
years  old  when  she  died.  She  and  her  husband 
reared  five  children,  named  respectively:  Elislia, 
Helen,. John  M.,  Leroy  and  Elizabeth. 

Our  subject  lived  in  Pennsylvania  until  he  was 
eight  years  old,  and  the  next  few  years  of  his  life 
were  jiassed  in  Spiingville,  Ky.,  where  the  family 
remained  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  there 


636 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


attended  the  village  school,  and  also  went  to  school 
in  Iliintinglon  after  the  removal  of  his  parents  to 
that  Indiana  town,  where  lie  lived  until  their  death. 
His  education  was  completed  after  he  came  to  this 
county  at  Flourfielil.  lie  was  only  thirteen  years 
old  when  he  began  te  earn  his  own  living  by 
working  out  by  the  month  in  summer,  his  winters 
Iteiug  devoted  to  schooling.  Xoveniljcr  20,  1851, 
marks  an  important  era  in  his  life,  as  on  that  date 
he  came  to  Kalamazoo  County,  and  bought  fort^^ 
acres  of  wondlaiid  that  is  included  in  his  home  in 
Climax  Township,  lie  thus  became  a  pioneer  of 
this  section,  whicii  was  still  in  a  very  wild  con- 
dition when  he  came  here  on  that  fall  day  nearly 
fort\'  yeai-s  ago.  There  were  not  a  great  many  set- 
tlers here,  and  those  had  made  but  little  headway 
against  the  forces  of  nature.  There  were  no  roads, 
and  but  few  evidences  of  the  approaching  civiliza- 
tion that  would  sochange  the  face  of  the  countiv. 

Our  subject  was  unmarried  at  that  time,  and  he 
boarded  with  his  brother  while  he  sought  diligently 
to  reclaim  his  land.  He  has  added  to  his  original 
purch.isc,  and  has  one  liundrpd  and  twent^'-two 
.Hcres  of  choice  land,  one  iiundred  acres  of  which 
are  under  substantial  improvement,  he  having  de- 
vcl(>iie<l  his  farm  liiiiiself,  and  he  devotes  it  to 
mixed  fanning,  raising  grain  and  stock,  and  keeping 
many  shee|i  and  iiorses.  In  ^Si  Jio  erected  a  frame 
house,  coinmodifius  in  size.  :nid  he  has  a  large 
frame  barn,  a  jiart  of  which  was  built  in  1866, and 
the  remainder  in  18'.M),  Ids  buildings  all  being  lir-st- 
i-las-;.  Mr.  Wilson  is  higiily  thouglit  of  in  his 
township,  and  his  fcMow-citUens  have  solicited 
liiu':  to  lake  public  ollici  ii  Ik  li.as  always  refused, 
preferring  the  comfort  of  liiscozy.  (ireside  to  the 
turmoil  of  civic  life.  In  his  political  sentiments, 
he  !.■<  a  Uepiiblican.  dissocial  rel.'itions  arc  with 
the  .Vncient  ( )iiler  of  I'liitcd  AVorkiiuii.  mI  Climax 
\'illagc.  ()ursubj('ct  Ii;n  Miciiiiiulated  lii>  |jroperty 
by  sheer  force  of  diligent  nml  well-directed  lalior, 
.-oconded  by  excellriit  judgment  and  wise  economy. 
Fifty  ceiit.s  was  his  .sole  capital  when  he  started 
out  in  the  world,  and  he  only  had  the  small  sum 
of  one  Iiundred  and  lifly  dollars  left  him  from  his 
father's  estate. 

Mr.  Wilson  wa.s  111:111  icd.  ScpicinlMr  '.^il.  isdii.  lu 
Mi.Nt  I;iMii\    WoIcol(,a  good  woiiuiii  .iiid  Iiih.wIio 


has  been  to  him  a  liel[)mate  in  every  sense  of  the 
word.  Mrs.  Wilson  was  born  in  the  village  of 
Scotts, February  2,  1840,  into  the  pioneer  home  of 
Hiram  and  Mary  (Campbell)  Wolcott,  who  were 
natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  lici.-ind. 
They  came  to  Michigan  in  18:}fi,  and  settled  on 
land,  on  a  part  of  whicii  the  village  of  Scotts  now 
stands,  buying  it  from  the  tiovernment.  Mr.  Wol- 
cott was  one  of  the  leading  pioneers  of  the  county, 
developing  several  farms,  and  becoming  a  man  of 
wealth.  His  death  occurred  .\pril  2:),  lS7'.t.  Mr. 
and  JIis.  Wilson  have  had  four  cliildreii,  three  of 
whom  are  living:  Mary,  wife  of  Edgar  Cheney; 
Lillie,  at  home  with  iicr  p:ucnts:  :uul  .leiiiiii'.  wife 
of  Owen  Ilass. 


~i=JL:=i" 


r^  ILAS  l)i;  LONC,  President  of  the  vilhige  of 
I5:in<;or,  one  of  the  niaii\-  p.'itriotie  citizens 


i  of  Jlichigaii  who  bravely  ftniglil  for  the 
old  Hag,  is  a  native  of  Cliuton  County,  N. 
Y..  lieing  born  in  IHIO,  and  where  he  lived  until 
1855.  In  his  early  youth,  he  w:is  lirought  to  Mich- 
igan by  his  p:iieiils,  who  settled  in  Hangor,  \:iii 
Buren  County,  where  he  Ji.as  since  made  liis  hoiiu^ 
He  was  reared  on  the  farm  :ind  acciisloined  to 
hard  l;ibor,  receiving  a  liliei:il  ediie;itioii  in  the 
conunou  schools  of  this  county. 

Early  in  the  year  of  1862,  this  gentleiu:iii  t'li- 
listed  in  Company  G,  Nineteenth  Michigan  liifiiii- 
try,  :iiid  at  the  battle  of  S[iriiig  Hill,  Teiin..  w:is 
captured  and  detained  in  I.ibby  Prison  ;il)()ut  one 
month.  :l1  wliieh  lime  lie  w:is  ii:uoled  and  returned 
hoiiic.  He  .stioii  joined  Sheiinan's  army  in  ils(:iiii- 
paigns  of  the  South,  :ind  in  front  of  Ati:iiit:i,  ( ;;i., 
was  wounded  in  the  leg.  wliicli  caused  hiin  to  be 
!in  inmate  of  the  liospit;il  for  ;i  yi';ir.  :iiid  h:is  erip- 
|)led  liin;  for  life. 

At  1  lie  close  of  tlie  w:ir.  lie  elig:igi'il  in  tlie  iiier- 
chandise  business,  ;ind  with  the  exi'eptioii  of  four 
years,  from  18G8  to  1872,  has  been  coiil,iiiiioiisl\  in 
business,  and  is  an  emineiitly  siicci'ssfiil  man.  lie 
gives  attention  to  every  department  of  his  Inisi- 
ncss.  and  is  a  thorough  ;ind  sagacious  man. 

Ill  the  \i':ir  1H72.  lie  u:is  united  in  marriage  lo 
I    Miss   l/lssie   I,:iim1oii.  :iii  exeelleiit  ( 'Iiii,s1i;in  \vuiii:in. 


"yU/p^u-A 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


639 


Tliey  are  ])Oth  valued  meniliers  of  tlie  Disciples 
Clmi'cli,  and  s^ive  of  theii-  means  most,  liheially  l.f) 
the  siipiioi't  of  llie  C'liui'cli.  Siln>  I )('  !,onj>' lias  a 
lii'oliiei-.  Henry,  living  in  this  eity,  wiio  is  a  prom- 
inent, fuinllure  dealer,  and  who  also  served  as  a 
soldier  in  tlie  late  war  to  preserve  the  Union.  He 
enlisted  in  1804,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  are  Allen  and  Lydia 
(Boynton)  De  Long,  the  former  born  on  Grand 
Isle  in  Lake  Chami)lain  in  1801,  and  the  latter 
|)rol>ably  a  native  of  New  York  State.  The  father 
was  a  son  of  Francis  De  Long,  who  was  liorn  i)rob- 
ably  in  North  Carolina  in  1758,  and  served  in  the 
War  of  the  Revolution.  lie  lived  to  be  f)ver  one 
hundred  and  two  jears  old,  dying  in  this  county 
in  18()<).  Wiiile  a  soldier,  he  was  captured  and 
taken  prisoner  to  Jamaica  Island,  where  he  was 
kei)t  in  prison  seven  3"ears. 


If/j^  ENRY  URIAH  UPJOHN,  M.  D.,  was  born 
in  Kicliland  Township,  Kalamazoo  County, 
July  22,  1843,  and  died  after   an  illness  of 

Tjij  two  weeks,  January  2,  1887,  at  his  liome 
on  South  Street,  Kalamazoo.  For  many  years  lie 
was  prominently  connected  with  the  growtli  of  the 
city,  and  was  one  of  its  most  popular  citizens.  At 
the  organization  of  the  Upjohn  Pill  and  (Granule 
Companj'  he  became  an  equal  partner  m  that  insti- 
tution, and  gave  it  much  of  his  attention,  con- 
tributing to  make  it  one  of  the  most  successful 
and  lucrative  onteriirises  of  the  State. 

At  Richland  Seminary.  Dr.  Upjohn  prepared 
himself  for  college.  In  his  early  life  he  applied 
himself  to  mechanics,  and  having  an  inventive 
mind,  during  his  leisure  moments  lie  devised  a 
number  of  agricultural  implements,  the  most  im- 
portant of  which  was  a  corn-planter,  with  which 
much  acreage  in  Richland  was  planted.  He  also 
constructed  a  feed  cutter,  which  had  an  extensive 
manufacture,  and  later  secured  a  patent  for  a  self- 
binder  with  self-t3ing-knot  attachment;  also  made 
a  self-rake  attachment  to  the  Kirby  Reaper.  Mean- 
while he  read  medicine  with  his  father.  Dr.  Uriah 
Upjohn,  a  successful  practitioner  in  Richland. 
29 


His  connection  with  the  Kirby  Reaper  took  our 
subject  to  Tiuffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
drug  trade.  Returning  to  IMichigan,  he  and  his 
sisters  and  brotiiers  went  to  Ann  Arbor,  making 
their  home  in  that  city  and  entering  the  State 
University.  Prior  to  commencing  ids  collegiate 
course,  however,  he  engaged  for  a  time  in  the 
hardware  business,  and  while  thus  employed  per- 
fected a  machine  for  rolling  tinware.  lie  had  de- 
cided to  take  u|)  the  study  of  medicine,  and,  ac- 
cordingly, entered  the  medical  de|)artraent  of  the 
University,  from  which  lie  graduated  in  1871. 

Immediately  after  graduating,  the  young  Doc- 
tor opened  an  orlice  for  practice  at  Kalamazoo,  and 
for  eight  years  resided  on  South  Ikirdick  Street, 
adjacent  to  the  Merrill  Block.  He  tiien  erected  a 
store  building,  with  a  frontage  of  eight^'-six  feet, 
including  four  stores.  He  also  secured  a  tract 
of  celery  land  in  the  northern  part  of  the  village, 
and  became  a  somewhat  extensive  grower,  as  well 
as  one  of  the  first  shippers  of  the  place,  his  enter- 
prise netting  a  fair  income.  Having  a  powerful 
physique  and  robust  health,  he  felt  that  he  could 
endure  an  extraordinary  amount  of  hard  work, 
and  consequently  devoted  himself  with  such  assid- 
uity' to  the  demands  of  his  practice  and  his  various 
business  enterprises,  that  he  was  stricken  with  ty- 
piioid  fever,  which  terminated  fatally. 

The  Doctor  had  given  much  thought  to  econom- 
ical subjects,  and  especially  to  those  matters  relat- 
ing to  the  benefit  of  the  poor,  and  was  revolving 
an  idea  that  would  result  in  their  .securing  cheap 
and  suitable  homes,  as  well  as  constant  work.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  various  medical  societies,  and 
his  death  was  greatly  mourned  by  those  organiza- 
tions, as  well  as  the  general  public.  On  all  points 
relating  to  his  profession,  he  was  thoroughly  read 
and  had  the  greatest  faith  in  the  future  of  the 
pill  and  granule  business,  a  faith  which  has  seen 
its  fulfillment  in  the  practical  issues  of  the  pres- 
ent. 

December  18,  1872,  Dr.  Upjohn  was  married  to 
Miss  Millie,  daughter  of  W.  G.  Kirby,  of  Charles- 
ton Township,  and  a  native  of  Saratoga  County, 
N.  Y.  To  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  were  born  six 
children,  viz:  Lawrence  N.;  Ida  Rowena,  who 
died    when    eight    years    old;  William    Kirby.    U. 


640 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Carl,  Hubert  S.  and  l")()ii;il(l  Honrv.  Lawrence  N. 
is  a  graduate  of  tlie  Uig\>  ScIiodI.  and  he  and  the 
other  sons  reside  witli  their  ninthev  at  No.  G17 
Soutli  Park  Strci't.  >L-s.  I'pjohn,  wlio  is  a  hidy  of 
su|)eiior  euilure  and  edueation,  graduated  from 
.Ml.  Holyoke  Seminary  in  1S71.  and  after  lier  mar- 
riage eommeneed  the  .study  of  nuMliiine.  graduating 
in  lH7r>.  at  tlie  Slate  [niversily  of  Miciiigan,  and 
afterward  assi.sted  her  husband  in  Ins  praetiee. 
.Slie  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  a 
sincere  Christian. 

A  strictly'  temperate  man.  l)i-.  rpjohn  not  only 
did  not  use  tobacco,  iiijuur  or  i)rt)fane  language, 
but  he  greatly  objected  to  the  prescribing  of  whis- 
key for  his  patients.  During  his  later  years  he 
voted  with  the  Prohiiiition  i)arly.  His  portiait  is 
presented  iu  connection  with  this  sketch  of  his  life. 


ylLLlAM  S.  DELANO.  In  presenting  to 
our  readers  the  bi<>graphical  sketches  of 
prominent  ])ioneers  of  Kalamazoo  County, 
conspicuous  mention  belongs  to  Mr.  Delano,  who 
is  engaged  as  a  farmer  on  sectitm  28,  Cooper 
Township.  His  father,  Stephen  15.,  was  born  in 
Providence,  M.ass.,  September  2'.l.  ll'.Ki.  and  In  his 
early  manhood  studied  medicine,  which  he 
practiced  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  'i"hc 
family  of  which  he  was  a  memljer  came  of  French- 
English  extraction,  and  his  father,  .Jonathan,  was 
in  early  life  a  sea-captain,  and  later  folhnved  the 
calling  of  a  fanner,  until  his  death,  about  1825. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  Lydia  Smith,  wa.s 
born  in  Oneida  County.  N,  II,.  November  !(!,  ITiC.I, 
:ind  was  or|)hanei1  when  (piile  young.  After  the 
de.'ith  of  Dr.  Delano,  which  occurred  May  2(1, 
1H27,  she  was  married  to  (iilbert  IJenedict,  becom- 
ing by  that  union  the  mothi'r  of  three  children. 
.Siie  and  lu-r  lirst  husband  wei-e  the  parents  of  three 
cliildren,  two  of  whom  are  living.  At  the  ad- 
Vlinccrl  age  of  tlircc-SCOI'O  and  Ihrei'  years,  she  pjissed 
away, .Inly  2«,  1802. 

In  Wayne  County,  .N.  Y.,  the  subject  of  our 
.skct<-li  was  \h)Vu  December  17,  18r.t.  He  w.ns  tin' 
eldest  in  the  little  f.amily.  ami  was  only  .a  small 
child  when  he  was  orpliane)!  by   the   death    of    his 


father,  after  which  he  went  to  make  his  home  with 
his  uncle.  Ichabod  Hart,  remaining  with  him  until 
he  was  of  age.  In  the  meantime,  he  attended  the 
district  school  until  he  was  seventeen, and,  in  18;i8, 
acct)inpanied  his  uncle  to  Michigan,  settling  in 
Cooptr  Township,  Kalamazoo  County. 

In  the  fall  of  18-13,  iMr.  Delano  purchased  his 
|)resent  farm,  of  which  eight  acres  had  been  [lartly 
cleared,  and,  upon  making  it  his  home,  he  built  a 
log  house  and  commenced  to  cultivate  the  soil. 
lie  was  married.  May  5,  1841.  to  Louisa  C.  Skinner, 
who  was  born  in  Providence.  Saratoga  County,  N. 
Y.,  December  17,  1818.  and  died  .Inly  1,  1853. 
Her  parents  were  Henry  and  Deluirah  Skinner,  the 
former  born  in  Huthind  County,  \'t.,  October  27, 
1717.  iNIrs.  Delano  was  a  teacher  during  the  early 
days  of  this  county,  and  was  identilied  w-itli  thf 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  many  years  jirior 
to  her  death. 

Four  of  the  six  children  in  the  family  of  Mr. 
Delano  and  his  first  wife  attained  to  maturity. 
Stei)lieu.  who  was  born  September  4,  1842,  died 
Sei)tember  1,  1862,  at  Tnscumbia,  Ala.,  after  hav- 
ing served  for  one  year  in  the  Third  Michigan 
Cavalry.  .loseiih  ]■'..,  who  wa.s  born  .Inly  5,  1841,  is 
married,  and  makes  his  home  in  Barry  County, 
Hiram  A.,  who  was  horn  .Inly  12,  1817,  resides  in 
Alleg.an.  where  he  is  a  prominent  banker.  Loui.sa 
Cborn  November  3.  1 84',),  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Bell, 
a  fanner  of  Tuscola  County.  The  children  re- 
ceived good  educations, and  were  formerly  te;!cliers 

.lanuary  18.  1854,  Mr.  Delano  and  Miss  llann;di 
.M.  I'.hiiich.'ird  were  united  in  marriage.  This  lady 
was  born  in  Persia,  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  V., 
.lanuary  12,  182(!.  and  died  .March  22,  1888.  Her 
parents,  llcniian  and  I'.ctsey  M,  (Taylor)  l!l;uich- 
ard,  natives,  respectively,  of  New  Ilainpshire  and 
New  York,  came  to  Michigan  ;ilioul  1812,  and  set- 
tled in  Cooper  Township,  when'  Ihcy  cleared  and 
improved  :i  fariii.  The  father  died  Ma.\'  .3,  1883,  and 
the  mother  [lassed  away  .lanu.arv  23,  1885.  Prior 
to  hei-  marriage,  Mrs.  Delano  w.ns  a  successful 
tciicliei-,  and  as  slu^   was    a  reliued  laily   and    kiiid- 

heartfd    Iriend  and  neighbor,  slu ciipied  .a   high 

place  in  the  eonndence  i>(  all  whom  she  met. 

The  followinu  istlii'  record  of  the  ehihlren  born 
of  the  .second   marriage   of   .Mr.   Del.ano:      Herman 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


641 


R,  who  was  born  July  10,  1855,  died  October  24, 
1H71;  (;eoru;e  1>].,  born  August  5,  1857,  is  engaged 
ill  llic  grocery  business  in  Allegan  C'ountj^;  Al- 
bert W.,  I)orn  Se[)tembcr  22,  1859,  is  niari'ied  and 
iiiside.s  in  Cooper  Townsliip;  Fred  S.,  whose  t)irth 
occurred  December  20,  1861,  also  makes  his  iiome 
in  Coojier  Township;  Lydia  M.,  wiio  was  born 
Xoveniber  10,  18(!3,  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Clark,  and 
lives  in  Cooper  Township;  Laura  . J.,  born  April  U), 
18(16,  and  Arlyn  J.,  born  Ma}'  3,  1868,  are  at  home. 

Stephen  B.,  of  whom  previous  mention  lias  been 
made,  enlisted  Noveml)er  1,  1861,  in  Compan\'  F., 
Tliird  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  served  with  distin- 
guished courage  and  valor  at  the  l)attles  of  New 
Madrid,  Farmington,  and  the  sieges  of  Island  No. 
10  and  Corinth,  besides  otlicr  engagements  of 
minor  importance.  His  deatli  occurred  September 
1,  1862,  in  a  hospital. 

Mr.  Delano  has  served  as  Township  Treasurer 
two  terms,  Supei'visor,  one  term,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  for 
many  years  has  belonged  to  Cooper  Lodge,  No.  149. 
In  the  Congregational  Church,  of  which  he  has  long 
been  a  member,  he  has  served  as  Deacon  for  a  nuniT 
ber  of  years.  He  now  owns  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  on  section  28,  and  has  recently  sold 
two  farms  of  over  one  hundred  acres  each.  Success 
has  crowned  hia  efffirts,  and  while  he  has  been 
|)rosi)eied  financially,  he  has  also  won  the  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow-citizens  by  his  unflinching  in- 
tegrity. 


-^^E 


ON.  MILAN  AVIGGINS,  a  representative 
and  prominent  citizen  of  Van  Buren 
County,  was  born  April  29,  1847,  in  Inde- 
pendence, Cuyahoga  Count}-,  Ohio,  and 
was  a  son  of  Naliuin  and  Phoebe  (Dunham)  Wig- 
gins. His  grandfather,  Elzra  Wiggins,  was  born  in 
Vermont,  where  he  was  a  farmer,  and  came  to 
Ohio  about  1820.  He  died  in  Newburgh,  that 
State,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  his  wife  surviving 
until  she  was  over  ninety  years  of  age.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  near  Montpelier, 
Vt.,  came  with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  and  died  at  In- 
dei)endence  about  1851,  aged  fort3'-two  j-ears.     He 


left  a  widow  and  two  children,  Mdan  and  Cullin 
H.  He  was  a  very  active  and  progressive  citizen 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  and  merchandising. 
He  was  an  old-line  Whig  and  a  member  of  the  Odd 
;  Fellows.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in 
Ohio  and  was  the  daughter  of  .loliii  and  Elizabeth 
(Hungerford)  Dunham.  Her  father  served  in  the 
War  of  1812  as  a  musician,  and  removed  from 
New  York  to  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  occupa- 
tion of  a  farmer.  He  reared  a  family  of  seven 
sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  lived  to  a 
ripe  old  age,  none  dying  under  sevent}'  years. 
After  the  death  of  our  subject's  father,  his  mother 
married  E.  W.  Thompson,  and  of  this  union  two 
children  were  born,  Lizzie  and  Asa. 

After  his  father's  death,  Milan  Wiggins  resided 
with  his  uncle,  J.  II.  Dunham,  until  eighteen  years 
of  age.  He  received  his  elementary  education  in 
the  district  schools,  supplementing  it  b}'  a  course 
at  Oberlin  College.  He  S|)ent  four  years  teaching 
in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  Iowa  and  Michi- 
gan, and  at  twenty  l)egan  his  business  life  as  a 
salesman  in  a  store  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Two  years 
later,  he  commenced  operations  on  his  own  .account 
and  continued  in  the  business  for  Ave. years,  being 
engaged  one  year  in  a  commission  line.  In  1876, 
he  came  to  Bloomingdale,  A'an  Buren  County, 
where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  on  section  9,  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  operating  a  dairj'.  He  also  owns  another 
farm  of  eight}'  acres.  In  1878,  he  established  a 
cheese  factory,  which  he  is  still  carrying  on.  In 
1880,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Warren  Haven 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  Bloomingdale,  and  in 
1888  associated  himself  with  F.  W.  Hubbard,  car- 
rying a  large  stock  of  dry  goods.  He  also  has  an 
interest  in  the  gristmill  in  Bloomingdale.  !Mr. 
Wiggins  has  a  most  estimable  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Marie  Hubbard,  and  the}'  are  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Hattie,  Nellie,  Luvern  and  Ar- 
thur B.  Mr.  Wiggins  is  an  active  and  leading 
Republican  and  takes  a  lively  interest  in  political 
affairs.  He  attends  both  State  and  National  Con- 
ventions and  uses  his  influence  in  selecting  the  best 
men  on  the  ticket.  He  has  served  in  various  town- 
ship oflices  and  has  represented  his  county  in  the 
State  Legislature  for  two  terms.     He  is  a    promi- 


642 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


iioiit  iiiomlier  «f  tlie  Srusoiiic  rratoniitv.  Mr. 
Wiirgin!<  has  made  liis  own  way  in  tlic  world,  and 
is  now,  witli  liis  wife  and  family,  onjoving  a  coni- 
foi'talilc  homo  and  thi'  cstocin  of  their  ninny  friends 
in  the  i-omnuinil\'. 


-^ + 


-5- 


il^KNHV  \.  SKINNKU.  'I'lio  oldest  settler 
jli  now  living  in  Coo|)er.  Towiishi|>,  Kalama- 
zoo Connty,  with  the  exeo|)tion  of  one 
other,  is  this  intelligent  and  progressive 
farmer,  who  owns  and  operates  one  hinidred  and 
twenty  acres  on  sections  •>]  and  2'2.  His  eom- 
n)o<lions  residence  was  liuilt  in  ISiis.  while  other 
striictnres  for  the  storage  of  grain  and  slielter  of 
stock  have  been  added  when  needed. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Josei>h  Skinner,  was 
horn  in  Saratoga  County,  X.  Y.,  April  28,  1801, 
and  alw.iys  folk)wed  the  calling  of  a  fanner.  In 
October,  1833,  lie  removed  with  his  family  to 
.Michigan,  coming  via  Erie  Canal  and  Lake  Eric 
to  Detroit,  and  proceeding  thence  to  Washtenaw 
County,  where  he  settled  two  miles  southwest  of 
Ann  Arl)or.  -  lie  purchased  a  tr.act  of  land,  and 
.settled  upon  it,  hut  in  Ajiril,  1835,  removed  to 
Kalamazoo  County,  and  settled  in  Cooper  Town- 
ship. 

The  journey  hither  was  made  m  a  wagon  drawn 
by  two  j'oke  of  oxen,  and  loaded  with  hnushold 
goods,  and  those  who  walked  dr<ive  the  few  head 
of  Ciittle.  The  liisl  night  spent  in  Cooper  Town- 
ship, the  little  party  slept  on  the  grouml.  and 
during  the  night  six  inches  of  snow  fell,  adding 
to  their  discomfort.  Mr.  .Skinner  took  up  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  Oovornment  land  in 
IM.'il,  when  not  a  ti-ee  had  been  cut  down  in  the 
towiishi|>,and  wild  game  and  Indians  were  numer- 
ous. The  following  year,  t  wo  men  luiiil  shanties 
some  distance  south  of  his  farm,  while  a  few 
familirs  of  Indians  lived  one-half  mile  north. 

It  wa-s  a  common  occurrenc*'  for  the  Indians  to 
have  green  com  dances,  upon  which  occasions  as 
many  nn  five  hundred  families  passed  the  .Skinner 
hoincslend,  which  was  near  one  of  the  trails.  The 
patent  for  .Mr.  Skinner's  land  w.-is  signed  by  Prcs- 
iden'    Andrew   .l:ickson,  and    his    first    house    wa.s 


constructed  of  logs,  about  18x20  feet,  although  a 
more  commodious  residence  was  soon  erected. 
Very  soon  after  he  settled  on  the  land,  he  cleared 
and  broke  live  acres,  which  he  planted  in  corn, 
potatoes  and  buckwheat,  lie  cleare(l  ten  acres 
each  succeeding  year,  until  the  entire  farm  was 
brought  under  cultivation,  anil  ui>oii  the  im- 
proved homestead  he  resided  until  his  death,  in 
November,  1885. 

A  jirominent  man  in  the  eomninnity.  Mr.  Skin- 
ner served  .as  Ilighw.av  Commissioner  and  Asses- 
sor, and  w.as  iiiHueiitial  in  the  organization  of  the 
Methodist  Ei)iscopal  Church  in  Coojier  Township, 
lie  was  well  and  favorably  known  f)ver  a  wide 
scoi>e  of  territory,  and  his  death  was  sincerely 
mourned.  His  wife.  Nancy  Veeder,  was  liorn  in 
Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1805.  and  was  of  Hol- 
land descent.  After  her  death,  which  occurred  in 
1845,  he  married  Sophia  Lillic,  who  still  survives. 
Our  suliject  is  the  only  survivor  among  the  six 
children  liorn  of  the  first  union,  and  one  child  of 
liie  second  marriage  is  now  living. 

In  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born, 
June  26,  1827,  Mr.  Skinner  p.issed  the  first  six 
years  of  his  life.  From  there  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Michigan,  walking  from  Detroit  to 
Washtenaw  Connty.  His  educational  advantages 
were  limited  to  a  brief  attendance  at  the  district 
school,  the  first  school  in  tlie  township  being 
taught  by  ^frs.  George  Hart,  who  is  still  living  in 
the  vicinity.  After  he  w.as  twenty-one,  he  worked 
at  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  for  about  three  years 
and  also  chopi)ed  wood,  receiving  twenty-five  cents 
per  cord.  He  took  great  pleasure  in  hunting  deer 
and  turkeys,  many  of  which  fell  beneath  his  un- 
erring rille.  After  game  became  scarce  in  this 
section,  he  went  north  each  fall  for  several  years 
on  a  hunting  exjiedition. 

About  1853,  Mr.  Skinner  coniiiu'iieed  to  farm 
u|)oii  his  i>rc.sent  estate.  He  was  married  Decem- 
ber 1,  1852,  to  Miss  Mary  M.  Delano,  who  was 
born  in  SclK)olcraft  Township,  Kalamazoo  Coiinly, 
April  18.  1K.'!5.  Her  parents,  l'",phi:iiiii  11.  and 
Nane\-  (Oilletl)  Delano,  were  natives  of  Saratoga 
ami  Orleans  Counties,  N.  V..  respectively,  ho 
having  been  iioin  in  I  so:!,  and  she  in  1808.  They 
came    to   IMieliiL:;in    in    1 8,'i2,  lemaiiiing    in    Wash- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


643 


tenaw  County  two  years,  and  settling  in  Cooper 
Township  in  1835.  Here  tlicy  took  up  land,  and 
remained  until  called  liencc  by  death,  the  iiiotlier 
in  1848,  and  tiie  father  in  1872.  They  were 
originally  members  of  tlie  Methodist  Episcoi)al 
Church.  The  father  died  in  tiie  faith  of  the  Con- 
gregational Cliurch.  Tliey  were  worthy  people, 
liighl}'  esteemed  tlirougliout  tlie  community,  and 
devoted  to  tlieir  seven  children,  whom  they  trained 
for  res|)onsiijle  positions  in  life. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slvinner  are  the  parents  of  three 
children,  namely:  Jay  J.,  wlio  was  born  January  6, 
1855,  is  now  married,  and  has  four  children;  Bert 
E.,  wiio  was  born  June  23,  1860,  lives  in  Kalama- 
zoo; the  third  child  died  in  infancy.  Politically, 
Mr.  Skinner  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  held  many  of 
tlie  local  ortices  of  the  township,  has  been  Iligli- 
way  Commissioner  for  almost  tvventj'^  years,  and 
lias  also  served  as  delegate  to  countj'  conventions, 
lie  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church,  and  contribute  generously  of  their 
means  and  influence  in  behalf  of  all  measures  cal- 
culated to  benelit  the  community  at  large  or  those 
in  need. 


1^^  YLVESTER  M.  HESS.  Among  the  lead- 
^^^  ing  business  firms  of  Lawrence,  Van  Buren 
1|^)  County,  stands  that  of  S.  M.  &  C.  S.  Hess, 
dealers  in  general  merchandise,  and  who 
have  built  up  an  excellent  trade  by  their  iqiright 
and  honest  dealings.  The  senior  member  of  this 
linn  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 10,  ISoI,  to  William  C:.  and  Margaret  (Myers) 
Hess,  the  father  a  native  of  New  York,  of  German 
and  English  ancestors,  and  the  mother  also  a  native 
of  Xew  York,  of  (4erman  and  English  ancestry. 
The  father  followed  farming,  and  moved  to  Wis- 
consin when  oiu'  subject  was  about  five  years  of 
age, and  pre-empted  land  where  he  made  his  home. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier  in  the 
late  Rebellion,  enlisting  in  Com|)any  C, Eighteenth 
Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  participated  in  tlie  battle 
of  Pittsburg  Landing,  with  a  numbeL'  of  other  ini- 
l)ortaiit  conllicts.  He  was  taken  sick  and  honorably 


discharged,  when  he  came  home  and  died  about 
six  months  afterward.  After  this  sad  event,  the 
famil}'  were  scattered,  the  mother  going  back  to 
New  York,  where  she  died  in  a  few  3ears;  one 
laother,  George  E..  remained  in  Wisconsin,  and 
the  other  three,  including  our  subject,  came  finally 
to  Michigan.  The  only  sister.  Louisa  C,  married 
L.  C.  Marigold  and  lives  in  Muskegon,  Mich. 
Charles  S.  is  married  and  lives  in  Lawrence,  being 
the  i)artner  of  our  subject.  A  sketch  of  the  latter 
will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Out  subject  and  his  brother  Charles  went  to 
Indiana  to  live  with  an  uncle,  on  the  death  of 
their  father,  and  remained  a  year  or  more.  When 
our  subject  was  twelve  and  a  half  years  old,  he 
came  to  IMichigan  and  located  at  Three  Oaks,  Ber- 
rien County,  where  he  worked  for  his  board  and 
went  to  school.  He  began  clerking  in  a  general 
store  when  fifteen  and  continued  in  this  occupation 
two  years.  He  worked  six  months  for  ^8  and 
board.  AVhen  seventeen  years  old,  he  began  to 
work  in  the  freight  office  of  the  Michigan  Central 
Railroad  at  Three  Oaks,  and  was  there  about  one 
j^ear,  when  he  was  promoted  and  sent  to  Decatur, 
and  did  office  work  there,  obtaining  some  knowl- 
edge of  book-keeping.  He  was  at  this  place  four 
years,  and  then  changed  his  occupation,  working  at 
a  grain  elevator  for  two  years.  On  reaching  his 
twenty-fifth  year,  Mr.  Hess  began  the  manufacture 
of  staves  and  heading  at  Hartford,  Mich.,  in  con- 
nection with  Albert  W.  Rogers,  which  business  he 
carried  on  four  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time, 
Mr.  Hess  came  to  Lawrence  with  his  partner,  but, 
at  the  end  of  four  years,  they  dissolved  the  partner- 
ship, and  our  sulijeet  began  in  his  present  business 
in  188."),  in  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Whiteinau  for 
one  year.  He  tlien  bought  his  jiartner's  interest 
and  carried  on  the  business  until  February  1,  1888, 
when  he  took  his  brother,  Charles  S.  Hess,  as  part- 
ner, and  they  are  doing  a  splendid,  lucrative  busi- 
ness and  are  held  in  the  highest  respect  for  their 
straightforward  business  lives. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  married  when 
twenty-seven  years  of  age  in  Lawrence,  tins  connt\-, 
on  the  28th  of  August,  1878.  The  lady  of  his 
choice  was  Miss  .lennie  F.  Rililon.  of  Lawrence. 
She    was    Ijorn    in    Paw    Paw.    Blieli.,    November 


644 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


30,  1856,  to  John  M.  and  Sarah  M.  (Phelps) 
Riblon.  By  this  union  our  subject  and  his  wife 
have  liecomc  tlie  i)arcnts  of  five  children:  ^largie 
R..  born  Marcli  26.  1880;  Blanch  L..  October 
13,  1881;  K.  Lncile,  M.iy  18.  1885;  J.  William, 
.\ugust  9.  1889;  and  Ilusrli  C..  November  -'S,  1890. 
All  these  children  were  born  in  Lawrence,  except 
the  eldest,  she  having  liad  lier  liirtli  in  Hartford. 
Those  who  are  old  enough  arc  attending  school 
and  gaining  good  educations. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  Deinocral  in  ik)1- 
itics,  and  has  been  on  the  Hoard  of  Trustees  for 
the  village;  served  as  Township  Treasurer;  has 
always  been  much  interested  in  good  .seliools,  and 
has  acted  as  one  of  the  School  Board.  He  was  ap- 
jMiintod  Postmaster  of  Lawrence  during  Cleve- 
land's administration  and  served  one  and  one-half 
yeai-s.  He  has  been  apjiointed  delegate  to  various 
county  conventions.  Mr.  Hess  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing members  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  at  Lawrence, 
having  now  taken  his  ninth  degree.  He  joined 
this  order  at  Decatur. 


iriir.i;  .^ri  roX.  wIk.  !>  .-a  present  resid- 
ing in  llarlford,  was  Ikuii  in  Onondaga 
County,  N.  Y..  in  182.").  In  18.34,  his  pa- 
rents removed  to  Washtenaw  County,  this  State, 
and  located  just  cast  of  where  the  State  Ihiiversity 
now  stands.  They  remained  there  two  years  and 
then  removed  to  Liiwrcnce  Township,  Xnn  Huren 
County,  and  made  their  home  on  a  farm  in  tlie 
wilderness,  when  there'-wcre  l)ut  live  log  cabins 
in  the  township. 

Luther  Sutloii  grew  to  manhood  in  tlie  above- 
named  county,  and  was  married,  .lanunry  ."i.  1819, 
fo  Mi^*s  I'riscilla  .1.  Bancr<ifl,  and  unto  them  have 
Imtii  buiii  three  children:  Warner  1'.,  born  in 
(»cl<.bi-r,  IHI9;  .\da  K.,  liorn  in  April,  Ih:).'!;  nnd 
Kva  M..  burn  IHOM.  ,\da  is  the  widow  of  William 
.1.  I'liilpoi,  and  Kva  is  Mrs.  .Mcxander  Heeney. 
On  the  onttirenk  of  the  Civil  War,  our  subject  en- 
listed in  what  wna  known  a.s  Uirgiw  First  lleglment 
Weftlem  Sharpsh<Miters,  which  aflerwarrl  l)ecainc 
the  Fourteenth  MiMonri,  and  later  the  Sixl\- 
HJxlh  Illinois.  Mr.  Mutlun  served  until  Muy,  1802, 


at  which  time  he  was  discharged  on  account  of 
disability,  caused  from  a  wound  received  at  Stur- 
geon, l\Io. 

On  returning  from  the  army,  Mr.  Sutton  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  carpenter  work  until  1877, 
when  he  edited  the  Hartford  /)«?/  Spring.  He 
conducted  that  paper  for  five  years  with  signal 
success  and  w.as  identified  with  that  jimrnal 
more  or  less  until  1882.  The  parents  of  our  sub- 
ject were  Orrin  and  Betsey  (Br.anch)  Sutton,  the 
father  born  in  1800,  in  Onondaga  County,  N. 'i'., 
and  the  mother's  birth  occurring  in  Vermont,  in 
August  of  the  same  year.  The^'  became  the  (la- 
reuts  of  five  children:  Roxy  A., who  was  the  wife 
of  John  L.  Northrup,  of  Bangor;  our  subject,  who 
was  the  .second  in  order  of  birth;  Nancy,  Mrs. 
Benjamin  Randall,  who  is  residing  in  Northwest 
Nebr.aska;  .Tnliet  married  Nathan  De  Long,  now 
deceased;  and  Ann  E.  married  Maynard  Randall, 
now  deceased. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were 

j    Roswell  and    Nancy  (Atwell)    Sutton,   natives  of 

i   the  Green  Mountain  State,  the  grandfather  being 

j    of  Welsh  ancestry.     In    politics,   he    of  whom  we 

]    write  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Grand 

.Vrmy   Postal  Hartford.     Sociall}-,  he  is  an  Odil 

Fellow.     His  son.  Warner  Sutton,  was  appointed 

Consul  to  Northern  Mexico  in  1878,  a  position  he 

has  since    held    with  distinction.     He  received  his 

appointment   under  President  Il.ayes  and  fullillcd 

all  the  duties  of  that  responsible  ollice  with  credit 

to  himself  and  entire  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 

Ik'    was  married   in  Soulli  llaxcii,  in   IHTLIoMiss 

Marv    L.    Andrus. 


"SI- 


+■ 


>_c?^ 


>!;=" 


'/_^  ()N.  SIMl'SON  IIOWI.AM).  This  respec- 
jj)  ted  gentleman,  who  is  (hic  (if  lli.i  iirmn- 
inonl  and  InlluentiMl  cili/.cns  of  b'nss  Town- 

@)  ship.  Kalatnazoo  County,  is  widely  ami 
I'avoralily  Known  llii  on;:lioul.  lliis  section  as  a  111:111 
of  progressivencss  and  public  spirit.  Mr,  llowhind 
is  a  nativ(M)f  .Stillwater,  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y., 
his  natal  d;iy  being  May  IS.  1H22.  lie  i-  llic 
son  ot  l\dw;iril  K.  :nul  .M;iii;:ir(l  (Siiii|)son)  Ib^w- 
lund,  also  natives  of  the  Empire  State. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


645 


Tlie  paternal  ancestors  of  our  subject  are  said  to 

liave  l)ecMi  Eiii;li.s!i,  MS  llii!  Ilovvlaiul  fainilv  Irac-i's 
its  ancestry  t)acl<  to  tliree  brothers  who  unii- 
ifratcf]  from  Kngland  and  located  in  New  ISedford 
before  tiie  Revolulidnary  Wnr.  His  maternal 
ancestors  are  also  said  to  have  been  Knglisli.  The 
oriuina!  of  tliis  sivetcli  was  a  lad  of  thirteen  years 
when  his  paients  oame  to  Kalamazoo  County  and 
hicated  on  llie  tract  of  land  whicii  is  liis  jiresent 
home  and  which  is  now  known  as  Ilowlandslnu'g. 
Kduard  K.  Ibiwhmd  was  one  of  the  earliest  jiio- 
neers  of  Ross  Townshii>,  having  come  hither  with 
his  family  in  IS.'ili.  He  here  made  his  home  until 
liis  death,  Septemlier  12,  18!S1. 

The  parental  family  of  (uu-  subject  included  six 
children,  <)nly  three  of  whom  are  living:  Simpson, 
our  subject;  Mary,  the  wife  of  II.  I).  Palmer,  and 
Margaret.  ^Irs.  L.  II.  Martin.  INIr.  I  lowland  w.as 
reared  amid  the  pioneer  scenes  of  this  locality, 
whose  liardshii>s  and  privations  have  made  a  last- 
ing imi)ression  on  his  mind,  lie  received  his  ed- 
ucation in  the  common  schools  of  that  period,  but, 
making  the  best  of  his  o|>i)ortunities,  liecame  a 
well-read  and  intelligent  gentleman. 

The  lion.  Simpson  Ilowhind  was  married,  March 
It,  1H48,  t(.)  Miss  Sarah  lierger,  a  native  of  New 
York  State,  and  to  them  have  been  granted  a  fam- 
ily of  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased. 
They  bear  llie  icspectivc  names  of  Dewitt,  deceased; 
Alice  v.,  Mrs.  .Tames  Spier;  and  Aitiert  ().  The 
father  of  oursuljject  erected  the  pioneer  gristmill 
in  this  section,  whicli  is  now  the  [iroperty  of  the 
original  of  this  sketch.  He  also  built  and  o|>eratcd 
a  sawmill  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  ver3' 
prominent  in  business  circles. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  has  occupied  the 
otlice  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  for  yeais  served 
as  Su|iervisor  and  Treasiuer  of  Ross  Township, 
Kalamazoo  County.  He  was  also  Townshi|)  Asses- 
sor and  very  active  in  all  local  affairs.  INIr  How- 
land  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in  187.') 
and  re-elected  in  1877.  serving  with  due  credit  to 
himself  and  satisfaetion  to  his  constituents.  While 
a  mcMilier  of  that  body,  he  officiated  as  Chairman 
on  the  important  committees  of  Fisheries  and  ]Muni- 
eipal  Corporations. 

The  lion.  Simpson  Ilowhind  is  the  |)ro|irietor   of 


a  larji^e  farm  in  this  section  and  has  been  more  than 

ordinarily  successful  in  all  his  unilertakings.  He 
isvirtnall\  a  self-made  man,  as  his  vast  j)ossessions 
arc  the  result  of  his  industry  and  good  manage- 
ment. 1)1  early  life  a  Whig,  our  subject  now  casts 
his  vole  and  intlnence  in  favor  of  Republican 
candidates.  .Mthough  not  a  member  of  any  par- 
ticular denomin.'ition,  Mr.  Ihiwland  is  a  liberal  and 
cheerful  contributor  U)  ;\\\  the  various  religious 
organizations  and  is  in  favor  of  all  movements 
which  have  for  their  object  the  uplifting  and  iip- 
Iniilding  of  his  coniinunil\-. 

Mrs.'  Howland  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Hannah  (King)  Berger,*  prominent  pioneers  of 
Calhoun  County,  wht're  they  bear  tin'  re|>u1ation 
of  honest  upright  i)eople. 


NSON  1).  P.  VAN  BUREN.  This  gentle- 
l@/4!li  man,  who  resides  in  Galesburgh,  is  the  |)res- 
1*  ent  Clerk  of  Coinstock  Township,  Kala- 
mazoo County,  and  in  addition  to  the  du- 
ties of  this  office  he  carries  on  a  sjilendid  insurance 
business.  ]Mr.  Van  Buren  was  born  in  Kinderhook 
Township,  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  the  date 
thereof  being  April  21,  1822.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  the  same  place  as  was  our  subject,  and 
was  a  cousin  of  ex-President  Mai-tin  V.an  Buren. 
The  elder  Mr.  Xnn  Buren  was  a  farmer  b}'  occu- 
pation and  in  1826  removed  from  his  native  place 
to  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  made  his  home 
until  1836,  the  date  of  his  coming  to  IMichigan. 
He  located  near  Battle  Creek,  in  the  then  Terri- 
tory, where  he  entered  a  tract  of  land  from  the 
Govei-nment.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Presbyteiian  Church,  and  a  strong  temperance 
man.  He  passed  from  this  life  in  1866.  The 
maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was  Olive 
Ja}',  a  descendant  of  Gov.  John  Jay,  of  New  Y'ork. 
Mrs.  Van  Buren  was  born  in  Little  Falls,  N.  Y., 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood.  .She  met  and  was 
married  to  the  father  of  our  subject  in  Columl>ia 
County  and  became  the  mother  of  nine  children, 
four  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  mar- 
ried and  have  homes  of  their  own.  'Sla.ry  married 
L.  D.  Spence  and  resides  in  California;    Sarah  I)e- 


646 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPIHCAL  RECORD. 


came  Mrs.  E.  Dickinson  .and  died  in  ChillicotUe, 
Mo.;  Atlant.n  married  George  AV.  Spencer,  and 
died  at  Tliiee  Rivei-s.  tins  State:  Eliza,  who  is  de- 
ceased, married  Benjamin  ^I.  King,  who  w.as  a 
very  early  settler  and  prominent  man  in  this  State. 
Martin  c:imc  to  Michigan  in  183G.  and  is  at  pres- 
ent residing  in  Cass  County;  Harriet  married  Isaac 
.Smith,  of  Kalamazoo  County,  and  makes  her  home 
in  Charleston  Township:  Ki>hraim  also  came  to 
this  State  in  lf<."3t),  and  for  a  number  of  yeai-s  re- 
sided in  Battle  Creek;  lie  now  makes  his  home  in 
Allegan  County,  where  he  has  a  line  fruit  farm. 
Aijner  J.  made  this  State  his  home  in  1810.  hut 
is  now  residing  in  Cliarlwton  Township.  KiUania- 
zoo  County. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  is  the  youngest  of 
the  parenUil  family  ami  came  to  the  Wolverine 
State  with  his  parent-s  as  early  as  18.'5().  lie  re- 
ceived ills  lirst  sciiooling  in  Whitestown.  >«'.  Y. 
He  became  a  teacher  in  1838,  having  charge  of  a 
school  in  Battle  Creek  Township.  Calhoun  County, 
this  State.  He  occupied  that  position  until  1843, 
and  then  attended  for  four  years  a  branch  of 
tiie  Michigan  I'niversity  at  Kalamazoo.  lie  later 
took  a  course  of  study  in  the  .Michigan  rnivcrsity 
at  Ann  Arl>or,  from  wliidi  he  finished  his  studies 
in  184'.i.  He  was  liien  given  charge  of  the  Battle 
Creek  Higii  School,  where  he  taught  one  year,  and 
then  took  charge  of  Uii>  Inion  school,  at  the  same 
place,  for  one  year,  lie  organized  the  fust  school 
in  DowMgiac,  this  .Stale,  .-md  went  South  to  Miss- 
issi|ipi,  in  IH.'iT.  wiiere  he  was  engaged  as  a  peda- 
gogue in  an  ac.'idemy  established  liy  the  wealthy 
planl«-rsof  tluit  section. 

In  18;')!'.  Mr.  Nan  Buren  returned  to  Michigan 
nn<l  wrote  a  biMik  entitled  ".lottings  of  the  South," 
which  had  a  good  sale.  Our  subject  taui^ht 
his  Ijud  school  in  the  academy  at  Climax,  this 
county. 

The  original  of  this  .sketch  w.as  married,  in  18,5fi, 
to  Mary  L.  (iilson,  of  Reading,  I'a.  'I'lic  Ndun^j 
couple  then  locjilecl  ill  (ialesbingh,  where  .Mr.  \'an 
Uiircn  engaged  In  (he  iiisiiraiice  biisiuess,  repre- 
.Henting  itevernl  (ire  in.oiirancc  companies,  lie  has 
held  the  po.«itioii  (»f  Townshiji  Clerk  for  the  last 
lifteeii  years.  He  has  Im'cii  a  eoiii'-|Hi||il,.|||  ,,[  n,,. 
Detroit  /''IhI.  now  the  DuiroM  Trifninr,  since  it.s  iii>   | 


corporation.  He  also  holds  a  like  position  on  the 
Battle  Creek  Journal  imi\  many  other  |iai)eis.  Mr. 
Van  Buren  is  a  member  of  the  committee  of  the 
Michigan  Tioneer  Historical  Society  of  this  State, 
with  which  body  he  has  been  connected  for  six- 
teen years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  ^Vmeri- 
can  Academy  of  Political  and  Social  Science,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  is  a  correspondent  of  the 
same. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  is  one  of  the  committee  of  the 
Kalamazoo  County  Pioneers'  Society,  in  which  oi- 
g.'uiization  he  is  a  historian.  He  is  a  strong  tein- 
jierance  man  and  has  lieen  an  active  worker  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  prohiliition  in  this  section. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
is    widely    known    and     highly    esteemed    in    the 

COllIlt\'. 


ARWIN  McKEE,  who  follows  farming  on 
section  21,  Decatur  Township,  is  one  of  tlic 
wortiiy  citizens  which  New  York  has  fur- 
nished to  A'an  Buren  County.  He  comes  of  an  old 
New  England  family.  His  father,  Ch.'iiicey  Mc- 
Kee,  w.as  born  in  Old  Hartford,  Conn.,  February  3, 
1791,  and,  when  a  lad  of  thirteen  years,  removed 
with  his  iiarents  to  JetTerson  County,  N.  Y.  In 
18111,  he  married  a  daughter  of  Judge  ImIihoikIs 
of  that  county,  and  six  years  later  removed  with 
his  wile  and  two  children  to  .Niagara  County, 
N.  Y..  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  operating  it  un- 
til 1811.  He  then  bought  land  north  of  .lohn- 
son's  Creek,  in  Niagara  County,  and  there  resided 
until  his  death  on  the  26th  of  .Viigust,  187.").  His 
first  wife  hnxing  died,  he  married  l.iicy  l.oomis,  a 
n;iti\e  of  I{ut1;ind.  \'l.  Three  cliiliben.  mII  yil 
li\ing,  were  born  of  tlu'  lirst  union;  .Milo,  a  shoe 
maiiiifactiirer,  of  ^liddleport,  N.  Y.;  Clarissa,  wid- 
ow of  l):i\i(l  I  IiiIIhtI,  anil  ri  resident-  of  the  Mm 
pire  Slate,  and  Lmvis,  who  .served  throughonl  the 
late  wai'  as  one  of  the  boys  in  blue.  Seven  sons 
were  boi  n  of  the  second  union,  but  only  lliree 
grew  to  manhood:  ICdwin,  a  I'arnn'r  of  llartlMiid. 
N.  \.;  Darwin,  of  this  notice,  an<l  Delos,  an  agri- 
culturist   of     Nurtii     Dakota.      In  earl\'    iile,    the 


ilf^' 


-7^t7:^^^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


649 


father  was  a  member  of  tlie  Methodist  Episcopal 
Chun  li,  but  111  hiter  years  joinofl  the  Wesleyan 
Melliodisl.  He  lived  a  devoted  Ciiristian  life,  and 
at  Ids  death  many  friends  mourned  his  loss.  Ilis 
second  wife,  who  was  also  a  member  of  the  church, 
(lied  ill  Koyaltown,  N.  Y.,  in  1815. 

Darwin  McKee  was  born  in  Royaltown,  August 
H,  1828,  and  there  acquired  his  education.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen,  he  went  with  his  father  to  Ilait- 
land,  Niagara  Countj^,  and  there  made  his  home 
until  twenty-six  years  of  age,  when,  in  1855,  he 
came  to  Michigan,  hoping  to  bettor  his  financial 
condition  by  removing  westward.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  his  wife,  having  been  married  some 
years  previous.  The  lady  of  his  choice  was  Adelia 
Andrus,  who  was  born  in  New  York,  June  29, 
1831,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Abel  Andrus,  of  Ver- 
inimt,  who  removed  to  the  Empire  State  in  an 
early  day.  On  coming  to  Michigan,  INIr.  McKee 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  heavily  timbered,  and  it 
was  no  easy  task  to  clear  it,  but  witli  character- 
istic energy  he  began  the  work,  and  in  the  course 
of  time  where  once  stood  the  monarcbs  of  the 
forest  heaving  fields  of  grain  met  the  e^-e.  A 
cabin  home  sheltered  the  family  until  about  six 
years  ago,  when  a  comfortable  frame  residence 
was  erected.  Other  substantial  improvements 
hav(;  been  made,  which  add  to  the  value  and  at- 
tractive appearance  of  the  place. 

The  family  circle  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKee  num- 
bered six  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living: 
Benjamin  Franklin,  born  Januaiy  5,  1856,  is  now 
faming  near  Lakeside,  Mich.;  Leonard  Cole,  born 
in  Royaltown,  N.  Y.,  October  .SI,  1858,  aids  in  the 
operation  of  the  home  farm;  Darwin,  born  in 
Hartland,  N.  Y.,  March  8,  1860,  resides  in  Decatur 
Township  witli  his  wife  and  two  children;  Ella 
Dell,  born  February  14,  18G2,  died  May  13,  1865; 
Ihittie,  boiii  .January  20,  1866,  in  Decatur  Town- 
ship, is  now  the  wife  of  Allison  Ives,  a  resident 
fanner  of  that  township;  and  Sarah  Eleanor,  born 
.lune  25,  1874,  is  still  under  the  parental  roof. 

Mr.  McKee  is  an  independent  Republican  in 
politics,  has  served  two  years  on  the  Scliool  Board, 
and  the  cause  of  education  finds  in  him  a  stanch 
friend.  It  has  been  his  earnest  desire  to  give  to 
his  children  good  cduuitious,  thus  fitting  them  for 


the  practical  duties  of  life,  and  he  has  lived  to  see 
them  liecome  useful  men  and  women,  and  re- 
si)ected  members  of  society.  His  farm  comprises 
eighty  acres,  and,  in  connection  with  general 
farming,  he  engages  in  fruit-growing,  which  adds 
not  a  little  to  his  income.  The  princi|)al  products 
which  he  raises  arc  wheat,  corn,  oats,  potatoes, 
grapes  and  peaches. 


-■>y  >-  f  >'■ 


?   I   ■  I   '     I  '    I 


VA.  ENGLE,  M.  D.  Probably  there  is  no 
more  respected  citizen  of  Van  Buren 
County  than  the  gentleman  whose  por- 
trait and  life-sketch  we  present  to  our  readers,  and 
who  is  practicing  his  profession  in  Hartford.  He 
was  born  in  1827,  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  eight 
children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  reach  mature  years 
and  become  heads  of  families. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  ,]ohn  and  Sarah 
(Alvord)  Engle.  The  father  was  born  in  German- 
town,  Pa.,  about  1795  and  was  a  son  of  .J.  W. 
Engle,  who  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He 
was  a  very  prominent  gentleman  and  was  elected 
many  times  to  represent  his  district  in  the  State 
Legislature.  The  Engle  family  came  originally 
from  German}'  and  the  great-grandfather  of  our 
subject  participated  in  the  noted  Germantown 
battle. 

He  of  whom  we  write  grew  to  mature  years  in 
Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  graduated  from 
the  University  of  Alfred  of  that  county.  He  came 
to  Michigan  in  1855,  and  began  the  study  of  med- 
icine in  the  Michigan  University  at  Ann  Arbor, 
from  which  institution  he  vvas  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1856.  Later  he 
located  in  Hartford  and  began  tlie  practice  of  his 
profession.  He  is  the  oldest  practicing  i)hysician 
in  the  village  and  his  pleasant  and  genial  manners 
never  fail  to  make  warm  friends  for  him  wherever 
lie  goes.  He  engaged  in  the  drug  business  about 
1875  and  now  has  one  of  the  best  stores  in  Hart- 
ford. 

Dr.  Engle  was  married  in  1863  to  Mrs.  Emily  D. 
AVoolscy,  daughter  of  Daniel  Van  Auken,of  Bangor. 
Mrs.  Engle  had  ouc  son  by  ker   former  marriage, 


650 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


P'red  K.,  who  is  eniployod  in  tlic  store  of  our  subject. 
Of  her  union  willi  Dr.  Knglc  have  been  liorn  two 
children:  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  1..  Ingalls, 
and  Manlius  A.,  at  Bijr  Rapids.  Our  subject  is 
connected  with  tlie  Methodist  Kpiscopal  Church 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Michigan  State  Medical 
.Siciety  in  which  organization  he  is  very  promi- 
nent. l>eing  one  of  it*;  oldest  adliereut^.  Dr.  Knglc 
is  very  Ualented  as  a  pt>et  and  in  1883  had  a  book 
of  poems  published  wliich  has  received  many  com- 
mendations, lie  has  at  presoil  a  work  i>f  poems 
ready  for  pubticalinn.  lie  was  Postmaster  of  Hart- 
ford for  ten  years,  bi'ing  appointed  to  that  (xisition 
by  President  Lincoln.  Dr.  Hnglc  stands  very  iiigl' 
in  professional  circles  and  ranks  among  the  skill- 
ful and  progressive  physicians  of  Van  Hiircn 
Count\-. 


4^ 


»H* 


1I.\HI-KS  C.  UKYNOLDS.  This  represcn- 
.!(  _  tJitive  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  .\lamo 
'V^  Township.  K.-ilania/.oo  County,  owns  onu 
hundred  ami  two  acres  (if  land  on  sections  .11  and 
.3.">.  His  estate  is  enibcllisln>d  with  a  large  and 
handsome  residence,  ami  all  the  farm  buildings 
which  iH'st  subserve  the  interests  of  an  agricultur- 
ist. In  addition  to  raising  the  cereals.  Mi'.  IJcy- 
nolds  devotes  a  great  deal  of  time  and  alleiition 
to  the  breeding  of  Shoil-honi  cattle  ami  Merino 
sheep.  r;ii>.ing  the  latter  for  breeding  purposes. 

Charles  C.  Keynold>  is  a  native  of  the  above- 
nnnied  township  anil  county,  his  birth  occurring 
November  ;t.  |H|;i.  Ili^  f.atlier  was  (Jeorge  W. 
I{eynolrls,  a  native  of  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  who 
came  l<i  Michigan  n-s  early  as  1837.  Locating  in 
AInino  Township,  he  entered  land  from  tlieCov- 
ernnu'iit.  and  was  among  the  very  earliest  settleis 
of  the  county.  Mr.  Ueynolds  wjis  very  fond  of 
liiiiM  ing.  and  found  many  an  opportunity  to  dis- 
play his  talent  as  a  good  marksman.  (ieoiije 
\V.  Uey  nohb  cleared  and  iniproved  Ins  land,  and 
rlied  .\pril  12,  IHHH.  in  the  seventy-first  yi'ar  of 
Ills  age. 

The  iiiniden  name  of  our  siilijecl's  motlni-  «.•!> 
I'.lvira  l''oid  and  her  native  Sl;il<',  ( )|iio.  She  is 
.ilill  living,  and  hua  Ijccuijic   lliu    niolher  of   seven 


children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living.  Our  sub- 
ject was  given  a  common-school  education,  and 
resided  under  the  parental  roof,  assisting  his  father 
in  improving  the  new  farm,  until  twenty-seven 
years  of  age.  He  purchased  his  present  home 
about  1874,  and  was  mariied  two  years  later  to  llat- 
tie  Broekaw.ay,  a  native  of  this  State.  Mrs.  Hattic 
Reynolds  died  October  7,  1883,  and  left  one  daugh- 
ter, Bessie.  Mr.  Reynolds  was  again  mariied  in 
1888,  this  time  to  Christina  Rutherford,  a  native  of 
Canada.  She  came  to  Michigan  when  quite  ycmiig, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Cliiistiiia 
(Hiockie)  Rutherford,  natives  of  Scotland,  where 
they  were  mariied.  Mrs.  Rutherford  died  in  1S7I, 
after  having  become  the  iiiotlier  of  eight  children, 
all  of  whom  are  living,  with  one  exception.  The 
father  is  a  farmer  in  Osliteiiio  Townshu),  Kal.'ima- 
zoo  County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reynolds  have  two  children:  Fan- 
nie O.  and  Chaiies  Rnymoiul.  In  i)olitics.  our  sub- 
ject is  a  Rrpublicaii.  and  has  held  ninny  of  the  lo- 
cal ollices  of  his  townslii[).  lie  is  well  known  and 
highly  esteemed  throughout  the  community,  and 
is  making  a  success  of  his  calling,  as  faniiei-  and 
stock-raiser. 


()\'KI.  R.  IIOVT.  The  village  of  School- 
i  craft  is  the  home  of  a  nuinlier  of  gentlemen 
^  who  are  prominently  connected  with  the 
agriculluial  interests  of  Kalamazoo  ('(unily,  .-ind 
are  the  owners  of  large  and  highly  improved 
farms.  The  estate  wliich  ^Ir.  Iloyt  owns  and  man- 
ages is  pleasantly  situated  on  section  .'!.  I'lairie 
Ronde  Township,  and  the  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  which  it  comprises  ;ire  linely  cultivated  and 
eiribelllslied  with  good  farm  Iniildings.  Although 
he  sii|)ervises  its  management,  his  home  is  in 
Sehoolcnift,  where  he  occuiiies  a  neat  and  tastily 
furnished   residence. 

The  family  of  which  our  snbjeel,  is  a  nienil>er  is 
one  of  the  best  known  .and  most  highly  respected 
in  I  lie  connly,  ami  it--  iriemliers  lia\'e  aide(l  gre;illy 
in  the  development  of  the  agrieiill iir;d  resources  of 
rr;iirie    Roinh-    Townshiii.      I.ovi'l    R.   is   oni-   of  a 


POUTKAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RFX'ORD. 


651 


family  luinibcring  thirteen  cliildion,  whose  father, 
Ransford  ('.,  now  passed  from  flie  scenes  of  earth, 
was  for  many  years  identified  with  this  township. 
For  furtlier  information  in  regard  to  tlie  parental 
history,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  l)iogra[)liy  of 
K.  C.  Iloyt,  which  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this 
volume. 

In  I'rairic  Roiide  Towushi|),  where  he  was  Ijorn 
Mareh  18,  1843,  Level  R.  Hoyt  passed  the  years  of 
his  boyhood  and  3'outh  in  a  somewhat  uneventful 
manner,  his  school  studies  being  varied  by  the  us- 
u'\l  childish  sports  as  well  as  the  work  incident  to 
f,-irui  life.  Having  passed  his  entire  life  on  a  farm, 
lie  is  perfectly  familiar  with  agriculture  in  its  va- 
rious departments,  and  is  a  successful  and  practical 
farmer.  He  and  his  wife,  who  was  formerly  Miss 
Eva  R.  Keen,  of  Porter  Township,  Van  Buren 
County, are  the  parents  of  two  bright  and  talented 
children,  Lena  and  Ira,  who  are  at  home  with  their 
parents. 


^>-^<^ 


-5- 


IKORGE  H.  WELDIN  is  successfully  cul- 
ig  a  portion  of  the  soil  on  section  3, 
!r  Township,  Van  Buren  County.  His 
father,  Lewis  H.  Weldiu,  was  born  in  1798,  in 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812.  The  maiden  name  of  his  mother 
was  Betsey  Merritt,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  elder  Mr.  Weldin  went  to  the  Kej^stone  State 
when  a  young  man  and  there  met  and  married  the 
mother  of  our  subject.  They  remained  there  but 
a  short  time,  however,  and  in  1834  came  to  Michi- 
gan and  rented  the  Kidsey  farm  in  AVashtenaw 
County  which  he  operated  three  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1837,  the  parents  of  our  subject 
came  to  A^an  Buren  County  and  settled  on  a  farm 
on  section  21,  Porter  Townshi]),  whicii  tiic  father 
entered  from  tlie  Government.  His  estate,  which 
consisted  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres,  w.as 
all  wild  land  and  located  between  Lake  Cedar  and 
Grass  Lake.  His  nearest  neighbors  on  the  east  and 
west  at  that  time  were  about  three  miles  distant. 
He  cleared  and  cultivated  his  farm  and  continued 
to  m:ike  it  his  abiding-place  for  thirteen  years, 
erecting  thereon  a  frame  house  which  was  the  first 


nice  residence  in  Porter  Township.  He  also  built 
the  first  frame  barn  in  that  locality  and  otherwise 
greatly  improved  his  farm. 

Mr.  Weldin,  Sr.,  in  1850  removed  to  section  8 
of  the  above-named  township  and  again  com- 
menced the  work  of  improving  a  raw  farm.  The 
frame  house  which  he  erected  on  the  place  was 
burned,  but  he  soon  reiilaced  it  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  had  become  the  owner  of  a  splendid  tract 
of  land.  His  good  wife  died  in  18.50,  which  lirok(? 
into  the  plans  which  he  had  made  of  moving  to 
Iowa.  He  survived  his  companion  a  number  of 
years  and  died  in  1865,  having  become  the  jiarent 
of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  Weldin  was  a  minister  in  the  Free- 
will Baptist  Church. 

George  H.  Weldin  was  the  sixth  child  in  the 
parental  family  and  was  born  in  Washtenaw 
County,  this  Stale,  November  20,  1839;  he  was  an 
infant  at  the  time  of  his  parents'  removal  to  Van 
Buren  County  He  attended  the  first  schoolhouse 
in  the  township,  whicli  was  built  of  logs,  until 
reaching  his  fifteenth  year.  He  was  very  amliitious 
to  become  a  well-educated  man,  however,  and, 
making  his  home  with  an  uncle  in  Wisconsin,  he 
sawed  wood  to  pay  for  his  tuition.  He  later  made 
quite  a  trip  in  company  with  his  father  through 
the  Western  States  and  then  returned  home. 

Purchasing  a  tract  of  raw  land  in  Pine  Grove 
Township,  Van  Buren  County,  our  subject  cleared 
twent}'  acres  of  it  and  then  sold  his  estate.  He 
was  married,  January  26,  1862,  to  Miss  Margery 
Turner,  a  native  of  England,  her  birth  occurring 
in  Februaiy,  1837.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weldin  are  the 
parents  of  four  children,  viz:  Lewis  II.,  who  mar- 
ried Annie  Peterson,  lives  at  l^awton;  Cora,  who 
married  Henry  Mauk,  has  two  children  and  makes 
her  home  in  Porter  Township;  Nora  .1.,  Mrs.  .1. 
Darsey,  lives  in  Michigan  City;  IMerritt  resides  at 
home. 

Mr.  Weldin  rented  .and  operated  his  father's  farm 
a  twelvemonth,  then  removed  to  section  10,  where 
he  remained  for  several  years  and  then  located 
permanently  on  his  present  farm.  His  possessions 
include  two  hundred  and  seventy-three  acres  of 
excellent  land,  twenty-five  of  which  are  inside  the 
corporate  limits  of  Lawtou.      Forty  acres  of  his 


652 


PORTRAIT  AIS'D  BlUG  RAPmCAL  RECORD. 


property  are  devoted  to  a  vineyard,  and  althougli 
he  does  a  general  farming  Inisiuess,  he  gives  a  great 
deal  of  attention  to  fruit  culture. 

Mi-s.  Margery  Weldin  died  iu  1884  and  July  3, 
ItS'.Mj,  our  suliject  was  married  to  Marilla  Smith,  a 
native  of  I-ake  County,  Ohio,  aud  the  daughter  of 
(i.e.  and  Kiizalietli  (Hilliugton)  Ray.  Her  par- 
eut*;  liad  a  large  family  of  thirteen.  They  are  both 
now  deceased.  Mr>.  Weldin  was  born  xVugust  16, 
lH;3;i.and  with  her  husband  is  a.  member  of  the 
Metiiodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Lawtou,  iu  which 
bctdy  Mr.  Weldin  is  .Steward  and  Trustee.  They 
are  both  active  in  Sunday-school  work  and  our 
sulijcct  has  been  Suiieriutcndenl  of  the  same. 

.Socially,  lie  of  whom  we  write  was  a  ineinl)er  of 
the  Grange,  in  which  order  he  was  Lecturer  for 
seven  years,  and  was  Steward  of  tlie  County 
(irange.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Farmer's  Club 
an<l  w:ls  its  first  Vice-presideut.  He  has  been 
ScIkmiI  Director  and  Treasurerand  was  Collector  of 
rate  Hills.  In  politics,  he  was  in  early  life  a  Hc- 
pubiican  and  cast  liis  lii-st  vote  for  Abraham  Liu- 
coin;  lie  now  voles  the  I'rohibilion  ticket  and  is 
Secretary  of  the  County  Committee  of  that  body. 


CYUrs  TiiAVi;H,  who  represents  Cooper 
Township  on  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  of 
Kalamazoo  Cuunty.  is  a  prominciil  and 
pruirres>ivc  farmer  aud  stocU-raiscr.  Ills  line  farm, 
which  is  vabicd  at  about  i<2(!.o()l(,  i-omprises  two 
hiuidred  and  lifty  acre,-,  on  sections  15  and  !(!,  be- 
.tide>  eiglily  acics  on  section  20.  While  he  raises 
the  various  cereals,  lie  makes  a  s])eci!dly  of  wheat, 
of  which  Ills  .'iverage  crop  is  three  thousand 
bushels.  In  1Mk;».  he  pjantecl  ninety-six  .acres  in 
wheal,  and  liarvcsl<-d  three  thousand  bushels,  or 
ovi-r  thirty  bushels  to  the  acre. 

Naliuin  r. 'I'lia\cr.  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  Canada  in  IHOI,  and  followed  the  tnide  of 
a  enr|M;nU'i.  In  IH27,  he  eijii){rntcd  to  Michigan. 
!.eltling  In  what  is  now  Springwells  Township, 
Wayne  ( 'i>niit.\.  where  he  continued  work  at  his 
Irnde,  and  also  cleiucd  a  farm  <if  nnc  liuncbi'cl  and 
"jxtv  acre-.  (In  .•icinnnt  of  service  ;i>  Cnlimel  in 
the  Uluck  Hawk  War,  he  wus  lamiliurly   known  as 


Col.  Thayer.     He  was   .Justice   of   the   Peace,  and 

was  closely  identified  with  the  progress  of  the 
community  until  his  death,  in  18.jl. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a 
native  of  Canada,  and  lived  to  the  great  age  of 
nearly  one  hundred  ^-ears.  Lavina  (Swick)  Thayer, 
our  subject's  mother,  was  born  in  Canada  in 
1808,  and  passed  from  earth  about  1881.  Her 
family  comprised  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living.  Cyrus,  who  was  the  fifth  in  order  of 
birth,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  .luly  I, 
1832.  After  receiving  a  limited  education  in  the 
pioneer  log  schoolhousc  of  the  district,  he  started 
c  111  for  himself  in  llie  fall  of  1850,  and  worked  on 
the  Flint  i^-  S.aginaw  i)lank  road,  at  a  tinie  when 
there  was  only  one  house  and  barn  in  l'',ast  Sagi- 
naw. 

March  1,  1852,  Mr.  Thayer  came  to  Kalamazoo 
aud  aided  in  building  the  plank  road  between 
Kabimazoo  and  Grand  Kapids.  June  1,  of  the 
following  year,  he  took  passage  on  the  shi])  -In- 
de|)endence"  from  New  York,  and  while  en  route 
to  California  was  wrecked  on  the  island  of  Mar- 
garclta.  in  the  Pacific  Ocean.  AVhou  tin'  ship  was 
about  four  miles  from  the  island,  it  struck  a 
rock  and  sprang  a  leak;  .an  effort  was  made  to 
reach  the  island,  luil  within  one-half  mile  of  the 
l)ort  the  vessel  caught  on  lire  and  the  passengers 
well'  obliged  to  jump  overlioard.  about  three  iiun- 
drcd  being  drowned. 

Leaving  his  money  and  clothes  on  board  shiii. 
Mr.  Thayer  plunged  into  the  water  and  a  shorl 
lime  after  was  rescued  by  a  whaling-vessel,  .\niong 
the  rescued  passengers  wore  about  twelve  ladies. 
For  four  days  and  nights  tlu'v  remained  on  llie 
island  without  food  or  drink,  and  their  sulTcrings 
caniHtt  be  described.  During  the  lirsl  day  a  child 
was  born,  aud  was  named  !\lMigaretta.  When  San 
l'"r;iueisco  was  reacliecl,  n  purse  of  IKHI. (111(1  wjis 
presenteil  to  the  mother  and  child,  tlic  husband 
and  f.atlier  having  perished  with  the  ship. 

I''iir  four  iilonllis,  Mr.  Thayer  remained  in  the 
mines  of  California,  on  the  north  roll<  of  the 
.\inerican  IJiver.  .after  wliicli  lie  w;is  empbiyed  in 
making  shingles  niilil  lie  returned  Ivast,  at  tlu'  ex- 
piration of  one  \ear.  The  ship  which  he  boarded 
at   San  l''raiicisco  took  lire,  but  the  llames  were  ex- 


PORTRAIT  AND  RIOGRAPTTTCAL  RECORD. 


653 


liiiijuisliod  hpfnve  sorions  rlamage  wns  dono.  After 
his  rclniii  tu  Knlamii/.oo  ('(iiiiitv,  lie  sctllcil  in 
Cooper's  Township,  wliorc  lio  has  since  reniaincil. 
Aliout  1873,  lie  |)iireii;iseil  his  present  fai'in.  wliieh 
he  lias  jjreatly  improved. 

Tiie  marriage  of  Mr.  Tiiaver  to  Miss  Adeline 
M.  Smith  took  plaee  July  '2.5,18.52.  Mrs.  Thayer 
was  horn  in  Cooper,  Decenihor  9,  1836,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Ira  and  Ann  I).  (Stearnes)  Smith,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Ohio  and  New  York.  They 
became  early  settlers  of  Cooper  Township,  where 
he  passed  away  December  3,  1889,  at  the  age  of 
four-score  and  one.  Mrs.  Smith  died  October  4, 
1887,  when  sixty-seven  years  old.  They  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  survive. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thayer  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  namely:  Almira  JI.,  wife  of  Charles 
Fisk,  railroad  agent  at  Ypsilanti;  Ira,  who  is  mar- 
ried and  resides  on  the  old  homestead;  Iva  P>., 
wife  of  Frank  Lillie,  who  is  with  the  McCormick 
Reaper  Companj^  in  Kalamazoo;  Ida,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Fisher,  a  farmer  in  Cooper  Township; 
Ada  A.,  an  accomplished  pianist  and  teacher  of 
instrumental  music;  Myrtice  M.,  a  graduate  from 
the  Kalamazoo  High  School  of  the  Class  of  '92; 
Charles  M.  and  Edna  M.,  who  are  at  home. 

Mr.  Thayer  is  a  Democrat  politically,  .and  has 
.served  as  a  delegate  to  county,  district  and  State 
conventions.  lie  was  Treasurer  two  years,and  is  now 
serving  his  third  term  as  Sui)ervisor.  Foi'  several 
years  he  has  been  Director  in  his  school  district,  and 
is  greatly  interested  in  educational  matters.  He  has 
been  a  Mason  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  is 
identified  with  Cooper  Lodge,  No.  149.  Mrs. 
Th.ayer  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  (.'liurch, 
in  tlie  faith  of  which  the  children  have  been 
reared. 


\i^  DMOND  M.  PRESTON.  Too  much  praise 
|W|  cannot  be  bestowed  upon  those  brave  pio- 
/l' — ^  neers,  who,  during  the  early  d.ays  of  this 
State,  came  hither  and  hewed  a  path  for  coming 
civilization.  Much  danger  fell  to  their  lot  and 
many  hardsliips  had  to  be  endured,  ere  they  could 
clear   the  land  and   begin    the  cultivation   of  the 


soil.  ( )n  every  hand  they  uir<-  cx|m)sci1  to  perils, 
iHir  wcir  they  less  in  danger  from  the  insidious 
foes — miasma,  and  fever  .ind  .ague — caused  by  the 
uiitnrning  of  the  sod.  than  they  were  frf)m  wild 
animals  and  savages.  Many  of  the  earl\'  setllei's 
died  before  they  reapi^l  the  nnvards  of  their  haid 
labor,  liut,  fortunately,  some  have  survived  to  en- 
joy thest!  d.ays  of  pros))erity,  and  among  the  latter 
class  is  Mr.  Preston,  a  fai-iner  of  Arlington  T(3wn- 
ship,  Xan  P>ui'eji  County. 

Vermont  was  the  native  home  of  Mi'.  Preston 
and,  at  White  River  Junction,  he  was  born  in  1820. 
He  is  one  of  two  children,  the  other  being  Elisha, 
who  died  wlien  fifteen  years  old.  His  parents  were 
Benjamin  and  Hannah  (Wheeler)  Preston,  prol)ably 
natives  of  \'ermont.  The  maternal  grandparents 
of  our  subject  were  Jonas  H.  and  Amy  (Parkers) 
Wheeler,  with  whom  our  subject  remained  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  old.  At  that  age,  he  located  in 
Pennsylvania,  sojourning  in  that  State  for  three 
years,  whence  he  removed  to  New  York,  where 
he  remained  seven  years.  In  both  St.ates  he  was 
eng.aged  in  farming  pursuits,  but  he  was  not  satis- 
lied  to  remain  in  the  East,  when  the  West  offered 
such  glowing  opportunities  to  the  young. 

In  1847,  l\Ir.  Preston  removed  to  iMichigan,  set- 
tling in  Arlington  Township,  Van  lUiren  County 
where  he  has  since  resided.  His  occupation  has 
always  been  that  of  a  fanner,  and  he  is  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  the  latest  methods  of  developing 
the  soil  and  rotating  crops  so  as  to  i)roduce  the 
best  results.  For  forty  years  he  has  made  his  home 
at  his  present  place  and  is  therefore  one  of  the 
oldest  settlers  of  Arlington  Township.  He  was 
married  in  1849,  his  bride  Ijeing  Miss  Anna  E., 
daughter  of  J.  P.  and  Charlotte  (Gray)  Fisk.  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  ^lassachusetts  in  180G.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fisk  reared  a  family  of  seven  children. 
They  came  to  Van  lUiren  County  in  1843,  and 
here  both  passed  away. 

Three  children  came  to  bless  the  home  of  Jlr. 
and  Mrs.  Preston,  but  only  one  of  whom,  Orra, 
lived  to  mature  years.  He  married  and  settled  in 
New  Buffalo.  He  was  a  conductor  on  the  Chicago 
iV'  West  Michigan  Railroad,  and  lost  his  life  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty.  At  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1886,  he  left  two  children,  Ethel  M.  and 


654 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Nina  A.  Politioally,  Mr.  Preston  adlieres  to  the 
priiifiples  of  the  Dcnioi-ratie  party  and  in  iiis  social 
counw'tiuus  is  a  nienilier  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
belt)ngin2  t«  the  lodge  at  Lawrence. 


-^=^^\^/ 


fc=^-' 


OSLVII  l.(  •i;ill!.  who  owns  and  inan.iges  a 
farm  coiniirising  one  iinndred  and  twont\' 
acres  on  sections  25  and  26,  Columbia 
Township,  is  honored  as  one  of  the  early 
settlei-s  wlio  have  developed  the  resources  of  Van 
IJuren  County,  and  as  one  of  the  patriotic  and 
courageous  defenders  of  our  Government  during 
the  Civil  AVar.  He  is  descended  from  German  an- 
cestors, his  grandparents,  .John  J.  and  Mary  E. 
(Snider)  Loehr, having  emigrated  from  the  Fatlier- 
l;ind  in  1820  and  settled  in  I'ennsylvania.  In 
18:58,  (Jrandfalliur  Loehr  removed  to  .Stark  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker 
until  his  death, at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  He  w.as 
an  upright  man  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

The  graud;)arents  of  our  sul)ject  liad  a  family  of 
live  children,  namely:  Frederick  P.,  Otilda,  Alary 
E.;  .(ohn  .1.,  .Ir.  and  Louisa,  all  of  whom  were  born 
in  (Jermany,  witli  tiie  excei)tion  of  the  youngest. 
.lohn  .1.  .Jr..  the  father  of  our  subject,  w.as  born 
August  26,  1811.  and  accompanied  his  parents  to 
the  I'niled  Slates.  He  received  a  common-school 
education  in  Pennsylvania  and  learned  the  trade  of 
a  wheelwright,  his  specially  being  spinning  wheels. 
Dining  the  lattirr  part  of  his  life,  he  followed 
farming  pursuit.-;  and  wtus  successful  in  accumulat- 
ing a  modest  competency.  His  death  occuired  in 
Stark  County.  Ohio,  .\pril  I,  1888,  when  he  was 
al»out  .•H-venly-foiu'  years  old. 

Catherine  (Shearer)  Loehr,  mi >l her  of  uursuliject 
was  born  in  Maplcton.  Stark  County,  ( )hio,  Novem- 
ber II.  l«i:t,  .'luddieil  December  :](»,  18111.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  born  of  her  union  with  .Mr.  Loehr,  .Ir., 
viz:  Caroline,  .bi>iah,  Washington,  Reuben,  Henry 
S.,  John  .1.,  Edwin,  Charles,  ( le<jrge  ( who  died  in  in- 
fancy), and  Lincoln.  Wiushinglon  enliNted  in  Com- 
pany It,  (die  llundicd  ami  I'ifteenth  ( )liio  Infantry, 
and  flied  at  the  hospital  at  Murfrcciboro,  Tenn., 
November  2!»,  186.'l.     .lohn  .1.  and  Catherine  Loehr 


were  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
.and  highly  esteemed  in  the  community'  where  thej' 
resided.  The  maternal  grandjiareiits  of  our  subject 
were  IkuuT.and  Dorothy  (tirimm)  Sliearer,  natives, 
respectively,  of  York  and  Beaver  Counties,  Pa. 
He  was  a  weaver  by  trade  and  also  engaged  in 
farming  operations  dining  a  portion  of  his  life. 
He  and  his  wife  reared  three  children:  George, 
Catherine  and  John. 

Ohio  was  the  native  State  of  our  subject, and  in 
.Stark  County  he  was  born,  August  30,  1840.  He 
was  reared  to  manhood  u])on  a  farm  and  made  use 
of  the  common-school  education  which  he  received 
b3-  following  for  one  term  the  profession  of  a 
teacher.  In  August.  18()2,lie  enlisted  in  Company 
15,  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Ohio  Infantry  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Smyrna  .and  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn.  In  December,  1863,  on  account  of 
illness,  he  w.as  sent  to  hospital  No.  2,  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  and,  after  regaining  his  health,  was  detached 
from  regular  service  and  remained  a  nurse  in  the 
hospital  until  M.ay,  1861.  He  then  rejoined  his 
regiment  and  remained  at  Murfrcesboro  until 
ordered  home  in  1865,  receiving  his  discharge  in 
.Inly  of  that  year,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

In  August,  1865,  Mr.  Loehr  came  ti>  lilooming- 
dale,  this  Stale,  and  bought  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  l;uid  on  section  26,  Columbia 
Township,  Van  liuren  County,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. With  the  aid  of  his  excellent  wife,  he  has 
accumulated  a  comfortable  property  ami  is  now 
one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers  of  the  commu- 
nity. His  farm  is  emhellisiied  with  a  set  of  good 
buildings,  and  has  been  brought  to  a  high  state  of 
cultivation.  Mr.  Loehr  was  married,  .lanuary  6, 
1867,  to  Cordelia  .\.  Weaver,  who  was  born  in 
Canton, Ohio,  December  15,  1845.  Mrs.  Loehristhe 
il.aughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Raer)  Weaver.  Her 
father  was  born  near  Johnstown,  Pa.,  ami  bil- 
lowed his  trade  of  a  (•.•ibinct-maker  and  a  carpenter 
in  various  portions  of  tlie  ISuckeye  State.  For 
thirteen  years  he  was  a  resident  of  Miiford,  Ind., 
whence  he  removed  to  IJreedsville,  liiis  Stale,  in 
1865,  and  to  Kalamazoo  in  1844.  In  the  last  men- 
tioned place,  he  eng.aged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
until  his  death,  ,\pril  21,  1888,  at  the  age  of  four- 
score and  ten.     He  served  with  elllciency  as  Justice 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


655 


of  the  Peace  and  in  otlicr  local  (jlliccs.  Mrs.  Weaver 

still  survives,  .'IS  dn  ;ilso  tliivc  ol'  iici'  liN'c  rliildrcn: 
C'<>i<l<'li!i  A.,  Zella  A.  and  .loscpliinc. 

Tlu^  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lnchi-  li;is  been 
blessed  by  llir  birlli  of  IInc  cliildrcn,  namely:  May 
K.,  Ilnrvey  L.,  Kdwin  -J.,  Clara  L.  and  Arthur  C. 
In  their  religious  eonvictitms,  ]\Ir.  and  Mr.;.  Loehr 
are  identilied  willi  the  Lutheran  Chureli.  It  has 
been  b\-  arduous  exertion  alone  that  JNIr.  I.,oehr  has 
aeeuniulated  his  present  pruiierly,  and  he  may 
justly  be  termed  a  self-made  man,  as  everything 
he  now  has  represents  the  toil  of  his  hands  and 
brain.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  best  improved  in  the 
townshiii, and  the  air  of  thrift  pervading  the  place 
bespeaks  the  industry  and  energy  of  the  proprie- 
tor. 

JHLO  M.  BROWN,  cue  of  the  representa- 
tive farmers  residing  in  Pine  Grove  Town- 
r"  ship,  Van  Buren  County,  is  a  son  of  Daniel 
B.  Brown,  a  native  of  Pittsford,  Vt.,  born 
August  15,  1800.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner 
by  trade.  The  mother  w.as  Fannie  (Pike)  Brown, 
a  native  of  Bennington,  Vt.,  born  in  1804.  They 
were  married  in  Vermont,  and  removed  to  New 
York  State,  and  thence  to  Warren  County,  Pa., 
where  they  resided  until  1849,  and  at  that  time 
came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Waverly  Town- 
slajj,  this  county,  on  a  wild  farm.  Neighbors  were 
very  scarce,  and  the  land  was  all  very  heavily  tim- 
bered. He  worked  at  his  trade  and  resided  there 
until  1865,  when  he  decided  to  come  to  Pine  Grove 
Mills,  and  remained  here  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying 
in  November,  1886.  The  )notlier  died  February  9, 
1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
live  now  surviving.  Seven  of  the  sons  served  in 
the  Civil  War,  and  Erastus  was  a  prisoner  at  An- 
derson ville.  The  father  gave  but  little  attention 
to  politics,  but  alwaj's  took  an  interest  in  good 
schools  and  gave  his  children  good  educations. 
The  mother  was  a  member  of  the  Free-will  Bai)tist 
Chnrch. 

The  suliject  of  this  sketch  was  the  youngest 
clnld  and  was  born  December  4,  1847,  in  Warren 
County,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Michigan  when  but  two 


yeai's  old.  Ho  has  always  been  a  farmer  and  re- 
mained Ml  hiime  :nid  (•ai'<'d  f(]r  liis  [larents  wIkmi 
they  were  old.  He  was  married  .lune  20,  1869,  to 
Amanda  M.  Myers,  a  native  of  this  county.  He 
settled  iin  his  piesent  farm  of  wild  and  unbroken 
land  in  1865  and  has  imi)roved  the  farm  himself. 
It  consists  of  seventy-five  acres,  and  adjoins  the 
village  of  Pine  (irove  Mills,  his  residence  being  in 
the  village.  j\Irs.  Hrown  passed  from  this  lifelNIay 
.3,  1873.  The  original  of  this  sketch  was  a  secfnid 
time  united  in  marriage,  taking  as  his  wife,  April 
15,  1875,  Miss  Ilattie  Gallon,  a  native  of  England, 
having  been  born  there  in  1850,  and  come  t<j 
America  when  a  eliild. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  h.as  held  all  the  ottices  in  that  hxlge,  except 
Chancellor  Commander.  He  was  largely  instru- 
ment.al  in  laying  o\it  Pine  Grove  Mills,  a  large  |)art 
of  which  lies  on  his  farm.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
stanch  Kepnbliean,  but  h.as  never  had  any  desire 
for  ollicial  positions.  i\Ir.  Brown  and  his  family 
are  held  in  the  highest  esteem  liy  all  their  neigh- 
bors and  acquaintances  for  their  .sagacious,  indus- 
trious and  honest  habits. 


^p^EORGE  .S.  HOWARD.  What  are  now  nni- 
i|  (=,   versally  conceded  to  be  the  best  families  c)f 

^^5)  America  are  those  who  through  gener- 
ations have  evinced  those  sterling  quttlities  of 
manly  worth  and  womanly  virtues  which  have 
helped  to  elevate  the  general  community.  Such  a 
family  is  that  which  is  represented  Ixy  our  subject, 
who  is  occupying  a  pleasant  home  situated  on  sec- 
tion 6,  Portage  Townshii),  Kalamazoo  County. 

(Jcorge  .S.  Howard  was  the  j'oungest  of  six 
children  comprising  the  famil}-  of  Stephen  and 
Eliza  (Payne)  Howard,  his  birth  occurring  on  the 
old  homestead  on  section  6,  December  21,  1848. 
He  was  there  reared  to  man's  estate,  attending  the 
common  schools  and  performing  such  duties  niKni 
the  farm  as  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  farmer's  sou. 

Miss  Pearly  L.  Prout^y  became  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Howard,  the  date  of  their  marriage  being  Decem- 
ber 21,  1871.  Mrs.  Howard  was  the  daughter  of 
Leander  S.  and  Alniira  (Crandall)  Prouty,  and  the 


656 


PORTRAIT  A^T)  BIOGRAPmCAL   RECORD. 


sister  of  tlic  wife  of  William  A.  (;il)l.>.  Il<  i  liirlh 
occurred  in  Allegan.  Octolter  16,  1852.  1>.\'  her 
union  with  our  s^uhject  liave  Iwen  born  three  chil- 
dren: Stephen  . I.,  Alice  M,  and  George  L.  S.  Mr. 
Howard  has  alw.nys  been  .actiyely  interested  in  all 
incisures  that  have  for  tlieir  object  the  upbuilding 
and  development  of  his  communit}'  and  is  (luiie 
prominent  in  local  affairs.  Politically,  he  casts  his 
vote  and  influence  in  favor  of  Republican  candi- 
dates, lie  is  liberal  in  his  religious  views  and 
socially  is  a  member  of  Kalamazoo  Lodge.  No.  22, 
F.  A-  A.  -AI. 

Mr.  Howard  has  always  devoted  his  time  and 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  at  present  is 
the  possessor  of  an  estate  including  one  hundred 
acres,  which  is  thoroughly  cidtivated  so  .as  to  bring 
the  Ixist  returns  to  its  owner. 


1^1*  I   >  w  ^" 


US.    LICINDA     (IIINSDALK)     STONK. 

This  venerable  lady  is  not  only  esteemed 
1^  bj-  the  citizens  of  Kalamazoo,  but  occupies 

a  warm  place  in  the  affection  of  many  of 
the  foremost  men  and  women  of  the  .State.  She 
was  born  in  Hinesburgh,  Vt.,  Sei)teml)er  30,  1814, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Lucinda  (Milch- 
ell)  Hinsdale.  Her  earliest  recollection  is  of  her 
father's  death,  wiiicli  occurred  when  she  was  two 
and  one-half  years  old;  tlie  death-bed  scene,  the 
agony  of'lier  mother's  face,  the  tears  of  her  sisters, 
have  come  back  to  her  often  in  her  life  and  encour- 
aged the  belief  that  no  experience  of  life  can  be 
entirely  lost,  but  some  alchemy  of  nature  will 
bring  it  b.ack  to  our  clear  vision. 

This  father  whom  My>i.  Stone  so  early  lost  was 
a  man  of  great  kindness  of  heart,  kind  and  gener- 
ous to  the  needy,  .sympathetic  with  those  in  dis- 
tress, liumane  to  the  diiinb  animals,  and  inclined  to 
the  belief  of  the  rniversalists.  'J'he  mother,  who 
after  his  death  was  left  to  provide  for  twelve  chil- 
dren and  carry  on  a  large  farm,  was  a  benevolent 
woman,  who  would  cheerfully  have  divided  the 
In-Ht  loaf  of  bread  with  a  needy  neighbor,  jind 
whose  contributi<ms  Uj  the  church  were  regular  Miid 
liberal. 

Hinctbiirgh    is  n  little  Inland    town,  cast  from 


Lake  Champlain  about  eight  miles,  and  midway 
between  the  two  great  colleges  of  the  State,  Mid- 
dlebury  College  being  twenty  miles  south  and  Ver- 
mont Univer.«ity.  at  Burlington,  fourteen  miles 
north.  It  was  in  advance  of  surrounding  villages 
in  the  intellectual  tastes  of  the  people,  its  advan- 
tages for  education  and  the  uucommou  interest 
taken  in  schools  by  its  [teople.  Mrs.  Stone  lived 
a  mile  and  one-half  from  the  village,  but  the  dis- 
trict school  had  the  reputation  of  being  (juite  sis 
good  as  that  in  tlie  village,  which  was  the  result, 
principally,  of  the  amliition  of  the  Hinsdale 
family. 

After  completing  the  course  of  study  in  the  dis- 
trict school.  Mrs.  Stone,  at  the  age  of  twelve  3'ears, 
entered  Hinesburgh  Acadeni}',  one  of  the  best  of 
New  England  schools,  where  m.auy  3'oung  men 
were  fitted  for  college.  A  library  conucctcd  with 
the  Lyceum  was  her  inspiration,  and  became  her 
model  for  the  founding  of  many  of  the  Ladies' 
Libraries  which  she  was  afterward  consulted  about 
and  helped  to  form  in  this  State.  Books  were  rare 
and  precious  in  those  d.ays,  and  were  carefully 
kept. 

It  was  the  cust-oni  tlicii  for  girls  of  fourteen 
and  fifteen  to  read  and  analyze  Milton's  poems, 
as  well  .as  those  of  Byron,  Scott,  Wordsworth, 
Coleridge  and  Shakespeare.  When  more  than 
thirty  years  afterward  Mrs.  Stone  found  herself 
able  to  visit  the  Lake  District  in  England,  it 
was  the  interest  in  scenes  awakened  by  those  early 
discussions  that  m.ade  Wordsworth's  home,  his 
name  and  Coleridge's  and  .loiin  AVilson's  carved 
on  the  face  of  a  rock,  Mrs.  Heman's  "Dove's  Nest," 
which  travelers  were  permitted  to  visit  more  freely 
then  than  they  are  now,  seem  nothing  less  than 
bits  of  heaven  to  her. 

The  great  event  of  the  ycai'  was  to  go  to  eom- 
mencementat  IMiddlelniry  or  Hurlington,and  these 
celebrations  constituted  formative  influences  in  the 
life  of  Mrs.  Stone  and  kindled  an  interest  in  educa- 
tion which  she  li:is  ri'laincil  to  this,  the  seventy- 
eighth  year  of  her  lire.  She  linished  the  course  at 
the  academy  and  then  attendi  d  the  Middlebiu'y 
l'"emale  Seminary,  where  she  i  ^maiiicd  one  year. 
While  planning  to  enter  Mi's.  ^  iliard's  Seminary, 
in  Troy,  she  wius  advised  l)y  he.  .nmister  to  return 


■^ 


J  ,Jr,   \)  ,  bltr^  t 


l^-^, 


POETRAIT  AND  BlOGRAPmCAL   RECORD. 


661 


to  the  academy  and  take  the  course  with  the  .young 
men  wlio  were  fitting  for  college.  This  she  did, 
studying  Latin,  Greek  and  mathematics  with  tliein, 
besides  carrying  on  extra  studies  alone. 

Kroni  the  academy,  Lucinda  Hinsdale  went  out 
as  a  teacher,  following  the  profession  in  Burlington 
Female  Seminary  and  going  thence  to  Natchez, 
Miss.,  where  she  remained  three  jears.  She  loved 
teaching,  and  never  wore  out  or  broke  down  under 
the  labor  incident  to  it.  In  1840,  she  w.as  married 
to  Dr.  .7.  A.  B.  Stone,  of  whom  it  was  often  said 
tliafhe  was  a  natural-born  teacher."  He  came  to 
Kalamazoo  in  184.3,  to  take  charge  of  a  Branch,  so 
called,  of  the  university  located  at  Kalamazoo,  and 
at  the  same  time  had  charge  of  the  small  Baptist 
Church  in  the  place. 

Upon  coming  to  Kalamazoo,  Mrs.  Stone  soon 
took  charge  of  the  Ladies'  Department  of  the 
Branch  of  the  .State  ITniversity,  which  for  many 
years  w,as  very  flourishing  and  from  which  have 
gone  out  noble  women,  now  well  known  in  various 
professions.  The  branch  was  subsequently  discon- 
tinued, and  in  its  place  was  revived  the  Baptist 
Institute,  the  oldest  literary  institution  in  the 
State.  Through  Dr.  Stone's  efforts,  this  institute 
was  developed  into  Kalamazoo  College,  for  which 
he  obtained  a  charter.  He  was  appointed  its  first 
President  and  continued  so  for  nearly  twenty 
years,  during  which  lime  INIrs.  Stone  was  Princip.al 
of  the  Ladies'  Department  of  the  same.  Dr.  Stone 
w.as  a  warm  advocate  of  the  highest  education  of 
women  and  for  co-edneation  in  all  our  colleges. 
He  believed  it  would  come,  he  often  said,  as  much 
as  lie  believed  the  next  morning's  sun  would  rise. 
He  also  believed  that  equal  suffrage  would  be 
adopted.  After  the  abolition  of  slaver}-,  of  which 
he  was  an  advocate  even  when  it  was  very  unpop- 
ular to  be  an  Abolitionist,  he  often  said  that  the 
granting  of  suffrage  to  women  was  the  next 
progressive  step  that  he  wanted  to  see  taken,  and 
he  believed  that  it  would  come — it  must  come.  The 
whole  trend  of  the  age  was  toward  it,  and  it  was 
the  inevitable  evolution  of  tlie  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence. 

In  those  first  _years  of  abolition,  the  residence  of 
Dr.  Stone  was  the  iionic  of  lecturers  on  that  sub- 
ject, as  it  was  a  little  later  of  lecturers  on  woman 
30 


suffrage.  Thus  they  entertained  nearly  all  the 
great  leaders  of  advanced  tliought:  Kmerson,  Al- 
cott,  Wendell  Phillips,  Fred  Douglass,  Mrs.  Stan- 
ton, Susan  B.  Anthony,  Mary  Livermore,  Luc}' 
.'^tone  and  a  host  of  others.  Dr.  .Stone  was  very 
anxious  that  the  Republican  party  should  right  it- 
self on  the  subject  of  woman  suffrage.  It  had 
been  the  party  of  progress,  and  he  was  anxious  to 
see  it  fulfill  its  earlier  promise. 

In  November,  1864,  Mrs.  Stone  laid  down  the 
work  m  Kalamazoo  College,  where  she  had  taught 
for  nearly  twenty'  years  with  little  reward,  except 
what  she  had  found  in  teaching  and  in  seeing  the 
intellectual  and  spiritual  development  of  her  pu- 
pils. Into  the  building  np  of  Kalamazoo  College 
she  and  her  husband  put  the  strength  and  vigor 
of  tiieir  lives  and  sacrificed  property  that  would 
liave  secured  them  an  easy  competence  all  their 
1 1  ves. 

Leaving  the  college  threw  Mrs.  .Stone  into  an- 
other line  of  educational  work,  that  of  the  forma- 
tion of  Women's  Clubs  for  the  education  of 
women.  Spending  some  weeks  in  Boston,  just 
after  the  formation  of  the  New  England  Woman's 
Club,  she  came  home  to  transmute  what  had  been 
her  historical  classes  into  a  Woman's  Club,  the  first 
in  the  .State.  She  has  also  t.aken  many  classes 
of  young  ladies  abroad  for  the  study  of  histoiy 
and  art,  thus  visiting  the  countries  of  Europe, 
Egypt  and  Palestine,  and  seeing  the  places  with 
which,  through  books,  she  had  long  been  familiar. 
Thus  even  in  her  old  .age  she  continues  her  .stud- 
ies, so  that  she  will,  as  she  believes,  go  fully  pa:io- 
plied  and  equipped  to  continue  the  highest  learning 
of  this  world  in  the  next. 

Dr.  and  Jlrs.  Stone  were  the  parents  of  three 
sons.  Clement  Walker  w.as  educated  at  Kalamazoo 
College,  and  on  the  breaking  out  of  tlie  Civil  War 
enlisted  in  the  Second  Michigan  Infantry.  He 
.served  first  as  Quartermaster  and  was  subsequently 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  serving  with 
valor  for  four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
time  he  returned  home  with  enfeebled  health. 
Prior  to  entering  the  arm}',  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Carrie  Moore,  of  Mooreville,  Mich.,  and  they  had 
two  children.  His  death  occurred  October  3, 
1887.     The  second  son,  Horatio  Ilackett,  was  edu- 


662 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilOGRAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


calerl  at  Kalamazoo  Colleijc  and  (iied  in  1884. 
IJotli  the  lirotliers  were  ncwspapi'i-  men  and  for 
several  yeiii-s  engaged  in  pnltlisliing  the  Kalamazoo 
Telegraph,  .lames  II.  Stone,  who  also  received  his 
education  at  Kalamazoo  t'oUege,  was  for  many 
years  manager  of  tlu?  Detroit  Tril>tiiie,and  now  re- 
sides in  Detroit.  He  married  Miss  Margaret  Weli- 
ster.  of  Plymouth.  X.  11..  and  they  have  three 
children. 

aE\.  JAMKS  a.  B.  STOXK,  was  born  in 
Piermont,  N.  II..  October  28,  1810.  He  was 
V  eiliicated  in  the  district  school  of  his  iKilive 
village  and  fitted  for  college  in  KovalLon, 
Vl.  Ill  1«;54.  he  graduated  from  Middlcbuiy  (Vt.) 
College,  having  sustained  through  his  college 
course  a  high  reputation  for  scholarship  and  char- 
acter, and  graduating  with  high  honors.  He  was 
made  tutor  in  the  same  institution  immediately 
after  completing  the  course.  From  Middlcburv, 
he  accepted  the  |)ositioii  of  Principal  of  Iliuesbuigii 
Academy,  which  (loiu'ished  greatly  under  him  for 
two  years.  He  was  a  natural  teacher,  and  in  leach 
ing  lost  sight  of  everything  in  promoting  the  best 
interest  and  progress  of  his  pupils.  Xo  niu-  under 
his  instruction  ever  forgot  him  or  liu'licnclil  llicy 
received    therefrom. 

Mr.  Stone  possessed  the  remarkable  fiuulty  of 
kiuilling  in  his  pupils  a  desire  to  know,  an  en- 
thusiasm for  study.  There  wore  few  dullards  in 
a  school  of  which  he  was  teacher.  He  knew  per- 
sfinally  every  pupil  in  his  school  ;iiid  everyone 
knew  him. and  he  contrived  lo  lind  out  some  w.ay 
in  which  a  love  for  the  study  of  some  thing  could 
be  awakened  in  the  dullest.  His  intlueuce  in  this 
re.spect  will  never  be  forgotton  in  the  town  of 
ninesbiirgli,  while  one  remains  who  ilicre  came  in 
|wi"sonal  contact  with  him. 

Fr<»in  Ilincsburgh,  Dr.  Sionc  went  to  Ando- 
ver  Theological  Seminary,  where  ln'  icinained 
for  three  years,  and  a  year  after  his  gr.'iduatioii 
ai'ted  a.s  Librarian  and  taught  at  intervals  in 
Plidip'M  Aeailemy  in  Andover.  His  first  setlle- 
nientiLs  n  minister  was  at  Cloucester,  Mass.,  which 
place   he   left  to  fill  the    profes.Horship   of    liiblical 


Litei-ature  and  Interpretation  for  Dr.  Horatio  R. 
Ilackett,  during  his  abseiui'  foi  a  yeai'  or  two  in 
Europe,  for  the  purpose  of  study  in  the  (ierman 
universities.  This  he  did  with  great  acceptance 
to  students,  trustees  and  Dr.  Ilackett  himself. 

Dr.  Stone  w.as  married.  .lune  10,  1840,  at  C;rand 
Rai)ids,  Mich.,  to  ^liss  Lucinda  Hinsdale,  of  Hines- 
bnigh.  \t.  She  accompanied  him  to  Oloucester, 
where  he  fully  entered  into  his  work  as  a  minister, 
especially  what  might  be  considered  the  educa- 
tional work  in  his  society.  In  is4'.t,l)r.  Stone 
received  a  call  from  a  small  Itapti.-.!  Cinuvli  in 
Kalamazoo,  and  also  to  take  charge  of  the 
'•Branch"  of  the  Michigan  Inivcrsily.  located 
there.  There  were  eight  of  the.se  liranclies  in  the 
State,  which,  when  they  \v(Me  estalilislied  as  feeders 
for  the  University,  nr  schools  pre|)aratory  to  the 
I'niversity  course,  it  was  sui)posed  were  to  be  as 
permanent  .as  the  I'niversity  itself.  But  after  a 
few  years,  the  State  funds  not  proving  suflieient  to 
sustain  these  Branches,  they  wci-e  cutolT.  .'uid  the 
State  appropriations  ce.ased  to  be  made  to  them. 

N'erv  early  after  the  first  settlement  of  Kalama- 
zoo, the  Baptist  Com  tntion  of  Michigan  h:ul 
founded  there  the  first  literary  institution  in  the 
State,  called  the  -Baiitist  Institute."  This  h.-nl 
been  suspended  when  a  "Branch"  of  the  rni\er- 
sily  had  been  located  in  Kalamazoo,  upon  a  pro- 
mise made  to  the  Trustees  of  the  •'Institute"  that 
if  they  would  suspend  instruction  in  their  school, 
the  Baptists  might  nominate  the  principals  of  tin' 
lirauch.  But  when  the  Branches  were  cut  off  from 
the  University,  tlu'ie  was  no  longer  any  iea>oii 
for  suspending  instruction  in  the  Institute,  which 
was  thercfoie  it'\ivc(l  and  mainly  through  Dr. 
Stone's  efforts,  this  In>-titnte  w:is  coiivciled  into 
Kalamazoo  College,  for  which  he  \v;is  instrumental 
in  olitaininga  charterfrom  the  Legislature  and  of 
wliicli  111'  W.MS  in.'idc  l'i'e>i<lenl  ;incl  conliiincd  to  be 
so  foi'  nearly   twenty  ycai>. 

To  this  work  Dr.  and  .Mrs.  Stone  gave  tin'  IicnI 
years  of  t  heir  li\cs  in  service  as  ar(liious,  unre- 
mitting and  iinsellish  as  was  ever  pcrt'ormed.  No 
thought  of  self  ever  came  between  thcni  .•md  their 
ediir.'it  ii  iii:il  wiiiU.  TlH'rc  w;is  also  connected  with 
Kalamazoo  College  a  theological  seminary,  at  the 
liea<l  of  which  Dr.  .Stone   was  placed.     .So  llourish- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


663 


ing  was  this  college  iinrler  Dr.  Stone's  adniinistrii- 
lioii  tliiil  it  someliines  miinhered  four  liuii<li(!il  and 
lifty  students.  None  of  tlie  local  colleges  stood 
higher  as  Ut  niunh("i-  of  students  or  grade  of 
sciiolarsiiip.  From  this  standard  tiiere  was  a  gi'eat 
falling  off  upon  Dr.  .Stoue's  resignation,  whicii 
occurred  in  1864. 

We  copy  the  following  from  a  volume  issued 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  "Reunion  of  the  former 
pupils  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Stone"  in  188.'): 

While  Dr.  Stone  has  em|)loyed  the  larger  jiartof 
his  life  in  teaching,  he  has  found  time  to  bestow  con- 
siderable hard  work  upon  other  pursuits.  His  exper- 
ience as  a  journalist  commenced  more  than  fifty 
years  ago,  and  it  will  be  recollected  that  he  w.asfor 
several  years  editor  and  publisher  (if  the  Kalamazoo 
Daily  and  Weekly  Teleyrapli.  He  was  also  Post- 
master at  Kalamazoo  four  years  during  President 
( !  rant's  administration.  He  was  at  one  time  Presi- 
dent of  the  Michigan  State  Teachers'  Association 
and  afterward  President  of  the  ISIichigan  Publish- 
ers' Association.  Several  of  his  sermons,  lectures  and 
addresses,  and  numerous  letters  from  Europe  and 
tiie  Orient,  have  been  published  from  time  to  time. 
He  has  visited  the  Elastern  Continents  twice,  spend- 
ing at  one  time  several  months  in  different  Mo- 
liammedan  countries,  including  Egypt,  Arabia,  Pal- 
estine, Asia  Minor,  and  visiting  Troy,  Constanti- 
nople and  CTreece. 

Although  now  seventy-five  j-ears  old,  his  health 
is  good,  far  better  than  during  a  part  of  the  last 
twenty-five  years,  and  he  does  not  himself  believe 
that  his  vital  activities  are  yet  exhausted.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  preparing  a  volume  of  "Plea.sant 
Memories,"  made  up  of  reminiscences  of  notable 
men  and  events  that  have  come  under  his  observa- 
tion during  a  long  life,  devoting  about  equal 
parts  to  what  he  has  seen  in  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont,  Massachusetts,  Michigan  and  foi-eign 
countries. 

Dr.  Stone  was  eminently  a  public-spirited 
man,  and  in  all  the  educational,  intellectual 
and  benevolent  interests  of  Kalamazoo  and  the 
State  he  took  a  deep  interest,  giving  to  them 
time,  labor  and  money,  according  to  his  utmost 
means.  The  arduous  labors  of  his  life  told  se- 
riously upon  his  health  in  the  last  five  or  six  years 
of  his  life,  during  which  he  was  subject  to  parox- 
ysms of  terrible  suffering,  whicli  he  bore  w-ith  great 
patience  and  cheerfulness,  often  regaining  his 
breath  after  one  of  them  with  a  look  of  death  upon 
his  face,  but  with  a  joke  so  characteristic  as  to  pro- 


voke irresistible  laughter  in  those  watching  with 
intense  anxiety  to  see  if  a  heart-beat  or  the  sus- 
pended breath  would  ever  come  again.  Hut  as 
soon  as  breath  was  restored,  his  book,  a  newspaper 
or  writing  was  resumed  and  scarcely  an  allusion 
was  ever  made  to  any  suffering  endured. 

He  died  Instantly,  seized  with  one  of  those 
paroxysms  of  i)ain  to  which  he  had  long  been  sub- 
ject, while  on  a  visit  to  his  son,  James  H.  Stone, 
of  Detroit,  May  111,  1888.  lie  left  the  memory  of 
a  good  and  just  man.  In  his  literaiy  tastes  he  was 
a  great  lover  of  the  old  classics,  especially  Homer, 
whom  he  read  up  to  the  last  days  of  his  life,  some- 
times in  viting  in  the  young  pef)])le  to  read  Homer 
to  them,  explaining  to  them  passages  in  the  "won- 
derful Iliad  and  Od^'ssey  and  siiowing  them  how 
Schliemann's  excavations,  in  which  he  alwa3's  took 
great  interest,  had  corroborated  Homer's  story. 
So  thumbed  and  marked  are  his  Bryant's  trans- 
lations of  those  great  poems,  which  he  greatly  ad- 
mired and  whicli  he  closely  compared  with  other 
translations  and  with  the  original  Greek,  that  it 
would  seem,  as  has  been  remarked  by  persons  com- 
ing into  his  library,  as  if  "Dr.  Stone  might  speak 
from  either  of  these  volumes." 

Dr.  Stone  had  the  spirit  of  a  true  reformer.  He 
never  asked,  who  had  embraced  this  opinion  or 
that,  or  Is  it  popular?  but  rather.  Is  it  true  or  right.? 
Thus,  though  brought  up  in  the  Congregational 
faith,  educated  in  a  Congregational  college  and 
theological  seminary,  convinced  from  his  own 
study  of  the  scriptures  that  immersion  was  script- 
ure baptism,  to  the  great  astonishment  and  dis- 
appointment of  his  fellow-students  in  Andover,  he 
was  baptized  and  joined  a  little  Baptist  Church, 
a  most  unpopular  act  in  that  stronghold  of  Con- 
gregational orthodoxy.  So,  too,  with  the  most 
unpopular  anti-slavery  doctrine  among  Andover 
students,  he  avowed  his  cordial  acceptance  of  it, 
his  firm  belief  in  it,  and  his  belief  in  its  ultimate 
triumph.  He  would  go  down  to  Boston  from  An- 
dover to  hear  Garrison  and  Wendell  Phillips,  in 
days  when  anti-slavery  sentiments  were  very  un- 
popular among  the  students,  when  Garrison  was 
lead  through  the  streets  of  Boston,  hooted  and 
stoned  by  the  mob,  with  a  tarred  rope  around  his 
neck.     But  from  the  first  utterance  of  anti-slavery 


664 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


seiitiniPiits  ill  llic  spmiiiary.  Dr.  Stone  sniil:  "Tliis. 
in^-  bi-ollici-s,  is  tlii>  true  Gospel;  the  intHlelity  is 
on  the  otlier  side;  no  in.an  can  believe  in  the  fa- 
tlierliooil  of  (mmI.  tiie  In-otliei-liood  of  m:\u.  :icoei>t 
Clirist's  teneliings  in  tlie  .Sermon  on  llie  Mount. 
and  l)elicve  in  llie  rij?liteoiisnes.s  of  slavery  at  the 
same  time.  This  new  truth  isCiod's  tiiitli  and  it 
is  sure  to  prevail." 

It  was  tlie  same  when  the  ([uestion  of  Woman 
Siiffrau:e  eame  before  the  piililic.  lie  said:  "This 
is  rijrht;  it  is  tlie  natural,  and  must  be  the  inevit- 
able.evolution  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Taxation  and  representation  are  iuseparalile — must 
l)e  in  a  true  Republic.""  From  this  opinion  he 
never  swerved,  always  expressing  it  on  any  occa- 
sion when  his  opinion  or  vote  was  called  for.  He 
always  said  that  Mary  AVoolstoiicraft  struck  the 
ke_vnote  in  this  subject  nearly  one  huuilrccl  years 
ago.  when  she  based  woman "s  rights  on  human 
rights — woman  sutTrage  on  the  rights  of  all 
suffrage  and  the  rights  of  human  beings. 

Dr.  Stone  was  a  believer  in  co-education  and  did 
more  than  any  man  in  the  Slate  to  secure  the  ad- 
mission of  women  to  our  Stale  University.  He 
thought  they  had  a  right  to  all  its  privileges,  and 
it  w.as  for  them  to  decide  what  tliey  wanted  to 
study.  Men  could  not  judge  for  women,  any 
more  tlian  women  for  men.  as  to  what  tastes  tliey 
might  indulge,  or  wh.-it  tliey  weie  Ut  do  in  life. 
He  was  not  a  fanatic  in  anytiiing,  but  nc\cr  mach^ 
any  compromises  with  expcdiencv.  He  was  an 
honest  and  sincere  Baptist,  but  much  of  tlie 
Iroulile  which  caused  his  resignation  from  ilic  Pio- 
sidency  of  Kalama/.oo  College  arose  (uil  of  liis  in- 
sisting upon  an  open,  rather  than  i>urely  Haptist 
i'or|M)ration  for  the  college.  He  said  he  s.aw  the 
day  of  piiifly  denominational  colleges  waning, 
an<l  thought  that  the  groat  good  of  such  colleges 
wtut  that  tlicy  might  appeal  to  many  persons  for 
their  support,  who  would  not  otlierw^isc  be  led  to 
give  anything  for  educational  jiurposes.  He 
wnnt«d  Kalama/oo  College  to  be  nn  crlucalional 
institution,  not  merely  a  MaplisI  College.  As 
such  he  wanted  itio  take  hold  of  ihc  people  of  the 
city  and  State,  and  be  a  moral  and  intellectual 
influence  here.  It  is  now  plain  to  be  seen,  thai, 
hjid  -ileh  foiiiisels    been   let'iiiiled,    iN  eiiiiditioi)  to- 


day would  have  been  very  ilitTeicnt  froiii  what  it 
is  now. 

Xo  one  ever  more  freely  or  in:ignaMiiiiou>ly 
forgave  a  most  cruel  injury  attempted  against  him- 
self, (ir  more  deeply  lamented  llie  harm  done  to 
the  colU'ge  by  the  wilil  fanaticiil  persecution  of 
himself  and  wife,  eanieil  on  by  fnlsehoods.  for- 
geries and  (icrjuries,  llian  did  the  Doctor,  and 
when,  some  years  after  his  resignation,  he  learned 
that  a  I'resident  of  the  college  had  permitted  the 
portraits  of  himself  and  wife,  which  were  the  gift 
to  the  college  of  in-ivate  individuals  and  were 
hanging  on  the  walls  of  the  college  cliajjel  when 
he  .and  his  wife  resigned,  to  be  taken  (hiwii.  ban- 
ished to  the  wood  cellar  of  the  college,  where  they 
were  found,  turned  face  to  the  wall  and  jammed 
in  between  the  stone  foundations  and  thwu-  aliove, 
covered  with  dirt  and  cobwebs,  as  a  sjiite  to  the 
originals,  who  had  really  built  the  college  and 
rendered  it  most  faithful  service  during  twcntv 
years;  when  he  was  told  of  this  attempted  insult, 
he  turned  very  pale,  his  lips  treinliled  for  a  moment 
and  the  tears  started,  but  the  cloud  (piickly  passed; 
he  smiled  and  said:  "God  forgive  those  who  haxc 
done  this,  is  all  1  have  to  say;  those  better  than 
we  and  who  have  made  greater  sacritices  for  the 
good  of  the  world,  ha\e  suffered  more  igiiomiii- 
ioiis  treatment  from  the  hands  of  their  enemies 
than  this.  (!od  forgive  them.  He  knows  that  1 
would  not  lijinu  a  hair  of  the  head  of  one  of  theiii 
if  I  could."  IJeveugc  or  implacability  was  not  in 
his  nature  or  heart.  Of  no  man  who  ever  lived 
could  it  be  more  truly  written  as  an  epitaph  upon 
his  tomb:  "With  malice  toward  none  and  good- 
will   toward  all.  liv(>d  and  died   this  m:ui.'" 

The  portrait  of  Dr.  Stone  |)resenti"d  on  another 
page  |iei'petuates  his  lineaments  for  those  to  whom 
his  fame  has  extended,  as  well  as  those  who  in 
future  vears  will  learn  of  his  life  and  deeds. 


=^>*-<^ 


.^= 


fiy-^ 


-> 


5^  l,IVKI{  \l.  SClirYl.Kli.  This  gentleman  i~ 
the  owner  and  occupant  of  a  prodncl-i\i' 
tr.iet  of  I  Mild  on  section  21,  Colmiibi.a  Town- 
ship. \"an  Hnrcii  County,  a  part  of  which  he  pur- 
chased, and  has  had  in    his  possession    for  two   de- 


PORTRAIT  AND  IIIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


665 


cades  or  more.  The  farm  consists  of  one  hundred 
:ind  twenty  acres,  bears  the  usual  iin[ii()vements, 
and  is  so  niaiuig'cd  as  to  hrin<>- forth  ahundanl  (Tops 
of  yood  (luality. 

Our  suljjec't  comes  of  a  good  family,  l)eing  a  sou 
of  Ransom  and  Catlieriai!  E.  (Dow)  Scliuylcr,  wlio 
were  natives  of  the  Empire  State.  The  father  was 
a  son  of  David  Schulyer,  wlio,  in  turn,  was  a  son 
of  (U'orge  Schviyler,  born  in  (ieruiany,  and  a 
hrotlier  of  (ien.  Schuyler  of  Revolutionary  fame, 
who  came  to  America  in  1755  and  settled  in  New 
York  State.  lie  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Gen.  Her- 
kimer, and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Riskeney. 
Tiie  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  liorn  in  New 
York,  and  married  Mehitable  Suulh,  who  bore  him 
tliirteen  children,  of  whom  they  reared  two  sons 
and  six  daughters.  He  was  a  cooper  l)y  trade  and 
died  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y. 

Ransom  .Schuyler  was  a  farmer,  born  in  CJueida 
County,  N.  Y.,  September  9,  1814,  and  moved  to 
Ohio  about  1838, settling  in  Georgia.  In  1811, he 
came  to  Lawrence,  ^^an  Buren  County,  coming 
here  by  the  old,  primitive  mode  of  travel — liy 
wagon  and  ox-team.  He  at  first  bought  only 
seven  acres,  which  he  subsequently  sold  .and  pur- 
chased forty  acres.  Some  years  later,  aliout  1851, 
he  came  to  this  township  and  settled  on  section 
"22,  and  entered  forty  acres  which  he  later  traded 
for  a  like  number  near  Paw  Paw.  He  thence 
moved  to  Decatur  Township.  In  1858,  he  located 
in  Ottawa  for  one  year,  then  returned  to  Bloom- 
ingdale,  and  linally  spent  his  last  3'cars  in  Colum- 
l)ia  Township,  dying  August  17,  1877. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  eight  children: 
William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years;  Amanda;  Susan,  who  died  when  six  years 
old;  Mary,  Oliver  R.,  Richard,  Franklin  and 
(Jeorge.  The  father  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Bri'thrcu  Cliurch,  and  the  mother  of  the  Methodist 
E|>isi-opal.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a 
daughter  of  .lames  and  Elizabeth  (Jay)  Dow,  na- 
tives of  Connecticut  and  New  Y'ork,  respectively. 

Air.  Schuyler  was  reared  upon  the  farm  and  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  commenced  to  make 
his  own  way  in  tiie  world.  Al  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years,  he    began   working  out    by  the  month. 


and  in  this  manner  spent  three  years,  when  he 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  wiiicli  lie  has  ever 
siucC!  followed.  In  1870,  he  bought  forty  acres  of 
land  where  he  now  resides  and  cleared  and  im- 
proved it.  In  1878,  lie  added  eighty  acres  moic, 
upon  which  he  has  also  placed  good  imiirovements. 
He  has  a  line  orciiard,  covering  forty  acre's,  [jrinci- 
pally  of  peach  trees,-  although  he  raises  all  kinds 
of  fruit. 

Mr.  Schuyler  was  married,  .Inly  1,  1«71,  to  Net- 
tie Gilbert,  a  native  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y., 
and  a  daughter  of  l^aiiiel  P.  and  Fannie  M.  (Peper) 
Gilbert,  who  were  liorii  at  Ontario,  and  Wayne 
County,  N.  Y.,  respectively.  Mr.  ( iilbert,  who  was  a 
son  of  Daniel  and  Anna  (Kiia|i|i)  (iilbert,  was  a 
shoemaker  by  trade  and  removed  from  New  York 
to  Portage  County,  Ohio.  In  the  spring  of  1865, 
they  came  to  Columliia  Township,  and  purchased 
twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  13,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  October  5,  1876.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
(iilbert  had  six  ehildien,  of  whom  three  are  now 
living:  Milford  M.,  Lelali  E.  and  Nettie,  wife  of 
our  subject.  Mr.  Gilbert  was  a  member  of  the  Or- 
der of  Odd  Fellows. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  live 
children:  Gilbert  R.,  Charles  M..  Cl.ara  M.,  Cleve- 
land and  iMaude.  Mr.  Schuyler  is  an  honored  and 
respected  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and 
is  highly  esteemed  as  an  intelligent  and  worthy 
citizen,  wlio  has  made  a  pLacc  for  himself  in  the 
world  by  his  own  energy  and  industry. 


C*  l«;^ILLIAM  COOPER.  Having  the  full  conli- 
\/\//l  '^''^'ice  and  esteem  of  the  i)eoi)le  among 
^yll/  whom  he  has  passed  his  entire  life,  the 
career  of  Mr.  Cooper  furnishes  an  excellent  illustra- 
tion of  the  success  which  rewards  painstaking  and 
energetic  efforts.  One  of  the  most  enterprising 
merchants  of  Schoolcraft,  in  fact,  iirominent  among 
tiie  dealers  of  Kalamazoo  Count}',  his  facilities  for 
doing  business  are  complete  and  everything  con- 
nected therewith  bears  the  mark  of  order  and  sys- 
tem. The  thorough  knowledge  of  business  tactics 
which  he  possesses  and    the   line  stock  of  goods 


666 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


which  he  carries  have  made  his  store  the  popular 
place  for  trade  among-  the  citizens. 

The  parent.*  of  our  siihjcct  were  .lustin  :uid  lyow- 
ville  (Hazzard)  Cooper,  natives  of  Seucca  and 
Washington  Counties.  N.  Y..  respectively.  The}' 
removed  to  .'^t.  .Joseph  County,  this  State,  in  1831. 
and  three  yeai-s  later  came  to  Schoolcraft,  where 
they  have  since  resided.  Their  faniil>-  comprised 
seven  children,  William  l)ein!2:  the  tiftli  in  order  of 
birth.  He  w.as  horn  in  Schoolcraft  Tt)wnsliip, Sep- 
tember 28,  18-1:2,  and  w.ns  reared  on  his  father's 
farm,  his  education  IxMiig  gained  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  district  .-ind  the  jiulilic  school  in 
Kalamazoo. 

.\liout  IMTli  Mr.  t'liupci-  left  tiie  jiiirental  home 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Schoolcrnfl  Township. 
where  he  resided  for  two  years,  lie  tlicn  (•.■une  to 
the  village,  and  was  for  three  years  cmph>yed  as  a 
clerk  in  a  store,  after  wliirli  he  embarked  in  business 
as  a  merchant.  Asabovi'  iiiilicated,he  carries  a  fine 
st<ick  of  goods  and  is  tlie  leading  merchant  of  the 
jilace,  being  widely  known  as  a  successful  liusiness 
man  and  |»ublic-spirited  citizen,  lie  owns  six  hun- 
tired  acres  of  land  in  South  Dakota,  and  also  is  the 
owner  of  considerable  property  in  Schoolcraft,  the 
value  of  which  is  constantly  increasing. 

I)eceml>er  7,  18()!).  Mr.  ('oo|jer  was  united  in 
marriage,  in  .Schoolci-nft  Township,  with  Miss  Re- 
becca Bogardus,  a  native  of  Brooklyn .  N.  V.,  and 
an  estimable  lady  whose  position  in  social  circles 
is  prominent.  ,\Ir.  Cooper  has  always  stood  aloof 
fron)  political  affairs,  prefeiiiiig  llu'  pleasures  of 
home  in  his  leisure  hours  to  the  cxcitcnienl  of 
jiolilicnl  contests. 


/ 


If 


+ 


K.ANDKR  CANNON.  Tpon  section  7,  Brady 
ri>wn>hip.  Kalama/iMi  (lonnty,  resides  Mr. 
^  Cnrinon,  our  of  the  ii'presentative  agricul- 
turists f>f  this  county,  and  a  gcniloman  who  is  well 
and  favorably  known.  He  is  an  old  resident  of 
thiH  place,  and  a  native  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y., 
where  Ik;  wan  born  .\ugusl  8,  IHMO,  to  Thomas  and 
.Vinelia  ((^raft)  (!aunon,  natives  of  New  York 
State.     The  grandfather,  Tliujniui  Cuunon,    was   a 


Revolutionary  hero,  and  a  native  of  Dublin,  Ire- 
land, lie  came  to  America  in  early  life  and 
bought  land  of  the  Government  at  a  sixpence  an 
acre  in  Cayuga  County.  N.  Y.  He  was  married  to 
Abigail  Slot,  a  native  of  Germany,  and  became  the 
father  of  a  family  of  four  boys  and  live  girls.  His 
death  occurred  when  he  was  about  ninety  years 
old.  and  that  of  his  good  wife  when  about  the 
same  .age.  He  drew  a  pension  from  the  Govern- 
ment for  his  services  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer,  who  died 
in  Cayuga  County,  when  about  sixty  years  of  age. 
He  owned  a  place  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
ill  his  native  State.  Socially  lie  was  a  Ma.son.  and 
politically  a  Deniociat.  He  married  Amelia  Craft, 
n  native  of  New  York,  and  by  their  union  two 
children  were  born:  Leander  and  Adaliiie.  The 
mother  of  our  suliject  was  a  second  time  married, 
this  time  beooniing  the  wife  of  .lames  Wilson,  by 
whom  she  had  two  ehildren,  Mortimer  and  Laura. 
She  died  at  the  age  of  forty.  Her  father,  William 
Craft,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was 
a  Scotchman  by  liiith.  and  a  shoeiiinker  by  trade. 
He  died  when  past  his  tlircc-seore  years  and  ten. 

Our  subject  w.as  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and 
obtained  his  rudimentary  education  in  the  district 
school.  His  father  died  when  he  was  but  four 
years  old,  and  lieli\ed  with  his  mother  and  ste])- 
fatlier  until  reaehing  his  eighteenth  year,  when  he 
started  in  life  for  himself.  He  came  to  this  Stale  in 
18;!7,and  located  at  West  Lc  Roy,  Calhoun  County, 
iiiaking  the  journey  by  horse-tcaiii  to  Uufi'alo, 
crossing  Lake  .Michigan,  and  finishing  the  trip  by 
team.  He  settled  in  the  f<irest  and  built  a  log 
house,  where  he  was  surrounded  by  wild  aniinalsof 
all  kinds.  Mr.  Cannon  came  to  this  county  in 
1  K  1 1 .  and  settled  with  his  father-in-law,  working 
b\'  the  nioiilh  tor  haH'  a  yi'ar.  receiving  a  recom- 
pense of  >!<()  jier  inontli.  There  were  but  very  lew 
settlers  here  then,  il  being  litth'  but  a  vast  wilder- 
ness, infested  b\  wihl  nninials  of  mII  kinds,  miuI  ;is 
he  was  very  fond  of  hnnling,  he  was  enablc(i  to  do 
a  great  deal  of  il. 

When  he  ol'  whom  we  write  was  tweiily  years 
old.  he  pin'cliaseil  sevenly-li  \ f  acres  of  land  whi<'li 
was  but  little  iinpi'oved.  lie  had  nolhiiig  when 
he  coiniiiciiccd  for  hiiiisclf  but  is  now  the   posses- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOf4RAPHICAL   RECORD. 


6G7 


sor  of  two  liiindred  and  twenty  broad  and  fertile 
;R-ies  ill  Hi-:i(ly  Townslii|),  and  ciylily  acres  in 
\VMkesiima  Township,  making  tlirec  liundred  acres 
in  mII.  lie  keepsagood  grade  of  stock. and  makes 
a  specialty  of  wheat  growing  and  tiie  raising  of 
swine.  Tiie  present  fine  brick  residenee  of  o\n' 
subject  was  erected  in  1861,  at  a  cost  of  *.5.00f). 
Si)lendid  Imildings  of  all  kinds  adorn  the  place, 
including  three  neat  l)arus,  wliicli  liave  been  erected 
at  different  times. 

'I'lie  worthy  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  was 
united  in  marriage,  February  11,  1853,  to  IMiss 
Charlotte  i\I.  IJoughton.  Mrs.  Cannon  was  born 
in  Halavia,  N.  Y.,  December  25,  1836,  and  liy  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
live  children:  Mabel  (Mrs.  Olc.ason),  Thom.as  E.. 
Warren  B.,  fiertrude,  and  Clavule.  iMiss  (iertrude 
has  a  very  line  talent  for  piano  i)laying  which  she 
exercises  I)eautifullj'  and  als<i  engages  in  teaching 
music.  She  does  ver^'  line  oil  painting,  of  which 
elegant  work  is  to  be  found  in  the  home.  5Ir. 
Cannon  in  his  political  views  at  present  afliliates 
with  the  Farmers'  Alliance,  but  was  formerly  a 
DemcKU'at.  Socially,  he  is  one  of  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  o40,  Portage 
Township. 


*'***,'^^****t 


\Tp^I)WAKI)  FINLEY.  This  enterprising  and 
f-ii]  energetic  business  man  of  Hartford  is  very 
IL^  popular  in  this  section  for  his  thorough 
and  honest  way  of  dealing  with  his  fellow-men. 
He  was  born  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  in  1853,  and  was 
a  son  of  Patrick  and  Bridget  (Kaley)  Finley,  na- 
tives of  County  Carlow,  Ireland,  where  they  were 
married  and  had  one  child  born  to  them. 

In  .Tune,  1851,  the  elder  Mr.  Finley  emigrated 
with  his  family  to  the  New  World  and  located  at 
East  Walworth,  N.  Y.  Three  years  later,  they 
came  West  to  Van  Burcn  County,  this  State,  mov- 
ing hither  when  our  subject  was  an  infant.  They 
located  on  section  35,  Bangor  Township  and  the 
old  home  farm  still  remains  the  property  of  the 
family. 

Edward  Finley  was  one  of  a  family  of  eight 
cliihlren  born  to  his  parents,  viz:      ^lary,  Edward, 


Jennie  E.,  John,  James  II.,  Ella,  William  T.  and 
Louis,  all  of  whom  are  residents  of  \'an  IJuren 
County.  Our  subject  served  as  I'oslniaster  of 
Hartford  during  Clevel.and's  administration  and 
in  1889  engaged  with  lloiace  .M.  Oiney,  under  the 
style  of  II.  iSI.  ( )lney  &  Co.,  in  buying  and  shipping- 
grain,  seeds,  and  wool.  They  also  handle  coal  and 
are  ranked  among  the  progressive  and  successful 
young  business  men  of  the  place.  Mr.  Finley  has 
never  married.  In  politics,  he  casts  his  vote  and 
inlluence  in  favor  of  Democratic  candidates. 


JONATHAN  C.  IIOVT.  A  prominent  part 
in  the  upbuilding  of  Kalamazoo  County  has 
been  borne  In'  Mr.  Hoyt,  an  influential 
farmer  on  section  23,  Prairie  Ronde  Town- 
shi)).  Having  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits throughout  his  entire  active  life,  he  is  thor- 
oughly familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  cultivat- 
ing a  farm,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his 
chosen  calling.  He  owns  and  (.iperates  two  hun- 
dred and  sixtj'  acres  of  fertile  land,  which  he  has 
acquired  through  his  unaided  exertions. 

For  information  in  regard  to  the  parents  of  Mr. 
Iloyt,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  sketch  of  Rans- 
ford  C.  Iloyt,  which  appears  in  another  portion  of 
this  volume.  .Jonathan  C.was  born  in  Prairie  Ronde 
Township,  December  2,  1848,  and  was  reared  on 
the  homestead,  which  he  now  owns.  His  boyhood 
was  passed  in  the  somewhat  uneventful  manner  of 
a  farmer's  son,  his  winters  being  spent  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  the  summer  seasons  being  devoted 
to  the  tilling  of  the  soil. 

April  y,  1874,  iSIr.  Iloyt  was  married  to  Miss 
Vienna  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Prairie  Ronde 
Township,  May  12,  1853.  Iler  [larents,  John  and 
Catherine  (Ennis)  Smith,  came  to  this  township 
in  1852  and  have  since  resided  here,  being  kindly, 
generous  people,  who  stand  high  in  the  esteem 
of  their  neighbors.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoyt  are  the 
parents  of  six  children,  namely:  INIonroe  R.,  ^'erc 
C,  Vin.son,  Lee  AV.,  .Jessie  and  Orace.  The  chil- 
dren are  at  home  with  their  |)areuts.  with  the  ex- 
ception of. Vinson,  who  died  in  childhood. 


668 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


There  is  no  measure  proiX)sed  for  the  develop- 
ment of  Prairie  Ronde  Township,  or  the  advance- 
ment of  its  interests,  whii-h  fails  to  receive  tlie 
most  hearty  sympathy  and  co-opeiation  of  Mr. 
Hoyt,  who  has  contributed  liis  quota  to  the  growth 
of  the  coniniunily.  alilie  in  its  educational  and 
agricultural  interests.  Me  believes  that  the  welfare 
of  the  Government  is  best  promoted  b\'  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Democratic  jiarty.  and  accordingl}' 
he  advocates  its  platform  and  upholds  its  candi- 
d.ites.  Realizing  his  peculiai-  (itiiess  for  official  i)o- 
sitions,  his  fellow-citizens  liave  called  upon  him  to 
represent  them  in  various  public  posts  of  duty  and 
res|X)nsibility.  and  he  has  served  as  School  Direc- 
tor, Drain  Commissioner  and  Townsliip  Treasurer 
with  ellicienc\'.  In  his  social  alliliations.  lie  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fralernily  and  the  Order  of 
Maccabees. 


ft 


Mimmci  Resort.  This  beautiful  hotel  is 
aled  on  the  lake  shore,  in  tiie  south- 
western portion  of  the  village  of  South  Haven,  in 
the  midst  of  four  acres  of  ground.  In  October, 
1890,  the  land  was  as  nature  had  left  it.  It  was 
then  that  Mr.  flyers  conceived  the  idea  of  pur- 
chn-sing  the  land  for  tlie  purpose  of  making  a  resort 
where  tlie  many  Miiiimer  visitors  to  South  Haven 
could  be  creditably  entertained,  lie  at  once  com- 
menced grading  the  grouml  and  building.  On 
another  pane  will  be  found  a  view  of  the  hotel, 
which  ir'  |iMtx2H  feet,  with  wing  2I.\:$2  feet, and  is 
three  stories  in  height.  His  forty  sleeping  room,-. 
large,  airy  reception,  dining  and  oilier  rooms,  .•ire 
all  well  fiirni:«hcd.  lie  lias  also  a  bowliiig-alle\  , 
billiard  rooms,  tennis  court  ami  bath  lirmses.  The 
gioiinds  are  embellished  with  founlains,  lish  ponds, 
etc.,  Willi  a  line  view  of  the  vill.-ige  jiiid  surround- 
ing friiiteoiiiitru  It  borders  llie  lake  and  is  sixty 
feet  above  the  hike  level. 

Mr.  .Myers  was  lK>rn  in  I'Inllsville,  Greene 
County,  New  York,  Februnry  16,  1H13.  His  great- 
great-grandfather  was  liorn  in  Ceriiiaiiy,  near  llie 
iiiver  |{|iiiie,  where  lie  wa>  married  and  reared  u 
fBmily  of  threo  sons  and  two  dHiighturu.     He  ihon 


KORGK  .V.  MYKRS,  proprietor  of  Fruitlaiid 


came  to  America  and  located  on  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  River,  in  New  York.  Ills  son,  Stephen, 
married  and  resided  in  Schoharie  County,  where 
he  carried  on  farming  and  reared  a  family  of  seven 
children:  .Stephen,  Harmoiius..7ohn,  Jacob,  Cathar- 
ine. Charity  and  Eliza.  Of  that  family,  .lacoli 
was  born,  in  178S),  and  married  Caroline  Becker. 
After  their  marriage,  they  resided  in  Prattsville, 
Greene  County,  N.  Y..  where  he  died.  Tiie  mem- 
bers of  his  family  were  named  Henry  B.,  Katie  .\., 
Thomas,  Eliza.  William,  .lohii,  Addison,  Rosalia, 
Willis,  Sabina  and  Caroline.  Henry  B.  was  born 
in  Prattsville,  .lune  iti.  KSl.!.  His  father,  although 
he  had  never  learned  the  trade,  carried  on  an  e.\- 
tensive  business  in  making  wagons,  etc.  Our  sub- 
ject when  only  ten  years  old  commenced  to  work 
in  the  shops  and,  like  his  father,  was  naturally  a 
good  mechanic.  He  learned  the  eabinetniakers" 
trade  and  became  a  general  wood-worker. 

Henry  B.  Myers,  the  father  of  our  sulijeet,  was 
married,  in  1831),  to  Mary  Ann  Randall.  Ten 
years  later,  he  left  the  family  in  New  York  and 
traveled  for  nine  years.  In  1851,  the  family  re- 
moved tolMichigan,  and  lirsl  settled  in  Flowerfield, 
St.  .loseiih  County,  where  tiie  father  worked  al  his 
trade.  His  wife  died  soon  after  c(uning  lo  the 
Wolverine  State,  leaving  a  family  of  si.\  (.■liildren. 
They  were  Helen,  the  wife  of  .Tohn  C.  Dale,  of 
Kansas;  George  A.,  tlie  sulijeet  of  this  sketch;  Rosa- 
lia, the  wife  of  Jesse  Karl,  of  California;  Mary  Ann, 
the  wife  of  Jesse  JI.  C'rosc,  of  Kalamazoo  County; 
Charles  E.,  also  of  Kalamazoo  County,  and  Harriet, 
the  wife  of  F.  1).  Cobb,  of  California. 

In  18.")().  the  father  of  our  subject  I'eiiioxcd  to 
Schoolcraft,  this  State,  n  here  he  i-oided  ami  fol- 
lowed his  Iraile  until  18',M,  when  he  came  to  Soiilh 
Haven  to  make  his  home  with  our  subject,  lie 
has  been  niarricil  four  limes,  (ieorge  A.  I\I\i'r.s 
received  a  good  luisiness  education  and  when  he 
jillaiiied  his  iii.ajority  engaged  in  business  in  ScliooU 
cr.'ifl.  which  111'  (allied  on  wilh  lutiiUed  siici'css  un- 
til 188'.t,  when  lie  came  to  South  Haven.  Here  he 
purchased  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  which  he  still  owns, 
and  engaged  in  ita  cultivation  until  launching 
out  in  the  hotel  business. 

Mr.  Myers,  <.)f  (Ills  sketch,  haslireii  I  u  li-r  iiiairiecl. 

In  1«G6,  lyjiaa  Celiu  Wulsh,  oflthiiwi,  N.  Y'.,  becaino 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


CTl 


his  wife;  she  died  in  1870,  and  was  the  mother  of 
(iiic  c'liild,  who  (li(Ml  in  infancy.  In  1871,  oui' 
.suhjcct  was  married  tt)  Ida  Shnnnon,  a  native  of 
Friendship,  N.  Y.,  and  liy  that  union  Mr.  ISIyer.s 
lias  become  the  father  of  two  children:  Henry  B. 
and  Olive  G.  In  ])olitics,  he  is  a  firm  Dtmoeiat, 
and  in  his  religious  belief  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church. 


~S1 


$+^ 


[^_ 


l^" 


ARLEN  S.  SMITH,  M.  1).  The  profession 
'^)  of  medicine  invariably  attracts  to  its  prae- 
<y    tice  men   of  learning,  whose  scientific  re- 

''^'  searches  have  contributed  to  its  advance- 
ment. .\mong  this  numlier  ma^' be  mentioned  Dr. 
Smith,  a  prominent  and  successful  physician  of 
Schoolcraft,  who  ranks  among  the  foremost  men 
of  his  profession  in  the  county.  He  is  identified 
with  the  Kalamazoo  Academy  of  Medicine  and 
various  local  organizations,  taking  an  active  in- 
terest in  all  medical  investigations  and  keeping 
abreast  with  the  latest  discoveries  in  therapeutics. 

The  family  of  which  our  subject  is  a  member 
traces  its  origin  to  England,  and  one  of  its  first 
representatives  in  this  country  was  Stephen  Smith, 
who  died  in  New  York  State.  His  son,  Hezekiah, 
made  his  home  in  tlie  western  part  of  the  Empire 
State,  where,  at  an  advanced  age,  his  life  was 
brought  to  a  close.  Tlie  next  in  line  of  descent 
was  Stephen,  who  was  born  in  New  York,  where  he 
was  a  farmer  and  merchant.  During  the  late  war 
lie  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Schoolcraft 
Township,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits.  He  married  Harriet  Smith,  a  native  of 
New  York,  who  still  survives. 

The  eldest  of  the  four  cliildren  boin  to  Stephen 
and  Harriet  Smith  was  Ilarlen  S.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  who  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  Count}', 
N.  Y.,  April  7,  1844.  lie  grew  to  a  robust  manhood 
in  his  native  State,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  Griffith  Institute,  after  which 
he  commenced  to  read  medicine.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  years,  he  entered  the  employ  of  thi;  (Jov- 
crnnK'nt,  being  connected  with  the  Wai-  Depart- 
ment, and  was  thus  engaged  until  the  fall  of  18(i7. 
MeaimiiLIe  he  uonlinued  his  medical  studies  and 


was  a  student  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
Georgetown  Medical  College,  where  he  graduated 
in   ISCu. 

Resigning  his  position  with  the  Government 
during  the  following  year,  the  young  doctor  trav- 
eled through  the  AYesl  in  search  of  a  location. 
Failing  to  find  one  which  he  considered  suitable, 
he  returned  to  New  York  and  opened  an  office  for 
practice  in  Ellicottsville,  remaining  there  about 
thirteen  years  and  becoming  known  as  a  skillful 
phj'sician.  In  1879,  he  came  to  Michigan,  and, 
after  a  sojourn  of  one  year  in  Kalamazoo,  located 
in  Schoolcraft,  where  he  has  since  resided  in  the 
enjoyment  of  an  extensive  and   lucrative  practice. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Smith,  at  Ellicottsville,  N. 
Y.,  united  him  with  jNIiss  Sophie  M.  Skinner,  a  na- 
tive of  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Florens  V.  Z.,  Leslie  G., 
and  Stephen  H.  The  Doctor  is  identified  with  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Republican  party,  ex- 
tending his  influence  in  aid  of  those  public  meas- 
ures which  he  considers  calculated  to  i)roinote  the 
welfare  of  the  people. 


=S#MII'^l"'^li^#!^ 


^^EORGE  C.  FANCKBONER.  This  popular 
(If  ,—— ,  citizen  of  Schoolcraft  was  born  in  Belvidere, 
*^^i[l  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  June  11,  1829. 
When  eight  years  old,  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to  Kalamazoo  County,  settling  in  Prairie  Ronde 
Township,  and  growing  to  manhood  ujion  his 
father's  farm.  Possessing  an  industrious  disposi- 
tion, he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter when  about  eighteen  and  served  an  apprentice- 
ship of  tliree  years,  meanwhile  remaining  with  his 
father. 

F\)r  twelve  years,  Mr.  Fanckboner  followed  the 
trade  of  a  carpenter  and  met  with  considerable 
success  in  the  pursuit  of  the  trade,  being  engaged 
principally  in  the  vicinity  of  Schoolcraft.  For 
two  years  of  that  time,  he  also  operated  a  farm. 
after  which  he  followed  the  vocation  of  a  farmer 
for  twelve  seasons, meanwhile  running  a  threshing 
machine  for  neighbors.  In  Feliruary,  1867,  he  re- 
moved to  Schoolcraft  where  for  another  twelve 
years  he   followed    the  trade  of  a  butcher  and  at 


672 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPfflCAL  RECORD. 


the  same   time   sold   agricultui-al    implements  and 
managed  his  farm. 

The  next  business  lo  wliicli  ^Ir.  Faiickbonor 
devoted  his  attention  was  the  inanufactuio  and 
sale  of  monuments  and  gravestones,  in  wliich  hf 
continued  some  tliree  years.  He  owns  a  si)leiuliil 
farm  of  one  liuiidrcd  and  twenty-eiglit  acres,  he- 
sides  village  property  of  considerable  vahie.  and 
since  1881  has  eng.-xged  exclusively  in  fanning. 
He  still  supervises  the  i)lace,  although  a  tenant  re- 
sides upon  it  and  cultivates  the  land.  Although 
his  (icrsonal  affairs  have  required  his  almost  undi- 
vided thought,  lie  is  a  keen  observer  of  men 
and  things  anil  contributes  his  ijuola  to  pulilic 
enterprises.  Esi)ecially  ha.s  he  niainl^iined  close 
interest  in  the  County  Fair  and  was  largely  in- 
strumental in  securing  the  location  of  the  Fair 
firounds  at  Schoolcraft. 

Noveinbi'r  1.'),  IH.").3.  Mr.  l'':inckboncr  was  united 
in  marri.ige  in  Prairie  Ronde  Township,  to  Miss 
.Vdeline  ^IcCreary.  the  sister  ofCleorge  McCreary, 
whose  sketch  may  bv  found  elsewhere  in  this  vol- 
ume. .Mrs.  Faiickboner  was  lioni  ju  Piairic 
Ronde  Township.  March  211.  1M."J."),  and  was  edu- 
cateil  in  the  i)ublic  schools  of  the  coniniunity.  A 
lady  of  great  amialii lily  and  culiiiic  sh(>  has  been 
especially  active  in  temperance  work,  having 
signetl  a  pledge  when  she  w.as  yc>iing  and  kept  it 
.sacred  ever  since.  She  has  belonged  to  ;ilMiost 
every  temperance  society  which  haslieen  org.-inizcd 
ill  (he  vicinity  of  her  home,  having  been  iilcntilied 
with  the  .Sons  and  D.iughlcrs  of  Tenipciance,  ( iood 
Templars.  Cnisailc  Society.  White  Ribbon.  I'.Iue 
Ribbon,  I'rohibition  and  Woman's  Christian  Tein- 
lierancc  I'nioii,  and  in  all  of  which  she  has  held 
f)(Tlc«s  <i{  trust  and  honor. 

Mr.  and  .Mrs.  l'':iiickboner  arc  the  parents  of 
lliree  children,  iiainely:  l.ollje  A.,  who  married 
Frank  Diuniniond,  and  die(|  October  l.'i.  i.s.ss; 
I'ri'^toii  \V.,  who  chose  as  his  wife  .Miss  .Vnna  .Maek- 
liii.  and  llallie  |;..  who  is  also  greatly  interested 
in  tein|M'rance  work  and  is  an  acliv<'  member  of 
tin-  Voun;.'  Woman's  ( 'hristian  Teinpi-ranee  I'liion. 
■Slip  j.H  eoiinecleil  with  ilic  Mi'lliodist  Chui<li.  of 
which  she  isorgMiiist.  .Mr.  l''aiickboiier  has  served  .-is 
n  meirilHT  of  the  \illa(.;e  llo.-ird  .•inil  was  il>  President 
for  (our  tcriiia.     While  ii»idi«g   in   I'lame  Ronde 


Township,  he  filled  the  position  of  Constable  and 
takes  consideralile  interest  in  i)ublic  matters,  al- 
though he  is  indei)endent  in  his  political  allilialions. 
He  contributes  to  the  supjiort  of  the  .Methodist 
Church,  of  which  his  wife  is  an  active  nienilicr. 
and  as  old  settlers  and  pidinini'nt  citizens,  both 
are  highly  esteemed  by  their  ac(iuainlance.s. 


\T=!!)I)W1N  VOSRrRC.H.  In  all  his  enterprises 
this  gentleman  has  met  with  marked  suc- 
cess, and  is  now  one  of  llie  .solid  business 
men  of  Kalamazoo  County,  having  for  many  years 
suc(.'essfully  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  on  section 
■21,  Ro.ss  Township.  He  owns  one  Inuidicd  and 
sixty  acres  of  good  farming  land,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  of  which  comprise  his  honu>  ]ilace.  and  he 
occupies  a  lieautiful  residence,  erected  in  I  8'.)  I. 

"Wayne  County.  N.  Y.,  is  the  native  jilace  of  Mr. 
■N'osburgh,  who  w.as  born  December  7,  181!.').  His 
p.'iicnls,  l);ivi(l  and  S<ip|ironia  (l.oomis)  A'osburgh, 
wcie  natives  of  New  York,  and  he  was  reared  upon 
a  farm  there,  meanw^hilc  gaining  siich  schooling  as 
was  po.ssilile  at  that  day.  In  1817,  he  accompanied 
his  parents  to  Michigan  and  located  with  them  in 
Charleston  Township.  Kalamazoo  County,  where 
he  was  a  witness  of  the  dcvehipnieut  of  thecoiMil\'. 
In  the  honu'  there  established,  his  |>arents  spent 
their  leni.aining  years,  and  at  their  death  were 
survived  by  live  ciiildrcn:  .VIonzo,  ImIwIii,  .lohn, 
Miiford  and  Su.saii. 

The  hardships  of  pioneiM'  life,  the  clearing  of 
land,  removing  brush  and  st  nnips,  luruing  the  lirsl 
furrows  in  the  soil — all  this  work  was  p:irlicipaled 
in  by  Ml'.  \'osburgli.  Soon  after  connuenciug  for 
himself,  lie  was  married  to  Miss  .lane  b'om.'ins.  and 
live  children  were  born  of  the  union,  three  of  whom 
still  survive.  namel\-:  ^larsh.all,  who  married  Cora 
Foard;  S-irali,  wife  of  lieiiinniiii  I'iper,  .•ind  l'!lla, 
who  became  the  wife  of  .loseph  Hudson. 

The  seconil  iiiatriiiioiii:d  alli.aiiee  which  was  con- 
Ir.'icled  by  Mr.  \'osbiirgli  b|dlli;lil  lo  his  home  :i 
bride  whose  inaiilen  name  was  l'!lleii  Koiii.miis,  and 
who  IS  .'in  eslini.able  laily  of  gie;il  kindness  of  lie:irl. 
They  are    the    p;iiciils   of   seven    children,  name!  v: 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPirCAL   RECORD. 


67.3 


Cora,  now  Mrs.  Charles  Stratton;  Dennis,  who  is 
living  in  Washington  .State;  Manlej,  David, Susan, 
Walter  and  Ikntlia.  About  the  time  of  the  close 
of  the  Civil  War,  Mr.  Vosburgh  settled  upon  his 
|)resent  farm,  where  he  has  since  remained,  engag- 
ing in  agricultural  pursuits  with  success. 

The  Democratic  party  has  a  stanch  adherent  in 
Mr.  Vosburgh,  who  uses  his  influence  and  ballot 
for  its  princijiles  and  candidates.  No  measure  is 
presented  of  public  importance  which  fails  to  re- 
ceive his  hearty  sympathy  and  active  assistance. 
His  life  has  been  such  as  to  win  the  confidence  of 
all  with  whom  business  or  social  relations  have 
brought  him  in  contact,  and  his  success  is  the  re- 
sult of  tiie  sterling  traits  of  character  which  he  pos- 
sesses. 


ICHAEL  C.  CRONIN.  JI.  D.,  one  of  the 
l\  most  prominent  physicians  of  Van  Buren 
County,  resides  in  Bangor,  where,  in  the 
few  years  since  he  came  to  that  place,  he 
has  built  up  an  extensive  practice,  and  has  secured 
hosts  of  friends,  not  onlj^  through  his  successful 
treatment  of  the  "  ills  which  flesh  is  heir  to,"  but 
by  his  affable  manners  and  courteous  treatment  of 
every  one  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 

Dr.  Cronin  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  his  birth  tak- 
ing place  at  Muncie,  September  9,  1806.  At  the 
age  of  eight  years,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Hartford  City,  Ind.,  where  he  was  educated  at 
Ridgeville  College.  He  afterward  taught  school 
for  five  terms  and  then  began  reading  medicine. 
In  1878,  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the 
Butler  University,  in  his  native  State,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1881.  He  followed  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Hartford  for  a  short  time, 
and  then  located  at  South  Haven,  Mich.,  where  he 
]iracticed  for  nearly  two  years  in  partnership  with 
\V.  C.  Ransom.  In  the  fall  of  1882,  he  came  to 
Bangor,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  has  been 
eminently  successful.  He  has  always  been  a  close 
student  and  has  ke[)t  alircast  of  the  times  in  scien- 
litic  discoveries  and  in  everything  which  would  aid 
in  tiu'  better  knowledge  of  the  human  system  and 
the  effects  of  drugs,     lu  the  fall  of  1887,  Dr.  Cronin 


went  to  New  York  and  took  a  jjost-graduate  course 
in  Bellevue  Hospital  and  College,  thus  adding 
greatly  to  his  practical  expcu'ience  in  both  medi- 
cine and  surgery. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  .John  and  Mary 
(Trant)  Cronin,  were  natives  of  the  Emerald  Isle, 
but  emigrated  to  America  early  in  life.  The 
father  is  still  living  at  Hartford  City,  Ind.,  where 
he  has  four  sons  in  business,  one  being  a  physician, 
another  in  the  medical  college,  the  third  a  mer- 
chant, and  the  remaining  son  interested  in  buying 
and  selling  land. 

Dr.  Cronin  was  married  in  May,  1889,  to  Miss 
Emma  Willison,  of  Van  Buren  County.  Politically, 
the  Doctor  is  a  Democrat  and  stronglj'  attached  to 
his  party,  which  he  believes  holds  the  correct 
views  on  national  government.  He  has  a  beautiful 
residence  and  a  fine  office,  in  which  may  be  found 
a  well-selected  library  of  books,  the  majority  of 
which  treat  especially  on  the  subjects  connected 
with  his  profession.  Dr.  Cronin  is  a  man  wIk)  has 
lived  a  busy  and  useful  life,  is  liberal  and  generous 
to  all  demands  made  u|)on  his  time  or  purse,  and 
who  counts  his  friends  i>v  the  score. 


'|W7  AFERT  8L0TMAN.  The  gentleman  whose 
J  ((§,  name  heads  this  sketch  has  attained  con- 
'J^^  siderable  i)romiuence  in  agricultural  circles, 
by  reason  of  his  intelligence  and  progressive  tend- 
encies and  also  by  his  genial  and  frank  ways.  He  is 
at  present  residing  on  his  comfortable  farm  on  sec- 
tion 21,  Ovcrisel  Township,  Allegan  County,  where 
he  gives  his  time  and  attention  to  the  cultivation 
of  the  soil,  and  by  a  proper  rotation  of  crops  his 
land  has  been  brought  to  a  high  degree  of  cultiva- 
tion and  made  to  yield  handsome  returns. 

Mr.  Slotman  is  a  son  of  Lafcrt  and  .Tohanna 
Slotman  and  was  born  March  4,  1848,  in  S^'racuse, 
N.  Y.  He  was  an  infant  when  his  parents  re- 
moved to  this  State  and  located  in  Overisel  Town- 
ship, where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  was 
given  a  fair  education  m  the  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  started 
out  to  do  for  himself,  by  working  out  by  the 
mouth  as  a  farm  laborer. 


674 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Alice  Wagner  became  the  wife  of  our  subject, 
their  marriage  taking  place  in  Overisel  Townshiii. 
Mi-s.  Slotman  is  a  native  of  Holland  and  is  the 
daugiiter  of  Cornelius  Wairner.  also  a  native  of 
Holland.  She  was  brought  to  Grand  Haven,  this 
.State,  wlien  a  child  of  seven  years  and  was  given 
a  good  education  in  the  common  schools  of  her 
neighborhood.  Her  father  died  in  Muskegon, 
where  her  mother  is  now  residing  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-two  years. 

.Seven  children  have  come  to  bless  the  Iiour'  of 
our  subject  and  his  wife,  six  of  whom  are  livinji; 
at  the  jircsent  wriliiiii^  (lt<'.»2).  They  licar  the 
names  respectively  of  .joliaiuia.  Katie,  Willie,  Lena 
Flora  and  Lawrence.  One  child  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Slotman  is  the  owner  of  eiuhty  acres  of  excel- 
lent land  which  has  lieeii  hroiiyht  lo  ils  present 
prosperous  condition  li.\'  his  own  hands,  as  it  was 
in  ils  primitive  stale  wiien  he  i>urchascd  it.  He 
has  erected  good  and  convenient  buildings  on  his 
farm  and  everything  about  the  pienilses  l)ears  the 
marks  of  the  industry  .and  good  inanageinenl  of 
the  owner. 

Mr.  Slotman  has  occupied  the  responsible  i)osi- 
tion  of  Township  i'reasurer.  t)ecupy iiit>'  the  olliec 
for  two  years,  and  dm  iny  that  period  i;iving  entire 
sati>factioii.  In  polities,  he  is  a  lirni  adherent  of 
Demoeratie  principles,  lie,  with  his  family,  is  a 
nicmlier  of  the  Refornie(l  (hinch  and  is  hiylilv  es- 
teemed as  a  valuable  addition  to  the  farming  coni- 
munily  with  which  he  has  been  identilied  for  so 
many  yeai-s. 


+-SH+^+  / 


r 


ll/AMl->  I'.AI.I',,   who   is  one   of   the  pro eiil 

and  lepre-entativi'  farmers  of  Antwerp 
'I'ownship,\'aii  llnien  ('ount\ ,  resides  on  sec- 
tion ;i,  wheiehe  lL■l^a  liiiely  cultivated  place,  j 
lie  is  n  native!  of  Knglanil,  having  been  horn  in 
Devon.-hire.  Kebruaiy  27,  IH-.'T.  Hi.-  parents,  Will- 
niMi  and  .Mary  (Lellaby)  IJale.  were  natives  of  the 
same  sjiire.  where  the  I'alher  wasa  house-builder  b\ 
•  HI  iipulion.  hoih  parents  died  in  their  native 
land,  the  father  in    Ik:II    and   the  iiioihei   in   l.s||. 


They  were  consistent   members  of  the  Episcopal 

Cliurcii. 

Our  subject  received  a  good  coniinon-school  ed- 
ucation in  Devonshire,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  which  he  followed 
until  1841;t.  In  this  year,  on  April  1,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Eliza  Pugsley.  She  also  was  a  native 
of  England  and  Imrii  in  LS22.  Fi  ve  cliildreii  were 
born  to  these  parents,  of  whom  four  are  living: 
Mary,  wife  of  Albert  ilosher,  who  has  two  children, 
Lena  and  Roy;  Jennie  E.,  who  is  at  home;  WaKliii 
.1.  married  Miss  Clara  15.  Sheldon,  and  they 
have  one  daughter  named  Beatrice;  Henrietta, 
wife  of  E.  II.  Babbitt,  resides  in  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
and  they  have  two  children,  .lames  B.  and  an  in- 
fant, William  Dean;  P2va  died  in  1853  at  the  age 
of  two  years. 

In  1819,  Mr.  Bale  emigrated  from  I'",iig!;iiid 
to  the  I'niled  States,  coming  at  .nice  to  Michig.-iu 
and  settling  on  a  farm  in  I'aw  I'aw,  this  count  \ . 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  the  spring  of 
18.j'.l  when  he  removed  onto  a  farm  one  mile  from 
I'aw  I'aw.  Here  he  lived  for  several  years,  when 
he  sold  that  farm  and  nK)Vcd  onto  the  place  where 
he  now  lives,  which  consists  of  two  hundred  and 
liftcen  acres.  Here  his  wife  died,  February  22, 
1881.  She  was  an  excellent  w^onian  and  a  mciiilier 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chuieh.  Mr.  IJale 
was  again  married,  December  2,  1882,  this  time  to 
Mrs.  Isabella  (McBain)  Chesebio.  She  is  a  native 
of  .Vlbany.  N.  Y.,  born  Fel)ruaiy  11),  18  10.  Mr. 
Chesebro  wasa  native  of  New  ^'ork,  born  October  .'), 
IH.'iO.  and  was  principal  of  the  High  School  at 
( 1  rand  Rapids.  Mich.,  for  a  number  of  years  and 
also  held  the  olliec  of  School  Inspector,  lie  was  ;i 
I'liion  st)ldier  in  the  late  war,  serving  from  lH(i;> 
iiiilil  the  latter  part  of  IHIil,  when  he  was  lak<'li 
ill  ;iim1  died  in  April  IS(i,").  lie  iiiiitcd  willi  the 
MelhodisI  i'.piscopal  Church  whiMi  a  small  boy, and 
liN'cd  ail  upright  Christian  life.  This  eiuiple  were 
the  parents  of  three  children:  ( 'loiiiliii'  S.,  who 
lives  in  Dcs  Moines,  k)w-;i;  (iriiiit,,  who  was  born 
.luiie  HI,  LSIld.died  l'\'bril;iry  l.'i,  I  .SHH.  lea  vilig  one 
son;  .leiinic,  boiii  Aiigu>l  2'.l.  Ds.iT,  is  the  wife  of 
Fl:incis  K.  l%vert>.  and  resides  :il  (lr:inil  l>;ipid>, 
Mich. 

Mr>.     li;ile    i>     tin     il:niL;lilci'    nl      Willi:iiii    ,'inil 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  P.IOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


677 


Ilrlen  (Cowie)  McBiiin.  I  Tor  parents  vvi'iv  natives 
of  Scotland,  wlicrc  the  r:i(li('r  was  a  liarness-nial<(M' 
liy  ti'aclo,  which  (iccii|i:il  ion  he  I'ollowcil  in  Ihc 
early  |)aitof  life.  In  KS.")',!,  lie  eiiiii;ral.eil  Id  Alicli- 
iijan,  settling' in  I  Jiand  Ra])i(ls,  and  engaging  in 
fanning  wliicli  he  followed  until  his  deatli,  wliicli 
occurred  July  l.issit.  The  mother  died  February 
13,  1880.  The\-  wercllie  [larents  of  five  children: 
Kllen,  wife  of  Fven  Ilendersliot,  a  resident  near 
(liand  Rapids;  Jessie,  wife  of  Philip  Jewett,  resid- 
ing in  Ci  rand  Rapids,  Midi.,  William;  Janie,  de- 
eeased;  and  I.s.abella.  They  were  liotli  menilier.s  of 
the  Congregational  Church. 

Mr.  I^alc  is  the  onlj-  child  living  of  the  [larcnlal 
family,  nine  in  number.  Of  his  marriage  with  his 
last  wife,  he  has  no  children.  In  1840,  Mr.  Hale 
joined  the  IMethodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which 
he  has  borne  an  active  part  ever  since,  having 
been  Steward,  Trustee  and  Class-leader  in  the  I'aw 
Paw  Church  for  a  number  of  years.  ITis  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  same  church  and  they  are  aclive 
i  n  every  good  work 


^>-^^<m^ 


-i' 


IIARLES  S.  MAYNARD,  M.  D.  There  is, 
perhaps,  no  physician  and  surgeon  in  I'aw 
l^aw  more  skillful  and  progressive  than  the 
gentleman  whose  name  we  jilace  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch,  and  whose  portrait  on  the  opposite  page 
perpetuates  his  lineaments.  Tie  w.as  l)orn  in  Bata- 
via,  N.  Y.,  April  1,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  William 
S.  and  I^ovina  (Stuart)  Maynard,  the  father  born 
in  Sudbury,  Mass.,  in  1803,  and  of  Scotch-Irish 
ancestry;  the  mother  was  born  in  Morrisville.  N.  Y. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  removed  to  Forest- 
ville,  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  when  he  was  an 
infant,  tol'.uffalo  when  he  w.as  eight  years  old,  and 
to  Oirard,  Erie  County,  Pa.,  when  he  was  thirteen. 
They  remained  in  the  latter  pLace  until  Charles  S. 
reached  his  m.ajority.  lie  was  given  an  excellent 
education,  being  graduated  from  the  academy  at 
Oirard  when  thirteen  years  of  age.  lie  took  a 
thorough  course  in  Latin.  French  and  (ierm.an,and 
became  a  tluent  speaker  in  both  the  latter  Lan- 
guages. He  was  a  great  lover  of  music  and  at  the 
early  age  of  twelve  years  received  training  in  that 


art,  studying  both  vocal  and  iuslrunienlHl  music. 
He  also  taught  music  in  the  old-fashioned  singing- 
schools  and  can  lelate  many  an  inleresling  lale  of 
his  e\-]ierience  in  that  line. 

l-"roMi  liis  earliest  boyhood.  Dr.  Maynard  had  de- 
termined lo  study  medicine,  but  as  he  had  to  make 
his  own  way  in  Ihe  world,  it  was  not  luitil  he 
reached  his  1  wenl\-liftli  year,  thai  he  was  enabled 
to  carry  his  I'csolution  into  effect.  Our  subject  on 
reaching  his  majority  was  married  in  Pennsylvania 
to  Miss  Clynthia  Ann  Weed.  He  attended  the  Ec- 
lectic Medical  Institute  at  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  in 
IS.'iS-.^i),  being  graduated  in  the  siiring  of  the 
latter  year.  He  then  came  to  Paw  Paw,  where  he 
has  since  resided,  aiul  has  built  up  an  enviable 
reputation. 

Dr.  Maynard  was  eommissionecl  Assistant  Sur- 
geon in  the  Twelfth  Michigan  Infantry  during  the 
late  war,  by  Gov.  Blair,  but  did  not  accept  the 
position,  as  he  was  needed  at  home.  Had  he 
obeyed  his  inclinations,  he  would  have  entered  the 
service,  but  professional  dutj-  forbade  him  to  do 
so,  and  he  contented  himself  with  aiding  to  raise 
companies.  He  was  at  one  time  offered  a  Lieuten 
ant's  commission.  The  Doctor  was  a  Republican 
in  politics  in  early  life,  having  been  reared  a  Whig- 
He  supported  Hayes  in  1876,  but  shortly  after 
joined  the  Greenback  party,  who  placed  him  on 
their  ticket  as  a  candidate  for  Re[)resentative. 

In  the  spring  of  1878,  Dr.  Maynard  was  elected 
T'resident  of  Paw  Paw  and  served  most  acceptably 
for  one  term.  One  year  intervening,  he  was  again 
elected  to  that  responsible  position,  holding  the 
office  for  four  years,  which  was  two  and  a  half 
times  .as  long  as  any  other  incumbent;  he  declined 
to  serve  a  sixth  term.  Dr.  Maynard  was  also 
Township  School  Inspector  for  two  years.  He  is 
the  present  Health  OtHcer  of  Paw  Paw  Town- 
ship, having  held  that  ollice  for  the  past  ten  years, 
lie  has  lieen  Director  of  the  Paw  Paw  Schools 
since  1882,  and  h.as  devoted  a  great  deal  of  his 
time  and  influence  to  building  u|)the  schools  here, 
and  may  well  be  proud  of  the  result  of  his  labors, 
as  the  city  has  as  good  institutions  of  learning  as 
are  to  be  found  in  Michigan. 

In  1884,  Dr.  Maynard  Iwcame  a  Democrat  and 
supported  Cleveland.     In    1888,  he    received  the 


678 


PORTRAIT  AND  JBIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Deinotu'atip  noniiiintiuii  for  Congress  from  tlie 
Fourtli  Dislrii-l.  uinL  although  that  section  was 
strongly  Kepiihliean,  he  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket  In- 
several  huuilred  votes.  The  Doctor  is  very  prom- 
inent in  political  affaii-s,  and  has  been  a  delegate 
to  various  conventions,  helping  to  nominate  the 
successful  ticket  at  Clrand  Haplds.  in  18',)(). 

Our  suhjed.  although  reared  a  Methodist,  is  now 
■A  inemlier  <il"  the  Christian  Church.  The  four  cliil- 
dren  burn  to  the  Doctor  and  liis  wife  are:  KUa, 
widow  of  .Sidney  Lewis,  who  lias  a  daughter,  Miss 
Nellie  Lewis;  Kate,  wlio  married  .lames  E.  Ander- 
xin.  Ii:u-*  four  children;  Ilaltic,  who  is  a  teacher  of 
pennian!s)iip  anil  book-keeping  in  the  Paw  Paw 
public  schiiol;  aiul  William  S..  the  youngest  child, 
wlio  was  drowned  at  the  ase  of  sixteen. 


,|KX.JAMI.\  1".  IlECKERT.  attorney -at-law 
and  Probate  Judge  of  Paw  Paw,  Van  Buren 
County,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio, 
March  2U,  1840,  to  John  D.  and  Salonia 
(Ilersh)  lleckert.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia and  died  on  a  farm  in  Ohio,  in  1844.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Pcnns3lvania  and  died  in  1877. 
(Jur  subject  remained  on  the  f;irm  in  Wayne 
County  until  eigliteen,  wiien  he  toi>k  a  course  at 
Canaan  Academy,  and  began  teaching  at  nineteen. 
He  Utiight  two  terms,  the  last  one  Ihc  wiiitci-  lic- 
fore  the  war. 

On  .Vpril  1«,  18(;i,  three  days  after  the  Presi- 
dent's pnjclamation  for  seventy-live  thousand 
men,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Coni|)any  K,  Six- 
teenth Ohio  Infantry.  He  w.as  in  the  first  engage- 
ment of  the  war.  at  l'liilip|)i,  also  Hicli  Mountain 
and  Carrick's  Ford.  At  the  end  of  three  months, 
AugU!<t,  IKGl.  he  hcl|)cd  to  get  up  a  company 
among  liis  old  x'hoolmates  and  neighbors.  In  tiiat 
company  he  w.-ls  appoinlcfl  Orderly-Serge.'int,  and 
in  Fi'bruary,  IMG2.wils  promoted  to  be  Second  Lieu- 
tenant. They  went  into  c.-uiip  .'it  Camp  Tillin, 
Wayne  County,*  )hio,  and  then  at  Camp  Dennison, 
where  they  remained  n  month  .and  then  went  to 
U-xington.  Ky.  .lanuary  I.  IH(;2,  they  were 
oriiererj  to  Mill  Sjirings,  and  from  there  to  Cuni- 
iK-rland  Ford,  and  in  June  of  that  year  they  heliied 


to  capture  Cumberland  Oa)).  Here  they  remained 
until  August,  and  then  went  to  Tazewell,  Tenn., 
where  they  fought  Kirb}-  Smith's  I'ommand.  From 
here  they  retreated  to  the  Ohio  Hiver.on  account  of 
supplies  being  short.  They  had  to  live  by  fora- 
ging on  the  ctiuntry,  mostly  for  green  corn  which 
w.as  grated  and  baked.  They  retitted  at  tiallipolis 
and  went  up  theKanahwa  Valley  to  Charleston,  W. 
Va.  From  Portland  they  started  for  Jleniphis, 
Tenn., and  tiiere  went  into  cam]).  From  Mempliis 
was  organized  the  expedition  against  Vicksburg, 
and  the  regiment  was  under  Sherman.  They  took 
tran>i)orts  to  Johnson's  Landing  on  the  Yazoo 
River,  where,  after  skirmishing  two  or  three  days, 
they  charged  the  enemy's  works  on  December  29, 
1862,  and  were  repulsed.  Our  subject  was  cap- 
tured at  tiiis  place  and  held  prisoner  five  months 
at  A'icksliurg,  .lackson,  Mobile,  Atlanta,  and 
finally  at  Libby  Prison,  two  months  of  the  time. 
In  May,  1863,  he  was  exchanged  and  joined  his 
regiment  in  front  of  Vicksburg.  He  was  at  the 
fall  of  \'icksburg  and  then  went  with  Sherman  to 
Jackson,  Miss.,  and  fought  Johnson.  After  a  while 
at  various  places  in  the  South,  the  regiment  went 
to  F't.  Esperanza,  Tex.,  and  remained  there  till 
April,  1864.  They  then  went  up  the  Red  River  to 
re-inforce  (ien.  IJanks,  and  his  i-egiment  helped  to 
dam  the  river  and  lloat  the  federal  gunboats  over 
and  down  the  lapids.  They  went  into  camp  at 
Morganza  Bend,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  and 
that  fall,  his  term  of  enlistment  having  expired, 
he  was  ordered  to  Columbus,  (.)hio,  to  be  mustered 
out.  In  the  spring  of  186.'),  he  began  to  attend 
school  at  llayesviile,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  a 
year  and  a  iialf.  He  then  entered  the  University 
at  Ann  Arbor,  ]\lich.,  studying  in  the  Law  De- 
partment in  the  fall  of   1867. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  gradu.'Ucd  from 
the  University  in  1S(1!I.  and  located  at  Soutii  Ha- 
ven to  practice  law.  Ill'  was  married  in  Wayne 
County,  Ohio,  April  :1(»,  iscs,  to  Miss  Emily  M. 
Rarr,  a  daughter  of  the  Hcv.  Tiu)mas  11.  and  Ca- 
roline (Metcalf)  lian-.  Her  father  is  a  Presbyte- 
rian minister.  Our  sujijcct  lived  at  South  Haven 
six  years,  where  he  was  N'illage  Attorney  and  Jus- 
tice of  the  re.Mce,  and  was  elected  Circuit  Court 
Commissioiu  r    in  1m72.      In  July,  1874, he  was  ap- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFXORD. 


679 


pdiiitpil  Prospciitiiig  Attonipy  for  tlio  coiinl y,  iiml 
III  Oclolicr,  IHT'i,  he  locillcil  in  I'.-iu  \':\\\.  .Mr. 
Ilfi-kc'it  was  tliicc  liim's  clcctid  rrosociiliiiij;  Al- 
tdiiioy  aftci-  tliat.  IIo  boijiui  \\\s  |)r!iclicc  licre, 
iind.  ill  IHHH,  was  i-lcrlcd  .liul^c  of  l'i-oli;itc  C'ourf, 
tliiMlul.ics  of  wliicli  ollii-c  lie  is  fnitlifiilly  (liscliarg- 
iiiH'.  lie  lias  also  hccii  \illagi!  Atloriiey  a  iiiiiii- 
licr  of  years.  In  the  f.-ill  of  1886,  lieweiil  lo  Kan- 
sas C'if\',  liiil  reinaiiit'd  fliere  only  a  few  iiionflis, 
when  lie  relui-ne(l.  In  [lolities,  this  n'eiilli'iiian  is 
a  stalwart  Repiililieau. 


-=0 


|7  ORD  B.  CUMMING8,  deeeasecl.  In  the 
>,  death  of  this  gentleman,  Riehland  Township. 
^  Kalamazoo  County, was  deprived  of  one  of 
iUs  aetive  and  representative  citizens  who  had  long 
been  an  honored  and  nilUiential  resident  of  this 
place.  The  State  of  his  birth  was  New  York,  where 
lie  was  born  February  HI,  1826.  Ilis  parents  were 
Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  Cumniings.  and  he  was  a 
brother  of  S.  S.  Cummings,  ex-Postmaster  of  Rich- 
land. 

Mr.  Cummings  was  a  mere  lad  when  he  jour- 
neyed to  this  county  with  his  parents  and  was  here 
reared  to  man's  estate,  llisearly  youth  was  spent 
on  the  farm,  assisting  his  father  and  attending  the 
common  schools.  He  took  as  his  life  eftmpanion. 
July  2,  185'.t,  Miss  Emily  Stewart,  a  native  of  Por- 
tage County,  Ohio,  having  had  her  birth  August 
G,  18;]8.  Mrs.  Cummings  is  a  daugliterof  Thomas 
and  Sybila  (Waller)  Stewart,  the  father  coming 
from  Ireland  and  the  motlier  from  Connectienl. 
They  came  to  this  county  aliout  184.j,  and  located 
land  in  Richland  Township,  wliere  the  father 
passed  away  in  1850  and  the  mother  in  1872. 
They  li.ad  born  to  them  ten  children,  of  whom  the 
following-named  survive:  ^Yaller;  Mrs.  Cummings; 
Betsey,  the  wife  of  Alexander  Philow,  and  .Inlia, 
wife  of  George  Jlason. 

For  a  time,  our  subject  engaged  in  the  grocei-y 
business  at  Chicago,  111.,  and  after  liis  marriage 
settled  on  the  farm  where  his  good  widow  now  re- 
sides,    lie  cultivated    this  place  and  did  general 


farming  until  his  death,  vvhicli  occurred  December 

.">,  1888.  \Vlieii  he  took  tlie  [ilace,  it  was  but  a 
wilderness  and  he  made  a  splendid  estate  of  it, 
erected  good  substantial  buildings  of  all  kinds  and 
effected  excellent  improvements.  He  was  a  hard 
worker  and  paid  close  attention  to  his  busiiu'ss.  He 
took  ail  active  part  in  school  matters  and  .served 
on  the  School  lioanl  <if  his  district  and  was  al- 
ways in  favor  of  anything  that  would  better  the 
condition  of  tlie  schools  and  the  township.  He 
was  a  kind  and  loving  father  and  husband  ancl 
an  obliging  neighbor  and  not  onl.y  is  he  mourned 
by  his  family  but  by  the  whole  community. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  and  his  esti- 
mable wife  had  lioiii  to  tlicm  two  children,  whom 
thes'  named  Harriet  and  Nettie.  Tlicy  are  both 
(irst-class  teachers  in  the  imblic  schools  of  this 
county.  Mrs.  Cummings  resides  on  and  has  the 
supervision  of  the  homestead  of  one  hundred  and 
live  acres  and  the  place  siiovvs  her  .sagacious  judg- 
ment and  business  .ability.  She  is  a  lady  much 
liked  and  respected,  as  are  also  her  two  daughters 
who  are  active  members  of  the  best  society  in  the 
township.  Mrs.  Cummings  is  a  consistent  and 
valued  memlier  of  the  Presbvtci'ian  Church. 


^\ 


\m 


Hi 


11^ 


■mi 


'l|(E.SSE  S.  BARTON,  a  pnmiinent  citizen  of 
Paw  Paw,  was  born  in  Washtenaw  County 
this  State,  July  17,  1838,  and  is  tlie  son  of 
William  and  Charity  (Stevens)  Barton, 
natives  of  New  York,  who  removed  to  Van  Buren 
County  when  Je.sse  S.  was  a  youth  of  fourteen. 
He  received  a  common-.school  education  and  was 
leared  on  a  farm.  When  about  eighteen,  he  com- 
menced in  life  for  himself  and  bought  a  tract  of 
wild  land,  comprising  eighty  acres  in  Almena 
Township,  which  he  cleaied  and  afterward  sold. 
He  now  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Al- 
mena Township,  and  is  prominently  connected 
with  the  business  interests  of  the  community. 

January  23,  1866,  Mr.  Barton  w.as  married  to 
Miss  Anna  Swiek,  who  was  born  at  Big  Flats,  N. 
Y.,  October  26,  1842.  Her  father.  Rev.  B.  R. 
Swiek,  was  born  in  New    York  Jauuai^-  2,    1808, 


680 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArfflCAL  RECORD. 


and  was  a  weli-knowii  Baptifit  clergyman  of  Wps)- 
erii  New  York.  lie  was  uniteil  in  marnajjo  with 
llila  Ann  Arnisfronj;,  liorn  in  New  York  Stale, 
July  15,  1805,  anil  tlie  union  wjis  blest  by  the  birth 
of  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  attjiiued  to  mature 
years.  They  now  reside  in  Mieliigan  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Mrs.  Mary  Burnett,  whose  homo  is  in 
LislH>n.  Dak.  The  mother  of  the  family  died  in 
IJatli.  N.  Y..  in  April.  1850.  but  the  father  survived 
until  .\ugust,  1 -^TO.  when  he  i)assed  away.  nioiMiied 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

I5y  a  course  of  study  in  the  coiuinon  schools  and 
the  ( ienesee  Woslcyan  Seminary  at  T.ima,  N.  Y..  Mrs. 
R'irlou  prepared  her.«elf  for  the  profession  of  a 
te.ncher.  which  she  entered  upon  at  the  early  age  of 
seventeen,  teaching  some  five  terms  in  New  York. 
She  came  to  Jlichigan  in  October,  1862,  and  com- 
menced to  teach. continuing  to  follow  that  profess- 
ion untd  she  was  married  to  Mr.  15arli)n.  At  the  age 
of  thirteen,  she  was  converted  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  \Vhen  (piite  young, 
she  began  to  write  for  publication,  her  first  poems 
being  published  when  she  was  seventeen. 

At  that  time  Mi-s.  Barton  had  no  thought  of 
ever  collecting  her  writings,  but  in  later  years, 
when  her  health  failed,  she  interested  herself  in 
collecting  her  various  poems,  which  she  puljlishod 
in  1882  in  an  edition  entitled  "For  l-'riendsliip's 
Sake."  As  a  writer,  her  style  is  pleasing,  clear 
and  flowing,  while  the  sentiment  of  her  produc- 
tions is  lofty  and  nol)le.  However,  she  is  c(iually 
well  known  through  her  ministerial  work,  which 
probably  liad  it.s  origin  in  the  spring  of  1871,  when 
she  w;»s  rccpicsted  by  the  Sunday-school  Superin- 
tendent at  Waverly  to  take  charge  of  the  Young 
People's  Hi ble  Class.  With  great  reluctance,  she 
accepted  that  rcsponsibh-  position,  which  she  re- 
tained for  three  years,  wiicn  the  class  became  so 
large  that  slie  was conipelh'd  In  divide  it. 

As  the  I'eward  of  her  consecrntcd  elTorts,  .Mrs. 
Burton  saw  her  husband  |irofe.ss  Christ  in  1876,  as 
well  ns  the  majority  of  the  iiicinlicrs  of  her  clas.s, 
numlx-ring  more  than  fifty.  During  the  absence 
of  the  pastor,  Rev.  II.  I..  I'ri'siMitt.  at  the  Centen- 
nial, she  was  n'<|n('sl«'d  to  read  a  sermon,  which 
she  did,  and  afterward  aideil  her  jiastor  in  revival 
itervieps.     The  following  winter  .she  was  called    to 


1h'  pastor  of  a  newly  organized  church  at  Glidden- 
burg,  six  miles  west  of  I'aw  I'aw.  and  .iccepted 
the  charge,  romaiuiug  there  for  one  jear.  She 
then  accepted  a  call  from  her  home  church  at 
Waverly,  where  she  remained  two  years. 

On  account  of  nervous  prostration,  Mrs.  Barton 
was  compelled  toce.ase  from  the  ministry  for  per- 
haps three  years,  and  upon  recovering  her  health 
she  commenced  evangelizing  in  various  pLaces. 
Afterward  she  remained  for  a  few  months  as  pas- 
tor of  the  church  at  Gliddenlnirg,  and  from  there 
going  to  Oshtemo,  wliere  she  was  pastor  of  the 
ciiurch  for  one  year.  In  the  winter  of  1880-87, 
she  assisted  in  revival  work  at  Paw  Paw,  and 
during  the  following  spring  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Free  Baptist  Cliuich  here,  where  she  has  since  la- 
bored with  excellent  results.  In  December,  1886, 
she  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and  will  doubt- 
less devote  her  energies  to  her  chosen  work  so 
long  .as  life  shall  last. 

In  her  home,  the  Kev.  Anna  Barton  is  a  devoted 
wife  and  loving  mother;  .as  a  friend,  she  is  faith- 
ful, and  .as  a  neighbor  vinselfish  and  generous,  llcr 
life  is  an  cxemplitication  of  her  Christian  belief, 
and  in  all  her  actions  and  writings  she  is  actuated 
by  an  overwhelming  desire  to  win  mankind  to 
Christ.  Ilcr  labors  have  been  blest  and  through 
her  ministration  of  the  Word  many  have  pro- 
fessed Christianity.  She  h.as  ever  been  a  tender 
and  wise  mother  and  counsellor  to  the  three  chil- 
dren that  iiave  blest  her  union.  Of  her  family, 
the  youngest  child  alone  remains  under  the  paren- 
tal roof,  the  others  ha  ving  established  lumics  of 
their  own. 

The  only  daughter,  Minnie,  who  w.as  liurn  in 
Almena  Township.  November  II,  18()l,  graduated 
from  the  Paw  Paw  High  School  in  1888  and  after 
teaching  for  a  few  years  was  married,  August  I'.t, 
18',II,  to  Klmer  Aseltine,  a  native  of  \'ermont  and 
a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  (iobleville.  William 
1!.,  who  was  lioni  in  Almena  Township,  S(  plcnilicr 
27,  )8(!fi,  now  resides  in  Dowagiac,  this  State,  lb' 
was  m.arried,  M.arch  II,  1867,  to  Miss  Anna  Snyder. 
and  they  have  one  child,  Leta.  Phineas  .Mmond, 
was  born  in  Almena  Township.  A|iill  2'.>,  1871, 
and  ex])ect,s  to  foUow  the  calling  of  a  farmer.  He 
is  not  married. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


681 


yVIIJJAM    II.    WILCOX.     J'lio    lii.story    of 
/    llic  Wilcox  fiiinily   ilaUvs  hack   to    the  ai- 

\^\':i/  iiviil  ill  this  country  of  three  hrotiiers 
from  Kn<j;hanfl,  iiroljubly  soon  after  the  landing  of 
the  Pilgrims  upon  Pl\-mouth  rock.  These  brothers 
settled  in  Middletown,  Middlesex  County,  Conn. 
An  authentic  history  of  the  family  has  been  pre- 
served since  the  birth  of  a  child  named  John,  the 
great  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
which  occurred  in  Middletown,  Middlesex  County, 
Conn.,  in  1712.  lie  married  Hannah  Wilcox,  who 
was  born  in  1718,  and  died  November  13,  1807. 
His  death  occurred  October  26,   1795. 

To  this  couple  there  were  born  ten  children,  as 
follows:  January  1.5,  1740,  a  son  named  John,  who 
died  April  5,  1823.  He  married  Eunice  Norton, 
who  died  in  October,  1796;  Samuel  was  born  May 
8,  1742,  and  died  September  4,  1809.  He  married 
Ruth  Roberts,  who  died  September  11,  1776,  and 
for  a  second  wife  chose  Rutli  Watkins;  Ilezekiah, 
born  March  4,  1744.  He  married  Rachel  Board- 
man,  and  died  September  II,  1796;  Joseph,  born 
March  29,  1746,  married  Myriam  Lacon;  Hannah, 
born  .Lanuary  28,  1748,  died  February  19,  1826; 
Giles  was  born  January  2,  1750,  married  Rachel 
Dowd,  and  died  in  October,1838;  Simeon,  born  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1752,  married  Widow  M'Cor.rcr,  and 
died  October  13,  1827;  Submit,  born  December  5, 
1752,  died  August  11,  1803;  Comfort,  born  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1757,  died  Februaiy  15,  1839;  he  mar- 
ried Patty  Doolittle,  who  died  September  18,1803, 
and  later  Patty  Banks,  who  died  January  4,  1839. 
Sarah  was  born  Februaiy  7,  1760,  and  died  in 
1843.  She  married  Abel  North,  who  died  in  1839. 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  children :  Hannah, 
Ilepzibah,  Lyman,  Orion  and  John. 

The  cliildren  of  John  AVilcox  (2d)  and  Eunice 
(North)  Wilcox  were  six  in  number,  namely: 
Selh,  born  July  31,  1767,  married  Molly  Bacon; 
Jeduthan,  born  November  18,  1768,  married  Sally 
Fiskand  later  S.ally  Todd;  .John,  born  September  13, 
1771,  married  a  Miss  Giles;  Eunice,  born  July  14 
1774,  married  John  Roberts;  Jedediah,  born  June 
1,1778,  died  October  11,  1787.  Samuel  and  Ruth 
(Watkins)  Wilcox  had  one  child,  who  was  named 
after  her  mother,  Ruth  Wilcox,  and  was  born 
August  12,  1798,  and  married  William  D.  Starr; 
31  V 


Ilezekiah  and  Rachel  (Boardman)  Wilcox  bad 
but  one  child,  who  was  named  Ilezekiah.  and  was 
born  October  11,  1796. 

Joseph  and  Myriam  (Bacon)  Wilcox  had  eight 
children,  as  follows:  Sarah,  born  October  29,  1786; 
Jedediah,  born  February  7,  1788,  married  Polly 
Yale  and  later,  Mary  Ann  Wilcox;  Submit,  born  No- 
vember 11,  1789;  Josei)h,  born  October  21,  1791, 
married  Lucy  Tryon;  Ilezekiah,  born  March  28, 
1793,  married  Miss  Roberts;  Elisha,  born  June  20, 
1795,  married  Ilepzibah  Cornwall;  Lavina,  born 
January  21,  1797,  married  Ebenezcr  Bacon.  I\Irs. 
Bacon  was  murdered  on  Sunday  while  the  famil^^ 
were  at  church,  by  a  man  named  Hall,  a  former 
eraplo^-e  of  the  family,  who  had  entered  the  house 
for  the  pupose  of  robbery.  Myriam,  born  March 
19,  1801,  married  Edmond  North. 

Giles  and  Rachel  (Dowd)  Wilcox  were  the 
parents  of  five  children,  as  follows:  Aline,  born 
November  1,  1776,  married  Aaron  Churchill; 
Giles,  born  August  28,  1778,  married  Lucy  Clark; 
Sylvester,  born  February  14,  1782,  married  Abagail 
Bacon;  Samuel,  born  October  20,  1786;  Sarah, 
born  November  30,  1788,  first  married  a  Wilcox, 
and  for  her  second  husband  chose  S.  Goodwin. 

Comfort  Wilcox,  son  of  John  Wilcox,  (2d)  and 
grandf.ather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  Ijorn 
in  Middletown,  Middlesex  County,  Conn.,  Feb- 
ruaiy  17,  1757,  and  died  February  15,  1839.  He 
participated  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  with 
the  Colonists  in  their  struggle  for  indc|)endence, 
and  located  in  Leni]ister,  Cheshire  (now  Sullivan) 
County,  N.  H.,  soon  after  the  close  of  the  struggle. 
A  deed  now  in  the  hands  of  the  present  generation 
given  by  John  Wilcox,  his  father,  of  Middletown, 
Middlesex  Count3',  Conn.,  "for  the  consideration 
of  the  love  and  parental  affection  which  I  ha\(' 
and  bear  for  my  son.  Comfort  Wilcox,  of  Lemp- 
ster,  Cheshire  County,  N.  IL,  for  his  advancement 
in  the  world,"  makes  a  present  of  an  additional 
forty  acres  of  land,  valued  at  £40  lawful  money,  to 
his  farm,  which  at  this  time  consisted  of  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty-five  acres.  This  deed  is  dated 
26th  of  February,  1793,  and  is  now  the  first 
authentic  record  of  the  settlement  of  the  family  in 
New  Hampshire.  It  is  known  that  Comfort  AVil- 
cox  was  then  a  resident  in   the  State,  and    faniilv 


682 


PORTRAIT  AiSD  HIOGRAPHICAL  JJECORD. 


ti-adition  is  to  the  effect  that  land  was  acquired  in 
that  State  by  .lolin,  father  of  Comfort  Wilcox, 
and  partially  improved  before  the  War  of  the 
Revolution. 

Omifort  Wilcox  married  I'atly  Doolittle,  and  at 
her  death.  Tatty  Banks.  They  were  blessed  with  six 
children:  Patty  1).  was  born  September  18,  18(13. 
John  Hanks,  born  in  Lempstcr,  Sullivan  County, 
N.  !i..  .lune  21.  1S0.5,  died  in  .South  Haven,  jNIich., 
January  6,  1S8(!;  he  married  Ik'tsy  D.  Howe,  of 
Newport,  X.  II.,  born  October  21,  1811,  and  mar- 
ried .\pril  8,  183.5.  W.ashington,  born  April  18, 
1807,  w.is  a  Jlcthodist  minister  and  Presiding 
Klder  in  the  district  in  which  he  lived  in  Wiscon- 
sin, at  the  time  of  his  death;  he  married  Caro- 
line Stephens.  Hannah,  born  .hily  .'5.  18();),  mar- 
ried Alfred  .\bel.  William,  born  April  11,  1812, 
died  in  .lamaica.  N't..  October  1',  18,")4.  and  mar- 
ried Sally  Chittenden.  Electa  Jane  Whipple  and 
Julia  KIma  Rartletl;  Franklin,  born  iMarcli  3, 
182(1,  married  .lane  Sherman. 

John  15.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
IJctsy  D.  (Howe)  Wilcox  had  eight  children; 
Sarah  Ann,  born  in  Lempsler,  Js.  11.,  December  27, 
1835,  married  K(jmanzo  K.  Richardson  .and  died 
about  18G3;  Maria  Belinda,  born  Januar3-  16, 
1K37.  married  J.  O.  Rowell.  and  died  July  11.  18();t; 
Fannie  Jo.sephine,  born  January  22,  1831),  married 
A.  C.  .Sargent,  who  died  .\pril  t,  18()(;;  she  was 
afterward  the  wife  of  John  N.  I'\)ster  and  died 
July  13,  1888.  William  Henry,  subject  of  this 
sketch,  \x)vn  November  12,  IMKI,  married  Novem- 
l)er  20,  1K72,  Miss  F.dna  Ar;iliella  Raymond,  daugh- 
ter of  .Milo  H.  and  Catluinne  R:iymond.  who  w,as 
Uirn  in  Colioeton.  Steuben  Cnunly.  N.  Y.,  Novem- 
ber 11,  1«.')1;  Flma  KlecLa,  born  March  23,  1843, 
died  .August  2K,  181  I;  .John  ICbner,  boi'u  .lune  13, 
I8'l."),  enlist<'d  in  the  army,  .\ugust  1'.),  18G2,  was 
in  the  baltl"  of  Suulli  Mountain,  Aniietam  and 
Fredricksliurg  in  1h(;2.  He  was  tr;insferi'ed  to  the 
Army  fif  the  West  in  lH(i;t,  and  was  in  the  eam- 
pnign.H  of  Vicksburg  anil  .l.-ickson  Miss.,  and  also 
at  Kiioxville,  Tc-nn..  in  IMC.'!.  He  was  transferred 
nguin  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  the  spring 
of  lHi;t,and  participated  in  the  battles  of  the  Wil- 
ilerness  ami  Spott-nylvania,  when- he  was  wiiuiid('<l 
ill  the  thigh.     Hi- rejoined  his  regiment    sig.-iin    in 


the  fall  and  served  continuously  to  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  November  of  18()G. 
and  married  Laura  Pierce,  of  Geneva,  daughter  of 
C'lark  and  Sarepta  Pierce,  May  18,  1870,  and  now 
resides  in  Geneva,  engaged  in  farming,  (ieorge 
Washington,  born  April  14,  1847,  is  a  teacher. 
He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  186;")  and  served  to  the 
end  of  tiic  war.  He  married  Miss  Kittle  Smith,  of 
Jefferson,  111.,  .luiy  26.  IS7'.I,  and  resides  in  Aber- 
deen, S.  Dak.  Oritm  J.,  born  August  3,  1852. 
is  a  hardware  merchant  at  Ludini>ton,  Mich.,  ami 
an  Alderman  of  that  city.  He  married  Nettie  E. 
Fellows  of  Sandstone,  Jackson  (\mnty,  Mich.. 
January  1,  187i>. 

William  AVilcox,  son  of  Comfort  was  a  I'niver- 
salist  minister.  He  had  eight  children  by  his  first 
wife,  Sally  Chittenden:  a  daughter  named  Sarah 
Chittenden,  born  January  30,  1840;  by  his  second 
wife,  a  son,  named  .lolin  Freeman,  born  IMarcli  16, 
1842,  who  died  in  infancy.  He  married  also  Julia 
Elma  Rartlett.,  of  Conwa}^,  Mass.,  born  August  111, 
181 1,  and  died  in  South  Decrfield,  February  !(!, 
1879.  They  had  six  children:  Lj^man  Bartletl, 
born  June  25,  1845;  William  Fenclon,  born  Feb- 
ruary II,  1847,  died  in  1852;  I.uany  Brooks,  born 
May  26,  1849;  died  Janu.ary  15,  184G;  CharU^ 
Sumner,  born  March  18,  1851,  died  October,  1S5I; 
Frederick  Obcrlin,  born  October  18,  1852,  dieil  in 
October,  185  1;  .Iniia  l'".lm:i.  born  November  17, 
1854. 

Franklin  and  Jane  (Sherman)  Wilcox  had  three 
children:  Augusta,  Charles  and  George.  (!eorge 
died  in  the  winter  of  18,S8.  Maria  B.  (Wilcox) 
Rowell,  daughter  of  -lohn  B.  Wilcox,  had  but  one 
child,  Lillian,  liorn  in  1S59.  I'aniiie  J.  (Wilcox) 
S:irgent  had  one  child.  Birdie,  born  in  May,  1.S67. 
who  died  in  Se|)tenibci',  IS67.  After  Mr.  Sargent "s 
deatli,  Mrs.  Sargent  was  Matron  of  the  Reform 
School  of  Lansing,  Mich.,  for  a  number  of  years 
until  her  marriage  to  .lohn  N.  l'"oster,  which  oc- 
I'lirred  No\'ember  27,  1872.  Afterward  they  taught 
ill  the  public  schools  of  Soulii  Haven  and  l.udiiig- 
toii,  Mich.,  for  a  number  of  years,  when  they  took 
charge  of  the  State  I'ublic  School  at  Coldw.'iter, 
Mich.  They  li.ad  oiu^  child,  I'aniiie  S.,  born  Dec- 
ember .3,  IM7H,  at  Luiliiigt.on,  Mich. 

.lohn  E.  and  Laura  (  Pierce)    Wilcox    had    seven 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHTCAL   RECORD. 


683 


ciiildi'cn :  liessio  May,  hiiin  Mni'cli  Hi,  IK72,  died 
in  int'aiR'v;  Diiiia  Sarguiit  W'ilcdx,  horn  April  1, 
1H73;  KvaGeilrude  Wilcox,  born  March  23,  IH75; 
Walter  C'lark  Wilcox,  born  December  31,  1H7G; 
Arthur  Roys  AVilcox,  horn  April  3,  1881;  Eugene 
Irving  Wilcox,  horn  July  25,  1874;  Julia  P^tta 
Wilcox,  born  April  20,  1887.  George  W.  and 
Kittie  (Sniitli)  Wilcox  had  one  child:  Guy  W^il- 
cox,  born  in  December,  1882.  Orion  J.  and  Nellie  K. 
(F'ellovvs)  Wilcox  have  three  children:  Madge 
Ella  Wilcox,  born  Jannary  28,  1,S84;  Fannie  Jan- 
ette  Wilcox,  born  August  31,  1888;  Ada  Louise 
Wilcox,  born  November  5,  1890.  Sarah  Chittenden 
Wilcox,  daughter  of  William  and  fSally  Wilcox, 
married  Samuel  C.  liarney  Juiie  21,  1865,  and  had 
four  children:  Horatio  Seymour  Barney,  born 
March  21,  1867,  died  May  17,  1872;  Herbert  Lee 
born  July  13,  18G8,  died  October  23,  1875;  Will- 
iam Rogers,  born  April  4,  1870;  and  an  infant 
born  June  3,  1874,  died  June  4,  1874. 

Lyman,  son  of  William  and  Julia  Elma  (Bart- 
lett)  Wilcox,  born  at  Shelburne  Falls,  Mass.,  June 
25,  1845,  married  Elizabeth  Ross,  of  Elgin,  111., 
and  they  had  two  children,  naftiel}':  Julia  Elma, 
born  September  15,  1875;  and  William  Callin, 
born  in  February,  1877.  He  afterward  married  Jen- 
nie Beith,of  Elgin,  111.,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  these  four  children:  Sarah,  born  in  1883;  Mary, 
born  in  1885;  Jennie,  born  in  1887,  and  Mabel, 
born  in  1890. 

William  II.  Wilcox,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
is  residing  on  section  23,  South  Haven  Township, 
A'anBuren  Count}^  His  farm  consists  of  eighty 
acres  of  improved  land,  including  a  peach  orchard 
of  five  acres,  and  apple  orchard  of  twelve  acres,  be- 
sides pears  and  the  smaller  fruits.  He  also  owns  a 
forty-acre  tract.  He  has  been  very  prosperous  in 
life  and  is  ranked  among  the  well-to-do  farmers 
of  the  township.  William  H.  Wilcox  was  born  in 
Lempster,  Sullivan  County,  N.  H.,  November  12, 
1840.  His  father,  John  B.,  was  born  June  21,  1805, 
and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Betsey 
Howe,  was  born  in  Newport,  Sullivan  County,  N. 
H.,  October  24,  1811,  becoming  the  wife  of  John 
B.  Wilcox  April  8,  1 835.  They  resided  on  the 
Wilco.x  homestead  until  1874,  when  they  came  to 
Michigan  to  pass  their  declining  year.s  near   their 


(•hildri'ii.  'I'hc  father  died  in  South  Ihiven  Town- 
ship in  1886,  and  the  mother,  surviving  him  a 
few  years,  passed  away  in  Geneva  Township,  Oc- 
tober 4,  1891. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  .a  farm,  attended 
school  and  as  soon  as  he  reached  his  'teens  hired 
out  as  a  farm  laborer.  In  1862,  he  offered  his  ser- 
vices to  the  Union  .as  a  soldier  and  on  the  19tli 
of  August,  was  mustered  into  Company  G, 
Ninth  New  Hampshire  Infantry.  The  company 
was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  I'otomac,  and 
September  14,  participated  in  the  battle  of  South 
Mountain,  which  was  closely  followed  by  Antie- 
tam  and  Fredericksburg.  The  regiment  was  then 
transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  West  and  fought 
at  Vieksburg,  Jackson  and  Knoxville,  when  thej' 
were  again  placed  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
and.  took  part  in  the  battles  of  the  AVilderness, 
Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor  and  Petersburg,  be- 
sides numerous  skirmishes.  At  Petersburg,  Mr. 
Wilcox  lost  the  index  finger  of  his  right  hand, 
after  which  he  was  on  provost  guard  duty  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  was  serving  in  that  capacity  dur- 
ing the  Grand  Review. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Wilcox  was  mustered 
out  of  service,  July  1,  1865.  He  stopped  for  a 
short  time  in  his  native  State  and,  after  a  short 
stay  at  Marshall,  came  to  South  Haven.  In  the 
fall  of  1866,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  on  which 
he  still  resides.  When  the  land  came  into  his 
possession  it  was  as  nature  left  it — covered  with  an 
unbroken  forest  of  heavy  timber.  He  now  has  it 
all  cleared  and  improved  with  a  good  set  of  farm 
buildings.  For  some  years  he  has  given  his  atten- 
tion largely  to  fruit-growing  and  does  a  splendid 
and  i)rofitable  business  in  that  line, 

November  20,  1872,  was  the  date  of  our  sub- 
ject's marriage  with  Miss  Edna  A.  Raymond.  Mrs. 
Wilcox  was  a  native  of  Steuben  County,  N.  Y., 
where  her  birth  occurred  November  11,  1851. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Milo  and  Catherine  Ray- 
mond, who  came  to  Michigan  in  1861  and  resided 
in  Lenawee  County  until  1867,  when  they  made 
their  home  in  South  Haven  Township,  Van  Buren 
County.  Mrs.  Wilcox  and  her  sister  Ella,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  j'ears,  were  the  only 
children  of  their    parents.     Mr.  and  ISIrs.  AVilcox 


684 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGEArHlCAL  RECORD. 


have  lieen  blessed  with  a  family  of  seven  cliildreu: 
Fannie  KUa  (known  \>y  the  name  of  Nellie),  born 
Aiij;ust  19.  l.STo:  William  Havmonil.  lioni  Febiuaiy 
23,  1875;  Ernest  Albright.  August  10,  1877;  Car- 
lott.1,  .luly  17.  1870.  Harry  and  Ilattic,  twins, 
Oi-tober  Ij,  1881;  .and  Ceeil,  Felnuary  17,  1888. 

Mr.  Wilcox  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  for 
many  years  has  held  tlie  oiliee  of  Coniniissionor  of 
lligliw.ays.  lie  is  a  ineml>er  of  tiie  Zaeli  (handler 
Post.  G.  A.  R.  Mrs.  Wilcox  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  in  tlie  Congregational  Church.  Our 
subject  with  the  .assistance  of  liis  faithful  wife  has 
atbtined  his  present  financial  position  solely- 
through  his  own  efforts,  as  he  commenced  in  life 
with  iidthiiig  but  his  strong  hand  and  a  determin- 
atitin  to  succeed. 


.*.->*>^     '  *  I   *■  y 


r  '     I 


pHLE  1).  KRii.\RI)S()N  is  an  old  settler 
Ji  of  Van  Rui'en  County,  who  w.as  once  ac- 
tively identified  with  its  farming  and  stock 
interests,  but  is  now  living  in  retirement  at  Paw 
Paw.  He  is  well  and  favoral)ly  known  througliout 
this  section,  as  he  ii.as  held  prominent  pulilic  places, 
such  as  Sheriff  of  the  county,  and  various  impor- 
Uinl  township  olliees,  willi  dintinguished  fidelity 
to  the  trust  imposed  in  iiim  by  his  felh>w-citizcns, 
and  none  know  him  but  to  iionor  liim  for  his 
higii  character  and  unblemished  life  record. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  born  in  Le  Roy  Township, 
(iencsee  County,  N.  Y.,  October  11,  1815,  a  son 
•  if  .Manning  and  Sally  S.  (Sagus)  Ricliardson.  His 
falher,  who  w.as  a  sf>l<lier  in  the  War  of  1812,  was 
a  native  of  Hartford,  CV)nn.  Our  subject's  mother 
ilied  when  he  was  aUiul  live  years  old.  He  was 
her  only  son,  and  she  hail  three  daughters,  two  of 
whom  are  still  living.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  ever 
since  he  w:lh  a  child  of  eleven  years  he  has  had 
to  depend  on  his  own  resources  for  a  livelihood, 
and  worked  out  by  the  month  and  year  until 
the  time  of  his  marriage,  some  months  before  he 
was  twenty-four  years  old.  .\fter  that  he  farmed 
in  his  native  Slate  a  number  of  years,  and  llicn 
went  to  Knox  County,  Ohio,  with  his  family,  and 
wa>«  there  nearly  three  year-«  brfoii'  (  nmini,r  t<i  Xan 


Buren  County,  in  1851.  After  his  arrival  here, 
he  bought  land  in  Arlington  Township,  and  was 
a  useful  pioneer  of  that  section,  clearing  and  im- 
proving a  good  farm,  upon  wliicli  he  had  his  resi- 
dence until  after  the  war. 

AVhile  the  Rebellion  was  in  progress,  Mw  Kich- 
ardson  threw  aside  all  jiersonal  aims  an<l  ambi- 
tions to  give  his  services  in  defense  of  the  stars 
and  stripes,  enlisting  in  Company  C,  Third  Michi- 
gan Cavalry.  His  regiment  was  stationed  ;it  St. 
Louis,  and  he  received  an  injury  while  on  duly 
which  enforced  his  detention  in  tlie  hospital 
awhile,  lie  w.as  then  granted  a  furlough,  but,  be- 
fore its  close,  his  term  of  enlistment  had  expired 
and  ho  w.as  honorably  discharged.  Before  the 
war,  he  had  been  elected  SlierilT,  having  Iteen 
nominated  for  that  responsiI)le  position  without 
his  seeking  for  the  otlice,  and,  indeed,  without  his 
knowledge,  while  he  w.as  quietly  tilling  his  little 
farm.  When  he  heard  of  his  nomination,  he 
went  to  the  Chaiiman  of  the  County  Committee, 
and  modestly  tried  to  withdraw  his  name,  but 
was  not  permitted  to  do  so,  as  he  had  been  se- 
lected as  the  man  best  fitted  in  every  way  for  tlie 
pliice,  and  lie  had  llic  hmior  of  being  the  first  Re- 
publican .Sheriff  elected.  So  well  did  he  discharge 
the  onerous  and  trying  duties  thus  devolving 
upon  him,  he  was  re-elected  to  the  same  otlice 
after  he  left  the  army.  He  then  removed  with 
his  family  to  Paw  Paw,  selling  his  place  in  Ar- 
lington shortly  afterward,  and  lie  has  since  lived 
in  .and  near  the  vill.age.  He  was  (ov  many  years 
engaged  very  prolitably  in  buying  and  selling 
stock,  but  for  the  last  twelve  years  has  lived  re- 
tired from  active  business,  in  the  enjoyment  of 
a  comfortable  competence.  He  is  an  excellent 
type  of  our  self-iii.'icle  nun.  wlio  llirough  sheer 
force  of  honest  eiuh'avor,  seconded  by  good  men- 
tal and  physical  endowments,  have  risen  to  hon- 
orable posilidiis  ill  the  world.  Ills  ni:iny  aiiliiir- 
ablc  trails,  such  as  accuracy  of  judgiiient,  cool 
calciil.ation  anil  aptitude  for  business,  have  been  the 
means  of  bringing  him  before  the  pulilic  as  a  desir- 
able ollicc-holder,  and  he  h.as  frei|uenlly  been  called 
to  places  of  trust.  He  has  served  on  the  School 
I'oard,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  \'lllage 
I'lonnl.  and  uliilcal    Ailiiii'tDn  Iricl  been  Township 


POKTRAIT  ANT)   IMOGRAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


r.Ko 


Ti'cnsiirei-  four  years  hcfore  he  was  elected  Slieiiff 
of  the  county-.  I'oliticiilly,  lie  has  licoii  ideiitilied 
with  the  He|iiiliHcan  party  from  the  early  days  of 
its  orjiaiii'/atioii,  and  has  given  his  support  to 
every  Presidential  nominee  of  his  {)arlv.  He  cast 
his  first  vote  for  the  grandfather  of  our  jirosent 
President.  Religiously,  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Free-will  15aptist  Church,  and  has  done  much  to 
extend  its  influence  for  good  in  the  community. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  tlie  Orand  Arm\'  of 
the  Re|)ublic. 

IMr.  Richardson  was  happily  married,  January 
21,  1831),  to  IMiss  Elsie  Eveline  Richmcnid,  who 
was  one  of  his  early  playmates,  born  Novemlier 
;?0,  1820,  in  Lc  Roy  Township,  witliin  a  half  mile 
of  his  birthplace, and  there  they  grew  up  together, 
and  for  more  than  half  a  century  they  have  faith- 
fully shared  life's  joys  and  sorrows  in  a  pleasant 
marriage,  which  has  brought  tliree  children:  llilan 
IT.,  of  whom  a  biographical  sketch  may  be  found 
in  this  work;  Ida,  who  married  Charles  Iliitcliins, 
and  has  one  daughter;  and  Inez,  who  married 
John  IMcCahon,  of  Newark,  Ohio,  and  has  two 
children. 


AVID  A.  S(iUIER,  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  Decatur,  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Ilinkley  Stave  Company  and  is  also  in- 
terested in  farming.  He  was  formerly 
connected  with  other  interprises  and  for  some 
years  has  been  numbered  among  the  prominent 
business  men  of  this  community.  lie  comes  of  a 
New  England  family  which  was  founded  in  Am- 
erica during  early  Coloni.al  d.ays.  His  grandfather, 
.  William  S(iuier,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  175G, 
and  made  farming  his  life  occupation.  He  re- 
moved to  Pen  ns3'lvania,  where  his  sou  Daniel  C, 
father  of  our  subject,  was  born,  in  1800.  Three 
years  later  he  took  his  family  to  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  while  on  a  visit  to  his  son 
Daniel  C,  in  1832.  The  latter  was  reared  in  the 
Buckeye  State,  and  in  1831,  emigrated  to  Cass 
County,  Mich.,  where  he  embarked    in  agricnltuial 


pursuits,  following  that  occupation  until  called  to 
the  home  beyond  in  1873.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Case,  was  a  native  of  N(trth- 
umbcrland  County,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1881.  They 
were  highly  respected  |)eop!e  and  to  them  were  born 
nine  children,  live  of  whom  rciachcd  mature  years, 
while  four  yet  survive,  namely;  John,  a  resident 
farmer  of  Cass  County;  William,  who  follows 
farming  in  Wayne  Township,  Cass  County;  David 
A.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Mrs.  Susanah  Morland, 
whose  husband  is  likewise  a  farmer .  of  V^olinia 
Township,  Cass  County. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Volinia  Township,  that 
county,  November  22,  1834,  and  spent  his  bo}'- 
liood  days  in  the  usual  manner  of  farmer  lads,  re- 
maining under  the  parental  roof  until  his  marriage, 
which  was  celebrated  on  the  1st  of  November, 
18G0,  Miss  Mary  A.  Rich  becoming  his  wife.  She 
was  also  born  in  that  county,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  Rich,  one  of  its  prominent  fanners.  The 
young  couple  began  their  domestic  life  in  the 
county  of  their  nativity,  Mr.  Squier  purch.asing 
forty  acres  of  land  on  Little  Prairie  Ronde,  to  the 
development  of  which  he  devoted  his  energies  un- 
til 1868.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Decatur  and 
turned  his  attention  to  commerical  pursuits.  For 
ten  years  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  be- 
ing associated  in  trade  for  two  years  with  Isaac  B. 
Iliggins,  but  during  the  remainder  of  the  time 
was  alone.  He  met  with  signal  success  in  his  un- 
dertakings and  on  selling  out  retired  with  a  hand- 
some competence.  As  before  stated,  he  is  now  con- 
nected with  the  Hinkley  Stave  Company  and  de- 
rives a  good  income  from  his  farms,  owning  two 
hundred  and  nine  acres  t>f  land  on  section  17, 
Decatur  Townshii)  and  a  one  hundied  and  twenty- 
acre  tract  on  sections  22  and  28.  His  prosi)erity 
is  truly  merited,  for  he  worked  hard  and  ac- 
quired his  property  by  his  own  unaided  ef- 
forts. 

Aside  from  his  business,  Mr.  Scjuier  has  found 
time  to  devote  to  pulilic  interests  and  has  served 
as  Township  Treasurer  for  two  terms,  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  School  Board  for  a  number  of  years  and 
for  some  time  was  President  of  the  MlLage  Board. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  not  strictly  par- 
tisan and.  socially,  is  a  member  of    the    Knights  of 


686 


POETR.UT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Pytliias.  lie  holds  membership  with  the  Univer- 
salist  Church  and  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  tem- 
jiorance  cause.  Indeed,  every  enterprise  calcu- 
lated to  benefit  or  improve  the  community  seeks 
not  his  aid  in  vain  and  the  poor  have  found  in 
liim  a  friend. 

Two  cliildren  were  liurii  unto  iNIr.  and  Mrs. 
S<|uier,  the  elder  of  whom,  llarlcy  E.,  was  married, 
in  l.'^.HT,  In  Miss  Sadie  Brown,  a  native  of  Cohun- 
liia  Townsliip,  \au  Buren  County.  He  is  now  en- 
•jaged  in  farming.  The  younger  son,  Emory,  was 
joined  in  wedlock  witli  CoraKniglils  and  for  some 
time  engaged  in  lln'  clolliing  business  but  recently 
sold  out. 


i>^^<^-^ 


_:^5>r 


-J-- 


llf 


Al'HENCE  RYAN.  In  recalling  llie  labors 
'g;  which  have  made  Van  Uuren  County  a 
^  region  noted  for  its  agricultural  resources, 
we  feel  a  glow  of  admiration  f(jr  all  who  bore  a 
part  in  the  scenes  of  the  early  days  and  take  great 
pleasure  in  noting  incident*;  in  tlicir  lives.  One 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Hangcjr  'i'ownsliip  is  the 
worthy  gentleman  above  named,  who  has  aljiind- 
antly  shown  his  industry  .-ind  liooiI  judgment  by 
the  accumulation  of  an  excellent  estate,  well  su|)- 
plied  with  tiie  iniprovemeiils  which  make  life  in 
the  country  enjoyable,  and  add  lo  the  value  i)f 
properly,  lie  |)osscsses  the  hospitable  spirit  and 
cordial  manners  and  native  wit  which  belong  to 
few  others  than  tho.se  of  the  Kiiieiald  Isle.  Hon- 
orable in  his  dealings,  well-informed  regarding  the 
topics  i>(  gener.al  inlert'.->l.  and  able  to  relate  many 
aa  interiJ.sting  even!  In  coiincctiuii  willi  the  eaily 
settlement  of  the  township,  lii>  cojupanlon-liip  is 
desirable  and  his  reputation  excellent. 

The  birlli  of  Laurence  Kyan  took  place  in  County 
Tippernry.  I  reland,  in  IM.'M,  and  his  residence  in 
Amerie.'i  began  when  he  was  a  youth  of  seventeen 
years.  He  located  in  Fairport,  N.  V..  where  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Ihiilget  IJulger,  a  native  of 
Kilkeiuiy,  Ireland.  They  came  to  this  township 
in  IH.j'.l  .'ind  purchiused  foity  a<Tes  of  wild  liinbcr 
lanil.  Setting  to  work  in  true  pioneer  style,  he 
clearcil  and  improved  this  sm.-dl  tract  and  added 
to  it  until  he  is   now  lln^   liap|)y  poiisossor   of   one 


hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  finely  cultivated  and 
excellently  improved  land.  He  erected  a  handsome 
brick  residence  in  1883.  The  exterior  of  this 
structure  is  not  only  attractive  but  the  interior 
arrangements  afford  every  convenience  possible, 
and  herein  is  dispensed  a  gracious  hospitality. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ryan  are  the  happy  parents  of  two 
children,. lohn  and  William,  both  of  whom  are  yet 
under  the  i)arental  roof.  Mr.  Ryan  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Mary  (Egan)  Ryan,  both  natives  of  the 
Emerald  Isle,  the  father  spending  his  last  days 
there.  The  mother  came  to  New  York  State  in 
1852,  and  located  in  Syracuse,  where  she  p,assed  to 
the  other  world.  They  had  tiorn  to  them  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  Roger,  a  resident  of  Hartford,  JMich.; 
Laurence,  our  subject;  Kate,  the  wife  of  Roger 
Caral;  Ellen,  wife  of  P.  Caial,  of  Syracuse,  M.  Y.; 
Mary,  the  wife  of  R.  Crawford,  of  Syracuse,  and 
.lohn,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  the  same  place  as 
his  sisters.  Politically.  Mr.  R3'aii  is  independent, 
and  he  and  his  family  are  meinliers  of  the  Catholic 
Church. 


Sti  t)IIN  C.  CASH.  This  gentleman  is  a  farmer 
residing  on  section  29,  Antwerp  Township, 
Van  Buren  County,  where  he  has  a  well-im- 
proved |)laee  and  is  at  present  engaged  in 
raising  fruit, and  so  far  li:is  nu't  with  good  success. 
IIi^  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  his  birth  taking  place  on 
the  Sth  of  October,  IM.'M.  His  parents,  William 
and  Lydia  (Carson)  Cash,  were  nativesiif  Harri- 
son County,  Ohio,  the  father  born  in  1812,  .■iiid  the 
inotliei-  in  ISi;5,  the  lattei'  dying  in  the  ye;i|-  bS.'id. 
Of  this  union  lliei(^  were  two  children,  our  subject 
being  the  eldest.  After  tln'  di'ath  of  his  first  wife, 
oui  subject's  father  was  niaiiird  lo  Rachel  I'ugli, 
and  five  children  were  boni  to  llieni,  of  whom  two 
are  now  living:  William  II.  and  .lames  I{.  The 
father  was  a  farmer  and  removed  from  Ohio  Id 
.lay  County,  Ind.,  in  l!SI2,  where  he  remained  un- 
til hisdeath  in  IS.SH.  Ills  second  wife  died  in  1.HH7. 
Tlic\'  weic  liotli  iiH'iiiliei  s  of  the  I  )iseiples  ( 'hiiri'li. 
.Mr.  Cash  was  icared  on  a  larm  and  received  .a  com- 
nion-sehool  education,  but  was  (piilc  young  when 
taken  liy  his  |)arents  to  lnili.ni;i.      lie  was  married, 


PORTRAIT  AN!)  lilOGRArillCAL   RECORD. 


687 


in  18r)7,  to  Lovina.l. Williams, a  native  of  Tnrlinna. 
To  tlii'iii  li;i\i'  liccM  lidiii  eijilit  cliiklrcn,  of  wlioiii 
six  are  now  living':  Nanc  v  •!.,  born  Janiiai-y  (i,  IHrjl); 
James  H.,  Dccomhcr  10,  l.s(!l;  Rosella  R.,  August 
1!),  IHCl;  Kva  L.,  .Iiil.v  II,  I1S7I;  Wall^er  and  Wai- 
ner  (twins),  May  II,  1875;  Tabitlia,  wliu  was  born 
August  22,  18G0,  (lied  in  February,  IHlio;  and  Col- 
nier  G.,  born  February  1,  1867,  died  ,Sei)tenibcr  11, 
1870.  Tlie  uiollier  of  these  children  died  in  1878. 
She  was  a  good  woman  and  member  of  the  New 
[jight  Church. 

Ml-.  Cash  removed  from  Indiana  to  Michigan  in 
1882,  and  bought  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in 
Van  I.uren  County  near  Lawton,  where  he  was 
.again  married,  in  1883,  this  time  toEunice  Allen, 
who  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  who  died  in  1890. 
iMr.  Cash  has  an  excellent  start  on  his  fruit  farm 
and  contemplates  going  into  the  business  quite 
extensively.  He  will  undoubtedly  succeed,  as  he 
is  an  industrious  man  and  understands  the  business 
which  he  has  undertaken. 


^UGUSTUS  S.  AUSTIN,  of  Decatur,  li.as 
■  'I  the  honor  of  being  a  native  of  Michigan. 
I  ifc  lie  w.as  Ijorn  in  Wayne  County,  Octolier 
27,  18:5;),  and  is  a  son  of  Ilarvey  Austin, 
who  was  born  in  Canada,  in  1805,  and  removed 
Avith  his  parents  to  New  York  during  his  early 
childhood.  On  attaining  his  m.ajority,  he  came  to 
Michigan  and  married  Calista  P>arry,  a  native  of 
the  Empire  State.  Soon  afterward  they  removed 
to  AVayne  County,  locating  within  twenty  miles 
of  Detroit,  where  Mr.  Austin  operated  an  eighty- 
acre  farm.  In  1846,  he  removed  with  his  famil\' 
to  CallK)un  County  and  purclmsed  eight_y  acres,  to 
wliicli  he  afterward  added  a  one  hundred  and  sixty 
.acre  tract  and  at  tiie  time  of  his  death  owned  a 
valualile  farm  coni|)rising  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  highly  cultivated  land.  He  died  at  Mar- 
engo, Calhoun  Count\',  February  14,  1859.  His 
wife  survived  him  until  1885,  and  dei)arted  this 
life  in  I'aw  Paw  Township,  her  remains  being  in- 
terred by  the  side  of  her  husliand  in  Marengo 
Cemetery.     They  were  both  consistent  members  of 


the  Methodist  Church,  and  in  politics,  Mr.  Austin 
was  a  Democrat.  Of  their  nine  children,  .seven 
grew  to  adult  age:  Cliark:s,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
hardware  business  in  .\lbion;  Richaid,  who  enlisted 
for  tlie  late  war  in  18(il,  and  died  in  the  hospital 
at  Port  Ilndson,  La.,  March  1,  1864;  Augustus,  of 
this  sketch;  John,  who  was  also  one  of  the  Ijoys  in 
blue,  and  now  resides  in  Keelersville,  Van  P>nren 
County;  Mary,  wife  of  Edwin  George,  of  Decatur; 
Helen,  wife  of  Rodell  Cam|)bell,  of  Ludington^ 
Mich.,  and  Clara,  who  married  Adam  Yond  and 
resides  in  Lincoln,  Mich. 

At  the  age  of  si.x  years,  Augustus  Austin  re- 
moved from  his  native  county  to  Calhoun  County, 
where  he  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and 
spent  his  bojhood  days.  At  the  age  of  seventeen, 
he  began  to  earn  his  own  livelihood  as  a  farm  hand 
and  continued  to  follow  that  occupation  until, 
feeling  that  his  country  needed  his  .services,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  Sixth  Michigan  Infantry, 
in  December,  1862.  His  regiment  was  sent  from 
Kalamazoo  to  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  and  with  his  com- 
mand he  participated  in  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson 
and  numerous  other  engagements  in  that  locality. 
He  was  severely  wounded  at  Ponchatoula,  in 
March,  1 863.  The  army  was cro.ssing  a  tressel-work  at 
that  place,  when  a  falling  tiee  struck  our  subject, 
fr.icturing  his  backbone  and  rendering  him  a 
cripple  for  life.  However,  he  remained  with  his 
regiment  until  the  next  winter,  when,  in  December, 
his  wounds  became  so  much  worse  that  he  was 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  Port  Hudson,  where  he  re- 
mained until  discharged  on  account  of  disability, 
March  13,  1864. 

On  his  return  from  the  army,  Mr.  Austin  en- 
gaged in  the  manutacturc  of  brushes  for  a  period 
of  ten  years  in  Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Keelersville,  Mich.,  where  he  resided  for 
seven  years.  In  1881,  he  came  with  his  family  to 
Decatur,  and,  purchasing  a  residence,  has  since 
made  his  home  here.  The  lady  vvho  liore  the  name 
of  Mrs  Austin  was,  in  her  maidenhood,  Mi.ss  Mag- 
gie Antis,  and  became  his  wife  in  August,  1861. 
She  w.as  a  native  of  New  York  and  a  daughter  of 
Stephen  Antis,  a  cabinet-maker  of  Rural  Grove, 
that  vState.  Two  children  were  born  unto  them: 
Effa  A.,  widow  of  Frank  Wirt,  and  iVIiss  Kale,  who 


688 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAI HICAL  RECORD. 


married  Maj.  M.  Murphej',  a  druggist,  of  Law- 
ton.  The  mother  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in 
June,  1884.  an<1  was  buiicd  in  the  cemetery  in 
Decatur.  With  the  Methodist  Church,  she  held 
niembei-shi])  and  she  was  a  lady  whose  many  excel- 
lencies of  character  endeared  her  to  all. 

In  1883,  Mr.  Austin  w:is  granted  a  pension 
which  has  since  been  incresised  to  the  full  allowance. 
It  is  but  the  just  reward  of  the  Government  for 
his  faithful  service  and  but  poorly  compensates 
for  all  that  he  has  suffered  as  the  result  of  his  army 
experiences.  In  i)olitics,  lie  is  a  stalwart  adherent 
of  the  Republican  party  and  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council  for  two  years.  Socially, 
he  is  a  niemlier  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  held 
the  ollicc  of  Junior  Deacon  in  New  York.  He  at- 
tends and  supports  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  valued  citizens  of 
Decatur. 

II.\KLl-:s  K.  IIE.\TII.  Among  the  jn-os- 
perous  agricullurist.s  and  stock-raisers  of 
Bangor  Townsliip,  A'an  liuren  County,  the 
gentleman  above  named  is  well  deserving  of  men- 
tion. He  IS  the  fortunate  [wssessor  of  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-four  acres  of  land,  which  is  finely 
watered  and  especially  well  adapted  for  pasture,  to 
wliidi  .'I  great  pari  of  it  is  devoted.  A  number  of 
line  cattle  may  be  seen  grazing  upcm  it,  while  other 
good  st<Hk  an<l  (iist-class  iuiproveiiients  of  various 
kinds  indicate  the  inlelligence  and  judgment  of 
the  owner. 

Our  subject  is  the  only  living  representative  of 
the  family  of  .Major  and  Avis  II.  (Inuis)  Heath, 
the  father  being  a  native  of  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  wa.s  born  in  1801,  one  in  .-i 
rnniily  of  I'leven  children  boi'n  to  .Simeon  and 
Klizid)eth  (Harrington)  Heath,  the  father  born  in 
I7i').'{  .'iiid  the  mothi'r  in  17(12. 

.Mr.  Ilrath  was  born  in  JetTerson  County,  N.  V., 
ill  IK:M,niid  at  the  youthful  age  of  four  years 
eanic  to  Calhoun  County,  this  Sintc.  with  his  |)ar- 
ent.s,  and  in  the  spring  of  IKHi)  locjiied  in  this 
county,  Jiwt  .Moulli  of  what  '\s  now  Itangor  City.  In 


this  county,  our  subject  grew  to  mature  years,  re- 
ceiving the  education  otTered  to  the  youth  in  that 
day  and  making  as  much  of  it  as  he  could.  He 
had  one  brother,  Amasa  II.,  who  died  when  a  mere 
child,  and  a  half-brother,  also  named  Amasa,  who 
died  in  this  countj-,  in  1889,  leaving  a  wife  and 
two  children  to  mourn  his  loss. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  was  united 
in  marriage,  in  1858,  to  I\liss  Raeliael  Strong, 
and  to  this  couple  were  born  two  children,  both  of 
whom  have  died.  Mrs.  Heath  passed  from  this 
life  in  1862.  Jlr.  Heath  was  a  second  time  married, 
this  time  being  united  to  Irene  I.  liailey,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children,  both  of  wliom  are  decea-sed. 
In  the  year  18,54,  Mr.  Heath  located  in  Carlton, 
Iowa,  where  he  resided  until  1864,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Michigan,  and  h,is  since  made  this  State 
his  home.  He  h'ls  served  Bangor  Township  for 
nine  j'eais  as  Supervisor,  and  in  1880  wiis  elected 
Countj'  Clerk,  and  was  re-elected  in  1882,  holilinu 
that  office  two  terms.  Socially,  he  is  a  menilier  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  in  his  jjolitical  views 
affiliates  willi  the  Republican  party,  from  which  he 
never  swerves.  Mrs.  Heath  is  a  daughter  of  .luhiel 
and  Hannah  (Hates)  Bailey,  natives  of  St.  Law- 
rence County,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Heath  was  born  in 
Lorain  County,  Ohio,  June  22,  l.S.i;').  She  accom- 
panied her  parents  to  Iowa,  where  her  marriage 
with  Mr.  Heath  was  solemnized. 

-^^-^^         ^^ 

A\II)  SMITH, a  resident  of  Hlooniingdale 
Township,  was  liorn  in  Milton,  Wa\ne 
County,  Ohio,  April  2.'),  l.Sll.  His  fallici 
was  .Samuel  Smith,  a  son  of  ('onr;ul  Smith, 
who  was  born  in  .Alsace,  (iermaiix,  and  who  (■.•uiii' 
to  this  country  in  ('oloMi:il  diiys.  settling  in  Dau- 
|)hin  County,  I'a.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  .'i 
lilaeksmilh.  He  served  in  the  Continenl.'d  .\rmy 
and  w:is  a  ,^lajoi-  in  .'i  renns\  iv.-inia  regiment  :\\\i\ 
was  at  the  battle  of  \'allev  l'"orge,  after  which  he 
was  discharged.  While  in  the  .'irmy,  he  also  did 
some  service  as  a  blacksmith,  and  at  one  time  shod 
(len.  Washington's  horse.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subjeel  was  brought,  to  I'ennsylvMui.i  in  Colon- 
ial days.      Ilew.'isalsoa    blacksmith  by   liade.      lie 


POliTRAJT  AND  BIOGKAl'lIlCAL  RECORD. 


689 


married  Maria,  Ellis,  who  was  a  native  of  Alsace, 
(ieriiiaiiy,  and  tiic^'  became  tlie  parents  of  ten 
children,  five  sons  and  five  daugiiters.  Tiiey  were 
nicnil)ers  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  In  1824,  they 
removed  to  AYayne  County.  Oiiio,  where  lie  fol- 
lowed his  trade  until  his  dentli  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five. 

Samuel  Smith,  tiie  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  Perry  County,  Pa.,  October  2,  1812,  and 
was  married  to  Susan  Bechtel,  who  was  born  near 
Cuml)crland,  Md.,  iu  1806,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
llcchtcl,  her  parents  being  natives  of  Strasburg, 
(Jormany,  and  her  father  following  the  occupation 
of  a  farmer  in  ^Iar3'laud  and  Pennsylvania.  Three 
cliildren  were  born  to  this  worthy  couple,  namely: 
Peter,  Cyrus  and  David.  The  father  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Dunkard  Church,  and  was  tliree  times 
married.  His  first  wife  bore  him  one  child,  Sarah. 
His  second  wife  was  the  mother  of  three  children. 
He  now  resides  iu  Wayne  County,  Oliio. 

Our  subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm  like  other 
boys  of  his  day,  receiving  a  common-school  educa- 
tion, and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  began  life 
for  himself,  working  out  three  months  on  a  farm. 
In  1865,  he  came  to  Michigan,  and  bought  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  32,  Blooni- 
ingdale  Township.  He  now  owns  two  hundred 
and  twenty-six  acres,  which  have  been  improved  by 
his  own  hand.  Of  this  he  has  given  his  daughter 
tiiirty-one  acres.  He  has  always  been  a  promi- 
nent man  in  his  community  and  has  served 
as  Highway  Commissioner  and  Drainage  Commis- 
sioner. He  belongs  to  the  Republican  party  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  i)olitical  affairs. 

Air.  Smith  was  married,  January  1,  1866,  to  Sa- 
mantha  .1.  .lohnson,  who  was  liorn  in  Wayne 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Charles  G.  and 
Sarah  P.  (Allen)  Johnson,  natives  of  Milton, 
Wayne  County  and  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  re- 
spectively. They  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  Her  mother  died  in  the  fall  of  1890,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-seven  3'ears,  and  w.as  one  of  the 
first  children  born  in  Ohio.  The  father  of  our  sub- 
ject came  from  Virginia  to  Ohio.  They  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  living. 

To  our  subject  and  his  wife  four  children  have 
been  born:     Perrintha  S.,  wife  of  James  B.    New- 


comb;  Mary  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen; 
Sherman  D.;  Clifford  C.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  she 
belonged  for  twenty  years,  her  daughter  also  be- 
longing to  the  same  church. 


'^  ESSE  A.  McFARLlN.  This  worthy  gentle- 
man made  Waverly  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  his  home  in  March,  1866.  He  is 
the  son  of  Stejihen  and  Phebe  (Horton) 
McFarlin,  and  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y., 
January  19,  1840.  He  is  a  painter  by  trade  and 
was  employed  by  the  Government  making  gun 
cartridges  in  New  York  City  during  the  Civil 
War.  He  has  made  his  home  in  Waverly  Town- 
ship since  his  advent  here,  with  the  exception  of 
seven  3'ears  when  be  was  engaged  as  clerk  in  va- 
rious hotels  throughout  the  States.  He  now  re- 
sides on  a  seventy-acre  tract  in  section  6,  where  he 
cultivates  the  soil  in  a  most  profitable  and  suc- 
cessful manner. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  McFarlin  by  his 
first  marriage  with  Emma  Nyman.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  J.  H.  Nyman,  of  Bangor,  this  State, 
and  the  children  are:  Burt,  who  is  living  in 
Nebraska:  and  Ethel,  also  in  Nebraska.  The  sec- 
ond wife  of  Mr.  McFarlin  was  Elizabeth  New- 
comb,  to  whom  he  w.as  married  in  December,  1888, 
whose  birth  occurred    in  Lyons,  N.  Y.,  January  4, 

1835.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Jonah  and  Abigail 
Austin,  natives,  respectively,  of  New  Jersey  and 
New  York.  Jonah  Austin  came  from  Wayne  Coun- 
ty, N.  Y''.,   to    Oakland  County,  this  State,  about 

1836,  where  he  resided  on  a  farm  until  1842,  after- 
ward coming  to  Van  Buren  County  and  re- 
maining there  until  his  death  m  1869.  He  had 
been  married  to  Abigail  Rodney,  a  native  of  New 
York  State.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Free-will 
Baptist  Church  and  was  veiy  much  esteemed  in 
his  community. 

Mr.  McFailin,  of  this  sketch,  still  follows  his 
trade  of  a  painter,  together  with  liis  fanning  pur- 
suits, and  his  name  may  alw.ays  be  found  among 
those  who  are  attemjiting  to  Iiring  about  worthy 
objects.     He  and  his  wife  are  active    in  the  work- 


690 


POI^TRAIT  AND  BIOGKAPHICAL   EECORD. 


ings  of  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  Cbiircli,  allbougli 
they  were  formerly'  ideiitiliccl  with  the  Baptists. 
Mr.  McFarliu  is  a  prominent  Ochl  Fellow,  and  wo 
are  i^lad  to  here  (jresent  :i  skctcli  <if  so  worthy  a 
iienlleniaii. 

The  first  hiisband  of  ."Mrs.  MeFarliii  died  April 
22,1873.  His  son  llerliie,  aged  seven  years,  died 
on  llie  same  day,  and  liis  son  Dona,  aged  three 
yeai-s,  died  April  24,   1873. 


|J_^  KNKV  t'OlvKY  is  a  lariner  residing  on  sec- 
tion 16,  Porter  Township,  Van  Buren 
\,/^'    County.     His  parents  were   Nelson   II.  and 

1^)  I'hebe  hucina  (Kinney)  Corey,  natives  res- 
|)ectivel3-  of  Vermont  and  Ohio,  the  father  l)orn  in 
1)^17  and  the  mother  April  1  I,  1818.  Nelson  Corey 
came  to  Jlicbigan  in  1837  and  three  years  later 
jmrehased  his  first  piece  of  land,  which  was  located 
on  section  26.  Porter  Township,  and  which  con- 
sisted of  eighty  acres  of  timber  land.  He  con- 
tinued to  make  that  farm  his  home  unlil  1873,  at 
which  time  he  retired  from  active  work.  He  was 
one  of  the  i)ioneers  of  that  locality  and  was  widely 
known  throughout  the  county-. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  18;').^,  after 
liaving  liorne  her  husband  seven  children,  five  of 
whom  are  living.  Mr.  C<H'ey  was  a  second  time 
married,  this  wife  being  Delila  Fletcher,  by  whom 
he  had  two  cliililren:  Maiy  Van  Sickle  and 
Deleina  Boyd.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Protest- 
nnl  Melliodisl  Clnircli  in  which  dciumiination  he 
was  (I.Tvi-Jcader.  He  was  a  piominciit  man  in  his 
township  and  served  «ni  llic  Scliool  IJoaiil  for  a 
numU-r  of  year.s.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Whig  in 
early  lif<-  but  later  voted  with  the  Uepublican 
party. 

Henry  Corey  was  lM>ni  May  26,  181(;,  in  the  old 
log  liouM*  on  section  26.  Porter  Township.  He 
wn.H  reared  on  the  fariii  and  when  coiti|ielled  to 
work  out  gave  all  his  w:iges  to  his  father.  In  Au- 
gust, IM6I,  he  enlisterl  in  the  liiion  ai-my  and 
joined  Company  1,  Kiglilh  ,Mi<liigan  Cavalry.  At 
I^-xingtoii,  Ky.,  they  were  annexed  to  the  regi- 
ment and  the  next  day  marelicd  to  Nieliobi>vill(>, 
twelve  niile.H  away.     There   they    wen!    into  camp 


and  drilled  for  two  weeks.  They  were  then  de- 
tailed to  go  to  Camp  Ntlsoii,  where  they  drew  tiieir 
horses.  They  remained  in  camp  lor  ten  days  and 
then  were  ordered  to  Nashville,  Tenii.  When 
reaching  thai  place,  they  went  into  camp  for  the 
night  and  the  ue.xt  day  were  sent  to  Fianklin, 
Tenn.,  then  to  Pulaski,  where  they  again  went  into 
cauiii.  His  regiment  were  then  detailed  as  scouts, 
and  after  niarcliing  lluee  days  attacked  Forrest's 
cavalry  at  Ilenryville,  Tenn.,  at  9:30  v.  m.  \i  \ 
.\.  M.,  they  entered  the  camp  for  breakfast  and  two 
hours  later  were  driven  out  by  Forrest.  They  fell 
back  three  miles  and  threw  u))  breast-works.  The 
Eighth  Michigan  then  went  lo  Columbus,  Tenn., 
and  the  succeeding  day  had  an  engagement  at  Duck 
Kiver  with  the  rebel  (len.  Hood.  They  ni.irched 
into  camp  the  next  day  at  3  a.  :m..  after  having 
been  out  twenty-four  hours.  Tliey  were  next  de- 
tailed to  forage  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  were  gone 
several  days.  After  skirmishing  for  a  few  weeks, 
they  went  into  camp  at  Franklin  and  i)articipated 
in  the  l)attle  at  t!i;it  i)lace.  (ioing  then  to  Nasii- 
ville,  they  (lisinoiintt'd,  turned  over  their  luu'ses  to 
the  (lovernmenl  and  were  detailed  to  forage  for 
new  horses.  After  ten  days,  they  retuined  to 
Nashville  and  scoured  the  country  for  two  weeks 
and  then  joined  the  regiment  at  Fayettcvillc. 
Later  they  weie  at  Pulaski  for  a  week  and,  joining 
the  regiment,  were  sent  to  Florcnccville,  Ala.,whcre 
they  remained  for  six  weeks.  During  the  first  en- 
gagement in  which  Blr.  Corey  participated,  the 
rel)cls  were  within  sixty  rods  of  the  rebel  lines. 

Mr.  Corey  of  this  sketch  was  mustered  out  of 
service  .lune  10.  186."),  and,  returning  iionic,  pur- 
chased a  raw  farm  in  St.  .loseph  Coiint\.  He 
cleared  fifteen  .acres  of  his  tract  and  then  sold  it 
and  work("(l  by  the  year  in  Porter  Township.  He 
later  rented  a  lariii  for  four  years  whith  he  suc- 
cessful operated.  March  18,  186!l,  our  subject  and 
Mi.ss  Hiihania,  daughter  of  Uctiini  T.  and  Margaret 
(Van  Sickle)  Anderson  were  united  in  marriage. 
Her  i)arent,s  are  married  In  Porter  Township  whi<'li 
has  been  tiieir  home  for  over  thirty  yc;irs.  Tiiey 
well'  tile  parents  of  seven  cliilibeii.  ol'  whom  three 
are  deceased. 

Mrs.  Coie\  was  born  August  I...  |.s|7.  in  roller 
Town^hi|l  and  wa>  given  a  good  ciliical  ion.     Al'ler 


PORTRAIT  AND  I'.IOGRAPIIICAL  RECORD. 


691 


his  marriage,  our  subject  remuined  on  liis  father's 
fiirni  for  four  years  and  then  removed  to  his  prc- 
bcnt  pluce.  Ills  comfortable  residence  wliicli  was 
erected  in  1877  cost  $H()0.  lie  has  two  barns, 
30x51  and  20x48  feet  in  dimensions,  and  all  the 
other  outbuildings  which  best  subserve  the  pur- 
jioses  of  an  agriculturist.  He  has  forty  acres  of 
land  under  excellent  cultivation  and  carries  on 
mixed  farming. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  had  born  to  them 
two  children,  botii  of  whom  are  deceased.  They 
arc  active  members  of  the  Protestant  Cliuich,  in 
which  body  Mr.  Corey  has  been  Trustee,  Class- 
leader  and  Steward  for  nine  years.  He  has  also 
acted  as  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school.  For 
lil'lecn  years,  he  was  a  school  ollicer  in  his  district 
•■ind  socially  is  connected  with  the  Grand  Army 
Post  at  Lawton  of  which  order  he  is  Senior  Vice 
and  Sergeant.  With  his  wife,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Grange  and  has  Ijeen  Lecturer  and  Gatekeeper 
of  the  lodge.  Mrs.  Corey  was  Lady  Assistant 
Steward  for  three  years.  They  are  both  members 
of  the  Farmers'  Union  of  Porter  Township  and 
.Airs.  Corey  is  Conductor  for  this  year  of  the  Wo- 
man's Relief  Corps  at  Lawton.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Corey  is  a  Republican  and  is  a  stanch  friend  of 
temperance  and  prohibition.  He  has  held  the 
ollice  ('f  School  Inspector  of  his  township  and  is 
otherwise  very  prominent  in  local  affairs. 


^»'AMKS  W.  STOUCUITON.  This  gentleman 
is  a  resident  on  section  17,  Almena  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County.  His  father  was 
J  .lames  Stoughton,  a  native  of  New  York, 
born  June  6,  171)5.  He  ran  away  from  home  when 
seventeen  and  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812  as  a 
waiter  for  an  oflicer.  During  the  time  of  the  Mor- 
gan trouble,  he  took  Morgan's  wife  in  a  wagon 
from  New  York  State  to  her  former  home  in  Ken- 
tucky. The  mother  of  our  subject  was  Paulina 
(Warren)  Stoughton,  a  native  of  Woodstock,  Vt., 
born  July  29,  1803.  She  had  seven  brothers,  all 
of  whom  except  one  were  Methodist  ministers. 
The  parents  were  married  Maj'  18,  1820,  and 
settled  in  Niagara   County,  N.    Y.     In  1825,  they 


f^, 


came  to  Michigan  by  ox-team  and  settled  in  liir- 
muigham,  Oakland  County,  on  a  farm,  for  three  and 
one-half  years.  They  then  bought  a  wild  farm  in 
West  iiloomlield  Township,  the  same  count}',  and 
cleared  and  improved  it.  He  lost  his  farm  by  bad 
ventures  in  milling  O|)erations.  In  the  year  1855,  he 
came  to  Van  Buren  Cijunty  and  made  a  settle- 
ment on  section  1(5,  which  he  soon  sold  and  re- 
tired to  Paw  Paw,  where  the  mother  died,  Febru- 
ary 1,  1871.  He  was  then  married  to  "•Grandma 
Skinner,"  of  Waverly  Township.  She  died  shortly 
afterward.  Mr.  Stoughton  then  lived  with  bis 
daughter  at  Paw  Paw  and  afterward  came  to  live 
with  his  son,  our  subject,  where  he  died  May  17, 
1874.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children,  five  of 
the  number  living. 

James  W.  Stoughton  was  the  first-born,  his 
birth  taking  place  June  21,  1821,  in  Niagara 
Count}',  N.  Y'.  He  attended  school  in  the  log 
schoolhouse  and  remained  at  home  untd  he 
was  twenty-three.  He  was  married,  in  1844, 
to  Elizabeth  D.  AVeston,  a  native  of  New  Y'ork. 
Slie  passed  from  this  life  August  14.  1856,  and 
was  the  mother  of  five  children,  one  of  whom 
is  deceased.  Those  living  are  AVarren  AV., 
Mary  P.  (Mrs.  J.  \Y.  Ilerron),  Emily  L.  (Mi's. 
Silas  Breed),  and  Mark  E.  The  second  marriage 
was  November  30,  1856,  when  he  married  Lu- 
cinda  Ilerron.  She  died  August  11, 1877,  and  bore 
her  husband  nine  children,  seven  now  living: 
El  win  A.;  AVarner  M.;  Jerome  W.;  LibbieM.  (Mrs. 
L.  Ilerron),  now  deceased;  George  W.;  Rettie  M.; 
Nellie  L.  January  23,  1878,  he  married  his  pres- 
ent wife,  Clarissa  S.  DeAVaters,  nee  Newton,  a 
daughter  of  Chester  P.  and  Mary  (AVhipple)  New- 
ton. She  is  a  grand-daughter  of  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Her 
parents  came  to  Michigan  in  1837  and  located  in 
Kalamazoo  County  on  a  raw  farm  where  they  died. 
They  were  members  of  the  Congregational  Cluu'ch. 
and  the  parents  of  three  children:  Mrs.  James 
Latta,  Mrs.  Stoughton,  and  Mrs.  Frances  Joiner. 
The  second-born  had  her  birth  January  16,  1841, 
in  Kalamazoo  County  and  received  a  good  educa- 
tion. The  first  winter  she  attended  school,  her 
brother  had  to  draw  her  on  a  hand-sled  because  she 
had  no  shoes.     She    began   teaching  when  fifteen. 


692 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


She  was  married  lo  Clark  DeWaters  and  became 
the  mother  of  three  ehildren.  two,  Nettie  A.  (Mrs. 
I.  Shick)  aud  Ellen  .AI.  (.Mrs.  S.  C.  Sterritt),  now 
living. 

Our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife  :ue  tlie  |):u- 
euts  of  one  child,  Fred  N.,  born  Ai)ril  7,  1879. 
Our  subject  firet  began  for  himself  on  a  farm  in 
Wajne  County, staying  there  one  3 ear.  He  then 
built  a  house  in  (.)akland  County  on  the  Indian 
Reserve  and  remained  here  two  years,  when  he  solil 
out  and  moved  on  forty  acres  of  his  first  wife's 
place.  In  18.56,  he  came  lo  this  county  and  settled 
on  his  present  farm  which  comprised  an  area  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  cleared  one  Inni- 
dred  and  twenty  and  gave  forty  to  his  son,  wliich 
leaves  him  one  hundred  aud  twenty,  with  live 
.acres  of  orchard.  He  came  here  empty-handed  and 
has  been  a  verj-  hard  worker,  and  a  self-made  man 
in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  word.  This  place  has 
been  his  residence  for  thirty-sis  3'ears.  JMr. 
Stougliton  li.as  lieen  a  Good  Templar,  and  he  has 
also  been  a  member  of  the  Grange  and  was  Clia))- 
lain  for  ten  yeai-s.  His  wife  also  belonged  with 
him.  In  jiolitics,  he  is  a  stand;  Republican,  and 
w.as  Higliway  Commi-ssioiier  here  for  three  years. 
He  and  his  amiable  wife  are  respected  and 
esteemed  l>v  the  ciniiMuinity. 


S^^ 


.KIT  r.  .M.  F.VKl.lN.  Wr  aie  pleased 
lo  give  in  our  list  of  the  best  citizens  of 
"A^  Waverly  Tuwnship.  N'nn  I'.iiien  County,  a 
sketch  of  Mr.  .MiKarliii,  who  is  well  known 
throughout  the  county  as  having  Ijcen  identified 
with  its  lumbering  iiiti-rest.s  for  so  many  years,  and 
who  lia.s  been  dealing  in  furs  for  the  past  thirty 
years.  He  is  at  present  residing  on  a  beautiful 
tract  of  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  0,  Waverly 
Township,  where  he  is  cultivating  the  soil  in  such 
n  manner  that  it  \'ieldn  liiin  handsome  returns. 

I'li'asfint  N'alley.  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  was  the 
birthphu'c  of  our  subject,  and  his  natal  day  was 
May  IK,  |«;I2.  He  in  the  son  of  SU-plun  .MeFarliii, 
and  his  yrandfallicr  was  Daniel,  a  native  of  (!l.as- 
gow,  Scotland,  who  came  lo  the  New  World  in  the 
Colonial    days,  and   was  engaged  .•i.>.  a   blacksmith 


and  farmer  in  New  York  St-ate.  He  served  in  the 
War  for  Independence,  and  lluis  our  subject  conies 
by  his  patriotism  most  honestly.  The  children  of  Mr. 
McFarliu's grandparents  were  Daniel,  .\biain,.lolin 
Stephen,  Levi,  James,  Ruth,  Elizabeth  and  Susan. 
The  grandfather  died  when  ninety-three  years  of 
age- 
Stephen  McFarliii,  tlie  father  of  our  subject,  wa> 
born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1800,  and,  when 
attaining  to  manhood,  became  a  farmer,  foll(.)wing 
the  occupation  of  fanning  in  his  native  county 
until  his  death.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
I'iiebe  (Ilorton)  McFarlin,  a  native  of  the  (ireen 
Mountain  State,  and  who  became  the  mother  of  a 
large  family  of  children,  ten  in  all,  nine  of  whom 
lived  to  years  of  manhood  and  womanhood,  and 
who  were  named  respectively:  Lewis,  George,  Al- 
fred, Ilulett  P.,  AVilliam,  .lesse,  Mary,  Saraii  and 
.Julia.  William  served  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fifty-first  New  York  Infantry,  during  the  late  war. 
;\Ir.  and  Mrs.  McFarlin  were  memiiers  of  the  Jletli- 
odist  Church.  The  father  died  in  1870,  his  wife 
having  preceded  him  lo  the  land  beyond  by  several 
j'cars.     He  was  a  Democrat  in  jiolities. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and,  at  the 
earl}'  age  of  fourteen,  left  the  parental  roof  and 
went  to  Wa3'ne  Port,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  clerking  for  about  a  twelvemonth,  and,  at  tlic 
expiration  of  that  time,  entered  the  empl((\-  of  ihc 
luie  Railroad,  remaining  with  that  company  three 
\eais.  His  nextemployment  was  as  engineer  for  twn 
years  on  the  Detroit  ct  Milwaukee  Railroad,  after 
which  he  returned  to  New  York.  In  18;')(),  he  went 
lo  Farmington,  111.,  and  set  up  machinery  for  Fred 
M.ack  &  Co.,  in  their  paper  null,  and  later  set  in 
jilaee  an  engine  for  a  sawmill  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa. 
Having  made  the  best  of  his  opportnnilies  for  ob- 
taining an  education,  Mr.  McFarlin  luianie  well 
read  and  taught  one  term  of  sciiool  in  Iowa. 

When  returning  from  the  llawkeye  State,  llie 
original  of  this  sketch  went  lo  Illinois,  .and  -.il 
Lancaster  Landing,  Peoria  County,  was  in  llie 
emploN'  of  Robinson  iV  Ilitclieock,  receiving  and 
weighing  grain,  and  later  became  teamster  lui 
Alonzo  Smith  A-  Cd.,  wiio  carried  on  an  extensive 
ice  business,  iiiid  llien  was  a  male  mi  one  nf  their 
boat.s,  naiiu'd  the  "  Winderchesler. "      ln.liil\,  IMiid, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


firi3 


Mr.  McFiuliii  came  to  Kalamazoo  County,  this 
State,  and  workort  for  D.  C.  Reed,  on  Climax 
I'rairie,  who  was  cnsjaged    in  tlie  farmiiii;'  business. 

When  Die  call  for  volunteers  resounded  tliroufih 
the  States,  our  snbject  was  one  of  tiie  first  to  offer 
liis  services  to  tlie  Union,  and,  Aiiril  lit,  1861,  en- 
listed in  Company  K,  Second  INIicliigan  Infantry. 
This  reiiiment  was  made  uji  for  tliree-months'  ser- 
vice, liut  when  tliey  went  to  lie  nuislcred  in  tliere 
w.as  no  call  for  tince  months.  Mr.  McFarlin,  .lune 
18  of  the  same  year,  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sev- 
enth Michigan  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  as 
Second  Sergeant.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Hall's  lUuff,  V.a.;  West  Point,  F.air  O.aks,  and  Rich- 
mond. At  (ilendale  he  was  wounded  in  the  left 
leg,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  He  was  lionorabl3'  discharged,  .I.anuary  4, 
1863,  at  Baltimore,  having  four  months  previous 
to  this  been  wounded  while  acting  as  Lieutenant. 

When  returning  from  the  field  of  battle,  Mr. 
McFarlin  again  came  to  Michigan,  where  he  worked 
out  by  the  month  .as  a  farm  laborer.  In  August, 
1861,  he  purchased  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  6,  Waverly  Township,  Van 
Buren  County,  and,  in  addition  to  cultivating  the 
soil,  w.as  engaged  extensively  in  lumbering.  He 
later  disposed  of  eighty  acres  of  his  land,  and  is 
now  engaged  in  cultivating  the  soil  to  good  pur- 
poses. 

Mr.  McFarlin  h.as  been  a  very  prfiminent  man  in 
his  township,  and  has  been  honored  by  the  election 
to  various  township  ottiees  of  responsibilit3\  He 
served  as  School  Inspector,  Highway  Commissioner, 
and,  in  1888,  w.as  elected  Sheriff  of  his  county  on 
the  Republican  ticket,  which  office  he  held  for  one 
term. 

Alniena  C.  Milliman  became  ]Mrs.  McFarlin,  their 
marriage  occurring  .luly  4, 1863.  She  was  a  native 
of  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  and  the  daughter  of 
.lohn  and  Jane  (Lowe)  Milliman,  who  were  farm- 
ers and  born  in  Livingston  and  Seneca  Counties, 
N.  Y.,  respectively.  John  Milliman  was  the  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Parse)  Milliman,  who  were 
farmers  and  lived  and  died  in  New  York.  Mrs. 
McFarlin's  parents  c.ame  to  Michigan,  and  in  18,50 
went  to  Wisconsin.  They  remained  there  for  three 
years,  and,   returning  to   the  Wolverine  State,  lo- 


cated in  Kalamazoo  County.  In  l^idl'i,  they  came 
to  Van  Buren  County,  and  made  their  home  in 
Waverly  Township,  where  the  father  di(!d  in  1871; 
his  wife  still  survives,  They  were  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  K|)iscopal  Church,  and  the 
parents  of  four  children. 

The  ten  children  born  lo  our  subject  and  his 
estimable  wife,  were:  Ida,  who  died  when  ten  years 
of  .age;  Lana  K.,  Lewis  S.,  Katie  M.,  John  M., 
Nora  F.,  fir.ace  M..  Fred  O.  and  Maude  B.  One 
son,  Fr.ank,  who  was  a  twin  of  Fred,  died  in  in- 
fancy. Mrs.  McFarlin  was  a  conscientious  member 
of  the  Jlelhodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject 
is  widely  known  throughout  this  section,  and  is 
esteemed  for  his  many  good  cpialities  of  mind  and 
heart. 


RRIN  POAVELL,  a  retired  citizen  of  Van 
Buren  Ccmnty,  makes  his  home    in  Kendall, 

ii^  Pine  Grove  Township,  and  is  a  native  of 
Canada,  having  been  born  August  14,  1824.  His 
parents  were  Elijah  and  Mabel  (Dorm.an)  Powell, 
natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Vermont,  respectivelj'. 
The  father  was  a  captain  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  parents  were  married 
in  Vermont  and  moved  to  Canada,  remaining  a 
nuinbei'  of  years  when  they  returned  to  Vermont, 
where  the  father  died,  .lune  5,  1852,  the  mother  sur- 
viving until  April  23,  1864.  They  had  born  to 
them  nine  children,  three  now  living,  two  sons 
serving  in  the  Civil  War. 

Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer's  bo}',  and  has 
always  followed  that  pursuit.  While  in  Canada, 
he  helped  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  before  he 
reached  his  majority  he  went  on  the  lakes  and  sailed 
for  si.xteen  years.  After  three  j^ears,  he  comman ded 
a  vessel  and  never  had  an  accident  during  the  en- 
tire time.  He  was  married,  March  25,  1857,  to 
Harriet  Clough,  daughter  of  Calvin  and  Harriet 
(Hall)  Clough,  both  natives  of  Vermont.  Her  fa- 
ther was  a  merchant  and  carried  on  his  trade  in 
Council  Bluffs,  Iowa.  Her  mother  died  when  she 
w.as  but  eight  months  old,  and  her  father  was  again 
married  and  moved  West.     He  died    about  fifteen 


694 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL-  RECORD. 


ycai-s  ago.  Mi-s.  I'owcll  was  reared  l\v  Mrs.  Chase, 
of  Vernioiil.  who  is  now  deceased.  Her  parents 
had  three  ehildren,  she  being  tlie  only  one  now 
livin<r.  and  was  horn  Noveinher  8,  1835. 

After  his  marriage,  our  subject  .settled  at  Char- 
lotte. \t..  for  a  season,  and  then  located  at  Ilines- 
biirg  two  yeai-s,  and  for  tlie  next  seven  years  lived 
in  various  places  in  A'ermont.  He  enlisted  August 
21,  18G2,  in  Company  G,  Second  Vermont  In- 
fantry. The  IJegiment  org.anized  at  Burlington, 
XL  He  joined  the  regiment  as  a  recruit  at  Ilagers- 
town.  Md.,  immediately  after  the  battle  of  Antie- 
tara.  They  were  at  White  Plains  and  Fredericks- 
burij,  under  Gen.  liurnsides.  and  went  into  camp 
at  White  Oaks,  remaining  until  the  spring  of  1863. 
The)'  were  again  at  Fredrickshurg,  Salem  Church, 
Hank's  Ford,  and  went  into  camp  within  a  half 
mile  of  the  old  camp.  They  crossed  the  Rappa- 
hannock on  a  pontoon  bridge  and  made  their  wa.y 
to  Gettysburg  and  took  part  in  the  second  day's 
Imttle  and  then  followed  Lee's  army  into  the  Shen- 
andoah Valley  and  took  part  in  the  battle  at 
Funkstown,  Md.  The  regiment  camped  at  AVar- 
renton,  and  took  a  large  number  of  prisoners  at 
the  battle  of  Rapiiahannock  Station.  Tliey  tlien 
went  to  Mine  Hun  and  went  into  winter  quarters 
at  [{randy  Station.  Then  began  the  battles  of  the 
Wilderness,  Nortli  Anna  River,  SpottS3ivania, 
Cold  Harbor  and  Petersburg.  Our  .subject  was 
.six  weeks  in  the  hospital  at  City  Point,  Ya.,  with 
intlaniMiatory  rheumatism,  and  then  took  part  in  the 
conllict  at  Winchester,  Va.,  and  Cedar  Creek. 

Our  subject  was  wounded  while  on  picket  duty, 
losing  his  second  finger  on  his  left  hand  after  fir- 
ing four  or  five  times.  He  gathered  up  .several 
loaded  guns  to  defend  himself  against  three  rebel 
cavalrvMicn.  While  on  the  way  to  the  hospital,  he 
met  (len.  .Sheridan  <m  his  black  horse  on  his  fam- 
oii.t  ride.  Our  subject  went  on  foot  to  Martins- 
Imrg  after  his  hand  was  dressed,  ."ind  from  there  he 
went  by  rail  to  lialtimore  .-ind  to  Philadel|)hia, 
where  he  was  in  the  liospiLil;  he  was  also  at  (iermnn- 
lown  ten  d.iys  anil  was  at  the  nurlington  Hospital 
in  N'ermonl  at  the  time  of  Lee's  surrender.  He 
wa.M  honorably  di.Hchargefl  April  28,  186,'). 

On  his  ri'lnrn  from  the  wiw,  our  subject  eontin- 
111(1  nil  lii~  f:irm,  owning  a  small    farm  and  sever.'il 


mills.  He  sold  the.se,  and,  in  18(17,  came  to  !\licli- 
igaii,  after  going  as  far  west  as  Neluaska.  He  set- 
tled on  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Pine  Grove  Town- 
ship, which  w.as covered  willi  heavy  oak  timber,  lie 
imiiioved  this  place  and  sold  it,  purchasing  another 
raw  favm  in  the  same  township,  and  there  lived 
live  years,  when  he  sold  it.  Mr.  Powell  went  to 
the  northern  part  of  Pine  Grove  Township  and  lo- 
cated on  a  small  place,  and  resided  there  until 
1890,  wlien  lie  made  a  trip  hack  to  Vermont,  and 
on  his  return  home  moved  to  his  present  home  in 
Kendall. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powell  have  become  the  parents 
of  six  children,  four  now  living:  George,  born  in 
1858,  who  married  Eva  "White,  is  the  father  of  two 
children,  and  resides  in  this  township;  James,  born 
in  December,  1850,  is  married  and  the  father  of 
two  children,  and  lives  in  this  township;  Alson, 
Iioin  in  1865;  Jennie,  born  in  18(ill,  is  the  wife  of 
John  White,  and  the  mother  of  one  child.  Two 
sons  have  died,  one  of  them  when  twenty-six 
years  old.  The  children  have  all  received  good 
common-school  advantages.  Mr.  Powell  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Kendall,  of  which 
he  has  liecn  commander.  The  ollice  of  M.oster  of 
I'atrons  of  Industry  was  his  for  several  years.  In 
politics,  Mr.  Powell  is  independent,  and  he  lias 
held  the  oflice  of  School  Director,  Supervisor  for 
five  years,  Township  Treasurer  one  year,  and  also 
Census  Enumerator  for  the  Slate.  He  is  a  tem- 
perate man  in  his  habits,  and  he  and  his  amiable 
wife  arc  hold  in  high  esteem  bv  the  eomnuinity. 


-i- 


-^^ 


Ml 


ALLACE  F.  CllASK.  To  he  descemUil 
from  honorable  ancestry  is  in  itself  a 
'^jf^  gu.nrantee  of  ability  and  honor  which 
any  man  who  is  a  true  genllciiian  may  well  rejoice 
in.  Our  subject,  who  is  the  proprietor  of  a  tract 
of  forty  acres  of  land  located  on  section  ',),  W.'iv- 
crly  Township,  \:w\  Uiiren  County,  is  a  son  of 
John.son  and  the  grandson  of  Isaiah  (Mi.ase.  lie 
w.'is  born  in  I5eiiningl(in,  WyoniingCounty,  N.  V., 
October  :i.   1850. 

The  grandfiilher   of    W.allace    l-'.  Chase  w.as  born 
in    Monroe  Coiintv,   Conn.       His   ancestors    came 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


695 


from  Kiii;l;iii<l  nnd  were  aiiiouir  Uie  carl iosl.  settlers 
of  the  Nutme<>'  State.  The  t!;raii(lfatli(M-  when  a 
yoimu'  man  moved  to  New  York  ■md  loeated  near 
Loekport,  where  lie  was  one  of  the  pioneers.  He 
aeeiinuilated  (luite  a  property,  hut  hy  his  generos- 
ity lost  it  all.  lie  was  a  thoi(nii>h  Demoeiat  and 
a  IMethodist  in  his  ehnrcii  relations.  His  laige 
family  ineUided  the  following-named  children: 
Israel,  Kli,  llazen,  Abel,  .Johnson,  Patience,  Lois, 
and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  He  died  in  New 
York  State  at  quite  an  advanced  age. 

.Johnson  Chase,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  February  10,  1812,  in  IMonroe  County,  N.  Y. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  a  small  tract  of 
land  which  he  cultivated  in  the  Kmpire  State, 
afterward  coming  to  Michigan  and  locating  on 
forty  acres  of  land  on  section  10,  Waverly  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  Countj',  which  he  improved  and 
brought  to  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  made 
that  tract  his  home  until  his  death,  in  April,  1874. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church 
in  New  York,  and  in  politics  was  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat. 

The  father  of  Wallace  Chase  was  twice  married; 
ills  first  wife,  to  whom  he  was  united  in  1838,  was 
known  as  P^liza  Marshall;  she  bore  him  one  child — 
.Tennie.  After  her  death,  Mr.  Chase  was  again 
married,  this  time  to  Alniira  Baker,  the  ceremony 
which  made  them  man  and  wife  being  performed 
in  1845.  Mrs.  Chase  was  born  in  Central  New 
York  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Betsey 
(Burns)  Baker,  natives  of  Vermont  and  New  Y'ork, 
respectively.  Mr.  Baker  was  an  agriculturist  and 
came  to  Almena  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  in 
1861,  where  he  and  his  wife  passed  their  last  days. 
He  had  participated  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg,  in 
the  W.ar  of  1812.  Mrs.  Chase  was  one  of  a  family 
of  seven  sons  and  two  daughters.  Her  parents 
were  Methodists  in  religion  and  her  father  in  poli- 
tics was  a  Democrat.  Her  great-grandfather  was 
.John  Baker,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  and  on 
coming  to  America  settled  in  Vermont.  Her  an- 
cestors on  the  maternal  side  of  the  house  wore 
earl}^  settlers  in  New  York. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  received  a  good  edu- 
cation and  taught  one  term  of  school.  Since  six- 
teen years  of  age,  he  has  made  his  own  way  in  the 


wf)rld,  Ijcginning  by  clio|)ping  and  clearing  land 
for  other  i)artics,  which  occupation  hi\  followed 
for  two  years.  When  eighteen,  he  hired  out  by 
the  month  until  twenty-thiee  years  of  age,  when 
he  returned  home  and  took  charge  of  the  home- 
stead and  cared  for  his  mother. 

,lnl\'  2,  1886,  was  the  date  of  our  subject's  mar- 
riage with  Miss  IMa^'  K.  Myers,  who  was  born  in 
Paw  Paw,  May  1,  1858,  and  is  the  daugliter  of 
.lames  and  Phebe  A.  (Ocobock)  Myers.  In  Octo- 
ber of  the  year  succeeding  his  marriage,  Mr.  Chase 
removed  to  his  father-in-law's  farm,  but  three 
years  later  purchased  the  forty  acres  on  sectitm  9, 
where  he  is  residing  at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Chase  is  much  interested  in  politics,  which 
fact  is  evidenced  by  his  having  been  elected  School 
Inspector,  which  ollice  he  filled  very  acceptably. 
In  his  political  predilection  he  is  a  thorough  Dem- 
ocrat and  has  represented  his  party  as  a  delegate 
lo  both  State  and  county  conventions. 


RENETT  T.  STREATOR.  This  well- 
known  farmer  of  Waverly  Township,  Van 
Buren  County,  is  prosecuting  his  calling 
on  section  13,  where,  in  addition  to  culti- 
vating the  soil,  he  pays  considerable  attention  to 
the  raising  of  sheep  and  in  both  of  these  branches 
manifests  good  judgment,  so  that  he  is  ranked 
among  the  first-class  agriculturists  and  business  men 
of  the  township. 

He  claims  Ohio  as  his  native  State,  having  been 
born  November  1, 1839,  in  Randolph,Portagc  Coun- 
ty. He  was  reared  by  his  ])arents,Cyrus  H.  and  Laura 
(Merriman)Streator,to  farm  pursuits, and, although 
given  but  limited  educational  advantages,  made 
the  best  of  his  opportunities  and  is  to-day  a  man 
of  education.  At  the  ver}'  early  age  of  thirteen 
3'ears,  he  began  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world 
by  working  out  bj^  the  month,  and  whatever  duty 
fell  to  him  was  performed  in  a  conscientious  man- 
ner which  caused  him  to  be  respected  and  admired 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

In  the  spring  of  1856,  our  subject  came  to  Paw 
Paw,  where  he  was  eng.aged  until  the  fall  of  that 
year,  when  he   purchased   eight3-  acres  of  land  on 


696 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


section  23,  Wavcrly  Townsliiji.  He  cleai-ed  and 
im|)roved  tliat  tract  and  continued  to  make  it  his 
aliiding-i)lace  untd  1864,  when  he  bonght  the  two 
hundred  acres  on  section  13  where  lie  makes  liis 
home  at  the  present  time.  He  makes  a  specialty 
of  raisinsj  a  high  grade  of  sheep  and  is  exceedingly' 
successful  in  that  branch  of  stock-raising.  He 
commenced  life  without  a  dollar  and  his  posses- 
sions are  entirely  the  result  of  his  economy  and 
industry,  and  it  is  with  a  just  pride  that  he  tells 
of  thai  fact. 

Jlr.  Streator  is  very  popular  in  his  townshii), 
having  been  the  recipient  of  all  the  ollices  within 
the  gift  of  his  fellow-townsmen  to  bestow.  For 
fourteen  vears  he  filled  satisfactorily  and  well  the 
olllce  of  .'^upervisor.  Previous  to  this,  he  served 
for  some  three  j-ears  as  Townshii)  Clerk,  having 
l)cen  elected  to  th.at  position  when  only  twenty - 
one  j'cai-s  of  age.  He  casts  his  vote  and  influence 
with  the  Hepnblican  part}- and  is  greath*  interested 
in  all  political  movements. 

Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1871,  to 
Kdna  Klliott,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Chester  B. 
and  Olive  (Percy)  Chamberlain.  She  was  born  in 
New  York,  and  w.as  an  excellent  lady  who  did 
much  toward  aiding  her  husband  to  attain  his  pres- 
ent position  in  the  agricultural  community.  Her 
father  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner  and  fairly-  well- 
to-do  !is  regards  this  world's  goods.  Mrs.  Edna 
Streator  became  the  mother  of  one  child,  also  de- 
cca.sed,  and  died  .lanuary  1,  1876. 

Flora  L.  Weslcott  became  the  second  wife  of 
our  subject,  their  marriage  taking  place  December 
10,  1X77.  Mi-s.  .Streator  w.is  born  in  Wavcrly  and 
was  the  <laughtcr  of  Martin  and  Cliloe  (Fish) 
Westcott.  The  fatiier  of  the  original  of  this  sketch 
w.ns  born  in  Springdeld,  Madison  County,  N.  Y., 
March  1,  1«1  l.aiid  was  the  son  of  Isaac  H.  Streator, 
.Ir.,  ft  farmer  and  shoemaker  in  Berkshire  County, 
.Mass.  He  .served  as  a  patriot  in  the  War  of  1812, 
and  w.os  at  Ft.  Erie  when  it  was  blown  up.  He  re. 
moved  t<i  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  in  IHIO,  and,  in 
IKl'.i.cani';  farlherWest, .settling  in  Pf)rlage  Couiit\', 
Ohio,  and  pawed  from  this  life  while  a  resident  of 
CleV4'lnnd.  He  was  a  Whig  in  polilic.M,  and  served 
as  .lu.stice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years.  Religi- 
oii.tly,  he    was  a   member  of  the    Baptist  Church. 


His  wife  was  Clarence  Plum,  a  native  of  Connecti- 
cut, who  bore  him  live  sons  and  five  daughters. 

Isaac  II.  .Streator,  Jr.,  was  the  son  of  Isa.ac  H. 
Streator,  Sr.,  who  was  born  in  jM.issachusetts  and 
married  Hannah  Alderman,  who  became  the  mother 
of  one  son  and  four  daughters.  Our  subject  and 
his  wife  were  active  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  died  in  Ohio.  Isaac  H.  Streator,  Sr., 
was  the  son  of  Dr.  John  Streator.  who  was  a  native 
of  Massachusetts. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  twice  married.  His 
first  wife  was  born  in  Portage  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  Elikum  Merriman,  a  farmer; 
she  was  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
The  second  wife  of  Jlr.  Streator  was  Maiy  Irons, 
a  widow,  and  the  daughter  of  David  Lane.  She 
became  the  mother  of  two  children  by  her  mar- 
riage with  Mr.  Streator:  Clara  and  Marcus,  still 
living.  The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  the  fall  of  1856,  and  located  on  section  13, 
Waverly  Township,  Van  Burcn  County.  He  now 
makes  his  home  with  his  sons.  He  was  a  shoe- 
maker prior  to  coming  to  the  AVolverine  State,  but 
since  his  residence  licic  he  luis  given  his  attention 
to  farming. 


il  I^ILLIAiNI  S.  Cll.MJLKS.  who  is  a  ivsidcnl 
\pj/l  '^^  Bangor  and  one  of  the  large  landed 
^^^  proprietors  in  Van  Buren  County,  is  a  n.a- 
tive  of  Ireland,  who  was  born  in  County  London- 
derry, June  28,  183'.),  and  wsis  the  seventh  in  a 
family  of  twelve  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to 
maturity,  whose  names  are  as  follows:  Esther,  the 
wife  of  William  Little,  of  Cuba.  X.  V.,  near  which 
pl.ace  the  family  selllcd  when  they  landed  in 
America;  David  K.,  residing  at  Bangor;  John,  who 
lives  at  Point  Plea.sant,  W.  \'a.;  Richard,  who  re- 
cently died  in  Cuba,  N.  Y.,  leaving  a  family; 
Eliza,  wife  of  John  Armstrong,  who  also  resides  at 
Cuba;  Thom.as,  who  lives  in  Helena,  Mout,  where 
he  went  in  1863,  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
that  place;  William  S.;  Mary,  who  married  ,1.  ( I. 
Olive,  and  lives  in  Cuba,  N.  Y.;  Aiiiiie,  the  wife 
of  iMigene  Homer,  residing  at  Olean.  N.  Y.;  Mag- 
gie, who  died  at  tlu"  l.'ist-nained  place  ;it  the  age  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


697 


tliii'ty-two  years;   Robert,    who  lives    in  Chicago; 
mid   Andrew,   a  resident    of   Hot  S[)i-iiiij;s,  S.  Dak. 

Our  stibjeet's  iiatcnial  grandparents,  .hilm  and 
Esther  Charles,  were  horn  in  Ireland  and  are  de- 
scended from  Scotch  ancestry-.  Of  tlieii-  ten  sons, 
li  vc  were  graduates  of  the  medical  department  of 
tlie  University  at  Edinhurgh,  Scotland.  When 
our  subject's  parents  came  to  America,  they  settled 
in  .\ngelica,  IS'.  Y.,  where  they  reared  their  family 
and  where  they  both  died.  When  sixteen  jcars 
old,  Mr.  Charles  left  home  and  came  to  Michigan, 
arriving  at  Detroit  with  but  twent\--live  cents  as  a 
capital  on  which  to  start  in  life.  He  followed  vari- 
ous occupations  at  Dearborn  and  in  Van  Bnren 
C'ounty,  going  to  Allegan  County  in  1856,  and 
from  there  to  Paw  Paw,  where  he  lived  three  years, 
tinall}'  going  to  Bangor,  where,  in  ISGO,  he  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  land,  and  began  farming. 
On  October  14,  18G1,  Mr.  Charles  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Battery  B,  First  iMichigan  Artillery, 
and  remained  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  was  an  exenii)lary  soldier,  never  being 
absent  from  duty,  and,  for  his  faithfulness  and  gal- 
lant conduct,  was  promoted  step  by  step  until,  on 
the  1-ith  of  November,  1864,  he  received  his  com- 
mission as  Second  Lieutenant.  His  command 
formed  a  part  of  the  Western  Army,  and  he  took 
part  in  the  memoralile  battle  of  •Pittsburgh  Land- 
ing and  the  following  noted  engagements:  Shiloh, 
April  6  and  7,  1862;  the  siege  of  Corinth,  May 
lOtii  to  31st;  Corinth,  October  3d  and  4tli;  Resaca, 
May  9,  1864;  Lay's  Ferry,  May  14tli;  Calhoun 
Ferry,  May  Lith;  Rome  Cross  Roads,  May  16tli: 
Cave  Spring,  October  13th;  Turkey  Ridge,  October 
26th;  Griswold,  Novemlier  22d;  Ogeechee  River, 
December  Stli;  Savannah,  December  11th  to  20th; 
Salkeliatchie  River,  February  6,  1865;  Columl)ia, 
Fel)ruar3'  15th;  Cap  Bridge,  March  2i)tli;  and  Ben- 
tonvile,  March  21st  and  22d,  the  last  battle  of  the 
war.  At  Rome  Cross  Roads  in  Georgia,  !\Ir.  Charles 
distinguished  himself  by  limbering  a  cannon,  which 
was  the  work  of  eight  men,  and  succeeding  in  re- 
moving it  from  the  reach  of  the  rebels.  At  that 
time  he  was  Orderly  Sergeant. 

Our  subject  was  married,  October  31,   1865,  to 
Miss  Mary  Jane  Cramer,    at   Hudson,    Mich.     She 
was  th«    only    daughter    of  Abraham    and    Sarah 
32  V 


(Sterling)  Cramer,  .and  was  born  in  Medina,  Lena- 
wee; C(jun1y,  Mich.,  Novimiber  2it,  184(1.  Her  par- 
ents were  natives  of  NewYorkand  came  to  Michi- 
gan not  long  before  their  daughter  was  born,  set- 
tling in  Lenawee  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles 
have  been  the  parents  of  four  children:  I'" rank  L., 
born  August  24,  1866;  Carrie  B.,  October  14,  1868, 
and  two  others  who  died  young.  About  1880,  Mr. 
Charles  purchased  a  tr.act  of  swamp  land  which  he 
began  ditching  and  clearing.  This  was  considered 
by  his  neighbors  as  the  height  of  folly,  but  he 
went  on  developing  and  improving  the  place  until 
it  is  now  one  of  the  most  productive  of  his  farms. 
He  at  presents  owns  a  total  of  six  hundred  acres  in 
the  home  farm,  besides  land  in  other  portions  of 
the  county. 

hi  politics,  Mr.  Charles  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
for  two  years  held  the  position  of  Township  Treas- 
urer and  has  also  filled  minor  olHccs.  In  religious 
matters,  his  views  are  liberal,  and  socially,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternitj',  belonging  to 
the  Consistoiy  and  Shrine  at  Grand  Rapids  and 
the  Knights  Templar  at  Kalamazoo.  He  is  a  promi- 
nent man  in  the  community  and  takes  an  interest 
in  everything  relating  to  the  well-being  of  his 
town  and  county. 


E^^ 


ANIEL  G.  SHERWOOD.  A  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres,  well  managed 
and  improved,  and  located  on  section  30, 
Columbia  Township,  is  the  home  of  Mr. 
Sherwood,  who  is  universally  esteemed  as  a  pr.ac- 
tical  farmer,  public-s})irited  citizen,  and  veteran 
of  the  late  war.  When  he  purchased  this  jilacc  in 
the  fall  of  1866,  it  comprised  eighty  .acres  and  his 
attention  has  since  been  devoted  to  clearing  it  and 
embellishing  it  with  a  lirst-class  set  of  buildings, 
liy  his  enter])rise,  progressiveness  and  industry,  he 
has  materialljr  forwarded  his  personal  inlcrsts  .as 
well  as  the  prosperity  of  Van  Buren  Count\',  and 
h.as  contributed  his  quota  to  the  advancement  of 
all  worth}'  measures. 

In  Amenia,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  Mr.  Sher- 
wood was  born,  .lanuary  17,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Saloma  (Cook)  Sherwood.      His  pater- 


698 


PORTRAIT  ASB  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


nal  grandfather,  Asiel  Sherwood,  was  born  in  New 
BedfunJ.  Conn.,  of  Ensjlisli  descent,  and  served 
durinjr  the  Revolutionary  War  .is  a  soldier  in  the 
Briti-jh  army.  At  an  early  day,  he  removed  to 
New  York,  settling  in  Dutchess  County  and  operate 
ing  .OS  a  fanner  until  his  dealli.  A  sincere  Chris- 
tian, he  was  a  luemlwrof  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
reared  his  nine  children,  three  sons  and  six  dangh- 
tei-s,  to  habits  of  usefulness  and  industry.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  who  was  born  in  1790,  was 
a  native  of  Connecticut,  it  is  supposed,  and  during 
the  War  of  1812,  served  .ts  Captain  in  a  light- 
horse  cavalry.  He  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer  and  was  active  in  local  political  affaii-s, 
holding  various  ollicial    positions  in  his  township. 

Some  time  during  the  year  liS3i),  Henry  Sher- 
wood removed  to  I,i\ingslon  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
seven  years  later  came  from  there  to  Kalamazoo 
CVninly,  this  Stale,  where  lie  entered  land  in  (lales- 
burgh.  He  devoted  the  remaining  years  of  his 
life  to  bringing  it  to  a  high  slate  of  cultivation 
and,  in  the  home  he  there  established,  jmsscd  aw.ay 
in  Se|)tember,  18;)1.  His  wife,  who  was  a  native 
of  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  and  a  daughter  of  Col. 
C'ook,  piissed  from  earth  about  three  years  prior  to 
his  demise.  He  w.asa  highly  respected  citizen  and 
a  member  of  the  MaMinic  fraternity. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  nine  chiliben.  namely: 
Maria,  Julia  .A.,  Daniel  G.,  Mary,  Caroline,  Char- 
lotte, Almaretta.  William  and  Charles,  lie  re- 
ceived a  common-i-chool  education,  which  was  sup- 
plemented by  a  course  of  instruction  in  a  seminary. 
When  twenty,  he  commenced  for  himself  by  rent- 
ing a  farm  and  continued  to  o|)erate  that  place  for 
three  years.  In  the  fall  of  18tl,  he  came  to  Ed- 
waidMliurg.  Cass  County,  this  Slate,  where  betook 
charge  of  an  hot^-l  for  a  few  moiilhs,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Breedsville,  working  in  a  tannery  by  the 
month  until  llie  laller  pari  of  IKIC.  Next  he  re- 
iiiovimI  to  Kalaniazcjo,  where  he  was  proprietor  of 
an  hot4'l  for  several  years,  an<l  then,  returning  to 
the  Kmpire  State,  was  engaged  in  (he  same  way  in 
Geneseo  and  other  pl.aces  In  I, iviiigst-on  County. 
After  the  war  he  returned  lo  this  State,  as  before 
mentioned,  and  piirehaseil  (he  f;irm  which  is  still 
his  home. 

Soon  nft<'r  III"'  opcnin:.'   of    lln'    Civil   \\n\     Mr. 


Sherwood  enlisted,  October  17,  1861,  in  Company 
C,  Sixth  New  York  Cavalry,  and  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Frederick,  South  Mountain,  Antietam. 
Fredericksburg,  Chancellors ville,  Gett^'sburg,  the 
Wilderness  and  other  engagements  of  importance, 
besides  numcj-ous  skirmishes.  In  the  spring  t)f 
1864,  he  was  transferred  to  the  veteran  reserve 
corps  and  was  on  duly  in  A'irginia  until  the  fall  of 
the  same  year,  when  he  was  discharged  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  He  received  an  injury  by  a  fall  from 
a  horse,  but  passed  through  the  terrible  battles  of 
the  war  unscathed. 

Almost  Iwentj'  ^eais  prior  lo  liis  enlislineiil  in 
the  late  war,  Mr.  Sherwood  was  married.  Decenilicr 
I,  1841,  to  Miss  Philena  C.  Deming,  who  was  born 
in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Rosswell  and  Mariana  (Boughton)  Deming. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  Livingston  County, 
where  the  father  followed  the  occupalion  of  a 
farmer.  Mrs.  Deming  died  in  New  York  and  ;ifi- 
erward  Mv.  Deming  came  to  Michigan  in  18.')  I, 
settling  in  Columbia  Township,  Van  liuren 
County,  where  he  died.  Their  faniily  consisted  of 
six  children,  who  grew  to  maturity,  namely: 
Philena,  Amos,  AVilliam,  Sarah,  Almena  :ind 
Martha.  Three  children  blessthe  union  of  oursuh- 
ject  and  his  esliniable  wife,  as  follows:  William, 
who  died  when  four  years  old;  Fre<lerick  K..  who 
served  during  the  war  in  llie  Ninth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry and  is  now  clerk  in  the  iiostollice  at  Wash- 
ington, I).  C.;  and  Henry,  who  enlisted  in  the  war 
as  a  private  in  llie  Fourth  ^lichigan  Cavalry  and 
was  honorably  discharged  as  a  Captain.  He  was 
injured  in  the  service  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
necessitate  the  ampulation  of  a  limb.  He  is  now 
I'ostniMsler,  at  \\':isliingtt)ii,  I).  ('. 


l.'lill'l'  ANDREWS,  wlio  is  engageil  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  sec- 
i;j|,  lion  1>.  Deealiir  Township,  claims  New' 
York  MS  (he  Slate  of  liis  iKilivily,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Yates  County,  on  the  Mill  of 
August,  I81i").  His  father,  Samuel  Tliom:is  An- 
dr(Mvs,  was  born  in  llie   same  count  \,  \o\ ciiiber    I, 


PORTRAIT  AND  ISIonRAPIIICAL  RECORD. 


699 


1819,  aiul  was  the  son  of  Pelei?  Andrews,  wlio  re- 
niovc'd  f'l'oni  Uliode  islanfl  to  Now  York  in  an 
early  flay.  I'>y  nccupatlon  lie  was  a  farmer  and 
served  as  one  of  the  militiamen  in  the  old  training- 
days.  Samuel  T.  Andrews  was  the  second  in  order 
of  birth  in  his  family  of  foui'  ehildren.  On  the 
31st  of  .lanuary,  1H12,  he  marriecl  Miss  Rehceea 
Hunt,  a  native  of  Rluxh:   Island. 

The  young  couple  hejiau  their  domestic  life  on 
a  farm  of  seventy  acres,  which  they  purchased  in 
New  York,  and  which  was  their  home  until  1854, 
when  they  emigrated  to  Albion,  Mich.  Mr.  Andrews 
there  purchased  a  shoe -store,  which  he  carried  on 
for  three  years,  when  he  traded  it  for  a  farm  in 
Ingham  County.  That  land  he  afterward  sold  and 
purchased  a  farm  in  Kalamazoo  County,  consisting 
of  l'ort_y  acres,  also  bought  fifty  acres  in  Porter 
Township,  Van  Buren  County.  From  18.58  until 
18fi2,  he  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  his  land  in 
Kalamazoo  County',  and  then  sold  and  liought  a 
farm  in  Texas  Township,  that  county,  which  lie 
operated  until  1887.  In  that  year,  he  traded  it  for 
the  farm  upon  which  our  subject  now  resides  in 
Decatur  Township,  ^"an  Buren  County.  However, 
he  was  not  long  permitted  to  enjoy  his  new  home, 
his  death  occurring  in  1879.  His  wife  survived 
him  until  July  7,  1889,  when  she  was  laid  to  rest 
by  the  side  of  her  husband  in  Antwerp  Cemetery. 
Five  children  gr.ace  their  union,  four  of  whom 
grew  to  mature  years,  while  three  are  yet  living, 
namely:  Martha  .1.,  wife  of  Clinton  Gates,  a  farmer 
of  this  State;  Burritt,  our  sul)jeet;  Marilla,  wife  of 
E.  W.  Tuller,  an  agriculturist  of  Ionia  County, 
Mich.;  Lottie,  wife  of  David  Gates,  also  a  farmer 
of  Ionia  County;  and  Nellie,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  one  year. 

Our  subject  leceived  good  school  privileges,  his 
early  educational  .'idv.antages  being  sui>pleniented 
bj'  a  year's  study  in  an  .academy.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen,  he  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  printer,  at 
which  he  worked  three  years,  when,  on  account  of 
his  father's  failing  health,  he  was  forced  to  aban- 
don it  and  return  to  the  farm,  which  he  carried 
on  until  his  father's  death.  He  is  now  the  owner 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  valuable  land 
situated  on  section  9,  Decatur  Township.  The 
neat  ai)pearance  of  the  ])lace,    with  its   well-tilled 


fields,  indicates  the  thrift  of  the  owner  and  attests 
the  supervision  of  a  careful  man.ager.  He  also 
raises  good  grades  of  stock,  and  the  substantial 
improvements  seen  upon  his  farm  add  much  U>  the 
value  and  attractive  appearance  of  the  place.  A 
pr.actical  and  progressive  farmer,  Mr.  Andrews  is 
well  and  favoral)ly  known  throughout  this  com- 
munity. On  questions  of  National  importance  he 
votes  with  the  l?epublican  party,  but  at  local  elec- 
tions often  supports  Ihe  man  whom  he  thinks  best 
qualified  to  fill  the  position,  regardless  of  party 
atliliations.  He  leads  a  quiet,  un.'issuming  life  and 
has  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


-4- 


-^^- 


AMES  ROBBINS.  A  striking  illustration  of 
the  power  of  perseverance  may  be  gleaned 
from  the  life  of  this  gentleman,  who,  by 
'  steady  diligence,  intense  patience  and  reso- 
lute will,  has  exchanged  a  condition  of  poverty  in 
his  youth  for  an  envi.ablc  position  as  a  successful 
farmer  in  his  declining  years.  Although  he  no 
longer  devotes  himself  assiduously  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  he  still  maintains  the  closest  supervision 
over  his  sixty-acre  farm  on  section  19,  Columliia 
Township,  and  is  well  known  throughout  Van 
Burren  County. 

An  Englishman  by  birth  and  parentage,  Mr. 
Robbins  was  born  in  Cornwall,  November  4,  1823. 
His  parents,  Abrani  and  Mary  (.Tohns)  Robbins,  na- 
tives of  the  same  county  as  our  subject,  reared  a 
family  of  four  sons  and  nine  daughters,  all  of 
whom  remained  in  England  excepting  .lames, 
Thomas,  John,  Ann  and  Jane.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  country, 
and  as  his  father  was  very  poor,  he  was  early 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources.  In  1850,  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Niagara 
Countj',  N.  Y'.,  and  there  worked  upon  a  farm.  In 
1852,  he  removed  West  to  Michig.an,  and,  coming 
directly  to  Van  Buren  County,  settled  on  the 
farm  which  is  still  his  home.  He  also  owns  eighty 
acres  in  Geneva  Township,  Van  Buren  County, 
which  he  has  cleared  and  improved. 

A  very  important  event  in  the  life  of  Mr. 
Robbins  was  his  marriage,  in  December,  1847,  which 


700 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPmCAL   RECORD. 


united  liiiii  with  Miss  Kii/.alietli  Rogers,  a  native  of 
C'lirnwall,  Eiii;laiHl.  The  father  and  mother  of 
Mrs.  Robbins  were  .John  and  Wary  (Rroiit)  Rogei-s, 
who  reared  a  family  comprising  three  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Mr.  ami  .Mrs.  Rtihliins  became  the 
parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Thomas;  Mary. 
the  wife  of  Cyrus  Crimes;  Mina,  now  Mrs.  Will- 
iam Lee;  Lovda,  wlio  married  William  (iuest;  and 
Wilnier,  who  was  married  to  Clai'a  Harris.  A 
great  bereavement  came  to  the  family  on  l''ebruary 
2.3,  18;»0,  when  the  devoted  wife  and  loving 
mother  closed  her  eyes  on  the  scenes  of  time  to 
oi>en  thcni  in  eternity.  She  w.a.s  a  lady  possessing 
unusual  reliiiement  and  amialiility  of  character, 
which  admiiable  traits  naturally  won  fur  licr  nianv 
friends. 

An  earnest,  energetic  citizen,  the  life  of  Mr. 
Robbins  .affords  an  example  of  what  m.ay  be  accom- 
plished by  persistent  etTort.  He  has  made  his  way 
in  the  world  by  patient  industry,  and  by  the  care- 
ful man.igement  of  his  alTairs  h.as  won  a  jilace 
among  the  sulwtantial  citizens  of  Columbia  Town- 
ship, lie  has  always  displayed  the  qualities  which 
mark  a  good  citizen,  is  loyal  to  his  adopted  coun- 
try, and  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  Kcpubliean 
party. 

^^9~  "   r-l-n~~         S)^^ 


.\KVIN  IIINKLKY  is  connected  with  two 
of  tluHeading  industries  of  Decatur,  being 
S»efrctary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Ilinkley 
Stave  Ciimiiany  and  ;i  stockholder  in  the 
coneein  whi<'h  manufacturers  wo<»den  measures,  un- 
der the  name  of  lliidiley,  IJoberts  iV  Co.  lie  h.xs 
long  licen  a  resident  of  X'an  liurcn  County,  of 
which  his  parents,  Henry  and  Cclia  Ilinkley,  wore 
jiioneei-s.  His  father  wa.sl)orn  in  (Jencsee  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1 «{)'.»,  and  was  a  fanner  by  occuiiation. 
lit!  m;trried  Mis.s  Celia  Wellm;in,  a  nalivc  of  Chau- 
taiupia  County,  N.  Y.,  and  unlu  llnni  were  Imrn 
six  chililren  who  grew  to  nnilure  yi-ars  and  arc 
yet  living,  namely:  Myron,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
mnnufaeture  of  ba.Hket.s  and  boxes  at  Kenton  Har- 
bor; Lydiii,  wife  of  Arthur  Young,  of  Hartford; 
Lottie;  Rogers,  who  Is  i-ngjigcd  in  the  insurance 
biixliieaM  in    Mit<'liell,  Dak.;  Marvin,  of  Ibis  sketch; 


Homer  who  resides  in  Holland,  Mich.,  and  Addie 
Swift,  wife  of  Willi.am  Smith,  a  conductor  on  the 
Chicago  &  West  Michig.au  Railroad.  The  father 
of  this  family  died  in  Decatur  in  1886,  and  the 
mother  passed  away  on  the  1st  of  November. 
18!»L 

We  now  take  up  the  personal  histiu'y  of  our  sub- 
ject, knowing  that  many  will  be  interested  in  his 
life  record.  He  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  N. 
Y.,  February  21,  1845,  and  when  a  lad  of  eleven 
summers  came  with  his  parents  to  Micliig.an.  The 
family  spent  three  months  in  Kalamazoo,  and  then 
came  to  Decatur.  Soon  afterward,  the  father 
purchased  a  sm.all  larm  and  turned  his  attention 
to  its  development.  Thereon  JMarvin  w.as  reared 
while  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools  of  Decatur.  His  t.astes  were  toward  a 
commercial  business  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-live, 
with  a  capital  of  only  ^'300,  he  embarked  in  the 
stave  business  in  a  small  way.  Ilis  trade  has  con- 
stantly increased  until  it  has  now  assumed  exten- 
sive proportions.  In  1884,  the  Hinkley  Stave 
Company-  was  organized  as  a  stock  company  and 
our  subject  became  its  Secretar}'  and  Treasurer.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Ilinkley,  Roberts 
&  Co.,  his  partners  being  L.  D.  Roberts  and  Theo- 
dore Trowbridge.  They  are  engaged  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  half-bushel,  peck  and  quart  wooden 
measures  and  their  sales  in  1801  amounted  to  sBld- 
(tOO,  while  the  sales  of  the  stave  coni|)any  reached 
*35,00(). 

Jn  187(1,  Mr.  Ilinkley  was  JoIikmI  in  wedlock 
to  Mattie  J.  Lumhard,  one  of  \'an  Ituren  Coun- 
ty's fair  daughters,  who  w.as  born  in  the  town  of 
Hamilton.  Six  children  grace  their  union:  Ileiii  \ , 
seventeen  years  of  age;  Morris,  fifteen  years  old; 
Agnes  thirteen  years  old;  Celia,  aged  eleven  years; 
Leroy,  a  lad  of  nine  summers,  and  M^-ron,  a  babe 
of  one  year. 

Mr.  Ilinkley  exercises  his  right  of  fraiu'liise  in 
support  of  the  Repul)lican  party  and  has  been 
honored  with  several  ollices,  including  llial  of 
Treasurer  of  his  townshi|), Township  Supervisor, 
X'illage  Trustee,  and  I'residcnl  ol  llie  \  ilhigc 
Hoard,  serving  as  such  for  a  number  of  years.  Of 
the  School  ISoard  he  has  been  a  member  for  some 
time  and  the  cause  of  education   has  found  in  hini 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


701 


:i  warm  friend.  Socially,  he  Is  a  member  of  the 
iMasDnic  friilcrnity  and  has  lield  several  ollices  in 
tho  lodge.  lie  is  a  keen,  sagacious  and  fai -sighted 
business  man  and  the  success  of  tlie  companies  with 
wiiich  he  is  connected  is  largely  dui;  to  his  indiis- 
tiJDUs  and  well-directed  efforts.  He  is  fair  and 
honest  in  all  his  dealings,  straightforward  in  every 
relation  in  life  and  well  deserves  the  respect  in 
which  he  is  held. 


-m' 


Ik.  M  EUGENE  WIIALEN,  M.  D.,  i)hysician 
and  surgeon  of  Paw  Paw,  has  been  a  i"e- 
sident  of  this  city  since  1887,  and  now 
has  a  fine  lucrative  practice.  He  was  born 
at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  on  August  26,  1860,  to  Michael 
and  INIary  (Sage)  Whalcn,  natives  of  Ireland 
wiio  came  to  this  country  when  children.  Tho^' 
came  to  Lawton,  Van  Buren  County,  when  our 
suliject  was  two  years  old  and  are  now  residents  of 
Bloomingdale  Township,  where  the  father  owns 
fifty  acres  of  land.  Our  subject  spent  his  boy- 
hood days  on  the  farm  in  Bloomingdale,  going  to 
sciiool  a  few  months  each  winter.  The  father  car- 
ried on  farming  ciuite  extensively  on  vented 
ground  and  as  there  were  but  the  two  sons,  Wil- 
liam II.  being  two  years  our  subject's  senior,  they 
had  to  work  hard. 

Atabout  the  age  of  eighteen,  our  subject  thiough 
thoughtfulncss  concluded  to  have  a  better  educa- 
tion, and  witii  the  help  of  his  brother  and  sisters 
attended  school  at  Gobleville,  walking  three  miles 
to  and  from  school  each  night  and  morning  and  as- 
sisting on  the  farm.  Tills  he  kept  uj)  for  two  years 
and  was  then  offered  the  Gobleville  school, 
which  he  accepted,  but  before  commencing  he  spent 
four  months  in  Lawrence.  In  the  fall  of  1881,  he 
commenced  teaching  and  continued  two  years  at 
this  |)lace.  He  then  went  to  Kendallville,  and  be- 
gan reading  medicine  while  teaching  there.  In 
1884,  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the 
University  of  Michigan  with  $300  in  cash  but  not 
enough  to  carry  him  one  year.  After  the  first 
year,  he  spent  the  summer  mouths  in  the  Kalama- 
zoo Asylum  as  dis])ensing  clerk  and  at  the  begin- 
ning of 'the  next  year  found  himself    about   even 


with  the  world  financially.  He  liorrowcd  some 
money  for  the  coming  year  but  was  so  in  debt  that 
he  left  the  University,  went  to  the  northern  i)art  of 
this  State,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  II.  1). 
Griswold,  who  was  a  practitioner  of  that  place  for 
eighteen  years  but  incapacitated  for  active  hard 
work.  He  remained  from  June,  1886,  till  October, 
1887,  when  he  went  to  the  University  again,  hav- 
ing earned  enough  to  liquidate  his  indebtedness 
and  have  some  left  for  his  coming  year's  expenses. 
Dr.  Whalen  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine,  June  30,  1887,  and  came  to 
Paw  Paw  and  began  his  practice,  which  has  proved 
successful.  He  was  united  in  marriage  while  at 
Sherman,  March  3,  1886,  to  Miss  Cora  Charn- 
berlin,  of  Decatur,  Mich.  Mrs.  Whalen  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  A.  N.  and  Serepta  Chamberliu  and  was  boru 
in  Decatur,  December  17,  1860.  She  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Decatur  L^nion  Schools  and  w.as  a  teacher  at 
Traverse  Cit3%  Dr.  Whalen  is  independent  in  lo- 
cal politics  but  is  a  stanch  Democrat  in  National 
affairs.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  members  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  having  taken  the 
Master  and  Royal  Arch  Degrees.  He  and  his 
estimable  wife  are  held  in  the  highest  respect 
by  all  the  people  with  whom  they  come  in  con- 
tact. 


r 


\f/^_^  UGH  KAYS.  This  gentleman  is  a  pro- 
gressive farmer,  residing  on  section  28, 
Keeler  Township,  \'au  Buren  County.  He 
had  his  birth  in  Derry  County,  Ireland,  in 
1836,  and  is  the  oldest  in  a  family  of  five  children 
born  to  George  and  Rosanna  (Dennison)  Kays. 
The  father  was  born  in  Deny  Countj',  Ireland, 
and  the  mother  first  saw  the  light  in  the  same 
place.  They  were  married  and  first  came  to 
America  in  1838  aud  located  in  Washington 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  died.  They  were 
both  of  Scotch  parentage  and  the  mother  still  re- 
sides in  New  York. 

Mr.  Kays  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county 
and  in  the  year  1855  came  to  Michigan  and  lo- 
cated at  Dowagiac,  where  he  resided  ten  years  and 
in  1864  returned  to  his  native  State  and    married 


702 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Sarah  Morey,  wLom  he  brought  to  his  new  home 
in  Michigan.  While  in  New  York  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  carpenter  and  builder  and  when  he 
came  to  Michigan  engaged  in  liis  trade.  He 
reached  here  at  a  time  when  people  were  just 
ready  to  erect  gtxid  liouses  to  take  the  place  of 
the  log  ones  which  had  served  tlieir  purpose  a 
good  many  years,  lie  has  luxl  in  his  employ  at 
one  time  as  many  as  thirty  men.  He  erected  the 
fii-st  mill  in  tiie  corporation  of  Dowagiac,  which  is 
still  in  operation  and  ranks  with  the  best  iu  the 
State. 

In  18Gj.  .Mr.  Ivays  purchiised  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres  and  located  on  it  in  1867. 
He  has  followed  liis  business  and  conducted  his 
farm  since  tiien,  to  which  lie  has  added  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  acres.  He  engaged  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  slate  roofs,  at  Salem,  N.  Y.,  in  1885,  and 
ai.so  on  liis  wife's  farm.  There  are  perhaps  thirty 
acres  of  red  slate  rock  on  the  place  and  it  would 
be  absolutely  imi)OSsible  to  estimate  the  value  of 
such  a  farm,  as  orders  have  come  in  from  every 
part  of  the  country  at  so  early  a  date  as  this. 

Socially,  Mr.  Kays  is  identified  with  the  Masonic 
fraternity  at  Dowagi.ic  and  in  his  political  views 
attiliat<;s  with  the  Democracy.  He  and  liis  amiable 
wife  have  reared  a  family  of  si.\  children:  Jen- 
nie, (leorge.  .\icliie,  Hosa,  William  and  Hugh  ller- 
liert. 

AKl.iiW  (;.  11AKNI';S,  one  of  the  prominent 
fMniici-s  iind  stock-raisers  in  Lawrence 
.-i^-  Township.  \'aii  Huren  County,  is  also  en- 
^^  gaged  in  fruit-raising,  having  ninety-four 
acres  of  excellent  land  located  on  section  1.  He 
wn.s  Imhii  in  Oswego  Comity,  N.  Y.,  March  ."5,  IH.'Jl, 
and  is  the  .'Mill  of  L'ricl  T.  and  lliilil:i  A.  ((iibbs) 
IJarncs,  natives  of  New  York,  the  I'uliicr  of  Scotch 
and  the  mother  of   Kngli.sh  ancestry. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  located  in  Calhoun 
County,  this  State,  when  llarlowt;.  was  only  three 
years  of  age.  The  father  immediately  begjui  im- 
]>roviiig  his  purchase,  wlilch  he  later  sold,  and  in 
I8.'{7  came  to  Lnwieiice  Township,  \':iii  Ihiren 
t  ouiity.  Here  he  piii'cliased  eiglity  .'iiic  >  of  hmd 
on  !tcctioii  :>,  which  i.s  now  in   the  possession  of  A. 


IT.  Barnes,  brother  of  our  subject.  Of  the  four 
sons  and  three  daughters  born  to  Uriel  and  Hulda 
A.  Barnes,  six  are  living,  the  youngest  licing  de- 
ceased. 

Il.arlow  G.  Barnes  had  but  limited  opportunities 
for  obtaining  an  education,  having  to  w.alk  four 
mills  to  the  house  of  learning.  At  one  time,  not 
having  enough  money  to  pay  his  tuition,  he  liunted 
up  a  hog  which  had  been  lost  and  which  had 
wandered  about  until  it  became  wild,  and  sold  it 
for  enougli  to  pay  for  his  schooling  that  term. 
The  famil\'  were  at  times  in  veiy  straightened  cu'- 
cumstances  and  after  the  father  had  ])urcliased  his 
farm  iu  Lawrence  Township  and  provided  the 
family  with  provisions,  he  had  $700  left  which  the 
wild-cat  money  panic  caused  him  to  lose.  He  of. 
fered  $400  of  that  amount  for  a  dinner  at  one 
time,  but  could  not  get  it.  Our  subject  remained 
at  home  and  aided  in  supporting  the  family  until 
his  marriage. 

He  of  whom  we  write  and  i\Iiss  Cordelia  C. 
Bancroft  were  united  in  marriage.  M.arch  10,  1858. 
They  became  the  parents  of  six  ciiildren,  three  ol 
whom  are  living:  Mrs.  Emily  C.  Davis  has  two 
ciiildren  and  resides  at  .Strouacli,  where  her  hus- 
band is  a  lumberman;  ]Mrs.  Hulda  A.  Clark,  whose 
husband  is  engaged  iu  the  .agricultural  implement 
business  at  Atiieiui,  Ore.;  she  ii;is  one  ciiild. 
Uriel  T.  is  married,  lias  one  cliild  ;iiid  lives  in  Old- 
ham, Dak. 

In  1855,  our  Milijci't  purcliasi'd  ft)rty-iiiiic  .acres 
of  iaiid  ill  Lawrence Townshi [I  wliicli  he  still  owns. 
He  ericti'i]  :i  plank  house  on  his  tr.act  and  there 
his  family  iii:i(U'  their  home  during  the  lime  he  was 
in  till'  .iiiiiy.  Ihulow  (i.  liarnes  enlisted  in  the 
I'liioii  Army,  Septeiiilior  ;;  1,  18(J1,  joining  Coiu- 
liany  (4,  Eirst  Regiment  of  Western  Sliaipsliooters, 
or  the  Foiirtceiith  Missouri  Sharpshooters.  The 
company  ;ift,erw^ard  became  llie  Sixty-sixth  Illinois 
Sliaipsliooters  and  saw-  duty  in  Northwest  Missouri 
in  18(;i-()2.  and  aided  iu  restoring  the  railitiad 
from  Sliirgeon  to  Mexico,  Mo.  At  (lie  battle  of 
Mt.  Zioii,  December  28.  18(!1.  our  sniijcct  injured 
his  spine  liy  the  falling  <if  a  gun.  lie  w:is  so  dis- 
abled llial  lie  was  sent  home  on  a  furlough  and  on 
joining  his  regiiiieiil  a  lew  months  later  found 
that  lie  w:is  still  iiiiiilih'   to   do    active   service,    al- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


703 


though  he  remained  in  Uic  army  until  fall.  Ho 
was  in  the  hospital  a  part  of  tliat  time  al  St-.  Ijoiiis, 
Mo.  One  time  he  was  left  lying  liel|)less  in  the 
how  of  a  boat  for  five  days,  and  the  only  attention 
which  he  received  was  having  fly-blown  beef  souj) 
served  liim  once.  He  was  afterward  taken  off  tiie 
boat  and  laid  on  the  wharf,  where  he  was  left  until 
Charles  H.  Smith,  now  of  Pentwater,  this  State, 
came  to  his  relief. 

In  September,  1(SU2,  the  father  of  our  subject's 
wife  went  to  St.  Louis  in  order  to  briug  him  home. 
He  found  him  so  emaciated  Ihat  it  was  hard  to 
convince  him  that  it  was  his  son.  Mr.  Barnes  re- 
ceived his  first  pension  from  the  Government  in 
list)!,  which  has  been  increased  as  follows:  In 
187t)  to  $15,  which  was  cut  down  to  $10  iu  1876; 
in  1886  ho  applied  for  an  increase  and  received 
*30;  in  February,  1890,  $50,  and  in  March  of  that 
year  $72.  Mr.  Barnes  relates  some  of  his  war  ex- 
periences in  an  article  contributed  to  the  "Camp 
Fire"  in  the  Toledo  Blade.  About  December  22, 
1861,  the  rebel  Gen.  Price  undertook  to  starve 
out  the  Fourteenth  Missouri  Sharpshooters,  sta- 
tioned at  Sturgeon,  Mo.,  under  Col.  Birge,  by  de- 
stroying the  bridge  on  the  east.  Gen.  Prentice 
came  to  the  company'  of  which  our  subject  was  a 
member  (Company  D),  asking  for  a  surveying 
party  of  volunteers  to  accompany  two  bridge- 
builders.  None  of  the  company  offering  their  ser- 
vices, Mr.  Barnes  undertook  the  job,  and,  Decem- 
ber 27,  1861,  was  assigned  this  special  service.  He 
chose  three  of  his  conu'ades  and  two  citizens  and 
bunting  around  found  a  hand-car  which  was  soon 
made  ready  for  the  surveying  party.  On  the  trij), 
they  came  nearly  being  captured  by  bushwhackers, 
but,  outgeneraling  them,  returned  to  camp  and 
made  a  report  of  the  condition  in  which  they 
found  the  road. 

Mis.  Barnes  died  March  29,  1864,  and  January 
28,  1865,  our  subject  was  married  to  Mrs.  .Sarah  M. 
Carter,  nee  Hunt.  Mrs.  Barnes  was  born  in  Hunt- 
erdon County,  N.  J.,  June  14,  1831.  She  had  been 
married  iu  Trenton,  N.  J.,  to  Joshua  N.  Carter. 
Her  husband  came  to  Michigan  in  1851,  and,  lo- 
cating in  Keelei'  Townshij),  \-m\  Buren  County, 
there  passed  his  last  days,  dying  in  January,  1863. 

In  1865,  Mr.  Barnes  purchased  fort3-seven  acres 


of  land  in  addition  to  what  lie  owned.  He  also 
has  eleven  acres  in  Bangor  Township.  His  health 
has  been  poor  since  the  war.  the  many  complica- 
tions causing  paralysis  and  heart  trouble.  He 
votes  the  straight  Republican  ticket,  having  cast 
his  first  ballot  for  John  C.  Fremont  in  185().  I'.oth 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnes  arc  members  of  the  Regular 
Baptist  Church,  in  which  denomination  our  sub- 
ject is  Deacon. 


_^^< 


~S)<i' 


r-^ 


(^ 


GET" 


'JIJAMES  MYERS.  A  man  who  by  dint  of 
hard  work  and  determination  has  attained 
to  a  good  property,  while  al  the  same  time 
he  has  built  \\\)  a,  re[uitati(jn  for  character 
and  probity,  is  a  citizen  worth  having,  and  the 
story  of  his  life  is  worth  recounting.  Such  a  one 
do  we  find  represented  by  the  name  at  the  head  of 
this  paragraph. 

Mr.  Myers  was  born  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y., 
January  30,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Rachel  (Lamphera)  Myers.  The  grandfather  of 
he  of  whom  we  write  was  named  Ora  Myers,  and 
came  from  Holland  in  the  Colonial  days  and  lo- 
cated near  Jersey  City.  He  later  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  which  he  made 
his  home  until  his  death.  He  was  a  blacksmith 
and  farmer  and  married  at  an  early  day  Jliss 
Storines. 

John  Myers  claimed  New  .leisey  as  his  native 
State  and  accompanied  his  parents  upon  their  re- 
moval to  New  I'ork,  and  in  Cayuga  County,  that 
State,  was  married  to  our  subject's  mother.  In 
1854,  they  came  West  to  Michigan  and  made  their 
home  with  our  subject  until  their  death,  the  father 
dj'ing  in  1874,  the  mother  having  preceded  bim 
to  the  world  beyond  b>-  four  jears.  She  was  a 
leading  and  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  reared  to  lives  of  usefulness  a 
large  family'  of  nine  children,  ihc  following  sons 
and  daughters  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years: 
James,  Sylvester,  Laura  E.  (Mrs.  Hendricks),  Mary 
(Mrs.  Lawrence),  and  Rebecca  (Mrs.  Flanders). 

Our  subject  was  given  fair  educational  advan- 
tages and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
twenty  j'cars  of  age,  when  he  began  for  himself  by 


704 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BlOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


learning  the  wagon-maker's  trade.  He  continued 
in  that  line  of  business  until  1853,  since  which 
lime  he  has  lx>en  engaged  in  farming.  In  Septem- 
Wr.  1846.  he  came  to  Paw  Paw  and  purchased 
forty-eight  acres  of  land  in  Paw  Paw  Township, 
which  he  improved,  hut  latoi  exchanged  for  eight.v 
acres  in  Paw  Paw  Township.  About  1876,  how- 
ever, he  disposed  of  that  property  by  exchanging 
for  vill.age  real  estate,  which  he  held  until  1884 
and  then  gave  in  i)ayment  for  the  eighty-acre 
tract  on  which  he  resides  on  section  8,  Waverly 
Township,  Van  Bui  en  County. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  was  united  in 
marriage,  in  1847,  to  Miss  Phebe  t)cobock,  who 
w:»s  born  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Peter  and  llannaii  (Klgar)  Oeobock, 
natives  of  New  .Ici-sey  and  of  German  origin.  Ilcr 
parents  were  farmers,  and  in  the  spring  of  184G 
came  to  Paw  Paw.  The  parental  family  included 
five  sons  and  five  daiightei-s.  In  politics,  Mr. 
()col)ock  was  a  firm  Democrat.  Mrs.  Myers  passed 
from  this  life  December  6,  1888,  after  having  be- 
come the  motiier  of  nine  children,  only  two  of 
whom  are  living:  James  II.  and  May,  who  is  the 
wife  of  W.  F.  Cli.ase,  whose  sketch  will  be  found  on 
another  page  in  this  volume.  Mr.  Myers  is  well 
known  in  this  section  and  we  are  glad  to  be  able 
to  present  to  our  readers  a  sketcii  of  so  worthy  a 
gentleman. 


Ji:  KKFKkSON  I).  IIAKUIS,  (,f  Arlington,  was 
11  brought  toN'an  Huren  County  wiien  a  mere 
I  chdd  liy  his  parents,  who  were  early  settlers 
,jj^'  of  tills  regiiin;  lierc  lie  wa-s  reared  under 
whoU'some  and  invigorating  pioneer  inlluences, 
growing  with  the  growth  of  the  county,  and  U>- 
dny  he  is  numbered  among  its  intelligent  and  pro- 
gressive fanners,  iK'ing  the  proprietor  of  a  well- 
improved  farm  in  Arlington  Townslilp,  which  ranks 
with  the  beat  in  it.s  vicinity. 

.\  native  of  .IcfTeiftoii  County,  N.  V.,  born  there 
ill  tlic  year  18.34.  our  stiliji-ct  has  passed  the 
most  of  hin  lif>!  in  this  county,  where  he  holds  an 
iin|Hirlanl  |Misitioii  a.s  a  faniii'i',  .'iiid   lias   borne  an 


active  part  in  the  management  of  public  affairs  as 
an  incumbent  of  various  oflfices  of  trust.  He  is 
the  only  child  of  Alvinzy  and  Lovisa  (Heath) 
Harris.  His  father  was  born  in  Bennington,  Vt., 
in  1798.  His  mother  was  born  in  Jelferson  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1813,  and  was  a  daughter  of  ISIorrison 
Heath,  of  Salem,  AVashington  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  was  born  in  1789.  Our  subject's  paternal 
grandfather,  Luther  Harris,  was  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont. Our  subject's  great-great-grandfather  Har- 
ris was  a  native  of  Ireland. 

In  1838,  Alvinzy  and  Lovisa  Harris  left  their 
old  home  in  New  York  to  found  another  in  the 
wilderness  in  Van  Buren  County,  Mich.,  and  they 
were  thereafter  identified  with  its  upbuilding,  and 
were  good,  types  of  its  strong,  stead}-,  clear-eyed, 
thrifty  pioneers.  But  few  settlers  were  then  living 
in  this  region,  and  all  were  obliged  to  lead  simiile, 
hard-working,  primitive  lives,  and  to  forego  many 
of  the  comforts  to  which  they  had  been  used.  But 
thej'  faced  the  situation  bravely, and  bore  without 
a  murmur  all  the  hardshijis  .ind  privations  con- 
nected with  their  lot.  Our  subject's  first  recollec- 
tion of  their  new  home  was  of  the  journey  to  it 
from  Lawrence  on  a  sled  drawn  by  oxen.  His 
next  recollection  of  their  pioneer  life  is  after  the 
family  had  settled  in  the  log  shant}',  in  which 
they  at  first  dwelt,  tiint  was  surrounded  by  llif 
forests  primeval,  his  father  clearingaway  the  timber 
around  the  house,  and  putting  out  an  orchard 
among  the  logs  before  they  had  been  heaped  to- 
gether, having  brought  the  trees,  twenty-two  in 
niimlier,  from  two  miles  beyond  Lawrence,  which 
was  eight  miles  distant.  His  education  was  con- 
ducted in  the  iiioneer  schools  and  on  his  fatlier'> 
homestead.  Having  received  a  thorough  training 
in  his  youlli  in  the  various  liranches  of  agricnltiiie, 
he  adopted  farming  for  his  life-calling,  and,  witli 
the  exception  of  live  yeiirs  as  station  agent  nt 
Grand  .lunetion,  lu'  has  lived  on  the  farm,  lie 
lias  here  a  linr  |il:icc,  coin  prising  lifty-six  acres  of 
rich  land,  aliuiidanlly  supplied  with  modern  im- 
provements, and  he  keejis  well  abreast  of  the  limes 
ill  his  methods  of  cultivating  the  soil  and  handling 
his  stdcK',  of  which  he  has  only  llic  bi-eeds  best 
adapted  to  I  his  region. 

Mr.  Iliii  lis  W!is  iii:iiried  ill  1  .H."i(!  t,o  Miss  Aiigeliiie, 


PORTRAIT  AND  iilOGRAPlllC A L  Ki:(  ()i;i^ 


705 


daughter  of  Samuel  Ilogmirc,  who  has  been  to  him 
a  true  wife,  coinpiinion  and  helpmate.  Unto  them 
in  their  pleasant  wedded  life  have  been  born  these 
four  children:  Julian  D.,  a  lawyer  at  Ponca,  Neb., 
where  he  at  one  time  served  as  Deputy  County 
Cleric,  and  for  one  j'ear  was  cashier  of  Dorsey's 
National  Bank  at  that  place;  Captain  L.,  of  Valley 
County,  Neb.;  Kittie  M.,  wife  of  George  Ilold- 
ridge;  and  Daisy  L. 

Mr.  Harris's  fellow-citizens,  knowing  well  his 
abilit}',  and  that  he  is  sound  of  judgment,  and  a 
sagacious  and  safe  counsellor,  have  often  called 
him  to  public  jwsitions,  whose  duties  he  has  per- 
formed with  the  single  purpose  of  advancing  the 
best  interests  of  the  community.  He  held  the 
ottice  of  School  Inspector  several  years;  has  been 
Highway  Commissioner;  and  tor  fifteen  terms  rep- 
resented his  township  as  a  member  of  the  Van 
Buren  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  first  holding 
that  responsible  oOice  in  185(3,  and  has  acted  in 
that  capacity  at  various  times  since.  In  1864,  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  Quartermastei''s  Depart- 
ment, furnisliing  ties,  etc.,  for  the  construction  of 
railways,  and  did  good  service  in  that  line.  In 
early  life  he  was  a  Democrat,  l)ut  when  the  Repub- 
lican party  was  organized  he  heartily  sympathized, 
with  its  object,  and  gave  it  iiis  steady  support 
throughout  the  war.  Of  late  years  he  has  held 
himself  aloof  from  party  ties,  preferring  iude- 
|)endence  in  politics,  and  reserving  for  himself  the 
right  to  vote  as  he  sees  fit.  He  is  a  well-known 
ISIason,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Royal  Arch 
at  Bangor.  He  and  his  amiable  wife  are  also  among 
the  valued  members  of  the  Congregational  Church 
of  that  [)lace,  and  they  are  highly  esteemed  for 
their  personal  worth  and  genial  social  (pialities. 


w^IoT 


i>^^<l 


jf^  INARD  McNEIL.  Porter  Townsliip,  Van 
Buren  County,  is  the  home  of  many  prom- 
inent farmers,  not  the  least  among  whom 
is  the  gentleman  wiiose  name  heads  this 
sketch.  He  is  at  present  cultivating  a  good  farm 
on  section  2,  and  is  making  a  signal  success  of  his 
calling.  He  is  the  son  of  Franklin  and  Polly  Mc- 
Neil, who  came  to  IMichigan  fifty-three  years  ago 


from  New  "idi  k  Stale.  They  settled  in  Calhoun 
County  on  coming  hither,  where  the  mother  died 
in  1839.  Mr.  McNeil  passed  away  in  Kalamazoo 
County  in  1846. 

The  parental  family  included  seven  children, 
only  two  of  whom  are  living.  One  son,  Living- 
ston McNeil,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and 
joined  Company  H,  Twelfth  Michigan  Infantry. 
He  died  while  in  the  service,  July  9,  1864,  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  leaving  a  wife  and  three  children.  He 
of  whom  we  write  was  born  June  19,  1824.  in 
Tioga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  fifteen  years  of  age 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Michigan.  He 
returned  the  same  year  to  the  Empire  State,  how- 
ever, where  he  continued  to  reside  for  the  five  suc- 
ceeding years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he  again 
took  up  his  abode  in  the  new  State,  and  for  two 
years  worked  on  a  farm.  In  1846,  he  came  to 
Kalamazoo  County  and  made  settlement  on  section 
11,  Texas  Township.  He  soon  after  disposed  of 
that  tract  and  bought  on  section  2,  Porter  Town- 
shsip,Van  Buren  County,  which  is  his  present  farm 
and  which  has  been  his  home  since,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  and  a  half  years  spent  in  Nebraska. 
October  24,  1847,  our  subject  was  married  to 
Miss  Alvira  Beebe,  a  native  of  Madison  County, 
N.  Y.  Her  parents  came  to  the  Wolverine  State  in 
1846,  where  the  father  died.  The  family  then  re- 
turned to  New  York,  but  a  few  years  later  again 
made  their  home  in  this  State.  Mrs.  McNeil  was 
born  February  28,  1826,  and  received  a  good  edu- 
cation in  her  native  State.  She  has  become  the 
mother  of  five  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Arvilla,  who  is  the  wife  of  Hiram  Wood,  lives 
in  Nebraska  and  has  five  children;  Irene  (Mrs. 
Charles  Morrison),  lives  on  section  11,  Porter 
Township,  and  has  two  children.  The  three  de- 
ceased children  are  Electa,  Mrs.  Wood,  who  left  a 
family  of  two  children;  Mrs.  Amada  Douglas,  who 
left  two  children,  and  Mrs.  F.  Frank. 

Mr.  IMcNeil  has  forty  acres  of  land,  twenty-two 
of  which  are  under  excellent  cultivation.  He  is 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  has  his  place 
stocked  with  good  grades  of  cattle  and  horses.  He 
enlisted,  September  17,  1861,  in  company  C,  Third 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and  was  made  Sergeant  of  his 
regiment,  which  was  organized  at  Grand    Rapids. 


ru6 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


They  were  sent  to  St.  Louis,  where  oiir  subject  was 
taken  sick  with  the  er.vsii)elas.  lie  was  sent  to  the 
Good  Samaritan  Hospital,  and  in  April  was  sent 
home  on  a  furloiiirli.  Hcfore  he  was  entirely  well, 
he  was  ordered  to  report  to  Col.  .1.  R.  Smith  at 
Detroit  and  was  kept  on  diitv  there  until  Oetober, 
1!<G2.  Then  joininjr  his  regiment,  he  parlicii)atcd 
in  the  following  battles:  Corinth,  Van  Dorn  and 
CofTeevillc.  They  llien  went  to  Jackson,  Tenn., 
and  from  there  to  Corinth  and  La  Grange.  His  term 
of  service  then  expiring,  he  re-enlisted  but  was  re- 
fused on  account  of  dis;ibility.  He  was  niiislered 
out,  October  21,  lHGl,at  Ihownsvillc  Station,  Ark. 
He  has  been  troubled  ever  since  the  war  with  lieart 
dise.ase.  Socially,  lie  is  a  member  of  the  (!r:ind 
Army  Post  at  Lawton.  and  in  politics  is  a  Repul)- 
lican.  He  lias  been  lioiiiired  with  many  of  the 
township  ollices,  but  i)refcrs  to  give  his  lime  and 
attention  to  his  farm  duties.  Mr.  McNeil's  lirst 
farming  operations  consisted  ^)f  plowing  eleven 
liundred  iicres  of  new  land,  using  seven  o,\eu 
hitched  to  one  plow.  He  was  thus  employed  for 
nine  \'eais. 


1© 


.V.MKS  K.  FKHCrSON,  M.  1).  .Vinoiig  the 
many  excellent  iihysieiaiis  of  liangor,  tiiis 
gentleman  holds  a  proininent  position,  and 
being  thoroughly  (|uaiilicd  in  his  ])rofession 
and  holding  tiie  conlidence  of  the  people,  he  has  a 
liicrnlive  practice  and  is  considered  one  of  the 
leading  men  in  the  medical  fraternity.  He  is  a 
iialiveof  .New  York,  iieiiig  born  in  ( )iieida  County 
ill  1M2I.  He  w:i.s  leaieil  by  his  uncle,  Oliver 
lhew>ter,  at  St.  Lawrence  and  lommeiiced  reading 
iiiedieiiie  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old.  At  the 
age  of  eighl<?en,  he  entered  Governeur  Academy  in 
New  York,  afterward  beeoming  a  student  jil  Pliila- 
delpliift  .Medical  College,  and  also  at  tlie  .lelTeisoii 
.Mi-d leal  College  of  the  same  pjaii'.  \\<-  :j|i|ili(<| 
liiiiiself  with  great  diligence  to  his  studies  and 
aeipijred  liolh  an  exeelhuit  Kiiglish  educ.-ilion  and 
n  tlioroiigli  training  in  the  medical  schools. 

Dr.  Ferguson  eimies  of  an  excellent  fjimily  and 
eaii  Iraee  his  ancestry  back  to  the  Old  ('omilrv, 
fi'oiii  whieh  oi fllie   family,    Williaiii    Lrewsler, 


came  over  with  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  in  the  "May- 
flower." For  his  parental  family,  see  sketch  of  E. 
B.  Ferguson  in  another  jiart  of    this   volunie. 

Dr.  Ferguson  was  married,  in  lHo3,  to  Mary  K.. 
daughter  of  Hiram  Doolittle,  of  Jefferson  County, 
N.  Y'.,  she  being  also  a  descendant  of  the  Brewster 
family.  Mrs.  Ferguson  died  in  1871,  after  iiaviiig 
become  the  mother  cf  thite  children,  all  of  whom 
are  deceased.  The  Doctor  took  for  ids  second 
wife  Miss  Carrie  M.  Tood,  whom  he  married  in 
Bangor.  Dr.  Ferguson  after  completing  liis  med- 
ical education  located  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  practiced  for  fourteen  years.  Then,  like 
many  others,  seeing  the  advantages  offered  in  llie 
wider  field  of  the  "Western  Stales,  he  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  1866,  settling  in  Bangor,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  Here  he  has  become  a  |)o|)iilar  and 
successful  physician  and  has  built  u\)  a  lucrative 
[iractice.  Politically,  he  is  an  earnest  Republican 
and  works  for  the  interest  of  his  (larty,  believing 
it  to  represent  the  correct  views  of  National  (oiv- 
erninent.  As  an  evidence  of  tiie  esteem  in  which 
he  is  held  by  his  fellow-citizens,  it  may  be  stated 
that  ill  1876  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature 
and  re-elected  in  1878.  During  iiis  term  of  service, 
he  held  an  lionoral)le  place  in  llie  councils  of 
that  body  and  w.as  foremost  in  .'idvoeatiiig  all 
schemes  which  would  tend  to  u()l)uild  his  county 
and  Stale.  Socially,  Dr.  Ferguson  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  fiaternily  and  is  considered  one  of  llu' 
sulislanlial  men  of  the  eominunilv. 


//f 


^^Ss  HAl'Nt  hi  Wish,  a  reined  lariner,  and  one 
I (  ^-^  of  the  inlluential  men  of  I'lne  (Jrove  Mills, 
^^ii/'  \'nii  llurcii  County,  lias  lieeii  (|uite  iiislru- 
iiieiilal  in  the  advanceiuenl  of  the  lowiiship  and 
town.  He  was  born  November  28,  1825,  in  Onon- 
daga Couiily,  N.  \.  'I'lie  I'Mllirr  was  |):i\iil  Wise, 
.'I  native  of  New  York,  having  been  born  in  1801. 
His  inolher  was  Calheiiiie  (Young)  Wise,  ;i  native 
of  New  ^'o^li  stale,  born  in  18(1(1.  'I'liey  were  in.'ir- 
ried  in  their  native  Stale,  and  the  lallier  followed 
the  trade  of  a  laniier,  and  also  h'.'irned  llielrade  of 
a  carpenter  and  joiiie,-.      lie  reiiio\('<l  his  faiiiil^   to 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


707 


Mie'iigfin  in  1852,  and  bought  an  interest  in  asaw- 
niill  at  old  Pine  Grove.  lie  subsequently  sold  out 
and  returned  to  K.alamazoo,  and  built  a  sash  and 
blind  fjictory.  After  running  this  a  year,  he  sold 
out  and  returned  to  New  York  State,  and  after 
three  years'  time  came  back  to  Michigan.  He  died 
in  1883,  and  his  good  wife  and  helpmate  some 
years  previous,  in  1868.  The  father  was  a  second 
time  married,  but  had  no  children,  by  the  latter 
marriage.  Our  subject  is  one  of  eight  children, 
being  the  second-born.  The  father  began  life  a 
]ioor  man,  but  at  his  deatli  was  worth  ^=7.5,000. 

Our  subject  received  a  district-school  education, 
and  remained  with  lus  father  until  reaching  his  ma- 
jority. He  learned  the  carpenter  and  joiner's 
trade,  and  worked  with  his  father  for  years  after 
becoming  of  age.  In  1853,  our  subject  came  to 
IMichigan  and  bought  an  interest  In  the  old  Pine 
Grove  Mill  along  witli  his  father  and  D.  O.  Ever- 
est. He  was  interested  in  this  business  until  1876, 
and  during  that  time  lie  lost  two  mills  by  fire. 
The  milling  property  was  removed  to  its  present 
site  in  1872.  Mr.  Wise  still  retains  an  interest 
in  it,  but  has  retired  from  all  active  labor.  He 
has  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  of  his  own,  and 
one  of  four  hundred  acres  in  connection  with  D. 
O.  Everest.  In  the  latter  they  have  one  hundred 
acres  under  cultivation,  which  is  under  our  sub- 
ject's supervision.  The  three  hundred  acres  which 
have  been  mentioned  lie  in  the  southern  part 
of  Pine  Grove  Township,  two  hundred  under  the 
plow,  and  personally  superintended  by  Mr.  Wise. 
He  began  very  poor,  hut  has  earned  all  that  he 
now  owns. 

Mr.  Wise  was  married,  September  14,  1876,  to 
Mary  E.  Brown,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  born 
in  1835.  Mrs.  Wise  is  a  daughter  of  William 
Brown,  of  New  York.  Their  home  has  not  been 
blessed  I\v  any  chililren  of  their  own,  but  tliey  have 
taken  a  little  girl  to  rear.  The  present  residence  of 
our  subject  was  erected  in  1885,  at  a  cost  of  S2,000. 
He  helped  to  lay  out  Pine  Grove  Mills.  He  platted 
the  land,  l)uilt  a  store,  a  mill,  and  a  large  i)art  of 
the  depot  and  also  a  residence.  He  at  first  oper- 
ated a  store  here.  Mrs.  Wise  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Cliurch  at  Gobleville,  and  Mr.  Wise  has 
been  a  Director  of  the  schools  here.     He  is  a  mem- 


ber of  the  Masonic  order,  and  has  been  Secretary 
for  thirteen  years.  In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Dem- 
ocrat, and  has  been  both  Supervisor  and  Road  Com- 
missioner of  this  township.  He  and  his  estimable 
wife  are  commanding  the  esteem  and  respect  of 
the  entire  communitv. 


5o" 


:in 
ich 
om 


I^^^OLK   A.  WOOD,  of  Bangor  Townshi|),  V:i 
J)  Buren  County,  w.as  born  on  tiie  farm  whit 

■^  his  father  first  settled  in  the  township  fro 
I  \  the  Government,  in  1845,  and  is  one  in  a 
family  of  five  children:  Daniel,  who  died  during 
the  war,  having  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Third 
Michigan  Infantry,  September.  1861, coming  home 
in  the  Sluing  of  1862;  Harriet,  wife  of  John 
P.  Goss,  of  this  townshi[);  Polk  and  Dallas,  twins; 
and  Maria,  now  the  wife  of  Hiram  Baker,  of  Ore- 
gon. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Mason  Wood,  was 
born  in  Stratford,  N.  Y.,  in  1802,  and  came 
to  Michigan  about  the  year  1835,  locating  in 
.Jackson  County',  where  he  met  and  married  Miss 
Adeline  Mason,  who  was  also  a  native  of  New 
York  State,  but  was  born  in  Onondaga  County,  in 
1812.  They  came  to  Van  Buren  County  in  1839, 
when  the  county  was  nothing  but  a  wilderness, 
with  but  ver}'  few  settlers,  and  they  were  faraway. 
They  settled  down  in  good  old  pioneer  stjle,  and 
had  to  cut  a  road  through  the  woods  for  four  miles 
ill  order  to  get  to  the  farm.  He  succeeded  in  clear- 
ing thirty-five  or  forty  acres  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  the  early  part  of  1853.  He  had 
ten  l)rothers  and  sisters,  and  himself  and  a  brother, 
Brooks  Wood,  were  the  onl}^  ones  of  the  family  to 
come  to  this  country  to  live.  His  parents,  the 
grandparents  of  our  subject,  were  Isaac  and  Re- 
becca Wood. 

Our  subject  owns  an  excellent  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred fertile  .acres,  and  has  placed  uiioii  it  many 
valuable  and  substantial  improvements,  including 
a  fine  brick  residence;  which  he  erected  in  1885,  and 
some  splendid  outbuildings. 

Blr.  Wood  was  fortunate  in  his  choice  of  a  life 
companion,  winning  Miss  Ida  Burk,  daughter  of 
Philii)  Burk,  of  Berrien   County.     The   marriage 


708 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


rites  were  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the  bride,  in 
1871,ftnd  the  congenial  union  has  been  blessed  by 
the  birth  of  seven  childien.  They  are  named  ve- 
S|iectively:  Charlie,  Alfred,  Loren,  Clifton,  Frank, 
Morton  and  Harrison,  the  last  two  named  being 
twins.  This  gentleman  is  a  member  of  the  Hepub- 
liean  party,  and  is  steadfast  in  the  siijiport  of  the 
[•rineiplcs  in  which  he  tirmly  believes. 


RSK  MKURIMAN.  This  prominent  mem- 
liLT  uf  the  farming  community  owns  and 
ably  manages  a  finely  improved  farm  of 
_-^  one  hundred  and  ninety  broad  and  fertile 
acres  in  Bangor  Township,  \'an  Burcn  County. 
He  is  a  native  of  Portage  County,  Ohio,  where  his 
birth  took  place  in  1813,  being  the  youngest  in  a 
family  of  two  children,  and  the  only  one  living, 
his  sister  Artilissa  having  died  when  six  years  old. 
He  received  a  fair  education  in  his  native  county, 
passing  his  boyliood   days  upon  the  parental  farm. 

Bui-se  Merriman  came  to  this  Slate  and  county 
with  his  parents  in  1860,  and  located  on  section  10, 
Bangor  Townshiii,  the  same  section  on  wliicli  tiie 
old  homestead  now  stands.  In  the  spring  of  186.'), 
.Mr.  Merriman  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country 
in  Company  (!,  Fifteenth  Michigan  Infantry,  but 
was  in  no  active  service. 

March  6,  IHG'I,  the  rites  of  marriage  were  cele- 
brated between  our  subject  and  Mi>s  Bulsey  K. 
Branch.  The  bride  w.asborn  March  17.  lull,  in  a 
family  of  niu<'  chililri'U,  live  suns  and  four  daugh- 
ters. Her  parents,  Nrael  and  Betsey  (luman) 
Branch,  were  natives  of  N'ermout  and  Ixhode  Is- 
land, ri-spectively.  The  father  was  born  in  17!(7, 
and  was  a  son  of  \'inc  Branch,  who  w.as  a  native 
of  Connecticut.  Israel  Ihaiidi  came  In  Michigan 
when  it  was  yet  n  Territory  in  lH.'J.>,and  here  lived 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
.June,  lK7.t. 

Foui' cliilibcn  have  been  the  rcMilt  of  the  mar- 
riage of  our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife,  three 
«if  whom  still  survive:  Ihis.Hell,  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation; Frank,  also  a  farmer;  and  .Minnie,  wife  of 
\\  llliam  llaynes,  who  is  eng.-igeil  in  farmin!^.  They 
are  .'ill  re.sidenl.s  of   Bangor  'I'ownship.     The   par- 


ents of  our  subject  were  Ilarlans  and  Nancy  N. 
(Doolittle)  Merriman,  the  former  bom  in  Portage 
County,  Ohio,  in  1820.  and  the  latter  in  Connecti- 
cut. Ilarlans  Merriman  was  one  in  a  family  of  six 
children  born  to  Elikem  and  Hannah  (Russell) 
^lerriman,  both  natives  of  Connecticut,  and  on 
both  sides  the}'  trace  their  ancestry  back  to  the 
"JIayflower"  in  1620.  This  gentleman,  in  con nec- 
j  tion  with  his  father,  is  the  possessor  of  a  linely  cul- 
tivated farm  which  they  carry  on  industriously, 
showing  their  good  judgment,  sagaciousness  and 
thrift. 

In  jiolitics,  Mr.  Meninian  is  a  stanch  Repuli- 
lican,  and  has  been  elected  by  his  fellow-citizens 
to  the  position  of  Drainage  Commissioner  in  1880 
and  1881,  and  served  as  Highway  Commissioner 
six  years.  He  is  still  performing  faithfully  the 
duties  of  the  above  office. 


^^ 


'if/oUX  BENNE'rr,  who  is  eng.aged  in  general 
farming  on  secticm  80,  Hamilton  Townsliip, 
y-AU  Buren  County,  has  the  honor  t)f  being 
one  of  ^lichigan's  native  citizens.  He  was 
born  in  Washtenaw  County,  November  17.  1831, 
and  is  ii  son  of  George  Bennett,  who  w;is. born  Sep- 
tember 16,  1811,  .and  in  182  1,  removed  to  Wash- 
tenaw County  with  his  parents,  where  on  Octo- 
ber 24,  1830,  ho  married  Eliza  Barnc^'.  Five 
years  later,  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  he 
went  to  Unndilla,  where  six  cliildren  were  born, 
and,  ill  1816,  they  located  on  a  farm  in  llamilliui 
T<iwiisliip,  N'.aii  liurcii  County,  where  the  fam- 
ily circle  w.as  comi)leted  liy  the  liirtli  uf  the 
ninth  child.  Their  removal  tu  tlie  village  uf  Deca- 
tur uccuri'cd  in  1855,  and  Mr.  Bennett  followed 
various  jHirsuits,  including  farming,  grain  Imying, 
railroading  and  mason  work.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  in  which  he  served 
as  Cl.ass-Icader  fur  a  munlieruf  years,  was  a  Repub- 
licau  in  politics,  served  as  .lust ice  of  the  Peace  for  a 
nuinlier  of  years,  and  as  Treasurer  of  Decatur  Town- 
ship, and  was  a  meinlier  uf  the  Masonic  frMliinity. 
His  death  occurred,  .\iigusl  25,  I81M).  His  wife 
passed  .away  on  the  23d  uf  April,  I  88',l. 

riic  iiiairiage  of  our    subject   was    celeliratcil  uii 


rORTRAlT  AND  BlOGltAl'IllCAL  llECORD. 


ro9 


his  twenty-fii'st  birtliday,  wlioii  he  wedded  Lucy 
i\I.  Millnrd,  who  was  lioiii  in  Lyme,  Conn.,  March 
.'ill,  1830,  and  is  a  ilaui>hU'r  of  Culver  and  Lucy 
Millard.  The  followiiii;  spring  they  came  to  thi.s 
county,  locating  in  Decatur  Townshiii,  where  tliey 
made  their  home  until  August,  1865.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1862,  Mr.  Iicnnctt  left  his  home  to  join  the 
FdiM'th  Michigan  Cavalry.  He  served  under  (Jens. 
IJosecrans  and  Thomas,  and,  during  the  Atlanta 
cam|)aign,  was  captured  and  held  for  three  months 
in  Andcrsonville  Pi'ison,  and  two  months  at  Flor- 
ence, S.  C., after  which  he  was  exchanged  and  re- 
turned to  his  regiment.  For  meritorious  conduct 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Second  Lieuten- 
ant. He  was  in  command  of  Company  F,  Fourth 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and  [jarticipated  in  the  capture 
of  Jeff  Davis,  receiving  *!»76  of  the -1<1 00,00(1  re- 
ward which  was  offered  for  the  capture  of  the 
reliel  President. 

In  her  childhood,  Mrs.  Bennett  went  through 
man}'  of  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer 
life.  Her  parents  came  to  Michigan  in  18.37,  and 
the  following  year  Mr.  Millard  died,  leaving  his 
wife  with  a  family-  of  children  depending  upon  her 
for  support.  She  had  been  reared  in  a  city  in 
easy  circumstances,  and  was  illy  fitted  to  cope 
with  the  difticulties  of  the  frontier.  On  one  occa- 
sion the  gristmill  was  broken  and  she  had  no 
bread  in  the  house,  and  not  an  ounce  of  Hour 
could  be  obtained  in  the  neighborhood.  Finally 
she  thought  of  the  coffee  mill,  and  in  it  ground 
sullicient  meal  to  make  some  bread  and  keep  her 
children  from  starving.  The  first  Sabbath  scliool 
in  the  township  was  held  at  her  home,  the  pupils 
being  her  own  and  the  neighbors'  children.  The 
nearest  market  was  miles  away,  but  game  was  in 
abundance,  and  could  be  obtained,  and  thus  the 
otherwise  .scant}-  larder  was  replenished.  Mrs  Mil- 
lard was  a  devoted  christian  woman  and  had  the 
love  of  all  who  knew  her.  She  died  at  the  home 
of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Bennett,  Feljruary  19,  1872, 
in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  her  age. 

Mr.  Bennett  has  a  good  farm  of  forty  acres,  all 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  well  im- 
proved with  substantial  buildings.  He  is  engaged  in 
the  breeding  of  Hainbletonian  horses  and  Jersey 
cattle,  in    connection    with    the  raising   of  grains. 


His  residence  was  built  by  himself,and  is  a  commo- 
dious and  comfortable  dwi'lling.  Mrs.  Bennett, 
who  is  a  great  lovci-  of  llowers,  has  a  fine  conserva- 
tory, in  which  arc  man}' beautiful  plants  of  bloom- 
ing varieties.  This  worth}'  cou|)U^  are  widely  and 
favorably  known  throughout  the  cxjmmunity,  and 
in  social  circles  rank  high.  They  have  no  chil- 
dren of  their  own  liut  have  legally  adopted  two 
children:  Annie  and  Willie.  Sociall}',  Mr.  Ben- 
nett is  a  memlwi-  of  Burnside  Post,  (i.  A.  !{..  of 
Decatur,  and  also  lielongs  to  the  (irange,  in  which 
he  has  held  all  the  ollices  except  secretary.  He  ex- 
ercises his  right  of  franchise  in  the  support  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  has  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  of  the  township  for  ten  years. 


1?  SAAC  S.  DEAVEY,  who  owns  and  operates  a 
I  ;  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-six 
jl\  acres  on  section  .34,  Decatur  Townshij),  \an 
Buren  County,  has  there  resided  for  the  past  ten 
years.  He  was  born  in  Lenawee  County,  Mich., 
April  8,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  honored 
pioneers  of  the  State.  His  grandfather,  Simeon 
Dewey,  was  born  in  Hanover,  N.  H.,  October  7, 
1784,  and  on  the  22d  of  June,  1806,  there  married 
Miss  pjlizabeth  Knights,  a  native  of  Massachusetts. 
He  afterwards  removed  to  Canada,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  hotel-keeping  and  also  ran  a  stage,  but 
returned  to  this  country  in  1812,  on  account  of 
the  war.  Locating  m  Exeter,  N.  H.,  he  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  plows  and  subsequently 
went  to  Concord,  where  he  resided  until  1823. 
He  then  spent  a  short  time  in  Hanover,  after  which 
he  eng.aged  in  hotel-keeping  in  Buffalo  until  182'J, 
when  he  came  to  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  locat- 
ing in  Lenawee  County,  which  was  then  an  almost 
unbroken  wilderness.  He  there  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days,  his  death  occurring  April  1, 
1863.  His  family  numbered  foiu'  sons  and  four 
daughters,  of  whom  two  died  in  infancy. 

Francis  A.  Dewey,  father  of  our  subject,  was 
second  in  order  of  birth.  He  was  born  in  Canada, 
February  25,  1811,  and  wedded  Mary  Smith,  a  na- 
tive of   Paris,  N.   Y.,  October   25,  1836.     He  fii-st 


710 


PORTRAIT  AND  P.IOORAPfflCAL  RECORD. 


came  to  Mii-liiiran  in  l.s;!2.  locating  in  l.cn:i\\ci- 
County,  wliorc  lie  is  yet  engaged  in  faiininij-.  His 
wife  died  in  1854,  leaving  six  children,  of  wliom 
five  are  yet  living:  Oeorge.  a  farmer  of  Lenawee 
County;  .lulin  wlio  opei-ates  tlie  old  homestead; 
Albert,  a  farmer  in  Lenawee  County;  Fi-ank,  who 
is  engaged  in  tiie  paving  Inisiness  in  Alpena,  and 
Isaac,  our  .--ultjcet.  Jane,  tiie  eldest,  died  at  the 
age  of  eighteen.  In  1855,  the  father  was  again 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Maria  Iloxie, 
a  native  of  New  York,  who  at  tlie  time  of  iier  mar- 
riage resided  in  Adrian,  Mich.  She  died  in  1865, 
and  the  following  year  he  married  Harriet  Smith, 
a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  I'nto  them  were  born 
three  children:  Mary  .1.,  wife  of  L.  Keeney,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wire  fence  in  Des 
Moines;  L.  II.,  who  is  connected  wilii  the  botani- 
cal deiiartinenl  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute  in 
W.ashington.  D.  C,  and  Irving  A.,  an  agnoiiltiirist 
of  Lenawee  County. 

Francis  Dewe}',  who  died  February  17,  1892,  w.ns 
one  of  the  honored  and  well-known  pioneers  of 
Michigan  and  li.as  written  much  of  the  early  history 
of  the  State.  He  was  President  of  tlie  State  Pio- 
neer Society  also  of  the  Pioneer  Society  of  Lena- 
wee County,  and  served  as  a  Drum  Major  during 
the  Black  Hawk  War.  For  a  numlier  of  years 
he  filled  the  oflice  of  .Tiistice  of  the  Peace.  He 
w.as  a  member  of  the  Kpiscopal  Cliiirch  and  one 
of  the  valued  citizens  of  the  coiniiumily  whom  all 
esteemed. 

Is.aac  Dewey,  whose  name  heads  this  record,  be- 
gan life  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty  one,  fol- 
lowing the  occupation  of  farming  to  which  he  was 
reared.  On  the  lib  of  April.  1872,  he  married 
Kllen  Kedlield,  daughter  of  Franklin  Redfield, 
a  prominent  agriculturist  of  Woodstock,  Mich., 
and  also  an  oculist  who  engaged  in  the  |iiaclice 
of  lli.'it  science  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Dewey  continued  farming  in  his  native  county 
until  1882,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  took 
up  hi.i  residence  upon  his  present  faiui.  'I'hi'  lioiiic 
of  himself  and  n\(r  has  been  bles.icd  willi  four 
children:  Fred  II..  hdiii  August  I,  |87.'t;  N'cdah 
M.,  born  .luly  7,  IM7(!;  Li/./ie,  born  September  !l, 
1880,  and  Leroy,  born  Noveuuier  8,  1H82. 

.Mr.  Dewey  is  an  enlerprising  and  successful  agri- 


culturist. His  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-six 
acres  is  now  under  a  high  stale  of  cultivation  and 
its  many  improvements  stand  as  monuments  to  his 
thrift  and  industry.  Tn  connection  with  farming 
and  stock-raising,  he  eng.ages  in  fruit  growing 
and  has  an  orchard  of  one  thousand  peach  trees 
and  expects  soon  to  plant  as  many  more.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Prohibitionist,  h.as  served  .as  Treasurer 
of  his  township  in  Lenawee  County,  and  has  been 
School  Moderator  and  Assessor  of  the  school  dis- 
trict since  he  located  here.  He  does  all  in  his 
power  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  part.y,  being 
a  stanch  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  He 
belongs  to  the  Farmers'  Alliance  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Decatur,  to  the  sup- 
port of  which  he  contributes  liberally,  while  in  its 
work  he  takes  an  active  part.  He  has  served  as 
Sunday-school  Superintendent.  His  life  is  in  har- 
mony with  his  professions  and  his  upright  career 
has  brought  him  prosperity  and  won  many  friends. 


-^^^l 


H^ 


■@|^|^ 


RLEY  MASON  ^AUOIIAN,  M.  D..  is  a 
prominent  physician  and  surgeon,  located  in 
y^^  Covert,  Van  Buren  County.  He  was  born 
in  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.,on  September  21,  1853,  being 
a  son  of  Robert  W.  and  Eliza  Jane  (Hatch)  ^'augh• 
!in,  natives,  respectively,  of  Ft.  Ann,  N.  Y.,  and 
Oarrettsville,  Ohio.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  born  on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  until  he  was 
thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  the  farm  ami 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  When  he  was 
about  twenty  years  old,  he  went  to  AVisconsin  and 
w.as  engaged  for  a  few  years  at  Oshkosh,-  and  on 
the  Fox  River  in  the  lumber  trade.  Soon  after  his 
marriage,  he  returned  to  New  York,  .and  in  a  short 
time  removed  to  Indiana,  locating  in  (loshcii. 
where  he  remained  a  few  years  and  then  moved  on 
a  farm  near  South  Bend,  In  tlir  spi'ing  of  1871, 
he  moved  to  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  wlicro  lie  re- 
mained until  .lami.'iry,  1872;  he  Ihcii  moved  on  a 
farm  near  Ibnlford,  Mich.,  where  he  icsided  until 
1882,  when  he  moved  into  the  village  of  Hartford 
where  he  and  his  wife  are  now  residing.  Of  the 
live  children  born  to  this  cf)Ui)le,  three  grew  to 
mntnrity:       Emily   ('.,    now    n'sidiiig  in  Hartford; 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


■| 


Klla  ('.,n()wMrs.  Tliomas  Cartel-,  of  Liviii<>'.s1:oii, 
Mont.;  luul  our  suhjeot,  who  is  tlic  eldest  of  tlie 
family. 

Dr.  N'.'uisli.aii  was  an  infant  when  his  fafiier 
moved  to  Indiana.  As  he  grew  older,  he  was  fully 
imitated  into  the  mysteries  of  all  kinds  of  haid 
work,  required  in  elearint;'  and  cultivating  a  new 
farm,  lie  gained  his  early  education  in  the  dis- 
trict school,  which  he  usually  attended  three  or 
four  months  in  each  >'ear,  during  the  winter  sea- 
son. On  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Kalamazoo, 
he  studied  a  year  in  Kalamazoo  College.  In  1874 
and  ISTT),  he  was  assistant  Postmaster  at  Paw  Paw, 
Mich.  In  the  spring  of  1S7G,  he  eoninieneed  the 
study  of  medicine  at  Paw  Paw,  with  the  late 
.losiah  Andi'ews,  M.  D.  In  the  fall  of  1876,  he  en- 
tered the  Northwestern  University  Medical  C'ol- 
lege,  (then  known  as  the  Chicago  Medical  College), 
hut  in  a  few  months,  owing  to  a  severe  sickness, 
he  was  obliged  to  give  up  his  studies.  In  the  fall 
of  1878,  he  had  so  far  regained  his  health  that  he 
again  entered  the  same  college,  and,  after  taking  a 
full  course  of  three  yeais,  w.as  graduated  in  the 
Cl.asst)f  '81.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  Bangor,  Blich.,  from  which  place  he 
moved  to  Covert  in  Julj-,  1883,  where  he  has 
since  resided. 

Dr.  ^'aughan  was  married  in  the  spiing  of  1883 
to  Miss  Mary  Pitts,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Julia  (Oliver)  Pitts,  and  who  was  born  in  Pontiac, 
Mich.,  on  October  6,  1851.  They  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  Orley  Mason,  born  May  15. 
1884;  Willard  Robert,  July  14,  1887;  Lepha  Pell, 
March  15,  1889. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Vaughan  is  a  Democrat,  and  al- 
though three-fourths  of  the  voters  in  Covert  .arc 
Re|)ublicans,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Town- 
ship Hoard  during  the  p.ast  seven  years.  He  was 
Postmaster  at  Covert  from  August,  1884  to  August, 
1888.  He  tiikes  great  interest  in  school  matters 
and  h.as  been  Director  of  the  Covert  graded 
school  for  several  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1883,  Dr.  Vaughan  opened  a  drug 
store  in  Covert,  which  he  man.aged  suecessfullj-  for 
seven  years.  In  1887,  he  purchased  a  printing  plant 
and  establised  The  Covert  Medical  News,  which 
he  continued  to  publish  for  three  years.     In    1890, 


he  sold  his  drugstore,  printing  ollice  and  medical 
journal.  For  IJie  past  two  years  he  has  devoted 
nearly  all  his  time  to  the  practice  of  medicine.  He 
deals  largely  in  real  estate,  being  now  the;  owner 
of  o\ei'  live  hundred  acres  of  land  besides  consider- 
able vilL'ige  property. 

Dr.  Vaughan  is  a  mem()er  of  the  American  Med- 
ical Association,  the  Michigan  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, the  Kalamazoo  Academ}'  of  Medicine, 
and  the  Van  Puren  County  Medical  .Society. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  the  Subordinate 
Lodge,  the  Kncam|iment,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  State  of  Michigan.  He  is  a  memlier  of  the 
lodge  of  Master  Masons,  located  at  Bcangor,  Mich., 
and  a  memberof  the  lodge  of  Royal  Arch  M.asons, 
located  at  South  Haven,  Mich. 

Dr.  Vaughan  possesses  a  large  amount  of  general 
information  and  keeps  fully  abre.ast  of  the  times. 
He  has  quite  a  reputation  .as  a  surgeon  and  is  held  in 
esteem  Iw  neighboring  iihysicians,  as  well  as  by 
the  people  in  his  community.  He  w.as  a  poor  man 
when  he  located  in  Covert,  but,  by  hard  work  and 
close  attention  to  business,  h.as  succeeded  in  .ac- 
quiring a  comfortable  fortune. 


^ILLIAM  VIVIAN  ROSEWARNE  is  the 
owner  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  .acres  tif 
fine  land  situated  in  Van  I'uren  and 
Cass  Counties.  His  residence,  however,  is  located 
in  section  2,  Volinia  Township,  of  the  latter 
county.  He  is  one  of  the  widel}'  and  favorably 
known  citizens  of  the  coraraunity,  and  it  is  with 
pleasure  we  present  his  sketch  to  our  readers.  A 
native  of  England,  he  was  born  in  Cornwall,  April 
21,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Nancy  (\\- 
vian)  Rosewarne,  both  of  whom  came  from  very 
old  and  very  large  families  of  Cornwall.  Bidding 
good-by  to  their  old  home,  they  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1848,  locating  in  Can.andaigua,  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  followed  farming. 
His  first  wife  died,  after  which  he  married  Pru- 
dence Carbis.  also  a  native  of  Cornwall.  Two 
children  were  horn  of  the  first  union:  James,  who 
died  at  the  .age  of  twelve  j-ears,  and  William.     By 


712 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


the  second  marriage  four  diildren  were  born:  Pru- 
dence, wUo  still  resides  at  Cuiinndaigua.  N.  V.;  Kl- 
ien.now  deceased;  Kleauor,  a  resident  of  Canandai- 
gua;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Jolin  Crawley,  of  the 
same  county;  and  Marj-,  widow  of  Holmes  Ander- 
son, who  resides  with  her  sister  Prudence.  The  father 
of  this  family  w:is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. He  died  in  New  York  about  1876,  and  the 
death  of  his  second  wife  occurred  in  1851. 

The  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  W.  V. 
Rosewarne  spent  in  his  native  laud,  but  in  1817, 
he  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  Now 
World,  and  crossed  the  briny  deep  to  the  United 
.States.  He  made  his  first  location  in  Ontario 
County,  where  lie  engaged  in  farming  for  a  short 
time,  and  then  came  to  Michigan,  settling  in  Niles. 
Purchasing  a  team,  he  was  employed  on  the  build- 
ing of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  and  contin- 
ued to  pursue  that  occupation  until  the  road  was 
built  across  the  river,  when  he  went  to  Milton,  Cass 
County,  and  rented  the  farm  of  R.  N.  Hicks, 
which  he  continued  to  operate  until  his  marriage 
in  the  autumn  of  1852.  The  lady  who  became 
his  wife  was  Miss  Martha  Morris,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Morris,  the  jiionecr  settler  of  ^'an  lUiroii 
Count}'.  The  young  couple  began  their  domestic 
life  on  a  farm  in  Decatur  Townsliip.  It  conii)ris('d 
three  hundred  and  eight  acres,  and  in  it  his  wife 
owned  an  eighth  interest.  Aftera  number  of  years, 
his  tinancial  resources  linving  increased,  Mr.  Rose- 
warne lioiight  the  land,  and  his  possessions  now 
aggregate  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  one  hun- 
dred of  which  arc  located  in  \'oliiiia  Township, 
Ca-ss  County,  and  the  remainder  in  Decatur  Town- 
ship. Of  the  farm,  one  hundred  acres  is  timber 
land,  while  (he  rcinninder  is  und(M'  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  .-inrl  ihcic  is  no  liner  farm  on  Little 
Komli'  Prairie,  than  that  which  our  subject  owns, 
lie  is  now  living  a  p.'irti.'illy  retired  life,  rcsling 
after  many  years  of  toil. 

I'lilo  .Mr.  and  Mi's.  Rosewarne  were  born  se\'en 
children,  six  of  whom  are  yet  living.  The  boy, 
\'iviaii,  died  in  |H57,  at  the  .age  of  four  ye.'irs; 
.Mary  is  Ihe  wife  of  George  Kern,  of  Decaliir; 
Charles  married  llatlie  Hough,  .'ind  their  home  is 
in  \'olinia  Township;  l.ilije,  a  grailuate  of  Ann 
Arlmr   I'liiver^ily.  i.s    now  rrineipal    of  the    lli;>h 


School  in  Paw  Paw;  Frank  married  Lillie  Wickett, 
and  operates  his  father's  farm  in  Decatur  Town- 
sliip; Kittie  was  a  student  in  the  High  School  of  De- 
catur, but  is  now  keeping  house  for  her  father; 
and  C.1SS  resides  on  the  old  homestead. 

Since  becoming  a  voter,  Mr.  Rosewarne  has  sup- 
ported the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  stanch  advo- 
cate of  its  principles,  but  has  never  sought  or  de- 
sired ]iublic  ollice  for  himself.  He  jircfers  rather 
to  give  his  attention  to  his  business,  and  his  career 
has  been  a  prosjierous  one.  lly  enterprise  and  de- 
tciininatiC)n,  he  has  overcome  the  obstacles  in  his 
l>atli,  and  worked  his  way  upward  to  a  position  of 
afHuence.  He  h.as  now  been  a  resident  of  this 
coninuinity  for  fifty  years,  and  is  numbered  among 
the  valued  citizens.  Mr.  Rosewarnc's  wife  died 
December  12,  1872. 


\It,     IRAM    P.  .SIMMONS,    who    is  residing    in 

liT  )j,  Lawrence,  was  born  in  Livingston  County, 

'ky^''   N.  Y..  September  15,  1.S21.     Ho  is  the  son 

-vS?     of  Philip  and    ICIsie  (Hicks)  Simmons,  liotli 

natives  of   New  York.     The    father    followed    llic 

occupation  of  a  farmer  and  lived  and  died  in  his 

native  State.     Our  suliject  w.as  given   luit  limited 

advantages  for  an  education,  and  after  his  fatiicr"s 

death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  fourteen  years 

of  age,  he  w,as  thrown  ui)on  his  own  iest)urces.    lie 

worked  out  liy  the  day,  and   on   reaching   liis   nia- 

jority  had  saved  alxuit  ^'M)0. 

Hiram  P.  Simmons  was  married,  February  25, 
1840,  to  Miss  Lydia  Olcott,  of  Ni.agara  Couiily, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  Simmons  bought  a  small  tract  of  land 
in  that  county,  and,  routing  other  |)roperly,  en- 
gaged in  farming.  Seven  children  have  been 
granted  them,  the  lliree  oldest  being  born  m  Niag- 
ara County.  Albert  owns  one  Inindred  and  twt'iily 
acres  of  land  in  Lawrence  Township,  \iiii  Huron 
County,  is  married,  and  has  thioe  children;  .lonnie 
inarried  Amos  Cole,  a  farmer,  has  two  childron 
and  resides  in  Hartford;  Adelbert  is  also  ji  farmer 
in  Lawrence  Township,  where  he  owns  lifly-seven 
acres  of  land;  he  is  married  and  has  two  ehildi-en. 
In  1855,  our  subject  emigrated   from    Now  'I'm  k 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIHCAL   RECORD. 


713 


to  this  Stale,  and,  l(M'!itiii<>'  in  Lawrciu:!;,  \aii  IJiiicn 
Comity,  licj>aii  woi'king  at  the  cai'in-iitcr's  trade, 
whicli  he  has  foUowed  for  a  luiinher  of  years.  He 
soon,  however,  purcliased  ten  acres  of  land  in 
Lawrence,  which  lie  later  traded  for  iiis  [iresent 
farm  in  Lawrence  Township.  Four  (children  have 
been  horn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simmons  since  locating 
here,  who  hear  the  respective  names  of  Josephine, 
Alice,  Frank  and  Walter.  .Josephine  was  married 
to  Byron  Ostrander,  March  13,  1884.  lie  was  a 
carpenter  by  trade  and  was  born  in  Orleans  Count}', 
N.  Y.,  May  7,  18fil.  Alice  liecame  the  wife  of 
William  Dade,  a  farmer  in  Van  Buren  County; 
tliey  have  one  daughter.  Frank,  who  is  married, 
resides  in  Decatur  Townshi|)  and  has  one  child. 
Walter  is  also  a  farmer,  is  married  and  resides  in 
Hartford  Township,  Van  Buren  County. 

At  an  early  day,  the  original  of  this  sketcli  was 
an  old-line  Whig  and  cast  his  first  vote  in  1844. 
At  the  birth  of  the  Repulilican  party,  in  1856,  he 
voted  for  John  C.  Fremont,  and  has  since  been  a 
stanch  advocate  of  the  principles  of  that  party. 
P^eliruary  27,  1864,  Mr.  Simmons  offered  his  ser- 
vices in  defense  of  the  Union  and  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany D,  Sixtj'-sixth  Illinois  Sharpshooters.  With 
his  regiment  lie  formed  a  part  of  Sherman 's  army, 
and  marched  with  that  general  from  Atlanta  to  the 
sea.  He  had  a  narrow  escai)e  from  death,. luly  25, 
1864,  at  which  time  his  belt  was  shot  off.  AVliile 
under  Gen.  Sherman,  he  took  an  active  part  in  the 
buttles  of  Tunnel  Hill,  Rocky  Falls  Mountain, 
Buzzard  Roost  Gap,  Dalton,  Snake  Gap,  Resaca, 
Big  Shanty,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Rome,  the 
four  battles  of  Atlanta,  Averysboro,  Bentonville, 
Goldsboro,  New  Hoiie  Church,  I'eaclitree  Creek, 
Jonesboro,  Decatur  and  Lookout  ^Mountain.  He 
was  confined  for  a  short  time  in  the  hospitals  at 
Pulaski,  Tenn.,  and  at  Lookout  Mountain,  and  at 
the  close  of  the  war  participated  in  the  Grand  Re- 
view at  AVashington.  At  present  he  is  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  Wadsworth  Post,  No.  49,  De- 
partment of  Michigan,  G.  A.  R. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Simmons  died  August  27,  1881,  and 
our  subject  was  again  married,  November  14,  1883, 
this  time  to  Caroline  Blowers,  a  native  of  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y..  where  she  was  born  May  14,  1842. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Abiel  and  Hannah  M. 
33  V 


(Matteson)  Blowers,  her  father  having  l)een  a  sol- 
dier in  the  War  of  1812.  Jlrs.  Simmons  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Cliurch.  Mr.  Simmons  receives  a  pension  of  $14 
|ier  iiionlh  from  tlie  Government.  At  one  time  he 
had  acciinuilaled  quite  a  little  fortune,  but  by  a 
bad  investment  lost  it  all.  Socially,  he  is  a  mem- 
lier  of  the  Knights  c)f  P\thias,  and  in  1855-56 
joined  the  Masonic  order  in  I>awrence. 


^^^y^. 


"^"^^B). 


\>~^^<i 


(Q>— 


kEVI  HOLLOAVAY.  In  Arlington  Town- 
3,  ship  lies  a  well-improved  tract  of  land, 
^  adorned    by  a    comfortable   residence,  the 

usual  buildings  that  betoken  a  successful  agricul- 
tural life  and  the  orchards  that  contribute  so  much 
to  the  beauty  and  pleasures  of  rural  existence. 
This  place,  whicli  is  located  on  section  4,  comprises 
one  hundred  acres,  and  is  divided  and  subdivided 
into  fields  of  convenientsize  for  the  raising  of  the 
various  cereals  and  the  pasturage  of  stock.  Al- 
though Mr.  Holloway  has  resided  iiere  only  about 
ten  years,  he  has  contributed  greatly  to  the  devel- 
opment of  the  farm  and  has  introduced  the  latest 
,and  best  improvements  in  the  way  of  machinery 
and  farming  im|)lements,  so  that  now  it  needs  liut 
a  single  glance  at  the  place  to  prove  that  the  pro- 
prietor is  a  thrifty  and  enterprising  man. 

Mr.  Holloway  was  born  in  Stark  County,  Ohio, 
September  27, 1822,  and  is  descended  on  his  fatlier's 
side  from  good  old  (Quaker  stock,  his  ancestors 
emigrating  with  the  early  (Quakers  from  England. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Aaron  and  Sarah 
(Garwood)  Holloway,  natives  of  Virginia,  where 
the  father  was  born  in  1795,  and  the  mother 
in  1793.  Eight  children  were  born  of  their 
union,  viz:  Hannah,  who  married  William 
iMatlier,  now  both  deceased;  Esther,  the  wife 
of  .lolm  Johnson,  of  Alliance,  Ohio;  .Julia  E..  who 
became  the  wife  ot  Eiisha  Shooley;  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Isaiah,  wlio  died  in  Warsaw,  Ind.; 
John,  wliose  home  is  in  La  Porte, Ind.;  Roliert,  who 
left  a  family  at  his  decease;  and  Ellis,  who  is  a  re- 
sident of  Afton,  Iowa. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  among  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Stark  County,  Ohio,   which    re- 


714 


PORTItAIT  A^B  BIOGKAPIllCAL  liECOKD. 


iiiained  tlieir  lioiiic  for  )nanv  vears.  The  father 
was  ono  of  a  large  family  i>f  eliiUlren  liorn  to  Amos 
and  Hej>sibah  (Staunton)  IloUowav,  and  operated 
as  a  farmer  in  tlie  lliiekeye  State.  Tlie  bovliood  days 
of  our  subjeet  wore  uneventfully  passed  upon  liis 
father's  farm  and  duriiii!:  the  intervals  of  work  lie 
att«ndeil  tlieeominon  schools  o{  the  distriet.  where 
he  gained  a  good  eduenlion.  His  marriage  in 
1845  united  him  with  Miss  Harriet  JIathcr,  who 
became  the  mother  of  eight  children. 

In  1849,  .Mr.  Hollow.ay  loeate(i  ni  .Marshall 
County,  hid.,  where  he  made  his  home  tor  more 
than  thirty  years  and  operated  as  a  farmer,  lie 
was  alsosueeessfid  as  a  school  te.aeher.  He  became 
well  known  throughout  Marshall  County  as  a  man 
of  integrity  and  uprightness,  who.^e  disposition 
was  generous  and  principles  irreproaehalile.  It  was 
not,  however,  t<j  remain  his  |)eriii;iucut  home. 
During  all  the  years  of  his  residence  in  thelloosier 
.State  he  heard  much  of  the  progress  of  Michigan 
and  the  inducements  it  offered  to  fanners.  Ac- 
cordingly, having  resolved  to  come  hither,  he  re- 
moved to  \'an  IJuien  County,  in  1881  and  has 
since  resided  in  Arlington  Township,  .\fter  the 
death  of  his  first  wife,  he  was  married  to  Margaret 
.Simpson  and  by  that  union  became  the  father  of 
four  children.  His  twelve  children  still  suivive 
and  reside  mostly  in  the  Unilt'd  .States.  Mr.  llol- 
low.ay  is  known  as  one  of  the  most  stalwart  Uepub- 
licAHS  of  his  district  .and  is  a  man  who  enjoys  the 
conlideiice  of  all  his  .•ici|iiaiiitaiice'*. 


1*4.**  va.G;'  ***<-— 


^^v\  HKSTKIi  .1.  CASH,  who  is  operating  a 
lll^,  dairy  in  Hhjomingdale  Townshii),  was  born 
^^f'  September  I'.l,  182(i,  in  the  town  (»f  Frank- 
lin, Delaware  County.  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son  of 
Dewey  and  Cynthia  (Howell)  Case.  His  father 
wiwlhe  son  of  As.a  Case  .and  was  born  in  tin?  same 
township  as  our  subject,  lie  was  .a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation and  a  life-long  Deniocinl.  He  died 
about  |K.'i2.  The  molhi'r  of  our  Mibjcct,  who  was 
also  a  native  of  the  same  township,  was  a  daughter 
of  Isaac  and  Hathsheba  (Holland)  Howell,  natives 
of  .MjisHjiclniselts.  Her  father  was  a  farii;er  and  in 
p(ililii-ri    I  )riiiii<  lat.      He    was    a    member    of    the 


Baptist  Church.  ITe  w.as  a  son  of  Isaac  Howell 
who  was  born  in  Wales  and  came  to  Massachusetts 
in  the  Colonial  d.ays,  serving  as  a  captain  in  tlie 
War  of  the  Revolution.  lie  reared  a  family  of 
three  .sons  and  live  daughters. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  the  two  children  liorn  to 
his  parents,  his  sister  being  named  Adeline.  He 
was  reared  upon  a  farm,  receiving  a  common- 
school  education,  and,  when  fourteen  years  old, 
started  in  life  for  himself,  learning  the  carpenter's 
trade.  This  he  followed  for  six  yearsandin  \H\:\. 
with  his  mother  and  sister,  came  to  Wayne  County. 
Ohio,  living  there  two  years.  He  afterward  re- 
moved to  Loiain  County,  in  the  same  State,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade  and  alst)  engaged  in  lum- 
bering and  other  vocations.  In  18G3,he  puix'hased 
one  hundred  and  live  acres  of  laud  on  section  7, 
lUooniingdalc  Townshi]),  \'an  Huren  County, 
which  he  cleared  and  improved  and  on  which 
he  now  resides  and  there  carries  on  a  dairy. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  October,  1848,  to  Har- 
riet K.  Powell,  who  was  born  in  Canton,  St.  Law- 
rence County,  N.  Y.,  .Vpril  2t1,  1826.  lleriiarenls 
were  Calvin  and  Maria  (I.elJoy)  Powell,  natives  of 
Vermont  who  in  the  fall  of  1837,  removed  with 
teams  to  Amherst,  Lorain  County,  Ohio,  being 
four  week  on  the  way.  Here  tlK\y  bought  and 
cleared  one  hmidrcd  and  thirty  acres  of  land,  and 
there  lived  until  Mr.  Powell's  death  January  2(5, 
1859.  His  wifesurvived  until  August  17, 1883,  she 
departing  this  life  in  Lanark,  Carroll  County,  111. 
They  were  the  parents  oi  nine  children,  three  sons 
and  six  daughters.  The  father's  family  was  of 
New  England  birth  and  of  Knglish  descent.  His 
father  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  The  mother  was 
also  of  Knglish  origin.  Her  father  w.as  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  a   member  of  the    Baptist    Church. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  the  parents 
of  two  chihb'en,  both  of  wlioiii  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Case  look  [lart  in  the  \Var  of  the  Rebellion,  en- 
listing October  19,  1801,  in  Company  H,  I'"orly- 
lirslOhio  Infantry,  lie  wa-  in  the  battles  of  Shi- 
lob,  I'eriysville  .'inil  .Murfreesboro.  At  the  latter 
place  he  was  wounded  in  both  legs  by  the  bursting 
of  a  shell  and  spent  four  iikiuIIis  in  the  hospilal  .'il 
Nashville  and  two  inonlhs  at  Covington.  He  was 
then  for  a   lime    :it    Camp    Denison    Ilos|iital   and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


15 


afterward  in  llic  ('lc\t'l;ni(l  Fiolil  Ilospilnl.  fioiii 
which  latter  ho  was  dischainvd  in  Scplemhci-,  IHG.'J, 
and,  roturiiiiiu  to  liis  hoiiic,  bogan  working  in  a 
■sawmill.  Mr.  Case  and  his  wife  are  worthy  mem- 
bers of  the  Disciples  Church  and  are  lionored  and 
I'espeeted  citizens.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 


ARLEY  E.  SQUIER.  Among  the  younger 
farmers  of  Van  Buren  County,  Mr.  Squier 
occupies  a  leading  position.     Enterprising, 

-jj  industrious  and  progressive  in  his  ideas, 
he  has  obtained  a  good  start  in  life,  not  only  as  a 
skillful  farmer  but  also  as  a  useful  member  of  the 
community  in  which  he  resides.  He  owns  and  oc- 
cupies a  fine  body  of  land  on  section  32,  Col- 
umbia Township,  which  is  familiarly  known  as 
"Orchard  Hill,"  having  lieen  so  named  by  INIrs. 
Squier.  The  farm  consists  of  two  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  thirtj'  acres  of  which  have  been  planted 
out  in  an  orchard,  while  the  remainder  is  devoted 
to  agricultural  and  stock-raising  purposes. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
Daniel  Squier,  a  farmer  by  avocation  and  an  early 
settler  in  Cass  County,  this  State,  where  the  clos- 
ing years  of  his  life  were  passed.  He  was  promin- 
ent in  local  politics  as  a  member  of  the  Democra- 
tic part_v  and  was  highly  respected  among  his  fel- 
low-pioneers. His  family  comprised  five  sons  and 
five  daughters,  one  of  the  sons  being  David  A.,  the 
father  of  our  subject.  He  was  born  in  Cass  County, 
this  .State,  and  was  reared  amid  primitive  sur- 
roundings. When  ready  to  establish  a  home  of 
his  own,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Rich,  and 
two  children  were  born  of  the  union,  our  subject 
and  his  brother  Emory. 

In  Volinia  Township,  Cass  County,  this  .State, 
Harley  E.  Squier  was  born  September  20,  1861. 
When  six  years  old,  he  accom[)anied  his  parents  in 
their  removal  from  the  farm  which  had  been  their 
home  to  Decatur,  where  he  received  a  good  com- 
mon-school education.  During  vacations  he  was 
employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  which  his  father 
conducted  in  that  place,  but  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen embarked  for  himself  as  a  clerk  for  the  Hink- 


ley  Stave  Company.  Afterward  he  was  engaged 
at  Decatur  and  l?i-eedsville  as  one  of  the  Superin- 
tendents of  that  company  until  188.0,  when  he  en- 
tered the  first  National  Bank  at  Decatur  as  a 
Cashier.  Two  years  later,  he  resigned  the  posi- 
tion in  order  to  engage  in  farming,  and  has  since 
quietly  pursued  his  chosen  calling  on  his  beauti- 
ful homestead. 

On  Septemlier  It,  1H87,  Mr.  Squier  w.-is  married 
to  Miss  .Sadie  E.  Brown,  the  daughter  of  Amos  S. 
and  Sarah  (Deming)  Brown.  Mrs.  Squier  was 
born  Afjril  3,  18()2,  on  the  place  where  she  now  re- 
sides and  received  her  education  in  the  district 
schools,  graduating  from  Englewood  High  .School 
in  the  Class  of  '81.  She  is  a  lady  of  great  refine- 
ment and  many  accomplislimcnts,  and  occupies  an 
enviable  position  in  social  circles.  She  is  a  de- 
voted wife  and  an  affectionate  mother  to  her  child, 
Paul.  In  his  [lolitical  affiliations,  Mr.  Squier  is  a 
decided  adherent  of  the  Republican  party  and  is 
numbered  among  its  most  influential  memljers.  He 
has  served  in  various  township  ollices  and  also 
filled  the  responsible  position  of  President  of  the 
village  of  Breedsville.  In  his  social  connections, 
he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


ENRY  L.  OLEASON.  The  gentleman  whose 
brief  history  we  here  give  is  one  of  the 
^  prosperous  and  enterprising  merchants  of 
y;  Hartford,  \'an  Bnien  County.  He  was 
born  in  Clarksou,  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
resided  until  attaining  the  age  of  seventeen,  when 
he  came  to  Michigan.  His  parents,  Levi  and 
Mary  (Ostrom)  Gleason,  were  lioth  natives  of  the 
Empire  State  having  been  born  in  Onondaga 
Count}^  The  father  was  a  son  of  Uri.as  Gleason, 
and  died  when  our  subject  w.as  an  infant  of  one 
year.  Henry  was  brought  to  Michigan  by  his 
mother  and  four  sisters  at  the  age  before  men- 
tioned. 

Our  subject  was  educated  in  this  .State  and  after 
coming  here  studied  Civil  Engineering,  which  pro- 
fession he  followed  three  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time,  he  engaged  in  various  occupations 
until  1885.  at  which  time  he  embarked  in  the    gro- 


716 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


eery  business.  In  18i»(i.  lio  added  a  larsc  stock  of 
dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes  to  his  former  business 
and  now  carries  on  a  profit,able  and  successful 
business. 

Mr.  Gleason,  of  this  sketch,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Ida  R.,  a  daugliter  of  John  Smith,  of 
Oceana  County,  Mich.  The  cerenionj'  took  place 
April  21,  1H76.  Socially,  Mr.  Oleason  is  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Oild  Fellows  and  in 
jHtlltical  views  lie  atliliates  with  (he  Republican 
party. 


"     I   I 


IKAM  A.  KINNI'.V  is  at  present  residing 
)1  on  a  |)le.'Lsant  farm  located  on  section  25, 
Porter  Township.  \'an  Uuren  ('(ninly.  His 
father,  Oren  G.  Kinney,  was  Imrii  in  New 
York  State  in  1815,  and  was  the  son  of  Steplien 
Kinney,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who  was  a  pat- 
riot iu  the  War  of  1H12.  The  Kinney  fanily  are  of 
New  Kngland  slock  fnim  away  liack. 

Oren G.  Kinney  was  a  farmer  and  was  iMcnty- 
onc  yeai"s  of  age  when  he  made  his  advent  into 
Michigan,  coming  hither  from  Huron  County, 
Ohio.  He  located  on  section  2(!,  Porter  Township, 
when  there  were  but  a  dozen  families  within  its 
bordei-s.  His  farm  consisted  of  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land.  His  father  entered  tin-ee  different 
eightj'  acre  tracts.  Indians  and  wild  animals  were 
numerous  in  that  early  day  and  the  iiardsliips 
through  which  .Mr.  Kinney  passed  have  made  a 
lasting  impression  on  him. 

In  IKI2,  the  father  of  our  subject  and  Miss 
Rachel,  <langhter  of  Enoch  and  .Maiy  .ludson,  were 
united  in  marriage.  Hei- parentis  were  natives,  re- 
.spectively,  of  Massachuselt-s  and  New  York.  Af- 
ter their  marriage,  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  .ludson  moved  to 
Ohio  where  the  niolhcr  died  in  18.'!  1;  Mr.  .ludson 
passed  his  la-l  days  in  Missouri.  Mrs.  Kinney  came 
to  Michigan  in  IHIO  and  after  her  marriage;  with  Mr. 
Kinney  they  Ifx-ated  on  their  present  farm  where 
they  were  continuous  residents  for  half  a  century. 
On  first  coming  to  this  township,  Mr.  Kinnt^v 
erected  ft  log  house  which  soon  gave  way  to  moie 
comforl.'ible  (piarlers,  which  latter  dwelling  w.ns 
also  riiadc  of  JOIN'S  and    in  which    ili<'\    rrsidi,!    r,>i' 


thirty  3-ears.  Mr.  Kinney  died  in  1882;  his  wife 
still  survives  in  her  seventy-tirst  year.  She 
has  been  deprived  of  her  eyesight  fur  the  last  six- 
teen years. 

Our  subiect  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  children, 
two  of  \vlK)m  are  living.  His  sister,  Orpha  F..  is  the 
wife  of  Cliarles  Ferre  and  resides  in  this  township. 
His  parents  were  members  of  the  Free-will  I5ai)tlst 
Church  and.  in  politics.  Mr.  Kinney  was  a  Demo- 
crat. Hiram  A.  was  liorn  .lanuary  15,  1841,  on 
the  farm  where  lie  is  residing  at  the  present  time, 
and  W.1S  given  a  good  education.  After  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  took  ciiarge  of  the  estate  and  now 
owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  .acres,  all  of  which 
are  under  the  plow.  He  carries  on  general  farming 
and  has  his  place  stt)cked  with  a  good  grade  of  cat- 
tle and  horses.  Mi-.  Kinney  has  never  married. 
During  the  Civil  Way  he  enlisted.  l)ut  iiis  .ser- 
\ice  was  not  accepted  on  ai'count  of  piiysicial 
disability. 

Socially,  our  subject  Is  a  ]\Iason  and  has  bet'n 
Senior  Deacon  of  MarcelUis  Lodge.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Farmers' 
Alliance.  The  grandfather  of  (uir  suliject  was  the 
father  of  lifteen  children,  three  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing at  the  present  time. 


•4  Gp- 


— ?-^l^-?- 


,'^iil  ILKS  MONROE.  If  for  no  other  reason 
than  as  a  worthy  fanner,  the  name  of  Mr. 
Monroe  would  be  deserving  of  perpetua- 
tion in  the  Rkc^okd,  but  when  we  consider 
his  ui)right  career  and  his  faithful  discharge  of  all 
the  duties  which  have  come  to  him  in  the  capacity 
of  a  citizen,  neighbor,  friend,  husband  and  father, 
it  would  seem  that  he  certainly  merits  his  meed  of 
pr.lise.  When'  he  now  has  a  splendid  and  well- 
impro\i'd  f.arm,  was  once  a  forest  iirlmexal,  and 
where  are  now  bustling  cities  an<l  linely  cultivated 
farms,  were  in  the  early  days  only  a  few  settlers, 
bravely  battling  with  the  elemeiils  and  m.aintaining 
their  position  in  the  v.'inguard  of  civilization. 

Mr.  Monroe  was  born  In  lilvlngston  County, 
N.  ^■.,  .Inly  .'!!,  bSli'.l,  :iiid  is  llic  son  of  Samuel  and 
Laura  (Swift)  Monroe.  Ills  fallier  w.as  born  In 
( )iieiil.'i  ( 'onnt  v,  N.  \ ..  and  was  one  of  ten  children 


PORTRAIT  AIS'l)  BlGGRAl'IllCAI.   RECORD. 


"i: 


born  to  .loliii  K.  and  r>uein(la  Monroe,  natives  of 
Connecticut.  (Ji-andfallici'  Monroi^  servefl  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  iiis  fatiier  .served  in  tlie  Revolu- 
tionary War.  The  Monroe  family  is  |)rol)alily  de- 
.seended  from  Scotch  ancestors.  In  the  fall  of  1856, 
our  subject  accompanied  his  |)arents  to  this  State, 
settling  with  them  in  Xnn  l)Ui-en  County,  where  he 
has  since  niadc^  his  home.  He  was  one  of  a  family 
of  three  children,  the  others  besides  himself  being 
Cornelia  A.,  the  wife  of  Jeremiah  Bridges,  who 
came  with  her  husband  to  Michigan  in  1856;  and 
Hethiar,  who  married  G.W.Monroe,  and  also  came 
to  this  State  in  1856. 

Upon  the  old  homestead  which  his  father  pur- 
cha,sed  on  coming  to^'au  Buren  County,  Mr.  Mon- 
roe now  resides,  and  is  actively  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits.  He  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Christina, 
daughter  of  Joel  and  Christina  Dellaven,  and  they 
have  two  children:  Samuel  E.  and  Kate  A.,  now 
Mrs.  C.  J.  Palmer.  The  famil}'  is  highly  esteemed 
throughout  the  county  where  they  have  so  long 
resided  and,  by  their  honorable  lives,  have  attained 
an  enviable  rei)Utalion.  Mr.  Monroe  ranks  among 
the  most  prosjierous  farmers  of  the  township,  and 
his  success  is  the  result  of  his  well-applied  and 
systematic  efforts.  He  uses  good  judgment  in  the 
rotation  of  crops,  the  fi'rtilization  of  tlie  soil  and 
the  raising  of  the  cereals  most  adapted  to  this 
portion  of  the  State.  In  his  social  connections,  he 
is  identilied  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  uses 
his  influence  in  behalf  of  all  |)ublic-si)i riled  cnter- 
l)rises. 


S;  ANIEL  J.  LEE,  deceased,  was  born  in 
%  Eric  County,  Ohio,  September  6,  1843, 
i^y^'  and  was  only  about  two  years  of  age 
when  brought  to  Michigan  by  his  father, 
William  Lee,  whose  sketch  ai)pears  elsewhere  in 
this  work.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the 
public  schools  and  in  the  usual  manner  of  faimer 
lads  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  On  attaining  his 
majority,  he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for 
troops  to  aid  in  crushing  out  the  rebellion,  and  on 
the  13th  of  September,  1864,  enrolled  his  name 
among  the  boys  in  blue  of  tiie  One  Hundred    and 


Eightieth  Regiment,  Oliio  V()liinteers,  becoming 
Corporal  of  Company  I.  He  was  witli  .Sherman 
(Ml  his  famous  march  to  the  sea  and  in  tlie  cam- 
paign through  North  Carolina,  i)articipating  in 
several  important  engagements,  and  when  the  war 
was  over  was  111 iistiM-ed  out  on  the  12th  (if  .July 
1865,  in  Charlotte,  N.  C.  He  w.as  a  faithful  sol- 
dier, ever  found  at  his  post  of  duty,  and  made  for 
himself  an  excellent  army  record. 

On  his  return  to  Van  Buren  County,  Mr.  Lee 
turned  his  attention  to  farming,  operating  a  tract 
of  land  which  had  been  given  him  liy  his  father. 
On  the  12th  of  Afiril,  1866,  he  was  joined  in  wed- 
lock with  Miss  Mary  Sutfui,  but  after  a  short 
wedded  life  of  a  year  she  was  called  to  her  final 
rest,  leaving  one  child,  Mary,  now  the  wife  of 
Charles  E.  Warner,  a  farmer  of  Cass  County.  On 
the  r2th  of  November,  1868,  Mr.  Lee  was  again 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Sarah 
A.  Sutlin,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife  and  a  daughter 
of  D.  V.  Sutfin,  a  resident  farmer  of  Hamilton 
Township,  now  living  in  the  village  of  Decatur. 
He  is  numliered  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
county.  By  the  second  union  were  born  four  chil- 
dren: Gertrude,  who  resides  at  home  with  her 
mother;  (iraee  E.,  who  is  attending  the  High 
School  in  the  village  of  Decatur;  and  Ca.ssie  and 
Harry  D.,  who  are  also  students  in  the  Decatur 
schools. 

On  his  second  marriage,  Mr.  Lee  became  a  res- 
ident of  Decatur,  where  he  made  his  home  until 
1871,  when  he  removed  to  his  farm  on  section  14, 
Hamilton  Township,  there  residing  until  his  death. 
He  owned  one  hundred  and  seven  acres  of  laud 
and  was  a  thrifty  and  enterprising  farmer.  So- 
cially, he  was  a  member  of  the  (Jrand  Army  of  the 
Reiniblic  and  also  of  the  (!range,  of  which  organi- 
zation he  was  Overseer  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
The  Democratic  party  found  in  him  a  stalwart 
supporter  and  he  held  the  ollice  of  Town  Clerk  for 
twelve  years  and  was  School  Director  in  his  dis- 
trict for  a  great  many  years,  the  prompt  and  faith- 
ful discharge  of  his  public  duties  causing  his  long- 
retention  in  otiice.  He  w.as  a  very  popular  man  in 
his  township,  had  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances 
and  won  many  friends,  who  esteem  him  highly. 
His  death  i<'sulted  from  an  accident.     He  lived  at 


l>> 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGKAPHICAL   RECORD. 


that  time  a  little  west  of  Foster's  Corners  and  had 
teen  helping  iiis  brother  thresh.  While  returning 
home,  he  passed  under  a  large  oak.  and  a  falling 
limb.  alK)ut  tlie  size  of  u  man's  arm,  fell  upon  him, 
crushing  his  skull.  Medical  aid  was  summoned 
and  every  effort  w.as  put  forth  to  s;ive  his  life,  but 
he  p.assed  away.  August  17,  18S8.  and  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  of  Decatur.  The  funeral  service 
was  pei formed  by  Rev.  .lames  Gordon,  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  amid  the  deep  grief 
of  many  friends  he  was  laid  to  rest. 

Mrs.  Lee  still  resides  on  the  farm  on  section  14, 
Hamilton  Townsliip,  where  she  h.as  eighty  .acres  of 
good  land  and  she  also  owns  twenty-seven  acres  on 
section  13.  It  is  all  well  imiiroved  and  under  a 
high  stale  of  cultivation  and  her  liome  is  a  pleas- 
ant and  commodious  residence  where  hospitality 
abounds. 


LIDDKN.  Among  the 
rmers  of  Antwerp  Town- 
ject  of  this  sketch,  who 
has  a  highl}'  cultivated  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  on  section  23.  Mr.  Glidden  is  a  na- 
tive of  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  born  April  7,  1838. 
His  father,  .Jacob  Glidden,  was  \Hiin  in  New 
Hampshire  and  wa.s  marrie<l.  in  1.S23,  to  Klmira 
Cf>y.  a  native  of  Clareiuli)n.  N.  V..  and  becaini; 
the  father  of  six  children:  .lane,  Stephen,  (ieorge 
.Sarah,  Fannie  and  Henry.  He  wasa  .second  time 
married,  taking  for  his  wife  Fannie  M;Mtiii,  a 
native  of  Mas.snchnsetts.  .lacob  (ilidden  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation  and  removed  with  his  fam- 
ily in  IK.">2  from  New  York  to  Micliigan,  settling 
in  Van  IJuieii  County,  near  I'aw  I'aw.  Here  he 
boiiglil  land,  upon  which  he  made  extensive  ini- 
provenient.-'.  .-md  was  snecessful  in  his  various 
ojKTation.i.  He  died  in  Antwerp  'rownshi|)  in 
IH57  and  the  mother  in  IHIil!.  This  worthy  coupU^ 
were  the  parenl.H  of  three  cliildicn.  as  follows: 
Lucius  A.,  Winlichl  S.,  William  II. 

Our  Hubjecl  was  educated  in  llic  dislricl  schools 
in  .Vnlwerp  Township,  \'an  llureii  County,  and 
early  learned  the  duties  <»f  a  farmer's  hoy.  He 
wo-n  ninrrlcd,  October  27,  I8G2,  to  Hannah  K.  Cliiin, 


I       l>IN  FIELD    .s.     (il 

\rJ//    prominent    farme 

^^j      ship  is  the  subje 


who  was  born  May  12,  1840,  in  Monroe  Count}'. 
N.  Y.  Her  parents  were  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Ganung)  Clum.  The  mother,  who  was  a  native 
of  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  1807  and 
is  now  in  her  eighty-fourth  j-ear.  She  makes  her 
home  with  her  daughter,  INIrs.  Glidden,  where  she 
is  tenderly  cared  for.  She  has  been  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since 
she  was  thirteen  years  old.  Jlrs.  Glidden 's  father 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in  17'.)()  and  died 
in  1880.  He  W.1S  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  re- 
moved from  New  Y'ork  to  Micliigan  in  18i)l,  set- 
tling in  Antwerp  Township,  where  he  lived  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  Their  family  consisted  of 
five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely:  Alexander,  Reuben,  Lewis,  Hannah  and 
Emma. 

j\Ir.  .and  IMrs.  Glidden  are  the  imients  of  live 
children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows: 
Bert  II. ,  born  April  29,  1867;  Edward  and  Emma, 
twins,  .Iiil}-  !),  1871;  Yolney  T.,  December  5,  1876; 
and  Jlyrtle  E.,  who  was  born  in  1862  and  died 
September  1,  1866.  IMr.  Glidden  is  a  member  of 
the  Fanners'  Alliance  at  Mattawan,  and  is  in  i)ol- 
itics  a  Republican,  but  has  alw.ays  been  too  busy 
with  his  own  affairs  to  become  an  ollice-seeker. 
His  land  is  well  cuUivated  and  shows  evidence  of 
good  managenient.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  CongregatioiKil  Churcli. 


_=] 


^+^ 


(3_ 


[^~ 


^  HESTER  11.  I'AHTHIDGE  has  fourteen  and 
'|(  lliree-iiuarleis   acres   of   land   on    section   I. 

\^('  Lawrence  Township,  \'an  Uureii  County. 
His  birth  occurred  .lanuary  21,  lis33,  in  S;iratog:i 
Coniitw  N.  Y..  and  his  parents  were  I'liineas  and 
Susan  ( I  I;ii  riiigloii )  Partridge,  the  father  a  iintive 
of  Massachiiselts,  and  of  l'",iiglish  tinccstry.  while 
the  mother  was  boiii  in  New  York,  of  Holland 
Dutch  ancestry-  The  elder  Mr.  I'aitiidge  located 
in  New  Ycn'k  when  eighteen  years  old,  and  there  met 
and  married  our  subject's  mother,  lie  was  (|iiiti'  a 
musician,  and  taugiit  lioth  vocal  :nHl  instriinieMlal 
music,  and  his  daughter,  .Mis.  .lane  F.  Whitney,  now 
deceased,  was  especially  gifted  in  that,  direction. 
When  our  subject  was  about  sixteen  years  of  iige, 


PORTRAIT  ANJJ  BlOGUAl'IIlCAr.  I;K('(JUD. 


71'.) 


Iiis  fatlior  died,  leaving  .1  fairiily  of  six  children, 
of  wliom  Chester  II.  was  th(!  second  in  order  of 
birtli.  An  ohler  brother  cf  our  subject,  Nelson  Parl- 
ridjj:e,  died  in  ( U'nesee  County,  this  State,  leaving 
a  family  of  two  eliildien.  After  the  deatli  of  her 
husband,  our  subject's  niotlier  succeeded  in  keeping 
lier  family  together,  and  all  liave  since  made  a  suc- 
cess of  life.  Tlie  brotlier  younger  than  the  original  of 
this  sketcli,  A.  S.,  is  rresident  of  the  Order  of  Pa- 
trons of  Industry  of  Michigan.  He  resides  in 
Fiusliing,  (Jencsee  County.  Another  brother,  David 
IT.,  lives  at  Holly,  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  being  a 
ct)mmission  merchant  of  that  place.  He  is  a  lead- 
ing memljer  of  the  IJaptist  Church,  and  in  the  INIa- 
sonic  order,  is  qinte  a  musician.  William  E.,  an- 
otlier  brother,  is  a  prominent  farmer  near  Flushing, 
Genesee  County. 

When  seven  years  of  age,  our  subject  went  to 
live  with  his  maternal  grandfather,  John  Harring- 
ton, with  whom  he  made  his  home  for  seven  years 
at  Salloway,  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.  When  reach- 
ing his  fourteentli  year,  he  accompanied  his  mother 
and  the  remainder  of  the  family  to  Lockport,  Sara- 
toga County,  working  summers  and  attending 
school  in  the  winters.  There  the  mother  purchased 
a  farm,  and  when  Chester  A.  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  he  bought  the  tract,  which  contained  sixty- 
five  acres,  and  which  had  been  cleared  by  the  boys. 
Jlr.  I'artridge  taught  school  a  numlier  of  terms. 

Miss  Lena  Raymond  became  the  wife  of  our  sub- 
ject in  February,  1859,  and  to  tliem  were  liorn 
three  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  married, and  have 
families  of  their  own.  Mrs.  Lena  Partridge  died 
about  ten  years  after  her  marriage,  and  our  sub- 
ject married  Miss  Pliebe  Morey.  He  resided  in 
New  York  about  seventeen  years  after  his  second 
union,  when  he  disi)Osed  of  his  interests,  and,  mov- 
ing West,  located  on  his  present  farm.  His  wife 
soon  died  after  settling  here,  and  December  24, 
188!),  Mr.  Partridge  was  married  to  Ihs.  Julia 
Butchei',  nee  Sutherland.  She  was  born  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  August  2.5,  1848,  and  became  the  mother 
of  a  son  and  two  daughters  by  her  lirst   marriage. 

The  Republican  party  claims  our  subject  as  oue 
of  its  warm  adherents,  he  having  cast  his  vote  in 
1856  for  John  C.  Fremont.  He  served  as  Assessor 
of  his  township  for  several  terms,  but  has   never 


been  an  olllce-seeker.  Formerly  a  member  of  the 
IJaptist  Church,  he  is  now  connected  with  the 
United  I5rethreii  Society.  Mrs.  Partridge  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  his 
younger  years  our  subject  took  great  interest  in 
Sunday-scliool  work,  and  was  Superintendent  for 
many  years. 


■{•='5"='5" 


/ 


r' 


y)lTRTON  W.  CORNWALL,  born  in  the  town 
of  Columbia,  Lorain   County,  Ohio,   A])ril 

ji)1;B;  10,  185.'?,  is  one  of  the  thrifty  and  success- 
ful agriculturists  of  Columbia  Township, 
Van  Bureii  County.  He  is  a  son  of  Alson  and 
Harriet  (West)  Cornwall,  both  of  whom  are  now 
deceased. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Enos  Cornwall, 
was  born  in  New  York,  of  P^nglish  origin.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Onondaga 
County,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  his  county,  and  settled 
on  sixty  acres  of  land  which  he  carried  on  success- 
fully until  his  death  in  1878.  His  good  wife  was 
a  native  of  New  York,  and  died  in  Ai)ril,  1891,  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  while  there  on  a  visit.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Mary,  Elnora, 
Willis  W.,  Evelyn,  Elitia,  Fannie,  Burton  W.,  Jen- 
ette  and  Charles  F.  The  father  was  a  stalwart 
Democrat,  politically. 

Burton  Cornwall  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiv- 
ing a  somewhat  fair  education  in  the  district  schools, 
attending  in  the  winter  and  assisting  his  father  on 
the  farm  in  the  summer.  At  the  early  age  of 
twelve  years  he  began  to  earn  wages,  and  helped 
to  support  the  family.  He  continued  to  work  by 
the  month  until  he  reached  his  majority,  when  he 
bought  a  small  farm  of  thirty-four  acres  in  Pine 
Grove  Township,  which  he  mostly  cleared.  In  the 
si)ring  of  1875,  he  located  where  he  now  resides  on 
section  ly,  Columbia  Township,  on  one  hundred 
and  eighty  acres,  which  he  finally  purchased,  and 
by  his  pluck,  push  and  perseverance  has  over  one 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  it  well-cleared  and  cul- 
tivated. He  is  a  self-made  man  in  the  strictest 
sense  of  the  word,  and  is  considered  a  sagacious 
and  industrious  man. 


720 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


This  gentleman,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch, 
was  united  in  marriage,  October  6,  1873.  to  Lottie 
A.  Hinckley,  a  native  of  this  county. and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  and  Ilaniet  (IJessey)  Hinckley. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  Monroe  and  Cortland 
Counties.  N.  Y..  respectively,  and  the  father  was  a 
son  of  Dexter  Ilinckk'y,  a  fanner  by  occupation. 
After  the  death  of  this  latter  named  gentleman, 
Jonathan  took  entire  charge  of  the  family,  and.  in 
order  to  supi>ort  the  family,  worked  on  the  Eric 
Canal.  In  1845,  lie  brought  the  family  l<>  this 
.State  and  county,  settling  on  forty  acres  on  section 
13,  Columbia  Township,  which  lie  improved  and 
added  to  until  he  dwued  one  Inaulii'd  ;ind  eighty 
acres.  He  was  the  second  born  of  tivc  children, 
n.amely:  Nancy,  Jonathan.  I.avilla.  Marenis  and 
Jane.  The  mother  of  this  family  passed  away  in 
1872.  Jonatiian  was  a  Republican  in  his  politics, 
and  held  several  townslii))  offices.  He  died  June 
13,  1882.  and  his  wife  died  May  2,  l.sTl. 

Our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife  had  born  unto 
them  si.\  children:  Kittie  M..  Hairy  R.,  Earl  II., 
Emerj"  O.,  Pearl  and  (!lenn,  to  wlmiii  llie^^  are 
giving  the  best  training  and  cdiK-.itioiial  advan- 
tages within  their  reach. 


-^•S) 


i>^^<i 


-s— 


rly^ 


JOHN  C.  H.VKKEH.  This  gentleman,  who  is 
a  general  farmer  residing  on  section  it.  I'or- 
lerTownsliiii.  \':iii  liincu  ('nuiity.  has  iiiiuly 
acres  <jf  land  uihIci-  excellent  tillajie.  His 
father,  Thomas  liarker,  was  born  in  Cheshire,  Eng- 
land, wlicif  lie  was  a  farmer.  I'lu'  iiinideii  name 
of  lii^  Miiither  w.as  Melissa  Iloycei-,  a  native  of  New 
York  Stale.  'I'homas  Barker  came  to  .\merica  in 
IM2I  and  loialcil  in  the  Em|)ire  Stati';  he  was  tiiere 
married  and  resided  until  181").  At  that  time  he 
came  to  Michigan  and  located  on  what  is  now  the 
farm  of  our  subject  and  which  was  ihcii  :i  wilder- 
nets.  Mrs.  Marker  died  in  IH7l,aiid  the  father 
survived  iiiilil  IKMH.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  six  of  whom  urc  liviii<,'.  Three  sons 
M-rved  in  the  Civil  War.  Mi.  and  .Mrs.  Itaiker 
weri-  members  of  the  Maplist  Church,  in  which 
denoiiiinalioii  llie   father   wa-  ;i    Dcmcoii    for    liiMiiv 


yeai-s.     He  also  served  as  Township  Clerk  and  was  a 
school  officer  of  his  district  for  a  number  of  years. 
Our  subject  was  the  third  child  of   his  parents' 
famil\- and  was  born  August  3,    1814,  in    Otsego 
County-, N.Y.     He  was  an  infant  of  nine  mouths 
when  his  parents  removed  to  Jlicliigan,   where  he 
grew  up  and  attended  the  district  schools.     He  be- 
gan life  on  his  own  account   when    fourteen  j'cars 
of   age  by  working  out   for   others.     In   October. 
18(;i,  Mr.  Barker  enlisted   in   Company  L,  Second 
Michigan  Cavalry,  at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.     They 
were  sent  to   Benton  Barracks  at   St.  Louis,    Mo., 
and  from  there  went  to    New  Madrid,  where  they 
took  part  in  the  operations   there,  at  Grand  Island 
No.  10  and  at  Tipton.    They  were  then  sent  under 
Gen.  Pope  to  Farmington,  Miss.,  and  took  an  ac- 
tive part  in  the    siege    of  Coi'intli.     At  that  time 
Gen.  Phil    Sheridan,    who    was    Captain,    was  ap- 
pointed Colonel  to  succeed  Col.  (jordon  Granger 
who  had    been  promoted  to  be  Brigadier-General. 
Col.  Sheridan  then  led  the  regiment  of  whieh  our 
subject   was  a  member    into  a  si)irited   conflict  at 
Booneville,  Miss.,    where  they  did  desperate  fight- 
ing.    Two  hundred  men    of  the  Second  INIichigan 
Cavalry  were  ordered    to   charge    seven   thousand 
rebel  cavalr}-  and  it  w.as  gallantly  done,   the  Sec- 
ond IMichigan  losing  but  forty-one  men.     During 
that  charge,  Mr.  Baker    was  captured    and  sent  to 
^lacon,  Ga.,    where   he    lay    in    continement   four 
months    and    nineteen  days.     One  evening,  while 
bathing  in  a  small  creek   which  llowed   through  a 
corner  t>r    the    prison  yard,   our  siilijcct  conceived 
the  idea  of  trying  to  escape  by  hiding  there  until 
the  guard  lines  of  the  rebels  were  drawn  in.   While 
lying  thus,  all  unconscious  of   the  nearness  of  the 
guards,  he  felt  the  cold  bayonet  of  a  rebel  I'lileriiig 
his  back  close  to  his  liackbonc.      In    four   weeks  he 
had  recovered    I'ldni    tlial     injury    Millicienlly    for 
him  to  be  sciil  to  Libby  I'lison  and  later  to  .\ikciis 
Landing,    \'a.        On    being    paroled,     he    went    to 
Washiiif^lou,  I).  ('.,  where   lie  ri'iiKiincd    in  a  hospi- 
tal for  a  time,  then  i;oing    to    .Mcxaiidiia,    he   was 
excli.'iiiged  and  joined  his  regiment   al    Mimifords- 
\  ilh'.     The  next  eng.agemciil    in    which  he  parlici- 
pated  was  with  IMorg.Mii's  troops.     He  .'iccompanicd 
his    regimeiil    on    all    their   marches   until    the  eii- 
^'a'jeiiHiil  Ml  ('\  pills  Ikiver,  where  he  was  wounded 


PORTRAIT  AiND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


721 


in  the  right  foot  and  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Nash- 
ville. Mr.  Harker  returned  home  to  vote  and  again 
joining  his  regiment  was  captured  near  Slielby- 
villc,  Tenn.  He  was  sent  to  Chattanooga  and 
from  tliere  to  Libby  Prison,  where  he  was  ex- 
clianged  and,  again  joining  his  regiment,  took  part 
in  the  Wilson   raid,  which  was  his  last  engagement. 

]Mi-.  Barker  was  discharged  from  the  army  in 
August,  1865,  after  a  servive  of  nearly  four  years, 
during  which  time  he  was  twice  made  a  prisoner, 
wounded  in  the  foot  and  thrust  through  by  a  rebel 
bayonet.  In  1873,  Miss  Nettie,  daugiiter  of  John 
and  Anna  (Armstrong)  Graham,  became  the  wife 
of  our  suljject.  Mr.  Graham  was  born  in  Scotland 
and  his  wife  in  Dublin.  They  came  to  America  in 
1852  and  located  in  Calhoun  Count\',  this  State, 
wiierc  they  are  still  living.  They  became  the  par- 
ents of  live  children.  Mrs.  Barker  was  born  De- 
cember 21,  1851,  and  was  given  a  fair  education. 
Iler  marriage  with  our  subject  has  resulted  in  ihe 
birth  of  three  children:  J.  T.,  who  is  fourteen 
years  of  age;  Pearl,  eight  years;  and  Dwight, 
seven. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  connected  with  the 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Barker  is  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  of  his  district  and  has  been  Junior 
and  Senior  Vice-commander  and  is  at  present  Post 
Commander  of  the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Lawton. 
Jlrs.  Barker  is  Conductor  in  the  Woman's  Relief 
Corps  at  Lawton.  In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  Re- 
publican and  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  order. 
He  is  not  an  otHce-seeker,  although  he  is  greatly 
interested  in  the  ])rogress  and  welfare  of  his  com- 
m  unity. 


*  l>,  I LLI AM  DEMING  belongs  to  that  valuable 
\/\l/l'  class  of  Van  Burcn  County's  citizens  that 
^V'^  are  actively  engaged  in  carrying  forward 
its  extensive  agricultural  interests.  Ills  farm  is 
pleasantly  located  in  the  Township  of  Arlington, 
and  comprises  a  quarter-section  of  finely  im[)roved 
land,  well  supplied  with  substantial  modern  Iniild- 
ings,  and  stocked  with  cattle,  horses  and  swine  of 
good  breeds. 

Mr.  Deniing  was  bcrn  in  Livingston  County,  N. 


Y.,  in  1826.  Roswell  and  Maria  (Boughton)  Dom- 
ing were  his  parents.  His  father  was  born  in 
Sandisfield,  Mass.,  in  1795,  a  son  of  Benjamin  Dom- 
ing, who  was  of  English  antecedents  if  not  of  Eng- 
lish birth.  Roswell  Deniing  was  one  of  twelve 
children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years,  and 
none  of  them  died  under  sixty  years  of  age,  while 
some  of  them  lived  to  be  very  old.  The  following 
is  recorded  of  them:  Jabez  lived  and  died  near 
Norwalk,  Iowa;  Betsy  became  the  wife  of  Amos 
Kellogg,  of  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.;"  Hannah 
became  Mrs.  Boardnian;  Patty  married  John  Kel- 
logg, and  has  one  son;  Lucy  is  the  wife  of  Frank- 
lin Cash;  and  the  others  are  Andrus,  Roswell,  John, 
Amos,  Eliza,  and  Almena,  wife  of  William  Bridges 
of  Arlington,  and  Axie,  Mrs.  Rastus  Cash. 

Our  subject  is  the  third  child  in  the  family  of 
six  children  born  to  his  parents,  as  follows:  Philena, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Daniel  Sherwood,  of 
Breedsville;  Amos, a  resident  of  Paw  Paw;  William; 
Sarah,  former  wife  of  S.  Brown,  of  Columbia,  and 
now  deceased;  Almena,  wife  of  Madison  Gray,  of 
Livingston  County,  N.  Y.;  and  Martha,  wife  of 
Charles  Lyman,  of  Northfield,  Minn.  He  of  whom 
we  write  grew  to  maturity  in  the  countj'  of  his 
nativity,  and  secured  his  education  in  its  schools. 
He  also  became  a  practical  farmer  in  his  youth  and 
early  manhood,  and,  thinking  that  he  could  pursue 
his  calling  to  no  better  advantage  than  on  the  rich 
virgin  soil  of  Michigan,  he  came  hither  in  1858, 
and  for  a  time  lived  at  Paw  Paw,  in  this  count3'. 
He  soon  purchased  a  faim  near  Breedsville,  upon 
which  he  resided  six  years.  He  then  bought  the 
farm  in  Arlington  Township  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home,  and  a  pleasant  home  it  is,  too,  cozy 
and  comfortable,  and  the  seat  of  an  abiding  and 
l)Ounteous  hospitality.  His  original  purchase  con- 
sisted of  a  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  but  he  has 
bought  other  realty  since,  and  he  now  has  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  as  good  and  well-tilled 
farming  land  as  is  to  be  found  in  this  part  of  Van 
Buren  County.  Mr.  Deming  is  a  wide-awake,  sens- 
ible man,  with  sound  views  on  all  subjects  with 
which  he  is  familiar,  and  throughout  his  career  he 
has  been  guided  by  upright  principles  in  all  his 
transactions,  and  no  citizen  of  this  community 
bears  a  better  reputation  in  this  respect    than  he. 


722 


PORTRAIT  AND  liluGliAI  HICAL   RECORD. 


In  jjolitics,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  sociall\% 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Grange,  and  takes  great  in- 
terest in  its  work. 

Mr.  Deming  has  been  twice  married;  in  I8G6  he 
was  wedded  to  !Miss  Mary  Smith,  who  died  after 
the  birtli  of  two  children,  of  whom  hut  one  is  liv- 
ing. Blanche.  Our  subject  was  subsequently  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Ellen  Coverdale,  a  native  of  Living- 
ston County,  N.  Y.  Ilcr  parents  are  Thomas  and 
Margaret  (\'an  Vleet)  Coverdale,  who  were  born  in 
New  York  and  Vermont,  respectivelj'.  The  father 
was  descended  in  a  direct  line  from  the  Duke  of 
York,  England.  Tlic  Coverdales  come  from  an  old 
English  family,  of  whom  Miles  Coverdale,  fam- 
ous in  the  literary  and  religious  world  as  one  of 
the  translators  of  tlic  lliblc  in  an  early  day,  w.as  a 
niemljer. 


RETrRN  T.  ANDERSON,  now  a  resident  of 
I.awton,  for  about  forty  j-ears  made  his  home 
in  Porter  Township.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation and  was  born  in  Circlcville,  Ohio, 
April  2G,  1820.  When  twelve  years  of  age,  he  ac- 
companied his  father,  Cornelius  Anderson,  to  Cass 
County,  this  State.  AVhen  Ihey  located  on  their 
inirchase  there  was  only  one  house  within  seven 
miles  of  Itieir  cabin.  After  residing  there  for  five 
yeai-s  they  moved  to  Little  Prairie  Ronde,  where 
oin-  subject  grew  to  mature  years. 

I II  I«12,  Return  T.  .Vndei'son  went  to  Iowa  where 
he  worked  on  a  farm  and  oi)erated  a  ferry  for  ten 
years.  On  again  locating  in  the  Wolverine  Slate 
he  took  up  a  farm  in  Porter  Townsliip  which  he 
h.'ts  iiijide  his  home  ever  since.  Miss  Margaret  Van 
Sickle  became  his  wife  in  IK18.  Mrs.  Anderson 
was  a  daughter  of  .lohii  and  Sallle  (Hosecranz) 
\'an  .Sickle,  natives  lespectively  of  New  .lersey  and 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \'an  .Sickle  came  to 
MiclilgMii  ns  early  Its  1827  and  located  in  Wayne 
Counly  on  n  raw  f.'iriii  wliicii  the  f.'ither  cleared  !ind 
holil.  In  lM.'18they  came  lo  \';iii  llureii  CJouiity 
and  located  on  three  hundri'il  iiimI  twenty  acu'cs  on 
se<'lion  17,  which  wii.h  ihcii  nnthing  m<iie  than  a 
deiisi-  wilderiies,t.  .Mr.  \'aii  Sickle  passed  rnvny  in 
|8(i|,  the  mother  dying  the .nnine year.     They  were 


the  parents  of  ten  children,  seven   of  whom   are 
living.     Two  sons  served  in  the  Civil  War. 

Mrs.  Anderson  was  born  .luiy  (!,  182;"),  and  after 
her  marriage  to  our  subject  they  located  in  Lawlon, 
building  the  second  house  in  that  place.  There 
IVIr.  Anderson  worked  on  the  IMichigan  Central 
Railroad  as  section  boss.  Tlic\'  made  that  i)lace 
their  home  for  seven  years  and  in  1855  settled  on 
their  present  farm.  Tliey  have  been  granted  a 
family  of  seven  children,  tliree  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased. 

August  8,  1862,  he  of  whom  we  write  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  Fourth  ^Michigan  Cavalry  and  served 
three  years  in  the  Civil  War.  lie  participated  in 
ninety-three  battles  and  served  in  the  .\inbulance 
Corps  until  the  close  of  the  war.  I  lis  regiment  was 
under  the  command  at  difTcrent  times  of  Gens. 
Thomas,  Kosccrans,  Sliennan  and  Wilson  and  aided 
ill  the  capture  of  .leff  Davis.  IMr.  Anderson  was 
on  duty  during  the  entire  [leiiod  of  his  enlistment, 
with  the  exception  of  four  weeks  when  he  was  sick 
w'ith  the  typhoid  fever.  He  received  his  hoiunable 
discharge  .hi ly  l(i,  18G.^,aiid  immediately  returned 
to  his  farm. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  is  a  memlier  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  and  isconneetcd  with 
the  Grand  .\rmy  Post  at  Lawton.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Kepulilicaii  and  has  .served  as  a  school  ollicer 
in  his  district.  His  father  w.as  a  soldier  in  the  War 
ot'  1812. 


.^._2?. 


ii#^i-^"i^l!l^#^^  < 


\f?OIIN  E.  SEP.RINt;.  Among  the  prominent 
business  men  of  Bangor,  none  is  more  worthy 
of  special  mention  than  the  gentleman 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  and  wOio  is 
jiopular,  not  only  among  Ills  immediate  friends  ;iiid 
associates,  but  throughout  the  county,  where  he  Is 
widely  known  and  highly  esleemed.  Since  his 
father's  death,  lie  h.'is  tiikeii  entire  elKiige  of  llie 
hotel  linsiness,  in  connection  with  wliieli  he  carries 
on  a  lirst-class  livery  sUible,  and  also  operates  a 
private  bank  and  brokerage  business. 

Mr.  Sebring  was  born  .lanimrv  Itl,  \HM,  in 
Lawlon,  Mich.,  anil  was  married  Deeeiiilier  17,  1878, 
to  Miss  Clara  Slebbins,  of  Bangor.     Mr.  Sebring  has 


^■^^^v 


7a  £C^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilOGRAl'mCAL   RECORD. 


723 


always  been  actively  enafaged  in  business,  and  has 
become  one  of  the  leading  men  in  his  town  and 
county.  For  many  years  he  was  connected  with 
his  fatlicr,  wliose  sketch  is  incorporated  with  this, 
and  from  wlioni  he  derived  many  of  liis  sterling- 
traits  of  chrracter. 

Horace  Sebring,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
liorn  in  Lyons,  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  June  24, 
1831.  He  grew  to  maturity  in  his  native  county, 
and  in  1850  located  in  Lawton,  Midi.,  where  he 
built  the  first  hotel  in  the  town.  He  soon  afterward 
removed  to  Constantine,  Mich.,  where  he  remained 
for  some  time,  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  coming 
in  1869  to  Bangor  where  he  bought  and  took 
cliarge  of  the  Sebring  House,  and  ran  it  until  his 
death.  Prior  to  coming  to  Bangor,  he  was  located 
in  Lawton,  engaged  in  railroading.  He  was  also 
engaged  in  the  grain  and  stock  business,  and  in 
operating  a  farm  and  during  the  last  few  years  of 
his  life  was  connected  with  his  son  in  the  private 
hanking  business. 

Hor.ace  .Sebring  was  married  December  13,  1851, 
to  Miss  Eunice  Har|)er,  daughter  of  Samuel  D. 
Harper,  and  the}-  became  the  jjarents  of  two 
children,, John  E.  and  .Sadie,  the  latter  of  whom 
married  Peter  Mackeller,  Paw  Paw.  Mr.  .Sebring's 
jiarents  were  Minard  and  Hannah  (Fisher)  Sebring, 
natives  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  the  father  lieiiig  descended 
from  .Scotch  and  lIollan<l  ancesti^-.  Mr.  Sebring  is 
remembered  as  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men 
in  the  early  days  af  Bangor  and  with  his  family, 
of  which  his  son,  Joiiii  E.  is  a  worthy  represent.-i- 
tive,  occupied  a  high  position  in  the  social  and 
liusiness  interests  of  the  community. 


]U~^  ON.  DWU)  ANDER.SON.  In  this  gentle- 
^  man,  Coluniliia  Township,  Van  Buien 
County,  has  one  of  its  leading  fanners  and 
most  ellicient  civic  ofticials.  He  tr.ices  his 
ancestry  to  Scotland,  whence  his  great-grandfather, 
Alanson  Anderson,  emigrated  from  Edinburg,  his 
native  city,  to  JNIassachusetts  about  1755.  He 
married  and  reared  two  children,  David  and 
Alanson.  Tiie  former,  who  was  horn  in  Nt)rthaini)- 
ton,  Mass.,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and   mar- 


ried Miss  Sarah  Ewoll;  they  became  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  all  of  whom  married.  In  1803, 
Grandfather  Anderson  came  as  far  West  as  Le  Roy. 
N.  Y.,  where  he  improved  a  farm,  and  from  that 
place  he  removed  to  Ni.agara  County,  the  same 
State,  where  he  died.  In  religious  convictions,  he 
was  a  Presbyterian,  and  in  political  matters,  a 
member  of  the  Whig  party. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  Seneca  Anderson, 
who  was  born  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  October  19, 
1798,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  New  York  when 
quite  small.  He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits, 
and  was  thus  engaged"  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y., 
between  the  years  of  1822  and  1868.  At  the  last- 
mentioned  date,  he  located  in  LeRoy,  where  he  died 
March  5,  1881.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Lucy  AVebb,  still  survives  at  the  Age  of  eighty-nine. 
Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  namely: 
Belona,  David,  Harmony,  Lucy,  Ilolton,  Oriihana, 
Galusha  and  Hannah,  all  of  whom  are  now  living. 
In  their  religious  belief,  the  parents  were  earnest 
members  of  the  Bajitist  Church,  while  the  father 
was  in  })olitics  first  a  Whig  and  later  a  Re[)ublican. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  notice  was  born 
November  26,  1824,  in  Clarendon,  Orleans  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  received  a  common-school  education  in 
his  youth.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  commenced 
in  life  for  himself,  teaching  first  in  New  York  and 
afterward  in  Jlichigan.  For  a  time  he  was  in  the 
mercantile  Inisiness  in  Bergen,  N.  Y.,  but  three 
years  after  embarking  in  business  .as  a  merchant,  he 
commenced  to  operate  as  a  sash  and  blind  manu- 
facturer, and  continued  in  that  way  for  four  years 
in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y. 

In  the  spring  of  1854,  Mr.  Anderson  came  to 
Michigan,  buying  in  Branch  County  a  [)artially 
improved  farm  of  eighty  acres,  and  later  selling  the 
place.  He  then  bought  two  hundred  and  eight}' 
acres  in  Matteson  Township,  which  he  operated 
until  1862,  when  he  came  to  Columbia  Township, 
Van  Buren  County,  and  located  on  sections  24  and 
13.  Together  with  a  brother,  he  purchased  one 
thousand  four  hundred  acres  of  timber  land  and  en- 
gaged in  lumbering,  .as  well  as  in  merchandising,  for 
nine  years,  since  which  time  he  has  followed  farm- 
ing pursuits.  He  now  owns  two  hundred  .and  eighty 
acres  of  finely   improved   land,  where  he   resides. 


■21 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


He  has  been  active  in  local  politics  as  a  member  of 
tlie  Republican  party,  lias  served  as  Supervisor  of 
Urancli  County,  and  in  1.H72  w.as  eleclcd  to  the 
Slate  Senate,  which  hononiMi'  iiosition  he  lias  filled 
with  marked  etticiency. 

In  July.  1862,  Mr.  Anderson  raised  a  company 
for  service  in  the  late  war.  He  was  commissioned 
First  Lieutenant  of  this  company,  II,  Nineteenth 
Michiuan  Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  first 
battle  of  Tliomi)son  Station,  Hesaca,  Cassville,  New 
Hope  Church,  Golgotha,  two  days  at  Kcnesaw 
^lountain,  Peaclitrce  Creek,  and  in  all  thirteen 
important  enj^agemenls  in  which  his  regiment  par- 
ticipated. He  was  wounded  at  New  Hope  Cliurch, 
but  passed  through  the  other  conflicts  nn injured. 
lie  w.as  i)ronioted  to  be  Captain  in  March,  18G3, 
and  Novemljcr  lij,  of  the  following  year,  was 
commissioned  Major,  brevetted  Colonel.  At  the 
mustering  out  of  the  regiment  at  Pc.achtrce  Creek, 
be  took  command  and  continued  in  tliat  way  un- 
til he  was  honorably  discharged,  .lune  27,  1865. 
The  last  two  engagemenlvS  in  which  he  took  (lart 
were  at  Averj'sboro  and  I$entonville.  lie  partici- 
pated in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington. 

Col.  Anderson  was  marriiMl.  ^larcli  18,  181(),  to 
Lovisa,  daughter  of  Hen jaiiiin  and  Anna  (Shedd) 
Throop,  natives  of  Vermont.  Her  paternal  givind- 
parents.  Orange  and  Aliiah  (I)oiighiss)  'I'hrofjp, 
emigrated  from  the  (Jreen  Mountain  State  to  New 
York  in  180,'i,  and  were  minibered  among  the  earl- 
iest settlers  of  llcrgeu,  where  they  died.  r>cnjamiii 
Throop  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  In  his  relig- 
ious views,  he  was  a  >t;in(  h  liaptisl.  His  first  wife, 
who  was  the  mother  of  tlir<'e  sons  and  one  daugli- 
icr.  ilied  in  York  State,  and  afterward  Mr.  Throop 
wa.«  married  to  Mi>s  llanford.  In  IHGO,  lie  came 
to  Itraiieii  ( duiity.  .-ind  made  his  home  witii  our 
subject,  until  his  death  in  18(JK. 

'I'lie  great-gnindpareiits  of  Mrs.  Anderson  were 
.losepli   and   .Sar.ali   ( Kasson )  Throop,  wlio,  shortly 

after  their  niarri.'ige  in    Litchfield.  Conn.,  re \cil 

to  MIddlebury,  \'t.  At  the  time  of  the  ivcvolii- 
lioii»r>  Wjir,  they  went  Irick  to  Litchlield,  and 
aftrr  .Hpen<ling  a  few  years  liien!,  packed  llicir 
liou'<eliold  (fiKids,  int4-iidiiig  to  return  totlietJreen 
Mountain  State,  Imt  .Mr.  Tliroop  became  ill  and 
ilird.    Ili'<  widow,  willi  her  live  eliildreii.  afti'iward 


made  the  removal  thither.  The  grcat-great-grand- 
parents  of  Mre.  Anderson  were  Joseph  and  Debora 
(Buell)  Throop,  who  died  in   Litchfield,  Conn. 

A  native  of  IJergen,  N.  Y.,  Mrs.  .Vnderson  w.as 
reared  in  her  native  Stale,  where  in  her  i)ai'eiits" 
home  she  was  trained  to  habits  of  usefulness  and 
fitted  for  the  sphere  which  she  is  now  worthily  oe- 
cup^-ing.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  became  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  namely;  .\nna  E.,  now  the 
widow  of  Dr.  A.  A.  Carrier;  Seneca  15.,  of  Jlcniiihis, 
Tenn.;  Alonzo  T.,  Clerk  of  \'aii  Ibuon  County; 
Arthur  L.;  Mary,  Lucy,  and  Lincoln,  who  died  at 
the  .ages,  respectively,  of  ten,  two  and  one  year; 
and  David,  Jr.,  a  graduate  of  the  Agricultural  Col- 
lege. March  5,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Thompson 
Station,  Tenn.,  Mr.  Anderson  was  taken  i)risoner 
and  was  imprisoned  in  Libby  Prison  for  two  inontlis. 


\m 


m\ 


R.  JOHN  TURNER  KKAHLES,  deceased, 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  for 
forty-three  years,  and  for  nearly  forty 
years  of  that  time  made  Decatur  the 
scene  of  his  labors.  His  father,  Michael  Ke;ibles, 
was  born  in  Connecticut,  of  English  parents.  In 
early  life  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Bromley,  a  resi- 
dent of  Norwich,  in  the  same  State.  When  a  young 
man,  lie  followed  the  sea,  but  a  few  years  after  his 
marriage  he  removed  to  the  Emi)ire  State  and 
engiiged  in  farming.  Subsequently,  he  followed 
that  pursuit  near  J.ackson,  Mich.,  and  tliirty-liye 
years  .'igo  remoyed  to  Pella,  Iowa,  where  he  made 
his  home  until  his  death,  in  the  autumn  of  1877. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  was  a 
]\Iason,  holding  the  ofllce  of  Worthy  Master  in  the 
lodge  to  which  he  belonged.  Seven  sons  and  a 
d.aughtcr  constituted  the  Keables  family,  llic  eldest 
of  whom,  William,  died  in  California;  ICr.'istus 
Henry,  now  deceased,  was  a  physician  of  Coloiado; 
11.  I',  is  a  physician  of  Pella,  Iowa;  EIIsIki  died  in 
I'ella,  niaiiy  years  ago;  .lames  is  a  farmer  of  Prairie 
City,  Iowa;  Alonzo  is  en g.'iged  in  f;irming  in  South 
Dakota;  and  Nancy  is  the  widow  of  Orriii  rarisli, 
and  lives  at  Maize,  Kan. 

I)r  .1.  T.  Kenbles   was    liorn    in    .Noiuieli,   Conn., 
SeptcnilMi    1(1,    l.s2."i,  ;ind  when  (|iiiti'   young  went 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


725 


with  liis  parents  to  New  York,  wliere  lie  I)eiraii  his 
sehool  life,  completing  his  edncaliou  in  the  scliools 
of  Jackson,  Mich.  At  tlie  age  of  eighteen,  h(!  began 
tcacliing,  which  he  followed  for  aliont  live  years. 
In  the  meantime,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  began 
the  study  of  medicine  with  his  brother,  Erastus 
Henry,  and  pursued  it  in  connection  witti  his 
.school  duties  for  some  time.  He  entered  upon 
practice  in  St.  .To.seph  County,  and  thence  removed 
to  Oswego,  III.,  where  lie  [jracticed  one  summer. 
He  next  went  to  .lolict,  wlierc  he  engaged  in  school 
teaching,  and,  in  1848,  opened  an  oUice  in  Dowa- 
giac,  Mich.  Two  years  later,  he  came  to  Decatur. 
Dr.  Hartholemew  had  just  left  this  place,  and  thus, 
with  a  favorable  opening  before  him,  and  the  nec- 
essar}'  skill  and  ability,  he  soon  won  a  liberal  pat- 
ronage, of  which  he  had  command  until  the  last. 

The  Doctor's  practice  was  interrupted  when  the 
Civil  War  broke  out  and  he  left  his  home  to  enter 
Government  service  at  Cairo,  111.,  as  .Surgeon  in 
the  hospitals  there.  From  there  he  went  to  Island 
No.  10,  to  take  charge  of  the  contrabands  and 
afterward  to  (ill  the  jiosition  of  Post  Surgeon,  until 
the  island  was  ordered  evacuated,  in  1864.  His 
commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  Third 
Michigan  Cavalry  was  received  b3'  him  about  that 
time,  but  owing  to  sickness  in  his  familj'  he  did 
not  use  it  and  was  discharged  from  the  service 
the  same  j'ear,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  home. 
He  served  as  United  States  Examining  Surgeon 
until  1881,  when  the  existing  Pension  Board  was 
formed  and  he  became  Special  Examining  Sur- 
ge(jn  for  the  Government.  Socially,  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  1848,  Dr.  Keables 
married  Miss  Susan  Woodruff,  daughter  of  AVill- 
iam  Woodruff,  a  native  of  New  York,  who  came  to 
Michigan,  during  its  territorial  days  and  settled 
at  Flowerfield,  St.  Joseph  County.  Afterward  he 
took  up  his  residence  near  Three  Rivers,  where  the 
Doctor  and  his  wife  were  married.  Unto  them 
were  born  two  children.  Edith,  the  elder,  is  the 
wife  of  H.  W.  McArtluir.  a  leading  attorne^y  of 
Cheb03'gan,  Mich;  the  son,  II.  W.,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Decatur  and  the  Normal  Col- 
lege of  Val|)araiso,  Ind.,  andsubsequentl}'  engaged 
in  farming  for    five    years.     He    then    accepted  a 


|)Osition  as  AVater  Su|i|)ly  Agent  for  the  Fremont, 
Elkhorn  it  Jlissouri  A'allc^'  Railroad,  which  he 
filled  for  a  year  and  then  went  to  Cheboygan,  where 
he  engaged  with  W.  A.  McArthur,  a  large  luml)er 
firm.  He  there  spent  four  years,  when  on  the 
death  of  his  father  he  returned  to  Decatur,  where 
he  is  now  living. 

Dr.  Keables  passed  away  November  1,  18!)1. 
During  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  he  was  in  poor 
health,  but  he  never  entirely  gave  up  practice. 
Indolence  and  idleness  were  utterly  foreign  to  his 
nature  and  he  continued  his  labors  while  strength 
lasted.  In  this  community  not  to  know  Dr.  Keables 
was  to  argue  oneself  unknown.  Few  had  a  wider 
acquaintance  and  none  were  held  in  higher  regard. 
He  was  prominently  identified  with  the  history  of 
Decatur  from  an  early  day,  aided  in  its  ui)l)uilding 
and  advancement  and  was  one  of  its  most  valued 
citizens.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  its  old- 
est inhabitant. 


I^+^P- 


"^ 


Vf^RANKLIN  KENNEDY,  a  native-born  citi- 
•r^S)]  zen  of  Bangor  Township,Van  Buren  County, 
/l^  "^  is  now  one  of  its  foremost  agriculturists, 
and  has  acquired  a  solid  reputation  as  a  straight- 
forward, honorable  man,  and  .as  a  thrifty,  hard- 
working, capable  farmer.  Since  1875,  he  has  been 
a  factor  in  the  agricultural  life  in  this  section  of 
the  country,  and  has  managed  his  well  equipped 
farm  of  three  hundred  and  fort}'  acres  of  land 
(forty  of  which  is  in  Allegan  County)  with  skill 
and  profit  since  it  has  come  into  his  possession. 

This  gentleman  is  a  son  of  Franklin  and  Rosanna 
(Frost)  Kennedy,  and  was  born  August  10,  1854, 
in  Keeler  Township,  this  countj',  and  was  the  third 
born  in  a  famil}'^  of  six  children,  as  follows: 
Samantha,  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Couklin, 
both  now  deceased;  Ellis,  now  a  resident  of  this 
county;  our  subject;  Florence,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Kise,  of  Benton  Harbor;  Almus;  and  Jane,  wife  of 
M.  Keith,  of  this  count}-.  The  father  of  this  fam- 
il}'  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  in  1800,  and  left 
his  native  State  when  a  young  man  and  went  to 
New  York  State  and  located  in  Allegany  County. 
He  took  ui)  land  of  the  Holland  Purchase  Company 


726 


PORTRAIT  A^■I)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


wliic-li  lie  operateil  for  a  while.  Init,  sellins  out, 
cauie  to  \'aii  Hiiren  County  in  1852,  anil  located 
in  Keeler  Township.  About  1863,  ho  removed  to 
Bangor  Township,  taking  up  land  and  elearing  it 
sucecssfnlly.  He  continued  to  add  to  this  until 
he  owned  two  hundred  !»nd  cightj-  productive 
acres.  He  was  an  active  politician.  Iwing  a  Demo- 
crat, .ind  was  a  puhlic-spirited  man.  It  is  quite 
proljable  the  family  arc  descended  from  .Scotch 
ancestry. 

Our  subject  w.as  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  this  county  and  eaily  began  the  tedious  life  of 
a  farmer,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years, 
started  out  for  himself.  In  1877,  he  was  united 
in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock  to  Clara  Crissj%  of 
Lawrence,  this  county.  She  passed  from  this  life 
in  18H.5,  leaving  one  child.  Jlr.  Kennedy  was 
again  married  in  1886,  this  wife  being  Flora, 
daughter  of  Willard  Stephens,  of  South  Haven, 
this  .Slate,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  two 
bright  and  interesting  children.  Mr.  Kennedy  is 
now  the  deserving  possessor  of  three  hundred 
broad  and  fertile  acres  in  this  county  and  forty 
acres  in  Allegan  County,  the  most  of  whicli  lie  has 
accumulated  himself  hy  his  energetic,  determined 
and  economical  will.  In  liis  political  views,  he 
casts  his  vote  and  inlluence  with  the  Democracy. 
He  and  his  estimable  wife  are  held  in  high  repute 
by  all  their  neighbors  and  fricndsand  areutlcndanls 
of  difTercnt  churches. 


/^ 


ir^j  RASTl'S  C.\S11.  The  extensive  and  v:ilu- 
able  farming  interests  of  A'an  IJurcii  County 
are  conducted  by  an  inlelligent,  practical, 
enterprising  cla.-s  of  men. among  wlioiii  our  subject 
occupies  n  high  pl:i<c.  llis  finni,  witii  its  eighty 
ft<re<  of  fertile  and  well-lilled  soil,  pleasantly  lo- 
cated on  section  1,  I'aw  I'aw  Township,  is  one  of 
the  l»e«t  in  poinl  of  improvement  in  this  vicinity, 
and  is  adniir.'ilily  adapti'd  to  stock-raising  purposes, 
to  which  .Mr.  ('."isli  devot<".s  il,  .as  is  .shown  by  the 
fine  Wilkes  Iioi-mci,  the  |1<kU  of  l)|iioih'd  Merino 
sheep  and  the  hi-rd  of  Shoit-horn  and  Durham 
cattle  which  are  sustained  by  it"  rich  pastures. 


Mr.Cash  is  a  n.ati  ve  of  Genesee  County,  N.Y.,  born 
June  19,  1838.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  F. and 
Lucy  (Deming)  Cash,  and  thej'  were  also  natives 
of  the  Empire  State.  The  early  life  of  our  sub- 
ject w.as  passed  in  the  county  of  his  birth  on  a  farm, 
and  he  was  well  trained  in  all  branches  of  .agricul- 
ture during  his  youth,  besides  acqiiiring  a  fair 
common-school  education,  which  he  has  since  ex- 
tended b}'  reading  and  observation.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  at  which  time  he  married,  he  began 
his  independent  career  as  a  farmer.  He  soon  after 
bought  a  hundred  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  went 
in  debt  to  the  extent  of  $7,000.  He  operated  that 
until  he  was  nearly  thirt}'  years  old,  and  then  had 
a  good  opportunity  to  sell  it  for  the  round  sum  of 
!i!8,700.  He  was  drafted  while  the  war  was  raging, 
and  paid  $l,lo0  for  a  substitute.  He  came  to  Mich- 
igan with  his  father-in-law,  and  they  bought  one 
hundred  acres  of  land,  of  which  our  subject  took 
seventy  acres,  wliicli  he  disposed  of  at  an  advance 
on  the  cost  price  of  thirty  dollars.  He  then 
bouglit  llis  present  place  in  Paw  Paw  Township. 
Tliere  were  forty  acres  cleared,  and  Rlr.  Cash  has 
improved  the  remainder,  and  has  made  of  it  a  very 
valuable  iiiecc  of  proi)crty,  erecting  the  present 
fine  buildings  that  adorn  the  place,  .and  its  well- 
ordered  arrangements  betoken  masterly  manage- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  pro])riet()r. 

Mr.  Cash  was  first  married  to  Miss  Sarah  .lane 
Pierson,  November  2,  1860,  being  the  date  of  their 
union.  Slie  departed  this  life.  May  15,  1867,  after 
a  ha|)py  niarringe  of  a  little  more  than  six  years' 
duration,  wliicli  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  chil- 
dren,of  whom  the  following  is  the  record:  .lennie, 
born  April  11,  181);!,  married  Milton  Pugsley.  a 
faniiei'  of  Paw  Paw  Townslii|);  Carrie,  born  May 
1;'),  18(i.'>,  in  Paw  Paw,  inarried  Cliauncey  llowen.a 
fanner  of  Lawrence  Township.  The  marriage  of 
our  subject  to  his  present  estimable  wife,  formerly 
Miss  Cordelia  Phillips,  of  Decatur,  Mich.,  took 
place  March  11,  18(18.  Their  pleasant  wedded  life 
has  been  hallowed  to  Ihcni  by  llie  biillior.'i  daugh- 
ter, Franlde  Adell,  who  was  born  ;it  the  home  farm, 
Sept,ember  26,  I8()l(.  She  lias  been  given  excellent 
education;! I  advantages,  ami  pursued  a  course  of 
studies  at  the  ll.artford  school  one  year.  Mrs.  Cash 
was  born  in  Ontario,  C'an.,  March  l>,  1811,  and  is  a 


rORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


daiiylitiT  of  Aarcin  aiid  Tryiilioiia  (Cliapin)  Pliil- 
li|is,  iirilivch  i'i'S|ieclivel y  of  Now  llani|isliiie  and 
('anada.  'I'licy  were  mairicd  in  the  (^noun's  do- 
minion and  spent  their  early  wedded  life  there. 
In  !«(!;"),  tliey  crossed  the  l)order  and  went  to  In- 
diana; later  they  came  to  Michigan.  Mrs.  Cash 
was  a  bright  scholar  in  her  girlhood,  qualified  her- 
self to  teach,  and  before  slic  was  sixteen  yeai-s  old, 
en(crc(l  upon  her  chosen  profession,  which  she 
pursued  witli  marked  success  for  nine  terms  in 
Indiana,  to  whicli  phice  her  jiarents  had  removed 
from  lihcir  Canadian  home,  when  she  was  al)Out* 
eight  years  old. 

Our  subject  is  a  Democrat, but  is  no  oflice-seekcr, 
preferring  the  quiet  of  his  pleasant  fireside  to  the 
cares  of  public  life.  He  is  looked  uii  to  with  gen- 
uine res|)ect  by  the  entire  community,  with  whom 
he  h.as  dwelt  in  peace  and  friendship  for  these 
many  years,  as  all  know  him  to  be  of  sound  integ- 
rity and  of  unblemished  honor  in  all  the  relations 
of  life  that  be  sustains  toward  others.  He  is  a 
self-made  man  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  tei-m,  and 
he  possesses  a  mind  well  stored  with  information. 
He  and  his  wife  and  daughter  are  active  members 
of  the  regular  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  is  a 
trustee. 


SAAC  MONROE  ranks  among  the  prominent 
farmers  and-  stock-raisers  of  Lawrence  Town- 
/i:  ship,  Van  Bureu  County.  His  farm  is  located 
on  section  2,  where  he  makes  a  specialty  of  breed- 
ing horses,  owning  the  noted  animals,  ''Free 
Trade,"  "Tariff"  and  "Temperance."  He  also 
owns  some  very  fine  brood  mares.  Mr.  Monroe, 
in  addition  to  his  farming  interests,  is  quite  an 
extensive  dealer  in  lumber  in  Lawrence  Township, 
and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  well-to-do  men  of 
this  section. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  the  house  in  which  he 
at  present  resides,  Maj'  6,  1844,  and  is  the  son  of 
Judge .Tay  Randolph  and  Fannie  (Rawson)  Monroe, 
the  father  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  mother  of 
Massachusetts.  The  elder  Mr.  Monroe  came  to 
Michigan  as  early  as  1827.  He  was  married  to 
Miss   Rawson    in   Kalamazoo  and  soon  thereafter 


located  on  tlic  tract  which  is  the  abiding-place  of 
our  subject.  He  was  a  very  i)rominenl  iiiun  in  the 
county  and  served  as  Circuit  .Judge  for  a  number 
of  years. 

Isaac  Monroe  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
received  a  good  education  in  the  home  school  and 
attended  the  ]~)ecatur  schools  for  six  months.  He 
started  out  to  do  for  himself  by  clearing  and  im- 
proving a  tract  of  wild  land,  which  his  father  had 
given  him,  and  which  was  located  near  South 
Haven.  He  soon  became  tired  of  that  kind  of 
work,  however,  and  returned  lumie.  At  that  time 
he  knew  nothing  about  the  cai'e  of  horses,  but  hav- 
ing a  brother  who  was  a  great  lover  of  those  ani- 
mals, he  became  more  interested  in  imiuoving  his 
own  stock,  and,  in  186(5,  |)urehased  the  thfjrough- 
bred  mare  named  "Kittle. "  He  did  not  give  much 
attention,  however,  to  the  breeding  of  horses  at 
that  time,  as  he  w.as  engaged  quite  extensively  in 
the  lumber  and  charcoal  business  and  in  improving 
the  farm.  His  favorite  animal,"Kittie,"  bred  sixteen 
full  standard  horses,  and  it  was  not  until  he  be- 
came the  owner  of  colts  that  made  a  record  of 
2:20,  that  our  subject  began  to  give  his  attention 
to  stock-breeding.  "Free  Trade"  and  "Tariff  " 
were  put  into  the  2:30  list  with  less  than  six 
months'  training.  Mr.  Monroe  also  owns  a  vain- 
able  mare  named  "Nellie."  "Tariff"  and  "Free 
Trade"  took  the  first  premium  as  a  foal  team  at 
Chicago,  in  1890. 

Mr.  Monroe  is  a  gentleman  who  can  snccessfull3^ 
carry  on  several  different  lines  of  business,  being 
a  very  prominent  farmei',  stock-breeder  and  lum- 
berman in  Van  Buren  Count3-.  He  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  lose  three  of  his  barns  by  fire  in  1890. 
He  was  married  at  South  Haven,  November  28, 
1877,  to  Miss  Carrie  J.  Cook.  Mrs.  Monroe  was 
born  in  Dowagiac,  this  kState,  September  17,  1857. 
They  have  become  the  parents  of  the  following- 
named  children:  Edward  Randoli)lis,  who  was 
born  on  the  home  farm,  November  12,  1878;  L3'da 
Belle,  born  July  2,  1880;  Pearl  Eunice,  born  May 
9,  1883;  William  Isaac,  March  25,  1885;  Harold 
Lawrence,  September  5,  1889,  and  Fannie  L.,  Jan- 
uary 8,  1892. 

In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  firm  Democrat,  as 
was  his  father,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential   vote 


728 


PORTRAIT  AND  I'.IOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


in  1868.  Although  his  township  is  stri'iii;lv  l\o- 
piiblicin,  he  has  l)t>cu  elected  to  the  ulliee  of  Su- 
pervisor on  two  oec.isions.  lie  is  a  member  of  tlie 
M.TSonic  order,  and  with  his  wife  is  identified  witli 
tiie  B.iplisl  t'hureh  in  Lawrence.  \  slvoteli  of  our 
subject's  father  will  he  found  vu  another  page  in 
this  volume. 


■^  '  m  '\'ti  ^••' 


^^^RSOX  OLDS,  deceased.  Tliis  gentleman, 
who  was  a  resident  of  Hartford,  Van  Uuren 
County,  was  horn  in  Connecticut  in  18((2. 
He  removed  to  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  about 
1841,  where  he  w.as  married  to  Miss  Renew  Sco- 
ville,  with  whom  he  lived  fift^'-seven  years,  the 
good  wife  dying  in  1883.  They  had  a  family  of 
ten  children,  who  .are  recorded  as  follows:  Jane, 
the  widow  of  (icorge  Manley;  Ranson,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Grand  Rapids;  Van  Renssellaer,  who 
resides  at  Hartford;  Edwin,  now  of  Chicago; 
Rhoda,  who  is  the  widow  of  Giles  Cook;  Almond 
A.,  who  resides  at  Grand  Rapids;  Allen,  of  Hart- 
ford; Henry,  of  Benton  Harbor;  Marcius,  of  Min- 
nesota, and  William,  who  was  killed  by  the  falling 
of  a  limb,  when  fourteen  years  old. 

Mr.  Olds  came  to  Michigan  in  tiio  spring  of 
1813,  where  he  reared  his  family  and  developed  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  .acres,  all  of 
which  he  cleared  and  brought  out  of  a  wild  state. 
Politically,  Mr.  Olds  w.as  a  stanch  Repul)lican.  but 
w.as  not  an  active  politician.  He  was  called  from 
this  earth  March  .30,  1881,  and  the  county  lost  bj- 
his  death  one  of  il.-i  most  honest  and  worthy  citi- 
zens. 

Allen  Olds,  the  son  of  the  gentleman  whose  namo 
heads  this  skel<-h,  who  now  resides  in  Hartford, 
wa.s  born  in  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  .I:iiiuary  1, 
1X13,  ami  the  following  March  was  brought  to 
\'an  liurcii  County  anil  here  received  his  rearing. 
In  August,  18(12.  lie  enlisted  in  Company  (!,Ninc- 
tt'cnth  MIchigMii  liifniilry,  for  his  country's  honor, 
and  joined  the  Ai-iiiy  of  the  rumberland.  He  par- 
ticipated ill  the  following  liaMlcs:  Miirfreesboro, 
La  X'ergne.  Stone  River,  Chicknmaiiga,  Mission 
Riilge,  Resuca,  Dallas,  Kcnesaw,  Chattahooehee 
River,  niege  of  Atlanta  and  .loiic.sboro.     At  Spring 


Hill,  Tenn.,  Mr.  Olds  was  captured  with  about 
twelve  hundred  others  and  taken  to  Libby  Prison, 
remaining  there  three  months.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  he  came  home  and  carried  on  farming  until 
1874,  when  he  engaged  in  the  maniifacture  of  sash, 
doors  and  blinds  and  also  ran  a  planing  mill. 

In  1867,  Allen  Olds  was  married  to  Mahala,  a 
daughter  of  Eli.as  Lewis,  and  unto  them  have  been 
born  two  children:  Volney  and  Minnie.  Socially, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  AV.  Ellsworth  Post  No.  20, 
G.  A.  R.,  and  also  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  Politicallj^,  he  is  a  true-lilue  Republican, 
and  never  swerves  from  his  jiartv. 


-^ 


^r 


RS.  EMILY  E.  BROWN.  This  lady,  who 
///  ll\  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  in  Antwerp 
-li  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  is  the 
widow  of  Roswell  W.  Brown,  who  was  a 
well-known  resident  of  this  township,  and  a  brave 
soldier  during  the  late  war.  Mrs.  Brown  is  a  n.a- 
tive  of  New  York,  being  born  at  Belfast,  Alle- 
gany County,  December  12,  1836.  Her  |)arents 
were  .lesse  and  Ann  is  (Barden)  Wilson,  the 
father  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  October 
24,  1807,  and  the  mother  of  New  York,  born 
December  20,  180.5.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  Tiiey  were  uiarriod  in  Ciienango 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  1828,  and  of  this  union  live 
children  were  born,  three  sons  and  two  daughters, 
two  of  whom  are  now  living,  namelj':  Henry  B. 
and  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch.  Tbose  deceased 
are  Charles,  Polly  .V.  and  .Icssie. 

Mrs.  Brown's  parents  removed  from  New  York 
to  Michigan  in  1855,  and  settled  at  Almena,  \:u\ 
Buren  County,  where  they  have  resided  ever  since. 
Mr.  Wilson  has  been  the  .Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
a  uuinbcr  of  years,  and  served  scvcrMJ  terms  .'is 
Tonii>]iip  Treasurer.  Tiiey  arc  both  mcinhprs  of 
the  Baptist  ('liuicli  at  Paw  Paw,  and  arc  liiglily 
esteemed  citizen.s.  Mrs.  Brown  w.is  uituiied  .lan- 
uary  21,  18()l  to  R.  W.  Krowii,  wiio  was  a  mUive 
of  New  York,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  October 
13,  183G.  During  the  laic  w.'ir,  Mr.  Ihovvii  enlis- 
ttMl,  ill  |8(;i.  iu  the  Michigan  Light  .\rtillcry  and 
serveil  until  .Iiun'.  l.S(;5.      He  held  the  positions  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


729 


Qiiai'terina.-itor  and  (Viriioral  ;m<i  was  a  gallant 
sultlier.  After  liis  i-cliini  froiu  tJic  army,  he 
operated  the  fanii,  uiion  whicli  liis  family 
still  reside,  until  his  death,  October  3,  1889. 
He  was  a  menil)er  of  the  L.  C  Woodman  Post 
No.  196,  G.  A.  K.,  and  was  a  communicant 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church.  He  was  a  man 
highly  respected  in  his  community,  and  a  de- 
voted husband  and  father.  Mrs.  Brown  owns  a 
well-improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  near  the  village  of  Lawton.  She  has  two 
children:  Hugh  W.,  who  was  born  August  28,  1867, 
and  was  married,  March  25,  1891,  to  Miss  Grace  E. 
McCarthy,  who  was  born  November  8,  1871;  and 
Jessie  W.  C,  whose  birth  took  place  December  8, 
1877. 


!)HOMAS  CROSS,  of  Bangor  Township,  Van 
'([(^^  Buren  County,  was  born  in  Hancock 
5^^  County ,Ohio,  in  1841,  and  is  the  fourth-born 
in  a  family  of  seven  children  who  grew  to  mature 
}'ears.  They  are  as  follows:  James  of  Hartford, 
Mich.;  Mary,  widow  of  William  DeLong,  of  Arling- 
ton Township;  Margaret  J.,  wife  of  Amassa  Smith, 
of  I>angor;  our  subject;  Wilson,  deceased;  Corne- 
lius, of  Bangor;  Nancy,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Wesley  Willis,  of  Bangor. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Cross  were  .lolin  and  Martha 
(Sterling)  Cross,  the  father  a  native  of  Columbi- 
ana County,  Ohio,  who  was  born  in  1810,  and  was 
one  of  three  brothers  born  to  his  parents:  Thomas, 
John  and  James,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity 
and  married.  The  father  of  our  subject  came  to 
this  country  in  1863,  and  died  here  about  1880. 
James  Cross,  an  uncle  of  our  subject,  came  toMicIi- 
igan  in  1866,  and  located  at  Hartford,  where  he 
died  in  June,  1891,  leaving  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren. The  paternal  grandfatlier,  Cross,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Germany  and  came  to  America  early  in 
life;  his  wife  was  of  Irish  extraction.  The  mater- 
nal grandparents,  Jacob  and  Nancy  Sterling,  were 
both  born  in  Ireland. 

Our  subject  came  to  Bangor  in  1861,  at  the   age 
of  twentj'    years  and  h.as  made    this   county  his 
home  ever  since.     He  was  united   in    marriage,  in 
34  V 


1864,  to  Mary  J.  Bennett,  a  daughter  of  Hiram 
Bennett;  unto  tlu^iii  have  been  born  seven  chil- 
dren, five  of  whoTii  arc  still  living, namel}':  Carrie 
L.,  wife  of  Irving  Wi^icii;  Gertrude  A.,  the  wife 
of  Dr.  William  J.  Armour,  of  Bangor;  Irving  J., 
Elnora  and  Ada  B.  Tiie  two  deceased  bore  the 
names  of  Amanda  .1.  and  Liiifoi'd  T.,  respectively. 
Mr.  Cross  has  devoted  his  whole  life  to  farming 
and  has  been  a  very  successful  agriculturist.  In 
1887,  he  engaged  in  im|)orting  fine  horses  for  the 
purpose  of  stocking  iiis  farm  and  also  to  sell,  hav- 
ing made  two  trii)s  to  the  Old  Country  buying 
them,  and  spent  two  montiis  traveling  in  France. 
He  has  imported  fifty-one  fine  Percheron  horses. 
This  gentleman  has  a  very  line  estate  of  three 
hundred  broad  and  fertile  acics.  He  has  all  the 
best  improvements  upon  his  place  for  the  keeping 
of  his  tine  stock,  and  the  eye  of  the  passer-by  is  at 
once  attracted  to  his  beautiful  place.  The  reader 
will  perceive  from  the  foregoing  that  Mr.  Cross 
has  carved  out  his  own  fortune,  with  the  assistance 
only  of  Mrs.  Cross,  who  has  contributed  her  share 
toward  his  success.  His  children  are  educated  at 
home,  having  a  teacher  in  the  house  until  old 
enough  to  attend  the  Union  School  at  Bangor. 
He  has  been  a  Republican  since  tiie  organization 
of  that  party.  Independent  in  circumstances,  he 
enjoys  all  the  comforts  that  life  affords  and  is  held 
in  highest  respect  by  all  his  neighbors  and  many 
friends. 


""g/=i'^* 


^p^EORGE  W.  HAVEN,  wh^ 
III  ^— ,  farming  in  Bloomingdah 
^^ijj   Buren  Count}',  was  born  S 


GEORGE  W.  HAVEN,  who   is   carrying  on 

dale  Township,  Van 
•n  September  18,1831, 
in  Shalersville,Portage  County ,()hio.  His  father  was 
John  Haven,  a  son  of  Elisha  Haven,  who  traces  back 
liisancestry  through  James ,Jr.,James and  Nathaniel, 
to  Richard  Haven,  who  emigrated  from  the  West 
of  England,  about  1664,  and  settled  at  Plymouth, 
Mass.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  His  son,  Na- 
thaniel Haven,  was  born  June  30,  1664.  Vvom 
him  descended  James,  born  in  Framingham,  Mass., 
Marcli  4,  1710,  and  James,  Jr.,  at  the  same  place, 
September  18,  1731.  The  latter  married  Mehitable 
Bixbv.     His  son    Elisha,    the   grandfather   of  our 


730 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAriUCAL  RECORD. 


subjec't.wasliDrii  at  Frainintrliaiii..Tanu:irv  27.  1772, 
and  was  a  lilacksmitli  liy  trade.  His  wife  w.as 
Mollie  Goodell,  wlio  bore  him  nine  children,  five 
sons  and  four  dau-rlitors.  They  removed  from 
M.HSsacliusctts  to  New  llampsliire,  liienec  to  Ver- 
mont, and  from  tliere  to  Crown  Point.  N.  Y. 
Alx)Ut  l«2(i  tliey  eame  to  Portage  County.  Ohio, 
where  the  father  died  in  .January,  185.'i.  and  his 
wife  in  the  same  month  tiie  following  year.  Slie 
wa.-i  a  iai'Uil>er  of  the  Disciples    Church. 

Jolm  Haven,  tlic  father  of  our  sulijccl.  was  horn 
at  Newport.  N.  I!..  .Inly  20.  ITit.'i.  Wlu-n  seven 
years  of  age,  he  went  witli  his  parents  to  Ncrmont, 
and  wlien  twenty  years  old,  started  from  Crown 
l'i)int.  N.  v..  to  Shalersville,  Ohio.  Iiis  cliicf  articU' 
of  proipcrly  being  an  ax.  lie  walked  tlie  en- 
tire distance.  Soon  after  his  arrival,  lie  bought 
one  liundrccl  acres  of  Land,  winch  he  iuiproveil  and 
.sold,  tiien  purcliased  and  ck'ared  .•mother  one 
hundred  acres.  He  accumulated  a  coiiiforlaiile 
fortune  and  made  for  himself  a  good  lionic.  lie 
wa.s  an  old-line  AVliig  and  afterward  became  a 
memlier  of  the  Repulilican  jiarty.  He  was  a  con- 
sistent Christian  and  a  iiroMiiiicnt  I  )c;u-on  in  the 
Disciples  Church.  His  death  took  jplace  Kebru- 
arv  2G,  1K8.'?.  The  niothcr  of  our  suliject,  whose 
maiden  iiaiiic  was  .luiia  Sanl'ord,  wasboni  in  Con- 
necticut, anil  was  the  daughter  of  Sanuicl  and  IJhoda 
(Atwater)  Sanford.  She  bore  her  husband  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  and  ilird  in  ()hio,  in 
August,  lKr)H.  The  grandfather  of  .Miss.Iulia  San- 
ford was  Samuel  Sanford,  a  ship-carpentei'  by 
trade,  who  entered  the  aiiiiy  during  the  I{c\olu- 
tion  ascapt.ain  of  a  company,  .and  scrx'cil  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  ;it  which  time  In'  was  ))rcscnted 
with  a  sword  by  (leu.  (Icorge  ^Vashington  foriiicr- 
ilorious  service. 

Mr.  H.'iven  was  reared  upon  :i  faiiii  and  re- 
ceived . a  good  education  in  Ihecounnnii  ami  silect 
sciiools.  He  taught  ■■.chool  for  seven  teinis  in  Ohio, 
Indiana  and  Mii'higan.  At  twenty-one  years  of 
ago,  he  beg.an  life  for  himself  on  a  farm.  |iur(ha<- 
ing  a  tract  of  forty  .aia'cs  in  l.orain  County,  Ohio, 
afterward  ailding  to  it  until  he  owned  niiu'ty  acres. 
In  the  fall  of  I  HI!:!,  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Michi- 
gan, purchasing  eighty  acres  on  scclion  Hi.  in 
ItliHimingdale  Township,  and  later  bou^dil  thirteen 


acres  on  section  17,  where  he  now  resides,  and 
where  he  has  erected  a  fine  residence.  In  187(1. 
he  platted  an  addition  to  r>loomiugdale  \'illage 
and  now  owns  a  farm  of  seventy  acres. 

Mr.  Haven  was  married,  October  2,  18.')1,  to 
IMiss  Lueia  A.  Wilmot.  who  was  born  in  Katt>n 
Township,  Lorain  County,  Ohio,  her  parents, 
Silas  and  Chloe  (Tyler)  Wilmot,  being  natives  of 
Connecticut.  Her  father,  Silas  Wilmot,  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  War  of  1812.  In  1810,  with  two  of 
the  IMorgan  brothers,  he  started  on  foot  from  Con- 
necticut, and  after  a  jcniruey  of  six  weeks,  landed 
in  Katon  Township,  Lorain  County,  Ohio,  tluT 
being  the  first  settlers  in  that  township.  The  first 
el(>etion  was  held  at  their  house.  IMr.  Wilmotentered 
and  cleared  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  and 
at  his  death,  which  took  place  in  October,  185;"),  he 
was  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 
He  was  first  a  Whig  and  later  a  Heijublican.  The 
death  of  his  wife  took  place  in  18.'i!t.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  boys  and  f<un'  girls,  all 
of  wluun   lived  to  maturity. 

Oui  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  |)arcuts  of  four 
children,  Edwin  M.,  .lohu  !\1.,  (Jeorge  N.,  aucl 
Ralph  L.,  all  of  whom  have  been  given  a  good  edu- 
cation and  have  become  intelligent  and  worthy 
UKMiibcrs  of  society.  Mr  Haven  .and  his  wife  lie- 
long  to  the  Disciples  Church,  of  which  he  has 
been  a  member  since  seventeen  years  of  age,  and 
in  which  he  has  been  an  KIder  for  twenty  years. 
He  is  a  IJcpublicau  in  iiolilics.  and  has  held  sev- 
er.al  of  the  local  ollices. 


■     .'■.ii.v:''--  ■ 


\SCAK(;.  REYNOLDS  isa  native  of  Southern 
III  Michigan,  and  a  son  of  one  of  its  honoied 
^^^/^  pioneer  families  that  was  well  rc|in'senlcd  at 
the  front  during  the  war  liy  hiinsclf  an<l  t-wo  of  his 
liiol  hers  who  serve(1  tlieir  coinitry  with  true  jial- 
I'iolisin  anil  iinlallciing  fidelity  in  those  trying 
limes  that  tested  the  value  of  a  man "s  valor  and 
cili/.enship.  Since  those  d.ays  of  the  Kelicllion,  our 
subject  has  liiisily  devoted  himself  tii  agriculliiral 
pursuits  in  llaiigor  Township,  where  he  h;is  a  farm, 
pleasantly  located  on  section  28,   tlnit   is   cimiplele 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


731 


in  all  Ifs  a|i|)uinl  iiicnts.  IK'  lias  risen  to  lie  one  of 
l,lu'  iii(lei)cii(Iciit,  well-to-do  I'aniu'rs  and  stock- 
raiseis  of  \'aii  liiiicii  Coiiiily  hy  the  foice  of  i)er- 
sistent  labor,  seconded  by  !J-o(jd  business  habits. 

Ml'.  Reynolds  was  born  in  IMJI  into  the  |iioneei 
home  of  Sylvanus  and  Aiii\-  ( Iviimieotte)  Key- 
nolds,  in  York,  AVasht.enaw  County,  he  bcini;  one 
of  eight  children.  The  others  are  Harriet,  wife  of 
William  Newson,  of  Decatur;  .lames  M.,  who  died 
at  Indianapolis,  leaving  a  wife  and  child;  Am- 
brose, who  died  in  Washtenaw  (bounty;  Sarah,  who 
married  .John  (4reen,  and  is  now  deceased;  I'anl  S., 
a  resident  of  Isabel  County,  Mich.;  Chapin  W.,  a 
resident  of  Hangor;  and  Amelia,  wife  of  .lolin  ( )lk, 
of  McDonald. 

Paul  and  Chai>iii  and  our  subject  were  all  in  the 
army  during  the  war,  and  they  returned  to  their 
homes  and  friends  with  well-earned  reputations  as 
being  among  the  best  soldiers  of  their  respective 
regiments.  Paul  served  in  Comjiany  D,  Sixth 
Michigan  Infantiy,  three years;  while  Cliapin  was  a 
member  of  tlie  Forty -second  Illinois  Infantry,  serv- 
ing until  the  close  of  the  Kebellion,  and  becoming 
a  veteran.  Our  subject  was  in  the  opening  years 
of  a  promising  manhood  when  he  volunteered  to 
help  save  tiie  old  flag  from  dishonor,  joining 
Companj'  K,  Thirteenth  Michigan  Infantry,  in 
1864.  His  first  experience  of  the  terrible  realities 
of  a. battle  was  at  Ixjokout  Mountain,  where  he 
joined  his  regiment.  He  and  his  fellow-soldiers 
were  tlien  sent  in  hot  jtursuit  of  Hood's  troops, 
following  them  into  Alabama,  and  from  there 
going  to  Rome,  Ga.,  where  they  were  formed  into 
a  brigade  and  united  with  Sherman's  army.  After 
that,  they  marched  under  the  great  leader  to 
Savannah,  and  did  their  share  of  the  hard  lighting 
in  the  various  encounters  with  the  Con  federates  on 
the  way.  Neither  of  the  three  brothers  received  a 
single  wound  tliroughout  their  long  and  hcmorable 
service,  although  they  were  often  to  be  found  at 
the  front  and  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  born  in  .Jeffer- 
son County,  N.  Y.,  the  father  in  1800,  and  the  mo- 
ther in  1807.  The  great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, Shubel  Reynolds,  was  a  native  of  New  Y'ork, 
and  it  is  thought  that  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  the  Revolution.     Sylvanus  Reynolds    and    his 


wife  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Washtenaw 
County.  In  18.52,  they  removed  to  \'an  Buren 
County,  and  their  remaining  years  were  p.assed  in 
Bangor  'i'ownship.  with  whose  interests  they  were 
closely  identilied  until  death  called  them  lienee 
when  they  were  full  of  years.  They  were  intensely 
patriotic,  the  father  Ijeing  a  strong  I'nioii  man, 
.'uid  helping  tli(>  cause  along  in  every  way  that  he 
was  able,  and  on  that,  account  tJieir  residence  was 
burned  by  men  who  were  disloyal  to  the  (loverii- 
nieiit.  They  were  truly  religious, and  were  among 
the  Mist  iijoinbers  of  the  Baptist  Church,  which 
they  helped  to  organize. 

A  lad  of  eleven  years  when  the  family  came  to 
Van  Buren  County,  Oscar  Reynolds  here  grew  to 
mature  years  under  good  home  influences,  his  par- 
ents early  instilling  into  his  mind  thftse  high 
principles  which  have  lieen  his  guide  all  his  life. 
After  he  left  the  army,  having  been  discharged  at 
Detroit,  he  resumed  the  calling  to  which  he  liad 
been  reared,  and  has  prosecuted  it  with  the  success 
that  always  follows  honest  endeavor  and  persever- 
ing labor,  directed  by  wise  and  safe  business  rules, 
careful  attention  to  details,  and  good  general 
knowledge  of  agriculture  in  all  its  departments. 
When  he  entered  uiion  his  career,  he  had  nothing 
from  a  financial  standpoint,  but  brains  amd  muscles 
have  stood  him  in  good  stead  of  the  money  that 
he  then  lacked,  and  he  is  to-day  in  comfortable 
circumstances.  His  farm  on  section  28,  Bangor 
Township,  is  a  fine  piece  of  property,  with  its 
eighty  acres  of  rich  soil  under  excellent  cultiva- 
tion, and  its  improvements  of  a  suljstantial  class. 
He  is  highly  respected  by  his  neighl)ors  and  as- 
sociates, and  his  fellow-citizens  have  entrusted  to 
him  some  of  the  important  local  ortices.  He  was 
School  Inspector  for  many  3'ears,  and  for  a  long 
time  was  Drain  Conmissioiier  of  Bangor  Township. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Rei)ublican  to  the  heart's  core; 
socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  A.  Lincoln  Post. 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Bangor. 

Mr.  Rej'nolds  was  married,  in  1871.  to  Miss 
Olive,  daughter  of  Thomas  Kemp,  in  whom  he  has 
found  a  wife  who  is  devoted  to  his  interests  and 
those  of  their  children,  of  whom  they  have  four: 
Amy  B.,  Cl.are,  .J.  Irene  and  Alta. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Reynolds  was  born   in   Eng- 


732 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


land,  November  15,  1813.  He  came  to  America, 
July  ."J.  1829,  liviug  a  short  time  in  New  York 
City,  then  nc.ir  Auburn  until  18;)r)  when  lie  came 
to  Van  Buren  County.  Mich.  In  1845,  he  was 
married  to  Mi#s  Jlehitalilc  Cones,  of  Hartford,  it 
lH.'ing  the  fii-st  weddins  »>f  white  people  in  that 
town.  His  wife  died  a  ye.ar  afterwjird,  leaving  a 
little  dautrliter:  his  second  wife,  Mary  Cones,  a 
sister  of  his  wife,  also  died  about  a  year  after  their 
marriage,  leaving  a  daughter.  In  1847,  he  married 
Mis-s  .lulia  Raven,  who  died  December  5,  1886. 

The  names  of  the  children  of  Mr.  Kemp  are  as 
follows:  Ellen,  the  daughter  of  his  lirst  wife; 
Mary,  l)orn  of  the  second  union;  and  of  the  third 
marriaiie:  Ada,  Olive,  Desda,  IJelle,  .hilia,  Charles 
and  .lohn,  and  a  son  who  was  drowned  in  1877. 
In  November,  1884,  Mr.  Kemp  suffcre<l  a  paralytic 
stroke,  from  which  he  never  recovered,  and  his 
death,  which  occurred  November  21,  1888,  was 
not  unexpected.  He  w.as  for  over  lliirly  j'ears  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churcli,  and 
was  univei"sally  respected.  Plain  and  outspoken, 
undenieath  the  outward  garb  was  a  heart  that  tlirob- 
Iwd  with  the  kindliest  impulses  of  human  nature. 
He  was  strictly  honest  and  tlioroughly  endowed 
with  a  sense  of  justice  and  I'lpiily.  Ills  sufferings 
were  long  and  tedious,  but  through  them  all  he 
was  cheered  by  the  tender  ministrations  of  loving 
children.  He  wjis  the  oldest  surviving  i)ioneer  of 
the  township  and  the  fruits  of  his  liar<l.ships  have 
left  a  monument  that  will  rml  cniinlilc. 


♦^^ 


<17  HWOOK.s.     One  of    the    honored    and    re- 

I  (fe  ^{'•••'tt'd  residents  «)f  Porter  Township,  Van 
Li^^  Buren  County,  is  he  whose  name  we  place 
(it  the  head  of  this  sketch,  lie  has  a  pleasant  farm 
lying  on  section  7.aTid  devotes  hi?,  lime  .•uid  atten- 
tion to  yenernl  farming.  He  is  the  son  of  Ira  and 
Anuinihi  (Morey)  llrooks,  natives  of  \'nrmont,vvho, 
afu-r  thi'ir  marriage,  moved  to  New  York  where 
they  were  farmers. 

The  parenljd  family  of  our  subject  included 
seven  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  L. 
UrookN  wa»  born  in  Pulluey,  \t.,. January  22,  l«l(i, 
and  receivi'd  but  n  limitcil  education.      When  sev- 


ent*>eu  years  of  .age,  he  went  to  Rutland  to  learn 
the  bLacksmith's  trade,  and  later  went  to  Oswego, 
N.  Y.,  wliere  he  was  engaged  in  the  same  line 
of  work.  In  1837,  he  came  to  Michigan,  and,  lo- 
cating in  Bellevue,  Eaton  County,  ojjened  uj)  a 
blacksmith  shop,  winch  was  the  first  in  that  section, 
lie  made  that  place  his  home  for  several  years  and 
in  1849  joined  the  Wolverine  Hangers  at  Marshall 
and  crossed  the  plains  to  California.  Tlie  i)arty, 
which  numbered  sixty  men,  at  lnde[)cndence,  Mo., 
wiis  fitted  out  with  eighteen  wagons  and  was 
among  the  first  to  cross  the  plains.  They  started 
in  A|>ril  and  reached  their  destination,  which  was 
Sacramento,  the  January-  following,  passing  through 
four  feet  of  snow  on  crossing  the  Sierra  Nevada 
Mountains,  and  losing  ;ill  tin-ir  le;uiis,  witli  the  ex- 
ception of  two. 

After  reaching  Sacramento,  the  party  remaineil 
there  until  si)ring,  .and  then  our  sul)ject  went  to 
Sutter's  Ford  and  later  up  the  Feather  River  to 
the  mouth  of  the  American  River.  Togetlier  with 
his  i)artncr,  a  Mr.  Rood,  he  built  a  boat  wiiich  they 
operated  for  some  time.  On  the  approach  of  warm 
weather,  they  collected  supplies  and  went  into  the 
mines.  Mr.  Brooks  worked  thus  for  six  months, 
when  he  w.as  taken  sick  .and  returned  iiome  b)- way 
of  the  Istiinius,  having  been  gone  almost  two  years. 

On  returning  from  the  West,  IMr.  Brooks  again 
went  to  Bellevue.  He  was  robbed  at  New  Orleans, 
La.,  of  ^5,000,  which  was  all  of  his  earnings,  with 
the  excei)lion  of  $800.  He  later  went  to  Illinois 
and  purchased  a  farm  in  Lake  County,  upon  which 
he  resided  ft)r  a  year  and  a  half  and  then  went  to 
Wisconsin,  .and,  locating  at  Watertown,  opened  up 
in  Inisincss  there.  He  was  thus  employed  for  six 
months,  when,  disposing  of  his  interests  in  the 
Badger  State,  he  returned  to  Lawton  and  started 
in  business  in  partnership  with  (Jilbert  &  .lohnson. 
They  continued  together  only  a  short  lime,  how- 
evei,  when  Mr.  Brooks  came  to  Paw  Paw  Township 
and  improved  a  good  farm,  setting  out  maple  trees, 
etc.  He  lived  there  but  eighteen  mouths,  however, 
and  then  went  lo  i'ike's  Peak.  When  within  a 
short  distance  of  his  objective  point,  he  changed 
his  mind  and  returned   home. 

Mr.  Iiinoks.  of  this  hkelch,  loc^iled  upon  liis 
lire>eii|.    I'Mnn     in      I  S,">'.l.  which    llieii    iiicliiiird    Init 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


733 


cijilitv  acres  of  unimproved  land.  He  has  since 
a(l(]cd  to  liis  acreage  until  his  possessions  number 
tliHH'  Innuhcd  and  forty  acres,  all  of  which  he  has 
cleared.  He  has  divided  his  estate  among  liissons, 
only  keeping  eighty  acres  for  his  own  use.  His 
present  comfortable  residence,  which  was  built  in 
liSHI,  at  a  cost  of  |!3,000,  is  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial in  the  township. 

Our  subject  was  married,  in  18.3(!,  to  Miss  Lo- 
vina  Hart,  a  native  of  New  York  State.  She  has 
liecorae  the  motherof  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
arc  deceased.  Those  living  are  Mrs.  Laura  An- 
drews, Br.idford,  George,  Martin  and  Frederick; 
lliey  arc  all  married.  Mrs.  Lovina  Brooks  died  in 
1871,  and  our  subject  was  again  married,  this  time 
to  Miss  Fannie  Hudson,  a  native  of  Lincolnshire, 
England.  She  was  )>orn  in  1837  and  came  to 
America  in  1873,  settling  in  Kalamazoo  County. 
One  child  has  been  born  of  this  union,  Cora  Belle. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Brooks  was  in  early  life  a  Whig. 
He  now  votes  the  Republican  ticket.  He  has  been 
Road  Overseer  of  his  township  and  School  Direc- 
tor for  six  years.  Bradford  and  George  Brooks, 
sons  of  our  subject,  served  in  the  Civil  War. 


^^  LBERT   II.   TL'TTLE  is  one  of  the  promi- 
{^^fU\\     nent  lawyers  of  Hartford,  having  been  ad- 
mitted   to    the  Bar    in   1889.     He  is  very 
^j(/  energetic  and  progressive  and  has  built  up 

for  himself  a  lucrative  practice.  He  is  the  son  of 
Simeon  P.  and  Juliet  (Wightman)  Tuttle,  the 
father  born  in  New  York  in  1813,  and  the  mother 
in  Burlington,  Vt,  in  1812. 

The  father  of  our  subject  had  five  brothers  and 
sisters:  Email ne,  who  became  the  wife  of  Daniel 
E.  Thomas  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Detroit; 
Elizabeth,  IMrs.  Richard  Ilcddon,  makes  her  home 
at  Dowagiac,  this  State;  William,  lesiding  in  Kala- 
maloo;  .losepli  II.  makes  his  home  in  Decatur,  and 
Robert  II.  in  Dowagiac.  Simeon  Tuttle  came  to 
Michigan  in  1847,  and,  locating  in  St.  Joseph 
County,  remained  there  for  two  years  and  then 
came  to  Van  Buren  County,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Keeler  Township.  He  made  this  county  his 
abiding-place  until  his  decease,  which  occurred  in 


December,  1889.  He  married  the  mother  of  our 
subject  in  New  York  in  1834,  and  to  them  was 
born  one  child,  AUiert  H. 

The  parental  grandparents  of  our  subject,  Will- 
iam and  Ann  (Pierce)  Tuttle.  were  pioneers  of 
(ienesec  County,  N.  Y.  The  great-grandfather 
was  born  in  New  Ilami)shire  and  was  residing  in 
the  Susquehanna  Valley-  at  the  time  of  the  Wyom- 
ing massacre;  he  soon  after  removed  to  New  York. 
The  Tuttle  family  originally  came  from  England 
where  they  were  well-to-do  and  very  much  re- 
spected. 

Albert  II.  Tuttle  was  born  in  Livingston  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1841,  and  when  six  years  of  age  accom- 
panied his  parents  on  their  removal  to  this  State. 
Here  he  was  given  a  good  schooling  and  when 
reaching  mature  years  was  married,  in  December, 
186.5,  to  Lucinda  Fassett.  They  have  become  the 
parents  of  four  children,  namely:  Nellie,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Elmer  Conklin;  Pearl,  Charles  and 
Dell. 

Tlic  original  of  this  sketch  began  the  study  of 
law  in  1888,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  the  fol- 
lowing year.  His  is  one  of  the  exceptional  cases 
where  a  man  has  been  admitted  to  practice  when 
near  fifty  years  of  age.  He  has  had  a  very  paying 
business,  almost  from  the  first  day  he  "hung  out 
his  shingle,"  and  is  very  popular  among  the  citi- 
zens of  Van  Buren  County.  He  has  filled  the  var- 
ious town  offices  and  was  appointed  County  Drain 
Commissioner  in  the  fall  of  '91.  In  politics,  he 
cast  his  first  vote  with  the  Republican  party. 

-^ ^^-       ■^- 


ALVIN  CROSS,  of  Bangor,  who  is  following 
the  legal  profession,  was  born  in  Madison 
'■('  Count}',  N.  Y.,  in  1817,  where  he  grew  to 
mature  ^ears  and  married  at  the  age  of  twenty. 
He  had  read  law  for  some  time,  but  after  his  mar- 
riage returned  to  his  father's  farm  where  he  re- 
mained two  years.  He  tiicn  went  to  work  as  a 
millwright  and  machinist,  which  occupation  he  fol- 
lowed five  j-ears  and  in  1844  came  to  Van  Buren 
County,  and  here  followed  the  same  business  until 
IS.'Se,  when  he  located  in  Paw  Paw  asDepnt\-  Clerk 
and  held  that  office  eighteen  months.     He  w.a's  then 


734 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIUCAL  RECORD. 


elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  whicli  ottice  he  held 
two  yeai-s.  when,  having  held  tlie  moitgage  of  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  it  fell  to  him  and  he 
moved  onto  it  and  farmed  until  1872,  at  which 
time  he  assisted  in  the  establishment  of  the  Bangor 
Furnace  Company,  and.  in  1873.  located  here  and 
w.is  the  local  Attorucv  for  the  county  for  several 
ycai-s.  lie  h.assincc  practiced  in  tliccourts  tiu'ough 
the  whole  county. 

This  gentleman  was  luiitcd  in  niiuriage  February 
13,  1837.  at  (ieorgelown,  ]Madis(>n  County,  N.  Y., 
to  Miss  Emily  Robie.  To  them  were  born  eight 
children,  recorded  as  follows:  Mary,  wife  of  Charles 
F.  Lee,  who  died  leaving  three  children;  C.  Fran- 
cis, wlio  is  the  wife  of  Aaron  W.  Pratt,  of  this  place; 
George  A.,  of  Lawrence;  Ellen,  widow  of  William 
M.  Allen,  a  resident  of  Lawrence;  Ruth,  who  is  the 
widow  of  (;.  F.  Ilerrington,  of  this  county;  Fdmond 
L.,  a  traveling  man;  .Jonathan  C.  R.,of  Bangor, and 
Emma,  wife  of  Dr.  A.  C.  Hunyan,  of  South  Haven. 

Our  subject  is  one  in  a  family  of  ten  children: 
Ashbel,  Lydia  >L.  Mary,  .\mbros.  Orin,  Amanda. 
Edmund  B.,  a  missionary  in  Burniah  for  the  p.ist 
forty- five  years;  Charles  l'.,  our  subject,  and  Fann  le. 
The  parents  of  these  children  were  Calvin  and  Polly 
Cross,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Elder  Ashbel  Ilosmer. 
The  father  w.as  born  in  Bennington  County,  Vt.., 
and  was  a  soldier  in  the  W;u-  of  l.si-2.  and  his 
father.  I'riali,  and  six  of  his  lirothers  went  througii 
the  French  and  Indian  Wai-  and  also  the  Hevt)lu- 
tionary  War.  Ncme  of  llirm  wire  killed  but  all 
woundeil.  Mr.  ('ro.ss  hasalall  times  been  a  stanch 
iX'mocral  :ind  has  lieen  when  in  iiis  prime  an  ac- 
tive man  in  politics. 


.1  A.MKS  II.  HALL,  who  ha-s  been  twice  ap- 
Ij  pointed  I'li.stm.'islei-  of  Lawton,  \'an  Bnreii 
^fsA\\  County,  is  at  j>resent  holding  that  position 
'\^/y  and  is  n  popular  man.  not  only  on  account 
of  liLs  court('ou.>  dealings  with  the  public,  and  the 
close  attention  which  he  gives  to  the  duties  of  his 
filllce,  bill  also  on  aecoiiiit  of  his  record  .'is  a  iinive 
.soldier  throiighoiil  the  late  \V:ir  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  \»  a  native  of  .Michigan,  his  liirth  taking  pl;ice 
in  Wayne  County.  .luly  2,  iM'.l.     His  paients  were 


Isaac  and  Sallie  (Jackson)  Hall,  his  father  being 
born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  April  20,  1812, 
and  his  mother  iu  Livingston  County,  the  same 
State,  August  6,  1821.  The  father  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  came  to  Michigan  in  1832, 
where  he  w.as  married  in  AVayne  Count\'  iu  1837. 
Of  this  union  five  children  were  liorn.  four  sons 
and  one  daughter,  the  latter  Harriet  F.,  who  w.as 
born  in  March,  1848,  dying  at  the  age  of  one  year 
and  six  months.  Those  living  are  James  II.,  who 
is  the  oldest  child;  Jonathan  A.,  born  June  6, 1812; 
Richard  M.  .1.,  Se))teinber  20,  1844,  and  Stephen  K., 
June  28,  1850.  The  father  served  as  Town  Clerk 
of  Porter  Township,  Van  Buren  County,  for  seveial 
terms  and  was  also  Postmaster  for  some  twelve 
years  and  .lustice  of  the  Peace  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  also  tilled  the  position  of  Town  Treas- 
urer for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  consistent 
itember  of  the  Methodist  Episcojjal  Church,  and 
died  in  1881.  Tlie  mother,  wlio  is  a  member  of 
tlie  same  church  as  \v:is  her  husband,  is  still  living 
and  resides  in  the  \illage  of  Lawton. 

Our  suliject  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  his  e.arly 
education  w.as  received  in  the  district  school,  being 
supplemented  by  two  terms  at  the  Stiite  Normal 
School  at  Yi)silanti.  Mich.  .\t  the  age  of  nineteen, 
he  taught  a  district  school  in  the  town  of  Porter, 
this  county,  and  one  term  in  Wayne  Township. 
After  returning  from  the  war,  lie  taught  liv?  terms 
of  school  ill  Porter  Township  and  two  terms  in 
Decatur  To\viislii|i,  In  li^fil.  lie  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany II.  Twelltli  Michigan  Infantry,  under  Capt. 
(J.  I),  .loliiisoii.  lb'  eiilered  ns  .•)  private  but  was 
soon  pronioted.  lilliiig  llic  ollices  of  Sergeant,  Com- 
missary Sergeant,  .Sectnid  and  l'"iist  l.ieutenant. 
being  mustered  out  in  18()()as  First  Lieutenant. 
On  the  close  of  the  w;\r.  lie  returned  home  and 
bought  a  siii:ill  I'aiiii  of  forty  acres,  which  he 
fanned  for  one  year,  lie  nfteiward  bought  :iii(l 
sold  several  small  lr:ii'ts  of  InimI,  ciiryiiig  on  fann- 
ing during  tin' siiiiiiiiers  and  Ic'ieliing  dining  llie 
winters. 

Mr.  Hall  was  inanied,  .Iaiiii;ii\  12.  1.H7I,  to  Miss 
Marcia  S.  Davis.  .She  is  a  initive  of  Orleans,  N.  Y.. 
born  March  (!.  I  HI.')  and  a  daughter  of  K,  A.  and 
.Maria  (McClell.iiiil )  l),■lvi^.  Two  eliildren  have 
been  liorii  oT  this   union:     I'eni  ,\l..  wlio    was    lioiii 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAVHICAL   RECORD. 


735 


Dewmber  29,  1871  and  holds  a  position  of  Money 
Ordci-  CIitIv  under  his  fatlu'r  in  l-hf  I'ost-otlU'C; 
.Jaincs  L.,  horn  .luly  «,  l.S«H.  Mr.  Hall  has  always 
been  a('liv('l\'  idcntilitd  with  (he  inlcri'sts  of  his 
town  and  Cdunty,  and  has  held  a  n  unihcr  of  ic- 
spoiisilile  local  ollices.  He  has  been  Town  inspec^tor, 
Town  Treasurer  and  Town  Clerk,  was  Notary 
I'liblie  for  twelve  years,  was  President  of  the  vil- 
l,it;c  of  Lawton  for  one  term,  and  m  18H0  was  ap- 
|i()inted  Postmaster  of  that  place,  serving  for  five 
yea  IS.  He  then  clerked  in  a  store  for  Stanton  ife 
Smith  for  two  years,  and  afterward  was  station 
agent  for  the  Toledo  &  South  Haven  Railroad  at 
Lawlon  from  1887  until  he  again  received  the  ai)- 
poinlmcnt  of  Postmaster,  April  22,  188',).  Socially, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  being 
Senior  Warden  in  Lawton  Lodge,  No.  216.  He  is 
also  Sergeant-Ma jor  of  L.  C.  Woodman  Post,  No. 
196,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  Hall  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  p4nscopal  Church  at  Lawton,  in 
which  he  is  serving  as  Trustee.  The  family  are 
highly  respected  members  of  society  and  take  an 
active  interest  in  all  public  and  social  affairs.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


iICHARl)  E.  IIUTCHINS.  The  annals  of 
the  poor  boys  who  have  become  rich  men 
are  to  be  found  everywhere  in  America, 
1  and  nowhere  more  than  in  the  rich  and 
fertile  West,  for  here  it  is  the  virgin  soil  gave  of 
her  wealth  to  the  sturdy  seekers  after  success.  It 
is  not  alone  to  the  native-born  that  this  success 
has  come,  but  many  who  came  from  the  older 
countries  of  Europe  have  found  in  the  New  World 
the  prosperity  which  they  never  could  have  looked 
for  at  home. 

Mr.  Hutchins  was  born,  April  18,  1846,  in  De- 
vonshire, England,  and  is  the  son  of  Edward 
Hutchins,  who  in  turn  was  a  son  of  Riciinrd 
Hutchins,  also  a  native  of  Devonshire,  and  a 
cari)enter  by  trade.  The  grandfather  reared  the 
following  family:  .John,  Edward  and  William, 
residing  in  England;  George,  whose  home  was  in 
Van  lUiren  County  prior  to  his  decease,  and  Eliza- 


beth, who  died  in  New  York.     The  grandparents 
also  pa.ssed  away  in  their  native  country. 

The  father  of  the  original  of  this  sketch  came 
to  tlie  United  States  in  1867,  and,  coming  directly 
to  \'an  Buren  County,  located  in  Lawrence  Town- 
shi)),  on  fifty  acies,  which  he  cleared  and  improved, 
and  where  lie  and  his  good  wife  passed  their  last 
daj's,  dying  in  the  faith  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
They  became  the  parents  of  four  children:  Eliza- 
beth, William,  Richard  and  Anna,  all  of  whom  are 
married  and  have  homes  of  their  own. 

Richard  E.  Hutchins  received  a  good  common 
education,  and,  when  starting  out  to  do  for  him- 
self, decided  to  become  a  car()enler.  In  lS6r), 
however,  when  coming  to  the  United  States,  he 
began  life  again  by  working  out  on  a  farm  by 
the  month  for  two  years.  He  then  began  work- 
ing at  his  trade,  and  for  eight  years  was  a  car- 
penter and  joiner  in  this  region. 

In  the  spring  of  1877,  our  subject  located  on 
one  hundred  and  thirty-one  acres  of  land  which 
he  had  purchased  in  section  36,  Waverly  Townshi)), 
on  which  he  has  placed  all  the  improvements 
which  stamp  it  as  a  first-class  estate.  Mr.  Hutch- 
ins was  married,  March  11,  1873,  to  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  and  Sallie  (Iluxtable)  Hutchins, 
the  father  a  native  of  England,  and  a  son  of  Rich- 
ard Hutchins,  Sr.  Mrs.  Mary  Hutchins  was  born  in 
Paw  Paw,  May  12,  1841,  and  is  a  most  estimable 
lady.  Her  parents  were  married  in  England,  in 
1834,  and  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  near 
Utica,  N.  Y.  In  1836,  they  came  to  Michigan,  and 
Van  Buren  County,  where  the  father  entered  a 
tract  of  eighty  acres  from  the  Government,  in  sec- 
tion 2,  Paw  Paw  Townshii),  where  he  resided 
with  his  family  until  his  decease,  which  occurred 
in  July,  1870.  His  wife  survived  him  many  years, 
dying  in  Eebruary,  1888,  aged  eighty-one  years. 
They  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
reared  a  family  of  nine  children:  William,  Ann. 
Elizabeth,  John,  Mary,  George,  Thomas,  Sarah  and 
Charles.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  left  an  estate 
of  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  all  of  which  was 
improved  and  very  valuable. 

To  our  subject  and  his  good  wife  have  been 
granted  a  family  of  three  children:  Delia  I.;  Edna 
I\I.,  who  died  when  eleven  3ears  of  age,  and  Leroy. 


736 


PORTR.UT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Mr.  Hutchins  is  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party,  in  politics,  and  possesses  that  cordial,  kindly 
spirit  whidi  makes  warm  friends  and  st.iiicli  ad- 
herents. 


~a^^" 


.,  iKlI.I.IAM  1'.  l.EE  is  one  of  the  leading  and 
\rJ/l  projrressivt'  farmers  of  Hamilton  Town- 
^^  sliip.  \'an  liiuen  County,  his  home  being 
on  section  12.  lie  is  descended  from  one  of  the 
RcvoUitionary  heroes,  his  grandfather.  Ephraim 
Lee.  having  served  in  the  War  for  Indopondeufc. 
in  which  he  held  the  ollice  of  C'omjnissar3-.  TIk' 
sword  whicii  he  carried  at  the  battle  of  BiinUcr 
Hill  is  still  in  possession  of  our  subject. 

.lames  Lee,  father  of  William,  was  born  in  Sara- 
toga County,  N.  Y.,  Jlay  20,  18i»(!,  his  parents 
having  located  there  on  their  removal  from  Bos- 
ton. At  the  age  of  three,  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Canada,  where  the  father  followed 
farming  until  his  death  in  1861,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety-seven  j-ears.  After  attaining  to 
man's  estate,  .lames  Lee  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Benjamin  McVay,  a  prominent  farmer  of 
Elizabethtown.  Canada.  In  the  year  1830,  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  .lefferson  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land,  hut  as  the  claim  was  not  good,  he  had  to 
deed  it  away  and  so  lost  *2,000.  Removing  to 
Monroe  County,  he  worked  for  a  year  and  then 
moved  to  Erie  County,  Ohio,  where  he  bought  a 
farm  of  si.xty-lwd  and  one-half  acres,  whicli  he  op- 
erated for  seventeen  yeai-s.  On  selling  out,  he  re- 
moved to  Decatur  townsiiip.  \:iu  liuifu  County, 
Mich.,  and  located  east  of  llic  village  <in  a  sixty- 
acre  farm,  which  he  nmde  his  home  until  his  death 
in  Ik71.  His  wife  survived  him  only  about  two 
yeai-s  and  both  were  interred  in  the  old  burying 
ground  in  Decatur.  Their  family  numbered  eight 
son.s  unci  fr)iir  daughters,  ten  of  whom  grew  U) 
manhood  anrl  womanhood,  while  six  are  yet  liv- 
ing, an  follows:  lleiijainin.  ;i  farmer  of  Decatur 
Township;  .lames  unci  Wesley,  who  are  farmers  of 
lown;  Mrs.  Almira  I'niil.  of  l'',iie  Coiinly.  ( )|iio;  mid 
William,  of  this  sketch. 

Our  JjUliject  lir^l    upcucd  his  cyi-'  I"  llic  li;ilil   nf 


day  in  Elizabethtown,  Leeds  County,  Canada, 
September  10,  1818, and  at  the  age  of  twelve  went 
with  his  father  to  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  His 
educational  advantages  were  very  meager  as  they 
lived  four  miles  from  a  schoolhouse  and  he  could 
attend  onl^'  occasionally.  At  the  age  of  eighteen, 
he  liegan  working  as  a  farm  hand  for  Squire  Mary, 
of  Milan  Township,  Erie  Countj-,  Ohio,  receiving 
^13  per  month,  and  thus  he  was  employed  for 
three  years.  About  that  time  he  married  ISIiss 
Maria  Fox,  who  was  born  in  Point  Pleasant,  Ohio, 
and  with  her  father  removed  to  Erie  County, 
when  two  years  old.  Their  union  was  celebrated 
February  24,  1840,  and  was  blessed  with  seven 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living,  with  the  exceiition 
of  one  son,  D.  .T..  who  was  killed  by  the  limb  of  a 
tree  falling  on  him.  He  served  in  the  late  war. 
was  with  Sheriiiaii  on  the  celebrated  march  to  the 
sea  and  for  about  six  years  served  .as  Clerk  of 
Hamilton  Township.  A  .sketch  of  his  life  is 
given  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Lila,  the 
eldest  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Owen  Marsh,  who 
resides  two  miles  east  of  Lawrence;  Elizabeth  mar- 
ried (ieorge  Sutfan  .and  they  reside  in  Hamilton 
Township;  Byron  is  a  farmer  C)f  Hamilton  Town- 
ship; Jane  is  the  wife  of  E.  Bidlock,  a  farmer  of 
Decatur  Town.ship;  Clara  is  the  wife  of  Henry 
Utter,  a  resident  of  Hamilton  Tow-nship;  and  W.  F. 
operates  the  farm  given  him  by  his  father. 

Mr.  and  ISIrs.  I.cc  began  their  domestic  life  upon 
a  rented  farm  and  lliiee  years  later  he  purchased 
the  faiiii  whicli  is  yet  his  home.  It  was  in  its  prim- 
itive cunditioii,  oiii\  about  live  acres  having  been 
cleared,  and  not  an  iiiiproviiiunl  to  be  seen  upon 
the  place  except  a  log  caliin  wliicli  had  been  liulll 
by  a  (lionecr  who  had  vacated  the  claim.  .Mr.  l,ec 
llrst  bought  eighty  acres,  iv  whicli  he  added,  until 
at  one  time  he  owned  three  hundred  and  thirty 
acres,  but  he  has  since  given  one  hundred  acres  to 
his  youngest  son.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  best  in 
the  community  ami  in  connection  with  its  cultiva- 
tion he  engages  (luitc  extensively  in  stock-raising, 
making  a  specially  of  line  horses.  The  build- 
ings are  all  nindern,  and.  Iiaxiiig  been  erected 
by  the  owner,  stand  as  iiionuiiieut.s  to  his  thrift 
and  enlei  prise.  The  laiiii  is  complete  in  all  its  ap- 
{iiiin  I  ini'iits   Mild     IS    one    nt    tlic    iiHiilej    places    for 


PORTRAIT  AiSD  BlUGRArillCAL  RECORD 


737 


which  Michigan  is  noted.  Jfr.  Lee  takes  no  very 
active  |)ai't  in  political  affairs,  especially  as  an 
office-seeker,  but  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  Demoeratie 
l)rinci|)los  and  for  four  of  five  years  lie  served  as 
Road  Commissioner.  In  this  community  none 
are  held  in  higher  regard  than  our  subject,  who 
has  the  respect  and  conlidence  of  all  who  know 
him.  In  1891,  he  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the 
loss  of  Ills  wife,  who  died  on  the  .5th  of  April,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Hamilton  Cemetery. 


^ 


E^^ 


IP=*^  ELDEN  P.  ALLIEN.  The  gentleman  whose 
%^  name  we  place  at  the  head  of  this  sketch 
)  was  born  in  .Sweden,  IMonroe  County,  N. 
Y.,  October  2,  183'J.  His  paients  were 
Reuben  and  Alura  (Howard)  Allen,  natives  also 
of  the  P^mpirc  State  where  they  followed  the  oc- 
cui)ation  of  farmers.  Tiiey  became  the  parents  of 
a  family  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom,  with  one 
exception,  lived  to  attain  to  years  of  manhood  and 
womanhood. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  179!)  and 
died  March  20,  1882.  He  was  married  to  Jliss 
Alura  Howard,  and  by  her  became  the  fatiier  of 
five  boys  and  two  girls,  namely:  Howard,  who 
died  when  three  years  of  age;  Reuben,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three;  Howard,  second,  now 
deceased;  Truman,  S.  P.,  Esther  and  Sarah.  Mrs. 
Allen  died  in  1843,  firm  in  the  faith  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  with  which  she  had  been  connected  since 
childhood. 

Mr.  Reuben  Allen  took  for  his  second  wife  Miss 
Mary  W.  l\>tter,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of 
three  children,  who  were  as  follows:  Lyman, 
who  died  when  tiiree  years  of  age;  Ezra  and 
Hannah.  Mrs.  Allen  (lasscd  from  this  life  in 
March,  1887.  The  father  of  our  subject  came 
to  Michigan  April  23,  1858,  and  located  on 
sixty-four  acres  of  land  in  Waverly  Township, 
which  he  cleared  and  improved  so  that  he  was  en- 
abled to  live  comfortably  and  at  his  death  the 
farm  was  divided  among  his  ciiildren.  lie  was  a 
verj'  prominent  man  in  his  township  and  served 
in  various  positions  of  responsibility  and  trust, 
having  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  number   of 


years.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Democrat  before  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  but  since  that  time 
was  a  stanch  Republican. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  this  sketch  is  written 
w.as  given  good  school  advantages,  and,  ajipre- 
ciating  the  value  which  a  knowledge  of  books 
gives,  made  the  best  of  his  opportunities,  and  is 
to-day  one  of  the  intelligent  and  well-read  men  of 
his  township.  He  remained  at  home  until  nine- 
teen years  of  age,  being  trained  to  perform  all 
those  duties  which  go  to  make  a  lirst-class  agricul- 
turist, and  then  started  out  to  improve  a  tract  of 
his  own,  his  father  having  given  him  thirty  acres 
with  which  to  begin  life. 

In  1869,  our  subject  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  4,  Waverly  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County,  sixty  acres  of  which  he 
cleared  and  put  in  excellent  condition.  In  1881, 
however,  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead  of 
sixty-four  acres  on  section  2,  where  he  now 
resides.  He  has  been  agent  for  the  C.  Altman 
Co.  for  the  past  twelve  yea,YS  and  has  been  en- 
gaged more  or  less  in  lumbering  during  the  winter 
seasons.  He  ran  a  sawmill  for  six  years  and  was 
fairly  successful  in  his  undertaking. 

March  12,  1858,  Seldcn  P.Allen  w.as  married  to 
Caroline  Hoskins,  a  native  of  Clarkson,  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y..  and  the  daughter  of  Ira  and  Sarah 
(Richardson)  Hoskins.  Her  father  was  born  in 
New  Y'ork  in  178(),  .and,  being  a  patriot  in  the  War 
of  1812,  fought  in  the  battle  of  Lundy's  Lane.  He 
died  in  IMonroe  County  in  the  fall  of  1857.  Mrs. 
Hoskins  came  from  England  and  by  her  marriage 
with  Mr.  Hoskins  became  the  mother  of  four  sons 
and  live  daughters:  Silas,  Robert,  Ira,  Milo,  Mary, 
Lucinda,  Susan,  Sarah  and  Caroline.  Robert  was 
drowned  in  Sandy  Creek,  Monroe  County,  and  Ira 
died  in  Kalamazoo;  Susan  died  when  a  child. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  have  been  granted  a 
liright  family  of  five  children,  of  whom  we  give 
the  following  mention:  Charles  L.,  I.  Eugene; 
Rose,  who  is  the  wife  of  George  Irwin,  Edward  S., 
and  JNIaude,  who  died  when  an  infant  of  seven 
months.  Religiously,  Jlr.  Allen  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics,  votes  with  the 
Republicans,  believing  that  party  to  be  in  the 
right. 


7-6S 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Mr.  Allen  has  a  large  circle  of  acquainUaucfis 
throughout  Van  Bu re n  County  and  is  justly  re- 
garilcd  as  one  of  the  re|iresenlalive  citiziMis  of 
Waverly  Township,  in  llio  upliuiUling  of  which 
lie  h:»s  l)een  so  prominently  coiiiicctetl.  Com- 
bined with  his  farming  interests  lie  gives  a.  great 
(leal  of  lime  anil  attention  to  the  breeding  of 
Norman  hoi^ses,  of  which  he  has  some  fine  si)ec- 
imcns. 


f4^0N.    AARON    S.    DYCKMAN.     Michigan 

I;  nunibei-s  among  her  pioneer  settlers  many 

men.  who,  coming  here    in   the   early  d.ays 

(^  of  her  history,  have  lived  not  only  to  see 
the  results  of  their  labors  in  smiling  fields  and 
flourishing  towns,  but  who  have  Iniilt  up  for 
themselves  an  im|)erislial)le  name  in  the  annals  of 
her  linanciei's,  phil.inthropists  and  literary  men. 
Among  these,  none  is  more  worthy  of  mention  in 
a  work  of  this  kind  than  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
who  is  numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  l!S.'}.s,  and 
is  one  of  the  prominent  fruit-growers  of  Michi- 
gan, lie  comes  of  a  good  old  family,  the  Dyck- 
nians  being  of  Holland  extraction  and  numbered 
amon'j  the  Knickerliocker  stock  which  settled  on 
Manhattan  Island.  Ills  birth  took  place  in  the 
town  of  Clay,  Onondaga  County.  N.  V..  Fcbmary 
It;,  \H-2C,.  The  great-grandfather  of  Mr.  Dyck- 
man  owned  a  farm  on  Manhattan  Island  and  his 
home  Wiis  burned  by  the  British  during  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  he  l>eing  obliged  to  flee  with  his 
family  into  New  .Jersey,  lie  had  two  s(»ns  who 
servetl  in  the  war:  Aliram  and  William.  The 
former  was  killed  while  in  the  service,  and  the 
latter,  who  became  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
entereil  the  army  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  and 
.-(•rvi'fl  throughout  the  entire  conflict.  He  then 
married,  an<l  foi'  a  time  was  eng.aged  in  drayiii"' 
in  New  York  Cit\ ,  removing  from  there  to  (Jreen- 
bu.sh,  and  later  In  Liverpool,  in  the  same  State. 
In  Im;1«,  he  came  with  tin;  fjimily  to  Michigan, 
and  a  few  years  later  died  in  \':in  Ibiicn  Coiinlv. 
lie  wn-s  the  father  of  foui  chibbcii:  WilliMui,  I'lveii 
Brown,  Maria  and  .lane. 

Kverl    B..  the   father  ol  cmii   Mibjeel,  wa.v  lioi  ii   in 


Greenbush,  ne.ir  Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  1799,  but  when 

a  boy  removed  with  ills  fatherV  family  to  Liver- 
pool, where  he  was  emiiloyed  in  the  salt  works. 
He  was  married,  in  1825,  at  High  Banks,  on  the 
Seneca  River,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  (lay,  Onon- 
daga County,  whence,  in  1838,  he  came  to  Michi- 
gan, locating  in  ^'an  Buren  County,  near  Paw  Paw. 
Here  he  purchased  unimproved  land  and  resided 
about  five  years,  when  he  removed  to  Schoolcraft, 
Kalamazoo  Countj',  ])urcliasing  land  there  and 
becoming  at  once  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 
the  iil.ace.  He  was  interested  in  a  tlouring-niill  and 
sawmill,  and  also  owned  real  estate  in  Allegan, 
Van  Buren  and  Kalamazoo  Counties,  and  was  for 
a  time  eng.iged  in  merchandising,  although  his 
principal  business  was  luniliering.  In  a  few  years 
after  he  invested  in  pine  lands  in  Northern  Mich- 
igan and  also  on  the  L'|)pcr  Peninsula.  In  i)oli- 
tics,  he  was  always  a  Democrat,  and  while  a  resi- 
dent of  his  native  State  served  as  ■Justice  of  the 
Pe.ice.  After  coming  to  ^Michigan,  he  was  chosen 
Associate  .Judge  of  Van  Buren  County, and  always 
boil'  that  title.  He  rei)resenteil  his  district  in  the 
State  Legislature  at  the  time  when  the  capital  was 
removed  from  Detroit  to  Lansing.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  personal  influence  and  was  hale  and  hearty 
throughout  his  long  life,  lieiiig  able  when  eighty 
years  of  age  to  walk  witliout  the  assistance  of  a 
cane,  and  appearing  to  be  much  younger  than  he 
was.     He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Harriot  llinkley.  was  born  in  Keinsen, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  the  daughter  of  (iershom  and 
Prudence  (Teniiant)  llinkley.  The  llinkley  fam- 
ily were  early  settlers  of  Barnstable,  Mass.  The 
parental  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest.  The  others  are 
as  follows:  Prudence  (Mrs.  M.  Hale),  of  San  .lose, 
Cal.;  Maria,  who  married  A.  V.  Pantliiid,  and  died 
at  Katoii  l!;ipids;  Klizalieth  (Mrs.  .M.  1{.  Colili).  of 
.Schoolcrall,  Mich.;  I'lslher  ( .Mrs.  Arthur  I).  L'icli), 
of  Chicago,  her  husband  being  a  prominent  Imw- 
yer  in  that  city;  llairiel,  widow  of  I).  I).  ()weii, 
of  San  .lose,  Cal.;  and  N'alciiliiir  ^\'hitm,•nl  who 
died  soon  after  the  family  came  to  Mieliigan. 
Kverl  li.  Dyckman  w:is  one  of  the  organizeis  of 
the  l''irsl  National  lianU,  al    Seho(ilcr;ifl,  ainl  lilled 


PORTRAIT  AND  BKXJHAl'irt'AL    KKCORI). 


739 


the  ])()sition  of  President  during  its  existence.  He 
was  four  times  married,  his  second  wife  being 
Mrs.  Van  Vrani<cn.  SIis.  Amelia  ])aniols,  iioe  La- 
Grave,  was  his  third  wife.  She  iiaii  one  daugli- 
ter  by  this  marriage,  Jennie,  who  became  the  wife 
of  William  F".  McCartney,  a  capitalist  of  Denver, 
Col.  Mr.  Dyckman  married  for  his  fourth  wife 
Mrs.  Eliza  Crossman,  nee  Woodhouse.  One  son, 
Clovis  C,  was  born  of  this  union,  who  married 
and  died  in  Kalamazoo  County. 

Aaron  S.  D_yckman  was  a  boy  when  his  father's 
family  came  to  Michigan.  lie  attended  the  dis- 
trict school  and  assisted  in  home  dutiesnntil  seven- 
teen years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  a  select  school 
at  Schoolcraft,  and  afterward  became  a  student 
in  the  Kalamazoo  Branch  of  the  State  I'niversity, 
which  was  under  the  charge  of  Dr.  Stone,  thus 
obtaining  an  excellent  education.  He  taught 
school  for  a  few  terms,  and  in  1848  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  with  his  father.  In  18.50, 
with  other  seekers  after  gold,  he  crossed  the  plains 
and  engaged  in  mining,  also  in  gardening,  in 
California,  returning  home  in  the  fall  of  1851, 
by  the  Nicaragua  route,  and  resuming  his  former 
business.  In  185.3,  Mr.  D3ckman  located  at  South 
Haven  and,  associated  with  his  father  and  others, 
was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  until 
1855,  when  he  sold  out  and  resumed  his  studies. 
In  the  fall  of  1855,  he  invested  in  pine  lands. 

Mr.  Dyckman  was  married,  in  1856,  to  Amoretta 
lUood,  daughter  of  Ai  Blood.  He  was  a  native  of 
Utiea,  N.  Y.,  being  born  August  8,  1835.  Her 
father's  family  came  to  South  Haven  in  1852, 
where  her  father  engaged  at  his  trade,  that  of  a 
ship  carpenter.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Dyck- 
man went  to  Chicjigo,  in  which  place  for  some 
months  he  was  employed  in  selling  wood  and 
lumber  taken  from  the  land  he  owned.  In  the 
fall  of  1856,  he  returned  to  S<nith  Haven,  and  in 
the  spring  of  the  following  year  settled  where  he 
now  resides,  and  h.is  since  given  his  attention 
principally  to  fruit-growing.  He  raises  many  vari- 
eties of  fruits,  and  for  a  number  of  years  had  the 
largest  bearing  peach  orchard  in  the  Northwest.  He 
has  made  a  study  of  this  business  and  is  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  South  Haven  Pomological 
Society,  which  is  now   known  by  the  name  of  the 


South  Haven  and  Caseu  I'oiiiological  Society.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Michigan  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, and  has  been  its  President  two  terms.  He 
is  also  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  West  Michi- 
gan F'ruit  Growers'  Society.  He  was  a  delegate  of 
the  State  Pomological  Society  to  the  first  Agri- 
cultural Convention  called  by  the  Agricultural 
Department  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  held  in 
that  city. 

In  early  life,  Mr.  Dyckman  was  an  attentive 
reader  of  the  New  York  Tribune  and  various 
anti-slavery  books,  and  thus,  when  he  attained  his 
majority,  was  a  thorough  Abolitionist,  and  when 
the  Republican  party  was  formed,  he  naturally 
became  one  of  its  supporters,  and  so  remained 
until  the  year  1876,  when  he  became  interested 
in  the  financial  issues  of  the  day  and  supported 
the  National  Greenback  ticket.  Since  that  time 
Mr.  Dyckman  has  been  independent  in  politics. 
He  served  two  terms  as  County  Treasurer,  was 
Superintendent  of  his  township  and  has  lieen 
a  delegate  to  district  and  State  conventions.  In 
1884,  he  was  an  elector  on  the  Presidential  ticket 
from  Michigan.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  for  about  six  years. 

Mr.  Dyckman  has  become  quite  prominent  in 
the  temperance  cause,  in  wliich  he  is  deeply  inter- 
ested, and  also  in  the  Grange  movement,  in  which 
he  is  an  active  worker,  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Patrons  of  Industry  and  the  Farmers'  Alliance. 
He  has  always  been  a  warm  advocate  of  the  tem- 
perance movement,  in  which  he  has  done  good 
service  with  both  tongue  and  pen.  He  is  a  man 
of  no  small  literary  ability  and  has  done  much 
towards  the  encouragement  of  writers  in  his  State. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  first  Literary 
Society  ill  South  Haven,  and  is  now  a  member  of 
the  South  Haven  Antiquarian  Society.  Mr.  Dyck- 
man has  found  time,  aside  from  his  various  occu- 
|)ations,  to  write  a  poem  entitled  "The  Light  of 
Life,"  which  has  been  published  in  book  form. 
Many  of  his  poems  have  appeared  at  different 
times  in  the  Cliicago  Iider  Oceuii  and  other  papers. 
His  sonnet  '-To  Sojourner  Truth"  is  published  in 
her  life.  A  number  of  his  articles  on  fruit-grow- 
ing have  ajipeared  at  different  times  in  the  State 
Reports.     He  is  the  author   of   the  words  in  the 


740 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


temperance  cantata  based  on  the  story  of  "The 
Prodigal  Son,"  which  was  set  to  nuisic  by  Prof. 
E.  Cook,  wlio  put  it  on  the  sUige  in  Michigan, 
Indiana,  and  other  .States,  with  marked  success. 

Mr.  Dyckraan  has  become  quite  noted  as  a  pub- 
lic si)eaker.  and  is  frequently  called  ui)on  to  ad- 
dress prominent  societies  and  at  public  celebra- 
tions. One  of  the  most  noted  of  his  addresses 
was  tliat  made  bufore  the  Loyal  League  at  Casco, 
this  State,  the  tvcasion  being  the  first  celebration 
held  in  the  United  States  in  honor  of  President 
Lincoln's  Itirthd.iv.  and  which  took  place  Febru- 
ary 12,  lM(;j<.  it  being  the  lifty-uinth  anniversary 
of  the  birtli  <>1  that  illustrious  man.  Another  ora- 
tion made  b_v  Mr.  Dycknian,  whicli  will  long  be 
remembered,  was  that  delivered  .luly  4,  1876,  at 
.South  Haven,  and  wlilch  is  considered  by  many  as 
the  best  effort  of  his  life.  He  is  a  man  broad- 
minded  am)  lil)eral  in  his  views,  and  an  honor  to 
his  State. 

^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Dyckraan  have  a  family-  of  three 
children:  Kveit.S.;  Harriet,  wife  of  F.  G.  Dewc}-, 
Assistant  Cashier  of  the  Kalamazoo  Savings  Bank, 
an<l  Claude.  They  have  a  most  charming  home  in 
the  snutheastcrn  part  of  South  Haven,  embowered 
amidst  beautiful  trees  and  fuiining  one  of  the 
most  attractive  places  in  the  city.  Connected  with 
this  is  his  fruit  farm  of  forty  acres,  and  he  is  the 
owner  besides  of  other  town  iiroperty  and  four 
hundred  acres  of  land. 


-^ 


-H — 


'jj^  KNI{V  M.  lM(.M.i;V.  a  icsid.nt  farmer  of 
|j  section  2,  I'aw  I'.-iw  'rouiisliip.  \  an  liuren 
County,  is  also  engaged  in  the  raising  of 
line  slock,  lie  wits  born  in  Harnstalile, 
l)evorishn(!,  Fngland,  August  2!),  J821,  andisa 
son  of  Ri<-har<l  and  Mary  (Milton)  I'ugsley.  lie 
grew  up  on  a  f.-uin  in  Lngland  nndi-r  the  rearing  of 
lii.s  grandfather,  (ieorge  Pugsley,  and  came  to 
America  when  a  little  past  twenty  yeai-s  old.  He 
(•aim-  direct  l<»  .Mii'liigan,  arriving  .lunc  I,  IHl.'). 

Our  subject  i.s  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  six 
chibh'en,  and  his  molher  died  \v\if\\  he  was  but 
scvchlccn  y<'!irs  old.  Ilisfiillicr  rcmairieil  in  his 
nnlive  cMiuiitiy  until  Ills 'li'.'ith  in   |h|;».      a  limlhci 


of  our  subject  came  to  America  before  him ;  another 
brother.  John,  w.as  a  sailor,  going  all  over  the 
world.  He  was  married  in  Australia,  where  he 
died,  leaving  a  wife  and  four  children.  All  the 
children  left  in  England  have  died,  there  now 
being  no  member  of  the  family  IIkuc. 

AVhen  Mr.  Pugsley  came  to  I'aw  Paw,  lie  had 
but  live  cents  left  and  was  compelled  to  walk  all 
the  w.ay  from  Detroit.  He  made  the  tri))  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  miles  in  three  and  one-half  days 
and  had  no  chance  to  ride  except  for  two  miles. 
Hq  worked  for  his  brother,  N.  M.  Pugsley,  two 
years  when  he  rented  a  farm  of  ,lohn  K.  Pugsley, 
his  uncle,  and  while  running  this  place  three 
3ears,  he  raised  his  own  team  of  oxen  an<l  kept 
bachelor's  hall  with  his  uncle.  He  soon  bought 
eight}-  acres  of  land,  all  woods,  paying  ¥5  jier 
.acre  for  it.  lie  built  a  frame  house  one  and  one- 
half  stories  high  and  U>x2(')  feet,  and  on  June  10, 
1850,  brought  to  his  home  as  his  wife  Mary  A. 
Prater,  a  daughter  of  AVilliain  and  Soi>hia  (Salt) 
Prater.  Mrs.  Pugsley  was  born  in  Deerlield, 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  November  19,  18;H.  Her 
parents  were  born  in  England  and  went  to  Cana- 
da, where  they  were  married,  and  nuned  from 
there  to  lUica,  N.  Y.,  .and  then  came  to  Paw  I'aw 
Townshi|),  when  their  daughter  Mavy  A.  was 
about  live  years  old. 

Our  subject's  first  purchase  was  of  eighty  .acres 
on  section  7,  Paw  Paw  Township,  where  he  made 
his  home  until  1883.  IK'  had  all  ins  land  to  clear, 
which  was  a  hard  and  ex|>ensive  job,  and  in  I8.')(i, 
added  another  forty  acres  to  his  lirsl  purchase  and 
fortius  paid  §10  |ier  acre.  .Vbout  tliis  time,  he 
was  seriously  luul  )iy  ;\  te.am  of  colls  running 
over  him,  which  conlined  him  to  the  house  for  a 
long  time.  He  has  met  with  several  other  ."icci- 
dents,  one  of  whieli  was  occasioned  by  a  hog, 
weighing  two  hundred  pounds,  falling  into  a  well 
sixty  feet  deep,  which  lu'  was  digging, and  striking 
him  on  the  shoulders.  It  was  thought  this  would 
prove  fatal.  He  has  nevei'  (|ulle  recovere(l  from 
it. 

To  Ml',  and  Mi's.  I'llgsley  lia\e  lieeii  lioni  live 
chilcben:  .Mice  ( '.,  born  .Iniie  18,  1851,  is  the 
wife  of  llai'lem  1'.  W.-iteis.  and  lives  in  Aulweip 
Towiisiiip  with   her  llirec  cliildi'cn;  .loliii     K.,  iioiii 


I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


741 


December  19,  1853,  died  when  nineteen  months  old; 
Milton,  boi'n  December  2',),  1856,  is  a  jjraduateof  A'al- 
paiaiso  Noi-mal  School,  and  lives  on  the  old  home- 
stead, he  has  been  .Superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Cliurcli  at  (ilidden- 
liurg  ft)!'  a  number  of  years;  Dora,  born  May  2, 
1861,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Lake,  of  this  town- 
ship and  has  three  children;  Myra  was  horn  Oct- 
ober 29,  18C5,  IS  the  wife  of  Leonard  E.  Shepherd 
and  the  mother  of  one  child;  Mar^'  born  Novem- 
ber 8,  1867,  died  in  infancy;  William  IL,  born 
November  20,  1844,  is  married  and  the  father  of 
three  children.  William  II.  is  a  son  of  his  father's 
lirst  marri.age.  All  these  children  have  splendid 
homes  of  their  own  and  the  majority  live  in  this 
township. 

Our  subject  moved  to  his  present  farm  in  1883, 
his  uncle  deeding  him  the  pl.ace,  Init  he  has 
erected  his  barn  and  repaired  the  house  consider- 
ably'. It  consists  of  thirty-three  acres  and  he  is 
carrying  it  on  successfully,  engaging  in  general 
farming  and  some  stock  of  all  kinds.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat but  not  an  oflice-seeker.  Ilis  sympathies  are 
with  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church,  of  which  his 
wife  is  a  member.  He  is  a  leading  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  at  Paw  Paw. 


^  QUIRE  M.  IvERN.  This  representative 
farmer  resided  on  section  13,  Porter  Town- 
ship, Van  Ikiren  County.  He  was  born 
October  31,  1809,  in  Lehigh  County,  Pa., 
and  was  the  son  of  Nicholas  and  Catherine  (Sager) 
Kern,  natives  also  of  the  Keystone  State.  Several 
of  the  brothers  of  Nicholas  Kern  were  soldiers  in  the 
AVar  of  1812.  He  died  in  1809  and  the  mother  of 
our  subject  lived  until  1857.  They  became  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  Squire  M.  being  the 
youngest. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  little  log  schoolhouse.  His 
education  was  finished  at  a  select  school  in  New 
Jersej\  When  reaching  his  eighteenth  year,  he 
was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  cigar-maker's  trade, 
at  which  he  worked  for  three  years.  When  mas- 
tering the  business  he  followed  it  until  1846. 


July  4,  1840,  S(]uire  M.  Kern  and  Miss  Caroline, 
daughter  of  Jabob  and  Caroline  (Burrel)  Herlan, 
were  united  in  marriage.  The  i)arents  of  Mrs. 
Kern  were  born  in  I'.aden,  Germany,  and,  coming 
to  America  in  1833,  settled  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y., 
where  the  father  was  a  farmer.  They  made  that 
county  their  home  for  the  three  succeeding  yeans, 
and  then  came  to  Michigan  and  for  two  years  made 
their  home  in  Detioit.  At  the  end  of  that  time, 
they  came  to  Kalamazoo,  where  they  became  perma- 
nent residents.  Mr.  Herlan  died  in  1872  and  his 
wife  in  1835.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Kern  was 
born  February  7, 1820,  in  Baden,  Germany,  in  the 
model  schools  of  which  country  she  was  educated. 

Our  subject  came  to  Michigan  in  1836  and  lo- 
cated at  Detroit,  where  he  met  and  married  his 
wife.  They  continued  to  reside  in  the  City  of  the 
Straits,  where  Mr.  Kern  carried  on  the  tobacco 
business  until  1846,  when  he  disposed  of  his  inter- 
ests and  came  to  Van  Buren  Coinit^y.  He  had  en- 
tered one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  from  the 
Government  ten  years  previous, and  when  making 
it  his  home  erected  a  plank  shanty  into  which  the 
family  moved.  Indians  and  wild  .inimals  of  all 
kinds  were  very  numerous,  as  the  country  in  that 
earl}'  period  was  little  more  than  a  wilderness. 
Mr.  Kern  later  added  to  his  acreage  until  at  his 
death  his  farm  contained  two  hundred  and  eight}- 
acres  of  productive  land.  His  residence  was  built 
in  1858,  and  at  that  time  was  the  finest  in  Porter 
Township.  All  the  improvements  on  his  estate  are 
the  result  of  his  industr}'  and  good  judgment. 
Paw  Paw  was  his  nearest  market  when  locating  here 
and  even  that  place  was  twelve  miles  distant.  He 
resided  upon  his  present  farm  for  forty-six  j'ears 
was  well  known  throughout  Van  Buren  County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kern  had  born  to  them  six  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  deceased.  Tiiose  living  are: 
Frances  Albina,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Alexan- 
der, lives  at  Sterling,  111.,  and  has  four  children; 
jMar_y  C.  was  the  second  child;  Clara  'SI..  Mrs.  Alfred 
Bayliss,  also  resides  in  Sterling,  111.,  and  is  the 
mother  of  two  children;  Julius  M.  married  Saiah 
Young,  lives  in  Porter  Township  and  has  four 
children,  one  of  whom  was  the  child  of  his  former 
marriage.     Clara  M.  is  a  graduate  of  the  Hillsdale 


742 


PORTRAIT  AND  BKXiRAPinCAL   RECORD. 


Collcire  and  taiiLrlit  sclniol  i>i-i(>r  to  lier  iiianiajii'. 
The  otlii-r  iiienihei-*  of  tliu  family  wt-re  sliuk'Uts  in 
tbe  Paw  Paw  Iligli  Sehool.  Squire  Kern  was  a  mem- 
Iyer  of  the  (iranye  and  iield  tlip  olfiee  of  Treasurer 
in  tiiat  Itidge  for  one  vear;  Mrs.  Kern  was  Pomona 
and  tlie  daughter  was  Flora  for  six  years.  Our 
sultjecl  ottieiated  as  school  ollieer  for  a  nunilier  of 
years  and  aided  in  building  the  lirst  sehooliiousc 
in  the  district.  In  politics,  he  wis  a  Wliig  in  early 
life,  but  later  voted  the  Repulilican  ticket,  lie  wr.s 
.Supervisor  of  Porter  Townsliip  and  served  as  .lus- 
liccof  the  Peace  from  184«  to  1888. 

Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Kern  celebrated  their  golden  wed- 
ding in  .Inly,  1890,  all  tlieir  children  and  grand- 
chililren  being  present.  This  event  will  always  be 
remembered  by  his  friends,  for  only  one  other  an- 
niversary of  his  marriage  was  our  subject  permitted 
to  enjoy,  as  he  died  in  March,  1892. 


^0^!m- 


i^=^E01{(;i-"-  1,1  HKINS,  decea.sod,  was  Ihhii  in 
England,  November  i;!.  1K22,  and  was  a 
son  of  Henry  and  ATina  (Wai-d)  l.urkins, 
IkjUi  of  whom  were  natives  of  that  ciiunlry,  where 
were  born  nntu  tiieni  seven  ciiildicn.  In  18.SG, 
they  cro.s-^ed  the  Atlantic  to  .Vmerica,  and  the 
family  circle  was  here  increa.sed  by  the  birth  of 
two  children.  They  lirst  locate<l  upon  a  farm  in 
Ontario  County,  N.  Y..  and  after  a  number  of 
years  removed  to  Ohio,  settling  near  Monroeville, 
that  State.  Several  years  later.  Mr.  Lurkins  came 
with  his  family  to  Michigan  and  .M-ttled  in  De- 
catur Township.  \'aii  I'.uren  County,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  faiining.  His  lir>l  wife  died  in  the  Km- 
pire  Sljite.  ami  he  mariied  .Mary  Wilson,  a  native 
of  .New  Yiirk,  who  has  died  since  the  death  of  her 
liusli.-ind.  Mr.  Lnrklns  pas-sed  away  in  18(i5,  and 
was  laid  to  res!  in  Paw  Paw  Ceinelery.  He  was 
an  upright.  Christian  man.  a  member  of  the  Melh- 
Ofli.st  Church,  and  wji-  ;mi  .'iclive  worker  in  it.>  in- 
t<'resl.'' and  gave  liberally  to  ils  support. 

(leorge  Lurk  ins.  whose  n.'iine  he;ids  this  sketch, 
cjiiiic  with  hi>  parents  to  llie  I'nited  Stjitt's,  and 
when  a  young  man  sliuted  out  to  earn  bis  own 
livelihood,  workinur  ■>>   the  nioiith  .-is   a  f:irni  hanrl. 


He  was  married,  December  l.'>.  1819,  to  Pliidelia 
.S'hullz.  who  proved  to  him  n  faithful  companion 
and  a  true  helpmate.  The  lady  is  a  native  of  New 
York  and  a  daughter  of  P>arnoy  and  Mary  Schultz, 
who  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  resided  in  Onon- 
daga County,  N.  Y.  Her  father  was  a  bl.aeksmitli, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.  Mrs. 
l.urkins  w.as  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  f.am- 
ily  of  live  children.  She  has  only  one  brother 
now  living — Levi,  a  resident  of  Calhoun  County, 
INIich. 

Tlie  union  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  was  cele- 
brated in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  and  they  began 
their  domestic  life  in  Geneva,  that  Stale,  where 
Mv.  Lurkins  worked  in  a  machine  shop.  After  a 
year,  he  went  to  a  small  place  where  he  was  em- 
ployed !xs  engineer  in  a  gristmill  for  a  year  and  a 
half,  when  they  removed  to  Pen n  Yan,N.  \'.,  where 
he  was  again  engaged  as  a  machinist.  Two  years 
were  spent  at  that  place,  and  he  then  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Duidiirk,  N.  Y.,  where  he  followed  his 
li:ule  for  two  years,  after  which  he  emigrated  to 
.Michigan,  locating  in  Paw  Paw  Township,  where  he 
purchased  seventy-one  acres  of  land,  and  \o  farm- 
ing ttu'ned  his  attention.  Twenty  years  he  resided 
upon  that  place,  and  then  removed  to  a  farm 
which  he  had  purchased,  comprising  eighty  .acres 
on  section  17,  Decatur  Township.  There  he 
made  his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
September  9.  1H7.").  His  remains  were  interred  in 
Paw  Paw  Cemetery. 

Unto  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  Lurkins  were  born  fiuir 
children,  two  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and 
womanhood:  Charles,  who  was  born  September  2, 
IH.'iO,  died  .\pril  :?0,  1889,  leaving  a  wife  and 
three  children  to  mourn  his  loss.  His  widow  still 
I'esides  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Paw  Paw 
Township,  and  superintends-  its  o|>eration  herself. 
One  of  his  children  has  since  died,  Maud  Beatrice, 
who  died  March  27,  1891,  at  the  age  of  ten  years. 
The  other  chihlren,  (ieorge  W.  and  llarrieti  .1.,  are 
still  with  their  mother.  Mai'v  Ann,  the  only 
daughter  of  our  subject,  born  .luly  18,  1 8, ""if!,  be- 
came the  wife  of  William  W.  Young,  and  after  his 
death  nianicd  Alon/.o  Minard.  She  died  in  De- 
catur .lune  11.  1882,  and  was  laiil  to  rest  in  I'aw 
r.'iw  (  emetery.     Her   only   son,    Don   C.'irlos    Mi- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


743 


iiard,  wlio  was  horn  Aui^iist  .'U,  1879,  makes  his 
home  witli  liis  gi-andinotluir  in  Decatnr  Townsliij). 
Walter,  the  tiiird  of  the  family,  was  l)orn  March 
4,  1861,  and  died  Octolier  18,1865.  The  foiiilli 
child,  born  in  1861,  died  in   infancy. 

In  his  political  views,  Mr.  Lurkins  was  a  Re- 
publican and  a  member  of  the  Grange.  For  many 
years  he  held  membership  witli  the  Christian 
Church,  in  which  he  held  the  office  of  Deacon,  and 
was  an  active  worker  in  both  the  church  and  Sun- 
day-school. He  was  a  man  who  had  man}'  friends 
and  few,  if  any,  enemies,  and  his  death  was  deeply 
mourned.  Mrs.  Lurkins  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  and,  her  health  permitting,  does 
all  she  can  for  its  advancement  and  upbuilding. 
She  still  resides  on  the  farm  in  Decatur  Township, 
and  is  a  lady  well  and  favorably  known  through- 
out this  community. 

IIARLES  J.  HEMPSTEAD  is  one  of  the 
prominent  business  men  of  South  1  Liven. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  enterprising  (irm  of 
Ileinpstead  Bros.,  grocers,  and  also  of  the  firm 
of  Hempstead  Bros.  &  Ransom,  who  are  doing 
a  fine  business  as  clothiers.  Mr.  Hempstead  is 
one  of  the  wide-awake  and  successful  men  in 
^'an  lUiren  County,  and  is  bound  to  succeed  in 
whatever  he  undertakes. 

Charles  J.  Hempstead  was  born  in  Bellevue, 
Huron  County,  Ohio,  July  23,  1856,  being  the 
oldest  son  of  Benjamin  and  iNIary  Ann  (Williams) 
Hempstead.  He  was  but  ten  months  old  when  his 
parents  removed  to  IManteno,  Kankakee  County, 
III.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  as  a  farmer  boy. 
He  attended  the  common  schools  and  completed 
his  education  in  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal 
and  lUisiness  Institute  at  ^'al^)araiso.  The  train- 
ing he  thus  received  and  the  persistent  industry 
which  has  ever  characterized  his  life  have  won  him 
success. 

March  7,  1878,  Mr.  Hempstead  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Luna,  daughter  of  Osnier  C. 
Brockway.  Mrs.  Hempstead  was  born  in  Manteno, 
111.,  March  29,  1854.  After  his  marriage,  he  took 
charge  of  his  father's  farm  and  bv  haid   work  and 


good  management  made  a  success  of  farming,  as 
he  has  in  every  undcilaking.  He  would  doubt- 
less have  made  agricultuie  his  life  calling  had  his 
health  permitted,  but  in  1880,  while  employed  in 
the  field,  he  received  a  sunstroke, and  his  physician 
advised  him  to  seek  employment  indoors.  Thus 
in  the  fall  of  1880,  he  disposed  of  his  property' and 
with  a  capital  of  11500  he  engaged  in  business 
with  his  father-in-law  at  Atkinson,  hid.  Tlie 
firm  operated  under  the  name  of  O.  C.  Bi'ockway 
&  Co.  and  carried  on  a  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness. Eighteen  months  later,  however,  they  re- 
moved to  Fowler,  Ind.,  and  conducted  a  like  busi- 
ness, under  the  firm  name  of  Brockwa}-  &  Hemp- 
stead. In  1883,  our  subject  withdrew  from  the 
business  with  the  intention  of  removing  to  Ne- 
braska, but  instead  he  came  to  South  Haven  and 
established  himself  in  the  grocery  business. 

In  1885,  our  subject  took  in  as  partner  his 
bi'Other,  Edward  B.,  and  the  firm  became  known 
as  Hempstead  Bros.  He  soon  purchased  a  good 
business  lot,  which  he  sold  to  his  father,  who  im- 
proved the  same  by  erecting  thereon  a  two-story 
brick  store,  eighty  feet  deep.  Tliis  new  building 
was  occupied  by  Hempstead  Bros.  In  1888,  our  sub- 
ject purchased  property  adjoining  their  store  and 
the  same  year  erected  a  two-story  brick  store,  one 
hundred  feet  in  depth.  The  firm  of  Hempstead  Bros, 
occupied  both  store-rooms,  they  being  thrown  to- 
gether so  as  1o  form  one  large  store.  One  side 
was  occupied  by  their  fine  grocery  and  the  other 
with  fancj'  goods.  In  1890,  however,  they  dis- 
closed of  the  latter  stock  and  associating  with  them 
Dr.  W.  C.  Ransom,  under  the  firm  name  of  Ilemp- 
.stead  Bros.  Ar  Ransom,  put  in  a  large  stock  of 
clothing  and  gents'  furnishing  goods.  The}'  now 
do  the  largest  business  in  their  respective  lines  in 
the  county,  it  being  under  the  successful  man- 
agement of  our  subject,  who  is  a  keen  business 
man. 

In  his  political  predilection,  Mr.  Hempstead  is  a 
thorough  Republican  .ind  is  Chairman  of  the  Re- 
publican Central  Committee  of  South  HaA^en.  He 
is  very  prominent  in  local  affairs  and  has  served 
on  the  "N'illage  lioard  for  two  terms.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  tlie  Water  Board  which  has  charge  of  the 
water  works  at  South   Haven    and    whatever    duty 


744 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


lies  before  him  is  performed  in  an  intelligent  and 
capal>le  manner.  He  is  a  member  of  Nepliine 
Lodge,  No.  297. 1.  O.  O.  F.,  having  served  in  all 
the  Chaii-s  in  that  lodge.  Together  with  his 
aniiahle  and  intelligent  wife,  he  is  a  member  in 
good  standing  of  the  Congregational  CImreii. 
Our  subject  is  a  self-made  man  in  the  truest  sense 
of  that  term.  His  fatiier  gave  liim  a  team  and 
wagon,  valued  at  ^300,  with  which  to  commence 
life,  and,  outside  of  this,  his  present  financial  stand- 
ing has  been  gained  tlirougli  his  own  exertions. 


^: 


^^EORGE  W.  .MERRIMAN  is  one  of  the 
'II  _— ,  prominent  citizens  of  Hartford.  He  was 
*^^  born  in  Savannah.  AVayne  County,  N.  Y., 
February  4,  1851.  His  father  wiis  Elijah  Merriman 
and  iiis  motiier  Maria  Winegar.  He  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  Principal  of  the  Union  School  in 
South  Butler,  N.  Y.,  in  1872,  and  resigned  the 
same  year  to  tiikea  position  in  the  Exchange  Bank 
at  Plain  well,  this  State,  at  which  place  he  resided 
for  ten  years. 

In  1880,  Mr.  Merriman  eiilcrcil  tlic  l;iw  depart- 
ment of  the  State  University  at  Ann  .\rl)()r,  from 
which  he  graduated  two  years  later.  He  located 
in  Hartford  during  the  spring  of  1882  and  es- 
tablished the  Exchange  Bank,  which  he  has  since 
cuiidufted  with  success.  He  w.as  married,  in  1882, 
to  .Miss  .Icnnie  Sherman,  of  Plainwcll,  this  Stale, 
who  died  September  3,  1888.  He  is  prominent  in 
school  and  village  affairs  and  politically  is  a  stanch 
member  of  the  Republican  party. 


^'_  ON.  WILI.I.AM  ().  I'A(  KAKI),  wli..  resides 
ill  Covert,  \'an  Ihiren  County,  is  an  exten- 
sive landowner,  and  one  of  the  best  known 
D)  and  most  substantial  business  men  in  this 
part  of  .Michigan.  He  comes  <if  good  old  New  Eng- 
land stock,  which  has  n  record  as  patriot.s  and  brave 
soldiers,  and  hi'  inherits  many  of  their  sterling 
ipialllii'^.       His    great-grandfather     w.as     born     in 


Bridge  water,  Mass.,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
enlisted  in  the  Revolutionarj-  Army.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-four,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Edson,  and 
five  sons  and  three  daughters   were  born    to  them. 

Of  these,  Araasa,  who  was  born  in  Bridge  water, 
.January  6,  1788,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  when 
eighteen  j-ears  of  age,  was  united  in  marri.age  with 
Lucinda,  daughter  of  John  Ford.  She  and  her 
parents  were  also  natives  of  Bridgewater.  After 
their  marriage,  the  young  couple  took  possession 
of  a  tract  of  wild  laud,  which  they  improved  and 
resided  upon  until  1832,  when  they  removed 
to  Ohio  and  settled  at  Chatham,  where  they 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  had  a 
family  of  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  and  of 
these,  William,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  the 
eldest. 

William  Packard  was  born  in  Plainlield,  Mass., 
.July  23,  1808,  and,  until  he  attained  his  m.ajority, 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  afterward 
worked  out  by  the  month.  On  Ma}-  10,  1831,  he 
was  married  to  Mary  F.,  daughter  of  Thaddeus 
and  Mary  Rude,  natives  of  ISIassachusetts.  They 
removed  to  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  settling 
upon  a  farm  which  Mr.  Packard  had  jireviously 
(lurcliased.  In  1836,  they  removed  to  Chatham, 
Ohio,  where  they  purchased  and  cleared  a  farm; 
as  it  was  a  heavily  wooded  country,  he  also  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  becoming 
the  owner  of  five  sawmills.  In  this  business,  Mr. 
Packard  was  verj'  successful  until  the  (lanic  of 
1857,  when  he  lost  his  entire  fortune.  He  then  be- 
came associated  with  his  sons  in  business,  and  in 
1859,  removed  to  Cianges  Township,  Allegan 
County,  this  State,  where  he  .ag.ain  embarked  in 
the  lumber  business,  also  dealing  extensively  in 
wood  and  bark.  He  was  very  successful  in  his  en- 
terprise, and  remained  in  thai  place  until  IH7(), 
when  he  removed  to  Covert,  ,'nid  engaged  with 
his  sons  and  other  parties  in  business  until  his 
death  111  February,  18H2.  Mr.  Packard  was  three 
times  married,  liis  lirsl  wife  dying  in  <^llcgan 
Count}',  July  11,  IHO.'i.  Slie  was  I  lie  mother 
of  four  children:  William  ().,  Alfred  S.,  Mary 
P.  Mild  Helen  Celesta,  the  latter  (if  wlium  died 
in  ill  fancy-  I'he  .second  wife  of  Mr.  Packard 
was    Mrs.    Mary    F.    Rood,  the  widow  of  Marsluill 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


745 


Hodil.  llcr  ilc;illi  (icciincd  Au<>ii.sl.  25,  1875,  and 
on  Soptciiibcr  \U,  l><7(i,  Mr.  Packard  was  aiiain 
married,  liis  bride  heiiit^'  .losepliinc  L.  Seymour, 
daughter  of  William  II.  and  Kutli  Seymour,  who 
died,  A|)ril  I.'),  181)2.  They  were  tiie  |)areiit-s  of 
one  child,  Kutli  Cele.sla,  who  was  born  October  5, 
18711.  Mr.  Packard  wa.s  an  active,  enterprl.sing- 
business  man,  and,  with  his  sons,  at  one  time 
owned  upward  of  five  thousand  acres  of  timber 
land,  and  had  four  sawmills  in  active  operation. 
In  politics,  he  was  a  stanch  Republican,  and  in  Oliio. 
held  numerous  local  otHces.  In  iMichigan,  he  was 
twice  elected  to  the  Legislature  in  yVllegan  County. 
He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  William  Oscar  Pack- 
ard, was  born  in  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 14,  1832,  and  when  four  years  old,  removed 
with  his  father's  family  to  Ohio.  He  was  educa- 
ted in  select  schools,  and  for  a  time  attended  col- 
lege at  Hudson.  He  taught  school  for  several 
terms,  clerked  in  a  store  and  assisted  aliout  the 
sawmills  of  his  father.  In  the  spring  of  1859, 
with  his  brother  Alfred  S.,  he  went  to  Fulton 
County,  Ohio,  and  took  charge  of  one  of  his  fa- 
ther's mills.  In  the  course  of  a  few  months,  tim- 
ber becoming  scarce,  they  removed  the  mill  to  Al- 
legan County,  this  State,  and  liecame  partners 
with  their  father  in  the  business,  which  was  con- 
ducted under  the  firm  style  of  Packard  &  Sons. 
This  firm  was  dissolved  in  1870,  selling  out  its 
property  in  Allegan  County,  and  removing  to  Co- 
vert Township,  in  which  they  already  owned  one 
sawmill  which  was  in  charge  of  our  subject's 
brother.  They  here  purcliased  another  mill,  and 
associated  with  them  in  business  Josiah  Packard, 
an  uncle  of  our  subject.  The  firm  now  liecame 
Packard  Sons  it  Co.  They  built  two  more  mills 
and  constructed  horse  railroads  to  convey  the 
lumber  to  the  lake  shore  for  shipment  by  boat  to 
Chicago,  Racine,  Milwaukee  and  other  points. 
They  also  engaged  in  general  merchandise  at  Co- 
vert. This  firm  continued  operation  for  five  years, 
when  Josiah  Packard  withdrew,  and  soon  after,  Al- 
fred S.  Packard  also  left  the  firm,  and  our  subject 
and  his  father  continued  ihebusiness  until  the  death 
of  the  latter,  since  which  time  William  O.  Packard 
34  1-2  V 


has  coiulucled  llie  Inisiness  alone.  He  now  deals  in 
lumbci'  and  wood  at  Covert  and  South  Haven,  and 
owns  a  planing  mill  and  feed  mill,  besides  being 
extensively  engaged  in  farming.  The  firm  of 
Packard  &  CV>.  was  for  four  years  interested  in  a 
large  lumber  business  in  Muir,  Ionia  County, 
Mich.,  and  our  subject  also  for  some  years  had  an 
interest  in  a  lumberyard  at  I5enton  Harbor. 

Mr.  Packard  was  married,  in  1860,  to  Anna  J., 
daughter  of  (Jeorge  I),  and  (Jertrude  (Ilagaman) 
Otto.  She  was  a  native  of  Ontario  County,  iS'.  Y., 
l)orn  March  29,  1837.  They  are  the  ])arents  of 
three  children:  William  O.,  Fred  and  Harry.  Mi-. 
Packard  is  an  active  Kepiiblican,  and  is  looked 
upon  as  a  wise  counselor  and  faithful  worker  in 
political  affairs,  and  is  often  chosen  as  a  delegate 
tfi  county,  district  and  State  convcMitions.  He 
has  represented  his  district  in  the  State  Senate  for 
one  term,  and  bore  a  high  reputation  as  a  man  who 
faithfully  performed  his  duties  in  that  responsible 
position.  He  owns  about  one  thousand  aci'cs  of 
land  in  this  cf>unty,  and  considerable  property  at 
Penton  Harbor. 


HAKLKS  N.  GRIFFIN  is  numbered  among 
the  competent,  wide-awake,  well-to-do  far- 
mers and  stock  men  of  Van  Buren  Count3', 
and  he  is  very  (ilcasantly  situated  on  his  finely 
im[)roved  farm  on  section  26,  Paw  Paw  Township. 
He  is  a  native  of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
born  March  9,  1827,  into  the  home  of  William  and 
Harriet  (Harrington)  Griftin,  who  were  both  na- 
tives of  Connecticut.  Mr.  Gritfin  was  a  farmer. 
and  died  on  his  farm  in  New  York  that  was  the 
birthplace  of  his  son  of  whom  we  write.  He  was 
the  father  of  twenty  children,  eight  of  them  grew 
to  maturity,  and  four  of  whom  are  still  living. 
Henry  went  to  California,  and  died  there,  leaving 
two  children.  The  others  all  staid  in  New  York, 
except  our  subject. 

Charles  Griffln  attended  the  common  schools  in 
his  boyhood,  but  he  frankly  says  that  he  cared 
more  for  a  pair  of  steers  than  he  did  for  books  at 
that  early  day  in  his  career.  At  the  age  of  six- 
teen, he  started  out    to   liattle    with   the    world    by 


746 


PORTRAIT  AisD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


himself.  At  fii-st,  he  engaged  to  i)edflle  Yankee 
notions,  liiring  out  h\  the  nuintli  for  that  purpose. 
But  he  (lid  not  find  that  at  all  io  his  taste,  and 
ahandoned  that  brancli  of  meieantik'  l)usiness  after 
an  experience  of  a  week.  His  next  move  was  to 
learn  the  clothier's  tra<le  in  Clinton,  in  his  native 
count.v.  He  worked  at  tliat  for  a  year  and  three 
months,  and  tiien  was  employed  at  tiie  trade  of  a 
carpenter  for  about  a  year.  At  the  end  of  that 
time,  he  returned  to  his  father's  farm,  u(>on  which 
lie  remained  until  he  was  thirty-two  years  old.  At 
that  age,  he  took  a  step  that  has  lia<l  an  important 
liearing  on  his  life  ever  since,  as  on  the  20tli  of 
•lanuary,  IHlil.  he  c>l(tained  one  of  earth's  choicest 
Ide.'-sings,  a  good  and  true  wife,  liy  his  marriage  on 
that  date  to  Miss  Ilulda  .1.  Stone.  Mrs.  tirillin  was 
born  in  C'anandaigua  County.  N.  Y.,  October  (!, 
1H2II.  The  wedded  life  of  our  subject  and  his  wife 
has  liecn  fruitful  to  thcni  in  the  birth  of  five  chil- 
dren: Hari-iet.  wiio  was  born  in  New  York,  June  4, 
1K51,  married  Then.n  Cilberl  of  (ialesbiirg.  111., 
and  has  four  children;  (ieorge,  who  was  born 
in  New  York.  I-'ebruary  !t,  1X.1;5,  and  was  killed  by 
a  train  of  cars,  November  1;'),  1883;  Charles,  born 
in  New  York,  January  24.  IS;");"),  and  killed  b3-  a 
team  running  over  him,  June  1.'3,  18;')il;  ,\\istin, 
who  was  born  April  30,  18;')',(,  is  a  farmer,  residing 
on  his  father's  farm,  anil  is  married,  and  has  one 
child;  Sarah,  who  was  born  in  .\ntwer|)  Township. 
Mich.,  M:uch  30,  1861,  married  Hussell  l.yman,  of 
fir.'ind  Kapids,  and  has  one  child. 

After  his  marriage.  Mrtiiillin  reiileil  liis  lather's 
farm  two  years,  and  tlien  limk  a  trip  to  Illinois  in 
search  of  a  suitable  Incalion,  but  he  did  not  like 
the  country,  and  returning  to  New  York  he  bought 
a  place  of  four  acres,  with  a  house  upon  it,  and 
dwelt  there  while  he  continued  to  superintend  his 
father's  farm.  .Vt  the  end  of  four  \  cars,  he  sold 
that  and  lM)Ught  .'nMillMi'  four-acre  tract  of  land, 
upon  which  he  ercctecl  .a  house,  which  he  occupied 
until  four  years  later,  when  he  dispuseil  uf  his  pro- 
|K'rly  in  his  native  Stale,  .and.  idiniiiu'  li'  Michigan 
in  18(i0,  he  investeil  eight  hundred  d  llie  thou- 
sand dollars  thai  he  lirou;>ht  with  liiiii  in  forty 
ncrc!*  of  lund  in  ,\ntwcrp  Tnwn^liip.  lie  retained 
that  f.'inii  in  \t\-  possession  six  yeais,  increasing  it.s 
ncrcaiic  by  the  pureha.-te  of  nioic   l:ind,  anri   at   the 


ex[iiiation  of  that  time  he  sold  it  at  a  great  ad- 
vance on  the  cost  price,  bringing  away  with  him 
¥2,600  in  easli.  lie  then  l)uught  eighty  acres  of  his 
present  farm,  which  was  all  woods,  but  by  untiring 
woik  he  has  cleared  it,  luas  its  fields  under  a  high 
state  of  tillage,  has  erected  a  good  set  of  buildings 
that  are  well  arranged,  and  has  planted  an  or- 
namental hedge,  besides  otherwise  beaulifyiiig  the 
place,  lie  has  proved  a  valuable  acipiisitidii  to  the 
citizenslii|)  of  this  locality,  and  is  an  important 
factor  in  sustaining  its  prosperity.  He  is  thor- 
oughly alive  to  the  interests  of  his  township.  ha> 
helped  in  it,s  improvement  while  holding  the  ollice 
of  Highway  Commissioner  for  a  term  of  two  years, 
and  ill  other  w'.ays.  He  is  a  prouiiiieiit  ineiuber  of 
the  I'',iic;unpment  of  the  Inde[)eiideiit  ( )rder  of  the 
Odd  Fellows,  and  h.as  been  an  iiicumbeiit  of  lu'arly 
all  of  its  offices.  He  lirst  exercised  his  right  of 
suffrage  in  1848,  and  from  that  time  to  this  has 
voted  for  every  Democratic  candidate  for  the 
presidency. 


— !■ 


wit;, 


m>-^^<m=^ 


--«-- 


LIAS  I!.  FERGUSON,  who  is  one  of  the 
representative  men  of  Van  lUireii  County. 
fj  li.as  been  for  a  number  of  years  a  resident 
of  Bangor,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  He 
comes  of  a  good  old  New  Kiiglaiid  family  and  of 
Scottish  ancestry.  He  was  born  in  Oneida  Couiily, 
N.  Y.,  March  10,  1821,  where  he  rciiijuned  until 
reaching  his  iiiajority,  and  where  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Catherine  A.  Doolittle,  of  JelTerson  C(.)iiiily, 
th.at  State,  January  S),  18;-)0.  In  1866,  Mr.  Fi'igu- 
son  came  to  Michigan  and  located  in  Bangor, 
where  he  has  since  resided. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one  in  a  family 
of  four  children  born  to  .lames  and  Lydia  (Ihew- 
slei)  l-'ergusoii,  of  ()iieiila  Couiily.  N.  V.  The 
giMiidp.'irents  of  our  subjeet  were  natives  of  Seol- 
l.aiid,  where  the  falliei  was  a  weaver  of  lace.  F.arly 
in  the  iiiiieh'enlli  eeiilury,  they  emigrated  to 
Americti  with  their  family  of  three  children:  Uob- 
ert,  .l.'imes,  and  Mary.  The  latter  became  the  wife 
of  lidlierl  liolieiisoii.  of  (Ineiila  ('oiiiily.  Tin'  ma- 
ternal gr;iii<ip:irents  of  our  subject  were  Flias  ami 
Sar.ah  (Armstrong)  Urewslcr.      I'",lias    Ihewster  was 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


747 


!i  direct  (k'sceiidaiil.  in  Mic  liftli  uciicriilidii  tVoni 
Williiiiii  l)i('vvsl-er,  wiio  t"iiiic;  uvcr  in  llic  '■  May- 
tlowor."  His  wife  wa.s  !i  sister  of  (Jens.  Jesse  and 
Enoch  I').  Arnistroni;.  of  Rome,  N.  Y. 

Tlie  wife  of  our  suliject  is  a  (Inuniitei'  of  llirani 
and  Anna  ( IJrewster)  l)oolittie,of  .(efferson  Counfy, 
N.  V.  'I'lie  Doolitlles  were  old  settlers  of  Con- 
necticut, her  grandfatlier  heing  .loel  Ucjolittle,  of 
that  State.  Her  father  was  in  the  War  of  1812 
and  took  an  active  part  in  the  piincijial  buttles  of 
that  conflict.  ]Mrs.  Ferguson's  maternal  grand- 
father, Timothy  Brewster,  of  the  same  family 
from  which  her  husband  was  descended,  was  an  old 
Revolutionary  soldier  and  served  as  a  Sergeant  in 
many  of  the  princiijal  conllicts  and  was  well  known 
as  a  brave  soldier.  lie  afterward  became  a  Baptist 
minister  of  prominence. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferguson  have  two  sons:  .lames  D. 
and  Edward  E.,  the  former  of  whom  married  Miss 
Stella  Barber.  Mrs.  Ferguson  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Disciples  Church  and  is  highly  esteemed  in 
her  large  circle  of  friends  and  .issociates.  The 
family  holds  a  high  place  in  the  social  circles  of 
the  town  and  its  members  are  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  the  ct)nntv. 


♦^♦^» 


y 


^^EOKGE  II.  PlIGSLEY,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
Ill  g=  raiser  on  section  10,  Paw  Paw  Township, 
^^11  Van  Buren  County,  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship, July  30,  1847,  to  Nathaniel  M.  and  Margaret 
(Hunt)  Pugsle.y.  (A  sketch  of  the  father  will  be 
found  in  connection  with  this).  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  country 
schools  and  attended  the  High  ScliocJ  at  Paw  Paw 
for  some  time.  He  was  married,.Tune  14,  1871, to  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Tuttle,  a  daughter  of  Lyman  and  Sarah 
(Wheat)  Tuttle.  She  was  born  m  Kalamazoo, 
Mich.,  June  14,  1843.  Our  subject  has  lived  on 
his  present  farm  ever  since  his  marriage.  It  con- 
sists of  ninety-six  acres,  and  belongs  to  his  father. 
He  has  expended  his  money  and  time  in  improve- 
ments on  the  place  which  he  owns  in  AVaverly  Town- 
ship. The  father  of  Mrs.  Pugsley  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont and  her  mother  in  New  York.     Thevcame  to 


.Michigan  and  were  here  married.  The  father  was 
a,  carpenter  by  trade  .■iiid  the  mother  a  school 
teacher  by  profession  in  Kalamazoo  wheie  they  be- 
came acquainted  and  were  married.  They  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Kalamazoo  County.  They 
j  had  five  children,  thi-ee  of  whom  grew  to  maturity: 
'  firani  W.,  of  Kalamazoo;  (ieorge  L.,  of  this  town- 
ship and  Sarah  A.,  wife  of  our  subject. 

Our  suliject  and  his  wife  have  two  children: 
liertha  INF.,  born  .Inly  22,  1878,  and  Susie  Gr.ace, 
liorn  .\pril  ;j,  I8,si.  Mr.  Pugsley  is  a  Reiiublican 
politically  and  cast  his  first  \ote  for  U.  S.  (irant. 
lie  is  not  an  oflice-seeker  but  li.as  served  as  a  dele- 
gate to  County  Conventions.  He  and  his  wifeare 
consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Nathaniel  jM.  Pugsley,  a  resident  of  Paw  Paw 
Townshi(),  was  born  in  Devonshire,  England,  Au- 
gu.st  21,  181fi,  to  Richard  and  Mary  (Milton)  Pugs- 
ley of  whom  more  is  spoken  in  the  sketch  of  Henry 
Pugsley.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
received  a  fair  schooling.  He  was  the  second  in 
a  family  of  five  who  grew  to  maturity,  but  none 
of  the  other  came  to  America  excepting  his  brother 
Henry  who  followed  him  some  yesirs  after.  One 
brother  John,  went  to  Australia  where  he  died 
leaving  a  widow  and  two  children.  Our  subject 
came  this  country  in  1838  by  the  way  of  C^uebec. 
This  was  during  the  Patriot  War  in  Canada  and 
when  at  Brighton,  he  was  warned  to  staj' and  fight, 
but  he  made  his  way  to  Rochester,  N.  Y'.,  by  the  aid 
of  a  friend  and  the  captain  of  a  vessel.  He  felt 
relieved  and  at  home  when  he  got  there  and  came 
to  this  county  in  Michigan,  the  same  year  He  had 
an  uncle  here  who  had  written  to  him  to  come  and 
who  w.as  a  single  man.  Our  subject  and  he  kept 
bachelor's  hall  for  five  years  with  his  brother  Henry. 
Our  subject  worked  by  the  month  for  this  uncle 
for  four  years  and  then  rented  his  farm  for  one 
year.  He  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  woodland, 
paying  $4  per  acre.  He  put  up  a  small  house  and 
kept  bachelor's  hall  here  three  years. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Pug.sley  was  married  June  17, 
1846  to  Miss  Margaret  Emily  Hunt,  a  native  of 
Connecticut  where  she  was  born  September  4,  1813, 
and  a  daughter  of  Salmon  and  Elizabeth  Hunt,  both 
natives  of  Connecticut  but  who  came  to  Paw  Paw- 
Township.     Our  subject's  children  are  as  follows: 


748 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


George  H.  whose  sketch  is  at  tlic  head  of  this; 
Jennie,  who  keeps  house  for  her  father;  Ella  died 
at  tlie  age  of  six  years;  Emma,  deceased, who  was  the 
wife  of  S.  C.  Andrews.  Mr.  Piigsley,  our  subject, 
cnrried  on  his  farm  from  1810  to  1883,  but  now 
makes  his  home  in  Paw  Paw.  Ilis  good  wife  died 
May  -i'J,  1879. 

He  of  whom  we  write  h.is  been  a  Rc|iulilican 
since  the  formation  of  tliat  party,  but  i)rcviously 
wa.s  an  old-line  Whig.  Through  the  inlluence  of 
his  uncle,  who  was  a  DtMnocrat,  he  voted  tlie  Dem- 
ocratic ticket  in  1844  for  James  K.  Polk.  He  held 
the  otlice  of  County  Drain  Commissioner  for  eight 
yeai-s  when  he  resigned.  He  was  not  a  member  of 
any  diurch  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  but  his 
wife  was  a  Presbyterian  and  tlii'oiigli  lier  inlluence 
he  w.as  converted  anil  became  a  member  of  the 
same  church.  The  original  buililing  was  burned 
down  and  the  present  was  erected  and  our  subject 
has  been  an  Elder  in  the  church  nearl3'  twenty 
years.  He  has  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  his 
family  all  become  members  of  the  church.  He  is 
spending  his  declining  years  in  (jcaee  and  comfort 
and  reaping  the  rewards  of  his  early  labors. 


fe'»»C^»S 


fully 


-^ 


O.I.   WKKilll     IS    snccesstully    managin 
large  business  in  Arlington  Township,  ^ 
,     Huren  County,  and  is  well  known  both  i 


a 
Van 
as  a 

miller  and  farmer.  15y  means  t)f  his  sawmill,  he 
ha-s  placed  himself  on  a  substantial  fooling  linan- 
cially,  while  he  is  also  the  owner  of  two  hundred 
and  ten  acres  of  valuable  land  in  this  township. 
Throughout  the  county,  he  is  well  and  favorably 
known  as  an  energetic  man,  a  public-spirited  citizen 
and  ."i  juili<'i<)us  business  man.  As  he  belongs  to  a 
family  who  have  .•ilw.iys  been  known  as  honorable, 
upright  and  honest  citizens  «jf  their  various  com- 
munities, it  is  not  strange  that  he  is  .'iii  upcn  fcx'  tn 
dishonesty  ami  di'ceit. 

It  may  not  be  amiss,    before   noting  in  its  ilclail 

the  life  of  our  subject,  tn  briclly  r id   Ilis  !inces- 

Iry.  He  is  descended  from  ('jilcb  Wright,  who 
c-aine  from  Wales  to  America  in  I7:tll,  and  settled 
in  the  section  of  eoiinlrv  now  known  as  Connecti- 
cut.    He  iiiniri'"!    Mid  of  tlij..   union   scvci'.mI  sons 


and  daughters  were  born,  among  them  being  Caleb, 
his  third  son.  Tlie  birth  of  the  last-named  repre- 
sentative of  the  Wright  family  occurred  .\pril  24, 
1746.  By  his  (Caleb's)  first  marriage,  he  became 
the  father  of  six  children,  while  by  his  second  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Adkins,  he  had 
eleven  children.  Among  the  children  born  of  his 
second  marriage  was  Daniel  Wright,  who  was  horn 
in  Connecticut,  but  came  with  his  parents  to  Alle- 
gany County,  N.  Y.,  in  1830.  Later  he  was  mar- 
ried, and  removed  to  Livingston  County,  where 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was   born  M.ay  22,  18.31. 

Among  five  children,  our  subject  was  the  oldest 
and  he  grew  to  maturity  in  the  State  of  his  birth. 
His  early  j'ears  were  uneventfully  passed  in  vari- 
ons  duties,  although  his  attention  was  mainly 
devoted  to  sawmilliug  which  h(>  followed  from 
childhood.  His  educational  advantages  were  lim- 
ited to  the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood  of 
his  home,  and  the  excellent  opportunities  now  af- 
forded to  our  young  people  were  not  given  him. 
His  marri.age  united  him  with  Jliss  Abbie  J.  Marsh, 
and  to  them  six  children  were  born.  Airs.  Wright 
passed  frimi  earth  at  her  home  in  New  York.  As 
Mr.  Wright  had  sustained  severe  losses  by  fire, 
after  re-establishing  his  mill,  which  had  been  en- 
tirely destroyed,  he  sold  out  in  the  s|ning  of  18(58, 
and  came  AVest  to  Alicliigan. 

Locating  in  Van  Ibiren  County,  Mr.  Wright 
.again  embarkcil  in  llie  sawmill  business  .ind  soon 
established  himself  on  a  lirm  foundation  finan- 
cially. As  above  stated,  he  is  now  [irosperously 
conducting  his  sawiiiili  and. 'it  the  same  time  super- 
intends the  management  of  his  line  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  ten  acres  in  Arlington  Townshi|>. 
After  settling  in  this  county,  he  met  and  married 
Miss  Klizabeth  Spencer,  the  daughter  of  Sylvester 
and  Policy  Meacham.  Her  father  was  one  of  \'an 
Huren  County's  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens, 
lint  has  long  since  passed  toiiis  final  rest.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wright  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, Craee. 

In  his  so(  ImI  Mllilialioiis.  Mi'.  Wright  is  a  memlier 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  one  of  those 
whole-.souled,  genial  gentlciiuii  whom  oiw  always 
enjoys  meeting,  rolitically.  lie  is  an  active  parti- 
san; coming  of  a  Kepiiblic.nn    family,  he  <'arly  im- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


■|:i 


liil)ed  the  feeling  of  Republicanism  and  those 
principles  lio  still  maintains  with  unabated  fervor, 
lit:  and  Ills  estimable  wife  are  hijjhly  esteemed 
thruuifhowt  the  county  and  enjo^y  tlie  eoiilidenee 
of  their  lar<i;e  circle  of  acquaintances. 


[oilN  C.  McFELLIN,  the  present  ctHcient 
Supervisor  of  Pine  Grove  Township,  Van 
Ituren  Count}',  is  a  representative  farmer 
^f^/J  residing  on  section  19.  He  was  born  near 
Spring  Hill,  Fulton  County,  Ohio,  March  4, 
1853.  His  father  and  mother  were  James  and 
Rebecca  (Sturgeon)  McFellin,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  Ohio,  respectively.  The  father 
was  a  soldier  in  the  late  Civil  Wai-  in  an  Ohio 
regiment.  He  moved  to  Ohio  from  his  native 
State  when  a  small  boy  and  was  there  married  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  the  eastern  jiart  of  the  State 
and  later  moved  to  Fulton  County,  and  settled  on 
a  new  farm.  There  the  father  passed  away  in 
1882,  while  the  mother  survived  until  1880.  They 
were  the  worthy  parents  of  twelve  children,  five 
living  at  the  present  time. 

( )ur  subject  was  the  fiftli  child,  and  was  reared 
on  a  farm  until  eight  years  old,  when  his  i)arents 
moved  to  Pettysville,  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 
He  attended  the  graded  schools  in  the  village  and 
finished  tiie  entire  course.  His  father  owned  and 
operated  a  woolen  mill  and  our  subject  worked  a 
spinner  in  it  until  twenty-one.  He  then  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  and  worked  at  this  six  years, 
when  he  f)pened  a  hardware  store  at  Boyne,  Mich., 
and  ojierated  it  five  years.  The  next  two  years 
he  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business. 
In  July,  1888,  Mr.  McFellin  sold  out  his  interests 
at  Boyne  and  came  to  Van  Buren  County,  and  set- 
tled (in  his  present  farm  of  one  hundied  and  nine- 
teen acres,  one  hundred  and  live  being  now  finely 
improved.  This  was  his  first  experience  at  farm- 
ing for  Jiimself. 

John  C.  McFellin  was  married,  December  22, 
1876,  to  Henrietta  Hall,  a  native  of  Ohio.  Mrs. 
McFellin  was  called  from  tliis  life,  March  6,  1877, 
and  the  husband  was  again  married,  March  10,  1881, 
this  time  to  Kttie  P.  Myers,  a  native  of  thiscotinl}- 


and  a  daughter  of  M.  II.  and  l.iiciiula  (Tliayer; 
Myers,  both  natives  of  New  York.  Mr.  Myers 
came  to  Michig.an  in  18;!7,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Bloomingdale  Township.  He  was  the  first  set- 
tler in  that  township  and  was  confionted  by  all 
the  hardships  and  trials  known  to  pioneers.  He 
died  in  1880  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  His 
good  wife  still  lives  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven. 
The  father  was  active  in  the  organization  of 
Bloomingdale  Townshi|)  and  served  .as  Supervisor 
many  years.  He  was  a  very  prominent  man  of 
that  place.  He  and  his  good  wife  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  five  yet  surviving.  Two  sons 
served  in  the  Civil  War.  William  served  in  the 
Thirteenth  Michigan  Infantry  and  died  in  the  hos- 
pital at  Detroit;  Francis  served  with  his  lirother,  liut 
is  now  living. 

Mrs.  McF'ellin  was  born  May  31,  1860,  in  Bloom- 
ingdale Township,  and  attended  the  schools  at 
Gobleville.  She  was  engaged  in  teaching  school 
before  her  marriage.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  this  couple,  one  being  deceased.  Those 
living  are:  M.  Harold,  J.  Clair  and  Romie  De- 
Witt.  The  mother  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  socially,  Mr.  McFellin  is  a  memlier  of 
the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is 
Senior  Warden  of  Gobleville  Lodge,  No.  32.5. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  serving  his 
third  term  as  Supervisor  of  Pine  Grove  Town- 
ship, having  been  re-elected  April  4,  1892,  by  a 
larger  majority  than  before,  and  is  discharging  the 
duties  of  his  office  faithfully  and  conscientiously. 
He  has  also  been  Treasurer  of  his  township  in 
Charlevoix  County,  in  Northern  IMichigan,  and  has 
served  two  terms  as  village  President  of  Bo.yne 
City. 


Wr  ILLIAM  N.  COOK.  This  honored  gentle- 
man is  eng.aged  in  the  [jractice  of  law  at 
South  Haven.  He  does  a  general  law 
business,  but  has  made  a  special  study  of  marine 
law.  He  is  always  prompt  m  his  attention  to  bus- 
iness and  by  so  doing  has  built  up  a  reputation 
which  is  second  to  none  in  Van  Buren  County. 
William  N.  Cook  was  horn    in  Cleveland,  Ohio, 


750 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRATHICAL   RECORD. 


November  4,  1840.  He  was  an  infant  when  his 
father.  John  Cook,  died,  and  thus  knew  little  about 
the  ancestry  of  his  family.  The  maiden  name  of 
his  motlier  was  Klizabeth  Frak'it;h.  Ilis  grand- 
father on  the  i)aternal  side,  when  a  boy,  w.is  in 
the  employ  of  (Jen.  Herkimer  in  New  York  State. 
When  the  Wai'  Un-  liulependence  was  declared  l>y 
the  Colonist.^.  Mi.  Herkimer  entered  the  service 
and  was  soon  promoted  to  the  rank  of  general, 
and  young  C't>ok  served  in  liis  command  for  seven 
years. 

The  fatlier  of  our  subject  was  born  in  tlie  Km- 
pire  .State,  and,  migrating  Uj  Ohio,  died  at  Cleve- 
land. ( )ur  subject  was  then  but  two  years  old,  and 
with  his  motlier  lie  removed  to  London.  Canada. 
Wiien  seven  years  old,  he  entered  tiie  iioine  of  a 
farmer,  whom  lie  served  until  reaching  his  six- 
teenth year.  He  then  departed  for  the  great 
West,  and  soon  reached  Ogle  County,  III.  He 
worked  in  a  printing  ollice  in  Oregon,  tlnit  county, 
for  a  short  time,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of 
H.  .V.  Mix,  a  lawyer  and  dry-goods  merchant.  He 
pei'fonned  every  duty  imposcil  updii  liiiu  in  a  most 
faithful  niannei'  and  obtained  a  good  education  bv 
attending  night  school.  On  one  occasion,  his  em- 
ployer, wlio  was  then  Collector  of  He  venues  for  tlie 
Tiiird  District  in  Illinois,  asked  him  to  make  a  col- 
lection, and,  being  successful,  he  at  at  once  in- 
creased his  wages  from  4!  1.5  to  ^."55  per  luoiitli  and 
made  him  his  deputy.  He  thus  traveled  over  the 
district  and  whenever  lie  had  a  moment's  leisure. 
would  busy  himself  reading  law.  wliich  books  he 
carried  with  him. 

.Mr.  Cook,  ill  I «G.5.  considered  liiniscir  ica(l\  to 
attend  the  cx.iiiiiii.-itioii  iiccessaiy  for  .•idiiiission  to 
the  Bar.  when  .Mr.  Mi.x  lold  him  that  if  he  would  go 
Ka-'t  audaltcnri  the  courts  one  year,  on  his  return 
he  would^a.s.s4iciate  him  a>  (iiu.'il  pailiici  in  the 
practice  of  l.-iw.  Young  Cook  at  once  accepted  the 
proptisition  ami  foi'  eighteen  monllis  read  I.mw  in 
l'liilMd<'lpliia.  i'a..  and  \v;i>  .•i(liiiill(  ij  to  the  li.-ir. 
During  liii  ;ili^enec,  however,  his  piccepior  ■iiid 
frienfl  wa.>  killed  by  being  thrown  from  »  bridire 
over  Kock  Kiver,  >o  ih.-ii  .Mr.  Cook  foiniil  It  iieces- 
Niry  to  change  liiM'our^e  in  life. 

(ioing  to  (iranite  l-ajls,  Minn.,  our  sulijeel  en- 
gaged  ill    the  practice  of   law  for  eight  years  and 


also  did  a  good  business  in  handling  real  estate. 
He  then  traveled  one3'ear,  after  which,  in  I.SST,  he 
located  ill  South  Haven  and  has  here  become  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Bar.  .lanuarv  26,  \^i<7. 
Mr.  Cook  and  Miss  Josephine  Moreau  were  united 
in  marriage.  jNIrs.  Cook  was  the  daughter  of  1'. 
I).. I.  and  Je.annette  (Depreze)  Moreau  and  was  born 
in  France,  May  6,  18.50.  (tur  subject  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  pt)litics  but  at  the  same  time  is  independent 
enough  to  waive  party  principles  when  the  rival 
side  presents  a  man  whom  lie  thinks  a  more  suit- 
able candidate.  He  is  a  meniber  in  good  stand 
ing  of  the  Independent  t)rder  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
is  very  highly  esteemed  throughout  \'aii  lUiieii 
County.  His  judicious  and  wise  dccision.s  have 
made  him  very  jjopular.  and  his  course  when  at- 
tempting to  bring  about  any  worthy  object  is 
well  known  to  those  who  are  aniuaiiited  with  the 
liist<)rv  of  this  section. 


MLLIAM  W.  KINXKY  is  one  of  the  men 
who  have  had  the  making  of  Xnu  lluren 
^^  County.  He  is  a  representative  of  the 
pioneers  of  Southern  Michigan,  and  his  name  will 
be  forever  linked  with  the  substantial  growth  of 
Bangor  Township,  with  whose  interests  he  has 
been  closely  identified  since  he  settled  here  many 
years  ago  on  an  unimproved  tract  of  land,  which 
he  li.Ms  devclo|)ed  into  a  beautiful  farm, and  a  home 
altracti\e  not  only  by  its  appoiiitineiits  and  jileas- 
ant  surroundings,  but  by  the  true  relinemeiil  and 
cheerful  hospitality  centered  thciein. 

.Mr.  Kinney  is  a  native  of  Cayuga  Couiit\.  N. 
Y.,  and  .Viigiist  1.  I82;i,  is  the  date  of  his  birth. 
He  is  the  oldest  of  the  seven  children  of  lliiell  and 
.Mineda  (Miller)  Kinney.  liis  father  was  the 
.\T)iiiigest  of  seven  sons  boiii  to  Samuel  and  I'.li/.a 
Kinney,  and  he  w.'is  born  at  l!:utf'<u'd,  Ct.,  in  IT'.II. 
lie  W!is  ni.'irricd  in  1.S21.  his  bride  being  a  iiatiNcof 
New  York,  and  in  that  State  he  carried  on  his 
trade  .'IS  a  <'lolliier  until  IH.'iT.  In  llnil  year,  he 
took  Ins  fainily  lo  iMonroe  County,  Mich.,  .'iimI 
was  a  pioneer  farmer  of  that  region,  |)urchasiiig  a 
f.'iriii  there,  and  devoting  himself  to  it.s  iniprove- 
iiienl.     He  liveci  t,o  a  good    old  age,   ;uid    liii.'dly 


WJ 


PORTRAIT  AND  JUOGRAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


751 


died  at  tho  liome  of  a  dani^htor  in  Eaton  County, 
in  18(!H.  ills  wile  li;iil  previously  diod  in  lH;").'!, 
duiinii;  tlicii-  residence  in  Monroe  County. 

Our  .snliject  was  a  sturdy,  wide-awake  lad  of 
tlurteen  years  when  his  jjarcnts .settled  in  the  wilds 
of  Monroe  County,  and  he  was  trained  to  a  useful 
m.anhood  amid  ])!oneer  scenes.  lie  remained  an 
inmate  of  tlie  parental  home  until  1848,  when  ho 
married  and  established  a  home  of  his  own,  taking 
unto  himself  a  wife  on  the  anniversary  of  Wash- 
ington's hirth,  February  22,  in  the  jjcrson  of  Miss 
Amanda  Clark,  who  is  one  of  a  family  of  live 
daughters  born  to  Robert  and  Betsy  Clark.  IK'r 
parents  were  of  good  old  New  England  stock,  her 
father  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  Jier  mother 
of  Massachusetts.  They  were  pioneers  of  Jlon- 
roe  County,  where  Mr.  Clark  died  in  1850.  His 
wife  survived  him  until  1872,  and  then  she  passed 
away  at  Bangor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kinney  have  en- 
joyed a  true  marriage,  faithfully  sharing  the  glad- 
ness and  sorrow  that  have  come  to  them  in  a 
wedded  life  of  forty-four  years' duration.  Among 
its  blessings  are  the  nine  children  born  to  them, 
of  whom  but  three  are  dead:  Oscar,  Sarah  and 
.Samuel.  The  others  are  Frank,  Bruce,  Clara;  Elsa, 
wife  of  Charles  Wilcox;  .Jennie,  wife  of  Rodney 
.Stephens,  of  Bangor;  and  Orlando. 

After  marri.age,  Mr.  Kinney  settled  on  a  farm  in 
La  Salle,  Monroe  County,  and  was  actively  engaged 
ill  agricultural  pursuits  at  th.it  iioint  until  1851. 
Ill  that  year  he  purchased  and  located  upon  the 
farm  that  he  now  occupies.  At  that  time  it  w.as 
a  mere  tract  of  forest-covered  land,  where  the 
ring  of  the  pioneer's  ax  had  never  been  heard, 
and  no  attempts  had  been  made  to  devek>p  the 
resources  of  its  rich  virgin  soil.  It  remained  for 
our  subject  to  transform  it  into  a  fair  garden, 
whose  carefull3'  tilled  acres  yield  bounteous  harv- 
ests, and  the  neat  and  comniodious  buildings 
which  he  has  erected  are  an  attr.active  feature  in  the 
land.scaiic  of  the  neighborhood.  It  comprises 
sixty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  are  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  and  IMr.  Kinney  devotes 
it  to  general  farming  purposes,  having  it  well 
stocked  with  cattle,  horses,  etc.,  of  fine  grades. 

Mr.  Kinney  is  a  man  of  strong  character  and 
earnest   convictions,    of  broad  mind,  large   heart, 


and  genial,  generous  nature,  who  has  raised 
himself'  to  a  position  of  honor  among  his  old 
fiiends  and  neighbors,  who  have  a  high  regard  for 
him.  He  is  liberal  in  his  religion  and  in  his  po- 
litics, the  latter  finding  expression  in  tlx;  doctrines 
of  the  Repul)liean  p.arty,  of  which  he  is  a  stanch 
advocate.  Some  of  his  family  are  active  working 
members  of  the  Disciples  Church.  Socially, he  is  a 
jn-ominent  member  of  the  IMasonic  fraternity,  and 
has  taken  the  Chapter  Degree.  He  has  always  en- 
couraged all  plans  that  would  in  any  way  [iro- 
mote  the  prosperity  of  the  township  or  county, 
and  he  has  been  especially  interested  in  educational 
matters  as  a  member  of  the  School  Board  of  Ban- 
gor Village,  which  olKce  he  h.as  held  many  years, 
ai)d  iu  that  capacity  he  liiis  done  great  deal  in  im- 
proving the  schools  of  this  vicinity. 

s <_'=l-<. 


'^ ■ — ■"-^  <r 

LEXANDER  STINSON,  a  leading  citizen 
i     of    Bloomingdale,    \'an     Buren    County, 
( i    where  be  is  largely  engaged  in  the  manu- 
ij^  facture    of    lumber,  has   had  a  checkered 

life,  seeing  many  ups  and  downs,  and  is  deserving 
of  great  credit  for  the  undaunted  spirit  with  which 
he  h.as  met  misfortune  and  for  the  energy  he  has 
shown  in  retrieving  his  lost  fortune.  He  was  born 
May  1.3,  183(5,  in  Windsor  County,  Vt.,  and  in- 
herits much  of  the  sturdy  stength  of  those  early 
natives  of  the  (irecn  Mountain  State.  His  parents 
were  AVilliam  and  Sarah  Stinsoii.  His  father  w.as 
a  farmer  by  occupation  and  died  about  1862,  his 
wife  soon  following  him  to  the  silent  land.  They 
were  consistent  niemliers  of  the  Baiitist  Church, 
and  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  namel\-: 
Ellen,  William,  Rosaniia,  ^Vlex  and  .lohii. 

Our  subject  received  a  common-school  education 
which  was  necessarily  limited,  as  at  the  age  of  ten 
years  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  first 
clerking  in  a  general  store  in  Bernard,  his  native 
village,  and  attending  school  during  the  winter. 
In  this  wa3%  he  spent  three  years,  the  following  two 
years  being  at  Clareniont.  N.  II.,  and  the  next  two 
years  at  Concord,  IMass.,  where  he  worked  at  turn- 
ing patent  pails.  Thence  he  went  to  Boston,  where 
he  was  connected   with  a  trans|)ortation  company. 


752 


POm'RAIT  AND  BIOOUAl'IIICAL   RECORD, 


having  charge  of  fifteen  teams.  After  quitting 
this  company,  he  worked  one  and  one  half  years  at 
the  Iron  works  in  South  Boston.  About  1854,  he 
came  to  Berrien  County.  Mich.,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  broom  handles  for  a  short 
time,  after  whieh  he  spent  about  twelve  years  at 
Michigan  City,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  ma- 
chinery of  tlie  ci«o|)er  anil  wagon  shops  of  Ihe 
jienitenliary. 

In  1871.  Mr.  Siin>ou  came  to  .Vrlington,  \;ui 
Buren  County,  and  in  company  with  J.  II.  Free- 
man purcha.sed  about  one  thousand  acres  of  timber- 
on  wiiich  they  erected  two  mills  and  began  the 
manufacture  of  lumber  for  the  Michigan  City  and 
•loliet  Penitentiaries.  In  this  they  met  with 
marked  success  until  1873,  when  a  fire  swept  away 
the  mills  and  lumber  yards,  leaving  the  firm 
greatly  eml>arrassed.  5Ir.  Stinson  took  for  liis 
interest  *300  and  seventy  acres,  which  he  still  holds. 
In  this  disiister.  he  lost  over  ^lO.OOd  of  liis  hard 
earnings.  Being  quite  familiar  with  machinery. 
in  1878  Mr.  Stinson  was  cniploNcd  to  go  to 
Memphis.  Tenn.,  and  put  up  machinery  for  making 
oil  barrels.  Here  he  had  full  charge  of  the  entire 
works,  and  wjis  prospering  finely  when  his  men  be- 
gan dying  off  with  the  j-ellow  fever,  which  was 
then  scourging  that  Stale.  He  concluded  it  was 
best  to  come  home,  which  he  had  some  trouble  in 
doing,  as  travelers  from  the  infcctccl  district  were 
very  closel}-  scrutinized  and  at  many  points  (piar- 
nntine  was  estal)lislicil.  On  rcacliing  St.  Louis,  he 
got  off  the  train  befoie  reaching  the  depot  and 
walked  the  striu-t.--  until  the  train  was  due  from 
Chicago  and  on  it-^  arrival  lie  ;inil  a  friend  who 
:iccompuniril  him  went  to  an  hotel  and  registered 
from  that  city.  He  then  look  the  first  train  for 
home,  and  on  ri^acliingthc  house  and  before  enter- 
ing it,  hatl  hi>  wife  bring  a  suit  of  clothes  to  him. 
( ioing  out  to  the  orchard  and  changing  his  gar- 
ments, he  then  luiincil  the  suit  he  had  been  wearing. 
He  then  went  to  the  house  liut  soon  discovered 
llial  all  his  precautions  had  been  in  vain,  for  he 
inunedialely  cnnie  down  with  the  fever  and  was 
not  able  to  be  out  again  for  lliri'c  months.  At  the 
end  of  this  lime,  he  again  returned  to  Memphis 
and  remained  until  »prliig.  lb-  Hun  came  liacU  lo 
.Michigan  ami  has  ever  .since  been  (engaged    in    the 


lumbering  business  here,  meeting  with  success.  IIis 
lumber  is  mostly  of  building  materials  and  he  also 
ships  large  quantities  of  logs  of  both  hard  and  soft 
lumber.  He  is  now  carrying  on  business  under  the 
firm  name  of  Stinson  it  Son. 

]\Ir.  Slinson  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Miss  Ruth 
Williams,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  bore  him  eleven 
children,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Nettie, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one;  William,  Carrie, 
.lohn;  Rosa,  who  died  wlien  twenty  years  of  age; 
Eillie,  wlu)  died  when  eighteen  years  of  age;  Maud; 
Fred;  Daisy,  who  died  when  six  years  of  age  and 
George,  also  deceased.  Besides  their  own  large 
family,  this  worthy  couple  reared  tiuee  other  chil- 
dren. Thoinas  and  Elizabeth  ( iia^-s  and  Cyrus  Will- 
iams. They  were  a  happy  and  contented  family 
group  and  all  received  good  educations.  Mr.  Stin- 
son felt  his  early  deliciencies  in  the  way  of  book- 
learning  and  was  determined  that  his  children 
should  not  suffer  in  that  way.  iSIr.  and  Mrs.  Stin- 
son were  l)otli  active  nienibers  of  the  Metiiodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  in  her  death,  which  took 
place  November  11,  l^^lll,  the  church  lost  one  of 
its  most  wortii3'  communicants  who  had  done 
much  in  its  behalf,  and  the  coiiiiiuinity  and  her 
family  a  good  Christian  woman  and  a  teacher  and 
loving  mother. 

During  the  war,  Mr.  Stinson  was  called  out  and 
|)aiticipat('(l  in  the  Morgan  raid.  He  has  always 
given  his  iiilliiciice  loevery  public  enterprise  which 
promised  to  be  beiiclicial  to  his  coinnniiiity,  especi- 
ally in  educational  matters,  and  is  now  an  active 
member  of  the  Seliool  Board.  Altiiough  he  has 
lost  several  ri>rluiKs,  liy  perseverance  and  business 
ability  lie  has  regained  ciiougii  lo  live  in  a  comfort- 
able manner  and  is  liie   pt)ssessor  of  a  good  home. 


It—    ENRV     .MA1M:U.      The    liviilUiiian     whose 
name  we  place  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  is 


engaged   in    fanning  and  stock-raising  on 

section  ;?,  Lawrence  Township,  ^'an  Binen 

County.    He  was  bf)rn  in  Canibridgesliire,  ICnglaiid, 

November  .'id.  IH.'Ci.  and  is   the   son    of  .lolin   and 

I'iiiz.'ilidli    (liiilchei)    M.ainer,  ii:iti\  I's  of   England. 

The    lather   of   our    siilijcci   was  a   carpeiiler   by 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAITIICAL  RECORD. 


753 


calling,  and  on  coming  to  America  in  1851  was 
accompanied  liitlicr  by  our  subject  and  a  younger 
brollicr.  The  motiier  and  the  six  rcmainini;  chil- 
dren joined  them  in  the  New  World  a  few  months 
later.  Thej' located  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,and 
our  suliject  aided  his  father  in  carpenter  work, 
giving  him  all  his  earnings  until  reaching  his  ma- 
jority. About  that  time  his  parents  removed  to 
Canada,  and  Henry,  who  had  been  married  in  Chau- 
tauqua Count\-  in  July,  1854,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
liutcher,  also  moved  hither.  He  remained  in  the 
Dominion  for  five  years,  and  in  1859  came  to 
Michigan  and  purchased  forty  acres  of  unimproved 
land  in  Arlington  Township,  VanBuren  County. 
He  erected  buildings  on  his  new  purchase  and 
otiierwise  improved  it,  when  he  sold  his  property, 
and  removing  to  Lawrence  Village  engaged  in 
l)uilding  houses. 

The  lirst  wife  of  our  subject  dying  in  1874,  he 
was  again  married,  December  31  of  that  year,  to 
Mrs.  Mary  N.  Skelton,  nee  McKnight.  Mrs.  Mainer 
had  become  the  mother  of  one  child  by  her  former 
marriage,  Edward  J.,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Lawrence 
Township.  Mrs.  Mainer  was  born  in  Wood  County, 
Ohio,  December  11,1836.  Our  subjec't  continued 
to  reside  in  Lawrence  until  1878,  when  he  moved 
to  his  present  farm  of  ninety-seven  acres.  He  does 
a  general  farming  business  and  makes  a  specialty 
of  raising  Merino  and  Shropshire  sheep.  He  has 
enlarged  the  farm  buildings  since  the  property 
came  into  his  possession  and  has  all  the  conven- 
iences for  carrying  on  modern  agriculture. 

Ilenr}'  Mainer,  of  this  sketch,  did  not  take  out 
his  naturalization  papers  until  he  had  been  a  resi- 
dent of  America  twenty  years,  casting  his  first  vote 
for  Gen.  Grant  in  1872.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  Church,  in  which 
body  Mr.  Mainer  is  Clerk  and  Deacon.  He  was 
given  but  limited  advantages  for  an  education, 
being  obliged  to  work  for  his  father  when  onlj- 
seven  years  of  age.  He  is  to-day  an  intelligent 
and  well-read  man  and  greatly  respected  in  Law- 
rence Township. 

Mrs.  Mainer  was  brouglit  to  Michigan  by  her 
mother  when  an  infant  of  six  months,  her  father 
having  died  in  Ohio.  Her  only  brother,  James, 
went  to  California  and  has  not  been   heard    from 


.since.  She  had  two  sisters:  Jane,  who  married  Dr. 
A.  S.  Ilaskins,  lives  in  Lawrence,  and  Hannah  E., 
who  died  when  nineteen  years  of  age.  Mr.s. 
Mainer  received  a  good  education  in  Van  Buren 
County  and  taught  school  for  six  years,  beginning 
to  teach  before  reaching  her  sixteenth  year  in  a 
school  which  was  thirteen  miles  from  her  home 
and  situated  in  the  woods.  Her  mother  is  now  de- 
ceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mainer  have  an  adopted  son, whom 
they  took  into  their  household  when  nine  years  of 
age.  He  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  February 
2,  1868.  He  was  given  a  good  education  and 
made  his  home  with  our  subject  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  when  he  was  married,  February  2fi, 
1890,  to  Miss  Alice  Gammon,  by  whom  he  has  be- 
come the  father  of  a  daughter,  Annie  Leona,  who 
was  born  December  25,  1890. 


UGU8TUS  N.  SPAULDING.  This  retired 
gentleman,  now  residing  in  Hartford,  Van 
Buren  County,  is  a  son  of  Ira  and  Cliloe 
^jl  (Rockwell)  Spaulding  and  was  born  in 
Addison  County,  Vt.,  on  the  6th  of  August,  1823. 
The  mother  was  descended  from  an  old  family  of 
Connecticut  which  was  of  English  stock.  Ira 
Spaulding  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1789,  and 
served  a  short  time  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  one 
of  a  family-  of  three  brothers  and  three  sisters.  His 
father,  John  Spaulding,  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  was  probably  born  in  Ridgefleld,  Conn., 
and  as  far  back  as  the  history  can  be  traced  they 
are  of  P^nglish  descent.  The  paternal  grandmother 
was  a  sister  of  Eliphalet  and  Dr.  Knott.  The  first- 
named  was  a  minister  of  one  congregation  in 
Connecticut  for  over  sixty  years,  and  the  latter 
was  connected  with  one  of  the  first  colleges  of 
Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  for  the  same  number  of  years. 
Our  subject  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  in  the 
year  1834  came  with  his  parents  to  Washtenaw 
County,  Mich.,  where  they  resided  for  ten  years, 
when  they  removed  to  Jackson  County.  Our  sub- 
ject remained  in  Washtenaw  County  until  1868. 
In    1844   he    was    married    to    Mariah    Crafts,  by 


754 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


whom  he  became  the  father  of  one  daughter, 
Ellen,  now  the  wife  of  Charles  Nicholson,  of 
Hartford.  After  the  death  of  his  lii-st  wife,  our 
suhjcct  was  married  to  Cliristiana,  a  daiigliter  of 
Jacob  Hayes,  who  was  a  native  of  Germany. 
Unto  this  couple  eight  children  were  horn. 

In  18G8.  Mr.  Spauldiiig  came  to  Hartford  Town- 
ship, where  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  occupa- 
tion he  followed  until  the  fall  of  188.5.  At  this 
time,  he  located  in  Hartford,  retiring  from  all 
manual  lalwr  but  still  owning  his  farm  and  super- 
intending it.  He  and  his  family  are  mcml)crs  of 
the  Congregalitinal  Church,  and  ijolitically,  he  is  a 
stalwart  Republican,  hut  has  never  been  an  oflice- 
seeker. 

^=^EORGE  ,AII:A1;()X  has  been  .associated  with 
'll  (=7  the  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  \:u\  Itiircn 
'^Oi^l  County  since  the  early  years  of  its  settle- 
ment, and  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Ins  class 
in  the  township  of  Arlington,  where  he  iiasagodd- 
sized,  well-e([ui|)ped  farm,  tliat  he  literally  hewed 
out  of  the  wilderness.  Our  suhjocl  was  born  in  the 
year  181H.  in  the  town  ><(  Piineeton,  X.  Y.,  the 
yiiuiigcst  of  the  six  children  of  James  and  Helen 
(Davis)  ^leabon,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maliirc 
years.  John  and  James  died  in  Krie  ('(imii1\-,  I'a.; 
Robert  died  at  Columbus,  .Alicli.;  Kli/.a  married 
.\ndrew  Wet.sell,  and  Helen  is  the  name  of  the  re- 
maining si-ster. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  born  in  the 
city  of  K<llnliurgh,  Seoiland.  The  mother  was 
reared  in  this  eonnlry,  but  the  I'allier  leiiiained  in 
his  native'  land  until  he  was  twenty-one,  and  then 
pa-s^ed  tlu-  remainder  of  his  life  on  .\nieric;»n  soil. 
'I'hey  wire  mari'ied  in  Seheiu'eta<l\  ('ouiil\-.  \.  Y., 
and  there  their  children  weri' boin.  In  lH2."),thev 
removcil  to  wlijit  is  now  Wyoming  County,  but 
wjw  then  (Jcne.see  County,  in  llie  same  State,  and 
."ubscfiuently  took  up  their  residence  in  Krie, 
I'a..  where  the  fullier  died.  'I'he  mother  died  in 
St.  Clair.  Mich. 

The  subject  of  this  bio;;rMphy  w:is  a  boy  of  seven 
years  when  the  f;itnily  moved  from  their  o!i|  home 
to  Wyoming  Counly,  wiieii-  hr- grew  in  .•!  >l.ilw:irl 


manhood,  and  in  due  time  took  unto  himself  a 
wife.  He  was  in  the  very  prime  of  early  manhood 
when  he  came  to  the  forest  wilds  of  \'an  liuren 
County  to  identify  himself  with  its  pioneer  set- 
tlers, and  he  wa>  well  titled  to  endure  the  hard- 
ships and  discoinfoits  of  the  lile  that  lay  before 
him  amid  the  prunitive  surroundings  of  his  new 
1  abode.  Ilis  iirst  |inrchase  consisted  of  a  wild 
tract  of  land,  forty  acres  in  dimensions,  which 
IS  still  in  his  possession.  He  worked  hard  to  clear 
away  the  forest  trees  that  encumbered  it,  (ilaced  it 
under  gC)od  cultivation,  and  from  time  to  time 
added  to  its  area  until  it  was  a  tine  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  fort^'  acres,  provided  with  substantial 
improvements  in  the  way  of  neat  and  well-ordered 
buildings  and  all  things  necessary  for  carrying  on 
farming.  He  has  now  given  part  of  it  to  his  chil- 
dren. Bj'  his  work  in  helping  to  develop  the 
county,  Mr.  IMeabon  is  entitled  to  an  honoralile 
place  among  its  pioneers,  and  as  a  man  and  a  citi- 
zen of  sterling  merit,  he  is  greatly  respected  by 
the  |)eople  among  whom  he  has  dwelt  in  peace  and 
amity  for  fort^'-seven  years,  or  thereabouts.  Ilis 
politics  arc  of  the  Republican  order,  and  he  is  un- 
swerving in  his  allegiance  to  his  party. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  sulijecfs  Iirst  wife  w:is 
Martha  .lenkins.  Their  wedded  life  was  liiief.and 
after  her  dcatli  he  married  Miss  Luciiida  Kckler. 
In  the  pleasant  lioiiie  that  they  established  li\  tin  ir 
united  labors  in  this  ciuinty.  tliey  have  reared  a 
family  of  six  children,  ,as  follows:  .lolin,  who  mar- 
ried, and  subsequently' died  in  Dakota,  lea\iiig  two 
children;  Cynthia;  Kloienee,  who  married  II.  I). 
Harvey,  and  is  now  dead;  Frank,  who  resides  at 
lioiiie  witli  Ills  parents;  Marl lia,  who  married  Air. 
Harvey,  and  Fred,  who  resides  cm  the  laiiii.  The 
wife  of  our  subject  dicnl  in  .\pril,  1881. 


=^>-^<^ 


^^^  HARLKS  I'KKKY  V.\l)\  .  <l.ceased.  who 
(l\  r  ^'"  '"'"'.V  years  was  ime  of  the  leading 
^>ti^'  citizens  of  this  community,  was  born  in 
Rushford,  Alleg.'iiiy  County.  N.  Y.,  iiil82(l.  Ilis 
parents  removed  to  I  lie  I'.mpire  Sljit-e  from  \r\- 
moiit  Mild  were  iiihoiil;  llie  eaiJieNt  settlers  of  Al- 
leiiaiiv      ('(iiiiit\.      'llie     rallier    ereeteil      llic     Iirst, 


PORTRAIT  AM)  lilOfUIArillCAL  RECORD. 


755 


sawmill  ever  built  within  its  borders.  Our  sub- 
ject continued  to  reside  in  the  Em))ire  State,  wliere 
the  d.'iys  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed, 
until  the  autumn  of  1857,  when  he  came  to  Michi- 
i;;ui.  The  succeeding  winter  was  spent  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Decatur  and,  in  the  sjiring  of  1858,  he 
rented  a  farm,  upon  which  he  made  his  home  un- 
til the  summer  of  1861,  when  he  bought  a  tract  of 
land  on  sections  27  and  28.  A  short  time  after- 
ward, however,  he  sold  and  relurned  to  Decatur, 
buying  village  property,  which  he  improved  and 
afterward  disposed  of  at  a  good  advantage.  Once 
more  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  Hamilton  Township,  the  present 
homo  of  Mrs.  Cady.  It  was  then  in  its  i)rimitive 
oudilion,  not  a  furrow  having  been  turned  or  an 
improvement  made,  but  with  characteristic energj' 
lie  began  its  development,  and  transformed  it  into 
a  line  farm.  All  of  the  buildings  were  erected  by 
him  and  other  substantial  improvements  made, 
which   indicate  his  thrift  and  enterprise. 

In  his  native  city,  on  the  25th  of  February, 
1840,  Mr.  Cady  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sallie  Ann  Lyman,  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Pru- 
dencia  L3'man,  who  were  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers of  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  and  there  resided 
until  called  to  the  final  home.  Mrs.  Cad3'  was  the 
sixth  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  by  her  mar- 
riage, she  became  the  mother  of  eight  children,  all 
of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood,  while, 
with  one  exception,  all  are  yet  living:  Lucy  .Jane, 
horn  February  20,  1843,  died  September  28,  1878; 
Sophia  is  the  wife  of  .Tames  Disbrow;  Matthew  P. 
ii'sides  in  Hamilton  Township;  Charles,  Heniy 
and  Esbon  are  also  farmers  of  Hamilton  Town- 
ship; (iraco  Eliza  is  the  wife  of  ,1.  Parker, 
a  carpenter  residing  in  SLaywood,  111.;  Edwin 
Lyman,  who  resides  on  the  old  homestead 
with  his  mother  and  operates  the  farm,  mar- 
ried Anna.  Fletcher,  of  this  county,  daughter 
of  Dorsey  Fletcher,  and  unto  them  has  been  born 
a  son,  Dorsey,  who  is  now  about  two  and  one- 
half  years  old;  Hattie,  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
is  the  wife  of  Otto  Wagner,  teacher  of  shorthand 
and  typewriting  iu  Decatur. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Cady  occurred  on  the  2tth  of 
May  1881  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  iu  Hamilton  Ceme- 


tery, the  funeral  service  being  performed  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Noerr.  He  was  a  man,  who  had  few,  if  any,  ene- 
mies and  many  worthy  friends.  He  was  very  po))- 
iilar  and  was  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  In 
his  political  views,  he  was  a  Jack.son  Democrat  and 
always  voted  the  straight  ticket.  He  held  most  all 
the  township  offices  of  Hamilton  Township  for 
several  years,  was  also  School  Trustee  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  was  Road  Commissioner  for  some 
time  and  also  School  Moderator.  Of  the  Grange 
he  was  a  charter  member  and  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  work  of  the  lodge. 

Mrs.  Cady  still  resides  on  the  old  farm,  which  is 
now  operated  by  her  son  Edwin  L.,  and  he  also 
engages  iu  the  cultivation  of  an  additional  hun- 
dred acres  in  Hamilton  Township,  which  is  his  own 
propei-ty.  Mrs.  Cady  proved  a  true  helpmate  and 
companion  to  her  husband,  aiding  him  materially 
in  acquiring  his  property  and  is  a  pleasant  and 
agreeable  lady,  whose  many  excellencies  of  charac- 
ter have  won  her  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


]!^ANIEL  W.  MILLER  is  the  owner  of  a  farm 
I  Jl)  on  section  26,  Antwerp  Township,  Van  Hu- 
^f'^  ren  County,  where  he  is  successfully  carry- 
ing on  agricultural  pursuits.  He  is  a  native  of 
New  York,  his  Iiirth  taking  place  in  Madison 
County,  December  12,1843.  His  parents,  Geoi'ge 
and  Betsey  (Miller)  Miller,  were  natives  of  New 
York,  who  removed  from  that  State  to  Michigan, 
in  1845.  The  country  then  was  veiy  sparsely  set- 
tled, and  they  experienced  all  the  hardships  and 
privations  of  early  pioneers  in  bringing  their  farm, 
which  they  purchased  in  the  woods  of  this  county, 
to  a  state  of  cultivation,  and  in  making  a  com- 
fortable home  in  which  to  lear  their  family.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children,  of 
whom  three  are  now  living,  namely:  Jeremiah, 
Marion  and  Daniel  W.  Those  deceased  are  George, 
Mary  and  Hezekiah.  Mr.  Miller  had  but  few  ad- 
vantages for  an  education,  schoolhouses  and  teach- 
ers being  scarce  in  those  days,  and  a  farmer's  son 
having  many  things  more  necessar}'  to  do  than  at- 
tending school.     He  early  began  assisting  his  father 


"o6 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


in  the  hard  labore  which  fell  to  the  lot  of  pioneere, 
and  hiis  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  dur- 
ing Ihe  most  of  his  life.  Wlien  the  Civil  War  broke 
out.  he  was  much  inlere,<led  in  the  strugg-le  be- 
tween the  North  and  South,  and  in  1864,  he  en- 
listed as  a  private  soldier  in  the  Thirteenth  Michi- 
gan Infantry,  under  Capt.  diaries  Hall,  serving 
until  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865. 

The  union  of  our  subject  with  Mrs.  .\uianda  M. 
(Smith)  Sheltei-s  took  place  February  28,  1866. 
Mi-s.  Miller  was  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in 
1833,  and  was  married  to  David  Shelters  in  1861. 
He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Lite  war,  and  was  killed 
while  in  service.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them,  of  whom  two  are  now  living,  Charles  H. 
and  Winson  .\.  Mrs.  Miller  is  the  tliirLeenth 
child  of  a  family  of  seventeen  children.  Her  pa- 
rents removed  from  New  York  to  Michigan  in 
1840,  the  father  dying  the  same  .year,  the  mother 
surviving  him  until  1865. 

Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Miller  have  but  one  child,  Caro- 
line M.,  who  is  tlie  wife  of  Henry  Reynolds,  and 
the  mother  of  one  son,  IIarr\'  D.  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
l)roniinent  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  belong- 
ing t<i  Lodge  No.  268,  at  Mattawan,  in  which  he 
has  held  oHlce  for  lifteen  years.  He  is  an  indus- 
trifius,  enterprising  young  farmer,  and  lie  and  his 
family  are  held  in  iiigh  regard  by  tiieir  fiiends  and 
as!*<K'iates.  He  is  also  a  inemlier  of  (1.  .).  Hudson 
Post,  <;.  A.  R., of  Mattawan.  In  politics,  lie  is  a  Re- 
publican. 


"^^ 


4d'       ■*••?• 


ijt-^  ARVKY  II.  HOWARD.  One  of  the  highly 
y  respected  citizens  of  niooiningdale  Town- 
.^^  .HJiip  is  the  gcMlleiiiaii  whose  iiaine  heads 
l(^  this  sketch,  and  who  is  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  this  section  of  the  country,  liaving  resided  here 
since  |K.')(I.  Ilis  birth  took  place,  Scptenibcr  6, 
1825,  in  Sweden,  Monroe  County,  N.  V.,  liis  pa- 
renlN  being  Itarnard  M.  and  Nancy  (Hinckley) 
llowiHil.  Ilis  graiidfiit her,  Timothy  Howard,  was 
iMirn  in  Massficliiisell.s,  and  iiis  great-grandfather 
came  from  Wales.  His  giaiidrather  was  a  Free- 
will Itiipli"!  minister,  who  I'l-iii  I'd  live  sons  and  three 
daiiglit4T!<,  naiiK'ly :  Ituriiiiiil    M..  A Immsoii,  Samson, 


Asa,  Jonathan,  Nancy,  Rhoby   and   Malinda,   all 

growing  to  maliirity. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Barnard  yi.  Howard, 
was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  in  October,  1 7!t  I , 
and  was  drafted  into  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  a  i)roiiiinent  Dea- 
con in  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics,  he  was  an 
old-line  Whig.  He  left  a  widow  and  seven  I'liil- 
dren,  and  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine.  Of  these 
children,  six  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Jonathan 
N.,  Henry  M.,  Zenas  C,  Mary  Ward,  Harvey-  H.  and 
Joseph  P.,  the  latter  residing  at  Little  Rock,  Ark. 
Bernard  M.,  died  when  five  years  old.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1794,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  and 
Mary  (Moore)  Hinckley,  who  were  of  Welsii  de- 
scent.    She  departed  this  life  in  1873. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  received  a  common-school  education.  He  re- 
mained at  home  until  twenty-four  years  old,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1850,  came  to  Michigan,  locating 
on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on 
section  4,  Bloomingdale  Townshii),  which  has  now 
been  increased  to  over  one  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  the  whole  of  which  has  heen  cleared  and  im- 
proved. With  the  exception  of  about  five  years, 
which  he  spent  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber, 
Mr.    Ilow^ard  lias  followed  farming  all  his  life, 

Mr.  Howard  was  married,  January  8,  1850,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Cooley,  who  was  born  in  Sweden, 
Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  August  10,  1831,  and  was 
a  daughter  of  James  B.  and  Adeline  (Fargo)  Cooley. 
Her  father  was  a  farmer  iiy  occupation.  They 
have  become  the  parents  of  two  children:  Clara  A., 
tin-  wife  of  Davis  Haven,  and  Kdward  M.  Mr. 
How.'ird  h;is  held  a  piomiiienl  place  in  the  alTaiis 
of  his  township  and  county,  holding  many  respon- 
sible ollices.  He  served  as  the  first  School  Direc- 
tor in  Ilis  township,  and  assisted  in  organizing  the 
schools.  He  was  for  two  terms  .Iiistice  of  the 
Peace,  and  lor  nine  tciiiis  Supervisor.  In  l.sso. 
he  was  elected  to  represent  Ilis  comity  in  llieSt;ite 
Legisl.'itiire,  and  served  two  terms.  While  in  the 
legislature,  lie  wmsom  sever:il  iiii|i(iri;iMl  coin  mi  I  lees, 
anioiiy;  them  those  of  I'ulilie  Instiiietions  .'uid  Hor- 
ticulture, and  was  al.so  Chainiiaii  of  the  I'.iigiossing 
Commiltee.      He  is  :i     Kepulilie.iii     ill    polities,  ami. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


757 


witli  his  wife,  is  a  consistent  nicnilicr  of  the  Bap- 
tist .C'liuicli.  He  liolds  an  hoiiorccl  plnoe  in  the 
Musoiiif  fraternity  and  tiic  IndciiciKlciit  ()i(Ut  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  is  higlily  esteemed  :is  a  piililie- 
spirited  and  worthy  citizen. 


^lU^  ENRY  A.  BROWN.  In  the  list  of  iiilluential 
liusiness  men  who  contribnte  to  the  coin- 
mercial  standing  of  Breedsville.  this  well- 
known  gentleman  oecnpies  a  prominent 
place.  For  several  years  he  has  been  proprietor  of 
the  INIodel  Roller  Blills,  into  which  he  introdnced 
the  roller  process  in  1891.  He  has  gained  an  en- 
viable reputation  tlirongh  strict  integrity,  careful 
attention  to  everj'  detail  of  business  and  a  constant 
desire  to  nn;et  every  want  of  the  public.  Like  his 
father,  he  possesses  genuine  public  spirit  and  a 
deep  interest  in  every  movement  of  value  to  the 
community. 

A  native  of  this  village,  ISIr.  Brown  was  l)orn 
August  8,  1863,  and  is  the  son  of  the  Hon.  Amos 
8.  and  Sarah  (Deming)  Brown,  natives,  respectively, 
of  Vermont,  and  Avon,  N.  Y.  His  father  came 
to  Michigan  in  1835,  and  located  in  Breedsville, 
where  he  was  one  of  the  very  first  settlers.  At 
the  time  of  his  arrival,  he  was  penniless,  but  by  his 
energy  and  perseverance  he  accumulated  a  hand- 
some fortune  and,  what  was  better,  he  gained  an 
enviable  reputation  as  an  upright  man,  a  kind 
father  and  husband  and  an  obliging  neighbor. 

Thronghont  Van  Buren  County,  Amos  S.  Brown 
w.as  known  as  a  most  active  and  energetic  man,  a 
contributor  to  all  public  enterprises  and  an  active 
member  of  the  Republican  party.  He  was  largely 
engaged  in  lumbering,  owning  aliout  one  thousand 
acres  of  land  and  a  fine  gristmill  at  Allegan.  In 
the  various  official  capacities  in  which  he  served, 
he  contributed  largely  to  the  progress  of  the  com- 
munit}-.  He  held  several  township  offices  and  was 
serving  his  second  term  as  Representative  when  he 
died,  September  4,  1872,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two. 
Although  not  a  member  of  an}-  church,  he  was  a 
stanch  supporter  of  religious  movements,  and  lib- 
eral in  his  gifts  in  their  behalf.  During  the  entire 
history  of  Breedsville  there  has,  doubtless,  been  no 


citizen  so  univers:illy  po|)iilar  and  esteemed  as  he, 
and  his  death  was  mourned  as  a  public  loss. 

TIk^  mother  of  our  subject  was  a  daughter  of 
Roswell  Deming  and  attained  to  the  age  of  sixty- 
two,  dying  I'\'l)ruary  1.5,  18'.II.  She  was  a  liberal 
supporter  of  the  cliurch  and  a  most  cheerful  con- 
tributor to  charitable  objects,.  In  her  home  circle, 
she  was  a  devoted  wife  and  a  faithful  helpmate  to 
her  husband,  .as  well  as  a  loving  mother.  Of  her 
four  children,  only  two  survived  to  mature  years: 
Sadie  B.,  now  Mrs  Squier,  and  Henry  A.,  our  sub- 
ject. The  latter  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received 
a  common-school  education  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  home,  later  taking  a  course  in  the  Agricul- 
tural College.  After  his  father's  death,  he  began 
the  management  of  the  estate  in  connection  with 
his  mother,  and  for  three  years  he  operated  the 
Allegan  City  Roller  Mills,  changing  it  to  the  roller 
process. 

April  24,  1887,  Mr.  Brown  was  married  to  Miss 
Maud,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  ISLary  (Baker) 
.lackson,  of  Allegan,  and  one  child  has  been  born 
of  the  union,  Louise,  who  is  the  idol  of  her  parents 
and  a  very  winning  and  bright  child.  Mr  Brown 
is  a  frank  open-hearted  man,  contributing  gener- 
ously to  the  support  of  the  church  and  anything 
that  will  benefit  the  public,  besides  being  liberal  in 
the  use  of  his  money  for  charitable  and  other  pur- 
poses. His  uprightness  of  character  has  won  him 
ma.ny  friends,  and,  with  his  wife,  he  is  numbered 
among  the  first  people  of  the  community. 


\i^^RANK  INGRAHAM.  Among  the  promi- 
i^g)  nent  business  men  of  the  village  of  Ilarl- 
l  for<l.  Van  Buren  County,  is  this  gentleman, 

who  is  actively  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  He 
is  a  native  of  Berlin,  Wis.,  born  September  24, 1859. 
AVhen  but  an  infant,  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Chelsea,  Washtenaw  County,  this  State,  where 
they  lived  five  years.  They  then  located  in  Al- 
niont,  Lapeer  County,  and  resided  in  various  parts 
of  the  State  afterward.  They  bore  the  names  of 
Coridon  and  Eliza  A.  (Persons)  Ingraham,  respect- 
ively. 


r58 


PORTRAIT  A^"D  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


Frank  Inarraliaui  alteiidod  the  State  Nonnnl 
Sc-liool  at  Ypsihinti,  where  the  father  lived  fmu 
years.  At  tlie  age  of  twenty,  he  came  to  Hartft)rd 
and  engagetl  iu  the  grocery  business,  and  lias  tlie 
distinction  of  being  the  oldest  grocery  merchant 
now  in  the  business.  He  began  at  the  very  bottom 
round  of  the  ladder  and  now  has  the  best  stocked 
store  in  the  village  and  probably  the  best  in  tlie 
county.  He  is  a  thorough  business  man  and  has  dem- 
onstrated the  fact  that  attention  to  business  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  success.  The  first  five  years  of 
his  residence  here,  Mr.  Ingrahain  w.as  out  of  the 
village  onl\-  one  d.ay.  He  wjis  liberally  educated, 
which  has  at  all  times  been  in  his  favor  and  helped 
him  along  wonderfully  in  this   world. 

Oursubject  w.as  united  iu  marriage,  !Mav  1,  1883, 
to  Miss  Minnie  H.  Stacy,  a  daughter  of  A.  and 
A.  P.  Briggs.  They  have  had  no  children. 
Polilicall3-,  our  subject  is  a  Republican.  Mr. 
Ingrahani  soon  found  it  possible  to  purchase  a 
home,  and  his  twenty-  acres  of  land  and  linely- 
built  house  are  a  credit  to  the  county  and  an 
ornament  to  the  township.  In  18«.s.  lie  engaged 
in  the  fruit-growing  business  and  has  made  of  it  a 
success  far  beyond  his  highest  expectations. 

y^ILLIAM  M.  I.VLKisthe  son  of  an  early 
pioneer  of  \'an  Buren  Counl\.  whose 
^^^  name  is  ])rominently  associated  with  the 
rise  and  growth  of  I'aw  Paw  Township,  ami  our 
subject  is  entitled  to  honor  .is  a  iiioncer  of  this  re- 
gi(»n,  he  having  done  much  to  develop  its  agri- 
cultural resources,  and  he  is  one  of  its  foremost 
farmei-s  and  sUK'Umen.  He  has  a  large  farm,  lying 
in  I'aw  Paw  Township,  that  is  completely  equip- 
|K'd  with  modern  improvements,  and  is  stocked 
wilh  high-bred  h(ii>es,  cattle,  etc. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Devonshire,  Kii gland, 
September  1,1H1!I,  inbi  the  family  of  .lolin  and 
Mary  (.Marshall)  Kyle,  he  being  the  second 
«»f  t4>rt  children  of  those  worthy  people,  seven 
of  whom  were  born  <in  Knglish  soil,  the  remainder 
in  .\inericn,  ."ind  eight  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs. 
().  I".  I'arker.  Mrs.  Kiissell  I'-irkerand  Mrs.  Kd ward 
Itanium  in  I'aw  I'aw;  Mi-s.  Kniiik  Selliek  and    Mrs. 


'  Eliza  Conger  in  Kalamazoo;  John  Ljie,  Jr.,  in 
I'aw  Paw  Townshii>;  and  Mervin  Lyle  in  Hartford 
Township.  The  father  was  born  in  Cornwall, 
England,  December  25,  179.3,  and  in  early  manhood 
adopted  the  calling  of  a  farmer.  He  married  a 
young  girl,  who  assisted  him  in  his  efforts  to  secure  a 
competency.  In  1829,  they  considered  that  they 
could  do  better  for  themselves  and  for  their  chil- 
dren, in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  emi- 
grated thither  with  their  family.  They  at  first  lo- 
cated at  York  Mills,  three  miles  west  of  Utica,  Pv. 
Y.,  where  the  father  earned  on  a  Hour  store  about 
four  years.  They  then  came  to  found  a  home  in 
the  forest  of  Michigan  in  1835.  Selecting  a  suit- 
able site  in  what  is  now  Paw   I'aw    Townshi|),    Mr. 

j  Lyle  entered  three  hundred  acres  of  (iovernment 
land,  right  north -of  the  old  fair  ground  in  Paw 
Paw.  He  and  his  sons  then  set  vigorously  to 
work  to  clear  the  land,  and  that  with  other  land 
that  he  bought  laid  the  foundation  of  the  fortune 
that  he  made  in  the  busy  years  that  followed,  lie 
lived  to  see  the  country  well  developed  and  pros- 
perous, and  to  see  all  his  children  grown  up  and  well 
settled  in  life  before  he  passed  off  the  stage  of  ac- 
tion, December  4,  1870,  at  the  ripe  .ige  of  sevent3'- 
seven  years.  He  left  behind  him  a  golden  record 
of  a  pure,  unblemished  life  that  should  be  an  e.\- 
arnplc  to  his  children  and  children's  children  unto 
the  latest  generation.  In  early  life,  he  became  a 
firm  believer  in  Christianity,  and  from  that  time  he 
held  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
t'hureh,  with  which  ho  was  closely  identified  until 
his  death,  always  a  consistent  follower  of  .lesus. 
and  he  was  gre.'illy  instrumental  in  the  upbniMmg 
of  his  belovetl  cliuieh  in  Paw  Paw. 

Our  subject  had  but  a  limited  education  in  his 
youth,  as  he  led  the  iifcof  a  hard-working  farmer's 
boy,  rendering  his  faMiei'  valuable  assistance  in 
clearingand  improving  his  large  landed  jiroperty. 
At  the  .age  of  t  uciity-one,  he  wasat  liberty  to  go  his 
own  way,  and  ln'  woiked  dul  hy  the  iiioiilh  a 
couple  of  years,  thus  earning  eiKnigh  to  buy  a 
team,  and  then  111' began  fanning  cm  shares.  He 
bought  his  llrst.  land  when  he  w;is  twenty-three 
years  old,  paying  #17  duwn  fur  the  cpiartcr-section 
of  \vhii4i  he  then  beraiiie  possessed,  and  upon 
which    he   ^|,ill    lives.       He    was    married    the  I'ol- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIIICAI.   RECORD. 


59 


lowing  vi"i''i  :""'  took  his  lii-ide  to  the  littlo  shaiitv 
on  liis  land  in  wiiich  ho  h;id  liccn  Ucciiiiii;  hache- 
liii's  hall.  Hereon  his  farm  his  children  were  all 
l)orn,  and  here  the  beloved  wife  of  his  early  inan- 
liood  died  in  the  home  whieli  she  had  helped  him 
to  make,  and  which  she  had  lilessed  for  so  many 
years  as  a  trne  companion,  <>nide  and  friend,  and 
as  a  tender  mother;  and  here  their  daughter  May 
also  breathed  her  last. 

Ml'.  I>yle  s|)ent  five  years  in  Kansas  iiandling 
p.'ittle,  but  that  proved  a  losing  venture  on  account 
of  the  thieving  that  was  ihen  so  iirevalent,  and,  dis- 
posing of  his  interests  in  that  State,  he  returned  to 
Michigan,  and  has  since  devoted  himself  to  look- 
ing after  his  property  in  this  section.  lie  has  five 
hundred  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  can  be  found  in 
\an  IJuren  County,  all  lying  in  a  bod.v,  a  small 
part  of  it  in  Decatur  Township,  .and  the  remainder 
in  I'aw  I'aw  Township.  He  has  long  been  em- 
ployed in  buying  and  selling  stock,  and  has  han- 
dled as  much  as  forty  thousand  dollars  worth  of 
cattle  in  one  year.  His  sons  are  now  engaged  in 
the  same  line  quite  extensively.  He  has  become 
wealthy  by  the  exercise  of  those  traits  that  mark 
him  as  a  far-sighted,  .sagacious  man  of  business, 
is  keen  and  discriminating  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  his  calling,  has  shrewdly  timed  his 
deals  .so  as  to  take  advantage  of  the  markets  at 
their  liest,  has  always  been  alive  to  whatsoever 
would  advance  his  interests  financially,  and,  above 
all,  has  kept  his  credit  good.  He  is  a  simon-pure 
l{epui)lican,  antl  has  stood  loyally  by  his  party 
since  its  organization.  The  first  President  for 
whom  he  voted  was  AVilliam  H.  Harrison,  the 
famous  grandsire  of  our  present  Chief  Magis- 
trate. 

Our  subject  has  been  twice  married.  His  first 
marriage,  which  occurred  when  he  was  about 
Iwenty-four  3'ears  old,  was  with  Miss  Nancy  J. 
Labady,  who  was  born  in  Williamson  Township, 
Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  .January'  27,  1828.  She 
died  after  a  wedded  life  of  more  than  forty  years, 
October  27,  1886.  The  following  is  recorded  of 
the  six  children  born  to  her  and  our  subject: 
Alonzo  Marshall,  who  was  born  September  12, 
1846,  is  a  farmer  in  Paw  Paw  Township;  Mary  J., 
born  Octol  er  7,  18.'')2,   died    Septenibcr    19,    1891; 


■Sarah  Ann,  liorn  August  1.").  I  8.')<;,  married  .Joseph 
Demington,  a  farmer  in  Decatur  Township; 
(ieoi'geM.  and  (ieorgette,  twins,  were  born  March 
11,  18.59,  and  the  latter  is  now  the  wife  of  .John 
(irahani,  a  farmer  in  Lawrence  Townsiiip;  the 
youngest  son,  William,  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Lyle  was  a  second  time  married,  Xovemlier 
27,  1889,  to  Mrs.  Ann  H.  Smith,  »ec  \'an  Antwerp, 
a  daughter  of  one  of  the  early  pioneer  families  of 
Van  Buien  County.  She  was  born  in  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y.,  October  27,  1819.  Her  p.arents 
were  Daniel  and  Ruth  (Bennett)  \  an  Antwei|/, 
who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Antwerp 
Township,  which  was  named  in  honor  of  her 
father.  Mrs.  Lyle  was  first  married  of  P.  N. 
Smith,  their  marriage  taking  i)lace  December  24, 
1839,  and  her  present  husband  was  numbered  among 
the  friends,  gathered  to  do  honor  to  the  occasion. 
She  had  three  children  by  that  marrriage,  two  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity,  and  one  is  still  living, 
.Tolin  N.  Smith,  a  farmer  in  Antwerp  Township. 
Mrs.  Lyle  is  a  very  estimable  woman,  and  a  valued 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Paw  Paw, 
and  she  has  always  been  very  active  in  church  and 
.Sunda3--scliool  woi'k. 


e^+«^ 


l=r 


ILAN  U.  RICHARDSON,  who  holds  the 
office  of  Abstracter  of  ^'an  Buren  County, 
is  prominent  in  political  circles  as  a  leader 
among  the  Republicans  of  this  section, 
and  in  social  circles  as  a  Grand  Army  man.  He 
was  born  in  Covington,  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y., 
February' 6,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  Noble  D.  and 
Elsie  Eveline  (Richmond)  Richardson,  of  whom  a 
sketch  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 
His  father  moved  to  I'ennsylvania  when  Milan 
was  about  two  years  old,  and  from  thence  to  Knox 
County,  Ohio,  whence  he  brought  his  family  to 
this  county  when  our  subject  was  five  years  old. 
He  was  reared  here  on  a  farm,  and  received  but  a 
limited  education. 

When  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  our  subject, 
who  had  been  watching  the  progress  of  the  war 
that  was  then  being  waged  betwen  the  North  and 
South  with  an  intense  longing  to  strike  a  blow  for 


760 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


his  country,  was  at  length  permitted  to  enlist, 
and  August  17,  1863,  his  name  was  placed  on  the 
roll  of  Comp.-myC.  Third  ^lioliignn  Cavalry,  and 
in  the  tr_ving  times  thai  followed  lie  displayed  the 
spirit  of  a  true  soldier  notwithstanding,  his  youtli- 
fnlncss.  He  saw  duty  in  Tcunes<ee,  ^lississippi, 
Louisiana.  Alal>aiua,  Arkansas  and  Texas.  But, 
though  i>e  was  in  many  skirmishes  with  the  enenij- 
and  did  his  share  of  tlie  ligliling,  he  was  never 
wounded  or  Uxken  prisoner.  He  was  not  so  for- 
tunate in  escaping  sickness  incidental  to  army 
life,  hut  even  then  he  was  onlv  in  a  hospital  a 
short  time  at  Corinth,  Jliss.  He  took  part  in 
nearly  ever\'  engagement  in  wiiicli  his  regiment 
w.as  present,  and  was  no  uninipf>rtant  factor  in 
helping  it  to  win  and  maintain  a  high  reputation 
for  invincible  courage  and  daring. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  mustered  out  of  the  army 
at  San  .\ntonio,  Tex..  March  15,  1866.  and,  in 
order  to  get  home,  walked  to  Indianola,  one  hun- 
dred and  forty -six  miles,  where  lie  took  passage 
for  the  North,  and  in  due  time  arrived  among  his 
old  friends  in  Van  Buren  County.  He  was  a  vet- 
eran in  experience,  although  not  yet  a  man  in 
years,  but  he  did  not  spend  much  time  in  recruiting 
from  tiie  hardships  and  exhaustions  of  a  soldier's 
life,  but  sought  some  occupation,  and  finally  took 
a  place  in  the  postotlice,  where  he  remained  six 
months.  He  then  obtained  a  position  in  the  olllco 
of  Registrar  of  Deeds,  with  which  he  wiis  connec- 
ted for  a  year,  and  that  led  to  his  doing  work  for 
the  Abstr.'ict  OHice.  His  first  year  there  was  under 
Mr.  Hill,  and  he  staid  in  the  ollice  through  Mr. 
Roger's  term.  So  familiar  was  he  with  the  work, 
that  that  gentleman  went  Kasl  and  left  him  in 
<'liaige,  and  at  the  next  election  the  peo|)le  elected 
our  subject  to  the  position  of  Registrar  of  Deeds, 
for  one  term.  During  that  time,  he  purcli.ased  a 
half  intercsl  in  the  abstrncl  books  of  C.  A.  Harri- 
son. When  .Mr.  Ivllis  w:is  eleclcd  to  the  ollice,  our 
subject  became  Deputy,  ami  atMcd  in  ili.il  capacity 
for  >ix  years.  Mr.  I)iiiicip|iibc  hoii^lil  llie  other  half 
iiilcicsi  ill  the  Al»tiacl  Ollice,  and  after  his  death 
ill  Dakota,  Mr.  Richardson  purchased  it  of  his 
.■idtiiiiiir<li':itor.  He  was  Deputy  for  four  yciirs 
under  Samuel  1'.  Wilson,  and  for  a  like  length  of 
time  under  .loel  I).  .Mimioe.      He  was  also   Deputy 


Clerk  and  did  business  for  the  Treasurer,  giving 
him  a  better  insight  into  the  business  of  the  county 
than  any  other  man  in  the  county. 

Mr.  Richardson  is  a  gentleman  of  high  personal 
standing,  and  of  much  influence  in  his  count}'. 
He  IS  a  strong  Republican,  is  devoted  to  the  in- 
terests of  his  party,  and  has  frequently  been  called 
upon  to  act  as  delegate  to  county  conventions. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  (irand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic, and  was  Adjutant  for  three  terms  in  that  order. 
He  is  an  attend.aut  at  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  a  generous  contributor  to  the  suijjwrt  of 
all  things  tending  to  elevate  the  community, 
whether  socially-,  religiously,  or  materially.  Our 
subject  has  been  twice  married,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren by  his  first  marriage. 


J***+  ^^•{••5"i**t 


=.^.5.4.^.(gg^'^.^..5.,5.F 


ENRY  W.  AVll.LlAMS  isoue  of  the  lead- 
ing businessmen  of  South  Haven,  being  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  R.  T.  Pierce  &  Co. 
and  proprietor  of  the  "H.  W.  Willi.ams,"  a 
passenger  vessel  running  between  Chicago  and 
South  Haven.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  two  other 
passenger  boats. 

Mr.  Williams  was  born  at  Burlington,  \'t.,  .Inly 
16,  1828,  being  the  son  of  Christopher  C.  and 
Plnebe  (Pollard)  Williams,  natives  of  Rhode 
Island  and  New  Hampshire,  ies])ectively.  His 
ancestors  for  several  generations  were  residents  of 
New  England,  and  his  great  grandfather,  Israel 
Williams,  built  the  barracks  at  Burlington, used  by 
the  soldiers  in  the  War  of  1812,  in  which  some  of 
his  own  sons  took  jiail.  The  f'atlier  of  our  subject  was 
liorn  in  180.'5,  and  spent  the  most  of  his  life  in  Ver- 
mont, where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and 
joiner.  In  1 8.")  1,  he  came  to  Michigan  and  located 
in  Hager  Townshii),  Berrien  County,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  fanning.  He  died  in  March,  1880.  The 
mother  of  oiir  subject  w.as  born  in  IHd.s,  ;iiid  died 
in  1^71.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  sons  and 
two  daughters,  all  of  whom  grew  to  matiirily. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  in  early  life  learned 
the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  worked  in  ship-yards 
in  various  places.  In  184.'),  lie  was  iiiarrie(l  to 
Lorain   L.  (Jreen,  a  native  of   Kielimonil.  \'l.      Mr. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


761 


Williams  first  came  West  in  1847,  settling  in 
Chicago,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  for  some 
time  and  also  at  Grand  Haven,  this  State.  In 
1852,  he  again  came  West,  settling  in  St.  Joseph, 
Mich.,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  Two  years 
laler,  in  18.54,  he  went  into  the  lumber  business, 
building  and  operating  a  sawmill,  which  he  suc- 
cessfully conducted  until  1882.  In  1878,  in  con- 
nection with  his  milling  business,  he  began  steam- 
boating,  liis  first  boat  being  the  "Skylark."  Since 
1882,  he  has  given  his  principal  attention  to  this 
business,  now  owning  three  vessels,  the  "H.  W. 
AVilliams,"  the  "Glenn"  and  the  "Lorain,"  which 
he  built  at  South  Haven.  In  company  with  other 
parties  he  built  several  vessels  at  St.  .Joseph. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Lora,  the  wife  of  H.  G.  Wiley,  and 
Charles  W.  In  politics,  Mr.  Williams  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  has  held  several  local  offices  in  South 
Haven,  but  has  been  too  much  interested  in  his 
own  business  to  take  a  very  lively  interest  in  po- 
litical affairs.  He  owns  a  farm  in  Berrien  Count}^, 
and  looks  after  his  various  interests  with  close  at- 
tention. Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  He  has  a  delightful  home  in  South 
Haven,  where  he  and  his  family  most  hospitably 
entertain  their  many  friends. 


OLIVER  HERRINGTON,  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  successful  farmers  of  Bangor  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County,  was  born  in  Che- 
mung Count3^,  N.  Y..  in  1823,  to  David  and  Annie 
(Hulett)  Herrington,  the  former  born  in  Vermont, 
in  1788,  and  the  latter  in  Massachusetts,  in  1791, 
both  being  of  Irish  and  Yankee  extraction. 

Mr.  Herrington  was  reared  and  educated  in  his 
native  county  until  reaching  years  of  maturity, 
when,  in  1844,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Tell- 
nian,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Anna  (Myers) 
Tellman.  In  1855,  Mr.  Herrington  came  to  Flint, 
Mich.,  and  remained  there  until  1863,  when  he  de- 
cided to  make  Van  Buren  Countj'^  his  future  home. 
On  coming  here,  he  settled  in  Bangor  Township, 
34  3-4  V 


on  section  16,  and  improved  and  cleared  a  farm 
of  forty  acres,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most  pro- 
ductive farms  in  the  county,  speaking  well  for  the 
perseverance  and  thrift  of  its  owner. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herrington  have  become  the 
happy  parents  of  four  children,  one  of  whom  is 
deceased.  Tlie  three  now  living  are:  William, 
now  a  resident  of  Chemung  County,  N.  Y.;  Laura 
and  Effie.  Mr.  Herrington,  Sr.,  is  one  of  a  family 
of  four  boys,  his  brothei-s  being  David,  Reuben 
and  Silas,  all  natives  of  Vermont  State,  and  tiie 
two  youngest  brothers  of  his  father,  Reuben  and 
Allen,  were  gallant  soldiers  in  tiie  War  of  1812,  in 
which  conflict  they  both  lost  their  lives.  Mr. 
Herrington  was  married  a  second  time,  in  Van  Bu- 
ren County,  June  6,  1866,  this  wife  being  Mrs. 
Mary  Ann  Salnave.  nee  Clark,  daughter  of  John  M. 
and  Polly  Clark,  natives  of  Ireland  and  New  York. 


'i||OIIN  GILLESPIE,  who  is  the  owner  of  a 
fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  six  acres  in 
^^  Paw  Paw  Township,  Van  Buren  County, 
^^f/  on  section  13,  one  mile  from  the  town  of 
Paw  Paw,  and  who  is  also  successfully  carrying 
on  a  dairy,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  being  born 
in  Delaware  County,  February  22,  1831.  His  par- 
ents, Hugh  and  Bertha  (Allan)  Gillespie,  were  na- 
tives of  Scotland  and  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  our  subject  being  the  eldest  son  and  one 
of  the  two  surviving,  the  other  being  Eliza.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  and  also  operated  a  dairy  in 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  born  in  1799, 
and  died  in  New  York  in  1869.  The  mother,  who 
was  born  in  1797,  came  to  New  York  in  1830,  and 
died  in  1888. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  life  upon  a 
farm  in  New  York  until  twenty-two  j-ears  of  age, 
when  he  learned  the  carpenter's  and  joiner's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  some  three  years,  and  then 
again  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  In  1856, 
lie  was  married  to  Anzolette  Munn,  who  was  also 
a  native  of  Delaware  Count}',  was  liorn  April  27, 
1836.    Her  parents,  Ezra  and  Eliza  (Spoor)  Munn, 


762 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


were  natives  of  New  York,  her  father  being  bom 
Deceuilwr  1,  1806,  and  her  mother  August  10, 
1808.  They  were  married.  Janusxry  28,  1830,  in 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  and  became  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  two  sons  and  six  daughtei-s,  as 
follows:  Anzolette.  Isabel.  Mary  K..  .lulia  K..  Ed- 
mund E.,  Emma,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 
The  father  came  to  Michigan  in  1870,  settling  in 
^'an  Buren  County,  where  he  died  August  2;"), 
1879.  The  mother  died  at  her  old  home  in  New 
York,  December  12,  18C5. 

(Jur  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of 
three  children  as  follows:  Emma,  who  was  born 
:May  20,  18.58,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  S.  CJilman; 
.Tohn  AV.,  born  .lanuary  2-2,  1868,  and  Hussell  D., 
March  3,  1874.  Mr.  Gillespie  established  his  dairy 
business  in  1886,  and  has  every  convenience  for 
carrying  it  on  in  lli-st-cl.nss  order,  lie  has  twenty 
head  of  thoroughbred  .Tei-sey  cows  and  is  doing  :ui 
excellent  business  His  farm  is  also  well  improved 
and  shows  evidences  of  industry'  and  good  man- 
agement on  the  i)art  of  its  owner.  Mr.  Gillespie 
has  lieen  for  twenty-five  years  an  active  member 
of  the  Miusonic  order,  belonging  to  the  lodge  at 
I'aw  I'aw,  and  also  ti>  the  Kluo  Lodge,  "So.  25,  in 
the  sjime  place. 


_y 


r 


■l'r:i'l'=z.|. 


*        >1I.I.I.\.M   II.    .STKVKNS.     This   gentleman 
resides  on    section    I,  Almcna    'J'ownship. 


/// 


Van  ISuren  County,  and  is  a  native  of 
Calt'ilonia  County.  \'t.,  NovomlKir  4,  1816.  His 
paront.s  were  Richard  and  Abigail  (.Stevens)  Stevens, 
iiali vcH  of  New  I  lamp^hire.  IJotli  are  now  deceased. 
They  had  live  children,  three  deceased.  The  living 
oneK  are  tiur  subject,  and  a  sister  who  still  lives 
in  \'ernioiit. 

Our  .Huhject  left  liiinie  when  twi-nly  ye.Mrs  old  to 
make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  lie  sU-utcd  for 
Illinois  and  li>cat<'d  for  one  year  and  a  half  .-it 
Aurora.  In  1H37,  he  came  to  this  eoiinty  an<l 
worked  from  place  t<i  place  for  three  years.  In 
|HI2.  he  .Helllerl  on  his  pic-icnt  fiirm  and  the  same 
year  wiuh  married    to   .Sarah    Williams,  a  daughter 


of  Nathan  and  Ann  Williams.  They  were  early 
settlers  here  from  Ohio.  The  good  wife  of  our 
subject  died  in  1848,  leaving  one  child  who  is  now 
deceased.  He  was  again  married  in  1868,  this 
time  to  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  .lohn  and  Calisla 
(Impson)  Briggs,  natives  of  New  York  who  came 
to  Michigan  in  1865,  and  still  lives  on  section  4, 
this  township.  jMrs.  Stevens  was  born  Marcli  23. 
1852,  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  mother 
of  five  children.  James  II.  is  m.arried  to  Luella 
Randall,  is  the  fiither  of  one  child  and  resides  in 
this  township.  Grace  and  Amy  live  at  home  with 
tlieir  parents.  The  two  di;ceased  are  Frank  and 
Bert. 

When  Mr.  Stevens  settled  liore  in  1837,  there 
were  but  three  other  families  in  this  locality  and 
the  place  was  covered  with  he.avy  oak  timber,  and 
he  had  to  blaze  the  trees  as  guides  to  his  home,  as 
tliere  were  no  roads.  There  were  plenty  of  wild 
animals  and  game,  such  as  deer,  wolves,  bears  and 
turkeys.  He  erected  a  log  house  and  began  to 
cle.ar  and  cultivate  his  farm  of  eight}' .acres.  He 
has  since  added  to  it  and  now  has  two  hundred 
and  sixty,  one  hundred  of  which  he  h.-is  cleared 
himself.  He  erected  his  commodious  residence, 
also  a  tenant  house  and  barns.  The  farm  is  car- 
ried on  by  himself  and  on  it  he  does  general  farm- 
ing, raising  grain  and  stock. 

In  the  year  184',),  Mr.  Stevens  w.as  taken  with 
the  gold  fever  which  w.as  prevalent  everywhere, 
and  started  for  California  in  a  sailing  vessel,  which 
was  six  months  and  eight  d.ays  in  making  tlie  trij), 
going  around  Cape  Horn.  He  has  made  four  trips 
to  that  State:  one  by  Cape  Horn,  two  liy  the  Isth- 
mus of  Panama,  and  one  by  the  Nicaragua  roiitc. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  of  IIii(l>oii 
Lodge,  Pine  Grove  ]\Iills,  and  li.ns  liccn  a  menilici' 
of  the  Grange.  In  his  |)olitical  views  he  is  inde- 
pendent and  has  serve<l  his  town  as  Supervisor  three 
terms,  on  tlie  ScIkkiI  I'.iiMnl  many  ycais  and  is  now 
Assessor,  in  whicli  ollicc  he  gives  satisfaction  to 
the  many  people  concerned.  Mr.  Stevens  lias  al- 
ways been  a  xcrv  industrious  ni:m,  anil  with  Na- 
ture on  his  .side,  giving  him  a  strong  and  lic.'illhy 
bod\',  he  has  been  enabled  to  make  for  himself  a 
good  liouic  and  olilnin  a  fail'  Kliiirc  of  this  wdild's 
g<iods. 


R.w,  Talbot 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


765 


I A  J.  W.  TAf.r.OT.  Allegan  is  the  home  of 
,  r  many  ont(ni)risiiig  men  who  are  architects 
m\1  and  builders,  prominent  among  whom  for 
^^  several  years  was  our  subject,  the  late  Mr. 
Talbot,  whose  portrait  accompanies  this  sketch. 
He  was  a  native  of  Onondaga  County,  N.  V.,  where 
his  birth  occurred  in  1831.  His  parents  were  Dr. 
Alvin  and  Paulina  (Hill)  Talbot,  the  father  a  na- 
tive of  Pompey  Hill,  and  the  mother  of  fiuilford. 
Conn. 

The  senior  Mr.  Talbot  was  a  piiysician  and  sur- 
geon, which  profession  be  followed  through  life. 
He  was  a  graduate  of  Philadelphia  Medical  Col- 
lege, and  held  many  positions  of  trust  in  his  com- 
munit3',  being  one  of  the  successful  and  j)rominent 
physicians  of  the  East.  His  parents,  Samuel  and 
Rebecca  (Page)  Talbot,  were  natives,  respectively, 
of  Massachusetts  and  Maine.  Samuel  Talbot  was  a 
farmer,  and  came  to  Pompey,  N.  Y.,  where  he  prose- 
cuted his  calling  until  his  death;  he  was  a  man  of 
wealth,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
His  wife,  the  grandmother  of  our  subject,  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  The  father  of 
Samuel  Talbot  was  Peter  Talbot,  a  native  of  Bos- 
ton, Mass.,  and  Peter's  father  came  from  England. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  had  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  man}'  of  whom  passed  away  from 
the  busy  scenes  of  earth.  Rial  W.  was  given  a 
good  education  in  the  academy  at  Pompey  Hill, 
N.  Y.,  after  which  he  studied  architecture  in  the 
above-named  city  and  Syracuse.  After  learning 
the  carpenter's  trade,  he  commenced  taking  con- 
tracts for  building,  carrying  on  a  good  business  in 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Our  subject  came  West  in  1882,  and  engaged  in 
farming  near  the  village  of  Allegan.  He  also 
owned  property  in  other  portions  of  the  county. 
In  1886,  he  commenced  to  work  at  his  trade  of 
architect  andlniilder,  in  partnership  with  Alphonso 
F.  Howe,  whose  sketch  will  be  found  on  another 
page  in  this  volume.  They  took  most  of  the  heavy 
contract  work  in  this  vicinity,  and,  at  the  time  of 
the  death  of  Mr.  Talbot,  were  engaged  in  building 
the  High  School,  which  is  the  finest  .school  Iniild- 
ing  in  the  county. 

In  1866,  Mr.  Talbot  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Minnie,  daughter  of  Dr.  Adams,  a  native  of 
35 


Fabius  Township,  Onoiul;ig!i  Couiily,  N.  \.  They 
l)ecanic  the  parents  of  four  cliihli-en:  Maude,  Ma- 
mie, Fannie  ;uid  Rcxford.  .Inne  3,  1882, Mrs.  Min- 
nie Talbot  [Kissed  from  e.'ulh.  Some  years  after- 
ward, Mr.  Tailiot  was  again  niariii;d,  August  15, 
1888,  his  wif(^  l)eing  Miss  Sarah  Harrison,  of  Alle- 
gan. In  Ills  polilical  alliliations,  Mr.  Talbot  was 
a  Ke|)ublican,  lielieviiig  tiie  princii)les  of  that  party 
best  adapted  to  the  public  progress. 

March  2,  18i)2,  Mr.  Talbot  had  jvist  returned 
from  Iowa,  wliitlier  lie  had  gone  to  bury  his  sister 
l^elia.  On  the  evening  of  that  day,  while  talking 
with  his  wife  about  the  journey,  he  was  suddenly 
stricken  with  apoplexy,  and  passed  away  about  ten 
minutes  afterward,  having  been  unconscious  from 
the  moment  of  the  attack.  The  whole  community 
was  shocked  to  learn  of  his  sudden  decease,  and 
many  expressions  of  sympathy  were  uttered  in  be- 
half of  his  family,  on  whom  the  terrible  bereave- 
ment had  so  suddenly  fallen.  He  had  a  large  cir- 
cle of  acquaintances,  and  no  citizen  of  Allegan  was 
more  beloved  than  he.  His  family  mourn  not  as 
those  without  hope,  but  are  looking  forward  to  a 
happy  reunion  beyond. 


'***^   AVID  I.    FRITZ  is  a  gentleman  of  promi- 
nence and  wealth,  residing  on   a  beauifiil 


farm  on  section  20,  Wakeshma  Township. 

to  whose  energy,  forethoughl,  business 
acumen,  and  marked  ability  as  a  farmer,  this  por- 
tion of  Kalamazoo  County  is  greatly  indelited  for 
the  substantial  aid  he  has  afforded  in  developing 
its  rich  agricultural  resources,  and  inonioting  its 
welfare  generally. 

Mr.  Fritz  is  of  the  sturdj'  pioneer  slock  that  peo- 
pled the  neighboring  State  of  Ohio,  and  is  himself 
a  native  of  that  Commonwealth',  born  in  Colum- 
biana County,  September  5,  1835.  His  father  was 
the  late  Daniel  Fritz,  who  was  born  in  York  County, 
Pa.,  March  9,  1806,  and  was  of  German  descent. 
He  was  reared  there  on  a  farm.  In  his  youth  lie 
began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  hatter,  but  he  never 
completed  his  apprenticeship,  as  he  liked  farming 
better.     He  was  married  to  Esther  Jsailor,  who  was 


lOb 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPfflCAL   RECORD. 


also  a  native  of  York  County,  bora  in  June,  1810, 
and  reared  there  on  a  farm.  They  spent  the  earlj- 
years  of  their  married  life  amid  the  familiar  scenes 
of  their  birth,  and  then  migrated  to  the  more  newly 
settled  St-ite  of  t)hio,  journeying  over  the  inter- 
vening mountains  with  a  team,  and  being  among 
the  first  to  settle  in  Columbiana  County.  They  re- 
sided there  six  or  seven  years,  and  partially  im- 
proved a  farm.  Their  next  move  was  into  Trum- 
bull County  in  1836,  and  there  Mr.  Fritz  developed 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty-four  acres.  Eleven 
yeai-s  later,  he  made  still  another  move  with  his  wife 
and  children,  and  became  a  resident  of  Medina 
County,  locating  on  a  new  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-four  acres,  which  he  improved  finely. 
lie  Ix'came  very  jn'osperous,  and  though  he  began 
life  in  poverty,  he  accumulated  a  handsome  prop- 
erty, consisting  principally  of  several  farms  in  Me- 
dina County.  In  IHGG,  he  came  here  and  lived  re- 
tired until  his  death  at  Fulton,  February  1,  1886, 
at  a  r\\>e  ohl  age,  and  all  that  is  mortal  of  him  w.as 
deposited  in  Center  Cemetery  by  the  side  of  his 
wife,  who  had  died  in  1877. 

Our  subject  was  a  memlx'r  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  and  took  a  great  interest  in  it.  Ho  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  ihildrcii.  of 
whom  they  reared  these  ten  to  maturity:  Rebecca 
(.Mrs.  Crotser),  Samuel,  David  1..  Frederick,  ,Iohn, 
Angeline(Mi-s.  .Mathes).  Alniira  (Mrs.  Lance), Cath- 
erine (.Mrs.  Mathes),  Sarah  (Mrs.  Carr),  I'riscilla 
(Mrs.  Ijince).  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  a  farmer,  l)orn  and  reared  in  York 
County,  I'a.  His  father  was  a  full-blooded  Knglish- 
man,  native  of  Knghnwl,  who  came  to  this  country 
.some  tinje  dining  the  htst  century,  and  settled  in 
I'ennsylvania. 

Our  subject  wx',  drilled  in  the  rudiments  of  learn- 
ing in  the  typical  pioneer  logschoolliou.se.  At  llic 
age  of  eighteen,  he  began  to  ac<|Uire  ji  knowledge 
of  the  trade  of  a  cnrpenter,  but  iiflerlie  had  worker] 
at  it  ft  year,  he  was  obliged  to  ^iliMiidon  it  on  ac- 
count of  ill-health.  At  the  age  of  twenty  yc^'irs, 
he  commenced  life  for  himself,  and  soon  took  ii 
wife.  He  worked  out  by  the  month  the  fii*st  year, 
and  then  ri'nt<'d  the  homi'  farm  four  years.  At  the 
••nd  of  th.'it  time,  he  lioughl  seventy-oiu!  acres  of 
Iniiil  in  Meilina  County,  Westlield  Township.     In 


I  the  spring  of  1865,  he  sold  that  place  in  order  to 
settle  in  Kalamazoo  County.  He  drove  through 
from  Ohio,  arriving  here  Ajjril  11,  while  his  fam- 
ily- came  by  rail.  He  bought  his  present  farm  in 
Wakeshma  Township,  a  log  bouse  and  a  log  barn 
constituting  the  chief  improvements  when  it  came 
into  his  possession.  Indeed  this  part  of  the  county 
was  very  little  developed,  and  was  mostly  covei-ed 
with  the  primeval  forests,  in  which  there  were 
plenty  of  deer  and  wild  turkey,  and  the  present 
thriving  town  of  Fulton  could  bo.ist  then  of  but 
one  house,  which  wixs  constructed  of  logs. 

In  the  busj'  and  eventful  years  that  •'ollowed  his 
settlement  here,  Mr.  Fritz  clcaicd  and  reclaimed 
nearly  the  whole  of  his  land,  wliicli  comprised  one 
hundred  and  eighty -six  acres,  of  which  he  recently 
gave  his  son  forty  acres.  He  has  his  farm  fitted 
up  with  all  the  modern  improvcment.s  and  con- 
veniences for  carrying  on  agriculture,  aud  he  has 
a  fine  set  of  buildings,  including  a  commodious 
franu'  residence  of  a  tasteful  style  of  architectvire, 
builtin  1870, and  alarge  frame  barn.  The  latter  w.as 
erected  in  1866,  rebuilt  .and  made  a  basement  barn 
in  18H1.  Mr.  Fritz  has  devoted  himself  to  mixed 
farming,  and  has  raised  a  good  deal  of  slock,  espe- 
cially many  sheep.  He  has  met  with  more  than 
ordinary  success,  .iccum\ilating  a  handsome  jirop- 
erty,  and  is  one  of  the  solid  moneyed  men  of  Kala- 
mazoo County.  Throughout  his  career,  ho  li;is  dis- 
played due  caution  and  care  in  managing  his 
affairs,  and  at  the  same  time  has  been  bold  and  re- 
solute in  linantial  matters,  his  good  sense, accurate 
judgment  and  cool  calculation  rarely  loading  him 
iistray  in  any  of  his  transactions. 

Our  subject  is  well  endowed  mentally,  is  liberal 
minded,  is  of  a  frank,  gonerons,  ojien  natuie,  and 
holds  a  warm  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  entire  com- 
munily,  Ins  fellow-citizens  valuing  his  friendship, 
iind  always  finding  in  liini  a  wise  and  safe  coun- 
selor. Tlioy  not  only  have  oonlidonoo  in  his  in- 
tegrity, iiul  in  bis  native  ability,  and  llioy  Iku'o 
often  o.'dlod  bin)  to  important  ollioos,  wbiob  be  has 
filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  icgardloss  of  parly. 
Three  times  he  has  been  a  nionibor  of  tin'  Kalama- 
zoo County  lioard  of  Supervisors,  reprosonting 
Wakeshma  Township  in  the  years  1877,  IMHO  and 
IKKl.  'rwioc  bo  lia>  boon  'l'ownshi|)  Treasurer,  bold- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


767 


ing  that  responsililo  position  several  years,  the  first 
time  from  186!S  to  1K77,  and  the  next  time  in  the 
years  1887  and  1888.  For  the  past  two  j-ears,  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  l.oard  of  Equalization,  and  for 
nine  years  he  has  been  local  .School  Director.  His 
social  relations  are  with  the  Masonic  order  at  Val- 
ton,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  since  1868. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Alliance,  and 
was  Master  of  the  Grange  here  until  it  ceased  to 
exist. 

Mr.  Fritz  w.as  reared  under  the  tenets  of  the 
Democratic  party,  but  ever  since  he  has  had  the 
privilege  of  exercising  the  right  of  snffr.ige,  he  has 
stood  faithfully  by  the  Republican  party.  He  has 
a  war  record  as  a  member  of  the  Ohio  National 
Guards.  He  was  mustered  into  the  ranks  M.13'  14, 
1864,  was  despatched  with  his  regiment  to  Wash- 
ington, and  he  and  his  comrades  relieved  older 
troops  b}'  doing  guard  duty  at  Arlington  Heights. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  .September  7,  18G4, 
having  been  of  good  service  and  shown  excellent 
soldiership.  Mr.  Fritz  and  his  wife  identified 
themselves  with  the  religious  interests  of  the  com- 
munity immediately  after  they  came  here,  connect- 
ing themselves  with  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
thej'  are  to-day  among  its  most  influential  mem- 
bers. He  is  .Steward  of  this  district  now,  and  hiis 
been  Class-leader  and  Treasurer.  He  has  given 
generously  of  his  means  in  the  upbuilding  of  the 
church,  and  in  fixtending  its  usefulness. 

Mr.  Fritz  was  married  August  5,  18.56,  to  Miss 
Mary  Stine.  She  was  born  in  Richland  County, 
Ohio,  November  17,  1838,  a  daughter  of  .Samuel 
and  Catherine  (Seaman)  Stine.  Her  parents  were 
natives  of  Berks  Count3^  Pa.,  the  father  born  April 
19,  1811,  and  the  mother  .lune  6,  1812.  He  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  went  to  Ohio  in  1836, 
going  with  a  te.am  over  the  mountains,  to  develop 
a  farm  in  the  i)rimeval  woods  of  that  State.  He 
improved  a  good-sized  tract  of  land,  but  afterward 
sold  it,  and,  removing  to  Medina  County,  came 
into  possession  of  a  farm  in  that  State.  Later,  Mr. 
Stine  took  up  his  residence  in  Sandusky  County, 
whence  he  came  to  Michigan  in  1867.  He  settled 
in  Wakeshma  Township  on  a  farm  of  eight}'  acres 
that  he  bought,  and  here  he  died  March  23,  1890. 
His  wife  is  still  living  in  Kent  County,  this  State. 


.She  h.as  been  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church 
the  greater  part  of  her  life,  as  was  al.so  her  hus- 
band.    In  politics,  he  was  a  Republican. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritz  have  had  eight  children,  of 
whom  six  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Ellen,  wife 
of  John  Goldsmith,  a  farmer  in  Brady  Township; 
Catherine,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years;  Charlotte,  wife  of  Usual  Everett,  a  farmer 
of  Wakeshma  Township;  Franklin, a  farmer  in  the 
same  township,  who  married  Miss  .Jennie  Crum; 
.Sherman,  a  farmer  in  Wakeshma  Township,  who 
married  Miss  Annie  Goldsmith;  Eli,  who  is  man- 
aging the  home  farm,  was  married,  December  27, 
1891,  to  Maud  Woodruff,  of  Leonidas  Township, 
St.  .Joseph  County. 


•I^- 


^?» 


^j  FORGE   XL     RERHNGTON,     the    popular 


Postmaster  of  Bangor,  is  one  of  the  most 
active  and  prominent  business  men  of  that 
place,  where  he  bears  the  leputation  of  a  go-ahead, 
enterprising  man,  and  also  has  an  enviable  record 
as  a  brave  soldier  during  the  late  war.  Mr.  Rem- 
ington is  a  native  of  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  was  born  in  1848,  but  was  reared  to  man- 
hood in  Wayne  Count}',  the  same  State.  From 
this  county  he  enlisted  in  1862,  in  Company  B, 
One  Hundred  and  Eleventh  New  York  Infantrj', 
serving  throughout  the  entire  war  and  enduring 
the  hardships  and  suffering  of  many  a  hard-fought 
battle.  His  command  was  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  under  Col.  McDougall,  and  fought  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  they  were  taken  prisoners, 
through  the  mismanagement  of  Gen.  Miles.  They 
were  afterward  paroled  and  sent  to  Camp  Doug- 
las, at  Chicago,  where  they  remained  ten  months, 
and  where  they  were  exchanged  in  time  to  take  jiart 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  Succeeding  this,  our 
subject  was  in  all  the  engagements  in  which  his 
regiment  participated. 

Mr.  Remington  was  married,  in  1861,  to  Miss 
Marian  Bixb}',  and  resided  in  New  York  until 
1873,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Bangor,  and  was 
employed  by  the  ]5angor  Furn.ice  Company,  tak- 
ing charge  of  the  buying  of  wood,  etc.,  for  the 
concern,  and  reinainintr  with  them  for  fifteen  sue- 


res 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


ccsslvc  jeai-s.  He  then  went  into  business  for  him- 
self, but  at  llie  expiration  of  one  year  returned  to 
the  furnaee  company,  working  for  them  one  year 
longer.  He  then  devoted  his  attention  again  to 
his  store  until  the  election  of  President  Harrison, 
when  be  was  appointed  Postmsister  of  Kangor,  and 
hivs  since  held  that  |)osition.  He  and  his  wife  are 
the  i>arentsof  two  children,  Bert  and  Minnie.  The 
son  is  a  IxKik-keeper  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Remington's 
parents,  William  M.  and  .Vnu  Jeanetle  (Hood)  Rem- 
ington, were  natives  of  New  York,  the  Remington 
family  l)eing  of  English  descent.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Remington  is  a  Republican,  and  takes  an  active 
part  in  ix>litical  affaii's  and  in  everything  in  wliicli 
the  welfare  of  his  town  and  county  is  concerned. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fratcrnit}-, 
a  menil)er  of  the  Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter  at  Ban- 
gor; Council  Lawrence;  Peninsular  Coniniandery, 
No.  8,  of  Kalamazoo,  and  the  Shrine,  of  (irand 
Ra|)ids. 


^OHN  W.  FREE,  Cashier  of  the  Savings  Bank 
of  Paw  Paw,  is  numbered  among  the  most 
jirominent  men  of  Southwestern  Micliigan^ 
and  his  life  furnishes  an  instance  of  the 
fact  that  industry- and  enterprise,  coml)iiieil  witii 
the  exerei.se  of  sound  business  judgment,  lind  in 
this  .si'ctiidi  of  country  a  lilting  arena  for  their  de- 
vehtpment,  and  bring  compensation  in  i)rosperity, 
if  not  wealth.  Although  a  native  of  this  State,  he 
IS  of  English  parentage,  his  fatlicr,  .lnhii.  having 
iK-en  born  in  England,  April  1'.*,  181;").  lli>  iiiother, 
Ann  (Whaley)  Free  was  born  .\ugusl  If!,  I^'i"),  in 
New  York. 

W'hi'ii  he  wa- mIpiiiiI  I  wiuly-one,  .IdIiii  Free,  Sr., 
(•migrated  from  his  n.ati ve  iaiifl  to  America,  and 
sonu-  years  later  was  married  to  Miss  Ann  AVhaley, 
the  wediliiig  crremony  being  .solemiii/ed  in  Kala- 
ma/.oo.  For  fiirllicr  ri'fcrence  to  this  worthy 
couple,  who  are  parsing  their  <Iecliniiig  years  in 
Paw  Paw.  the  reader  is  I'efcrred  to  the  biographical 
fikeli'li  of  .bihii  I''n'i'.  which  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  volume. 

.bdiii  \V.  Free  wa.s  Ikhii  in  K:ihima/ipii,  December 


) 


16,  1843,  and  when  three  years  old  was  brought 
by  his  parents  to  Paw  Paw,  where  he  grew  to  a 
vigorous  manhood.  He  attended  school  until  he 
was  fourteen,  when  he  cominenced  to  clerk  in  a 
general  store  for  J.  R.  Foote,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained for  two  years.  Later  he  clerked  about 
twelve  j-ears  for  the  firm  of  A.  Sherman  &  Co., 
and  during  that  period  established  a  home  of 
his  own.  He  was  married,  October  18,  18()1,  to 
Miss  Arlette  S.,  daughter  of  Abram  M.  and  Sarah 
(Oilman)  Lane,  of  Antwerp  Township,  Viin  Buren 
County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Free  arc  the  parents  of  one  child, 
A.  Lynn,  who  was  born  in  Paw  Paw,  April  ',), 
18G8,  and  was  graduated  in  the  llighSciiool  when 
eighteen  years  old.  He  then  entered  the  Agricult- 
ural College  at  Lansing,  where  he  continued  for  a 
time,  and  then  entered  the  IMichigan  University- 
in  the  literal-}'  course,  and  later  entered  the  law 
department,  graduating  in  June,  1891.  Afterward 
he  took  a  post-graduate  course  of  one  year  and  the 
degree  of  A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  liiin.  He  is  a 
3'oung  man  of  rare  promise,  to  whose  future  his 
p.irents  and  friends  look  with  the  exiicctation  of 
high  honors  and  inlluential  positions. 

In  1872,  Mr.  Free  commenced  business  for  liini- 
self  .as  a  hardware  merchant,  which  he  carried  on 
first  in  partnership  with  E.  Martin.  He  bought 
out  his  partner's  interest  in  188;5  and  continued 
alone  for  two  years,  when  he  sold  the  business  and 
bought  the  planing  .and  sawmill  in  which  he  still 
owns  a  one-half  interest.  His  llist  coimocliim 
with  the  savings  bank  w.as  in  May,  188(),  when  the 
bank  was  organized.  He  then  accei)ted  the  posi- 
tion of  Cashier  and  he  still  retains  that  responsible 
position,  besides  being  a  stockholder  in  that  institu- 
tion. 

In  his  poiilicMl  ;illiliMlions,  :\lr.  l'"iee  was  origin- 
ally a  Democrat,  but  is  now  identilied  with  the 
Prohiliition  parly.  He  li;is  .served  as  Supervisor 
of  the  township  for  alioul  three  years,  also  .as  Re- 
corder, Presidenlof  the  village  and  meinber  of  the 
Board  of 'I'rustees  t)f  the  village.  He  has  been  a 
candidate  for  Representative  on  the  Prohibition 
ticket  a  number  of  times,  anti  has  always  made  a 
i  strong  canvass,  although  with  no  expi-ctatioii  of 
M.'ing    elected.      In    I87(!,  he  lieeanie   a  niember  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


769 


the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  ho  is  now  Elder. 
He  has  been  closely  identified  with  Siinday-sciiool 
work,  having  hycn  SupL-rintendent  since  1877,  and 
I'residentof  the  County  Sunday-scliool  Association 
since  1884.  His  estimable  wife  also  finds  a  reli- 
nious  lionic  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which 
she  is  a  faithful  menilicr  and  active  worker. 


— *- 


RANCIS  GAY  is  a  prominent  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  and  resides  in  Richland  Vil- 
lage, Kalamazoo  County.  He  is  a  native 
of  Somersetshire,  England,  his  birth  occurring 
.June  19,  1842.  His  parents,  Isaac  and  Hester 
(Currell)  Gay,  were  also  natives  of  England,  and 
when  our  subject  was  six  years  of  age  emigrated 
to  America,  locating  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y. 
They  were  four  weeks  en  route  to  the  New  World, 
having  embarked  at  Liverpool  in  a  sailing  vessel. 
After  remaining  about  five  years  in  the  Empire 
State,  the  elder  Jlr.  Gay  came  West  to  Kalamazoo 
County,  and,  locating  in  Richland  Township,  there 
spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  March 
19,  1872.  Mrs.  Gay  survived  her  husband  several 
years,  passing  away  September  2,  188(5. 

Our  subject  had  two  brothers  and  a  sister,  James, 
William  and  Rlioda  (Mrs.  Selway).  Francis  aided 
his  fatlier  in  clearing  the  farm  from  the  wilderness 
and  has  done  his  full  share  of  pioneer  work.  His 
education  was  received  in  the  schools  of  that  period, 
and  has  later  been  supplemented  by  a  thorough 
course  of  reading.  He  is  to-day  thoroughly  in- 
formed upon  all  tiie  current  events,  and  is  an  in- 
teresting conversationalist. 

December  23,  1877,  was  the  date  our  subject  was 
married  to  Miss  Frances  M.  Young,  who  was  born 
in  Van  Buren  Count}',  this  State,  May  18,  1858. 
Mrs.  Gay  was  the  daughter  of  .John  and  Sarah 
(Clark)  Young,  n.atives  of  Englan<l.  The  father 
emigrated  to  the  New  World  about  1850,  the 
mother  joining  him  in  this  country  some  years 
later.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Young  settled  in  the  woods  in 
Van  Buren  Coiinly  and  reared  a  large  family  of 
ten  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  Emma 
is  the  wife  of  .lohn  Laverty;  Louisa  is  Mrs.  H()l)ert 


Grenougli;  Mrs.  Gay  was  the  third  in  order  of 
biith;  Susan  married  Mark  Siieitherd;  Carrie  is  the 
wife  of  William  Myers;  Liilie  is  Mrs.  WIHimim 
Maxon;  George,  Minnie  and  William. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ga}'  have  had  linrii  to  them  live 
children,  who  are  named  respectively':  Isaac,  Ettie, 
Jessie  M.,  Herbert  L.  and  Wayne  K.  The  (wtate  of 
our  subject  includes  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres, 
which  bear  all  the  improvements  in  the  way  of 
buildings  and  machinery  which  are  to  be  found 
upon  first-class  estates.  He  is  self-made  in  the  cor- 
rect use  of  that  term,  as  his  possessions  are  the  di- 
rect result  of  his  industry  and  good  management. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Prohibitionist  and  is  active  and 
progressive  in  all  beneficial  measures. 


^^Si^*" 


JOHN  WILSON,  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on 
section  8,  Paw  Paw  Township,  served  his 
adopted  country  with  true  patriotism  dur- 
^;_^  ing  the  late  war,  making  a  very  creditable 
record  as  a  valiant  and  capable  soldier.  He  is  of 
English  birth  and  breeding,  born  in  Camlnidgeshire, 
October  6,  1842,  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children  of 
Francis  and  Rebecca  (Seakons)  Wilson.  His  father 
was  a  laboring  man.  Four  of  the  family  came  to 
this  country.  William  came  when  our  subject  did, 
and  is  now  a  prosperous  fanner  in  Huron  County, 
where  he  has  a  pleasant  home  with  a  wife  and  two 
children;  Francis,  a  successful  farmer  of  Tuscola 
County,  is  married  and  has  four  children ;  Eliza- 
beth married  William  Nichols,  and  lives  in  Huron 
County.  Four  of  the  family  are  still  living  in 
Cambridgeshire,  England:  James  and  three  sisters, 
Rebecca,  Margaret  and  Martha.  Rebecca  is  the 
wife  of  George  Kinightel. 

Our  subject  was  a  hard-working  boy,  whose 
chances  for  an  education  were  exceedinglj'  limited, 
as  he  had  to  begin  the  battle  of  life  early.  He  thus 
became  sturdy  and  self-reliant,  and  was  a  manly, 
active  lad,  when  he  sought  the  United  States  for  a 
broader  field  for  his  energies,  hoping  to  be  better 
paid  for  his  labors  than  in  his  native  land.  He  lo- 
cated in  Wood  County.  Ohio,  and  was  residing 
there  when  he  made  up  his  mind  to  enter  the  army 
to  fight  for  the  Government,  under  whose  inslitu- 


770 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


tions  he  had  come  to  rnakc  a  home.  He  enlisted 
in  the  Eighty-sixth  Ohio  Infantiy  in  1863,  and 
had  a  full  and  bitter  experience  of  a  soldier's  life, 
but  showed  through  it  all  true  valor  and  an  un- 
daunted front  in  the  face  of  the  foe,  and  every  ill 
that  U'ffll  him.  While  taking  part  in  the  pursuit 
of  .Morgan,  the  bold  relicl  raider,  he  was  hit  on  the 
clieek  with  a  bullet  from  an  enemv's  ritle.  When 
he  was  on  picket  duty  near  Cumberland  (iap,  he 
was  taken  prisoner  m  the  night, but  he  managed  to 
effect  his  escape  after  being  held  six  days.  At  one 
time  he  had  an  attack  of  typiioid  fever,  compli- 
cated with  astiima.  and  was  sick  ten  weeks.  After 
thirteen  montiis'  hard  service,  he  was  liouorably 
disciiarged  in  1864,  and  is  now  in  receipt  of  a  pen- 
sion of  1 12  a  month  as  a  recognition  of  what  lie 
did  and  suffered  on  Southern  battlefields. 

Mr.  Wilson  returned  to  Ohio  after  he  retired 
from  the  army,  and  in  the  si)ring  of  1866  came  to 
Michigan.  He  located  tirst  in  Van  Buren  County, 
but  subsequently  removed  to  Tuscola  Count}', 
where  he  bought  a  quarter-section  of  land,  upon 
which  he  lived  and  labored  for  nine  years  with  all 
the  zeal  of  a  pioneer.  He  h.ad  cleared  off  sixty  acres, 
had  erected  suitable  buildings,  and  was  very  com- 
fortilily  situated,  when  the  great  forest  (ires  that 
devastated  that  region  nearly  caused  his  ruin,  and 
during  a  whole  week  of  peril  and  suffering,  he 
had  to  fight  the  llames  to  save  his  property,  aided 
by  his  brave  wife.  His  fences  were  burned,  his 
house  caught  lire  three  times,  and  his  barn  twice, 
and  it  wa.s  only  by  the  uttermost  exertions  that 
they  were  s;ivi'd  from  destruction,  while  foi-ty  acres 
of  the  timljcr  on  his  place  was  burned.  When  the 
lire  broke  out  near  them,  Mrs.  Wilson  took  the  four 
children,  and,  wilb  the  flames  shooting  above  their 
heads  on  lM»th  siden  of  the  road,  ran  with  them  for 
shelter  to  a  ueighlior's,  and  then  relumed  to  as- 
sist her  husband. 

Three  days  aft^-r  the  lire,  Mr.  Wilson  gl.-idly  dis- 
po-tr-il  of  his  properly  in  Tuscola  County,  and  re 
turned  to  \'an  IJuren  County.  He  bought  eighty 
acres  of  lan<l,  and  lived  u|Hin  it  a  few  years,  but 
HiMMi  nft4'r  the  ilejilh  of  his  wife,  in  the  sjiring  of 
\HHC,.  he  sold  that  place  and  purch.'Lsed  his  pi'esent 
farm  in  P.-iw  I'aw  Township.  This  comprises  eighty 
ncrc!*  of  lini'  fiu'inlng  land,  with  iin  abuud.'iril    Mip- 


ply  of  pure  well  and  s]>ring  water,  a  good  barn  and 
outbuildings,  and  a  beautiful  location  for  a  house. 
Mr.  Wilson  was  maixied  in  this  count}-,  .January 
12,  1871,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Moden,  in  whom  he 
had  a  devoted  wife.  .She  died  March  9,  1886, 
leaving  four  children,  of  whom  the  following  is 
the  record:  George  E.,  was  born  October  8,  1873; 
Anna  Rebecca,  February  7.  1875;  .Tames  Frederic, 
.June  29,  1877;  and  .John,  .June  19,  1879.  Francis 
Edwin,  the  eldest  child,  died  when  five  months; 
Marj"^  L.  died  when  ten  months  old.  The  birlhpl.icc 
of  all  was  in  Tuscola  County.  Our  subject  was 
married  to  his  present  amiable  wife,  formerly  Miss 
Ellen  Hymes,  INIarch  9, 1888.  She  w.as  born  in  Porter 
Townshi[),  August  31,  1863,  and  is  descended  from 
some  of  the  original  pioneer  stock  of  Van  Buren 
County.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Alonzo  and  l\Ielissa 
(.StilhvcU)  Ilymes,  natives,  respectively,  of  New 
York  and  Porter  Township,  this  county.  Mr.  Wil- 
son is  as  stanch  in  his  allegiance  to  the  Republican 
party  as  in  the  da^'s  when  he  helped  to  make  its 
policy  triumphant  on  the  Ijattleflelds  of  the  South. 
Ilis  worth  as  a  solid,  reliable  citizen  h.as  also  been 
proven  since  those  trying  daj's,  by  his  work  as  a 
practical  farmer.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  does  all  that  he  can  to 
further  the  interests  of  the  Post  with  which  he  is 
connected. 


MORY  S.  BRIGGS,  member  of  the  firm 
of  Briggs  iS;  Co.,  of  Paw  Paw,  was  born  in 
Arlington  Township,  Van  Buren  Coiinly, 
this  State,  .lauuary  .'50,  18(11.  and  is  the  son  of 
Emory  O.  and  Susnii  (StMnle\  )  Briggs,  n.-itives  of 
New  York.  Ilis  iMtiicr,  who  was  a  proniinenl 
fanner,  was  also  the  owner  of  extensive  milling 
pio|)eity  and  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business. 
Aliout  IH(;ii,  lie  removed  to  Paw  Paw,  where  he 
accejjted  the  pitsition  of  (  nsliicr  uf  llie  l''ii-,st  Nat- 
ional Hank  and  attained  proiuineiiee  among  his 
fellow-citizens  as  a  man  of  the  utmost  probity  and 
great  ciilcrprise. 

The  life  of  Emory  <  •.  Uiiggs  affords  another 
illusti'Mtion  of  the  pouci  nf  energy  and  integrity 
lo  overcome    poverty   .mikI    MchciNc  ciicunislances. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


771 


When  he  and  his  brother  moved  from  New  York 
to  Michigan,  they  were  ahiiosl  iicnniless,  tiicir 
oiii.v  possession  being  a  horse  wiiicli  they  owned 
in  |iartncrslii|i.  l?y  the  exercise  of  siirewd  judg- 
ment, he  liecanio  well-to-do  and  at  his  dealli, 
Keliriiary  11,  ItSIS,'),  left  a  competency  to  his  fam- 
ily. In  jiolitical  circles,  he  was  well  known  as 
;in  adlicrent  to  tlie  |)rinciples  of  the  Democratic 
party,  whicli  he  served  in  various  ofHcial  jjositions. 
For  many  years  he  was  Sui)ervisor,  and  was  also 
Treasurer  and  Register  of  Deeds  for  two  terms. 

Our  subject  was  the  \'Oungest  in  a  family  of  six 
I'iiildren.  His  sister  Hattie  married  diaries  Hog- 
mire  and  lives  in  Edwardsburg,  this  State,  where 
he  is  engaged  as  a  manufacturer  of  fanning  mills. 
JMattie  was  twice  married  and  by  her  first  union 
became  the  mother  of  one  son,  E.  ().  Nash.  She  is 
now  the  wife  of  Charles  Beatle)',  a  tiaveling  sales- 
man of  .Jacksonville,  111.  George  A.  was  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Paw  Paw  High  School  and  completed 
the  course  in  the  literary  department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Rlicliigan  in  1876.  For  one  j'car  he 
was  Superintendent  of  the  Paw  Paw  High  School, 
after  which  he  visited  Europe  and  took  a  literary 
and  scientific  course  at  Leipsic.  After  traveling 
extensively  over  the  Continent,  he  returned  to 
Paw  Paw,  and  accepted  the  position  of  Superin- 
tendent of  the  city  schools.  On  account  of  ill 
health,  he  resigned  his  positic>n  and  entered  the 
mercantile  Inisiness  in  Marcellus.  He  afterward 
sold  out  and  returned  to  Paw  Paw,  where  he  died 
December  13,  1881. 

The  best  advantages  of  the  schools  of  Paw  Paw 
were  offered  our  subject,  who  completed  the  course 
of  study  here  as  far  as  the  senior  year,  when  he 
entered  the  Agricultural  College  at  Lansing.  One 
year  later,  his  school  studies  were  ended  by  the 
death  of  his  brother,  George  A.,  after  which  he 
returned  home  and  took  charge  of  the  mill,  in 
which  he  owns  one  half  interest.  He  was  married 
May  2,  1888,  to  Miss  Mabel,  daughter  of  Emanuel 
and  Lurilla  (Field)  Neff. 

Mrs.  Ih'iggs  was  liorn  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  April  17, 
18().T,  and  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  was  residing 
in  Paw  Paw.  One  child  has  been  granted  to  Mr. 
Briggs  and  his  estimable  wife — Carrie,  who  was 
born  .luly.'U,  18,s:).     In  iiis  iiolilical  alliliations,  he 


is  a  strong  Democrat  and  is  now  a  member  of  the 

Board  of  Trustees  of  Paw  Paw.  A  man  of  ff)rce 
of  (character  and  strength  of  mind,  he  is  inllucntial 
m  the  business  circles  of  this  section  of  country, 
and  his  opinion  has  considerable  weiglit  in  the 
coninuinity. 

'\fi  OIIN  RINE.  This  prominent  member  of  the 
farming  community  is  at  present  residing 
on  his  excellent  farm  located  (m  sec- 
tion 24,  Schoolcraft  Township,  Kalamazoo 
County.  He  was  born  in  what  was  then  Un- 
ion County,  Pa.,  but  which  was  afterward  di- 
vided and  is  now  Snyder  County,  October  31, 
1830.  He  spent  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life 
in  his  native  county  and  then  came  West  to  Ohio, 
spending  the  succeeding  five  years  in  Sandusky 
and  Seneca  Counties,  where  he  was;  employed  at 
his  trade  of  a  carpenter. 

On  leaving  the  Buckeye  State,  John  Rine  went 
to  Elkhart  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
farming  for  about  ten  years.  Selling  out  at  the 
end  of  that  time,  he  came  to  Joseph  County,  this 
State,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Park 
Township.  He  made  his  home  there  for  eight 
years  and  then  came  to  his  present  aliiding-place, 
where  he  owns  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  which  is  inider  good  tillage. 

John  Rine  was  married  in  Snyder  County,  Pa., 
Feb.  23,  1854,  to  Matilda  Arbogast,  who  was  a 
native  of  that  county.  They  have  become  the 
})arents  of  six  children,  of  whom  the  eldest  died 
in  infancy.  Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Allen  Welthy; 
(Jeorge  died,  aged  twenty-four  years;  Catherine  is 
the  wife  of  Jerome  Eastman;  Elizabeth  died  when 
in  her  second  year  and  Margaret  is  Mrs.  Urman 
Chapin. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  has  held  many  of  the 
minor  ofHces  of  his  township  and  in  politics  votes 
the  Uepulilican  ticket.  IVIrs.  Rine  died  in  School- 
craft Townshii),  February  12, 1885.  With  her  hus- 
band, she  was  a  devoted  and  conscientious  member 
of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Our  subject  is  the  pos- 
sessor of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Allegan 
County,  and    one   liundi'cd    and   ciglit\-fo\n-  acres 


772 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


in  St  Joseph  County.  He  has  been  veiy  success- 
ful in  life  and  is  ranked  among  the  wealthy  citizens 
of  Kalamazoo  County. 

The  fatlier  of  our  subject,  George  Rine.  was 
born  in  the  Keystone  State,  wliere  he  followed  the 
occupation  of  a  farmer  and  passed  his  last  days  in 
Snyder  County.  The  maiden  name  of  his  mother 
was  Elizaljeth  Walter,  who  was  also  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  was  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Conr.ad 
"Walter,  a  Lutheran  clergyman.  The  parental  family 
c-onsisted  of  four  sons  and  seven  daughters,  of  whom 
.lohn  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  Mrs.  John 
RIne's  father.  John  Arbogast  and  her  mother,  Sarah 
(Reimstoue)  Arliogast,  lived  and  died  in  Snj-der 
County,  Pa.  Mr.  Rine,  who  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative citizens  of  his  community,  is  also  classed 
among  its  lil)eral  and  respected  citizens  and  we 
are  pleased  to  be  able  to  |)lacc  his  sketch  in  the 
hands  of  our  readers. 


E^ 


ANNIHAL  M.  MARSHALL,  a  dealer  in 
general  merchandise  at  Lawrence,  Van- 
Burcn  County,  was  born  at  Antwerp,  Jeff- 
\^^  erson  County,  N.  Y.,  on  February  22,  183,5. 
He  is  a  son  of  Nelson  and  Elvira  (Gibbs)  Mar- 
shall, both  natives  of  New  York.  The  father  was 
of  .S:-otcli,  and  tlie  niotlier  of  fJerman,  ancestry. 
The  year  our  subject  was  born,  the^'  moved  to  Oak- 
land County,  Mich.,  and  lived  there  three  years 
when  they  bouglit  laixl  tliat  had  been  entered  liy 
our  subject's  m:ileriial  graudfaliier,  Ucxter  Gibbs, 
in  Ijiwrence  Township.  Our  subject's  brother, 
.Icruiiic  I!.,  still  owns  a  part  i>f  the  original  one 
liiinilred  aiul  si.\ly  acres. 

H.-tunilml  is  the  olde^it  in  a  f:irnily  of  fuui'  ('liild- 
ren,  all  still  living,  the  others  being  .leronie  15., 
Isalx-lle,  Walbridge  and  .Vrlclaide.  Our  subject 
received  n  good  education  at  Lawrence,  walking  to 
ami  from  school  a  distance  of  two  miles.  He  com- 
menced teaching  before  he  was  twenty.  lie  was 
so  successful  with  his  .school  two  winters  that  he 
wits  o(Tfrc<l  the  same  place  again.  Ueing  sonu^- 
wliat  of  a  natural  musician,  he  used  to  play  the 
violin  at  parties,  at  which  he  (■.•irncd  over  *.')0(l. 
Ill-  went  into  the  sawmill  business   afu-r    teaching, 


and  followed  that  for  two  years  and,  lu  18;J9,  be- 
gan to  clerk  for  Dr.  Rowe.  After  clerking  about 
six  months,  on  December  31,  1859,  the  store  was 
burned  and  soon  after  our  subject  bought  out  the 
Doctor  .and  began  the  business  for  himself,  paying 
l>500  and  giving  a  mortgage  for  ^1,300.  In  this 
business  he  has  been  very  prosperous  and  in  1871 
erected  a  largo  brick  store  of  three  stories,  known 
.as  the  Marshall  Building.  In  1875,  he  built  his 
present  flue  residence,  which  is  of  the  most  modern 
architecture. 

October  11,  18GU,  is  the  date  on  which  Mr.  Mar- 
shall took  as  his  wife  Dorleski  L.  Goodeuough,  a 
daughter  of  David  and  Laura  (Tryon)  Goodeuough. 
She  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 25,  1834.  By  this  union  two  sons  have  been, 
born:  Charles  C,  who  is  married  and  clerks  for  his 
father,  and  Clarence  II.,  who  resides  in  Denver, 
Col.  Mr.  Marshall  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
cast  his  tirst  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont  and  has 
served  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  been 
Clerk  and  Treasurer  of  Lawrence.  He  was  elected 
County  Clerk  in  1876,  and  served  one  term,  when 
he  found  he  could  not  afford  to  leave  his  business. 
He  has  also  been  delegate  to  County  and  State 
Conventions  and  took  i)art  in  the  convention 
which  nominated  Gen.  Alger  for  Governor.  The 
Masonic  order  matriculated  him  in  1874  and  he  is 
a  iiu'iiibcr  of  the  Cli:ipter  and  Council. 

■^       -^^— ^— 

K\  IN  OLIN,  a  proiiiincnt  and  lepresenta- 
tive  citizen  of  Kalamazoo  County,  is  a 
4\  resident  on  section  36,  of  Hiclilaud  Towu- 
^^  ship.  He  isa  nativeof  Livingston  County, 

N.  Y.,  l)orn  March  25,  1842,  and  a  son  of  Henian 
!ind  Perci's   (Tiittle)  Olin,  who  were  born  in    \'cr- 

j  niont  and  New  York  i('s]K'ctively.  The  Olin  fam- 
ily is  of   Welsh  descent  and    the  great-grandfather 

'    is  thought  to  have  been   a  Revolutionary  soldier; 

j  the  grandfather  Tutllc  w.as  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  1812, 

1  He  of  whom  we  write  this  brief  life  record  was 
reared  in  his  native  State  iind   when   ipiite   ytning 

I    became  engaged   in    tilling  the  soil,  receiving  his 

j    limited   .schooling   in    New    Vorl<    St;ile.      In   I8(il), 


i 


^^/^'J-TZ^/tZ.     7^i--zL^C^  ^.  '^, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


77o 


witli  his  parents,  lie  emigrated  to  this  county  and 
State  and  for  a  sliort  time  resided  in  Ross  Town- 
slii|)  after  which  he  came  to  Richland  Township 
where  he  purchased  his  present  land.  His  father 
and  mother  both  passed  their  last  da3'S  here  and 
were  tiie  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the 
following  survive:  Cordelia,  the  widow  of  Will- 
iam Doan;  Jonathan,  Hiram,  and  Mary,  wife  of 
Isaac  Carson. 

The  marriage  of  the  gentleman  of  whom  wc 
write  took  place  December  19,  1857,  at  the  home  of 
the  bride's  sister  in  Portage  County,  Oliio.  Mrs. 
Olin  I)ore  the  maiden  name  of  Elizabeth  Thompson 
and  was  born  October  3,  1842.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  Thompson,  born  in  Scotland. 
They  came  to  Ohio  in  1826,  and  both  died  in  that 
State.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olin  have  been  born  two 
cliildren:  Helen  and  Gertrude,  to  whom  they  have 
given  good  educational  advantages.  Our  subject 
is  a  Republican  in  his  political  affairs  and  has  been 
honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  by  the  gift  of  the 
oflice  of  Township  Treasurer.  He  and  his  estima- 
ble wife  move  in  the  best  circles  in  the  com- 
munity and  are  liked  by  everyone.  Mr.  Olin  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  Templar  of  the  Peninsular 
Commandery  No.  8,  at  Kalamazoo. 

The  fine  farm  on  which  this  gentleman  resides 
is  composed  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres 
which  he  has  under  the  very  best  cultivation  and 
on  which  mixed  farming  is  successfully  conducted. 


»'  ON.  FOSTER  PRATT,  U.  I).,  President 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Michigan 
Asylum  for  the  Insane,  occupies  a  leading- 
position  among  the  medical  fraternity  of 
the  State.  For  many  years,  his  home  has  been  in 
Kalamazoo  and  during  the  period  of  his  residence 
here,  he  has  served  the  city  as  Mayor  and  in  other 
ofBeial  capacities  of  honor.  The  present  effective 
system  of  sewerage  is  largely  due  to  his  efforts 
while  serving  as  Commissioner  of  Sewers  for  three 
years,  and  is  not  the  least  of  his  services  in  belialf 
of  his  fellow-townsmen. 

An   able    contributor    to    medical   journals  and 


local  papei"s,  the  Doctor  has  exerted  a  wide  influ- 
ence tiirough  liis  forcible  depth  of  thought  and 
pleasing  style  of  expression.  In  1882,  he  wrote  a 
very  elaborate  and  exhaustive  review  of  that  por- 
tion of  the  tenth  census  relating  to  criminals,  pau- 
pers, insane,  idiots,  the  blind,  deaf  and  dumb.  In 
the  paper  he  advocated  the  idea  of  which  lie  was 
the  pioneer — viz:  the  restriction  of  the  indiscrim- 
inate emigration  to  the  United  States  of  objection- 
able persons,  or  those  having  a  tendency  to  debase 
society  and  produce  criminals. 

Two  years  after  the  landing  of  llie  Pilgrim 
Fathers,  three  brothers  came  to  America,  two  of 
whom  settled  in  New  England  and  the  third  in 
Baltimore,  Md.,  and  they  became  the  founders  of 
the  Pratt  family  in  this  country.  They  were  of 
English  and  Welsh  extraction.  Rev.  Bartholomew 
F.  Pratt,  father  of  our  subject,  was  the  eighth  gen- 
eration in  descent  from  the  original  representatives 
in  tlie  United  States  and  was  a  minister  in  tbe  Pres- 
byterian Church  until  his  dcatli  at  the  age  of  eiglity- 
one  years.  Susan  (McNair)  Pratt,  mother  of  our 
subject,  was  a  native  of  Livingston  County,  N.  Y., 
and  the  daughter  of  Judge  Hugh  McNair,  a  sur- 
veyor and  civil  engineer.  About  the  year  1818, 
he  was  made  Clerk  of  Ontario  County,  at  a  time 
when  it  included  a  large  extent  of  territory,  and 
he  also  surveyed  many  of  the  lands  in  Central  and 
Western  New  York.  Mrs.  Susan  Pratt  died  in 
Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  near  the  old  Indian  town 
of  Painted  Post,  while  her  husband  passed  away  in 
Kalamazoo  at  the  residence  of  our  subject. 

The  Doctor,  whose  portrait  and  biography  we 
herewith  present,  is  the  only  survivor  among  three 
children,  his  tvvo  sisters  being  deceased.  He  was 
born  in  Mt.  Morris,  Livingston  Countj',N.  Y.,  Jan- 
uary 9,  1823,  and  spent  his  boyhood  days  there 
and  in  Wayne,  Yates  and  Steuben  Counties. 
After  completing  the  course  of  study  in  Franklin 
Academy,  at  Prattsburg,  he  entered  the  College 
Institute  on  the  west  shore  of  Seneca  Lake,  Yates 
County.  He  then  became  Princiiial  of  Angelica 
Academy  and  held  the  position  until  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  on  account  of  sickness. 

In  the  spring  of  1844,  our  subject  went  to  Vir- 
ginia to  take  charge  of  a  private  school  in  Hamp- 
shire County  and,  while    there,   studied  medicine 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


with  Dr.  A.  J.  Sangster.  He  afterward  spent  two 
years  in  the  medical  deparlmcut  of  the  rniversit^- 
<pf  Pennsylvania,  frt>in  wliii-h  he  gi-adiiaU'd  in  Ihe 
spring  of  \t>i'J.  He  then  returned  to  \irginia  and 
in  the  following  fall  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  L. 
CaniMe,  of  Mnorelield.  Hardy  Coiiuty,  W.  Va.  Mrs. 
I'nill  is  the  daughter  v{  .lames  Gamble,  who  for 
thirty  yeare  was  Clerk  of  Hardy  County. 

Tlie  Dix'tor  continued  to  practice  in  the  old 
Dominion  until  185t),  when  he  removed  to  Kala- 
niazot)  and  h.as  since  Iwen  in  charge  of  an  exten- 
sive and  lucrative  practice.  Two  years  after  loca- 
ting here,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  on 
the  Denioci-atic  ticket,  in  which  he  served  with  dis- 
tinguished ability.  At  the  opening  of  tlie  late 
war,  he  was  appointed  Surgetm  of  the  Thirleeiitli 
Michigan  Infantry,  with  wiiich  he  remained  nearly 
four  years,  his  regiment  l)eing  assigned  to  duty  in 
the  Southwest  and  i)articii)ating  in  the  battle  of 
Pittsburg  Landing,  in  1862,  also  the  engagements 
of  Stone  River.  Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  Look- 
out Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge  and  the  march  If) 
the  soa  with  Gen.  Sherninn.  lie  was  present  at 
the  surrender  of  (ien.  .Tosei)h  .lohnson,  after  wliicli 
he  participated  in  the  (irand  Review  at  Washing- 
t<m. 

Dr.  Pratt  was  Chairman  of  tlie  State  Central 
Committee  for  four  years;  was  district  delegate 
to  the  National  Democratic  Convention  at  New 
York,  in  \HW;  at  IJaltiniore  in  1872;  and  dele- 
gale-at-large  at  Cincinnati  in  1H8().  For  two 
years  he  was  Secretary  of  the  (irand  Lodge,  V.  A 
A.  M.;  President  of  the  State  Medical  Society  two 
yeai-s;  memlwr  of  the  American  Metlical  .Associa- 
tion for  twenty  years;  and  President  of  the  l()c;il 
.Mi'flical  S<K'iely.  Since  1887,  he  h.as  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  pension  examining  bo:ird,of  Kalamazoo. 
In  1«7I.  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  llie  City  <if  Kal- 
ania/.iMi.  wliei'c  he  w.as  effective  in  introducing 
many  needed  reforms  in  municipial  legislation. 
lie  iK-ennie  n  memlK-r  of  the  IJoaid  of  Truslces  (if 
the  In!<an(- Asylum  in  |hh2,  and  i>  now  il>  I'res- 
idenl. 

As  ft  memlicrof  the  Democratic  party.  Dr.  I'lall 
lin.H  tiiken  an  active  int4-resl  in  politics,  where  his 
elioieeijirlion  a'' a  writer  .and  rare  eloipienee  .-ls  a 
upeaker  have  JM'en  madi-  elTeetiv<'.       While    Seei'e- 


tary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons,  he  was  the 
author  of  the  present  code  of  Masonic  laws  for 
the  Jlicliigan  jurisdiction,  a  task  recpiiring  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  fraternity,  as  well  as  a 
lierfect  familiarity  with  its  characteristic  juiispi-u- 
dence. 

UTIIER  HUBBARD,  who  resides  on   a   line 
I  farm  on  section    25,    Antwerp   Township, 

^^  Van  Buren  County,  came  to  this  State 
witli  his  father  in  1810,  and  has  witnessed  the  won- 
derful growth  and  i)rogress  of  this  section  of  the 
country  fr()ni  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness  to  a 
State  second  to  none  in  the  Union  in  its  fertility 
of  soil  and  enterprise  of  its  people.  Mr.  Hubbard 
is  a  native  of  Erie  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
born  August  18,  1831.  His  father,  Roswell  Hub- 
bard, who  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  a  ship- 
builder by  trade,  was  married  in  that  Stale  to 
Kmily  Bell.  He  removed  from  his  native  State  to 
Ohio  in  1815,  where  he  resided  until  1810,  at 
that  time  coining  to  Michigan  and  luiying  a  large 
tract  of  land,  which  he  farmed  cpiite  extensively 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  then  sold  his  jjlaceand, 
going  to  Indiana,  located  near  South  Bend,  where 
he  bought  land  and  farmed  for  several  years. 
Once  more  he  came  to  Michigan,  removing  aftei- 
ward  to  Iowa,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in 
18()6.  His  wife  died  in  1852.  This  couple  were 
the  parents  of  eight  cliildreii.  live  sons  and  three 
daughters,  of  whom  live  are  now  living:  Horace  .1.; 
Roswell,  Jr.;  Kli7,a,(!eorge  \V.  and  l.utlier.  Those 
deceased  were:    Polly  A.,  William  and  .lulia  A. 

Our  subject  was  brought  \\\^  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer  and  was  married  in  1852  to  Miss  Minerva 
liell,  who  died  in  IS.M.  (  »m'  son,  Willi;im,  was 
born  to  them,  who  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  Hubbard 
was  afterward  inarried,  in  185(!,  to  Miss  Amelia 
.Munny,  and  of  this  union  six  cliildren  were  born, 
four  of  whom  are  living;  Charles  (i.,  Orin  W., 
Eleanor  N.  iind  .lohii.  Minnie  B.  and  Cora  are  de- 
ce.'ised.  !\Ii's.  1 1  uliliMiil  d  led  in  IH7:!  .■mil  our  sub- 
ject, was  nianied  to  his  incsent  wife,  ,\piil  I,  1875. 
She  was  Mis.  Margnret  .1.  Ilosiier,  the  widow  of 
I'lii  hinder  IbiMier.  .'ilid   llie  mulliei'  of  t  wo  elii  Idieii, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


777 


Patrick  and  Roswell.  Mv.  Hosner  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  died  in  1873.  Mrs.  Hubbard 
is  a  damjiiter  of  .lane  and  Ilannali  (Renisey)  Grif- 
tin,  natives  of  Ireland.  Wlien  slie  was  quite 
young,  lier  parents  went,  in  1811,  from  Iicland  to 
Australia.  Tlie  first  vessel  they  sailed  on  was  tlie 
'•Sir  Robert  Peel;"  from  Australia  to  Van  Dieman's 
Land  they  sailed  on  the  "Laura  Briggs"  and  from 
there  back  to  Australia  on  the  "Blue  Border." 
Tlie  father  died  on  the  vessel  "Great  Britain" 
and  was  buried  at  Wiliiamstown,  Australia,  in 
18yl.  The  family  came  from  Liverpool  to  Phil- 
adel|)hia  on  the  "Westmoreland."  The  mother 
died  in  1864.  Mrs.  Hubbard  was  born  in  New 
Bedford,  Ireland,  October  4,  1841.  Mr.  Ilulibard 
has  a  line  farm,  well  improved,  and  is  an  industrious 
man. 


VI 


/ 


'OHN  M.  VANAUKEN.  To  the  energetic 
labors,  business  acumen,  thrift  and  foresight 
of  John  M.  Van  Auken  and  his  fellow-pio- 
neers, Van  Buren  County  is  greatly  indebted 
for  its  high  state  of  development  and  substantial 
prosperity.  Our  subject's  name  is  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  tlie  rise  and  progress  of  Bangor  Town- 
ship as  one  of  its  earl j'  settlers  and  most  successful 
farmers  and  stock-raisers,  whose  farm,  literally 
hewed  out  of  the  forests,  is  a  finely  improved  and 
valuable  estate  and  beautiful  home. 

The  town  of  Knox,  Albany  County,  N.  Y.,  is 
the  birthplace  of  our  subject,  and  there  he  was 
born  March  3,  1816,  into  the  household  of  Aaron 
and  Delena  (Sperbeck)  Van  Auken,  one  in  a  fam- 
ily of  nine  children.  His  parents  were  both  na- 
tives of  New  York,  his  father  descended  from  an  old 
Dutch  familj',  and  his  mother  of  German  descent. 
When  their  son  John  was  young,  the}^  removed  to 
IMontgomery  County' in  the  same  State,  and  siib- 
secjuently  settled  in  AVayue  County,  when  he  was 
twelve  years  old.  There  as  the  years  rolled  by,  his 
character  was  molded  and  strengthened  for  the 
work  he  was  to  perform  in  the  future  as  a  practical, 
wide-awake  pioneer, in  helping  to  transform  a  vast 
wilderness  in  a  newly  settled  country  into  a  well- 
improved  farming  region,  and    in   the  spring  of 


1833  he  left  the  parental  home,  a  courageous,  manly 

youth  of  seventeen,  to  try  his  fortunes  elsewhere. 
He  continued  to  live  and  lalior  in  iiis  native  State 
until  the  spring  of  1846,  frugally  saving  his  earn 
ings,  and  he  then  came  to  Michigan,  as  he  wisely 
foresaw  that  he  could  make  his  money  and  labor 
count  for  more  on  this  rich  virgin  soil,  when  once 
he  had  cleared  a  farm,  than  he  could  in  New  York. 
He  immediately  invested  in  a  tract  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres  of  timber  on  section  33,  Ban- 
gor Township,  and  from  that  time  to  this  has  been 
numbered  among  our  best  citizens  in  Van  Buren 
County.  With  characteristic  energy,  he  set  about 
felling  the  forest  growth,  placing  the  ground  under 
cultivation  after  the  methods  best  adapted  to  its 
condition,  and  erecting  a  fine  class  of  buildings, 
and  his  farm  now  stands  among  the  best  within  a 
radius  of  many  miles.  It  is  advantageously  lo- 
cated a  short  distance  from  McDonald,  and  is  in 
all  respects  an  attractive  place.  Mr.  Van  Auken 
has  devoted  it  to  general  farming,  and  besides  cul- 
tivating grain  and  other  produce,  has  raised  much 
choice  stock, having  a  high  reputation  for  his  fine 
and  well-kept  cattle. 

Mr.  Van  Auken  was  married,  in  1840  to  Miss 
Phebe  A.  Dawley,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Lyons, 
Wa3ue  County,  N.  Y.,  her  parents  also  being  na- 
tives of  the  Empire  State.  Nine  children  were 
born  to  our  subject  by  this  marriage,  five  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity:  John  L.,  a  resident  of  Bangor; 
M.  Jane,  wife  of  Anson  tloss;  Caroline,  now  de- 
ceased; Phebe,  wife  of  Stephen  Stowe.  The 
mother  of  these  ciiildren  died  in  November,  1856, 
leaving  behind  her  a  record  of  true  devotion  as  wife, 
mother,  and  friend.  In  1860,  Mr.  Van  Auken  was 
a  second  time  married,  taking  as  his  wife  Mrs.  D. 
J.  Northrop,  nee  Kingston,  a  native  of  Jefferson 
County',  N.  Y'.  She  was  a  most  estimable  woman, 
and  her  death,  April  22,  1869,  left  a  sad  vacancy 
in  her  husband's  household,  Mrs.  Van  Auken 's 
youngest  daughter,  Mrs.  Stowe,  now  presides  over 
his  home,  and  looks  carefully  after  his  comfort. 

Our  subject  has  a  well-poised  intellect,  a  keen 
vision  in  regard  to  buiness  and  other  matters,  and 
a  resolute  will,  and  his  many  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances have  always  found  him  to  be  a  man  of 
honor  and  unswerving  rectitude  in  all  the  relations 


778 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


that  he  has  held  toward  othei-s.  He  is  liberal  in 
his  religion,  and  has  a  broad  oivtlook  on  life,  In 
politics,  he  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  Repub- 
lican party  ever  since  it  sprang  into  existence. 


1EORG1-:  W.  SMITH.  In  the  twilight  of  an 
:|l  ,— -,  honored  life,  this  venerable  pioneer  of  Ross 
^^^1  Tomiship  is  living  in  tranquil  comfort 
on  his  ple.isanl  homestead.  Not  only  is  he  quite 
well  known  throughout  Kalamazoo  County  but  he 
is  esteemed  wherever  known  and  the  record  of  his 
useful  life  merits  the  confidence  of  his  fellow-men. 
His  farm  on  section  11  comprises  eighty-seven 
acres,  and  although  he  is  not  at  present  actively  en- 
gaged in  its  cultivation,  he  still  retains  its  manage- 
ment. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  Russell  and  Betsy 
(Wiseman)  Smith,  were  natives  of  Vermont  and 
were  of  Scotch  and  English  descent,  respectively. 
The  father  served  during  the  War  of  1812  and  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  George  W.  was  born  in 
the  Green  Mountain  State,  April  24.  1818,  and, 
when  quite  small,  .accompanied  his  i)arents  to 
Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  where  ho  resided  .about 
fourteen  years.  Then,  in  company  with  his  par- 
entis, he  removed  to  Cattaraugus  County,  the  same 
Slate,  wh(!re  he  aided  in  the  sup|iortof  his  father's 
family.  Ik'ing  the  eldest  son  and  the  father  hav- 
ing poor  health,  he  early  tecame  not  only  self-sup- 
iwrting  but  was  the  main  dependence  of  the  fani- 

iiy- 

In  Octoter,  18.311.  Mr.  Smilh  was  unilfd  in  mar- 
riage to  llann.-di  Whiting,  wIkj  was  born  in  Alle- 
gany County,  N.  V.,  February  12,  1820.  Her 
pnreiitsS,  Jame.H  and  Esther  (llutchings)  Whiting, 
an-  supposed  to  li.-ivc  been  natives  of  New  England, 
and  her  father  w;i.s  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  181*2. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  became  the  parents  of  seven 
chililren,  six  <if  wlioni  survive,  :is  follows:  Schuy- 
Iit;  Klleanor,  wife  of  Abram  Craven;  Alvira,  wlio 
married  Jx!n)nn  Smith;  I'orl<;r,  Ozro;  X'iola,  now 
Mrs.  Willis  (^nick.  One  son.  Tyler,  is  (leeea.sed. 

.Some  time  cjuriiig  the  '.'((Is,  .Mr.  Smith  with  his 
family  arrived  in  Kalamazoo  County  and    settled 


on  the  place  where  he  has  since  resided  continu- 
ously. It  w.as  in  the  midst  of  the  woods  and  its 
only  iini)rovements  consisted  of  a  log  cabin  which 
still  stands,  a  landmark  oi  that  early  civilization. 
Later  JNIr.  Smith  built  the  attractive  and  commo- 
dious residence  which  now  adorns  his  plair.  In 
all  his  labors  he  has  received  the  ciieerful  and  ac- 
tive aid  of  his  noble  wife,  and  it  was  an  event  of 
unusual  im|)ortance  when,  October  7,  l.S.S'.l,  this 
worthy  couple  celebrated  their  golden  wedding. 

Always  a  Republican,  Mr.  Smith  is  proud  of  the 
fact  that  he  cast  his  liist  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison 
and  his  last  for  the  grandson  of  that  famous  hero. 
He  has  served  as  Highway  Commissioner,  and 
Treasurer  of  Ross  Grange,  No.  21,  contributing  in 
those  positions  to  the  i)rogress  of  the  commuiiitv 
which  he  h.as  seen  transformed  from  an  unculti- 
vated waste  to  an  attr.aclive  and  highly  improved 
section,  the  home  of  reliued  people,  the  site  of 
thriving  villages  and  the  abode  of  happy  families. 


-^^1 


m 


AVID  CURRY,  who  is  eng.aged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock-raising  on  section 
34,  Decatur  Township,  Van  Buren  County, 
w.as  born  in  I'ennsylvania,  December  10, 
18U7,  and  is  of  Irish  descent.  When  he  was  a  boy, 
his  parents  removed  to  Ohio,  and,  in  1830,  came  to 
ISIichigan,  locating  in  Volinia  Townshi]),  Cass 
County,  where  David  made  his  home  for  about 
two  3'ears.  In  April,  1832,  he  married  Elizabeth 
(Jard,  daughter  of  Josephus  and  Sarah  Gard,  who 
were  natives  of  New  Jersey.  Her  father  w.as  a 
jjioneer  farmer  of  Cass  County.  In  the  family 
were  eight  children,  lOlizabcth  being  the  scventii 
in  order  of  birth. 

After  his  marriage,  David  Curry  caiiie  to  De- 
catur Township,  Van  lUiren  County,  and  purchased 
eight}-  acres  of  land,  also  entered  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  from  the  (iovernmeiit  on  .section  31.  In 
September,  1832,  he  removed  to  liis  farm,  cleared 
awaj'  the  timber,  and  built  a  log  c.'ibin,  18x20  feel, 
without  windows,  doors  oi'  lloor.  lie  h.'Uiicd  luin- 
ber  from  Whitmansville,  twelve  miles  distant,  and 
had  the  only  "sawecl"  lloor  in  tlu"  township.  There 
wasoiil\  one  liou.-r  liclwccn  his  lioii.sc  and  I'aw  Paw, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


779 


and  tlic  only  settlers  in  this  locality  at  that  time 
were  I)()li)iiin  and  Samuel  Morris,  George  Tittle, 
John  Kekenherger,  Legrand  Anderson  and  H.  D. 
Swift.  Mr.  Curry  and  his  family  experienced 
the  usual  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life, 
but  succeeded  in  developing  a  good  farm,  upon 
which  he  made  his  home  until  his  death.  In  an 
early  da.y,  he  served  as  Commissioner  of  Highways, 
and  was  a  prominent  and  well-known  citizen  of 
this  community.  He  died  March  20,  1846,  and  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  of  Volinia.  His  wife  passed 
away  June  20,  1878,  and  was  laid  by  the  side  of 
her  husband. 

Unto  this  worthy  couple  were  born  nine  chil- 
dren, seven  of  whom  reached  3'ears  of  maturity. 
Jonathan,  who  was  born  on  the  old  homestead, 
May  8,  1833,  has  there  spent  almost  his  entire  life. 
AVhen  twentj'-one  years  of  age,  he  took  a  drove  of 
cattle  to  Iowa,  and  traveled  over  that  State 
and  Illinois,  where,  for  a  period,  he  engaged  in 
farming.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Higliwaj'  Com- 
missioner for  seven  years,  has  been  otlicially  con- 
nected with  the  schools  for  about  twenty  years, 
and  is  an  influential  citizen.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Patrons  of  In- 
dustry. Joseph  Q.  was  born  October  6,  1834,  on 
the  old  homestead,  and  has  there  spent  his  entire 
life.  Like  his  brother,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
served  as  Constable  of  his  township.  Juliet,  born 
April  4,  1836,  died  August  11,  1880;  David  Q., 
born  September  25,  1839,  like  his  brothers,  has 
known  no  other  home  than  the  old  farm.  He,  too, 
is  a  supporter  of  the  Democracy,  and  has  served 
as  Overseer  of  Highways  and  School  Director. 
During  the  late  war,  he  enlisted,  August  6,  1862, 
as  a  member  of  Company  C,  Fourth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Murfrees- 
boro,  Franklin,  Shelbyville,  Nashville,  Cliicka- 
mauga,  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  Altogether,  he 
was  in  ninet3'-six  battles  and  skirmishes.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis,  and  has  a 
pair  of  saddle  bags,  taken  from  Gen.  Reagan,  who 
belonged  to  the  Cabinet  of  Davis.  In  July,  1865, 
he  was  mustered  out  after  three  years  of  service. 
The  next  member  of  the  Curry  family',  Elizabeth, 
was  born  March  27,  1841,  and  is  still  living  on 
the  old  homestead;  Mary  Jane,  born    February  20, 


1843,  is  the  wife  of  Jaculi  High,  a  resident  farmer 
of  Cass  County;  Nancy,  born  March  20,  1844,  died 
December  20,  1846;  John  I'.rookfield,  who  was 
born  on  the  old  lumiestead,  Noveiiilier  6,  1846, 
died  January  2,  1865. 

The  Curry  brothers  are  numbered  among  the 
leading  agriculturists  of  this  community.  The^' 
own  and  operate  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
arable  land,  which  is  now  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  and  well  improved,  and  also  have  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  elsewhere  in  this  county, 
lying  near  and  partially  within  the  corporation 
limits  of  Marseilles.  On  it  is  a  half-mile  track. 
The  Curry  farm  is  widelj'  known  for  the  fine  stock 
there  raised,  including  a  high  grade  of  horses. 
Short-horn  cattle  and  Poland-China  hogs,  while 
David  also  raises  dogs,  having  some  of  the  finest 
Shepherd  collies  in  the  State.  The  Curry  family 
well  deserves  representation  in  this  volume,  for, 
since  a  very  early  day,  its  members  have  been  con- 
nected with  the  history  of  ^'an  Huren  County. 


«^ 


fe;«»«e"^F= 


=^^ 


ON.  STEPHEN  F.  BROWN.     In    present- 
1]  iug  the  biographical  notice  of  one  of    the 


leading  men  of  Kalamazoo  County,  and  a 
gentleman  who  is  thoroughly  representative 
of  its  progressive  element,  we  deem  it  our  duty  to 
first  briefly  advert  to  the  life  stoiy  of  those  from 
whom  he  draws  his  origin.  The  parents  of  our 
subject,  John  and  Nancy  (McPherson)  Brown,  were 
natives  of  Loudoun  Count}-,  Va.,  where  they  were 
reared,  married  and  continued  to  reside  until  theit 
removal  to  Michigan  in  1830.  On  locating  in  this 
then  Territory,  the  elder  Mr.  Brown  with  his  fam- 
ily settled  in  Schoolcraft  Township,  Kalamazoo 
County,  where  they  became  resi)ected  and  promi- 
nent citizens.  They  made  that  place  their  home 
until  their  death. 

The  ijarental  family  of  our  subject  numbered 
seven  children,  of  whom  he  was  the  oldest  but  one. 
His  birth  occurred  December  31,  1819,  in  Loudoun 
Count}',  Va.,  and  he  was  thus  a  lad  of  eleven  jears 
when  his  parents  came  West  to  this  State.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  this  township,  where  he  received 
thorough   training  in  all  the  duties  pertaining  to 


780 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


an  agriculturist,  wliicli  occupation  he  has  followed 
all  his  life.  His  estate  beai-s  all  the  nioderu  im- 
provements ill  the  way  of  machinery  and  build- 
ings and  Jlr.  Brown  is  ranked  among  the  progress- 
ive and  wealthy  citizens  of  the  county. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  united  in  mar- 
riage in  Oshtemo  Township,  Kalamazoo  County, 
July  4.  1841,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Maria  1..  Patrick.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Brown, 
James  Patrick,  died  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y., 
when  she  was  in  her  fourteenth  .year.  Her  mother, 
who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Harriet  Colgrovc, 
also  pjissed  from  this  life  in  the  aliove-named 
county  when  Mrs,  Brown  was  an  infant  of  two 
yeai-s.  Her  parents  reared  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren, of  whom  she  was  the  youngest,  her  birth  oc- 
curring December  15,  1824. 

To  our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife  have  liecu 
granted  a  family  of  four  children,  viz:  Franklin 
M.,  P^dgar  D.,  P'lorence  and  Clarence.  Franklin 
M.  was  a  soldier  during  the  late  Civil  AVar, enlist- 
ing ill  Company  L.  Fifth  Micliigan  Cavalry:  he 
died  at  Schoolcraft  .lannary  11.  I.s7(!.  Ivlgar  1). 
is  following  the  practice  of  law  at  Nelson,  Nob.;  lie 
also  enlisted  in  defense  of  his  country  and  joined 
Company  C,  Sixth  Michigan  Infantry  and  after 
serving  a  short  time  was  discharged  on  account  of 
physical  disability.  He  re-enlisted,  however,  in 
Company  L,  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry.  ;uid  was  dis- 
charged later  on  account  of  a  wound  which  he  re- 
eeiveil  at  Fairfax  Courthouse,  \'a.,  while  on  picket 
dutj'.  Florence  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Rockwell,  and 
Clarence  is  a  resident  of  Schoolcraft. 

In  1 «;")(!,  Mr.  Brown  was  elected  to  tlie  Legisla- 
ture on  the  Republican  ticket  and  so  well  and 
friillifujly  did  he  |ierforni  the  duties  of  that  |)osi- 
tion  lh;it  he  was  re-elected,  in  1H.08.  In  IMOO,  he 
wa.H  chosen  and  elected  State  Senator,  which 
ollicc  he  again  niled  in  18(14  and  in  1HH1.  It  is 
thus  very  obvious  that  the  lion.  Mr.  Brown  must 
have  always  fully  availed  himself  of  all  the  priv- 
ileges of  iiiHlriiclion  to  which  he  found  ;iccess, and  :i 
di.sliiiguishingchar.'icleri.-'lir  of  his  is  the  possession 
of  (piickiiCH.'*  of   iiiind  and  l:ih'nl. 

The  Hon.  Slepheii  )•'.  Brown  w.'i>  Ihcliist  Master 
of  the  Sl;il(' ( Iraiige  of  MirhJii.'iii,  of  which  body  he 
wnr>  Treaiiirer  for  a  pi'iiod  of  ini  years.      II<!  takes 


a  verj'  active  part  in  all  political  measures  and 
is  a  strong  Republican,  believing  that  jtarly  to 
be  in  the  right.  In  early  years,  he  was  a  Whig  of 
the  Henry  Clay  stamp.  During  campaigns  he  veiy 
often  tiikes  the  "stump"  but  never  becomes  excited 
and  acts  only  after  mature  deliberation. 

He  of  whom  we  write  is  the  possessor  of  a  line 
estate  of  two  hundred  and  twelve  acres,  on  which 
he  has  placed  all  the  modern  improvements  in  the 
way  of  farm  machinery  and  buildings.  His  pro[>- 
erty  makes  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in  the 
county,  and  by  a  proper  rotation  of  crops  is  made 
to  yield  a  liandsome  increase.  Mr.  Brown  is  Pres- 
ident of  tlie  Pioneer  Society  of  Kalamazoo  County 
and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  men 
of  the  county.  In  the  summer  of  188.'),  he  was 
presented  with  a  gold-headed  cane  by  the  Senate 
as  a  token  of  the  appreciation  of  his  service  .and 
the  high  esteem  in  which  lie  was  held.  He  w.as  a 
colleague  of  Jay  Hubbard  anil  many  other  promi- 
nent and  well-known  men.  It  is  with  pleasure 
that  we  present  the  sketch  of  this  honored  gentle- 
man whose  name  will  be  held  in  reverence  long 
after  he  shall  have  been  gathered  to  his  fathers. 


ENHY  BISHOP.  Now  in  the  twilight  of  his 
honored  and  useful  life,  Mr.  Bishop  is  liv- 
ing retired  in  his  pleasant  home  at  Kalama- 

^  zoo.  None  deserves  better  than  he  the  title  of 
"self-made,"  for  he  commenced  the  battle  of  life 
under  the  most  adverse  circumstances, and,  from  a 
])osition  of  poverty,  ro.se  to  a  comfortable  coinpo- 
tcncy  only  after  the  most  arduous  struggles  on 
his  part.  Successful  as  a  (Inancier,  he  is  no  less 
fortunate  in  having  g:iined  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens,  who  recognize  his 
force  of  ch.'irneter.  sturdy  integrity  and  mental  ca- 
pabilities. 

Dorsetshire,  ICngland,  was  the  cnrly  home  of  Mr. 
Bishop,  ;ind  there  he  was  liorn,  November  'i.'l, 
1H13.  His  r:il her,  Joseph  Bishop,  followed  the  oc- 
cupation of  miller  aiul  farmer,  and  our  subject 
found  consf.'int  cinploymciil  in  hise;iily  ye.-irs,  both 
in    tlir  mill  :in(l  on    the  I'Mini.      His    motlier,  whose 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


781 


inaiilcii  name  was  Maria  Lane,  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-five,  leaving  a  family  of  eightcliildren,and, 
ahoiit  the  same  time,  his  father's  affairs  became  so 
entangled  that  he  was  called  upon  to  assist  in  sup- 
porting the  family,  at  a  time  when  other  boys  of 
his  age  were  going  to  school  and  enjoying  the 
usual  boyish  sports. 

Between  the  years  of  eight  and  twelve,  Mr. 
Bishop  was  mainly  employed  in  the  mill,  and 
from  that  time  till  he  was  seventeen,  he  aided  in 
farm  work.  The  custom  of  the  country  was  to 
purchase  all  the  wheat  on  certain  days  at  the  mar 
ket  towns,  where  the  millers  and  farmers  congre- 
gated, and  where  all  grain  was  bought  from  sam- 
ples, the  price  being  governed  by  the  weight  of  the 
measured  bushel.  The  flour  was  sold  by  the  mil- 
ler himself  or  by  his  agent,  who  went  to  all  the  vil- 
lages and  cities  in  his  neighborhood,  sold  to  ba- 
kers, and  made  collections  therefor. 

In  that  w.aj',  Mr.  Bishop  found  his  princip.il  oc- 
cupation during  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  in 
England,  but  on  account  of  the  AVars  of  Napoleon, 
business  was  everywhere  depressed,  and  he  under- 
went all  the  trials  generally  known  only  to  those 
of  mature  years.  Finally,  affairs  assumed  such  an 
aspect  that  it  was  necessary  for  Mr.  Bishoi),  Sr.,  ei- 
ther to  become  hopelessly  bankrupt  in  p]ngland,  or 
try  his  fortune  in  a  new  countrj'  with  the  remnant 
left  him  after  satisfying  his  creditors.  lie  conclu- 
ded to  try  the  latter,  and  our  subject  well  remem- 
bers how,  when  he  was  assisting  the  plowman  to 
turn  over  a  furrow  on  the  edge  of  a  dce\)  gully, 
he  broached  the  subject  of  going  to  America,  and 
inquired  if  he  would  like  to  go.  The  reply  was, 
"I  would  go  anywhere,  could  we  better  our  con- 
dition by  so  doing." 

But  little  more  was  said,  and  in  three  weeks 
from  that  time,  in  March,  18.30,  our  subject  was 
on  board  ship,  riding  at  anchor  in  Bristol  Chan- 
nel, and  experiencing  .all  the  sufferings  incident  to 
sea-sick  humanity.  Toward  tlie  close  of  the  voy- 
age, he  recovered  somewhat,  although  it  was  not 
until  he  was  on  the  Erie  Canal  that  he  could  ap- 
preciate Barry  Cornwall's  song  of  the  sea:  "If  the 
winds  sliould  blow,  what  m.atter?  what  matter?  I 
can  ride  .and  sleep."  C)n  arriving  at  Buffalo,  he 
first  saw  the  Indians,  also    the    steamboats  "Supe- 


rior" and  "Henry  Clay,"  which  were  objects  of 
admiration  to  the  intizens,  who  flocked  to  tiie 
wharf  in  largo  numbers  to  witness  their  arrival 
and  departure. 

Mr.  Bishop,  Sr.,  purchased  a  farm  near  Buffalo,  and 
shortly'  afterwards  our  subject  w.as  (jiihis  way  back 
to  England  alone,  in  order  to  bring  the  rest  of  tlie 
famil}'  to  the  new  home.  During  the  pleasant 
voyage  of  seven  weeks,  he  acted  as  cabin  boy, and 
reached  the  Mother  Country  at  a  very  small  ex- 
pense. As  soon  as  the  family  were  ready,  the  re- 
tui-n  trip  was  made  with  six  children  younger  than 
our  subject,  besides  a  little  bo}'  sent  in  their  com- 
pany to  Buffalo,  and  a  cousin.  On  the  passage,  the 
steward  of  the  ship  met  with  an  accident  which 
crippled  him,  and  he  therefore  called  upon  our 
subject  to  assist  him.  After  a  very  rough  voyage 
of  seven  weeks  and  four  dsiys,  by  Nf)rth  River  and 
the  Erie  Canal,  the  little  party  reached  their  desti- 
nation. 

During  his  first  winter  in  America,  our  subject 
was  emplo3'ed  to  haul  cordwood  to  Buffalo,  and 
the  following  year  removed  with  his  father  some 
eight  miles  farther  east,  to  a  farm  better  improved. 
However,  Mr.  Bishop,  Sr.,  failed  to  succeed  in  this 
country,  and  he  therefore  sold  his  possessions  and 
returned  to  his  old  home,  hoping  to  recover  some- 
thing from  the  wreck  of  his  fortune  there.  The 
children  then  became  scattered,  depending  upon 
strangers  for  a  home.  Henr}^  went  into  a  grocery 
and  provision  store  iu  Buffalo,  and  clerked  for  tiie 
firm  of  N.  Willard  &  Company  until  he  came  to 
Kalamazoo  County,  Michigan,  in  the  spring  of 
ISS.O. 

jNIr.  Bishop  worked  for  the  same  firm  two  years 
in  New  Buffalo,  selling  goods  and  looking  after 
their  interests  as  part  proprietors  of  the  town.  In 
the  winter  of  1838-39,  he  returned  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
and,  during  the  following  spring,  came  West  on 
business  for  a  former  partner.  The  business  ac- 
complished, he  eng.aged  to  clerk  for  the  firm  of  F. 
(feA.'Beals,  of  Schoolcraft,  and  in  August,  1839, 
in  company  with  D.  L.  Kimberly,  bought  out  the 
business,  which  he  conducted  fifteen  years  success- 
fully. He  came  to  Kalamazoo  in  1862.  Here  he 
engaged  in  settling  estates,  and,  for  a  few  years,  in 
selling  di'3'-goods  with  his  son,  under  the  firm  name 


782 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


of  H.  Bishop  it  Son.  In  June,  1847,  he  married  Mi-s. 
.Sarah  M.  Ilinnian,  nee  Balch,  by  which  union  the.v 
had  four  fliildrcu.  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy; 
the  surviving  chihl  is  Henry  L.  Bishop,  wlio  de- 
votes his  attention  to  farming.  Mrs.  Bishop  died 
.hily  H,  18;i  1.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bisliop  both  attended  the 
I'nitarian  Church.  Politically,  in  the  early  d.ws, 
Mr.  Hishop  was  fii-st  a  Whig,  and  he  assisted  in  the 
organization  of  tiie  Reinihlican  party  in  Micliigan, 
and,  during  the  war,  was  a  staiuich  I'uion  niau. 
He  was  elected  Town  Clerk  in  New  Buffalo,  also  in 
Sciioolcrafl,  and  served  the  county  of  Kalaiiiazoi) 
tliree  yeai-s  as  Superintendent  of  the  Poor,  and 
four  years  as  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  village  of 
Kalamaz(M(.  Mr.  Bisliop  is  recognized  as  an  hon- 
est, upright  citizen,  and  has  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow-citizens. 


j-f*-^*i 


i+***t 


^1^^  OUACK  11.  PIKHCK.  Pierce  is  a  familiar 
name  in  the  annals  of  Kalamazoo  County, 
y  and  has  been  from  the  early  daj'S  of  its 
settlement,  when  Is.aac  Pierce  first  came  on 
the  scene  and  became  a  conspicuous  figure  in  its 
industrial  and  public  life,  to  the  present  time,  in 
which  the  .son  of  that  lionorcd  i)ioneer  re[)resents 
the  famil3',  and  is  prominent  as  a  farmer  of  large 
al)ilit3'  and  much  wealth,  wlio  controls  extensive 
farming  interests  in  Climax  and  Charleston  Town- 
ships, making  his  home  on  section  4  of  the  former 
township. 

'I'lie  subject  of  this  life  record  was  born  in  Niag- 
ara County,  N.  Y.,  March  3,  1831,  a  son  of  Isaac 
Pierce,  who  was  boni  amid  the  beautiful  hills  of 
litrkshire  County,  M,a.s.s.,  .July  28,  1803.  His 
father's  name  was  Longworlh  Pierce,  and  he 
was  n  native  of  Rhode  Island,  where  some  of  his 
Knglish  iuicestoi-s  had  settlccl  in  Colonial  times. 
At  some  period  of  his  life,  he  resided  in  Berkshire 
County,  M.-i-sH.,  whence  he  went  to  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y..  in  l«ll.  Mr  hewed  onl  n  farm 
from  the  primeval  forcst.s  of  ilwit  region,  and,  sell- 
ing it  in  1830.  removed  to  Niagara  County,  in 
the  same  Sl;ite,  and  there  his  life  was  brought  to  a 
(•los<'  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

Isaac  Pierce  wm  well  trained    in  farniiu''  on  his 


father's  farm,  .and  in  early  manhood  he  became 
possessed  of  a  partly  developed  farm  in  Niagara 
County.  In  1835,  he  sold  that  place  in  order  to 
cast  in  his  lot  with  the  pioneers  of  the  Territory' 
of  Michigan.  He  first  visited  Kalamazoo  County, 
to  select  a  suitable  location,  and  bought  a  ([uarter 
of  a  section  of  land,  on  a  part  of  whicii  the  village 
of  Climax  now  stands.  Returning  to  New  Y'ork 
for  his  family,  he  came  b.aek  here  the  following 
spring,  .accompanied  by  his  wife  and  childion,  and 
made  the  journey  with  a  wagon  and  team  through 
Canada  as  the  most  available  route,  several  weeks 
being  consumed  before  they  arrived  at  their  desti- 
nation. The  land  tiiat  he  liad  bought  was  but 
very  little  improved,  but  there  was  a  log  house  tm 
it  and  into  that  Mr.  Pierce  and  his  family  moved. 
He  then  energetically  turned  his  attention  to  the 
making  of  a  farm.  He  was  a  man  of  unusual  push, 
vigor  and  enterprise,  and  with  good  courage  sur- 
mounted every  obstacle  on  the  road  to  the  fortune 
that  became  his  by  the  sheer  force  of  persistent  in- 
dustry-, seconded  by  rare  powers  of  discrimination, 
unerring  judgment,  and  a  thorough  comprehen- 
sion of  agriculture  in  all  its  branches.  He  w.as 
educated  largely  in  the  school  of  observation  and 
experience,  but  he  had  much  natural  ability 
and  very  strong  mental  faculties,  lie  bo\ight  and 
sold  considerable  land  .and  dealt  quite  extensively 
in  stock.  In  early  times,  he  drove  hogs  to  Ohio, 
and  brought  back  sheep.  He  passed  through  every 
pliase  of  life  from  poverty  to  wealth,  and  w.as  one 
of  the  richest  men  in  the  village  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  owning  upwards  of  a  thousand  acres  of 
land  around  and  near  the  village  of  Climax. 

The  fatlief  of  our  subject  was  prominent  in  the 
[)ul)lic  and  political  life  of  his  community.  He 
w.as  originally  an  old-line  Whig  and  a  strong  Abol- 
itionist before  and  during  the  war,  and  .so,  being 
in  sympathy  with  the  Kepublicans,  he  united  his 
fortunes  with  that  party,  but  before  his  death  he 
went  over  to  the  Democrats.  He  w.as  elected  .lus- 
tice  of  the  Peace  n1  the  first  township  meeting, 
and  held  that  olllee  foia  great  many  years,  making 
a  careful  study  of  law,  and  conducting  a  case  with 
ability.  lie  served  .as  a  member  of  the  County 
lioiird  of  Supervisors  several  terms  and  represented 
the  interests  of  Climax  Township  with  fidelity. 


^l^-t.'t^-J-^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


785 


Jlr.  Pierce  was  twice  mnrricd.  Ilis  first  wife, 
the  mother  of  f)nr  suliject,  w;is  lif)ni  in  Canada 
in  1801.  She  (lied  in  1877.  Kieven  children  were 
born  of  that  marriage:  Polly,  Loren,  .Tcanette,  Jea- 
nette  (second),  Rowland,  Ortoii;  Willard  and  Luc- 
inda,  twins;  Angeline,  Elizabeth,  and  Iloi-ace.  By 
his  second  marriage,  with  Catherine  Archer,  Mr. 
Pierce  had  four  children. 

Horace  II.  Pierce  was  in  his  sixth  year  when  the 
family  came  to  this  county,  and  he  retains  a  dis- 
tinct recollection  of  the  pioneer  life  that  obtained 
here  in  his  childhood.  He  attended  school  in  a 
house  that  was  furnished  with  plank  benches  that 
were  supported  with  wooden  pins.  The  school  was 
conducted  on  the  rate-bill  system,  and  the  teacher 
boarded  around  among  the  parents  of  the  scholai's. 
Indians  used  to  come  to  liishome  and  his  mother 
often  cooked  food  for  them.  lie  remembers  seeing 
a  little  Indian  run  up  to  the  table  and  snatch  a 
piece  of  hot  meat  froDi  a  plate  and  burn  his  fingers 
with  it.  There  was  an  abundance  of  deer  and 
other  game,  and  wolves  often  disturbed  the  slum- 
bers of  the  settlers  by  their  howls,  and  even  bears 
were  not  uncommon.  Detroit  was  the  city  to 
which  the  pioneers  mostly  went  for  supplies.  The 
people  were  principally  home-livers,  and  the  skill- 
ful hand  of  the  mother  of  our  subject  spun  and 
wove  the  clothing  worn  by  himself,  his  lirother 
and  sisters. 

At  the  age  of  twenty- four  years,  our  subject  en- 
tered upon  his  independent  course  as  a  farmer, 
coming  then  to  this  place,  where  he  has  ever  since 
dwelt.  He  has  always  conducted  mixed  farming, 
raising  a  great  deal  of  grain,  and  paying  much  at- 
tention to  rearing  stock  of  all  kinds.  He  has  four 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  all,  two  hundred  and 
eighty^  acres  in  Climax  Township,  and  the  re- 
mainder in  Charleston  Township.  He  hiis  a  model 
farm  in  his  homestead,  .and  has  it  supplied  with  a 
fine  class  of  buildings.  In  1868,  he  erected  a  frame 
house  of  commodious  dimensions,  and  well  fitted 
up;  and  he  has  a  large  frame  barn,  40x72  feet  in 
size,  besides  a  granary  and  other  necessary  build- 
ings. He  derives  a  good  profit  from  renting  out 
a  good  deal  of  his  land. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Julia  E. 
Pratt  was  celebrated   Sei)tember   17.    18.54.     They 
36 


have  had  five  ehildien.  four  of  whom  are  living: 
lUubert  II.,  a  druggist  and  grocer  in  the  village 
of  Climax;  Ida  E.,  now  Mrs.  Best,  of  Dillon,  Mont.; 
and  .Tudson  W.  and  .Tettie  F.  at  home  with  their  par- 
ents. .Jessie  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  months. 
Mrs.  Piei'ce  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y., 
December  I.'"),  1.S.37.  and  she  came  to  Michigan  in 
isr.2. 

Our  subject  is  of  a  resolute,  vigorous,  practical 
nature,  jwssessing  much  natural  ability,  a  large 
share  of  common-sense,  and  the  faculty  to  plan 
well  and  To  cany  out  his  schemes  in  a  business- 
like manner.  He  is  independent,  having  a  mind 
of  his  own,  and  is  fearless  in  exjiressing  his  opin- 
i(ms.  Especially  is  this  true  in  regard  to  bis  political 
sentiments,  which  are  of  a  radical  Reiniblican  order. 
He  was  once  elected  to  the  position  of  .Justice  of 
the  Peace,  but  he  refused  to  accept  the  honor,  as 
he  cares  not  for  office.  He  is  well  known  in  social 
circles  as  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  at  Climax, 
and  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 


_=] 


^+^1=- 


-^] 


\I/_  ON.  EMERY  II.  SIMPSON,  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  thrifty  farmers  of  Hart- 
ford Township,  Van  Buren  County,  was 
born  in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  January  17, 
1828,  and  is  the  eighth  in  a  family  of  ten  children, 
eight  of  whom  grew  to  maturit}^  His  parents  were 
Asa  and  Minerva  (Fish)  Simpson,  the  father  born 
in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1790,  and  the 
mother,  probably  in  Cayuga  Count}',  in  1794.  Our 
subject's  paternal  grandfather,  John  Simpson,  was 
of  English  descent. 

Our  subject  grew  to  mature  years  in  his  native 
county  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  on  the  farm.  He  was  married  in  Or- 
leans County,  January  8,  1854,  to  IMiss  Mar_y  A. 
Thompson.  In  the  year  1863  he  came  with  his 
famil3'  to  Hartford  Township,  Van  Buren  County, 
and  located  on  the  farm  where  he  has  since  lived. 
He  was  soon  elected  Supervisor  of  his  township, 
which  office  he  held  one  year,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1872  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  and  re-elected 
in  the  fall  of  1886.  He  has  been  rather  an  active 
politician,  has  served  as  delegate  to  many  convcn- 


786 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


tions,  and  has  the  distinction  of  ha^•ing  held  every 
ortice  fur  wliieli  he  has  run. 

Mr.  Simpson  is  the  possessor  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  finely  improved  land  on  sections 
24,  13  and  14.  lie  commenced  .letive  life  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one  with  ^100  and  all  that  he  now 
owns  in  due  to  his  own  industry  and  business 
enterprise.  In  his  political  views  he  easts  his  vote 
and  intluence  witli  tlie  Republican  party.  .Socially, 
he  is  cunneclcd  with  no  secret  order  at  all.  lie  is 
a  gentleman  who  is  liked  by  ever.y  one  who  knows 
him  for  liis  kind  and  genial  m.inners. 

Ti>  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  .'^impson  liave  been  born  eight 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Clara  B.,  AVendell 
L..  Ada  M.  (^now  ^Mrs.  Sherwood),  Nathan  F.,  Frank 
(J.  and  Fred  L.  Wendell  L.  attended  tlie  military 
school  at  West  Point,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
I8«  t.  For  tiiree  years  he  was  on  the  Western  fron- 
tier, and  for  about  tlie  same  period  was  military  in- 
structor at  tlie  Agricultural  College,  in  Lansing,  at 
the  same  time  serving  as  Professor  of  Mathematics 
and  Mechanics,  to  wliicli  he  was  elected  by  the  State 
lioard.  He  is  now  First  Lieutenant  and  with  his 
company  is  located  atSackett's  Harbor. 

N(»t  only  the  present,  but  coming  generations  as 
well,  will  Ix'  ple.ised  to  notice  in  connection  with 
this  life  skelrli  a  litliograpliic  pditrail  of  Mr. 
Simpson. 


AN.SOM  NirriNC,  who  now  lives  a  retired 
life  in  Deeatiir,  and  is  chi-ssed  among  its 
';  \Vi  leading  citizens,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Baj' 
"^Q;  Slate,  ;inil  comes  of  an  early  New  England 
family  of  Irish  origin,  that  was  founded  in  Amer- 
ica during  early  Colonial  days.  His  grandfiiUicr, 
l)avid  .Nutting,  served  in  Hie  Rcvolulion.-iry  War. 
and  died  August  II,  1K|h.  He  was  (|uile  wealthy. 
His  son  Ebene/.er,  father  of  uiii-  subject,  wjis  boi'ii  in 
KriinlicId,  .M.ass.,  December  .'I,  ITTli,  iind  inarriccl 
Lucy  Itryanl,  wIkj  wsus  born  in  I'lyiiiouth,  Mass., 
NovcuiImt  1H,  I77H,  and  traced  her  ancestry  back 
to  the  Pilgrim  Flllh(•r^<.  l-^bcnezcr  Nutting  was  a 
farmer  anr)  black.Hmitli  by  tradr.  lie  died  in  l<'i'ank- 
liii  County,  Miuis.,  Sepl<-mlier  II.  IH|7,  in  tin-  faith 


of  the  Baptist  Church,  to  which  he  belonged.  His 
wife  died  in  Leverett,  Mass.,  August  19,  1857. 
Unto  them  were  born  seven  children:  Oliver,  Bry- 
ant, Lucius,  Asa,  Harrison,  Alden,  and  Ransom,  who  " 
is  the  only  one  now  living,  although  six  of  the 
number  grew  to  mature  years. 

The  birth  of  our  subject  occurred  in  Leverett, 
Franklin  County,  October  26,  1818,  and  in  the 
public  and  private  schools  he  acquired  his  educa- 
tion. We  see  in  him  a  self-ma<U'  inaii,  who  at  tlic 
early  age  of  fifteen  years  started  out  in  life  for 
himself,  and  h.is  since  made  his  own  way  in  the 
world.  He  learned  the  tanner's  and  currier's  trade 
which  he  followed  for  about  fifteen  years  in  .Spring- 
field, Wire  Village  and  Worcester.  During  tiiat 
time,  on  the  17th  of  July,  1844,  he  wedded  Mary 
T.  Stratton,  daughter  of  Samuel  Sliatton,  a  i)rom- 
iiient  Massachusetts  farmer,  their  union  beingcele- 
brated  in  Gill,  Mass.  For  about  five  years  after 
his  marriage,  Mr.  Nutting  continued  to  act  as  su- 
perintendent of  a  tanncr_y,  when  his  employer 
failed,  owing  him  about  $1,000.  It  was  in  1853 
that  he  came  to  the  AVest  with  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, and,  locating  in  Decatur,  engaged  in  the  tan- 
ning business  for  himself.  For  twenty  years  he 
carried  on  operations  in  HkiI  liiu'.nml  in  hisuuder- 
t:ikings  met  with  sigTial  success,  acciuiiing  thereby 
a  handsome  competence,  which  now  enables  him  to 
rest  from  all  labors. 

ITnto  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nutting  were  born  two  chil- 
dren: Addic  J.,  the  elder,  who  was  born  in  Lever- 
ett, Mass.,  IMarcli  7,  1850,  died  on  the  25th  of  l''eli- 
ruary,  1865;  and  Carrie  L.,  born  October  II,  1S53, 
makes  her  home  with  her  father  in  Decatui.  The 
family  have  here  ;i  |)leasanl  residence, supplied  with 
:ill  the  comforts  :iiid  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life, 
which  have  been  <)btainod  through  the  well-directed 
business  elTorts  of  our  subject. 

Mr.  Nutting  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in 
suppoit  of  the  Democratic  pMi'ty,  and  takes  consid- 
erable iutere.Nt  in  polilieal  ;ilTairs.  For  lliirleeii 
years  he  was  .Supervisor  of  Decatur  Township,  w;is 
a  meinbei'  of  the  School  Hoard  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  mtvciI  as  it.s  Treasurer,  and  was  nomi- 
n:it('d  for'i'reitsurcr  of  the  county,  but,t)wiiig  to  the 
Kcpublicaii  majority,  failecl  of  election.  During 
President  Cleveland's  :idministrati<Mi    lie   was   ap- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGllAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


787 


[joiiited  Postiiiiister  of  nefaliir.  aiifl  tlie  duties  of 
llial  ollicc  have  iievc'i  lieeii  more  faithfully  or  elli- 
ei(Mitl\-  discharged  than  under  hi>.  adniinistratioii. 
He  niadea  iiopular  ollicer,  and  won  the  eonmienda- 
tion  of  all  eoneerned.  lie  has  frequently  served  as 
Chairman  of  the  Democratic  County  Convention, 
and  his  ojjinions  are  received  with  deference  in  the 
councils  of  his  party.  For  some  years  Mr.  Nutting- 
has  suffered  from  Msthnia,  which  has  lieeni  much 
worse  of  late. 

|OP.ERT  .TICKLING,  an  eminently  worthy 
citizen  of  Kalamazoo  Count}',  and  a  jiros- 
perous  farmer  of  Comstock  Township,  re- 
Dsiding  on  section  6,  was  born  in  Norfolk- 
shire,  England,in  the  village  of  Ilitcliam,  September 
2,  1821.  Robert  Jickling,  his  father,  was  a  native 
of  the  same  place,  born  May  2,  1794.  In  1835,  he 
emigrated  with  his  family  to  Overbeck,  Canada,  the 
journey  across  the  water  and  into  the  interior  of 
the  country  being  accomplished  in  seven  weeks  and 
three  days.  He  became  an  early  settler  of  the 
town  of  Woodstock  in  Upper  Canada,  and  there 
spent  the  rest  of  his  days  at  his  occupation  as  a 
farmer,  dying  April  9,  1872,  at  a  good  old  age. 
He  was  a  son  of  Valentine  Jickling,  who  was  an 
Englishinan,  and  born  in  the  same  shiie  as  him- 
self. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  Mary  Lee  in  her 
maiden  days,  and  she  was  born  in  1788  in  the  same 
English  shire  as  her  husband  and  other  members 
of  the  family.  She  died  December  10,  1831,  at 
the  age  of  forty-three  years.  She  bore  seven  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  died  young,  one  in  infancy 
and  one  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  John  and 
George  are  residents  of  Canada;  Sarah  is  the  wife  of 
Abram  Bra}-,  who  resides  near  Woodstock,  Canada; 
Mary  is  the  wife  of  William  Everets  of  the  village 
of  Mitchell,  Canada.  After  the  death  of  the  motlier 
of  our  subject,  his  father  married  Mary  Whitby  in 
1832.  She  was  born  in  England,  December  30, 
1807,  and  became  the  mother  of  ten  children,  as 
follows:  William  F.,  who  has  been  on  the  police 
force  in  Chicago  for  nineteen  j^ears,  and  who  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Will- 


iam McClain,  of  Manitoba;  John  D.,  a  resident  of 
Jaspei-  County,  Iowa;  Susan,  wife  of  William 
Wood,  of  Canada; 'I'homas,  a  resident  of  Canada; 
Rowland,  deceased;  Samuel,  who  was  a  member  of 
the  Seventeenth  Michigan  Infantry  during  the  late 
war,  and  is  now  at  Annapolis;  Hannah  and  Re- 
becca deceased;  Joseph  H.,  a  resident  of  iNIanitolia. 
He  of  whom  we  writ(^  is  the  third  son  and  third 
child  of  his  parents.  He  remained  at  home  with 
them  until  the  family  came  to  America,  and  he 
was  then  bound  out  to  David  Ford,  with  whom  he 
came  to  Michigan,  and  remained  with  him  un- 
til he  was  twenty-six  years  old.  At  that  age,  he 
was  married  in  (!alesl»urgli  to  Julia  Ann,  the  oldest 
child  of  Fay  and  Lura  (Johnson)  Aldrich,  the  mar- 
riage ceremony  being  performed  by  (ieorge  Sim- 
mons, December  5,  1847.  And  thus  for  more  than 
forty-four  years  they  have  lived  and  labored  to- 
gether in  a  wedded  life  that  has  brought  them  as 
much  joy  as  usually  falls  to  the  lot  of  mortals,  and 
among  its  attendant  blessings  are  the  eleven  chil- 
dren born  to  them,  namely:  Adeline,  born  Oct- 
ober 1,  1848,  and  tlie  wife  of  Frederick  Shay,  of 
Richland  Township;  Marquis,  born  August  2, 
1850,  now  a  farmer  of  Richland  Township; 
Lura,  born  October  3,  1852,  and  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Newell,  of  Richland  Township;  Mary,  bom 
October  26,  1854,  wife  of  Gordon  B.  Brig- 
ham,  of  Richland  Township;  Sarah,  born  May 
25,  1857,  married  Henry  Tolhurst,  of  Richland 
Township,  and  died  IMay  9,  1888;  Ella,  born 
March  13,  1860,  wife  of  Sabin  B.  Nichols,  of  Kala- 
mazoo;Albert,  born  August  14, 1862,  foreman  of  the 
Dewing  Manufacturing  Company,  at  Kalamazoo; 
AValter  W.,  born  September  28,  1864,  residing  with 
his  parents;  Emma,  born  June  10,  1867,  died  May 
22,  1889;  Clara  E.,  born  December  29,  1869,  wife 
of  the  Rev.  John  Humphreys,  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Rylander,  Wis.;  How- 
ard B.,  born  October  20,  1873,  a  student  at  the 
Business  College  at  Kalamazoo.  The  wife  of  our 
subject  was  born  six  miles  from  the  town  of  Angel- 
ica, Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  and  she  came  to 
Michigan  with  her  parents  at  the  age  of  four  years. 
The  journey  was  made  with  an  ox-teain,  and  led 
through  the  famous  ^Maumee  Swamp.  The  family 
was  among  the  first  to  settle  in   Charleston   Town- 


78» 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD, 


ship.  Mrs.  .Tickling's  father  and  mother  were  na- 
tives of  New  York,  as  was  her  paiernal  grandfatlier, 
Abi-ani  Aldrieh,  and  he  too  wjjs  an  earl}'  settler  of 
KalaniaziMi  County,  coming  here  in  1833,  and 
taking  up  land  from  tiie  (Tovernment. 

Mr.  Jickling  located  where  he  now  resides  after  his 
niarri.age,  buying  the  land  of  his  old  employer,  Mr. 
Ford.  Tlicre  were  no  improvements  on  the  place 
except  a  small  log  house,  18x20  feet  in  dimen- 
sion, and  the  roof  covered  with  sh.akes.  He  and 
his  wife  lived  in  that  iuiinble  abode  nine  years. 
All  the  furniture  they  had  when  thcj^  set  up 
housekeeping  was  just  barely  sufficient  for  their 
wantii — a  primitive  cook-stove,  a  chest,  that  served 
as  a  tiible,  and  a  few  other  indispensable  articles. 
The  surrounding  countr3'  was  a  wilderness,  and 
there  were  no  roads  or  scarcely  any  evidences  of 
civili/jition,  and  our  subject  and  his  wife  had  to 
face  many  a  hardship  and  to  endure  many  trials 
l)eforc  the  land  w.as  brought  into  its  present  fine 
condition,  and  prtivided  with  neat  buildings  and 
everything  to  facilitate  farming.  Mr.  .Jickling  lias 
now  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-two 
acres,  ail  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  but  about 
twenty  acres.  One  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
this  land  have  been  cleared  l>y  himself.  Mr.  .Jick- 
ling has  made  a  name  and  a  place  for  himself  in 
his  adopted  township  second  to  that  of  no  other 
man,  and  lie  is  greath'  respected  by  the  people 
am<mg  whom  he  hiis  lived  for  so  man3' years.  In 
his  political  relations,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  has 
helped  forward  the  cause  of  education  in  this  lo- 
cality in  his  capacity  of  ScliDiil  Diicclnr,  wliicli  of- 
fice he  li:ui  held  riianv  lerins. 


mM-^-^fm 


^ 


H 


OII.N  II.  Ii|\.  cx-ShcrilT  of  tlic  couMly.  now 
residing  in  Kalaina/.oo,  Iim-~  llir  Jionoi'  of 
iK'ing  a  native  of  the  county,  lb-  was  bo  in 
in  S«'hoolcr;ift,  on  llic  l.'itli  of  .lanuar\', 
1812,  and  is  the  third  ill  the  r.'iinily  of  four  cliil- 
dren  \vho!*e  parents  were  .John  and  Sallic  (,'. 
( Ih'own)  l)ix.  Ilotli  were  natives  of  the  (!reen 
Mountain  Stale.  The  Dix  family  is  of  Knglish 
dewcnl  and  the  motlMT  of  our  .subject  w.as  of 
.ScoU'h  lineage,  her  father  being  I'litiuim    Ih'own,  a 


'  farmer  of  the  Empire  .State,  born  of  .Scotch  par- 
entage. .John  and  Sallie  Dix  became  earlj'  settlers 
of  Kalamazoo  County,  Mich.,  locating  in  School- 
craft where  the  father  eng.aged  in  merchandising 
and  also  carried  on  farming.  He  likewise  kept  a 
hotel  in  an  early  day  and  built  the  woolen  mills  at 
Three  Rivers.  His  death  occurred  at  that  i)lace  in 
1813.  His  wife  is  still  living  in  her  eighty-fourth 
year  and  resides  in  Schoolcraft. 

Our  subject  has  spent  almost  his  entire  life  in 
this  count}^  and  has  been  identified  with  its  \\\u 
buildingand  its  history  from  an  early  day.  His 
primary  education,  acquired  in  Schoolcraft,  was 
supplemented  by  a  course  of  study  in  Cedar  Park 
Seminary,  a  Baptist  school,  and  having  thereby 
fitted  himself  for  teaching,  he  pursued  that  profes- 
sion through  four  winter  seasons.  In  1864,  he  en- 
listed in  the  naval  service  of  his  country  on  board 
the  United  States  gunboat  "Nymph"  on  the  MissLs- 
sippi  and  Red  Rivers  and  took  part  in  several  skir- 
mishes. After  a  year's  service,  he  received  his  dis- 
charge on  the  27tli  of  .June,  18(5;'),  and  returned  to 
the  N<n-th. 

Entering  the  United  States  Mail  Service,  Mr. 
Dix  devoted  his  energies  to  the  faithful  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  that  position,  which  he  tilled  for  four- 
teen years,  his  route  lying  between  Cleveland  and 
Chicago.  For  three  years,  he  continued  to  bold 
the  position  under  President  Cleveland,  but  was 
then  removed  on  .account  of  being  an  "otTensive 
partisan."  He  then  took  a  trip  to  .Salt  Lake 
City,  Utah,  and  after  spending  six  weeks  in  travel 
returned  to  the  county  of  his  nativity.  On  the 
Heiuiblican  ticket,  he  was  nominated  for  the  ollice 
of  County  SherilT  and,  when  tlie  iloclion  returns 
were  receixcd,  it  was  found  that  he  was  the  people's 
choice.  In  .laiuiaiy,  1888,  he  assiiiiied  the  duties 
of  the  ollice  and  by  acclamation  was  iioininatcd 
forasccoiMl  Iitim  but  this  time  lost  the  election  liy 
lifty-one  votes,  owing  to  a  coinbinatioii  of  the 
I'atronsof  Industry  and  the  Dianoca'at.s.  When 
his  tcnn  hail  expired,  he  retired  to  private  life. 

Mr.  Dix  has  been  twice  married. His  liist.  union, 
eeieliiatcd  in  1871,  was  with  Miss  Ida  Burnett  of 
,Schoolii:ifl ,  whose  deiitli  oeeiirn'(l  in  l''eiiruary, 
187.').  The  huh  who  now  liears  the  iiaiiie  of  Mis. 
Dix  was  ill  iier   maidiaibood    Mi.ss    Ella    Dibble,    of 


1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RFX'ORD. 


roi 


Sandusky,  Ohio,  daugliter  of  Daniel  Dibble.  Their 
ijiiiun  lias  })ecii.  blessed  with  two  childT-en:  Mary  C. 
and  John  Wakiwnan.  Socially,  Mr.  l)ix  is  a  mom- 
bfi-  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  the  Maccabees, 
also  of  I'ost  No.  303,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Schoolcraft.  He 
is  not  now  actively  engaged  in  business  but  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Kalamazoo  Corset  Company. 
His  residence  in  the  county  covers  a  period  of  fifty 
years  and  he  has  tiierefore  witnessed  the  greater 
part  of  its  growth.  He  has  taken  a  commendable 
interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  its  welfare 
and  advancement  and  his  duties  of  citizenship 
have  been  ever  faithfully  performed. 


I  '     III 


6    I  '    I  '  I  '  I'  || 


^(  AMES  M.  DAVIS,  Judge  of  Probate,  is  one 
of  the  most  influential  citizens  of  Kalamazoo. 
While  his  life  is  (piiet  and  unostentatious? 
chielly  occupied  l)y  the  labors  incident  to 
his  profession-that  of  law-yet  it  is  no  exaggeration 
to  say  that  few  men  have  effected  greater  |)rac- 
lical  good  or  accomplished  larger  results  for  the 
well-being  of  their  fellow-citizens. 

It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  many  of  the  em- 
inent men  of  this  and  other  States  were  born  and 
reared  on  farms.  The  l)iography  of  Blr.  Davis, 
whose  portrait  adorns  the  opi)osite  page,  furnishes 
another  instance  of  this  kind.  His  early  years 
were  passed  u[)on  his  father's  farm  in  Lake  Count}', 
Ind.,  where  he  was  born  September  11,  1842.  His 
father,  Samuel  C,  was  born  in  Carroll  County. 
Ohio,  in  1816,  and  married  Mary  J.,  daughter  of 
Josei)li  jMc  S|)erren,  a  Pennsylvania  farmer,  who 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  His  occupation  was 
that  of  a  fanner,  and  his  life,  which  was  an  hon- 
orable and  upright  one,  proved  the  possession  of 
the  sturdy  princi[)ies  implanted  in  a  long  line  of 
English  ancestors. 

In  1810,  Samuel  C.  Davis  removed  from  Ohio 
to  Lake  County,  Ind.,  settling  near  Crowu  Point, 
the  county-seat,  and  engaging  in  farming.  His 
wife  passed  from  earth  in  1866,  but  he  still  sur- 
vives in  good  health  at  an  advanced  age.  Of  his 
five  children,  James  M.  was  the  second  in  order  of 
birth.  His  briyhood  days  were  spent  in  almost  con- 
stant attendance  in  the  schools  and  academies    of 


his  State.  After  completing  a  couinc  in  the  com- 
mon-schools of  Crown  Point,  he  entered  the  .acad- 
emy of  that  town  and  later  was  a  student  in  the 
Valpaiaiso  Male  and  Female  (JoUege.  His  school- 
ing was  finished  in  the  Asbury  (now  De  Pauw's) 
University,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1868. 

After  teaching  school  for  a  short  time,  Mr, 
Davis  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Michigan,  where  he  studied  one  year,  then, 
in  the  spring  of  1870,  opened  a  lawoflice  in  Kala- 
mazoo and  has  continued  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  to  the  present  time.  In  1H72,  he  w:is 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  two  years  later 
was  appointed  Circuit  Court  Commissioner  for  a 
term  of  two  years,  and,  being  re-elected,  served 
four  3'cars  in  all.  May  2,  1883,  he  received  the 
ai)pointinent  of  United  Slates  Commissioner  for 
the  Western  District  of  Michigan,  which  office  he 
still  holds.  His  election  .as  Judge  of  Probate  took 
place  in  1888  and  he  assumed  the  duties  of  the 
otlice  January  1,  1889,  for  a  term  of  four  years. 

March  22,  1867,  Judge  Davis  was  married  to 
Miss  Estella,  daughter  of  Thoin.as  15.  Eldred,  of 
Climax,  this  State,  and  they  arc  the  parents  of 
three  children,  namely:  Dora,  Thomas  E.  and 
Percy  L.  The  Judge  and  his  estimable  wife  have 
a  pleasant  home  at  No.  136  Thompson  Street, 
wherein  they  entertain  their  many  friends  with 
gr.acioiis  hospitality.  They  arc  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  has  held 
various  offices.  He  has  also  served  as  President  of 
the  County  Sunday-school  Association  for  two 
years.  His  first  Presidential  vote  was  cast  for 
Aluah;im  Lincoln  and  he  li.as  continued  ever  since 
a  stanch  adherent  of  the  princi|)les  of  the  Repub- 
lican  iiartN'. 


^I^ANIEL  SPICER.  One  of  the  most  suc- 
I  jjj  cessf  ul  groceries  in  this  section  of  country 
[<^b^  is  carried  on  b}'  D.  Spicer  k  Co.,  of  Paw 
Paw,  who  have  been  conducting  a  prosper- 
ous business  since  1881.  Possessing  a  thorough  ap- 
preciaticni  of  the  demands  of  the  trade,  and  making 
a  careful   study  of   the   markets  in  order  to  place 


7'J2 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


before  customei-s  the  choicest  goods  obtainable,  It 
IS  not  strange  that  Mr.  Spieer  has  built  up  an  ex- 
tensive business  and  is  known  a*  a  relial>lc  moi-- 
chant. 

Mr.  Spieer  wa>  liorn  in  Orleans.  N.  Y.,  Seploin- 
ber  26.  1840,  and  is  tlie  son  of  Darius  II.  and 
Dorcas  (Pratt)  Spieer.  natives  of  Xew  York  and 
\'ernu>nt.  respectively,  lie  w.is  reared  on  a  farm 
in  his  native  county  until  he  was  eighteen,  in  the 
meantime  receiving  a  conunon-sdiool  education, 
and  then  came  West  to  this  Sbite.  locating  in 
Plymouth.  W.ayne  County,  and  engaging  to  work 
on  a  farm.  In  February,  18C0,  he  commenced  to 
travel  for  a  tirm  dealing  in  fanning  mills  and 
safes,  and  making  general  collections  on  outstand- 
ing indebtedness,  until  18()3. 

.Vfter  visiting   Michigan,  Indiana,   Illinois  and 
Wisconsin  in  the  interest  of  his  business,  ^Ir.  Spicor 
came  to  Van   Buren  County,  where  he  began  re- 
cruiting for  the  array.     He  enlisted  in  Jufy,  1861, 
joining   Ihe  Twenty-eighth   Michigan  Infantry  in 
Company  C.     He  saw  service  in  the  First  Division, 
Second  Brigade,  Twenty-third  Army  Corps,  was  in 
the  battles  of  X.ishville,  .\lexandria,  and  others  of 
minor    importance.     At    the    hattlc    of    Kingston, 
March  8.  1865,  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  wrist 
and  was  confined  in  a  hospital  from  thai  time  until 
the  close  of  the  war.     He  commenced  service  .as  a 
private  but  later  received  the  commission  of  Sec- 
ond   Lieutenant,  and   now  (m   account  f)f  inj\irics 
sustained,  he  receives  a  pension  of  i<2  I  per  month. 
After  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Spieer  once  more 
engaged  as  a  traveling  man  anri  for  five  years  sold 
farming   machinery,  etc.     During   that  period,  he 
wa-s  married,  November  211   (Thanksgiving   D.iy), 
1H(')(;,   to   Miss    Aramint.-i,  daughter  of    Thomas  A. 
and  .lulia  (Jranger,  whose  sketch  may  be  found  in 
another    portion    of    this  volume.      Mr.  and    Mrs. 
Spieer  are  the  parent-s  of  one  child.  Harry,  who  was 
born   in   Lawton,  September  2;?.   IHT'.l.      After    his 
marriage,  Mr. .Spieer  rcside<l  ill  I.awlon  until  April, 
IHHO,  where  lie  clerked  and  also  engaged  in  Imyiiig 
and  wiling  prodiiee. 

Mr.  Spieer  owns  one  liniiilied  and  eighty  acres 
in  IjiwtoM.  of  wliieli  forly-foin- .'K'res  are  planted  in 
fruit  trees,  thirty-two  being  in  grapes  ;iiid  ten  in 
licnchc*  and  cherries.     After  locating  in  ]':\\\   I'aw, 


he  engaged  for  a  time  in  shipping  apples,  and 
finally,  in  1881,  commenced  in  the  grocery  bus- 
iness, which  he  still  continues.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican  and  has  filled  various  local  ollices,  hav- 
ing been  a  member  of  the  Village  Board  for  six 
years,  besides  serving  in  other  capacities.  He  lie- 
longs,  socially  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,and  the  Grand  .\rniy  of  the  Repulilie.and 
is  now  serving  .as  .\ssistant  ( Juaitermaster-Ciencrel 
of  the  Department  of  Jlicliigan,  to  which  he  was 
elected  in  .Aluskegon  in  IS'.U. 


m\\ 


1^ 


AVID  15.  :MKRR1LL,  who  is  one  of  the  most 
extensive  manutactnrers  in  the  State,  is  Pre- 
sident of  the  Merrill  Milling  Company. 
They  have  four  mills,  two  located  at  Kalamazoo, 
one  three  miles  south  of  Kalamazoo  and  one  at 
Plain  well,  which  liear  the  names  of  "K.alama- 
zoo,"  "Cfild  Stream,"  "Eagle,"  and  "I'lainwell 
Mills,"  respectively.  Thecom|)aiiy  began  husiness. 
March  1,  1887.  with  a  capital  slock  of  *  100,000,  all  of 
which  was  invested  in  the  business.  Their  mills 
are  supplied  with  the  roller  process  and  have  a 
capacity  of  six  liniicbcd  barrels  per  day,  oi'  an 
annual  capacity  of  one  hundred  thousand  barrels. 
The  original  of  this  sketch  started  out  in  his 
present  business  in  1858,  buying  the  Kalamazoo 
Mill.  Three  year  later,  he  became  the  proprietor 
of  the  ('<ild  Stream  ^lill,  in  1872  iiurcliased  the 
Pl.aimvell  Mill,  and  in  IsTC.  the  K.agle  Mill.  His 
first  partner  was  (ieorgc  W.  Fish,  with  whom  he 
continued  for  a  year  and  a  half,  .and  then  became 
associated  lor  three  years  with  Francis  II.  Chase. 
At  the  cndof  that  time,  W.  II.  McCourlie  liecamea 
member  of  the  linn,  continuing  as  sueii  until  1SS2. 
David  15.  Merrill  was  hoi'n  in  reru,  Cliiiiou 
CuinitN,  N.  'I'.,  on  tlie  (itii  of  .biiie,  18.'!.'!, and  is 
the  son  of  Arthur  11.  and  lihoda  (Stearns)  Merrill, 
natives  of  Claremont.  N.  II.  Our  sulijeel  was  the 
\iiimi;est  ill  Ihe  pMiciilal  family  of  nine  ehildreii, 
of  whom  four  sons  are  now  living,  two  making 
(heir  home  in  Illinois,  and  one  in  rem.  N.  Y.  lie 
was  given  an  ,ac:ideinic education,  and  lauglit  three 
terms  of  school,  commencing  when  lifteen  years  tif 
age  at  I'eiii.    I.aler  he  taught  two  termsal  Long  Is- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BiaGRAl'IIICAL   RPX'ORD. 


793 


land.  He  then  clerked  for  a  twelvemonth  in  a  gro- 
cery store  in  New  York  City,  at  the  end  of  wliich 
time  he  returned  to  I'cru  and  I)ecamc  liooiiliecper 
in  a  mill.  lie  occupied  that  position  for  two  years, 
and  for  a  similar  period  carried  on  a  general  mer- 
chandise Inisiness  at  Clintonville. 

He  of  whom  we  write  came  to  Kalamazoo  in 
April,  1858,  and  eight  years  later,  in  company  with 
IMr.  IMoC'ourtie,  ]ilatted  an  addition  of  twelve  acres 
to  the  city.  In  \SG5,  lie  purchased  a  one-half  in- 
terest in  the  Stuart  Addition,  where  he  erected  a 
numlier  of  dwelling  houses.  Later  he  became  the 
liroprietor  of  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  acres,  twelve  of  which  he  platted  and  sold  the 
rest  in  acre  lots.  For  five  years,  Mr.  Merrill  was 
an  extensive  stave  manufacturer,  and  success  has 
crowned  his  efforts  in  every  branch  of  work.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Rei)ul)lican. 

Miss  Julia  Hatch  became  the  wife  of  oursuljject 
in  1856.  She  passed  from  this  life  in  April,  1859, 
at  Kalamazao,  and  in  18(51,  IMr.  Merrill  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Annie  La  Due,  of  Milwaukee,  "Wis.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  S.  B.  Davis,  an  old  resident  of 
this  city,  who  ran  the  lirst  line  of  stages  from 
Detroit  to  Chicago.  He  was  well  known  to  all  the 
people  of  this  vicinity,  as  his  death  occurred  only 
about  ten  years  ago,  wliich  sad  event  was  occa- 
sioned by  his  being  thrown  from  a  wagon,  his  head 
striking  a  telegraph  pole  and  killing  him  instant- 
ly. Mrs.  Merrill  died  August  11,  1890,  at 
Petoskey.  Slie  had  become  the  mother  of  one 
daughter,  Ida,  now  the  wife  of  George  AVinans,  a 
carriage  manufacturer.  Mr.  Merrill  had  born  to  him 
one  son  by  his  first  marriage,  Charles  B.,  who  died 
in  1876,  aged  nineteen  3'ears. 

Seiitember  15,  1891,  the  original  of  this  sketch 
was  married  to  Miss  Ida  L.  Rowley,  of  this  city, 
and  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  J.  A.  Rowley.  Miss  Ida 
was  for  five  years  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Merrill  as 
his  stenographer.  They  are  members  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church,  of  wliich  society  our  sub- 
ject has  been  Trustee,  an  influential  member  and 
liberal  contributor  for  thirty  years.  He  is  a  Direc- 
tor and  heavy  stockholder  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  this  city  and  is  otherwise  interested  in 
public  enterprises. 

Mr.  Merrill  visited    Scothuid  and  Kualfiud  dur- 


ing May  and   June  of    1891.     He  has  one  of  the 

most  desirable  modern  residences  in  the  city,  wliich 
is  presided  over  by  his  refined  and  intelligent  wife. 
It  is  pleasantly  located  at  No.  110  West  Lovell 
Street. 


■^ 


VILLIAM  H.  CONVFKSK,  an  influential 
pioneer  of  Kalamazoo  County,  Ross  Town- 
ship, residing  on  section  12,  was  born  in 
Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  December  10,  1826.  He  is 
a  son  of  .Josiah  and  Betsey  (Laberteaux)  Converse? 
the  former  a  native  of  New  England.  Witii  the 
exception  of  two  years  spent  in  the  milling  busi- 
ness, he  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  farming  pursuits 
and  is  a  thorough  and  practical  agriculturist. 

In  1853,  Mr.  Converse  came  to  Kalamazoo 
County  and  at  first  was  employed  on  different  farms, 
but  one  year  after  settling  here,  he  purchased  one 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  Ross  Township,  which  he 
still  owns.  He  was  married,  August  8,  1855,  to 
Miss  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Alsamena 
(Downing)  Cooley,and  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
N.  Y.,  born  August  7,  1834.  Her  parents,  who 
were  natives  of  New  York,  emigrated  in  1836,  to 
Calhoun  County,  this  State,  the  journey  being 
made  overland  to  the  new  home  by  way  of  Canada, 
by  wagon. 

When  Mr.  Cooley  settled  in  Calhoun  County, 
the  nearest  neighbor  was  six  miles  away,  and  the 
land  was  covered  with  a  dense  forest  growth.  He 
entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  from 
the  Government,  the  jn-ice  being  $1.25  per  acre, 
and  settled  in  the  woods  of  Bedford  Townslii|), 
where  he  cleared  and  cultivated  one  of  the  best 
farms  of  the  county.  He  served  as  Supervisor  of 
the  township,  and  was  in  other  ways  closely  iden- 
tified with  the  progress  of  the  county.  In  their 
old  age,  he  and  his  wife  removed  to  Battle  Creek, 
where,  surrounded  by  the  comforts  of  life,  they 
passed  their  closing  days. 

Through  his  tireless  exertions,  Mr.  Converse 
cleared  and  improved  his  farm  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  comprising 
one  of  the  best  estates  of  the  county.  In  the  pub- 
lic life  of  the  townsiiip,  he  is  always  interested  and 


794 


PORTRAIT  AND  BlOGRAriUCAL  RECORD. 


is  known  as  a  firm  Republican.  He  has  served  as 
Highway  Commissioner,  and  is  a  member  of  Ross 
Oranjre  No.  24.  of  which  he  h.is  been  Treasurer  for 
iii.inv  veai-s.  He  eoulribules  liberally  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
Ills  wife  i>  a  member. 

Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Converse  are  the  parents  of  five 
children,  as  follows:  Kliza.  wife  of  Dr.  W.  H. 
Hauirhey,  of  liatlle  Creek;  Henry  C;  Minnie,  who 
married  William  (Ircer;  William  H.  and  Frank. 
Mrs.  Convei-se  is  one  of  eight  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living,  viz:  P.  J.,  of  Chicago;  Mrs. 
Convei-sc,  and  Cyrus,  of  Harry  County.  The  posi- 
tion occupied  by  Mr.  Converse  and  his  excellent 
wife  in  the  social  circles  of  the  community  is  a 
high  one,  and  their  inrtuence  is  felt  in  moulding 
the  opinions  of  olhei-s. 


JAMKS  C.  liKNNE'lT  is  the  senior  member 
of   the  firm  of  James   C.  Bennett  it  .Son, 
,    dealers    in  boots  and  shoes  in  Kalamazoo, 
'    Mich.    The  business  was  established  in  18.59, 

by  S.  O.  Bennett,  father  of  our  subject,  and  carried 
on  by  him.  in  company  with  his  sons,  L.  T.,  .J.  C. 
and  .lolni.  foi  several  years.  His  death  occurred  in 
IHKt.  in  his  eiifliticth  year.  The  following  was 
given  in  the  History  and  Directory  of  Kalamazoo 
County,  issued  in  1HC9:  "S.  O.  Bennett  &  Sons, 
manufacturers  of.  and  dealers  in,  boots  and  shoes 
at  No.  Ill  Main  Street.  The  firm  began  business 
under  this  name  in  .lanuary,  18(j(!.  S.  O.  Bennett, 
however,  came  jici-e  in  18511,  and  l»cgan  trade  in 
the  fall  of  that  year.  In  December,  1HG7,  the  store 
wliicli  he  hail  |)urchased  and  fitted  uj)  was  des- 
troyed by  fire,  but  with  characteristic  enterprise  he 
l>egHn  to  rebuild  in  April,  and  in  August  finished 
the  handsome  and  commodious  brick  store  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  firm  at  No.  1  1  1  Main  Street,  which 
is  a  favorite  and  popular  place  fur  llie  purcha.sci's 
of  sole  goods  of  every  kind.  S.  ( ).  Ilcnnett  has 
been  n  most  valuable  citizen,  conlrihuling  by  his 
enlerpri.se  and  liberality  to  the  wealth  and  beauty 
of  Knhimazoo.  The  firm  is  compoMul  of  S.  ().  Iten- 
nclt,  father,  and  .lames  C.  .'iikI  .bihn,  sons,  gentle- 


men thoroughly  versed  in  the  conduct  and  require- 
ments of  the  shoe  trade,  and  citizens  of  position 
and  influence." 

.lames  C.  Bennett,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch, 
is  the  eldest  son  of  Stci)hen  O.  and  Sarah  (Callen- 
der)  Bennett.  The  father  was  born  near  Saratoga 
.Springs,  N.  Y.,  and  the  mother  in  New  York  Cit}". 
.She  was  a  daughter  of  AVilliani  Callender,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  West  Indian  trade.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  New  York  City,  where  Mr.  Bennett  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits  for  several  years.  In 
18."52,  he  removed  with  Ins  family  to  Lorain  County, 
Oluo,  and  afterward  to  Cleveland,  hi  1841,  he 
took  up  his  residence  in  Racine  County,  Wis., 
where  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  until  18o9,  when  became  to  Kalamazoo  and 
established  the  lioot  and  shoe  business  as  aliove 
stated. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  New  York  City,  August 
13,  1831,  acquired  his  early  education  in  Ohio,  af- 
terward attended  the  academy  at  Kacinc,  and  com- 
l)leted  his  school  life  in  the  l^niversity  of  Wiscon- 
sin. He  then  eng.aged  in  teaching  for  two  years, 
and  afterward  in  farming  in  Wisconsin  for  ten 
years,  hut  in  11^26  came  to  Kalamazoo,  Mich., 
joining  his  father  in  business.  Another  store  was 
established  in  Grand  Rapids,  and  in  1873  James  C. 
became  sole  proiiriotor  of  the  Kalamazoo  store, 
while  the  father  took  the  other.  He  continued 
alone  in  business  until  1881,  wlieii  iu'  admitted  to 
partnershii)  iiis  son,  Lorenzo '1'.,  and  the  firm  name 
w.as  changed  to  .lames  C.  Bennett  Si  Son.  They 
carry  a  large  and  complete  line,  and  iiave  a  well- 
ordered  estalilisiiment,  which  is  the  oldest  concern 
of  the  Uiiid  in  Kalamazoo  County.  Their  store  is 
22x100  feel,  anil  three  stories  in  height,  and  is 
built  on  the  site  of  that  which  was  burned.  They 
do  a  strictly  cash  business,  and  have  a  large  and 
constantly  increasing  trade,  which  they  have  won 
through  industry,  per.-^everance  and  the  courteous 
treatment  wliidi  llKU■k^  their  inlcicouisc  with  their 
customers. 

In  1H,")3,  .Ml-.  Ilcimclt  wedded  Mi.ss  Margaret 
Thompson,  of  H.acine  County,  Wis.,  daughter  of 
Robert  Thompson,  a  wealthy  farmer  of  that  county. 
lie  was  formally  years  siiperiiilcndenl  of  the  Mon- 
soii  Woolen  .Mills  of  IMonsoii,   .Mass.,    wliicli    is    the 


Cl/ft/it^'- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


707 


birthplace  of  Mrs.  Bennett.  Five  children  liave 
been  horn  to  our  subject  and  his  wife,  two  sons 
and  throe  daughters:  Mary  E.,  Lorenzo  T.,  S.  Jen- 
nie, Isabella  G.  and  Robert  S.  The  parents  are  both 
members  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  in  which  Mr. 
ISennett  has  held  the  ofliee  of  Deacon  since  1867; 
also  that  of  Trustee  for  ten  years.  He  was  for  nine 
3'ears  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  in  Ray- 
mond, Wis.,  and,  since  coniinsr  to  Kalamazoo,  has 
been  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school,  and  an  active 
worker  in  the  church  here.  He  was  also  Superin- 
tendent of  the  puljlic  schools  in  Racine  County.  He 
has  led  an  honorable,  upright  life,  thereby  winning 
the  confidence  and  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  has 
come  in  contact,  and  of  the  citizens  of  Kalamazoo, 
we  know  none  more  worthy'  of  representation  in 
this  volume  than  our  subject. 


^♦•5-5-5-F 


AJ.     WYLLYS     CADWELL     RANSOM, 

who  is  a  prominent  and  influential  resi- 
dent of  Kalamazoo,  was  born  at  Towns- 
hend,  Windham  County,  Vt.,  April  28, 
1828.  His  father  was  Gov.  Epaphroditus  Ransom, 
whose  biography  will  appear  on  another  page  in 
this  volume.  His  mother  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Almira  Cadwoll,  daughter  of  Wyll^s  Cadwell,  a  rep- 
resentative citizen  and  merchant  of  Montpelier,  Vt., 
who  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  new  capi- 
tal after  its  removal  from  \'ergennes,  which  had 
been  the  seat  of  Government  since  the  admission 
of  the  State  into  the  Union. 

In  1834,  Gov.  Ransom  emigrated  to  Michigan, 
having  been  preceded  here  by  his  brother  and 
sister,  and,  locating  in  Kalamazoo,  began  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  This  now  [)ros|)erous  city  at  that 
time  was  little  more  than  a  hamlet,  containing 
about  twenty  houses  and  one  hundred  inhiibitants, 
but  being  founded  mostly  by  New  Englanders, 
who  brought  all  their  usual  thrift  and  enterprise 
to  the  task  of  building  up  the  infant  village,  it 
rapidly  increased  in  importance  and  population, 
and  was  soon  provided  with  churches  and  good 
schools.  Among  the  latter  was  a  branch  of  the 
State  Universitj'  where  our  subject  was  i)repared 
to  enter  the  Sophomore  class  at  the  main  institu- 


tion at  Ann  Arbor,  in  1845.  He  was  there  gradu- 
ated three  years  later,  and  was  a|)pointed  Private 
Secretary  to  his  father  in  the  executive  office,  in 
which  capacity  he  continued  to  act  until  the  close 
of  the  official  term,  in  1850. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  time  above  mentioned, 
our  subject  entered  the  office  of  the  Auditor-Gen- 
eral under  Hon.  John  J.  Adam,  who  was  very 
prominent  among  the  early  officers  of  the  State, 
and  who  was  a  man  of  exceptional  ability  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  public  duties.  Mr.  Ransom  remained 
in  his  office  for  two  years,  when  he  returned  to  Kal- 
amazoo, and  was  here  engaged  in  business  pursuits 
until  1857,  when,  having  been  tendered  an  import- 
ant position  in  the  office  of  the  Surveyor-General 
of  Kansas  and  Nel)raska,  he  left  Michigan  for  new 
fields  of  dut}'. 

Mr.  Ransom  reached  Kansas  in  the  most  critical 
period  of  its  history,  and  although  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  he  at  once  upon  his  arrival  there  joined 
the  Free  State  party,  and  on  one  or  two  occasions 
narrowly  escaped  severe  consequences  from  his 
open  denunciation  of  pro-slavery  outrages.  In 
1858,  the  Surveyor-General's  office  being  removed 
to  Nebraska  City,  our  subject  accompanied  it 
thither  and  remained  on  duty,  a  portion  of  the  time 
as  chief  clerk,  until  the  fall  of  1860,  when  he  went 
to  Ft.  Scott,  Kan.,  in  charge  of  the  Register's  De- 
partment of  the  LTnited  States  Laud  Office  for  the 
Osage  District,  located  at  that  place.  He  discharged 
the  duties  of  that  important  office  until  April, 
1861,  when,  upon  the  fall  of  Ft.  Sumter,  he  at 
once  entered  the  services  of  the  Union  as  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  E,  Second  Regiment  Kan- 
sas Volunteer  Infantry— a  regiment  organized  for 
three-months'  service  under  President  Lincoln's 
first  call.  Upon  the  promotion  of  his  Captain  to  be 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  at  the  organization  of  the  reg- 
iment, Mr.  Ransom  was  commissioned  to  fill  the 
vacanc3'. 

July  foUwing,  Capt.  Ransom  was  detailed  by 
Gen.  Nathaniel  Lyon  to  raise  the  Sixth  Kansas 
Cavalry  Regiment,  which  service  lie  performed  in 
a  brief  time,  and  was  commissioned  Major  of  the 
same  in  March,  1862.  Almost  immediately  there- 
after, he  was  given  a  separate  command  in  the 
field,  and  for  nearly  two  years  was  engaged  in  the 


r98 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


most  arduous  and  perilous  service,  in  pursuing 
and  fighting  the  numerous  bands  of  guerrillas 
that  infested  the  States  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas. 
He  was  present  and  participaUnl  in  the  battles  of 
Hickory  tucve,  Lone  Jack,  Cedar  Creek,  and  on 
tliepui-suit  of  the  Rebel  General.  .lo  Shelby,  upon 
the  occasion  of  his  raid  into  Missouri,  in  1863. 

Our  suliject  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  in 
March,  18(;5,  nieanwhile  serving  in  the  capacity 
of  Chief  of  Ordinance  of  the  District  of  the  Kiont- 
ler.  and  once  as  .Judge  Advocate  on  the  staffs  of 
Gen.  Thomas  Kwing,  .Tr..  Gen.  Samuel  K.  Curtis, 
Gen.  George  Sykes  and  Gen.  James  G.  llhmt.  Re- 
turning from  the  army,  Maj.  Ransom  located  in 
Kansas  City,  Mo.,  where  he  was  eng.agcd  in  the 
sale  of  real  estate.  Soon,  however,  lie  was  ap- 
piontcd  by  Gov.  Fletcher,  to  the  position  of  Clerk 
of  the  Circuit  Court  of  .Tackson  County.  This 
w.as  the  period  of  the  re-construction  of  Missouri  as 
a  free  State.  In  .July,  1866.  lie  was  attacked  in 
the  streets  of  Kansa>  City  by  a  party  of  his  old 
bushwhacker  enemies,  who  at  once  fired  on  liim. 
After  a  fight  which  lasted  some  minutes,  J\Iaj.  Ran- 
som fell,  severely  wuimded  in  three  places.  He 
has  never  fully  recovered  from  the  effect  of  that 
outrageous  attack. 

During  the  year  186.'),  Maj.  Uansom  was  Presi- 
dent of  the  Kansas  City  A  Cameron  Railroad  Com- 
pany. Four  years  later  he  took  up  liis  residenco 
in  I^iwrcnce,  Kan.,  as  Auilitorand  Assistimt  Treas- 
urer of  the  Leaven  wcjrth,  Lawrence  A  (J.-ilvoston 
Railroad  Company,  where  he  remained  unlil  1877, 
when  he  acccptcil  the  appointment  of  Auditor  of 
the  Chicago  A-  Lake  Huron  Railroad  Compan}-,  of 
Michigan,  and,  returning  to  Michigan,  located  at 
Port  Huron.  He  made  his  home  in  that  city  until 
IHHL  when  he  was  appointed  Deputy-Commissioner 
of  Railroads  of  Michigan  under  the  Hon.  W.  IJ. 
Williams,  of  .\ilegan.  He  held  that  positicm 
through  five  administrations,  and  reliri'd  to  priv- 
ate life  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  olllce,  in 
IH'.tl.and  rcturiieil  lo  his  old  lionif  in  Kalamazoo, 
wher4'  he  i-*  still  resiiling. 

Maj.  RaiiHom,  himself  a  ripe  sclmlai,  Iims  alw-Mys 
taken  a  deep  inlcrwl  in  erliicatioiiMl  alTaiis,  and 
wa.«  I'residi'iil  of  the  lioanlof  IvIncMlioii  for  many 
years  Bt  Ijiwrenee,  Kan.      In  polilii--,  our   subject, 


though  early  educated  in  the  Democratic  faith,  has 
voted  the  Republican  ticket  since  1860.  He  was 
married,  in  1853,  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  eldest  daughter 
of  the  late  Dr.  AVilliam  Mottram,  a  prouiiiicnt  phy- 
sician of  Kalamazoo.  Mrs.  Ransom  has  shared  the 
fortunes  of  her  liusband  through  his  eventful  ca- 
reer, even  to  camp  life,  where  she  became  a  prime 
favorite  with  the  soldiers.  Seven  children  have 
been  Ixirn  to  them,  all  of  whom  are  living  with  the 
promise  of  houoial)le  and  useful  lives  before  them. 
The  portrait  of  Maj.  Ransom  appears  on  another 
page  of  this  volume. 


-=]_ 


^+^[ 


g  ^     c=;J 

!ht,A\  RS.  ADELIA  L.  HRKUIA^I.  This  hon- 
ored and  esteemed  lady  of  Richlaiul  Town- 
ship,  Kalamazoo  Ct)unty,  is  a  native  of 
the  State  of  \'eriiiont,  where  she  oiiened 
her  eyes  to  the  light  December  1 1,  1828.  Her  par- 
ents were  William  L.  and  .Terusha  (Harris)  Granger, 
natives  also  of  Vermont.  Her  paternal  ancestors 
were  of  English  stock,  as  is  also  the  ancestry  on 
the  mother's  side,  .and  the  grandfather  Granger  was 
a  hero  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

When  five  years  of  age,  Mrs.  Hrigliain  with  her 
parents  removed  to  Canada,  sellling  near  Chatham, 
the  mother  dying  soon  after  their  arrival  in  that 
Province.  The  father  sur\ivcd  until  the  fall  of 
1886,  when  he  too  died.  At  the  age  of  nine  years, 
our  subject  came  with  her  father  and  family  to 
Kent  County,  Mich.,  and  resided  in  that  county 
until  fifteen  years  old  when  the  raniily  caiiie  to 
Kalamazoo  County,  settled  in  Richland  Township, 
aixl  with  the  exception  of  about  three  years  she 
has  Iteen  a  resident  her(^  since.  She  attended  the 
first  academy  established  at  Grand  Ivapids  and  re- 
ceived a  very  good  education. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  iini|,ed  in  mar- 
riage, .luly  2,  1816,  to  Hariia  L.  Urigham,  a  native 
of  the  Bay  State.  Mr.  Brigham  was  reared  in  his 
native  State,  w.as  a  carpenter  and  joiner  .'ind  erected 
!i  niiinlier  of  luiildings  in  Hicliland  Township,  and 
mII  till'  luiildings.  with  the  I'xception  of  one,  on  his 
farm  where  his  csteenied  widow  now  resides.  Afb'r 
their  marriage,  this  conjile  selthMJ  on  tlieir  farm  in 
Riclihind   TovvMsliip.  he  having  owiumI  IIic    place   a 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPUICAL   RECORD. 


799 


number  of  years  previous.  Mr.  Brigham  developed 
and  cleared  it  and  made  of  it  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  attractive  farms  in  the  township  and  it  is  to- 
day a  standing  monument  to  his  industry  and  hard 
labor.  He  saw  much  pioneer  labor  and  was  called 
from  this  life  to  enjoy  the  recompense  due  his  long 
and  useful  career  in  1876.  He  was  a  man  liighly 
esteemed  and  much  honored  lor  his  sterling  quali- 
ties and  honesty  and  in  his  death  the  county  lost 
one  of  its  influential  and  intellectual  pioneer  citi- 
zens. He  was  not  connected  with  any  church,  but 
was  a  man  who  was  a  Christian  and  wanted  to  be 
just  in  everything. 

Mrs.  Brigham  resides  on  the  home  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-one  acres  and  ranks  among  the 
first  pioneer  women  of  the  township.  To  her 
and  her  husband  seven  children  were  l)orn:  Gor- 
don B.,  Charles  H.,  William  L.,  Frances  E.,  Jennie 
.T.,  Adclia  L.  and  Anna  M.,  who  arc  all  well  liked 
by  all  who  know  them.  The  father  of  this  family 
was  a  kind  husband  and  loving  father  and  an 
obliging  neighbor  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  of 
the  business  community. 


r 


^j^^  ILAS  W.  KENDALL.  One  of  the  men  who 
^^^  has  been  prominently  interested  in  the  de- 
\u_M  velopment  of  Oshtemo  Township,  Kalama- 
zoo County,  is  this  gentleman.  He  is  a 
son  of  Homer  S.  Kendall,  a  native  of  Berkshire 
Count}',  Vt.,  where  he  was  born  in  1800.  The 
father  was  an  only  son,  and  his  father  was  also  a 
native  of  New  England  who  died  wlien  Homer  was 
but  a  young  boy,  leaving  him  tlie  care  t)f  his  mother. 
He  at  first  worked  by  the  month,  receiving  but  $8 
per  montli  in  return  for  his  hard  labors.  He  then 
learned  and  followed  the  trade  of  a  milhvriglit,  in 
which  he  was  quite  successful.  He  was  married  to 
Beulah  Scott,  a  native  of  Windham,  A't.,  and  a 
daughter  of  Rufiis  Scott,  the  ceremony  taking 
place  on  New  Year's  Day  of  1824,  in  Allegany 
County,  N.  Y.  Tliey  came  to  Michigan  in  18.56, 
bringingflve  childien,  our  subject  being  the  young- 
est. The  father  settled  in  Osiitemo  Township,  this 
county,  in    1857,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  on 


section  34.  He  died  October  22, 1891.  He  was  an 
active  and  prominent  man  in  iiis  younger  days  in 
all  public  movements.  His  good  wife  died  on  the 
10th  of  Marcii,  1872. 

Silas  W.  Kendall,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  liad 
his  birtii  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y".,  September  29, 
1846,  and  there  spent  his  boyhood  days  attending 
the  common  schools.  He  came  to  this  State  with 
his  parents  and  was  married,  in  1873,  to  Lucy  S. 
Drummond,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Drummond,  an 
old  settler  and  one  highly  esteemed  by  his  many 
acquaintances.  Mrs.  Kendall  is  a  pleasant,  sociable 
and  motherly  woman,  and  is  highly  spoken  of  by 
all.  Our  subject  is  an  active  man  and  quite  pojju- 
lar  and  has  run  for  Supervisor  of  his  township  a 
number  of  times,  but,  being  in  the  minority  has 
failed  to  secure  an  election.  In  his  politics,  he 
affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party. 

He  of  whom  we  write  has  erected  a  fine  house 
on  the  estate  consisting  of  eighty  acres  on  section 
34,  and  everything  around  shows  the  thrift  and 
energ3'  of  the  owner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kendall  have 
one  child,  to  whom  they  have  given  the  name  of  H 
Vernon,  who  is  now  nine  years  old,  the  pride  and 
hope  of  the  family.  Mr.  Kendall  has  two  brothers 
and  one  sister  now  living.  J.  W.  is  living  in  Kal- 
amazoo City,  Smith  H.  in  Pine  Grove  Township, 
and  Nancy  S.  Thompson  is  a  widow  living  in  Kal- 
amazoo. His  sister  Electa  died  in  Dakota.  J.  W. 
Kendall  was  a  soldier  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Michi- 
gan Infantry  in  the  laic  war  and  served  his  coun- 
try three  years. 

-'  -- ^=^>-  ^^<^^-^ 

^^1?  NDREW  J.  HOLMES,  dentist,  a  member  of 
WlLXx  the  popular  firm  of  Holmes  it  iMoffett,  was 
'  i  born  August  18,  1834,  in  the  vicinit}-  of 
Willoughby,  Lake  County,  Ohio.  He  is 
the  second  son  and  seventh  child  in  a  family  of 
eight  born  to  Ezra  and  Jlaria  (Pelton)  Holmes. 
The  father  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  the 
mother  of  New  Y'ork, and  were  married  in  Living- 
ston County,  of  the  latter-named  State. 

The  parents  of  oui-  subject  came  West  to  Lake 
County,  Ohio,  .as  early  as  1830,  where  ]\Ir.  Holmes 
was   engaged    in    general   farming  and    dairying, 


800 


PORTRAIT  AND  EIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


manufacturing  a  fine  quality  of  cheese,  for  wliioli 
article  he  took  first  ])rcniium  in  the  county  :inil 
State  fairs.  He  i)asscil  from  this  life  in  18G1, 
when  in  his  sixty-fourth  year.  His  good  wife  liad 
preceded  him  to  the  better  land  many  years,  lier 
death  taking  place  in  1837.  in  Lake  County,  Ohio. 
After  the  death  of  his  mother,  the  father  of  our 
subject  was  a  second  time  married,  the  lady  of 
liis  clioice  being  ^laria  I'ctei-s,  wiio  is  now  deceased 
and  who  hnd  become  the  motiier  of   live   children. 

Andrew  J.  Holmes  received  his  primary  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  liis  native  town, 
and  later  attended  the  Kirtland  Academy  at  Kirt- 
land,  Ohio.  After  being  graduated  from  that  in- 
stitution, he  tauglit  school  for  two  years  and  then 
began  the  study  of  dentistry  at  Willougliby,Ohio. 
After  completing  his  couree  in  that  profession,  Dr. 
Holmes  lx»gan  the  practice  f)f  dentistry  in  the 
above-named  city,  where  he  was  more  than  ordin- 
arily successful  in  building  up  a  lucrative  practice. 

In  .January.  1869,  the  original  of  this  sketch 
went  to  Soutli  Haven,  this  State,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  }-ears  and  then  came  to  Kalamazoo 
in  IH71.  where  he  liius  since  been  a  resident. 
Dr.  Holmes  is  quite  e.vtensively  interested  in  real 
estate,  and,  in  addition  to  the  property  wliicli  he 
owns  in  this  city,  is  the  proprietor  of  a  good  fnrni 
at(iraiid  Forks, Dak.  Atone  time  he  was  interested 
witli  1'.  I'oynecr,  under  the  firm  name  of  Poyneer 
A-  Co.,  de.'ding  in  fanning  mills  and  selling  them 
throughout  the  Kastern  Stales.  He  was  thus  em- 
ployed during  the  years  of  1883-84,  but  since  that 
time  gives  his  attention  exclusively  to  the  practice 
of  his  profession. 

Dr.  Holmes  W!i>  in.n  i  i(  d.  m  Marcli,  18()8,  to  Ali^s 
Marion  K.  Web.^lcr.  of  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa.  Mrs. 
Holmes  was  born  in  Kirtland,  Lake  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  TruesdaU-  ;iinl  M;uy 
(Peterson)  Webster.  Oiu-  subject  and  his  wife 
have  l)ecoine  the  parents  of  one  sou,  F" rank  \V.,who 
ia  now  n  student  in  the  deiitid  department  of  the 
Michigan  rniversily. 

Su'lally,  Dr.  Holmes  is  a  Kni;ilit  ul  r\  Ihias  and 
a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Cnited  Work- 
men. In  clmrcli  matters,  with  his  wifr,  he  beloni;s 
to  the  Initjiriaii  deiioniination,  in  which  body  he 
wn«  a  TruHlt'e.     Mrs.  Holmes  ik)W  holds  that  posi- 


tion, however,  and  the  church  is  presided  over  by 

a  lady  iniiiisler,Mrs.  Bartk'll.  Tlu'  lieaulit'vil  home 
of  our  subject  and  his  wife  is  located  at  No.  7t);3, 
West  IMaiu  Street,  where  they  entertain  their 
friends,  by  whom  they  are  held  in  uni\ersal  es- 
teem. 


Ij^IRKK   W.   NOYlvS,  Assistant  Adjul;nit-(  ;cn- 
(3<1      eral  of  the  Department  of  Michigan,  G.  A. 

i4i^  R.,  was  Ixjrn  in  Leroy,  Genesee  County,  N. 
^'  Y.,  April  22,  18:31).  He  traces  his  lineage 
back  to  the  time  of  William  the  Conqueror,  when 
his  ancestors  came  from  Normandy  to  Kngland  :iii<l 
settled  at  Salisbury.  At  an  early  day  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  colonies,  representatives  of  the  family 
emigrated  hither  .and  located  in  New  llanipsliiri', 
where  were  born  the  parents  of  t)ur  subject,  David 
AV.  and  Olive  (Allen)  Noyes.  The  mother  was 
a  distant  connection  of  the  famous  Kthan  ,\llen, 
so  that  both  as  pioneers  and  jiatriots  the  inenihers 
of  the  family  have  labored  for  the  development 
of  the  I'nioii. 

In  October,  1831,  our  subject  was  br(.)Ught  by  his 
parents  to  this  State,  where  he  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  Macomb  County,  and  attended  s<'lio()l 
whenever  opiJortuuity  offered.  However,  his  edu 
cation  was  principally  gained  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  his  father,  who  was  a  teacher  as  well  .as  a 
farmer.  When  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenly- 
oiie,  he  hired  out  to  work  by  the  month,  m.aUing 
an  agreement  that  he  w.as  to  receive  as  mmli  as 
was  paid  by  any  one  in  town.  Later,  he  attended 
the  Disco  Academy  and  in  the  winter  of  18,')l-,'')2 
taught  school.  .\t  the  close  of  his  term  of  school, 
he  engaged  to  work  on  (iovernment  surveys  in  the 
I'pijcr  Peninsula,  .aMd  (hiring  the  following  winter 
clerked  in  a  country   store. 

In  March,  18.'J3.  Mr.  Noyes  sailed  from  New 
York  for  Melbourne,  Australin,  and,  after  a  voyage 
of  one  hundred  and  five  d.ays,  hinded  at  the  des- 
tined port  on  .luly  1th.  For  a  month  he  was  ein- 
jiloycd  by  an  uncle  of  George  Francis  Tniin  as 
clerk  in  a  bonded  warehouse.  Mn<l  after  ipiitting 
th.at  pl.ace  went  into  the  golil  mines,  where  he 
workeil   with  v.aryingsuccess  unl  11  l''(lMu;uy,  is;),"). 


PORTRAIT  AND  BlOORAPinCAL  RECORD. 


801 


He  found  at  that  time  ho  had  nionc.v  enough  to 
pay  his  passage  home,  and,  accordingly,  he  em- 
barlced  for  London,  vvliich  lie  reached  after  one 
hundred  and  forty-two  daj's  on  the  ocean.  Among 
his  fellow-pas.sengers  was  an  uncle  of  William  E. 
Gladstone,  Charles  Ewart  by  name.  It  was  Derby 
Day  when  he  arrived  in  London,  and  after  making 
a  short  visit  in  that  city,  he  sailed  from  South- 
hampton and    landed  in    New  York  during  June. 

From  New  York,  Mr.  Noyes  proceeded  to  Bos- 
ton, thence  to  the  former  home  of  his  father  in 
New  IlamiJshire  and  from  that  place  to  Niagara 
Falls.  In  .Tul3',  IS.'iS^  he  returned  to  his  father's 
home  in  Macomb  County,  this  State,  and,  after  vis- 
iting at  home  for  a  short  time,  went  to  Chicago 
and  entered  Bell's  Commercial  College,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  second  honors  in  a  class  of 
fifty.  In  the  spring  of  1856,  he  engaged  with  a 
lumber  firm,  by  the  name  of  Adams,  Blinn  cfe  Co., 
as  book-keeper  and  general  manager,  and  was  sent 
by  them  across  the  lake  to  Soiith  Haven,  where  he 
had  charge  of  their  interests,  managed  their  store 
and  was  foreman  of  their  employes  at  that  place. 
The  panic  of  1857  not  only  bankrupted  the  firm, 
but  caused  liim  to  lose  his  entire  salary  and  the 
money  he  had  loaned  his  employers. 

About  that  time,  when  Mr.  Noyes  was,  perhaps, 
suffering  nu>re  from  adverse  circumstances  than  at 
any  other  period  of  his  life,  he  was  married,  .Janu- 
ary' 10,  1853,  to  Mettie  L.,  the  daughter  of  Howe 
and  Harriet  (Lamphear)  Covert.  At  the  time  of 
her  marriage,  Mrs.  Noj'es  was  a  resident  of  South 
Haven,  but  her  native  place  was  in  Ovid,  Seneca 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  she  was  born  March  2,  1839. 
Ten  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Noyes,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Arthur  J. 
is  engaged  on  the  street  railroad  in  Chicago; 
George  W.,  born  February  22,  1861,  resides  in 
Mandan,  N.  Dak.,  and  is  one  of  the  foremost  taxi- 
dermists in  the  United  States;  Bertha E.  is  the  wife 
of  E.  J.  Harrington,  a  farmer  of  Paw  Pavv  Town- 
ship; David  W.  lives  in  Paw  Paw,  where  he  is 
clerking  in  the  establishment  of  J.  C.  Warner;  Al- 
bert, who  is  blind  from  the  effect  of  injury  re- 
ceived when  ten  years  old,  remains  under  the  pa- 
rental roof;  R.alph  G.,wlio  is  also  a  taxidermist  and 
resides  in  Dakota;  Harr}-  vS.  is  a  student  in  the  Paw 


Paw  High  School;  .loc  and  .Mcria  rfiiiain  al  home. 

Ill  1859,  Mr.  Noyes  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land  near  South  Haven,  upon  which  he  lo- 
cated in  the  sjiring  of  the  following  year.  He  en- 
gaged in  cutting  wood  and  averaged  a  cord  each 
day  during  the  winter  months.  On  December  2, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  First  Michigan 
Sharpshooters,  and  went  into  camp  at  Kalamazoo. 
During  the  following  month,  he  went  to  Dear- 
born Arsenal,  near  Detroit,  and  in  July,  with  his 
regiment,  marched  to  Indiana,  following  the  M<jr- 
gan  raiders  through  that  State  to  the  Ohio  line 
and  engaged  in  several  sharp  skirmishes.  After 
doing  provost  duty  in  Indianapolis  for  a  time,  he 
was  ordered  to  Detroit  to  prevent  draft  riots. 

The  regiment  received  orders  in  August  to 
march  to  Chicago  and  guard  Morgan's  men  at 
Camp  Douglas,  and  thence,  March  23,  1864,  they 
proceeded  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  to  join  Burnside's 
expedition.  They  crossed  the  Rapidan  River  and 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Ma}-  5, 
1864,  going  into  .action,  May  6th,  with  seven  hun- 
dred and  thirty-eight  enlisted  men  and  thirty-six 
commissioned  officers.  They  participated  in  all 
the  campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and 
during  the  siege  of  Petersburg  occui)ied  the  near- 
est approach  to  the  rebel  lines,  guarding  the  mouth 
of  the  mines  run  under  the  rebel  works.  When 
the  city  fell,  the  regiment  planted  the  first  flag 
over  the  ruins. 

At  Spottsylvania,  on  ]May  13th,  Mr.  Noyes  was 
wounded  in  the  left  arm  and,  on  July  30th,  re- 
ceived injuries  at  the  blowing  up  of  the  mine.  A 
shell  exploded  near  him  which  caused  jiartial  par- 
alysis of  the  right  side,  deafness  in  the  right  ear, 
paralysis  of  the  right  larynx,  and  broke  two  toes 
in  the  left  foot.  On  September  30th,  at  Peebles  farm, 
he  was  again  wounded  in  the  left  limlj  above  the 
knee  and  was  taken  prisoner,  being  kept  at  Libby 
Prison  for  a  few  da^-s  and  thence  removed,  on  Oc- 
tober 6th,  to  Salisbury,  where  he  remained  one 
month.  Together  with  others,  he  planned  escape, 
but  the  plot  being  discovered,  he  was  removed  to 
Danville,  Va.,  where  he  was  held  until  February 
and  then  returned  to  Libby  Prison. 

On  February  22,  1865,  Mr.  Noyes  was  paroled, 
and  going  to  the  hospital  at  Annapolis,   soon  ob- 


802 


POI^TRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD 


taiued  a  leave  of  absence  aud  came  home.  On 
April  15tli,  l)eforc  be  had  learned  of  the  assassina- 
tion of  President  Lincoln,  he  was  impelled  by  a 
strong  inward  feeling  to  return  to  the  army,  and 
meeting  his  company,  did  duty  until  July  28th, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  and  participated  in  the 
Grand  Review  at  Wtishington.  He  had  enlisted 
as  a  ))riv!ite.  and  by  a  series  of  promotions  passed 
from  Orderly  Sergeant  to  First  Lieutenant  and 
Captain.  Hefore  receiving  his  commission  for  the 
latter  position,  he  was  appointed  Adjutant,  in 
which  capacity  he  was  serving  at  the  time  of  his 
resignation. 

I'pon  returning  home,  Mr.  Noyes  began  to  clear 
and  improve  his  farm,  on  which  he  resided  until 
1K72.  He  is  a  prominent  Republican,  and,  in  1857, 
w-is  elected  Township  Clerk;  in  18()(),  Justice  of 
the  Peace  and,  in  18()2.  Supervisor.  His  first  vote 
was  cast,  in  1852.  for  John  P.  Hale,  and  four  years 
later  he  sui)ported  John  C.  Fremont.  In  1867,he  was 
elected  Supervisor  of  South  Haven,  which  posi- 
tion he  retained  until  1870,  serving  as  Chairman 
in  1869-70.  He  served  two  terms  as  Register  cf 
Deeds  and  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
about  five  ^'eai-s.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  man- 
ager of  a  general  store  in  Paw  Paw,  finally  buying 
out  the  slock.  In  May,  1880,  he  was  appointed  assis- 
tant book-keeper  in  the  land  ollice  at  Lansing,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  May,  1890,  when  he 
wa.s  appointed  Stale  Trespass  Agent.  In  January, 
IMIM,  he  resigned  that  position  .and  the  following 
March  w.is  appointed  U)  his  present  re.si)onsible  and 
intlucntial  pnsition  in  the  (irand  Army  of  the  Re- 
puldic.  and  h.as  since  been  appointed  b^'  President 
Marri.son  to  the  position  of  Postma-ster  at  Paw 
I'aw. 


■^■*- 


WILI.I.A.M  CI.AKK  KANSO.M.  M.  I)..  I,,- 
cnled  at  .South  Haven  in  Ajnil,  l.ssi.  and 
,^  _,  lia.s  xince  become  one  of  the  leading  liii>i- 
nosM  men  of  the  place.  a.s  well  as  a  popular  pliysi- 
eian.  He  is  a  nicmbcr  of  the  linn  of  Hempstead 
lino*.  A,-  liauMtm.  clothing  mcrchanls,  and  is  also 
M  dealer  in  real  estjile  and  interested  In  commerce 
on  the  lakes.  Dr.  Ransom  was  born  in  Helmiint 
County.  Ohio.  December  li.  IH2K.  a  son  of  James 


and  Elizabeth  (Anderson)  Ransom,  the  Ransom 
family  being  of  Irish  ancestry.  Samuel  Ransom, 
the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  w.as  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  and  was  never  hearil  of 
thereafter,  it  being  supposed  that  he  was  killed  by 
the  Indians. 

James  Ransom,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  Union  County,  Pa.,  in  1><06,  where  he 
le.arned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  anil  emigrated  to 
Ohio.  There  he  married  Elizabeth  Anderson,  a  na- 
tive of  Maryland,  born  near  Baltimore,  in  1809,  and 
of  Scotch  ancestiy.  The3'  resided  in  Belmont  and 
Guernsey  Counties,  Ohio,  until  1836,  then  remov- 
ing to  what  is  now  Blackford  Countj',  Ohio,  where 
Mr.  Ransom  cut  a  road  ten  miles  into  the  dense 
forest  and  settled  down  live  miles  distant  from 
any  other  white  man.  Here  he  cleared  a  farm  and 
made  a  home.  He  died  in  1.S62,  his  wife  surviv- 
ing him  until  1873.  They  had  thirteen  children, 
twelve  of  whom  attained  to  mature  years,  married 
and  reared  families. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest  of  the 
parental  family  and  one  of  three  sons  who  chose 
the  medical  profession.  Two  sons  became  merch- 
ants and  one  a  contractor  and  builder.  On  attain- 
ing his  majority.  Dr.  Ransom  worked  one  year  for 
a  livestock  dealer.  In  18.')(),  he  was  seized  witli 
the  gold  fever  and  started  for  California  via  New 
Orleans,  Cuba,  Mexico  and  the  Sandwich  Islands 
and  thus  after  a  journey  of  nine  months  ar- 
rived in  San  Francisco  without  any  money.  He 
worked  one  year  on  a  ranch  at  4*12.')  per  month. 
He  then  took  a  claim  on  what  is  now  the  site  of 
San  Jose,  which  lie  sold  for  ijsii.OOO  and  depositc<l 
the  moiu'v  in  a  bank.  This  I'.Mih'il  and  he  thus 
lost  ;ill  lii>  liard-eariied  wealth,  lie  then  worked 
a  few  months  in  the  mines,  accuniiilating  ♦L.'iOO, 
which  he  loaned  a  mcichanl,  but  thi'onnh  his  dis- 
lionesty  again  lost  all  his  savings,  lie  was  not 
discouraged,  however,  in  spite  of  all  liis  hard  luck, 
and  imnu'dialcly  set  about  retrieving  his  fortunes, 
taking  up  a  new  line  of  work.  lie  li:i<l  never  at- 
tende<l  school  to  aiiiouiil  to  aiiylhiny.  but  in  his 
l)oyhoo<l  d.MVs,  (luring  his  leisuic  niomcnts,  he  w.as 
fond  of  perusing  medical  worlo  and  wlicn  he  went 
to  California  carried  a  nuiiiber  of  these  with  him. 
lie  now  entered   a  private  hospitiil  at  Sacrauienlo. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


803 


where  be  worked  two  j'ears,  then  went  with  the 
Surgeon -General  niid  a  company'  of  militia  into 
Northern  California  and  Oregon,  iiaving  care 
of  tlie  sick  soldiers  for  four  3'ears.  At  the  end  of 
this  time,  lie  went  onto  an  Indian  Reservation  in 
Del  Norte  County,  Smith  River  Valley,  Cal. 

In  18C4,  Dr.  Ransom  i)urchased  $400  worth  of 
drugs  and  sailed  for  tlie  Island  of  Otaheite  in  the 
southern  Pacific  Ocean.  The  journey  was  made  on 
an  American  schooner  (carrying  the  Otaiieite  Hag) 
to  Otaheite.  The  voj-age  to  China  and  Africa  was 
made  prior  to  this  (m  a  man-of-war.  He  stopped 
at  the  capital,  Papeiti,  of  the  island  and  cared  for 
some  whale  fishers  who  were  there  sick.  He  next 
went  to  the  Feejee  Islands,  New  Zealand,  and 
Australia,  wheie  he  shipped  for  Valparaiso,  Chili, 
landing  on  the  6tli  of  March,  1865,  and  remained 
until  July  16,  186.5,  there  hearing  for  the  first  time 
of  the  capture  of  Richmond  and  the  assassination 
of  President  Lincoln.  From  Valparaiso,  he  sailed 
to  Callao,  Peru,  where  he  remained  two  weeks, 
then  went  to  Quiteel,  Ecuador,  and  made  a  visit  to 
Quito.  He  then  sailed  to  Panama  and  from  there 
to  New  York  and  in  the  fall  of  1865  returned  to 
his  old  home  at  Hartford,  Ind.,  and  hung  out  his 
shingle  as  physician  and  surgeon.  Dr.  Ransom 
now  took  a  course  in  the  Cleveland  Medical  Col- 
lege and  in  1870  was  graduated  from  the  Indiana 
Medical  College,  remaining  at  Hartford  until  he 
came  to  South  Haven. 

After  his  removal  to  South  Haven,  Dr.  Ransom 
practiced  his  profession  and  also  engaged  in  deal- 
ing in  real  estate  and  soon  become  a  prominent 
factor  in  the  business  of  the  town.  In  1884,  he 
built  a  schooner  loaded  with  produce  and  with  his 
family  on  board  started  for  New  Orleans  to  visit  the 
exposition.  The  trip  required  one  hundred  days 
as  he  hunted  and  fished  along  the  route.  He  sold 
the  cargo  and  boat  at  New  Orleans.  He  has  since 
built  three  other  boats  and  sold  them  at  the  place. 
He  has  built  the  "Harvey  Ransom,"  which  sails  on 
the  lake,  and  has  been  interested  in  oUier  vessels. 
Since  1888,  the  Doctor  has  been  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Hempstead  Bros.  &  Ransom  and  lias  built 
several  residences  in  South  Haven.  Dr.  Ransom 
was  married,  .laiuiaiy  1,  1866,  to  Emily  Hodson. 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Plitebe  Hodson.     She  was 


born  in  Grant  County,  Ind.,  November  22,  1848. 
They  are  the  parents  of  one  .son,  Thomas  Harve^', 
who  was  born  in  Hartford,  Ind.,  August  5,  1870, 
and  was  graduated  from  the  Indiana  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  1891,  a  few  d a j-s  be- 
fore he  was  twenty-one  3ears  of  age.  He  is  now 
associated  with  his  father  in  practice.  Dr.  Ransom 
is  a  stanch  Republican  but  cannot  be  called  a  poli- 
tician as  he  takes  but  little  interest  in  the  work- 
ings of  "  the  machine, "  and  has  never  sought 
public  office.  He  became  a  member  of  the  (Jdd 
Fellows  in  1855,  has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  both 
the  subordinate  and  the  encampment  lodges  and 
served  as  Deputy  Grand  Master  in  Oregon  and  in 
Indiana.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Scientific,  Medi- 
cal, and  Business  Societies  of  South  Haven. 


C 


ul  WILLIAM  S.  DOWNEY,  Sheriff  of  Kalama- 
\/\j//  zoo  County,  claims  Ireland  as  the  land  of 
V^^  his  nativity,  and  is  one  of  tiie  worthy  citi- 
zens which  that  country  has  furnished  to  Mich- 
igan. His  birth  occurred  in  the  city  of  Belfast, 
March  2,  1852,  and  he  is  the  eldest  son  of  AVilliam 
and  Mary  (McConnell)  Downey.  In  1862,  his  par- 
ents crossed  the  Atl.antic  to  (Quebec,  and  thence 
came  direct  to  Michigan,  locating  on  a  farm  in 
Kalamazoo  County,  where  Mr.  Downey  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred October  6,  1872.  He  took  rpiite  a  promi- 
nent part  in  public  affairs,  and  was  very  active  in 
the  campaign  of  Seymour  and  Blair.  He  was  a 
strong  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Presbyterian 
Ciiurch,  and  the  views  of  .lolin  Knox.  All  who 
knew  him  respected  him  for  his  honesty  of  purpose 
and  fidelity  to  the  right,  llis  wife  died  in  Ireland 
in  18G1.  The  family  numbered  two  sons  and  a 
daughter:  James  A.,  now  of  Chicago;  Mary,  wife 
of  John  Gilmer  of  the  firm  of  Gilmer  Brothers, 
dry-goods  merchants  of  Kalamazoo;  and  William 
S.,  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject  was  trained  in  the  labors  of  the  farm 
and  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
and  in  the  Baptist  College  of  Kalamazoo,  which  he 
attended  for  two  j-ears.     He  then   began  earning 


sn.( 


PORTRAIT  AND  r.IOORAPmCAL  RECORD. 


his  i>«ii  livt'liliiHul.  ;ui(l  fur  four  years  was  an  I'lii- 
l)loye  in  the  Mieliiiran  State  Asylum  for  tlie  Insane, 
afU-r  which  he  took  a  trip  tiirougli  the  West,  and 
spent  some  time  in  Leadville  and  Ounnison.  City, 
Col.,  remaininir  away  from  home  for  nearly  two 
yeai-s. 

On  his  return  lo  Ivalamazoo.  Mr.  Downey  was 
united  m  marriage  to  ilisi;  Maria  Grimes,  daugh- 
ter of  .lohn  Grimes,  an  old  resident  of  Schoolcraft, 
Mich.  The  lady  died  in  1884,  leaving  a  little 
daughter,  .lulia  May.  then  only  ten  months  old.  In 
June,  1891,  Mr.  Downey  was  again  married,  his 
second  union  being  with  Lizzie  Cody,  of  Toledo. 
Ohio,  who  was  liorn  near  Howard  City,  Mieli.  This 
worthy  couple  are  well  and  favorably  known  in 
Kalamazoo,  and  rank  high  in  social  circles. 

I'nder  Mr.  .Montague,  Mr.  Downcj^  served  for 
two  years  as  Deputj'  Sheriff,  and  was  then  elected 
Constable,  serving  for  three  years.  He  was  the 
only  one  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  in 
ISStl  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Kalamazoo  County, 
receiving  a  majority  of  fifty-one  votes  in  a  count}' 
where  there  is  a  Republican  m.ajority  of  one  thou- 
sand. Tills  ])lainly  indicates  two  facts:  his  great 
poi-sonal  popularity  and  the  confidence  placed  in 
his  ability,  lie  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  the  ofliceon  the  1st  of  January,  1892,  and 
is  proving  a  ca|)alile  and  trustworthy  olticial.  He 
hits  always  l.aken  (piite  an  active  part  in  local  poli- 
tics, and  is  a  stalwart  advocate  of  Democratic  prin- 
ciples. He  is  connected  with  several  civic  soci- 
eties, iK'ing  a  member  of  Kalamazoo  Lodge,  No.  22, 
A.  F.  it  A.  M.;  .Saladin  Temple  Nobles  of  the  Mys- 
tic .Shrine;  Dcloit  Clinton  Consistory  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted .Sottish  Kile;  (he  Knights  of  Pythias;  Hurr 
Oak  U>dge,  No.  27(1,  I.  ().().  F;  .■iml  tlic  linlcpcii- 
dcnt  Order  of   Hcd   Men. 

ILLIAM  I..  W  i;i.Sll.  The  character  of  a 
■jl:  [M-oplc  is  displ.iycd  in  their  ilwellings  and 
^  public  buiUlings.  lie  they  educated  or 
i){iiornnt,  lestlielic  or  depraved,  elev.-iled  or  de- 
liJiM-d.  tlie  iN'anty  or  ugliness  of  their  architecture 
i.H  a  Hure  criterion  by  whii-li  to  judfje  the  public 
Uwle.     No  city  of  ii,s  size  in  the  entin-  couiilrv  can 


lioasi  of  so  many  handsome  edifices  for  the  home 
life  of  its  people  .is  has  Kalamazoo.  Its  broad  ave- 
nues and  boulevards  are  lined  with  stately  edifices, 
constructed  according  to  the  modern  style  of 
architecture  in  brick,  stone  and  woocl. 

The  efforts  of  many  minds  and  hands  have  con- 
tributed to  this  general  grand  effect,  but  it  is  safe 
to  say  that  no  man  is  entitled  to  greater  credit 
than  the  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this 
sketch.  With  a  natural  inclination  toward  the 
contemplation  of  mechanical  designs,  and  the  early 
training  in  company  with  his  father,  he  soon  de- 
veloped a  taste  for  architectural  ornamentation. 
He  has  attained  a  name  second  to  none  as  a  su])er- 
intcn<lent  and  builder,  and  his  interior  finish  and 
decorations  are  surjiiissed  by  none,  equalled  by 
few. 

A  native  of  England,  IMr.  Welsh  was  born  in 
Devonshire,  November  13,  1812,  and  is  a  son  of 
Joseph  and  Eliza  (Leathorn)  AVelsh.  When  about 
nine  years  old,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Can- 
ada, settling  at  London,  where  his  father  followed 
the  trade  of  a  carpenter.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
two,  he  came  to  Kalamazoo  and  engaged  as  a  car- 
penter, his  connection  with  his  father  continuing 
until  the  death  of  the  latter,  in  October,  1879,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years.  The  widowed  niotlier  died 
three  years  afterward. 

The  parental  f;iiiiily  cuiiiiirises  live  eliildren, 
William  L..lieiiig  the  eldest;  Thomas  resides  in  Kala- 
niazoc>;  John  makes  his  home  in  Colorado;  Rich- 
ard lives  in  Monlana;  Sarah,  formerly  the  wife  of 
T.  H.  Gilbert,  died  at  Leadville,  Col.  In  1 869, our 
subject  began  as  a  contractor,  and  has  continued 
thus  eng.'iged  until  the  present.  He  erects  all 
kiiiHs  of  structures,  and  takes  contr.icts  for  brick, 
stone  m  wood.  He  emi)Ioys  from  five  to  twenty 
men,  and  has  built  some  of  the  finest  I)uildings  in 
the  city,  anmng  t.lieiii  the  eleg.'int  residenei'  of  Mr. 
Lawrence. 

.Iiiiie  29,  18(;h,  Mr.  Welsli  was  manied  at  Kala- 
mazoo to  Miss  Isabella  Priest,  who  was  born  at 
Beverly,  Canada,  and  is  descended  from  Scotch  and 
American  ancestors.  She  residec]  at  lieverly  until 
her  removal  to  Kalamazoo  abiiiil  is'i.s,  mid  prior 
to  her  marriage  was  occupied  .ms  a  teacher.  l'"or 
.some  years  past,  she  has  been   an  iinalid    .'inil    nii- 


Jv   jY:  ^7455jx2<sJ^--2-7-^^,^y2-z^/\^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPfflCAL  RECORD. 


«07 


able  to  give  much  attention  to  eitlior  liternry  or 
cliiiifli  work,  altlioiigli  slic  is  :i  ineiniicr  of  l.lic 
Metliodist  Ciiurcli.  She  has  two  cliildren:  Freder- 
ick diaries,  a  fresco  painter  of  Kalamazoo;  and 
Cora  Pauline,  a  young  lady  of  rare  Iieauly  of  face 
and  mind,  and  at  present  a  student  in  the  High 
School.  The  family  residence  at  No.  1 15  W.  But- 
ton Street  is  a  model  house  throughout,  and  pos- 
sesses all  the  essentials  of  modern  comfort  on  an  ex- 
tensive scale. 


-^ 


SLDER  JAMES  HENRY  HAMMOND,  i)as- 
i^  tor  of  the  Christian  Cliurcli  of  Decatur, 
l^^/  was  born  in  Greene  Count}-,  N.  Y.,  April  1, 
1847,  and  is  of  Euglisli  descent.  His  grandfather 
was  Jonathan  Hammond  and  his  father  bore  the 
name  of  Nathaniel.  The  latter  was  born  in  East- 
ern New  York,  October  15,  1815,  and  married 
Cai'oline  Sears,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State. 
By  trade  he  was  a  cabinet-maker  and  followed 
that  occupation  during  the  greater  part  of  his 
life.  He  died  in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1856, 
and  the  death  of  his  wife  occurred  in  Delaware 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  1883,  whither  the  family  had 
removed  after  the  death  of  the  father. 

All  of  their  eight  children  grew  to  mature  years 
and  five  are  still  living:  R.  S.  is  a  resident  of 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.;  Nanc}'  Jane,  widow  of 
John  Merchant, reside?  In  Delaware  County;  Frank 
died  in  that  county  in  1883;  Daniel  F.  and  David 
F.,  twins;  the  former  died  in  1882,  and  the  latter  re- 
sides in  Delaware  County;  Herbert  S.  makes  his 
home  in  Dakota;  and  Hector  N.  died  in  Delaware 
County,  in  1879. 

When  only  seventeen  years  of  age,  James  H. 
Hammond  enlisted  for  the  late  war  as  a  member 
of  Company  M,  Fifteenth  New  York  Heavy 
Artillery,  on  the  8th  of  February,  186-t.  The 
regiment  was  sent  to  join  Grant  in  his  campaign 
and  participated  in  all  the  important  engagements 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  Our  subject  was  wound- 
ed in  tlie  capture  of  tiie  Weldon  Railroad,  August 
18,  1864,  by  a  minic  ball,  which  jiassed  through 
his  right  side.  He  was  then  sent  to  the  hospital 
at  City  Point,  and  afterward  to  Lincoln  Hospital 
37 


at  W.ashington,  where  the  surgeon  said  that  had 
the  ball  gone  one-si.'fteentli  of  an  inch  farther,  it 
would  have  caused  his  death.  As  it  is,  he  has 
never  yet  fully  recovered  from  his  wound.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  on  the  22d  of  August, 
1865. 

When  the  country  no  longer  needed  his  services, 
Mr.  Hammond  returned  to  Delaware  County,  N. 
Y.,  where  for  a  time  he  worked  on  a  farm  and 
then  entered  Stamford  Seminary  to  prepare  him- 
self for  teaching,  which  profession  he  afterward 
followed  for  a  number  of  years.  On  leaving  New 
York,  he  emigrated  to  Ogle  County,  111.,  and  after- 
ward engaged  in  teaching  for  two  terms  in  Rock 
Island  County,  that  State.  It  was  there  that  he 
united  with  the  Christian  Church  and  formed  the 
resolve  to  devote  himself  to  the  ministry.  He 
entered  the  Bible  College  connected  with  Ken- 
tucky University,  a  school  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  after  a  time  engaged  in  preaching  for  one 
year  in  Dubuque,  Iowa.  He  then  returned  to 
school  and  was  graduated  from  Bible  College  in 
Lexington  on  the  14th  of  June,  1877,  and  carried 
off  second  honors  in  his  class.  His  first  call,  sub- 
sequent to  that  time,  was  from  the  church  in  Mid- 
way, Kv.,  where  he  remained  a  year  and  then 
went  to  Pompey  Hill,  N.  Y.,  the  former  home  of 
Horatio  Seymour.  His  next  charge  was  at  Grand 
Rapids,  where  he  remained  four  years,  during 
which  time  he  did  effective  work  in  that  place  and 
was  largely  instrumental  in  building  up  the  church  . 

January  1,  1883,  Elder  Hammond  was  united  in 
marriage,  in  Paw  Paw,  Xan  Buren  County,  to 
Mary  Grace,  daughter  of  Le  Grand  R.  Anderson, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  county.  Unto 
them  have  been  born  three  children:  Mary  Grace, 
born  February  27,  1887;  Clara  Susie,  bora  Jan- 
uary 21,  1889;  and  Le  Grand  A.,  born  April  6. 
1891. 

On  leaving  Grand  Rapids,  Mr.  Hammond  be- 
came pastor  of  the  church  in  Pain esvi lie,  Ohio, 
where  he  labored  a  year  and  then  accepted  the 
position  of  State  Evangelist  of  Michigan.  A  year 
later  he  took  charge  of  his  father-in-l.aw's  farm 
which  he  operated  for  two  years  and  at  the  same 
time  filled  the  pulpit  in  Bangor  for  several  months 
and  held  a  number  of  revival  meetings.     His   next 


808 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


pastorate  w:»s  at  South  Bend.Ind..  and  after  about 
two  yeai-s  lie  went  to  Ml.  Ayr,  Iowa,  wliere  he 
preached  one  j'eav.  In  .Inly,  IS'.MI.  he  came  to 
Decatur  and  has  since  hcen  i)astor  of  the  church 
at  tills  phice.  It  is  a  new  organization  with 
about  one  hundred  members  and  has  been  greatly* 
built  uj)  by  the  lalwrs  of  Klder  Hammond.  The 
fii'St  year  he  devoted  part  of  his  time  to  theoliuivli 
in  Kalamazoo,  but  now  gives  his  entire  time  to  the 
congregation  here.  He  is  alike  esteemed  by  his 
own  meinbei-s  and  those  outside  of  the  church. 
Socially,  he  is  a  memlierof  the  Grand  Army  Post 
and  of  the  Good  Templars'  Society.  During  nearly 
liis  entire  residence  in  .Alicliigan,  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  State  Hoard  of  Missions  and  is  now 
President  of  tlic  C'lui-^li.iii  Missionary  Association 
of  the  State. 

In  connection  with  his  sketch  will  be  noticed  a 
lithographic  portraitof  Mr.  Hammond. 


fcOiv. 


eARL  W.  AVILLISON,  who  operates  a  saw- 
mill in  Decatur,  was  born  on  the  15th  of 
April,  18-12,  ill  Licking  County,  Oli'io,  and 
comes  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  Maiyland. 
His  great-grandfather,  .Icrciiiiah  Willison.  was  a 
native  of  Lancaster  County,  I'a.,  and  married  Miss 
Sarah  Death,  by  whom  he  had  a  large  family.  He 
removed  to  Maryland,  and  was  Crier  of  the  first 
court  ever  held  in  CuiiilK'rlaiid.  'I'lie  grandfather 
of  <jiir  subject,  .lolm  Willison,  wa.s  born  in  Ciiiii- 
berlniid,  and  wedded  Mi.ss  .Sarah  Aloore,  a  lady  of 
Scotch  descent.  He  followed  farming  in  pursuit 
of  fortune,  and  died  in  is.",  1.  'riu-  following 
children  constituted  iiis  family:  ICIitlia,  Klislia, 
Ijirry,  Asluiry,  I.viiah,  Singleton  and  .\bel. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Abel  Willison,  was 
born  in  KlinU<toiie,  Md.,  August  1;"),  IH(t2,  .-ind  his 
marriage  to  Mc-litida  Ciustije,  .-i  native  of  Hedford 
County,  Pft.,  wa.s  celebrated  in  lK;!.'i.  He  inailc  lii> 
Imme  in  the  city  of  Cumberland,  and  engiiged  in 
farming,  lie  died  in  the  faith  of  the  Mellnidist 
Cliurcli,  NovemlM-r  22,  ImCT,  having  siii^ncd  his 
wifi-  only  <«ight  flays.  She,  too,  was  a  nii'mlirr  of 
the    Metliiidi>t    Chnrch.       .Seven    ehildicii    gniced 


their  union,  all  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years: 
Thomas  J.,  of  Illinois;  Eliza  M.,  wife  of  Robert 
Holvie,  of  Wabash  County,  Ind.;  John  W.,  of  Pre- 
ble County,  Ohio;  Mary  E.,  who  died  in  early 
womanhood;  David  L.,  a  resident  farmer  of  South 
Dakota;  and  Martha  E.,  wife  of  .lames  Acton,  of 
Preble  County,  Ohio. 

In  the  I>ucke3'e  State,  Carl  Willison  spent  the 
days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  his  educational 
advantages  being  limited  to  the  privileges  of  the 
common  schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  lie  started 
out  to  earn  his  own  livelihood,  and  in  tlie  fall  of 
1860,  with  his  brother  .1.  W.,  went  to  Illinois, 
where  he  was  emplo.ycd  .is  a  farm  hand  until  the 
spring  of  1861.  Prompted  by  patriotic  impulses, 
he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  troops,  en- 
listing in  Company  B,  Eighth  Missouri  Infantiy, 
under  Capt.  D.  P.  Greer.  The  troops  were  first 
sent  to  Cape  Gir.irdeau,  IMo.,  and  thence  to  Ken- 
tucky, where  they  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Et. 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  siege  of  Corinth  and  of  Vicks- 
burg,  and  the  battles  of  Mcmi>his,  Holly  Springs 
and  .T.aekson.  At  the  latter  pl.ace,  Mr.  Willison 
was  t.aken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital.  On  ac- 
count of  disability,  he  w.as  discharged  at  Paducali, 
Ky.,  in  .Inly,  lH(;.'!,and  went  to  his  brother's  home 
in  Indiana.  Subsequently,  he  went  on  a  visit  to 
his  parents  in  Ohio, after  which  he  ro-enlisted,  join- 
ing Company  15,  Eirsl  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery. 
lie  participated  in  the  siege  and  enptme  of  l-'l. 
jMorgan.  in  Aiignst,  l.S61,and  thecaptuic  of  Spanish 
Fort.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  discharged 
in  .lainiary,  1H66. 

Mr.  Willison  then  returned  to  his  homo  in  Indi- 
ana, whither  his  parents  had  ivmovcd  in  the  ineaii- 
tinie.  and  in  Ocldlicr  of  that  \car  he  came  to 
Michigan,  locating  in  Cass  County,  where  for  one 
year  ho  worked  in  a  sawmill.  W("  next  find  him 
omployod  ill  ;i  sjniil.'ir  niriiincr  In  1  )ccatnr  Town- 
ship, whore  ho  roiii:iinod  until  1872.  On  the  Hitli 
of  .\])iil  of  that  year,  his  mill  was  deslroyed  liy 
lii'o,  Mild  ho  \\ri\\  U>  Howard  City,  Mich.,  wlioro  ho 
ongagod  ill  the  m;iniifactiire  of  shingles  for  one 
year.  Ho  Ihon  agMiii  (•.■irriod  on  a  sawmill,  and  en- 
gngoij  ill  Iho  null  liiisiiKss  in  ( 'jiss  Coiint\'  for  a  ■ 
year,  when  ho  roniovod  to  Dowagiae,  INIioh.,  where 
he  operated  a  sawmill,  and  was  employed  in  a  fac- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


809 


tory  for  eigiit  >'cai'S.  At  tlie  cxi)iration  of  tlml 
time,  lu'  oaiiic  to  Docatiii',  vvliere  lie  lias  since  le- 
sidcd.  Again  his  mill  was  burned,  on  the  6th  of 
October,  18111,  but  with  oiinraetcristic  energy  lie 
rebuilt  and  the  new  mill  was  fitted  out  with  ali 
the  modern  improvements  and  machinery.  He  is 
now  enjoying  a  good  business,  which  is  coiistandy 
increasing. 

Mr.  Willison  and  Miss  Mary  E.  Warner  weie 
married  in  June,  1870.  The  lady  is  a  native 
of  Decatiir  Township,  and  a  daughter  of  .Joseph 
Warner,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county. 
Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children: 
Mabel,  born  October  25,  1872;  and  Mf)llie,  horn 
August  19,  1881. 

Mr.  Willison  takes  considerable  Interest  in  civic 
societies,  holding  membership  with  the  Masons,  the 
Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Grand 
Army  Post,  and  has  filled  all  the  offices  in  the 
second-named  organization.  He  is  a  stanch  advo- 
cate of  Republican  piinciiiles,  taking  a  deep  inter- 
est 111  the  growth  and  success  of  his  party,  but  has 
never  been  an  office-seeker.  Although  he  li.as  met 
with  reverses,  he  is  now  doing  a  lucrative  business, 
and  by  his  industry,  enterprise  and  good  manage- 
ment, li.as  .acquired  the  competence  which  places 
him  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity. 


^.j..}..j..}.i^gg 


'VfjOHN  MALLOW,  one  of  the  prosperous  and 
well-to-do  fanners  of  section  1,  School- 
^^  craft  Township,  Kalamazoo  County,  is  a 
^^/y  native  of  Als.ace,  France,  now  a  part  of 
Germany,  where  he  had  his  liiilli  September  2.5, 
182.5.  His  father,  a  farmer  who  bore  the  name 
of  Peter,  came  to  America  in  1841,  being  forty- 
two  daj's  on  the  ocean.  He  settled  near  P>urr 
Oaks,  Mich.,  and  died  there  four  months  later, 
when  sixty  years  of  age.  He  and  his  good 
wife,  Christina  Mallow,  were  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  and  the  parents  of  six  children, 
nainelj':  Catherine,  Sarah,  I'eter,  (ieorge,  Chris- 
teiia,  and  .Toiin. 

Our  subject  is  the  onl.y  member  of  the  family 
now  living,  and    he  came   to  America  with  his  fa- 


ther when  about  fifteen  years  old.  He  had  studied 
both  (Jerman  and  I''reuch  in  his  native  scliools, 
and  soon  learned  the  ICnglish  language  after  com- 
ing here.  After  the  death  of  the  father,  our  sub- 
ject lived  with  a  Iirother  one  winter,  wiien  he 
started  out  for  himself,  working  ten  years  by  the 
mouth.  He  at  first  received  $6  a  month,  and 
finally  received  $12  a  month.  He  worked  in  La- 
(Jrange  County,  Ind.,  three  years,  and,  as  soon  as 
he  had  saved  sitllicienl  money,  lie  purchased 
eighty  .acres  of  his  present  farm  in  1845.  Seven 
acres  were  cleared,  and  a  plank  house  already  stood 
on  the  place. 

Mr.  Mallow  w.is  married  and  settled  here  in 
1852,  the  wedding  taking  place  May  18,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Diivis,  a  native  of  Ohio.  By  this  union 
they  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  of 
whom  grew  up:  Homer,  Sarah  (now  deceased), 
Effie  R.  and  Clar.a.  Mrs.  Mallow  died  in  1864, 
.and  in  November  of  the  following  year,  our  subject 
took  .as  his  second  wife  Catherine  Clipfell,  a  na- 
tive of  the  Empire  State.  By  this  union  three 
children  have  been  born:  Ciiarles  (deceased),  Fred 
and  Mary.  Mrs.  Mallow  is  an  estimable  lady  and 
has  taken  great  pains  to  educate  her  children, 
helping  and  encouraging  them  in  everv  waj'  pos- 
sible. She  has  been  a  true  helpmate  to  her  hus- 
band, and  much  of  their  success  is  due  to  her  dis- 
cretion and  intelligence. 

When  Mr.  Mallow  settled  here,  there  w.as  not 
much  development.  Deer  and  liears  roamed  at 
will  in  the  forests,  and  the  former  were  so  tame 
that  they  used  to  come  into  his  garden.  He  has 
always  been  a  very  industrious  man,  and  is  now 
the  deserving  possessor  of  five  hundred  and 
eighty  .acres  in  different  parts  of  this  and  St.  .Jo- 
seph Counties.  Two  hundred  acres  compose  the 
home  farm,  where  he  carried  on  mixed  farming, 
raising  quantities  of  grain,  and  has  fed  a  great 
many  cattle.  He  is  now  retired  from  .active 
life  and  is  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  early  la- 
bors and  the  comforts  and  luxuries  wealth  af- 
fords. 

In  the  year  1860,  Mr.  Mallow  erected  his  pres- 
ent fine  frame  residence,  and  also  several  large 
b.arns.  He  is  inclined  to  the  Congregational 
faith,  to  which  church  his  wife  belongs,  and  he  is 


810 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


a  stanch  supporter  of  the  same.  He  assisted  in 
building  both  the  Congregational  and  ^lethodist 
Churi-hej  at  Vicksburg.  Politically,  lie  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  lias  lieen  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Re- 
view a  number  of  times.  He  attributes  his  success 
in  life  mainly  to  close  attention  to  business  af- 
faii-s,  economical  habits  and  sagacious  judgnient. 
and  by  these  has  not  only  made  for  himself  a 
splendid  competency,  but  has  gained  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  tlie  entire  ctunimmitv. 


3<*'T">[i 


tiie 


eHAKLKS  MKAlTUiN,  a  soldier  in  the 
I'liion  Army,  who  served  his counlr^' nobly 
during  the  late  war,  is  a  native  of  Otsego 
Township,  born  of  one  of  its  earliest  pioneer  fam- 
ilies, and  is  to-day  one  of  the  foremost  of  the  skill- 
ful and  enlightened  farmers  and  stock-raisei-s  who 
arc  carrying  on  the  large  agricultural  interests  of 
this  i»art  of    Allegan  County. 

Mr.  Stratton  was  liorn  October  23,  1842,  and  is 
a  son  of  Thomas  Stratton,  who  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  Otsego  Tt)wnship  west  of  Pine  Creek, 
and  is  still  an  honored  resident  of  this  county, 
whose  entire  development  he  lias  witnessed,  bear- 
ing Ins  part  in  promoting  its  growth  and  solid  pros- 
perity, lie  underwent  all  the  hardships  and  |)ri- 
vations  incident  to  pioneer  life  while  improving 
his  farm,  but  with  it  all  he  found  inniiy  (•(>m])eii- 
sations,  among  wliicli  was  tlic  line  (i|i|ii)r1iiTiity 
that  the  forests,  swami)s  and  prairies,  in  their 
original  wildness,  afforded  him  for  iiunting,  in 
whifli  he  took  a  keen  deliglit,  as  he  was  an  expert 
marksman  and  many  a  deer  li.is  fallen  at  his  un- 
erring aim,  !ts  he  has  been  known  to  shoot  three 
in   line  d:i\-. 

A  ii.'itive  of  IheCrren  Moiinlain  St.'ilc,  Mr.  Strat- 
ton, Sr.,  went  t<i  live  in  Wayne  ('niiiily,  N.  Y.,  in 
his  boyhood,  and  rcniaiiied  there  until  IS32,  when 
he  .let  out  for  the  forest  wilds  of  the  Territory  of 
Michigan.  lie  was  without  means,  but  he  was  en- 
dowed with  lieallh,  sti-eni;lli  .Mild  a  gcmd  capacity 
for  labor,  lie  worked  out  fur  some  iiioiiIIih  at. 
first,  but  s(H)ii  look  up  a  ti.'ict  uf  ( ioveriinuiil 
land  in  (>l-segi>  Township,  which  he  sold  ere  long, 
riiid  rctinned  to  .\rw    VorU.      Ilr  rriimiiii'd  two  nr 


three  years  in  that  State,  and  then,  coming  back 
to  Michigan,  took  up  a  fine  piece  of  land  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  line  from  where  he  was  for- 
merly located.  This  farm  ho  cleared  and  im- 
proved, and  is  still  living  upon  it,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine  years.  He  has  been  a  .Steward  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  many  years 
and  is  an  exemiilary  Christian.  The  comp.anion 
of  his  early  manhood  and  later  years  h.as  departed 
this  life,  dying  in  June,  1886,  in  her  eightieth 
year.  She  was  a  faithful  Christian,  and  for  many 
j'ears  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  P^ijisco- 
pal  Church. 

Our  subject  is  the  second  of  the  four  children 
born  to  his  parents,  all  of  whom  are  living.  He 
obtained  his  education  in  an  old-fashioned  log 
schoolhouse,  and  grew  up  surrounded  by  pioneer 
influences.  In  his  youth  he  assisted  his  father  on 
the  farm,  and  also  worked  out.  The  lire.iking  out 
of  the  war  excited  his  patriotism,  .ind,, though  but 
nineteen,  n.ay  only  eighteen,  3'ears  of  .ige,  he  en- 
listed Sc])tember  13,  IStU,  as  a  member  of  the  First 
Michigan  Engineers  and  Mechanics.  He  served 
three  years,  and  proved  a  veiy  useful  soldier  in 
that  branch  of  service,  which  was  such  a  necessary 
adjunct  of  the  army.  He  took  direct  part  in  only 
one  battle,  that  at  I.avergne,Teni).,as  his  duty  lay  in 
other  directions.  His  regiment  was  employed  in  tlic 
important  work  of  prc])aring  roads,  construcling 
bridges,  etc.,  for  the  eonvenienee  of  the  troops. 
Mr.  .Stratton  succumbed  to  the  effects  of  exposure 
and  liardshi]!  .and  May  1,  18(53,  was  pl.aced  on  tiie 
sick  list  of  hosi)ital  No.  1,  at  N.-ishville.  Hefore 
he  had  recovered  siillicieiitly  to  go  on  duty  again 
with  his  regiment,  lie  made  himself  useful  in  var- 
ious ways  about  the  hospital,  and  was  linally  con- 
nected with  tlie  coinnii8.sarv  departiiieiit.  He  was 
discharged  in  October,  18(1 1,  after  lie  li:id  returned 
to  his  regiment,  as  his  term  of  cnlistnieiit  expired 
on  IliMl  date. 

After  the  war,  our  subject  returned  to  his  old 
home  in  Mi<'higaii.  and  Ixnigjit  iiis  present  farm  in 
1H(),'>.  It  WIS  he;i\il\  t  iiiilieicd,  hut  he  liMseleMred 
it  ail  liiiiiseir,  and  has  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  as  line  f:irming  land  .as  caii  be  found  in 
all  ( )tseg(>  Towiisliip.  It  is  lie:iiil  ifiilly  lucMlcdon 
sect  lull  .'M.niid  is  I'ully  sii|iplii'd  with    niudeiii     im- 


II 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


813 


pi'ovenients,  including  a  good  set  of  buildings  and 
Uic  liiR'  frame  residence  that  lie  erected  iu  1881), 
wlueli  is  complete  in  all  its  appuiiitnieiits  and  a 
view  of  wliicli  is  shown  in  connection  with  this 
sketch. 

Our  suliject  was  married  to  the  wife  who  presides 
over  this  pleasant  home  iu  18()5.  To  them  have 
liei'u  horn  two  children,  Wilford  C.  and  Harvey 
N.,  to  whom  they  have  given  good  educational  ad- 
vantages. Mrs.  .Stratton,  who  bore  the  maiden  luime 
.of  Mary  E.  Sebring,  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
N.  Y.,  but  she  was  reared  mostly  in  Michigan,  as 
her  parents  brought  her  here  when  she  was  only 
seven  years  old. 

Mr.  Stratton  has  always  fullilled  his  duties  as  a 
citizen,  and,  although  he  has  never  asi)ired  to 
official  honors,  is  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this 
township,  having  been  elected  to  this  oflice  two 
years  ago.  His  strong  temperance  principles  have  led 
him  to  abandon  the  Republican  party  to  identify 
himself  with  the  Prohibitionists.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  P^piscopal 
Church,  of  which  he  has  been  Steward  almost 
every  year  since  1865,  and  he  has  l)een  a  power 
for  much  good  in  the  upbuilding  of  his  church. 


V. 


•{•^♦= 


r 


>SCAR  S.  SCHORNO.  To  have  the  esteem 
of  one's  fellow-men,  and  especially  of  those 
who  know  30U  most  intimately  in  the 
everyday  relation  of  neighbors,  is  worth  much,  and 
to  gain  it  is  the  worthy  ambition  of  any  honorable 
man.  We  may  truly  say  that  the  gentleman 
whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  has 
attained  this  desideratum,  as  he  is  well  spoken  of 
by  all  who  know  him,  and  has  honorably  attained 
to  a  broad  and  true  friendship  with  many. 

Mr.  Schorno  was  born  in  Fillmore  Townshi)), 
Allegan  County,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  re- 
sides, October  23,  1846.  His  parents  were  Anton 
and  Mary  (Uncks)  Schorno.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  Switzerland,  in  which  country  he  re- 
mained until  the  age  of  twenty  years,  when  he 
went  to  (iermany  and  there  met  and  married 
Mary  Lhieks.     To  them  were  born   thirteen  chil- 


dren, eight  sons  and  five  daughters,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  'I'hey  made  the  trip  to  the 
United  States  in  1K3.'>,  and,  after  spending  one 
winter  in  New  York,  came  to  Michigan  and  were 
among  the  first  settlers  at  Singapore,  where  the 
father  helped  to  erect  a  sawmill  and  the  first  light- 
house. He  then  |)urcha.sed  land  in  Fillmore 
Township,  on  which  our  subject  makes  his  home. 

Anton  Schorno  worked  in  Saugatuck,  Allegan 
County,  for  four  years,  iu  the  employ  of  Wells  k 
Johnson  and  otheis  in  the  lumber  business,  and 
hauled  lumber  from  that  [)lace  to  erect  his  house. 
He  lived  six  miles  from  the  nearest  neighbor 
and  eleven  miles  from  market.  His  circum- 
stances were  such,  however,  that  he  hired  a  teacher 
to  come  to  his  home  and  educate  his  children,  and 
in  this  manner  they  were  enabled  to  gain  a  good 
knowledge  of  books,  which  was  more  than  could 
be  said  of  the  average  pioneer's  children.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  died  in  Fillmore,  May  14, 
1861.  The  father  passed  away  M.arch  18,  1879, 
and  at  his  death  left  an  estate  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy-five  acres.  His  interest  m  educational 
matters  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  served  as 
School  Director  for  a  number  of  years.  He  also  rend- 
ered his  township  good  service  in  the  capacity  of 
Township  Treasurer,  Justice  of  the  Peace  ^nd 
Highway  Commissioner.  Although  not  a  member 
of  any  church,  he  always  tried  to  do  to  his  fellow- 
men  as  he  would  be  done  l)y.  Two  brothers 
of  oursubject  are  iu  Washington  and  two  in  Port- 
land, Ore. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and 
at  the  death  of  his  father  he  purchased  the  inter- 
est of  some  other  heirs  of  the  estate  and  now  owns 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  the  original 
homestead.  When  a  young  man,  he  spent  three 
years  in  Kansas,  returning  thence  to  the  old  home. 
January  1,  1880,  he  took  unto  himself  a  wife  and 
helpmate  in  the  person  of  Miss  Amelia  Kirschman, 
who  was  born  October  26,  1859.  Her  parents  were 
Adam  and  Mary  Kirschman,  who  were  of  German 
descent  and  early  settlers  of  Ann  Arbor.  After 
coming  to  Manlius  Township,  Allegan  County, 
the  mother  died,  February  7,  1884;  the  father  is 
still  residing  at  that  place. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schorno  have  become  the    [larcnts 


814 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


of  four  children,  namely:  Josephine,  Elsie  A., 
Ernest  O.  and  M^vrtle,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs. 
Scliorno  died  Xovcmljer  2,  1889;  she  was  a.  lad.v 
hi'ld  in  hiirli  esteem  by  her  ueighboi-s  and  asso- 
ciates. In  addition  to  carrying  on  general  fann- 
ing, our  siittjcct  breeds  Short-horn  cattle,  and  has 
some  very  fine  animals  on  his  place.  He  is  enter- 
prising and  energetic  and  fully  deserves  the  high 
estimation  in  which  he  is  lield  liy  his  townsmen. 
.Socially,  iio  is  a  member  of  Unit^'  Lodge,  No.  191, 
F.  &  A.  M.  I  n  iiolitics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has 
no  ambition  tu  hold  otiice.  preferring  to  give  his 
time  and  attention  to  liis  farm  labors.  He  has  a 
substantial  and  convenient  residence,  a  view  of 
wiiicli  accompanies  this  sketch,  but  for  memory's 
sake  h.is  still  standing  on  the  farm  the  old 
"shanty"  in  which  he  was  born  and  which  was 
erected  in  1811.  He  lias  the  best  wishes  and 
kindest  regards  of  all  who  know  him. 


i>-^<! 


>Qv^ 


]^ANIEL  WHITE.  The  estimable  gcntle- 
I  ))]  man  to  whom  we  would  now  call  the 
^Mf^  attention  of  our  readers  is  one  of  the 
prominent  farmers  of  Allegan  Townshii). 
He  has  accumulated  a  sulliciency  of  this  world's 
goods  to  enable  him  to  live  comfortably*  on  his 
lx>auliful  farm  of  forty  acres,  on  section  9.  He 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  January  9,  1817, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  A.  (Landon) 
Whit*",  iiativci  respectively  of  Connecticut  :unl 
Rhode  Island. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  in 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  Init  farmed  in  Wayne 
County  until  their  death.  Their  family  of  chil- 
dren numbered  six,  of  whom  oiu-  subject  w.as  tlie 
youngest,  and  is  the  only  fuic  now  living.  He  was 
given  a  good  ediu^ation  in  the  schools  of  his  imtivc 
town,  and  lived  at  home  until  reaching  his  majoi- 
ily,  when  he  combineil  with  his  occupation  of  a 
rarrnci  llie  trade  of  a  boot  and  shoemaker,  lie 
continued  to  resi<le  in  Wayne  County  until  the 
spring  of  ix.'il,and  for  a  short  time  previous  to 
his  locating  in  Allegan  County,  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  busines.s.     His    present    line  farm  bears 


excellent   improvements   and   is  in    every  way  a 
credit  to  its  enterprising  proprietor. 

Daniel  White  was  married,  October  28.  18.')2,  to 
Miss  Phebe,  daughter  of  Orrin  and  Elizabeth 
(Prosceous)  Parsons,  natives  respectively  of  Con- 
necticut and  New  York.  Mr.  Pars(ms  was  in  early 
life  a  miller,  but  passed  his  later  days  on  a  farm  in 
Wayne  Count}-,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were  Joel  and 
Phebe  (Bailies)  Parsons,  natives  of  the  New  Eng- 
land States.  They  reared  a  large  family,  and  lived 
and  died  in  New  York.  Mrs.  White  was  one  of  a 
family  of  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing and  named:  David,  Paulina,  Mrs.  White,  Sarah, 
Wealthy  A.,  Laura  E.,  Edward  L.  and  Triscilla  M., 
respectively. 

OtU'  subject  is  not  an  adherent  of  any  creed,  but 
believes  in  science,  and  is  a  liberal  thinker.  He 
rather  inclines  to  the  doctrines  advocated  by 
Robert  Ingersoll.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  his  cordial,  kindly  spirit  makes  him  warm 
friends  and  stanch  adherents.  Elsewhere  in  tl'.is 
volume  will  be  noticed  a  view  of  the  pleasant 
homestead  occupied  bj'  Mr.  White. 


DELHERT  C.  MARTIN,  editor   and  .sole 
owner  of  the  True  North<>rnpr.  is  not  only 
Ifc    the  leading  newspaper  man    in    I'aw    Paw, 
'Q^  but  occupies  a  iiroininent  position  among 

the  joiirmilists  of  Southwestern  Michigan.  His 
otlicc,  which  is  located  in  the  Masonic  Block,  con- 
tains every  con  venience  fi»r  the  rapid  completion 
of  work,  and  steam  power  is  used  in  driving  the 
])resses.  The  prominence  to  which  he  has  attained 
in  the  newspaper  arena  is  the  result  of  his  eiitei- 
prise  and  perseverance,  and  from  poverty  in  his 
boyhood,  he  has  arisen  to  a  position  of  inlluiiiec 
:in(I  pidininence.  .Aside  from  the  ownership  of 
the  'I'nip  N<irtlu'riii'i\  he  luis  !i  half-interest  in  the 
ll:irir<)r<l  Day  Spn'mj  and  the  liangor  Advance  nud 

Jii'jlnlor. 

Mr.  IMaitin  traces  his  aneestiy  U>  <u'nn:iny, 
whence  his  greal-grandt'.Mther  eiiiigiatiMl  to  Amer- 
ica. His  parents,  Lawreuct!  and  Amanda  (Chat- 
lleld)  Martin,  were  natives  of  rennsylvania,  where 
the    I'oiiner    oiierated    .as    a    tanner.      Misfortunes 


RE5IDENCE  OF   DANIEL    WH  ITE,  SEC,  9,  ALLEGAN    TP.,ALLEGAN    CO., MICH. 


!v*^«s>^>-<r5&^^3^I*de&s/vitt>*;(^^^  ^-^>cX    4»-'*x>,?v*-     ■^j.^^^r.^sa^  ^^•^itmr^^'-aF-^  ;;  -f"     -^    ^    •^ 


THE  OLD   HOMESTEAD   PROPERTY   OF  0.5,  SCHORNO  ^SEC.  26.,riLM0RE  TP,ALLEGAIn1     CO,, MICH. 


RESIDENCE  OF  CHARLES     ST  RATTO  N   ,  5EC    3L  .OTSEGO    TP,  ALLEGAN    CO., MICH 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RFX'ORD. 


815 


caused  tlie  loss  of  his  property  and  when  lie  came 
to  Mk'liigaii  in  lKiJ(j  he  was  a  poor  man,  with  only 
lifty  cents  in  his  [wssossioii  and  havini^'  no  i<nowl- 
cdgc  of  any  olhoi-  trade  than  that  of  a  tanner. 
However,  he  soon  hecaine  an  ex])ert  in  tlie  use  of 
tiie  axe,  and  cleared  the  fifty  acres  of  land 
whicli  lie  took  i\\).  About  1863,  he  went  into  the 
army,  leaving  his  wife  and  two  children  on  the 
farm. 

In  Susijuehanna  Count}',  Pa.,  our  subject  was 
born,  November  13,  1850,  and  when  about  six  years 
old  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  State.  lie  was 
reared  to  manhood  under  adverse  circumstances 
and  through  Lis  youth  fought  a  constant  battle 
against  poverty.  AVhen  attending  school  in  Law- 
ton,  it  was  his  custom  to  arise  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning  and  begin  his  studies  for  the  day,  that  he 
might  have  time  to  attend  to  his  work  as  janitor. 
One  lesson  was  alwa3'S  learned  while  on  his  way  to 
school.  After  he  finished  the  course  in  the  Union 
school  at  Lawton,  he  engaged  as  a  teacher  during 
one  winter  and  later  was  a  student  at  the  State 
Normal  for  one  year. 

On  January  4,  1876,  Mr.  INIartin  was  married  to 
JMiss  Cora,  daughter  of  Elisha  and  Allie  (Kilburn) 
Durkee,  of  Lawton.  Mrs.  Martin  was  Ixirn  in  I'aw 
Paw,  April  18,  1853,  and  is  a  lady  of  great  culture, 
familiar  with  the  Latin  and  German  languages,  as 
well  as  being  an  English  scholar.  Prior  to  her  mar- 
riage, she  was  a  teacher  in  Paw  Paw,  beginning  in 
the  primary  department  of  the  public  school  and 
working  in  every  grade  until  she  was  finally  elected 
Princi|)al  of  the  High  School.  After  her  union 
with  our  subject,  she  aided  him  in  his  school  work 
and  for  eight  years  taught  with  him.  For  one 
term  Mr.  ]\Iartin  was  engaged  as  teacher  in  White- 
hall, and  for  seven  succeeding  years  was  Superin- 
tendent of  the  schools  of  Bangor.  Next  he  returned 
to  Lawton  and  for  two  years  was  Superintendent 
of  the  school  where  he  had  once  been  janitor. 

After  continuing  as  a  teacher  for  about  ten 
years,  Mr.  Martin  entered  the  newspaper  business 
by  purchasing  a  one-half  interest  in  the  True 
Northernei-  and  has  since  followed  journalistic  work. 
Although  the  duties  connected  with  the  successful 
management  of  his  paper  are  large,  he  still  finds 
time  to  look   after  other  matters  and  has  become 


thoroughly  versed  in  the  German  language.  He 
has  also  spent  some  time  in  the  study  of  law  and 
could  l>e  admitted  to  the  bar  at  any  time  should  he 
desire.  For  five  years  he  has  been  a  member  of 
the  County  Board  of  School  Kxaminers,  of  which 
he  was  Secretary  three  years.  When  only  twenty- 
one,  he  became  identified  with  the  Masons,  since 
which  time  he  has  attained  to  the  Thirtj'-second 
degree.  In  his  political  allilialions,  he  is  a  stanch 
adherent  of  the  Kepublican  party,  of  which  his 
[laper  is  the  organ. 


J  >■■  )i  '      I  I  I   '    6 


"^[EROMED.  HAMILTON,  M.  D.  This  pro- 
minent physician  and  surgeon  of  Paw  Paw, 
was  born  at  Scotts,  Kalamazoo  County, 
'  July  9,  1862.  He  was  the  son  of  Monroe 
M.  and  Caroline  Hamilton,  natives  of  New  York. 
The  father  was  a  pioneer  of  Kalamazoo  County, 
and  is  at  present  residing  on  a  farm  entered  from 
the  Government  by  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
LTriali  Hamilton. 

When  only  fourteen  years  of  age,  our  subject 
entered  Galesbuigh  High  School,  about  six  miles 
from  his  home.  He  studied  for  three  years  m 
that  institution,  and  left  just  two  months  before 
graduating,  in  order  to  enter  the  medical  dejjart- 
ment  of  the  Michigan  University  in  the  fall  term 
of  1880.  He  prosecuted  his  studies  there  the  fol- 
lowing two  years  and  then  entered  the  Detroit 
Medical  College  from  which  he  received  the  de- 
gree of  Doctor  ot  Medicine  in  the  spring  of    1884. 

Dr.  Hamilton  was  married  February  17,  1884, 
about  two  weeks  before  his  graduation.  The 
maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Jennie  Newbold, 
of  Detroit.  She  was  born  at  Fair  Grove,  this 
State,  May  7,  1862.  Our  subject  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  ]\Iartin,  Allegan  Count}-, 
where  he  built  u[)  an  enviable  re|iutation  as  a 
physician  and  remained  until  18'.(().  He  came  to 
Paw  Paw  in  April  of  that  }ear  and  is  ranked 
among  the  eminent  and  skillful  doctors  of  that 
city.  He  also  owns  the  Wolverine  I'harmacy, 
which  is  one  of  the  finest  drug  stores  in  this  vi- 
cinity. 

The  gentleman  of  whoiii  we  write    is   a    Repub- 


816 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


lican  in  politics,  but  prefers  to  devote  his  time  to 
his  profession  rather  than  to  public  affaii'S.  Al- 
tliough  not  a  member  of  any  Church,  Dr.  Hamil- 
ton is  a  regular  attendant  at  the  Presbjtcriau 
Church,  with  which  denomination  his  wife  is  con- 
nected. Tiie  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  State  Jled- 
ical  Society,  also  of  the  State  Pliarmaceutical  So- 
ciety. 


^SCAR  F.  COLK.M.VX.  Tliis  gentleman,  who 
is  a  prominent  citizen  of  Kalamazoo,  is  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  a  varietj'  of  business, 
l)eing  a  lire,  life  and  accident  insurance  agent,  also 
.Justice  of  the  Peace,  a  dealer  in  real  estate  and  a 
money-broker,  having  his  place  of  business  lo- 
cated at  No.  11 1  South  Burdick  Street.  He  was 
born  at  Newark,  W.ayne  County',  N.  Y.,  June  2, 
1827,  and  is  the  sou  of  .John  and  Jane  (Reury) 
Coleman.  The  father  was  born  in  New  York  and 
is  of  Irish  and  Knglish  descent,  while  the  mother, 
who  is  also  a  native  of  the  aliove-named  State, 
comes  of  good  old  Oerinan  stock. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  millwright,  who 
also  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1836,  he 
came  to  Michigan,  and,  locating  at  .lackson,  helped 
to  erect  the  lirst  mill  in  that  place.  In  1838,  he 
came  to  Kalamazoo  County,  and  in  18(52  removed 
to  Wayland.  .Mlegan  County,  where  his  death  oc- 
curred live  years  ;il;o.  when  in  lii.s  eighty-lirst 
year.  Mr.  Coleman  Ijuilt  the  mill  at  Homer,  this 
Slate.  .■in<l  .'dso  the  \V;ildliridgv  mill  at  Kalamazoo. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  died  the  year  after  lo- 
cating in  -Inckson. 

Oscar  V.  Coleman  worked  at  his  tra<le  of  a  cnr- 
lienU'r  for  a  lime  and  then  assisted  his  father  in 
building  a  ve».sel  at  tiie  moMi  li  of  the  Kalamazoo 
River.  The  parlies  for  whom  they  were  working 
failing,  our  .subject  sliii)ped  as  cook  on  a  boat  for 
one  siimmei'.  'I'lic  succeeding  year,  he  assisted  in 
eoinpleting  the  vessel,  and  on  the  outbreak  of  the 
.Mexican  War,  he  enlisted,  in  IK17,  mikI  raising  a 
company  of  volunteers  at  Kalamazoo,  was  attached 
to  Col.  .SiJK-kton's  regiment  and  joined  Oen.  Tay- 
lor's army  at  V'er.'i  Cruz.  They  were  later  sta- 
tioned  at  Conlfjva  and  Oiizali:i  .Mini  participaletl  in 


the  bombardment  of  the  latter-named  place.  His 
regiment  was  also  engaged  in  guerrilla  warfare  and 
served  in  the  army  until  the  treaty  of  peace  was 
signed,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Detroit.  He 
had  asked  to  be  discharged  at  Vera  Cruz,  as  he 
wished  to  visit  the  gold  region  of  California,  l)ut 
his  Captain  brought  him  home,  together  with  his 
brother  John  INI. 

October  9,  1849,  Mr.  Coleman  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Sweezy,  of  Coojier,  this 
county.  He  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  until 
18.52,  at  which  time  he  went  into  the  einjiloyment 
of  \j.  D.  Strong  as  head  clerk  for  four  jears,  and 
then  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Strong,with 
whom  he  was  interested  for  a  luimher  of  years.  At 
the  same  time,  he  w.as  elected  Township  Treasurer. 
In  18.56,  our  subject  opened  a  first-class  restaurant, 
which  he  conducted  successfully  until  the  close  of 
the  late  war. 

^Ir.  Coleman  being  in  pour  liealtii,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  change  his  business,  and  in  181)7  he 
became  proprietor  of  a  general  store  in  Oshteino. 
A  short  time  after  locating  there,  he  was  made 
Postmaster  of  the  village  and  agent  of  the  Michi- 
gan Central  Railway;  he  also  had  charge  of  the 
American  Express  of  that  place.  After  being  thus 
occupied  for  a  time,  Mv.  Ct)leinan  returned  to  his 
family,  which  he  had  left  in  Kalamazoo,  and  again 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 

In  1857.  the  original  of  this  sketch  was  elected 
Township  Treasurer  for  the  second  time,  and  was 
re-elected  to  that  ottice  again  in  1H73.  In  the  lal- 
ter-n:inie<l  year,  he  defeated  the  sanu'  man  who 
caused  him  to  lose  the  ollice  in  1872.  In  1875, 
Mr.  Coleman  disposed  of  his  grocery  and  has  since 
been  doing  a  general  insurance  Imsiness.  lie  was 
elected  .lustice  of  the  Peace  in  1889,  and  re-elected 
in  1891,  for  four  years.  He  also  acts  as  Notary 
Pul>lit'  and  is  one  of  the  most  pnuninent  business 
men  of  the  city. 

The  residence  of  our  sulijeel  is  located  at  No. 
711  West  Lovell  Street,  where  he  has  made  his 
hoini^  since  1850.  A  Whig  in  former  days,  our 
subject  votes  the  Pepuhlieaii  ticket  .'iiid  is  quite 
active  in  campaigns.  With  his  wife,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Ki)iscopai  ('liiirch,  .•ind  has 
been  foi  the  past  thirty  ^ear.s.     The  iMuiily  <if  our 


'r- 


rORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  KECOKL* 


819 


subject  includes  the  following  children:  Amelia  A.; 
Millie,  who  is  Mrs.  R.  E.  Comfort,  her  husband  be- 
ing Superintendent  of  the  Mexican  Central  Rail- 
road and  residing  at  Juarez,  Mex.,  which  has  been 
his  home  for  the  past  eight  years;  Eunice,  who 
married  Cliarles  11.  Cryle,  who  keeps  a  stationery 
and  l)ook-store  at  Kalamazoo;  AVillis  A.,  a  whole- 
sale dealer  in  meats  in  Kalamazoo,  is  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Pierce  A  Coleman;  Jlinnie  II.,  who  is 
stenographer  in  tlie  pension  olticc  of  Col.  Foote; 
and  Carrie  E.,  who  has  been  a  teacher  in  the  Vine 
Street  School  for  llie  past  four  or  five  years. 

Socially,  Mr  Coleman  is  identified  with  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  22,  at  Kala- 
mazoo. He  also  belongs  to  Kalamazoo  Chapter,  No. 
13,  and  Peninsular  Coramander.y  No.  8.  He  has 
lieen  very  active  in  lodge  work  and  has  passed  all 
the  chairs  in  both  Cliapter  and  Commandery.  He 
has  attended  the  National  Conclaves  and  is  Senior 
Warden  in  Blue  Lodge  and  Nobles  of  tlie  Mystic 
Siirine.  He  occupies  a  high  position  in  Masonic 
circles  and  devotes  a  great  deal  of  time  and  atten- 
tion to  the  same. 


*^^'l 


m^m 


\^^ 


iw 


'if  OSEPH  H.  WHITE.  Among  the  prosper- 
ous farmers  of  Allegan  County,  a  prominent 
position  is  occupied  by  the  gentleman  whose 
portrait  appears  on  the  opposite  page,  and 
wlio  is  successfully  prosecuting  iiis  chosen  calling 
on  section  14,  Monterey  Town.ship.  He  is  a  worthy 
representative  of  a  family  well  known  in  Scotch 
history,  liis  ancestors  on  the  maternal  side  being 
numbered  among  the  first  Scotchmen  who  pro- 
claimed their  allegiance  to  the  Calvin istic  doctrine, 
and  were  exiled  to  Ireland  in  consequence  of  tlieir 
religious  views. 

The  genealogy  of  the  White  family  is  as  follows: 
(1)  Thomas  White,  born  in  England  in  1599,  came 
to  America  al)out  1625  and  settled  in  Weymoutli, 
Mass.;  (2)  Capt.  Joseph,  born  in  We^'moiith,  Mass., 
in  1635,  settled  at  Mendon,  Mass.;  (3)  Thomas, 
born  in  April,  1665,  settled  in  Uxbridge;  (1) 
Samuel,  l)orn  in  Uxbridge,  September  21,  1700; 
(5)  Paul,  born  December  1,  1744,  was  the  father 
of  three  sons,  namely:    Elijah,  born   Februaiy   1, 


1769;  Calvin,  August  30,  1771 ;  and  Paul,  J.annary 
26,  1777  (6)  Jonas,  born  in  Sallon,  JIass.,  Novem- 
ber 19,  1795,  the  latter  l)eiiig  the  father  of  our 
subject. 

Jonas  Wlutc  was  united  in  marriage  witli  Miss 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Lemuel  McGregory,  a  native 
of  Scotland,  and  after  tlieir  marriage  the  young 
couple  located  in  Jlassachusetts,  where  Joseph  II. 
was  born  October  10,  1821.  In  1823,  the  father 
removed  from  Massachusetts  to  Portage  County, 
Ohio,  the  journey  being  made  with  ox-teams,  and 
occupying  six  weeks.  The  various  members  of 
the  family  have  been  noted  for  their  intellectual 
ability  and  literary  attainments.  A  sister  of  our 
subject,  Emily,  was  considered  the  best  speller  in 
that  section  of  Ohio  in  early  days;  another  sister, 
Mary  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years, 
was  for  years  a  prominent  teacher  in  the  Cleve- 
land schools;  Prof.  Emerson  E.  White,  who 
resides  in  Cincinnati,  is  the  author  of  White's 
System  of  School  Publications. 

At  the  time  his  father  removed  to  Portage 
County,  Ohio,  Joseph  II.  AVhite  was  two  years  old 
and  he  resided  there  until  he  was  thirty.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-one,  he  started  out  in  life  for  him- 
self, with  no  capital  but  his  industrious  habits  and 
rugged  health.  He  came  to  Michigan  when  he  was 
thirty  years  old,  settling  in  Allegan  C'ount3',  where 
he  has  since  resided. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1841,  our  subject 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Harriet  Clark, 
of  Troy,  Ohio,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six 
children.  Frances  C.  is  the  wife  of  Henry  W. 
George,  and  resides  in  Findlay,  Ohio;  Martha  and 
Mary  are  twins,  the  first-named  being  the  wife  of 
Enos  Smith,  of  Allegan,  and  the  latter  the  wife  of 
Samuel  Cummings,  also  a  resident  of  Allegan; 
Charles  E.  married  Nora  (4ibson,  and  makes  his 
home  in  Allegan;  Calvin  K.  chose  as  his  wife 
Molly  (Tould,  and  lives  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio; 
Orville  G.  married  Katie  Baxter,  and  lives  on  the 
old  homestead. 

April  14,  1887,  Mr.  White  was  again  married, 
his  wife  being  the  widow  of  P^phraiin  Jarvis,  and 
the  daughter  of  Harvey'  Town.  She  is  the  mother 
of  twelve  children,  six  daughters  and  six  sons, 
eight  of  whom  are  living.     The  family  residence 


820 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


is  a  beautiful  rural  borne  on  section  14,  and  the 
surroundings  are  tbose  of  plenty  and  comfort. 
The  farm  includes  one  hundred  and  twenty'  acres 
of  good  land,  finely  improved,  and  ranlis  among 
the  best  estates  in  the  township,  toward  the  de- 
velopment of  which  'Sir.  While  h.os  rendered  effect- 
ive service.  He  belongs  to  the  Grange,  and  is  in 
S3Tnpathy  with  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
IMirty. 


4^ 


^?^ 


ylLLlAM  11.  CDliH,  Chief  of  Police  in 
Kalamazoo,  was  born  at  Orwell,  Vt.,  Nov- 
,,  ^  ember  1.  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Horace 
and  Tliankful  (Bascomb)  Cobb,  natives  of  the 
Green  Mountain  ."^tiite.  He  is  the  second  of  three 
sons,  of  whom  tlie  youngest  died  in  infanc\-  and 
the  eldest,  James  15.,  is  represented  elsewliere  in 
this  volume.  His  father  w.asa  second  lime  married, 
cJKKjsing  as  liis  wife  Abigail  Nichols,  and  by  that 
union  became  tlie  father  of  two  children:  Jane  F., 
who  resides  in  (irand  Rapids,  and  Mary  A.,  who  is 
deceased. 

Tlic  fatiier  of  oiu'  subject  served  as  a  valiant 
soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  afterward  received 
eighty  .icres  on  a  .soldier's  warrant.  He  removed 
from  his  Vermont  lioine  al)oiit  18;32,  making  settle- 
ment at  IJrightfjn,  N.  Y.,  where  his  dcalli  occurred 
in  18.t0.  .\t  the  time  of  the  removal  to  New  York, 
our  sul)ject  was  a  hid  of  some  .seven  years  and  lie 
grew  to  manhood  in  the  Empire  State,  remaining 
at  home  until  IH.'il  .'ind  cimductiiig  the  farming 
o|K-ratioiis. 

In  18.'')."1,  Mr.  C'oblj  canic  to  K;il;iiii:i/.oo  Miid  |)iu- 
ch.'j.'^ed  a  farm  on  the"lncb:in  l-'icbl.s,"  four  miles 
south  of  the  city,  upon  which  he  settled  in  the 
spring  of  tlic  following  year.  It  continued  to  bo 
his  home  until  IMHO,  when  he  removed  to  Kalania- 
z<Ki  and  cst.ibli.sjicd  his  present  home  at  No.  !)  16 
S.  West  .Street.  During  thir  pa.sl  fourteen  years,  he 
engngcfl  in  Itiiying  woo!  in  conncclion  with  his 
hrotlier,  .lames  H.,  and  handled  bclwecn  four  hun- 
drud  thousand  and  eight  hundred  thousand  pounds 
anniinlly.  giving  llii-  matter  his  dose  atlenl  ion  prior 
to  the  ncceptiince  of  his  present  ollice. 

Mr.  Cobb  liiLM  piirclia.siu|  the  farm   of  ouc   hun- 


dred and  thirty  acres  adjoining  his  old  homestead 
and  there  he  conducts  farming  operations  after  tlie 
most  approved  methods.  For  ten  years  he  h.as 
been  President  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Insurance 
Company,  and  for  many  years  served  as  President 
of  the  Kalamazoo  Agricultural  Society,  it  being 
Largely'  through  his  iuHucuce  that  it  was  ri'vivod 
and  became  prosperous.  He  is  also  one  of  the 
Directors  of  the  Stale  Agricultural  Society,  and 
chairman  of  the  committee  that  erected  the  public 
buildings  in  Detroit  and  Kalamazoo.  He  w.as  Al- 
derman for  the  Third  Ward  for  two  j^ears.  Presi- 
dent of  the  Council,  Chairm.an  of  the  Commiltecs 
on  Finance  and  Streets  and  Bridges. 

In  April,  1891,  :Mr.  Cobb  was  appointed  Chief  of 
Police  by  the  City  Council.  At  the  lime,  he 
was  lying  at  home  ver\-  ill  and  the  Council  waited 
a  week  to  see  whether  he  would  live  or  die,  Iml  as 
his  illness  look  a  favorable  turn,  the  appointuient 
remained  in  effect.  He  gives  his  position  his  en- 
lire  allenlion  and  keeps  the  police  force  up  to  a 
high  standard,  much  of  the  effectiveness  being  due 
to  the  direct  personal  attention  and  supervision  of 
llic  Chief.  He  is  by  no  means  a  partisan,  but  is  a 
stanch  Republican  in  his  political  atlilialions  and 
uses  his  induence  for  the  party  of  his  choice. 

The  marriage  of  l\Ir.  Cobl),  in  1850,  united  him 
to  Miss  Laura  Ann  AVilson,  of  Brighton,  N.  Y., 
and  their  children  are  nanu-d  as  follows:  Ilor.ace, 
Charles  Oscar,  James  Bascomli  and  Willi:un  llcniy, 
allot  whom  arc  deceased;  Harriet  Thankful,  and 
Horace  E.,  who  is  a  traveling  salesman  for  a  New 
York  firm.  Harriet  married  C.  F.  Rude,  of  the 
hardware  linn  of  Foster,  Stevens  it  Coin|>any,  of 
tirand  Rapids.  Charles  married  Claia  Pomeroy,  of 
Kalamazoo,  and  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four. 
One  child  was  born  of  his  marriage,  Sliarley,  now 
nine  years  old,  who  since  the  death  of  her  mother, 
in  1890,  has  made  her  home  with  our  subject.  Mrs. 
Cobb  passed  from  this  life  MmicIi  21,  1892,  dying  of 
bronchial  pneiiiiioiii;i. 

Mr.  CqMi  is  a  Trustee  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  and  a  man  of  great  benevolence  and  char- 
ity. He  is  one  of  the  charier  members  of  Portage 
Lodge,  I'',  it  A.  M.,  Mud  :i  prominent  member  of 
social  circles,  where  liis  \  I'lsnlility  of  lalenl  aii<l 
genial    disposition    iciidei   liiui  ;i  \iiluable   aeipiisi- 


PORTRAIT  AAD  BlOGRAl'lllCAL   RECORD. 


821 


lion.     He  receivofl  a  fliploma  from  Ihc  Kalamazoo 

Agi'iciiltiiral  Society  for  liavuii^'  llu^  liesl-iiiaiiagud 
and  coiulucli'il  farm,  and  a  visitor  to  his  place 
will  see  at  a  glance  that  the  reward  was  justlj' 
bestowed. 


,^rs^  AMUEL  IIAAVKINS.  The  oldest  resident  of 
^^^^    Vicksburg,  and  one  who  is  highly  respected 
'[il/_^j  for  his  long  and  self-sacrificing  services  in 
"  behalf  of  the  place,  which  he  has  seen  grow 

from  a  hamlet  with  only  a  few  houses  to  a  pros- 
perous village  of  fourteen  hundred  inhabitants,  is 
the  gentleman  who  is  affectionately  known  as 
''"Squire"  Hawkins.  He  was  born  in  Colebrook,  Coos 
County,  N.  II.,.Tanuary  7,  1816.  and  is  of  English 
descent.  Tradition  says  that  the  family'  was  first 
represented  in  America  by  a  ^outh  of  that  name, 
who  was  kidnapped  and  brought  to  the  United 
States  in  the  care  of  the  captain  of  a  ship,  during 
Colonial  times.  The  family  name  was  originally 
spelled  ''Ilolkins." 

.Joseph  Hawkins,  father  of  our  suliject,  was  born 
near  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  at  an  early  day  settled 
in  the  northern  part  of  New  Hampshire,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  until  1821.  He  then  removed 
overland  to  the  Western  Reserve,  and  settled  in 
Ashtabula  County,  Ohio,  on  what  is  known  as  the 
North  Ridge,  one  and  one-half  miles  from  the 
shores  of  Lake  Erie.  The  jonrney  from  Buffalo 
to  Erie,  N.  Y.,  was  made  by  sled  on  the  ice  down 
Lake  Erie.  The  d.ay  before  reaching  Lake  Erie, 
the  ice  thawed  and  separated  so  that  it  was  r.lmost 
impossible  to  land.  The  shore  was  steep  and  rug- 
ged, l)ut  by  throwing  felled  trees  across  the  ojien- 
ing  along  the  shore  and  throwing  a  bed  cord  out, 
the  members  of  the  family  were  hauled  ashore  in 
safety. 

In  Ohio,  where  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers,  .Jos- 
eph Hawkins  developed  a  farm,  .and  remained 
there  until  his  death — at  the  age  of  seventy-eight. 
His  wife  was  Mahetibel  Terry,  a  native  of  Connect- 
icut, a  lady  of  extraordinary  intelligence  and 
ability,  and  noted  for  her  goodness  of  heart  and 
watchful  care  over  her  family.     She  reared  to  ma- 


turity nine  children,  six  .sons  an<i  three  daughters, 
all  of  whom  are  deceased  except  the  subject  of  this 
notice,  who  is  the  youngest  member  of  the  family. 
One  brother  died  recently  at  the  .age  of  ninet\-,and 
the  mother  p.assed  away  at  a  good  old  age. 

Our  subject  recollects  some  of  the  events  of  the 
journey  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  in  a  dense 
wilderness  of  hemlock  woods,  and  educated  in  the 
primitive  log  schoolhouses  of  that  period,  the  like 
of  which,  at  this  enlightened  day,  would  astonish 
the  youth  of  our  public  schools.  The  schoolhouse 
was  built  of  round  logs,  with  large  open  fireplace, 
stick  and  mud  chimney,  slab  benches,  and  punch- 
eon floors,  and  the  school  was  conducted  on  the 
rate-bill  plan,  the  teacher  boarding  around  among 
,  the  pupils. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-three  3'ears,  Mv.  Hawkins 
walked  from  his  Ohio  home  to  Beloit,  Wis.,  and 
spent  two  years  in  the  Rock  River  country.  Re- 
turning to  Ohio,  he  w.as  married,  and,  in  the  fall 
of  1844,  came  to  Michigan  in  a  covered  w.agon, 
spending  some  months  with  relatives  in  St.  .Joseph 
County,  this  State.  He  then  came  to  \^icksburg, 
and  settled  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Prairie 
Streets,  where  now  stands  a  two-story  brick  block. 
A  house  or  two  and  a  sawmill  at  that  day  consti- 
tuted the  village,  and  deer  roamed  at  will  about 
the  country,  while  bears  were  not  unfrecpiently 
seen. 

In  1847,  Mr.  Hawkins  was  appointed  Postmaster, 
a  (losition  which  he  held  more  than  three  years. 
He  also  kept  a  tavern  and  boarding-house  for 
eight  years,  and  for  four  j-ears  was  engaged  in 
improving  a  forty-.acre  farm  in  Brady  Township. 
During  the  second  term  of  President  Grant,  he 
was  again  appointed  Postmaster,  acting  in  that  ca- 
pacity for  eleven  years,  and  serving  altogether 
under  eight  administrations.  He  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican, and  a  man  whose  judgment  and  intelli- 
gence are  everywhere  recognized.  For  twenty- 
five  years  he  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and,  while  occujiying  that  position,  has  decided 
many  important  ca.ses,  only  one  of  which  has  ever 
been  reversed  by  a  higher  court. 

November  12,  1840,  Mr.  Hawkins  w.as  nianicd 
to  Marinda  Annis,  who  was  born  in  Clarendon, 
Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,    February  27,    1819.     Her 


822 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


parents,  Thoraas  and  Sallie  (Bruce)  Annis,  were 
natives  of  Xew  York  Slate.wlio  settled  in  AsliUibula 
County,  Ohio,  in  1«37,  and  there  developed  a 
farm.  They  finally  removed  to  St.  Joseph  County, 
this  Slate,  and  there  died,  the  father  when  only 
forty-seven,  and  the  mother  at  sixty-four  years. 
They  had  a  family  eonii)rising  nine  children,  one 
of  whom,  a  daughter,  died  m  infancy,  and  the 
others,  six  sons  and  two  daughtei-s,  attained  to 
mature  years.  Four  of  the  family  are  now  liv- 
inj,'. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkins  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Ellen  K.,  who  married  H.  Foster,  of 
Mi.ssouri.and  is  now  deceased;  Joseph  E.,  who  mar- 
ried Ida  Potter,  and  is  a  farmer  and  celery  grower 
near  the  village  of  X'ickshurgh ;  and  Jessie  B.,  who 
married  B.  F.  Heed,  a  clerk  in  the  .School  Seat  Fur- 
nishing Com])any,  at  Battle  Creek.  November  12, 
IH'.MI.  our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife  p.issed 
their  fiftieth  wedding  anniversary.  Mrs.  Hawkins 
is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
highly  esteemed  among  her  neighboi"S. 

During  the  past  five  years,  Mr.  Hawkins  has 
l)een  cultivating  celery  on  his  farm  near  the  vil- 
I.ige.  He  there  has  thirteen  acres  of  celery  marsh, 
which  is  said,  by  experts,  to  be  the  best  in  the 
.State,  and  is  so  arranged  .as  to  be  conveniently  ir- 
rigated from  springs  and  ditches.  During  the 
se.'i.s4iii  of  IHltl,  the  product  w.as  six  thousand 
dozen,  and  it  is  the  exi)ect«tion  of  Mr.  Hawkins  to 
incri'as<>  the  amount  each  year.  He  now  ships  to 
Chicago.  Pitt.sburgh,  Washington  and  other  promi- 
nent markets. 


DWAIJI)  II.  DK.N.NISTON  has  hail  a  hand 
in  the  making  of  Kalamaxoo  County  and 
^t  ■"!  hn.H  built  up  here  one  of  it.s  many  attractive 
liomiv*,  iM-autifully  liH-ated  on  section  (I,  Pavilion 
Township,  whore  lie  has  a  finely  ecpiipped  farm, 
wliir'h  h<^  (U'voles  to  general  agricultural  purpo.ses, 
having  it  well  s(4i('kcd  with  lliomuglibred  Durham 
entile  and  .M«'rino  sheep.  Mr.  Drniiiston  wius  lH»rn 
in  KoMcorniiion  County.  Ireland,  .March  2,  IM2I. 
Tin'  family  foi-  generations  liveil  in  the  North  of 
Ireland,  and  liin  fnlliei',  -lohn  Dennislon,  wn-s  a  un- 


I  tive  of  the  city  of  Londonderry.  He  was  reared 
to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  and  in  1836  emigrated  to 
this  country.  He  located  first  at  Northain[)ton, 
Hampshire  County,  Mass.,  but  shortly  after  he 
went  South  to  prospect  for  a  suitable  i)lace  of  set- 
tlement. He  finally  returned  northward  and  bought 
a  farm  on  the  old  Buft'alo  road,  between  Batavia  and 
Alexandria,  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.  That  w.as 
then  a  newly  settled  region,  forming  a  i)art  of  the 
Holland  Purchase.  Mr.  Deuniston  settled  on  his 
land  in  the  fall  of  1838,  and  developed  the  greater 
part  of  it,  devoting  himself  .assiduously  to  the  hard 
t.isk  of  cutting  trees  and  pl.acing  the  soil  under 
cultivation.  In  1857,  he  removed  from  that  ])lacc 
to  this  county,  and  lived  retired  in  the  city  until 
J  his  death  in  1859,  at  the  age  of  sixt3--foiir  years. 
He  was  a  sound  Democrat  in  i)olitics,  .and  both  he 
and  his  wife  were  valued  members  of  the  EpLscojial 
Church.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Alice 
Dowling,  and  who  was  also  a  native  of  Roscom- 
mon County,  Ireland,  died  at  the  .age  of  seventy- 
four  years,  and  both  are  sleeping  their  last  sleep  in 
Majile  Grove  Cemetery,  Comstock  Township.  They 
were  the  iiarents  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters: 
Edward,  William,  John,  James,  Thom.as  L.,  Alice 
(Mrs.  .Scott),  and  Anna  (Mrs.  Sowden). 

Edward  Denniston,  of  this  biography,  had  the 
advantages  of  a  liberal  education,  of  which  he  laid 
the  foundation  at  an  Episcopal  college  at  El|>liin, 
Ireland,  and  after  he  came  to  this  country  with 
his  parents  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  attended  the 
High  School  at  Northampton,  Mass.  He  was  thus 
equipped  for  the  battle  of  life,  which  he  began  on 
his  own  account  when  still  scarcely  more  than  a 
l)oy,  by  acting  as  shipping  clerk  for  his  uncle, 
James  Denniston,  a  jobber  (m  Williams  Street,  New 
York  City.  He  was  engaged  in  that  capacity  two 
years,  and  then  spent  one  yesir  with  his  father  in 
Genesee  County,  N.  Y'.  He  did  not  like  it  there, 
however,  and  .as  the  other  boys  were  old  enough 
t<i  be  helpful,  he  took  his  affairs  in  his  own  hands 
again,  and,  without  his  father's  kmiwledge,  once 
more  set  his  face  away  fioiii  lidine  In  enter  ujion 
an  independent  career.  Ills  latluT  al  that  time 
thought  him  Um)  young  to  go  aw.ay  by  himself,  but 
he  w.as  a  high-spirited,  venturesome  lad,  with 
plenty  of  the  sturdy,  self-reliant  trails  of  his  ances- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


823 


try  to  insure  his  success  in  whatever  he  mip^ht  under- 
take. He  w.is  without  means,  so  he  wali<efl  to  ISul- 
falo,  carrying  liis  bunrile  of  clothes,  and  in  that  city 
he  sold  his  extra  suit  to  a  second-iiand  dealer  for 
enough  money  to  pay  his  passage  to  Detroit.  On 
lioard  the  boat  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  man 
wlio  iiad  a  load  of  leather  tiiat  he  was  going  to  take 
to  Schoolcraft,  and  he  rode  to  that  point  witli  him. 
He  arrived  in  this  county,  June  1,  1840,  and  thus 
.saw  the  country  in  its  primeval  wildness,  at  least 
the  greater  part  of  it,  as  it  was  still  in  the  liands 
of  the  pioneers,  and  settlements  were  few  and  scat- 
tering. Kalamazoo  was  a  small  village  with  but  one 
or  two  stores  and  but  comiiaratively  little  of  the 
land  had  been  improved. 

After  his  arrival,  amid  these  unaccustomed 
scenes,  young  Denniston  lost  no  time  in  securing 
work,  obtaining  a  situation  of  Mr.  Chaffee  on  "In- 
dian Fields"  at  $9  a  month.  He  was  so  engaged 
until  he  had  earned  eighty  acres  of  land  in  pay- 
ment for  twenty  months  of  steady  labor,  but  he 
did  not  settle  on  it,  continuing  to  hire  out  by  the 
month  for  seven  years,  until  1847,  when  he  located 
on  an  eighty-acre  tract  of  land  on  Gourdneck  Prai- 
rie. He  busied  himself  in  improving  that  place  about 
eighteen  months,  and  then  sold  it  in  order  to  go 
to  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  where  he  obtained  a  position 
as  clerk  and  weigh-master  in  a  pork-p.acking  estab- 
lishment. He  was  there  until  the  winter  of  1849, 
when  he  joined  a  compan3^  bound  for  the  gold 
regions  of  California.  lie  and  his  companions 
joiuneyed  down  the  Mississippi  River  to  New  Or- 
leans, where  they  diverged  from  their  intended 
route  on  account  of  the  cholera  that  was  then  rag- 
ing, and,  hiring  an  old  German  with  an  unsafe  boat 
to  ti-ansport  them  to  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande 
River,  they  crossed  Mexico  on  mules,  and  finally 
arrived  at  their  destination  in  June,  1849.  Our 
subject  worke<l  some  in  the  mines,  but  was  not  suc- 
cessful at  that.  He  next  bought  into  a  company 
that  had  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of  turning 
the  North  Fork  of  the  American  River  to  search 
for  the  precious  metal  in  its  bed.  This  enterprise 
was  prosperous  until  the  floods  came  and  swept  the 
works  awa^',  and  Mr.  Denniston  lost  all  he  had. 
Nothing  daunted  by  his  misfortune,  he  went  to  Sac- 
ramento, and,  borrowing-  |i5t)0  of  a  friend,  bought 


four  yoke  of  oxen  mmiI  a  wagon,  with  which  to  do 
teaming  and  to  carry  i)eople  to  IIk-  mines.  The  lirst 
week  he  made  over  *600,and  buying  another  team 
commenced  to  transport  goods.  I  le  made  a  go<jd  deal 
of  iiioiiey  and  invested  %7,0()()  in  cattle  at  the  head 
of  the  Sacramento  River,  where  he  went  into  part- 
nership with  a  ranchman.  He  and  his  friend  were 
doing  finely  when  six  months  later  the  Indians 
swooped  down  upon  them,  killed  some  of  tlieir 
men, and  drove  oft  all  their  cattle.  Mr.  Denniston 
was  thus  financially  ruined  again,  but  he  got  a  few 
more  cattle  together  and  started  in  once  more  with 
the  same  result,  as  in  less  than  a  month  the  Indians 
made  another  raid  and  left  hiin  with  but  a  few 
straggling  cattle,  one  honse  for  stock  and  $1,000 
in  money.  Tiring  of  his  rough,  adventurous  life 
on  the  frontier,  in  the  summer  of  18;')l,he  retraced 
his  footsteps  eastward,  bringing  back  with  him  a 
sick  man  to  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  and  then  returned 
to  this  county. 

After  coming  back  here,  Mr.  Denniston  went  to 
Wisconsin  to  invest  in  some  land  and  bought  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  soon  returned  to 
marry,  in  the  spring  of  1853,  and,  selling  his  land 
there,  located  on  his  present  farm  in  Pavilion 
Township,  buying  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  it  then,  of  which  ten  acres  were  cleared,  on 
which  stood  a  log  house  lie  now  owns  a  quar- 
ter-section of  fine  farming  land,  of  whicli  one 
hundred  and  fort3'  acres  are  improved.  His  farm 
is  amply  provided  with  buildings,  modern  in  archi- 
tecture and  api)ointinents,  including  a  large  frame 
residence,  built  in  1.S71,  and  several  commodious 
and  conveniently  arranged  barns,  the  first  built  in 
1859,  another  in  hSCG,  and  two  in  1883. 

Our  subject  was  first  married,  March  17,  1853, 
to  Miss  Margaret  Hawkins,  who  was  born  in  Gen- 
esee County,  N.  Y.,  October  7,  1821.  Four  boys 
were  born  to  them,  of  whom  two  are  dead:  George, 
and  one  that  died  in  infancy.  The  others  arc  Jesse 
11  and  Edward  C.  August  2, 1871.  death  removed 
the  loving  wife  and  tender  mother.  In  October, 
1873,  Mr.  Denniston  w.as  again  married,  this  time 
toLydiaJ.  Beckwith,  who  was  born  in  W.ashington 
County,  N.  Y.,  June  4,  1818.  She  has  thoroughly 
identified  herself  with  his  interests  and  looks  care- 
fully after  his  comfort.     She  is  a  Christian,  and  a 


824 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  BIOGRAPmCAL   RECORD. 


member  in  high  standing  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
Mr.  Denuiston  is  a  man  of  wide  experience,  and 
his  life  career  furnishi's  another  of  the  luinierous 
examples  that  we  find  in  this  volume  of  what  our 
self-made  men  have  accomplished  bv  persistent 
effort,  directed  by  a  good  knowledge  of  men  and 
affaii-s,  and  an  accurate  judgment  in  business  mat- 
ters. Wealth  has  crowned  his  labors,  and  at  the 
same  time  he  lias  been  potent  in  advancing  the 
growth  of  the  township,  favoring  all  measures  that 
would  in  any  wayljenefit  it,  and  doing  it  good  ser- 
vice ;is  a  pulilic  oflicial  in  various  capacities.  In 
politics,  he  is  lii-sl,  last  and  always  a  true  Repub- 
lican. .Socially,  he  is  identified  with  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


W  EBEUS  CORNELIUS  CIIAPIN,  M.  I). 
I  (^  This  former  prominent  physician  of  Kala- 
/IL^  mazoo  w.as  l)orn  in  fJillMTtsville,  Otsego 
Countv,  N.  Y.,  .luly  5,  1K23,  and  died  in  Kalama- 
zoo, November  20,  1885,  of  iieart  disease.  The 
Chapi)!  family  has  long  been  identified  with  the 
history  of  New  England.  We  find  tliat  Deacon 
Samuel  Chapin,  who  was  a  native  of  Wales,  settled  at 
Sprii.gfield.  .Mass..  in  KM 2.  and  it  is  iir(il)al)le  tiiat 
he  resided  in  the  Inited  States  some  years  prior 
to  that  time.  In  16.54,  he  was  made  a  magistrate, 
and  assisted  in  keeping  the  records  pertaining  to 
the  early  settlers.  His  death  occurred  in  IGTo. 
Ilis  descendants  to  the  present  day  have  been  iden- 
tifii'd  with  Springfield. 

.Jiisphand  .Martha  Chapin  were  thegrandpaicnts 
of  our  subject,  their  son  Joseph  being  his  father. 
Me  aii<l  his  wife,  I'annie  Farnum,  were  natives  of 
I'amsa,  .Mitss.,  an<l  were  the  parents  of  nine  child- 
ren, of  whom  Lcbeus  was  the  fourth.  When  he 
was  nine  years  old,  he  acc(>m|»anied  his  parents  to 
Wattsburg,  Erie  County,  I'a.,  and  setllcd  on  a  farm, 
where  his  father  died  in  I  Ml  I. 

When  our  subject  was  about  scvcntet  ii,  he  en- 
gaged ill  the  carpenter's  tni<le,  working  with  his 
brolhcru,  nn<l,  after  a  time,  found  his  way  liack  to 
(lie  old  hoiiie  in  Mas.sa<'hiisetts.  When  niiieteen, 
lie  wjus  in  the  iMilploy  of  llic  Howe  Tius.s  W<iiks,  of 
IliilTalo.    N.    Y..    and    four    yeai-s   !ifterwarii    went 


South,  engaging  as  a  teacher  in  Mississippi,  until 
the  climate  affected  his  health  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  found  it  necessary  to  return  Noitii.  Hav- 
ing a  natural  aptitude  for  schoolroom  work,  he 
continued  to  teach,  and  w.os  thus  engaged  at  Mun- 
son,  Mass.,  after  whieh  he  entered  Amherst  College 
in  1848. 

When  about  to  enter  the  junior  year,  our  suli- 
jcct  transferred  to  Yale  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1852.  He  then  resumed  the  profes- 
sion of  teaching,  and  for  two  years  was  Principal 
of  (luildford  Academy,  at  Laconia,  N.  H.  Leav- 
ing that  institution,  he  accepted  a  professorship  in 
Yale  College,  succeeding  Dr.  Olmstead.as  Professor 
of  Chemistry  and  Physics.  He  was  drawn  toward 
tlie  subject  of  medicine,  and,  after  acceptably  teach- 
ing in  that  great  university  for  five  years,  he  en- 
tered its  medical  department  as  a  student,  and 
was  graduated  in  18()4. 

A  surgeon's  commission  was  at  once  offered 
the  Doctor  by  the  United  States  Government, 
which  accepting,  lie  was  stationed  as  Hospital 
Surgeon,  at  Beaufort,  S.  C,  and  later  was  trans- 
ferred to  r)urlington,  Yt.,  from  which  place  he  was 
mustered  out,  in  1Mb.  He  then  engaged  in  general 
practice  at  his  home  in  New  Haven,  until  he  came 
West  in  1867.  Tiie  wife  of  his  brotiier.  Rev.  Lu- 
cius I).  Chapin,  Professor  of  Physics  in  the  State 
University  at  Ann  Arlior,  was  formerly  a  Kalama- 
zoo lad.v,  and  our  subject  was  led  to  locate  in  this 
city  througii  her  inlluencc.  Before  settling  here, 
however,  he  traveled  over  much  of  the  Western 
territory,  visiting    Kockford,  111.,  and    other  cities. 

For  fourteen  years.  Dr.  Cliapin  devoted  himself 
.assiduously  to  the  demands  of  his  patrons  in  Kal- 
amazoo, llavinga  cheerful  disposition,  his  friend- 
shii)  was  sought  for  ami  prized,  and  his  attention 
to  details,  and  kind  solicitude  for  his  patients, 
drew  him  to  them,  and  formed  cords  of  friendship, 
severed  only  by  death.  In  1871.  he  lieca me  con- 
nected Willi  WiliiMiii  Lawrence  in  the  iiiaimfac- 
ture  of  agiicultur.al  implement's,  nnd  the  business 
assuming  iiuge  proportions,  he  henceforth  clevoted 
much  of  his  attention  to  it  up  to  the  lime  of  his 
deatii. 

The  summons  caimc  iiiicxpcclcilly  miuI  c:ist  a 
shadow  over  every  iiome    in  tlic    cil\-.      Ilis  noble 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


82:, 


traits  of  chai-acter  liad  endeared  him  to  the  com- 
munity, and  eveiy  one  felt  his  loss  as  that  of  a 
perscmal  friciul.  His  liody  was  borne  to  its  last 
home  with  tiie  highest  civic  honors,  and  various 
societies  passed  earnest  resolutions  of  resi)ect  for 
his  memor3'. 

Though  never  a  politician,  the  sympathies  of 
Dr.  Chapin  were  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
w.as  for  a  long  time  closely  identified  with  the 
educational  interests  of  the  city,  being  a  member 
of  the  School  Hoard.  His  experience  eminently 
tended  to  make  him  a  valuable  addition  to  that 
body,  where  his  opinion  (formed  only  after  due 
delibei-ation)  always  had  weight.  His  early  train- 
ing had  been  in  the  Presbj'terian  Church,  but  dur- 
ing his  later  life  he  was  Vestryman  of  St.  Luke's 
Episcopal  Church,  the  views  of  which  more  nearlj' 
coincided  with  his  belief.  A  thorough  student, 
he  was  versed  in  various  literatures  and  languages, 
and  wielded  the  pen  with  easy  grace  and  purity 
of  diction. 

Lofty  in  Ins  tastes  and  elevated  in  every 
thought,  the  Doctor  was  a  fitting  companion  to 
the  wife  who  survived  him  a  short  time,  and  the 
family  of  intelligent  children  whose  every  impulse 
and  ambition  he  was  wont  to  guide,  and  to  whom 
he  was  a  loving  father.  He  was  married,  April  25, 
1859,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  Mrs.  Sallie  ElUiot,  the 
widow  of  William  H.  Elliot,  of  New  Haven,  and 
whose  maiden  name  was  Sawyier.  She  was  born 
in  Chillicotlie,  Ohio,  December  29,  1829,  and  died. 
May  21,  1889.  Tiie  children  are:  Fitz  Henry, 
Fannie.  Bell  and  Maud. 


*=:<J'^=* 


J 


If^  ARION  C.  SHERWOOD.  The  firm  of 
^  \\\  Sherwood,  Oris  wold  ife  Co.  conducts  an  ex- 
lii  tensive  business  at  Allegan,  and  carries  a 
complete  stock  of  dry-goods,  clothing, 
boots  and  shoes,  carpets,  etc.  The  firm  was  estab- 
lished in  1866  and  in  1871  removed  to  their  pres- 
ent location  on  the  corner  of  Locust  and  Hubbard 
Streets.  The  establishment  was  destroyed  by  fire 
in  1884  and  they  then  Iniilt  their  present  elegant 
store,  one  of  the  finest  in  this  part  of  the  State.  It 


is  a  brick  structure,  52x85  feel,  ul  wliicli  i\if\  m-- 
cupy  two  lloors,  the  remaind(!i'  b(ung  filled  with  of- 
fices, etc. 

They  also  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  in 
1878,  under  the  name  of  Sherwood  <fe  (iriswold, 
and  manage  an  extensive  business,  carrying  about 
one  million  feet  and  being  one  of  the  largest  lum- 
ber firms  in  the  State.  The  meml)crs  are  directors 
and  stockholders  in  the  First  National  I'.ankof  Al- 
legan and  have  an  interest  ui  e.Ktcnsive  tracts  of 
farming  and  pine  lands. 

Mr.  Sherwood  was  born  in  Otsego  Township,  Al- 
legan County,. January  1 1,1833,  being  one  of  the  first 
male  children  born  in  the  county.  His  parents  were 
Hull  and  .lulia  A.  (Crittendon)  Sherwood,  natives  of 
Western  New  York.  His  father  was  a  carpenter  and 
contractor  by  trade  and  was  a  pioneer  of  Micliigan, 
coming  here  in  1832.  The  paternal  grandfather 
was  Hull  Sherwood,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who 
came  to  Michigan  in  1830,  and  settled  in  Otsego 
Township,  Allegan  County.  The  grandfather  was 
a  farmer  b3^  occupation  and  built  the  first  grist  and 
sawmill  on  Pine  Creek,  which  are  still  known  as 
Sherwood's  Mills.  Here  he  resided  until  his  death. 
He  was  a  wealthy  man  and  owned  a  large  amount 
of  land.  He  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  all  of 
whom  became  residents  of  Michigan.  He  was  a 
Whig  in  politics,  and  a  man  of  great  energy  and 
intelligence. 

The  father  of  our  subject  remained  in  Michigan 
some  fifteen  years,  then  returned  to  Rochester,  N 
Y.,  where  his  death  took  place  in  1853.  His  wife 
returned  to  Micliigan  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Ionia 
County.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Sher- 
wood were  Chauncy  and  Olive  (Scott)  Crittendon, 
natives  of  Massachusetts,  where  the  father  was  a 
large  farmer.  They  removed  to  New  York  State 
and  settled  in  Brighton,  iNIonroe  County,  where  lie 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  They  were  the 
patents  of  six  children,  of  whom  three  are  living: 
Alvira  A.  (Mrs.  Sherwood),  who  is  living  in  Otsego 
Township,  this  county,  aged  eiglitj'-five  3'ears;  Ju- 
lia A.,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  who  is  now 
eighty-two  years  of  age,  and  Wallace  W.,  of  Brigh- 
ton, N.  Y.,  aged  seventy-three.  Mr.  Crittendon 
was  a  Minute-man  in  the  AVar  of  1812,  and  was 
called  out,  but  saw   110  active  service.     The  Slier- 


826 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


woods  are  descendants  of  the  English  and  Scotcli. 
Our  subject's  father  was  a  Whig  and  served  as  Su- 
pervisor of  Otsego  Townshi)!.  Allegan  County, 
being  the  lii-st  one  to  fill  that  oHice  in  that  place. 
lie  had  a  family  of  four  children,  three  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity:  Marion  C;  .\daline  W.  (Mi-s. 
Crittcndon),  resuling  at  Lyons, Ionia  County,  and 
Natlian  15..  residing  at  the  same  place. 

Tlie  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  district 
schools  in  liis  native  township  until  fourteen 
veal's  of  age.  when  he  spent  some  time  in  the 
school  at  Brighton.  X.  Y.,  afterward  liecoming  a 
student  in  the  Henrietta  Academy,  at  East  Henri- 
etta, in  that  State.  In  1848,  he  became  a  clerk  in 
a  store  at  Rochester.  N.  Y..  where  he  remained  for 
nine  j'eai-s,  after  which  he  c:iine  to  Chicago,  where 
he  was  eng.aged  in  the  drug  business,  on  the  cor- 
ner <»f  Slate  and  .Monroe,  whidi  he  carried  on  for  two 
yeare  and  a  half,  wlicn  he  sokl  out  and  in  1861 
came  to  Michigan.  He  spent  some  two  years 
clerking  in  Otsego  and  Plainwcll.  then  removed  to 
Allegan,  where  he  was  occupied  in  the  same  way 
for  two  years  more.  During  the  war,  he  went 
.South  as  a  sutler  for  a  regiment,  returning  from 
there  in  IHG.'j  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he  was  em- 
ploj'cd  in  a  dry-goods  store.  lie  then  came  to 
Allegan  and  engaged  in  Itusiness  for  himself. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Sherwood  took  place  Sep- 
temlier  10, 1866,  when  he  w.as  united  to  Miss  Mary 
M.  (Iriswold,  a  daughter  of  S.  L.  Oriswold,  of  Al- 
legiui.  Tlirc<'  cliildren  have  been  born  of  this 
union:  Kuby  M.,  Martha  (i.,  and  Bernath  P.  Mr. 
Sherwood  coincides  with  the  Hepublicjui  party  in 
his  jHilitical  views  and  Is  a  member  of  the  JLisoiiic 
fraternity.  He  is  a  Trustee  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  of  which  he.  his  wife  anrl  eldest  daughter 
are  members.  They  take  an  active  part  in  every- 
thing crmducive  U>  the  best  interests  of  the  church 
and  the  community  in  which  they  live. 

Ill  I KM«,  .Mr.  Sherwood  built  in  Allegan  a  resi- 
dence of  wliii-li  111-  iiiiiy  liiily  111'  proud,  .\niong 
the  elegant  homo  that  may  be  found  here,  it  may 
be  justly  said  that  there  is  none  in  wliiili  the 
architect  has  rollected  greater  cicilil  upon  liiniMlf 
or  wheri'  the  proprietor  has  displiiycd  iiiorc  correct 
idea  of  tin-  harmonious  and  licautiriil  tlwiii  in  this. 
TIk'  ample  grounds  are   well    liiid  out,  with  plants 


and  shrulis  to  heighten  the  general  effect.  The 
barns  and  other  outbuildings  are  in  keeijing  with 
other  portions  of  the  estate.  The  interior  arrange- 
ments are  all  that  could  be  desired  for  beauty  and 
convenience.  The  parlors  and  li:ill  are  linislied  in 
oak,  the  dining-room  in  cherry,  while  the  lloors  of 
the  hall  and  dlning-rotnn  are  inlaid  with  colored 
woods.  The  upper  stor}-  is  finished  in  ash.  The 
home  has  all  the  modern  improvements,  is  ele- 
gantly furnished  throughout,  beautiful  pictures 
grace  its  walls,  while  the  articles  of  vertu  and 
bric-a-brac  give  evidence  of  culture  and  refine- 
ment. Within  this  lovely  home,  Mr.  and  ISIrs. 
Sherwood  welcome  their  friends  and  dispense  gra- 
cious hospitality  with  a  generous  hand. 


^>-^^<m^ 


-i- 


/^  APT.  ROLLIN  C.  DENISON,  deceased,  was 
(if  ^  born  at  Castleton,  Vt.,  .lanuary  29,18-23, 
^^^y'  and  was  the  son  of  Mason  N,  and  Pliebe 
(Ward)  Denison,  natives  also  of  the  (ircen  Moun- 
tain State,  lie  spent  his  early  life  in  his  native 
State,  and  after  removing  to  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.,  was  married,  ,Iune  2-5,  181  (i,  to  Miss  Caroline 
C.  PeulU'ld.  Mrs.  Denison  was  a  native  of  Pawlet, 
\'t.,  her  natal  day  being  October  ;h).  182"). 

The  original  of  this  sketch  came  tii  Kalamazoo 
County,  this  State,  in  April,  ISIl.  wliei'c  lie  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  busiiiess,and  also  operated 
a  llouring  mill  for  three  years,  lie  then  reinoved 
to  liarry  County,  where  lie  :igniii  started  in  the 
milling  business,  at  the  s:ime  time  conducting  a 
grocery  store.  His  next  removal  was  to  Dowagiac, 
where  for  nine  years  lie  cairied  on  ;i  grocery  Store. 
On  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  Why,  our  subject  or- 
ganized Com|)any  M,  First  ]\Iicliig:iii  Cavalry,  and 
was  made  its  Captain,  lie  led  his  conipany  in  the 
light  at  Cedar  ISIounlain,  and  soon  after  wms  sent 
home  to  recruit  before  the  li;ittlc  of  Autiet-.'im. 
His  lic'illli  being  so  iiiip.'iii'cil,  ( 'npt.  Denison  was 
not  able  to  return  to  llie  fi'ont,  :ind  in  lUd,'!  was 
made  Provost-Marshal,  with  lieM(li|Uiiit('is  nt  Kala- 
mazoo. Miid  continued  as  .such  iiiilil  the  close  of 
the  w;ir. 

Capt.  I  )enisoii,  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities, 
engagi'il    in    the    li\('ry    business.       lie    w.-is    soon. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAl'inCAL   RECORD. 


829 


however,  sent  to  Utah  as  Deputy  Provost-Marslial, 
iindei-  I'rovost  Marshal  Maxwell,  fur  two  and  a 
half  years,  and,  until  187(5,  he  was  in  the  Govern- 
ment employ.  His  death  occurred  March  4,  1885, 
having  been  a  great  sufferer  for  years.  In  politics, 
he  was  an  .active  Republican,  and  during  the  war, 
few  men  did  more  toward  raising  troops  tlian  did 
Capt.  Denison. 

The  family  of  our  subject  included  ftlary, 
Mrs.  George  McDonald,  whose  husband  is  a 
druggist,  and  Horace  P.,  assistant  bookkeeper  for. 
the  Michigan  Buggy  Company.  Socially,  the  Cap- 
tain was  a  Knight  Templar,  and  was  a  highly 
respected  citizen  and  a  warm  friend.  His  remains 
lie  buried  in  the  Mountain  Home  Cemetery.  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  Denison  were  Horace  and  Caroline 
(Chandler)  Penfield,  natives  of  Pawlet  and  Fair- 
field,A't.  Tiie  father  was  a  saddler  by  irade  and  in 
1848  came  to  ^Michigan,  dying  in  1864.  His 
widow  is  still  living,  and  makes  her  home,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven  years,  with  IMrs.  Denison. 
The  latter-named  lady  had  two  brothers,  Guy  and 
John  Penfield,  and  one  sister.  .John  died  at  Ran- 
tonl.  111.,  in  October,  1888.  Guy  makes  his  home 
at  Berkeley,  Cal. 


^Jl  ZEL  E.  BARTLETT,  the  humorist,  whose 
'^lUii  portrait  is  presented  on  the  opposite  page, 
was  born  in  Hinsdale,  Berkshire  County, 
Mass.,  November  27,  1827.  His  father's 
name  was  Julius  Bartlett,  of  Revolutionary  ante- 
cedents. The  family  moved  in  1832  to  Cumming- 
ton,  M.ass.,  a  quaint  secluded  hamlet,  since  famous 
as  the  birthplace  of  William  Cullen  Br3'ant.  It 
was  then  noted,  like  m.any  other  small  towns  in 
that  and  adjoining  counties,  for  the  odd  character- 
istics of  some  of  its  old-time  citizens,  which  left 
their  impression  upon  the  boyish  mind  of  the 
future  humorist,  and  afforded  him  a  never-failing 
source  from  which  to  draw  and  picture  forth  many 
of  his  after  "Sketches  of  New  England."  He 
moved  to  Michigan  with  his  father's  family  at  the 
age  of  ten  years,  afterward  going  to  New  York 
Citj'  to  attend  school.  He  went  from  there  to  the 
Cummington  Academy  in  Massachusetts,  where  he 
38 


])ursued  his  studies  for  awhile,  then,  armed  with  a 
llattering  testimonial  from  Prof.  Gilbert,  he  went 
to  Pittsficld,  Mass.,  and  clerked  in  a  book-store 
there,  his  brother,  ]:)r.  C.  E.  Bartlett,  Ixung  at  that 
time  a  student  in  the  Berkshire  Medical  Institute, 
and  a  class-mate  of  Dr.  Holland's.  Dr.  .John 
Todd,  the  author  of  the  "Students'  Manual,"  and  a 
noted  divine,  even  in  those  days,  was  settled  tliere. 
George  Oscar  liartlctt,  the  first  publisher  of  The 
Merchants'  Mcu/azine,  now  the  famous  Hunt's  Mer- 
chant's Magazine;  also  .Julius  L.  Bartlett,  the  tal- 
ented clergj'man,  were  his  brothers.  They  were 
also  writers  of  rare  ability. 

At  the  age  of  about  sixteen,  young  Bartlett  went 
to  Boston  to  seek  his  fortune,  and  fortunately  ob- 
tained a  situation  with  Crocker  &  Brewster,  at 
that  time  the  leading  book-sellers  of  Boston.  Here 
he  remained  for  nearly  ten  years,  advancing  in  a 
few  years  to  the  position  of  head  salesman  of  the 
house.  It  was  here  that  he  had  the  opportunity 
of  meeting  most  of  the  famous  literar}'  and  noted 
men  of  New  England.  Daniel  Webster  was  a  fre- 
({uent  visitor  at  the  store  of  Crocker  &  Brewster, 
who  were  his  intimate  friends,  and  then  our  youth- 
ful humorist  used  to  visitand  "hobnob"  with  the 
"Godlike"  Daniel,  and  amuse  him  while  he  might 
be  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  firm.  He  remembers 
at  one  time  trying  on  his  hat,  which  was  a  large 
one;  Daniel  AVebster  was  noted  for  the  size  of  his 
head,  as  Grover  Cleveland  is  for  the  size  of  his 
neck.  There  were  giants  in  those  days.  Rufus 
Choate,  Everett,  Emerson,  Longfellow,  Whittier, 
Phillips,  Lyman  Bcecher,  Garrison,  Holmes,  Moses 
Stuart,  Whipple,  Robinson,  Lovvell,  Wood,  the  bot- 
anist and  others,  since  f.amous  in  the  world  of  let- 
ters, were  frequenters  of  the  old  stoie  of  Crocker 
it  Brewster. 

Fortunate  in  an  early  contact  and  acquaintance 
with  such  as  these,  it  imparted  a  literary  turn  of 
mind  to  the  subjectof  our  sketch,  and  having  un- 
limited access  to  books  and  an  insatiable  thirst  for 
reading,  he  was  storing  his  mind  with  material  from 
which  to  draw  upon  in  after  j'cars.  The  old  firm 
of  Crocker  &  Brewster  celebrated  the  seventy-fifth 
anniversary  of  their  .association  together,  the  old- 
est firm,  where  both  origin.al  partners  were  living, 
in  the  L'nited  States,  probably  in  the  world.      Mr. 


830 


PORTKAIT  AND  BIOGEAPinCAL  RECORD. 


Brewster  >iM  >iir\  ivc;;.  Horace  Greeley's  advice 
U)  yuung  men  to  "Go  West"  w.-us  liaviiig  its  eflfect 
at  that  time  ami  Mr.  Bartlett  moved  to  Detroit 
and  fornuMl  a  |)artiici'>>liip  there  with  a  liook-sclling 
house,  and  D.  M.  Ferry,  the  triple  millionaire 
"Seed  Man"  of  the  worlil,  then  a  Iwy,  was  their 
clerk  at  the  time.  Mr.  Bartlett,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-six,  married  .leannctte  L.  P.aekard,  the 
dauijhter  of  I'rof.  Russell  Packard,  of  Albany,  N. 
Y.  From  Detroit  Jlr.  Bartlett  moved  in  1854  to 
KalamaztH),  Mich.,  and  engatred  in  the  book  and 
baazar  business  for  twenty  j-ears  or  more.  lie  was 
continuously  in  the  book  business  for  over  thirty 
years,  lie  wiis  prominent  in  business  and  social 
circles  and  ever  ready  to  aid  in  any  cntcr|)rise  for 
the  l>enent  of  Kalamazoo  and  for  the  interest  of 
othci-s.  Although  a  stanch  Republican,  he  was  not 
a  ])artisan  in  politic-sand  woidd  lielp  to  get  a  i)oliti- 
cally, or  really  blind  or  crippled  Democrat  to  the 
polls  on  election  day  as  readily  as  though  he  was 
of  his  own  iK>litical  faith,  and,  what  was  sti anger 
still,  would  help  him  home  again. 

lie  w.asa  valued  contriliutor  to  many  of  tlieearl}' 
Boston  newspapers  fort}-  years  .ngo.  It  is  onl^' 
nntd  lately  that  he  h.as  begun  to  make  his  mark  in 
the  literary  world,  as  many  of  his  writings  have  re- 
mained in  manuscript  for  m.any  years,  but  when- 
ever brought  to  the  light  they  have  not  tinly  at- 
tracted the  highest  coininendatiun  from  the  press 
of  this  eountry,but  have  reached  ICngland  on  their 
merits  an<l  a  number  of  them  have  been  published 
by  one  of  the  largest  book  houses  and  ncwsi)ai)ers 
in  London.  Asa  humorist,  he  has  been  compared 
most  favorably  with  Irving.  Mark  Twain,  liljl  Xyc, 
Bnrdette  and  WilK'arleton. 

The  following  are  among  the  best  known  pro- 
ductions of  his  pen,  some  of  which  have  achieved 
national  popularity:  ''The  Comic  .Vngiei',"  "Hum- 
ors of  the  l{oc|  and  ( !un,"  "The  I-' rogs  of  Saginaw," 
"Deacon  Itigclow's  .Struggle  wi(li  a  Gigantic  Mus- 
kallonge,"  all  of  which  have  be(!n  pnlilished  in  Kng- 
land.  His  Koslon  lectures  at  I'aiieuil  llallon"The 
Humors  of  the  Frog."  "Legends  of  Lightning 
Hug  and  Sleepy  Hollow,"  "The  Young  Aiiu-rican 
.Mnslachc,"  "The  Snorer,"  "Horrible  Deiilli  of  llic 
Mince-l'je  l'".aler,"  "The  .Indge  and  the  .MilUnialil," 
"Scuuldamann,    oi.    the    Tiageily     of    the  Turkish 


Bath,"  "A  Tale  of  Constantinople,"  "The  Giant 
and  the  Cake  of  Yeast,"  "Sketches  of  Eccentric 
Character  of  New  England,"  "Wit  and  Humor  of 
the  Times,"  and  many  others,  newly  revised  and 
greatly  enlarged  and  illustrated  editions  of  which 
.are  contemplated.  A  prominent  New  York  maga- 
zine has  been  in  correspondence  with  him,  desiring 
to  ra.akc  arrangements  with  him  as  a  regular  corres- 
pondent and  to  publish  liis  biography  with  his 
portrait  as  a  frontispiece. 

We  close  this  sketch  with  tlie  following  testimo- 
nial from  lion.  George  Wilhud,  ox-UK'niber  of 
Congress: 

"The  productions  of  Mi-.  A.  E.  Bartlett,  the 
gifted  liuinorist,  I  have  read  with  great  interest 
and  pleasure.  Some  of  his  recent  books  and  ni:inu- 
scripts  certainly  possess  rurc^  and  conspicuous 
merit. 

"The  writer  is  fortunate  in  his  remarkable  lidel- 
ity.to  nature,  in  his  rich  and  delicate  hunioi',  in 
his  .abounding  sympathy  with  the  topics  treated, 
and  in  the  unwavering  felicity  of  expression  ap- 
parent in  all  the  |)roilucls  of  his  pen.  These  ])ro- 
ducts  iqipear  to  me  to  be  among  the  very  best 
yielded  in  the  licld  of  humorous  literature  in  our 
countrv." 


-»-r»- 


I   I  I   '     I  '    I 


ip^\()Lt)M()N  S.  FOX,  present  Sui>ervisor  of 
^^^  Wayland  Township,  Allegan  County,  Is 
'  il'  one  of  the  pioneers  of  thisscction  of  coun- 
try, where  he  has  occupied  a  prominent 
liosiliiin  and  holds  an  enviable  record,  not  oidy  as 
an  enterprising  and  worthy  citizen,  liut  :is  a  brave 
.soldier  who  did  Ills  juirt  In  the  W;ir  of  the  Kebel- 
lion.  lie  \\;is  liiirn  In  .Marlboro  Township,  .Stark 
County,  Ohio,  April  30,  IHll.  His  parents,  Samuel 
and  Catherine  (Fox)  Fox,  were  natives  of  the 
same  .State,  his  father  being  ;i  c:irpenti'r  by  Irrnlc. 
who  also  operated  :i  mill,  and  in  his  Ijilcr  years  fol- 
lowed  the  ()ccup;itlnn  of  :i  t'.'inncr. 

Our  sniijcct  came  to  this  Stati'  :it  the  age  of 
Iwcnly-three  years,  and  engaged  in  teaching,  in 
connection  with  which  he  also  carried  on  farming. 
lie  had  a  good  education,  having  attended  the 
common  schools  during  his  younger  days,  and  also 
for  a  while  the  Normal  .School  In  Oliio.  After  com- 
ing to  .Michigan,  he  taught  for  IwcUc  terms  in  the 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


831 


public  schools,  making  a  goorl  record  as  a  teacher. 
During  this  time,  he  houglil  a  tract  of  forty  acres 
of  uiiim|)rove(l  land,  upon  wliicii  he  worked  dui- 
ing  the  smnnicr  months,  clearing  and  improving  it. 
In  1H(j2,  he  enlisted,  August  18,  in  Company  ].), 
One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Ohio  Infantry,  going 
at  first  to  Cincinnati,  and  being  in  tiie  Army  of 
West  Virginia  for  one  year.  In  1863,  with  his 
regiment,  he  was  sent  South,  a  part  of  the  time  do- 
ing mechanic's  work,  and  a  part  of  the  time  guard 
duty.  He  was  in  some  of  the  engagements  during 
Hood's  campaign,  and  was  in  the  pursuit  after  (•en. 
Forrest,  and  at  Murfreesboro.  He  saw  much  of  the 
hard  part  of  a  soldier's  life,  being  often  engaged  in 
skirmishing  with  bushwhackers.  He  received  his 
discharge  in  July,  1865,  and  remained  in  Ohio  the 
following  two  3'ears,  when  he  came  to  Michigan. 

Mr.  Fox  was  married,  November  1, 1866,  to  Mag- 
gie A.  (ilass,  of  Homewortli,  ()hio,  the  daughter  of 
John  Glass,  a  carpenter  and  farmer  of  that  place. 
By  this  marriage,  nine  children  have  been  tiorn: 
William  IL,  Minnie  Ii.,  Grace  L.,  Nora  II.,  Earl  J., 
Roy  S.  S.,  Lee  Verne,  Clark  L.  and  (U\y,  all  living. 
In  1882,  Mr.  Fox  entered  the  employ  of  Mr.  Lee 
Deuel,  of  Bradley,  as  a  salesman,  in  which  occupa- 
tion lie  has  continued  ever  since.  During  the 
years  when  the  law  jjrovided  for  a  Township  Su- 
perintendent of  iiublie  school,  our  suljject  held  that 
ofHce  all  the  time,  with  the  excciition  of  four 
months.  He  has  also  held  the  oflice  of  School  In- 
spector, and  is  at  present  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Township  Treasurer  of  Waylaud  Township.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Fox  and  his  family  hold  a  high  place  in  the 
estimation  of  this  community,  in  which  they  have 
so  long  resided. 


y^ILLIAM  BUSKHIK,  a  self-made  man,  resid- 
ing on  section  24,  Hopkins  Township,  Al- 
^^f^  legan  County,  is  a  son  of  Abram  Buskirk, 
Sr.,  a  native  of  Preble,  Cortland  Countj',  N.  Y., 
wiiere  he  was  born  in  1795.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  was  Nancy  Garrison,  a  native  of  Seneca 
County,  N.  Y.,  W'ho  with  her  husband  removed  to 


Ohio,  in  18.38,  settling  in  T,orain  County  for  a  short 
time.  The  father  bought  ;i  small  jnecc  of  wild  land 
in  Avon  Township,  and  lived  on  it  three  years, 
lie  tiien  sold  this  and  took  up  anotiier  tract  whicli 
lie  cleared  and  sold,  llis  next  move  vv.'is  tf)  Mich- 
igan in  185.'5,  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  ail  wild, 
with  no  improvements  whatever.  He  lived  there 
until  his  death,  , January  14,  1881,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five  years.  His  wife  died  April  is,  1872, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  born  to  them 
eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  now  live:  Abram; 
our  subject,  Peter,  Isaac,  Daniel,  Jane  and  Elii)lia- 
let.  Allan  (deceased)  and  Daniel  l)oth  served  in 
the  Civil  War  in  a  Michigan  regiment. 

(Jur  subject  was  born  December  4,  1825,  m  Sen- 
eca County,  N.  Y.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
had  but  very  meager  chances  for  an  education 
His  parents  were  poor,  and  he  stayed  at  home 
assisting  thein  on  the  farm  until  twenty  years  old, 
when  he  went  to  Ohio  and  commenced  working 
out  by  tlie  month.  He  was  united  in  marriage, 
July  23,  1847,  to  Sophia  Saddler,  a  daughter  of 
Christian  and  Elizabeth  (Root)  Saddler,  both  na- 
tives of  Erie  County,  N.  Y.  They  moved  to  Ohio 
in  1836, and  settled  on  alarm  in  Cuyahoga  County, 
where  they  made  a  jjermanent  home.  The  father 
w-as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  died  in  1872, 
and  the  mother  two  jears  previous.  They  had 
eleven  children,  nine  living.  Their  daughter,  Mrs. 
ISuskirk,  was  born  April  25,  1826,  in  Xew  York. 

When  our  subject  was  married,  he  boughta  piece 
of  land  in  Dover  Township,  Cuyahoga  County, 
Ohio,  and  improved  and  lived  on  it  until  1854, 
when  he  came  to  Michigan  and  took  up  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres,  where  he  now  lives.  It  was 
all  a  vast  wilderness,  and  there  were  but  very  few 
improvements  in  this  locality.  He  erected  a  log 
house,  and  considered  himself  in  good  circum- 
stances for  that  day.  He  now  owns  one  hundred 
and  thirty  acres,  and  has  eiglit^'-two  acres  cleared 
and  fenced,  and  highly  improved.  He  erected  a 
handsome  house  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of  »3,000,  and 
on  his  place  carries  on  general  farming  and  dairy- 
ing successfully. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buskirk  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  six  living:  Thomas  C.  married  Etlie  Ben- 


832 


POr^TRAlT  AM)  r.IOCHAniK'AL   KECORD, 


nett,  and  livos  in  Kalamazoo  County:  Alva  T,.  mar- 
ried t't'lia  Riehn.ond,  and  livos  in  Wayland  'I'own- 
sUip,  this  county,  ami  lia.-;  four  cliildien;  llemy 
F.  niarrii'd  Lillian  Iloyt.  and  lives  in  Wayland 
Township,  and  is  the  father  of  (.)ncehild;  J.izzic  K. 
is  the  wife  of  .lay  t'l-abb,  of  this  to%vnship.  ."vnd 
they  have  two  children:  Clara  A:  and  .Tohn  D., 
wlio  married  Kditli  Lane,  has  one  child,  and 
resides  at  Gr.iiid  Rapids.  Our  suhject  and  his 
wife  are  memliei-s  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  in  politii-s  he  h.ns  lieen  a  Rcpuhlican,  liut  is 
now  a  stanch  Prohihitionist.  having  iilw.nys  been  a 
tcmiK-rate  num.  He  has  served  on  the  local  School 
Hoard,  and  Inis  given  his  children  the  best  of  edu- 
cations, Ihej-  all  having  been  students  of  the  High 
!v-ho<»l.  Henry  was  graduated  from  the  Michigan 
Agricultural  College  in  lt<77;  Thomas  C.  is  a  doc- 
tor (»f  medicine;  and  .liihii  I),  is  a  veterinary  sur- 
geon. 

FI.VRI.KS  liRfrrr.  This  respected  citizen  of 
the  farming  community  of  (icncva  Town- 
ship, \:\n  IJurcn  County,  is  successfully 
prosecuting  his  calling  on  section  1.  He  is  de- 
scend<'il  frnni  two  brothers  of  that  name,  who  came 
froni  Holland  and  located  in  New  York  City  in  an 
early  period  of  the  history  of  that  city.  Charles 
Itrott,  grandfather  of  our  subject, canu!  at  an  early 
ilay  to  Ohio,  and  from  that  State  to  Michigan, 
wh.Te  he  died.  The  f:ithcr  of  our  subject,  Reynolds 
itrott,  WiLS  born  near  Syrjicuse.  N.  Y.,  about  IHOO. 
He  grew  t4»  maturity  in  his  native  coiiiily.  and, 
when  sliirtiiig  out  in  life  for  himself,  traveled  on 
ftM)t  to  (Ihio,  whrre  he  settled  on  a  fMiiii  in  Lake 
County. 

Till-  mother  of  our  subject  bore  the  name  of  ,Ma- 
lona  Al>lM)tt.  and  by  her  union  willi  Mr.  ISroll. 
eleven  cliihireii  were  born,  of  wlioni  (  liarles  was 
the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  The  original  of  this 
tiketeh  was  born  in  ( 'iiyuhoga  County,  ( )hio,  in  Sep- 
t<Mnlier,  1K.'I2,  nnd  wilh  reared  just  across  tlu-  line 
in  Ijike  County.  In  lK.'),'i,  lie  ciime  to  \jin  Ihiren 
County,  this  Stale,  and  purcli.-ised  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  two  acres  of  wild  land.  A  year  later, 
lie  was  married  to  Miss  Saplironia,  daiighlcr  of 
Hiram    Chappell,  and   to  them   h.ive  been  granted 


three  children:  Hirnm  grew  to  maliirc  years  and 
died  of  consuiuptiiin  in  18X3:  Sarah  married  Will- 
iam Myers,  and  resides  in  Allegan  County,  this 
State:  and  Lucy  I.  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

In  18(!.'3.  Mr.  IJrott  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the 
Union,  and  in  18(M  joined  the  Tliird  Michigan 
Cavalry  and  served  with  his  reginu'nt  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  on  board  tlic  ".lolin  llain- 
ilton""  when  it  lilew  up  on  MiiLiile  Uav.but  eseajjcd 
injury.  The  winter  of  IHGTi-tiG,  he  spent  in  camp 
at  San  Antonio.  Tex.  He  enlisted  as  a  Ivlacksiiijlh. 
and  kept  one  Imiidred  and  ten  iiorses  shod.  At 
the  close  of  tiie  war,  Mr.  Urott  returned  to  the 
lie.aceful  jiursuits  of  farm  life,  and  has  since  given 
his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 

In  politics,  he  of  wliom  we  WMite  is  a  triio-bliic 
Kepulilican.  With  his  family,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Evangelical  Cliurcli.  and  socially  is  connected 
w-itli  the  M:i.sonic  fraternity.  He  also  hi'longs  to 
Abraham  Lincoln  Post,  No.  Ill,  G.  A.  R.,at  Hangor. 
and  is  a  gentleman  who  is  highly  esteemed  in  (ieii- 
eva  Township  for  liis  iiprigiit  and  honest   life. 


T'OSIAll  .1.  .MILLKU.  This  g..ntli'iiian,  who 
is  one  of  tlie  prosperous  and  enterprising 
farmers  of  Bloomingdale  Township.  \'aii 
Ihiren  Couiily,  was  born,  Novenilicr  ID, 
182(!.  in  .MiU'ord  Township,  Somerect  County,  Pa., 
and  is  the  son  of  .loliii  and  Elizabeth  (Flick)  Mil- 
ler. His  grandfather.  Henry  Miller,  was  a  farmer 
.■mil  ciiupei-.  and  passed  his  entire  life  in  reiiiis\l- 
vaiiia.  He  married  Miss  ICIizabelh  Ki/.ei',and  tliey 
reaicd  a  family  of  live  sons  and  six  daughters,  all 
<i(  whom  grew  to  nialurily.  Tiie  maternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject  was  Frederick  l"'lick,  a  native 
of  Somerset  County,  I'a. 

.lohn  Miller,  the  I'alhcr  of  our  subject,  was  born 
ill  Somerset  County,  I'a.,  and,  about  I8.M,  removed 
to  Macon  County,  I II. ,  where  he  located  on  a  farm. 
Mild  (lied  about  six  iiionlhs  lalei'.  His  family 
h.ad  remained  behind  in  I'cniisyl vaiiia,  wlierc  liie 
mot  her 's  death  took  place.  She  was  a  good  woman. 
Mild  a  meiiibiT  of  the  I'l-esby lerian  ('hiirch.  The 
family  of  this  worthy  couple  consisted  of  three 
ehildrcn:   .losiali  .).,  Lydia,  and  Mary  A. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


835 


Our  subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  had 
hut  few  advantages  for  an  education,  gaining  what 
knowledge  he  possessed  nioie  from  reading  and 
observation,  than  from  the  study  «>f  text-bool<s. 
He  was  early  obliged  to  earn  his  own  living,  and 
worked  u[)ou  a  farm  until  nineteen  years  old, 
when  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  cooper.  In  the 
spring  of  1856,  he  came  to  Michigan  and  bought 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section 
2i»,  Ulooniingdale  Township,  this  county,  for  which 
he  i)aid  $800,  cash.  Unfortunately,  the  man  from 
whom  he  bought  the  land  was  dishonest  and  had 
given  a  mortgage  on  the  jylace,  although  he  claimed 
it  was  free  from  encumbrance.  Mr.  Miller 
seaiched  the  records  hut  there  were  no  claims  to 
be  found.  At  the  end  of  four  years,  the  land  was 
sold  in  the  Court  of  Chancer}^  as  there  was  no  re- 
demption. Mr.  Miller  then  bought  it  again  from 
the  man  who  entered  it.  He  has  cleared  and 
improved  his  land,  and  has  it  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation,  and  has  also  erected  a  fine  residence 
and  barns.  He  has  made  his  way  in  the  world  en- 
tirely unassisted,  except  by  his  faithful  and  de- 
voted wife. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married,  January  5,  1854,  to 
Catherine  Darr.  She  was  born  in  Somerset  County, 
Pa.,  July  24,  1835,  the  daughter  of  Philip  and 
Margaret  (Shenamen)  Darr,  who  were  natives  of 
Somerset  County,  Pa.  The  father,  who  worked  at 
shoe-making  and  carding,  was  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  Their  children  were  P^lizabeth, 
MoUie,  Margaret;  Henry,  who  died  when  twenty- 
one  vears  of  age;  Mary,  Ann  M.,  Sarah,  Catherine, 
and  Philip,  who  served  during  the  late  war,  and 
died  while  in  the  army.  The  father  of  this  fam- 
ily died  in  Penns3'lvania  in  1868,  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years,  and  his  wife  sometime  later,  when 
eighty-seven  years  old. 

The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Miller,  Tragut  Ferd- 
inand Shenamen,  attended  school  in  Germany  when 
between  the  ages  of  seven  and  fourteen,  and  later 
studied  medicine.  Wlien  about  twenty-one  ^-ears 
old,  he  came  to  this  countrj^,  soon  after  which  he 
entered  the  army  to  serve  during  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  and  was  under  (ien.  George  Washington. 
After  the  war,  lie  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  purchased   a  farm  of  one   hundred  and   sixty 


acres,  and  there  passed  his  remaining  years.  Unto 
him  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary 
Margaret  Kaust,  were  born  the  following-named 
children:  Henry,  Margaret,  Catherine,  Sarali,  Dan- 
iel, Christian,  Ferdinand,  Frederick,  John,  and 
Benjamin. 

Seven  children  have  been  liorn  to  our  subject 
and  his  wife,  as  follows:  Allen,  who  resides  at 
LaGrange,  Ind.;  Mai-garet,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Allen,  who  lives  at  Defiance,  Ohio;  Simon;  Abel; 
Sarah  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  Mary; 
and  J.  D.,  who  died  when  fourteen  years  old.  Mr. 
and  IMrs.  Miller  were  formerly  Lutherans,  but  are 
now  members  of  the  Disciples  Church.  They  arc 
highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in  which  they 
live,  and  are  among  its  most  popular  residents. 
A  view  of  the  pleasant  homestead  of  Mr.  Miller  is 
shown  on  another  page. 


allARLES  POTTER  COY.  In  every  de- 
partment  of  work,  whether  of  a  business, 
political  or  social  nature,  Mr.  Coy  has  for 
years  been  a  prominent  citizen  of  Kalamazoo.  He 
is  descended  from  worthy  and  patriotic  ancestors, 
and  is  the  third  in  line  of  descent  from  a  Scotch- 
man who  removed  from  the  "Land  of  the  Thistle" 
and  settled  in  Connecticut. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  David  Coy,  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  fought  the  battles  of 
liberty  with  valor  and  patriotism.  He  attained  to 
a  ripe  old  age,  dying  when  ninety-five  years,  five 
months  and  ten  days  old.  His  son,  who  was  also 
named  David  P.,  was  a  prominent  man  in  Byron, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  served  as  Supervisor  for  twenty- 
one  years  and  in  other  positions  of  honor  and 
responsibility.  He  died  in  that  place  when  in  his 
sixtieth  year. 

The  second  among  li  ve  cliildicii  born  to  David  P. 
and  Hannah  (Sprague)  Coy  was  Charles  P.,  who 
was  born  at  Byron,  N.  Y.,  March  17,  1824.  His 
youth  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm  but  when  he 
became  of  age,  he  settled  in  Stafford  Townshi|), 
Genesee  County,  X.  Y.,  and  was  married  January 
11,  1849,  in  that  township,   to  Miss   Martha    Kel- 


836 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


logg,  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  daughter  of 
Russoll  and  Harriet  (Stiller)  Kellogg. 

In  IH.iS,  Mr.  Coy  removed  to  tlie  vicinity  of 
Mai-sliall,  this  .State,  and  purchased  a  farm  compri;;- 
ing  about  four  hundred  acres.  Later  he  settled 
on  a  farm  near  .Mliion.  whence  lie  removed  to 
IJattle  Creek  and  for  nine  ycai-s  followed  farming 
oi)erations  near  that  city.  He  did  not  locate  in 
Kalamazoo  County,  until,  nfti'r  making  a  tour  of 
the  Southern  .States,  he  decided  that  this  county 
offered  the  best  prospects  for  investment.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  huuglil  a  large  farm  on  fiull  Prairie, 
iu  1865,  and  there  made  a  specialty  of  wheat,  in 
which  he  was  very  successful.  He  disposed  of  the 
farm  in  18S1  and.  moving  to  the  city,  has  here 
since  resided. 

A  Republican  in  his  poliiits.  Mr.  Coy  lias  served 
hi.'-  fellow-citizens  in  various  otiicial  cai)acitie.s.  He 
was  .Supervisor  while  at  Battle  Creek  and  .assisted 
in  furnishing  troops  during  the  war.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Kalamazoo  National  Bank  and  owns 
consideraiile  real  estate  in  the  city,  the  value  of 
which  is  constantly  increasing.  In  liis  religious 
preference,  he  inclines  to  the  belief  of  the  I're.s- 
hyterian  Church,  wliicii  lie  and  his  wife  attend.  In 
every  opinion  of  importance  he  Imlds  decided 
opinions  and  concedes  to  others  the  same  right 
which  he  demands  for  himself — tlial  of  liberty  of 
thought.  He  and  his  wife  have  one  daughter: 
Clarion  C.,  wife  of  Charles  F.  Davis,  of  Die  linn  of 
I'.  C.  Davis  ifc  Company,  of  Kalamazoo. 


liA  \'.  IIICKS.  There  IS  scarcely  any  enterprise 
in  Kal.'imazoo  which  contril)utes  more  directly 
1\  Icj  the  |)rospcrily  of  itscitizens  than  the  Hicks 
Carriage  ('(Miipany.  The  present  works  were  cstab- 
lislied  by  f)ur  subject  in  November.  I8!I0.  and 
.tince  that  time  he  has  been  succcssfullv  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  I'lp  .'ind  open  buggies 
and  cnrriages  of  the  latest  ami  most  approved 
ulyU-jt. 

The  carriage  manufactory  and  otilccs  of  the  com- 
pany are  located  in  a  line  building.  .">0  x  17.')  feet,  in 
dimen.'<iouN,  and  three  stories  iu  hright.  The 
machinery  i.t  tlie  lat<'st  and  most  highly  impro\ii|. 


and  the  vehicles,  which  are  of  a  superior  quality 
and  finish,  arc  shipped  to  different  points  through- 
out the  .State  as  well  as  to  other  portions  of  the 
country.  Forty  .skilled  employes  are  kept  tlnxmgli- 
out  the  j'ear  and  tiie  business  is  growing  very  sat- 
isf.aetorily. 

New  York  was  the  native  .State  of  Mr.  1  licks, 
who  w.as  born  in  Tompkins  County.  -Inly  17.  1)S:?|. 
David,  his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  tlie  Kiiipiie 
State,  and  engiiged  as  a  mamifaetiirer  of  farm  im- 
plements. A  good  business  man,  of  keen  foresight 
and  great  force  of  character,  he  was  prominent  in 
his  community  and  exerted  great  intluence  among 
his  fellow-citizens.  The  inotlier  w.is  known  in 
maidenhood  as  Jane  \an  \Vager  and  was  born  in 
New  York.  James  Ilicks,  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, w.as  of  English  descent  on  his  father's  side 
and  through  his iiiotlier  traced  iiis  ancestry  to  Hol- 
land. 

Ira  \'.,  who  was  the  second  of  four  children, 
passed  iiis  ))oyhoo(l  in  the  Km|)ire  .State,  receiving 
only  a  commoii-scliool  education  and  early  .as- 
sisting his  father  in  his  work.  When  sixteen  years 
old.  he  commenced  to  learn  tlie  trade  of  a  carriage- 
maker,  at  which  he  served  an  ai)prcnticeship  of 
three  years.  He  then  worked  as  a  journeyman  and, 
in  the  prosecution  of  his  tradcwent  to  Willoughby, 
Ohio,  then  to  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed l)v  the  Cortland  Wagiui  Company, of  Cort- 
land, for  four  years. 

In  liS81,  Mr.  Ilicks  ciUiie  to  Kai.-im.azoo  and 
.aided  in  the  organization  of  the  Kal.aniazoo  Wagon 
Company,  his  partners  liciiig  K.  W.  Meyers  and 
M.  II.  Lane.  The  business  of  the  company  was 
the  manufficture  of  buggies,  in  which  Mr.  Ilicl<s 
engaged  with  great  energy  and  remarkabU^  suci^css 
until  July,  1H;M),  when  he  sold  out.  His  i)rivate 
affairs  have  engaged  his  ;iilciHioii  .so  closely  that 
he  li.'is  mingled  littl(>  in  the  political  life  of  the 
city,  although  hcadlii'ies  to  the  principles  of  the  Re- 
public.Mii  |iarly  and  casts  his  b.allot  for  its  can- 
didatis. 

Wlicn  .at  ji'iMirc  from  his  business  I'ares,  Mr. 
Ilicks  linds  his  gi-(\'ilesl  picasiiic  in  the  society  of 
his  wife  and  children,  at  their  home.  No.  .')07 
Stewart  ,\veinie.  I\lrs.  Ilicks.  who  prior  to  18,51 
was  known  as  Sarah   Casar,   was   born    and    ri^'ire<l 


PORTRAIT  AN!)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RKCORD. 


837 


in  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Jai'ol)  and  Elizabeth  (Nottinjihani)  Casar.  She  is 
a  lady  of  i>ii|)Oiior  attainments,  a  devoted  help- 
mate, and  a  teinU'i'  mother  to  her  three  suivivini; 
ehildren:  lleniy,  assistant  manager  in  the  works; 
Lloyd  and  Nettie.     Frankie  died  in   I,SW9. 


^^+^1 


IIARLKS  A.  BALDWIN,  the  ellicient  Post- 
master of  Vicksburg,  is  well  known  throiigh- 

<J^J  out  this  section  of  country  as  the  editor  and 
proi)rietor  of  the  Commercial.,  a  bright  and  si)icy 
pai)er  wliieh  is  independent  in  politics  and  de- 
voted to  the  social  and  business  interests  of  the 
community.  In  former  years,  it  was  published  in 
Kalamazoo  and  for  six  months  prior  to  purchasing 
it,  Mr.  Baldwin  was  local  correspondent  from  this 
jilace.  When  he  bought  it  in  1884  and  established 
the  olfice  in  Vicksburg,  there  was  another  paper — 
the  Monitor — published  here,  but  it  soon  died, 
since  which  time  the  Commeivial  has  been  the  sole 
representative  of  the  newspaper  interests  of  the 
village. 

Not  only  has  Mr.  Baldwin  a  veiT  valualilc  plant, 
but  his  office  is  well  equipped  in  every  respect  and 
supplied  with  Fair  Haven  power  press,  as  well  as 
a  line  line  of  job  and  news  tj'pe.  The  work  turned 
out  is  of  a  superior  quality  and  style,  while,  through 
its  entrance  into  hundreds  of  homes,  the  pajjer  is 
wielding  a  powerful  inttuence  over  the  opinions  of 
the  people.  In  June,  1889,  Mr.  Baldwin  was  ap- 
pointed Postmaster  at  Vicksburg,  which  was  made  a 
Presidential  olfice  April  1,  1891.  IIis  i)revious  ex- 
perience as  Postmaster  in  Arkport,  N.  Y.,  enabled 
him  at  once  to  adopt  the  best  measures  for  the 
conduct  of  the  office,  and  the  mail  agents  give  him 
the  credit  of  i)utting  up  the  mail  and  keei)ing  his 
otlice  in   the  best  order  of  anyone  along    the    line. 

The  family  of  which  Mr.  Baldwin"  is  a  repres(!n- 
tative  traces  its  ancestry  to  Scotland,  whence  at 
an  early  day  some  of  its  members  emigrated  to 
this  country.  Ichabod  Baldwin,  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York  in 
1793  and  followed  the  occupation  of  a  gardener 
and  farmer  until  his  death  in  Allegany  County,  N. 
Y.,   at   the  age    of    sixty-four.      Among   his    live 


children  was  WilliamN'.,  who  was  born  in  Allegany 
County,  Octobcn-  3,  1820,  and  there  was  reared  on 
a  farm,  receiving  his  educalifin  in  the  district 
schools.  When  twcMity  years  old,lie  coinmenced  to 
learn  the  trader  of  a  blacksmith,  which  he  followed 
at  Franklin  and  Arkport,  N.  Y. 

For  six  years  William  N.  IJaldwin  served  as 
Postmaster  at  Arkport,  and,  bcnng  a  man  of  intell- 
igence and  excellent  judgment,  he  was  frequentl}- 
consulted  with  reference  to  general  political  matters 
as  well  as  of  affairs  of  local  importance.  Prior  to 
the  administration  of  I'resident  Buchanan,  he  was 
a  Democrat,  but  afterward  joined  the  Republican 
party.  In  the  Presbyterian  Church,  lie  was  an 
active  worker  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
Arkport,  August  26,  18(56.  Tlie  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, Mary  B.  Jordan,  was  born  in  Delaware  Count3^ 
N.Y.,  April  1,  1844  and  is  still  living,  her  home 
being  in  Vicksburg,  Mich.,  where  she  is  known  as  a 
lady  of  great  worth  of  character  and  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church.  Her  par- 
ents, .Jared  W.  and  Betsey  (Jones)  Jordan,  were 
natives  of  New  York  and  reared  ten  children, 
finally  passing  away  at  a  good   old  age. 

Mr.  Baldwin  is  one  of  three  children,  the  others 
being  Simon  S.,  of  Kalamazoo,  and  I*;iizabetli,  now 
Mrs.  McMaster.  Charles  A.  was  born  in  Franklin, 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  March  9,  1846,  and  when 
he  was  one  j'ear  old  was  taken  by  his  parents  to 
Arkport,  N.  Y.,  where  he  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he 
was  examined  and  given  a  permit  to  act  as  assis- 
tant mail  clerk  on  all  the  lines  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road. For  four  years  he  iierformed  substitute 
duty,  and  was  then  apixiinlcd  regular  clerk,  serv- 
ing as  such  for  four  years  between  Dunkirk,  N.  Y., 
and  Jersey  City,  N.  J.  During  that  time,  lie  vvas 
in  three  railroad  accidents  and  narrowly  e.scaped 
being  killed. 

After  the  death  of  his  father.  .Mr.  Baldwin  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Postmaster  at  Arkport, 
and  held  the  olHce  six  years,  meanwhile  engaging 
in  mercantile  [mrsuits.  In  the  spring  of  1872,  he 
resigned  his  position,  and, selling  outhis  property, 
came  to  Michigan,  where  he  was  engaged  on  the 
Schoolcraft  E.rprctm  for  a  short  time.  He  then 
opened  an  olllce  in  ^'icksbu^g,  becoming  a  lire   in- 


838 


PORTR.VIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


surance  agent,  and  still  acts  as  agent  for  seven  old- 
line  companies.  November  2, 1880,  he  bought  a 
farm  of  seventy-seven  acres  in  Br.ady  Township, 
fifty  acres  of  which  is  a  huckleberry  marsh  and 
very  remunerative. 

Mai'cli  21,lS0(i.  Mr.  ISahlwin  was  married  to  Helen 
F.  Ncwsom,  who  was  liDrn  in  Steulien  County.  N.  Y., 
October  12,  1848.  Her  parents,  William  and 
Elizabeth  (ZelifF)  Newsom,  were  natives  respec- 
tively of  Eni;land  and  (ierinanyand  reared  a  fam- 
ily of  thirteen  ciiildren.  Mr.  and  >Irs.  Baldwin 
are  tlie  parent.-;  of  two  children:  Mavy  E.  and 
Charleys  E.  Mrs.  Baldwin  passed  from  this  life 
.January  30,  1892.  They  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  in  which  they  are  earnest  workers. 

Politically,  Mr.  Baldwin  is  a  Republican  and 
has  been  connected  with  the  Rejiublican  County 
Central  Cmninittoe.  Notwithstanding  the  fact 
lliat  tiie  township  of  Brady  had  a  majority  of 
sevent3'-five  Democrats  when  he  was  nominated 
fur  the  position  of  Townsiiip  Clerk,  such  was  his 
popularity  that  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of 
thirty-seven.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  Xo.  86, 
K.  of  P.,  and  the  ^lodern  Woodmen,  in  whicli  he 
has  occupied  many  of  the  chairs  and  exerted  con- 
siderable influence. 


,(KNKA1)  CllKlSTorilKli  (U  Ni\,a  resident 
of  Oshtemo  Township,  Kalamazoo  County, 
^r  W!us  l)orn  February  1,  1818,  in  .Vsiitabuhi 
County,  Ohio.  He  is  a  sun  i>f  Westrell  Willoughliy 
Onnn,  a  native  of  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  was  born  February  2.'),  IHOS.  He  was  a  grailii- 
atc  of  Yale  College,  In  the  law  de|)artment,  and 
prncticed  in  l<ockpf)rl,  I'a.  He  was  married  soon 
after  leaving  college  to  Betsey  Sharp,  a  native  of 
New  Y<Mk,  and  in  IH2'.»  left  Locki>ort,  I'a.,  and 
settled  in  A.^htnlmlu  County,  Ohio,  continuing  in 
the  legal  biiftjiiess  and  also  ciigagiiig  .somewhat  in 
fariniiig  In  connection  with  dr<»viiig,  being  one  of 
the  oldext  deitlers  In  I'liltlc  In  Ohio.  He  dro\'<' 
cattle  to  liiifTalo  until  I  MOT,  in  wlilcli  year  he 
moved  to  Kalon  County,  this  Sial<'.  \\  lien  on  n 
visit  to  hisdaiighU-r  in  IjiPorte,  Iml.,  In  IH/O,  he  was 


taken  sick  and  died,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  His 
good  wife  died  in  Eaton  County,  in  1886,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-five  }'ears.  They  had  fourteen 
children  born  to  them,  eight  boys  and  six  girls, 
ten  of  whom  are  now  living.  Two  of  the  sons. 
Perry  and  Conrad,  enlisted  in  the  army,  Perry  in 
the  Thirtcentli  AVisconsin  InfantiT,  serving  nine 
months.  He  was  injured  at  the  battle  of  Pittsburg 
Landing,  and  was  discharged  from  the  service. 

Our  subject  worked  on  a  farm  until  tifteen  j'ears 
of  .age,  when  he  enlisted  in  tlio  army  on  the  16th 
of  .lanuary,  1861,  in  Company  E,  Sixtli  Ohio  Cav- 
alry. He  joined  his  regunent  at  Warrcnton,  \:i., 
and  did  picket  duty  inside  of  three  months'  time, 
lie  was  in  the  campaign  of  1864  under  Sheridan. 
He  [lartlcipated  In  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness 
and  was  on  Rii-hiiiond  raid,  lighting  all  the  time. 
He  was  al.so  In  the  battles  of  Todd's  Tavern,  S|)ott- 
svlvania.  Cold  Harbor,  Five  Forks,  Ciiickalioiiiiny, 
Malvern  Heights,  and  the  second  battle  of  Weldon 
Railroad.  At  the  last-named  pl.ace,  they  stopiied  do- 
ing picket  duty  until  the  spring  of  18G5,  when  they 
broke  camp  and  followoil  tlu'  rebels  on  retreat  and 
continued  to  light  until  Lee's  surrender.  The 
regiment  then  staid  at  Warrcnton  on  detached 
dut}'  for  three  months,  and  Mr.  Gunn  was  mus- 
tered out,  August  7, 1865,  and  lionoiably  discharged 
at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  August  7. 

On  leaving  the  array,  our  isubject  made  a  short 
visit  home  and  then  canie  to  Kalamazoo.  He 
remained  but  a  short  lime,  liowever,  as  he  went 
to  live  ill  Indiana,  wlicre  lie  remained  for  seven 
years.  From  therc^  he  removed  to  this  town- 
ship, in  IM76,  and  was  married  to  Helen  ('. 
.Slack,  III  the  .same  year.  Mrs.  Gunn  was  the  widow 
of  .lolin  Slack  and  a  daughter  of  William  Alfoi(l,a 
native  of  Ma.ssachusetts.  Her  gr.'indfather  p.articl- 
pali'il  in  the  UevoliUioiiary  \\':ir.  A  life  that  was 
played  by  liliii  in  the  battle  of  Yorktown  and  at 
the  surrender  o'f  Cornwallis,  and  afterward  by  Ins 
son  Wllliain  Alford,  in  the  War  of  i.s|2,  Is  in  llic 
l)ossession  of  the  family.  The  father  of  INL'S.  (lunn 
was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years,  in 
Caiiaila,  having  moved  lliere  soon  after  the  War 
of  IHI2.  He  lived  In  (uiclpli,  Ontario,  but  at  the 
time  of  the  Kebcllion  in  ( '••inada,  not  wishing  to 
light  for  or  against  bis  own  louiitiy,  sold  his  prop- 


"^ 


,rZyL.^iyC/    c^T^^^T-:^'^^^.,^^    j^ 


.^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


811 


erty  and  came  to  Michigan,  taking  up  land  in 
Alamo  Tovvusliip,  in  1837,  wliete  he  resided  until 
Ills  death,  which  occurred  in  1841).  Ills  good  wife 
is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son  in 
Texas  Township.  She  bore  her  husband  fourteen 
children  and  was  again  married  in  18.'j2  and  be- 
came the  mother  of  one  cliild. 

Mrs.  Gunn  was  married  to  her  fh'St  husband  in 
1861.  lie  died  Jlarch  30,  1875.  By  this  marriage, 
one  child  w.as  born,  William,  who  is  now  studying 
medicine.  By  her  second  marriage,  Mrs.  Gunn  has 
become  the  mother  of  two  children:  Conrad  Glenn, 
born  June  29,  1888,  and  Irwin  Simpson,  born  May 
10,  1886. 

Our  subject  is  a  member  of  Orcutt  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
at  Kalamazoo.  Mrs.  Gunn  had  two  brothers  in  the 
late  war,  William  and  George.  The  latter  was 
wounded  at  Poi't  Hudson  and  died  from  the  eilect 
of  his  wounds.  He  belonged  to  Company  D,  Sixth 
Michigan  Light  Artiller}'.  William  was  in  the 
Nineteenth  IVIichigan  Infantry,  Company  F,  and 
was  wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  was  taken  prisoner, 
March  6,  1863,  at  Spring  Hill,  Tenn.,  and  confined 
in  Libby  Prison  twenty-seven  days. 


i>-^^<i 


Qv- 


^  TELEN  M.  (UPJOHN)  KIRKLAND,  M.  D., 
I  I  of  Kalamazoo,  the  eldest  of  a  family  of 
\  twelve  children  of  the  venerable  pioneer 
of  medicine,  Dr.  Uriah  Upjohn,  was  born  in  Rich- 
land, Mich.,  February  24,  1839.  In  her  girlhood 
she  received  the  best  educational  advantages  the 
little  village  afforded  in  its  public  schools,  and  for 
several  years  attended  the  Prairie  Seminary,  which 
at  that  time  w.as  a  flourishing  and  popular  school. 
Later,  slie  entered  the  Baptist  College  at  Kalama- 
zoo, becoming  a  member  of  the  senior  class,  but 
not  graduating. 

Subsequently,  our  subject  engaged  in  the  pro-  I 
fession  of  a  teacher,  and  was  thus  occupied  for 
three  or  four  years,  teaching  in  Richland,  also  in 
Iowa  during  the  two  or  three  years  the  family 
lived  there,  excepting  that  she  returned  to  Mich- 
igan to  attend  school  for  one  year.  Soon  after 
her  father  moved   back   to    Michioan  for  the  sake 


of  better  educational  advantages  for  his  grow- 
ing family.  After  her  course  at  the  Baptist  Col- 
lege, she  taught  private  classes  in  French,  botany 
and  drawing,  which  to  her  was  a  very  plea-sanl 
pastime,  she  having  a  taste  for  those  studies. 
Wishing  to  become  proficient  in  something,  she 
pursued  the  study  of  art  for  a  few  years,  receiv- 
ing instruction  in  Chicago,  Kalamazoo,  and  later 
in  Ann  Arbor.  Several  years  were  spent  at  home, 
assisting  her  mother  in  the  care  of  her  large 
family. 

In  1869,  her  father,  seeing  the  necessity  of 
providing  his  children  with  better  educational  ad- 
vantages, purchased  a  large  house  in  Ann  Arbor  and 
sent  eight  of  his  oliler  children  there  at  one  time. 
Helen,  being  the  eldest,  took  charge  and  managed 
the  household  of  j'ounger  brothers  and  sisters.  She 
also  found  time  to  pursue  her  painting  and  attend 
Prof.  Winchel's  lectures  on  botany  and  geology. 
That  3'ear  the  doors  of  the  Michigan  University 
were  tlu'own  open  to  women  in  all  its  departments. 
Having  acquired  an  interest  in  her  father's  pro- 
fession and  practice,  she  determined  to  study  medi- 
cine, and  returned  home  to  read  under  his  instruc- 
tion, entering  the  University  at  Ann  Arbor  in 
1870,  and  graduating  in  the  medical  department 
in  1872,  being  one  of  a  class  of  six  first  lady 
graduates. 

The  Doctor  at  once  began  an  active  practice  in 
Kalamazoo,  in  connection  with  her  father  and 
brother.  Dr.  Henry  Upjohn.  Six  mo]iths  after 
beginning  pr.actice,  she  went  to  Boston,  and  there 
and  in  New  York  was  engaged  for  six  months  in 
hospital  work.  Returning  thence  to  Kalamazoo, 
she  at  once  secured  a  lucrative  and  desirable 
practice,  which  she  still  continues  at  her  office  at 
No.  619  Main  Street.  She  has  evinced  great  skill 
in  her  practice,  stands  high  in  tlie  profession,  and 
for  the  past  twenty  j'ears  has  practiced  with  re- 
markable success,  rare  faithfulness  and  conscien- 
tiousness. Her  practice  has  been  general,  and  she 
is  recognized  as  being  able  and  accurate  in  the 
diagnosis  of  diseases.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Kalamazoo  Acadein\-  of  Medicine,  Michigan  State 
Medical  Society,  and  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, having  been  a  delegate  to  the  latter  organ- 
ization from  the  local  societj-.    Her  marriage,  which 


S42 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


occurred   November    19,    1875,   tmited   her   with 
llujih  Kirklaiul. 

Dr.  Kirkliiud  is  a  woman  of  ability,  and  finds 
time  beyond  tlie  duties  of  her  profession  to  ally 
liei-self  with  the  advanced  tiiouglit  of  the  daj-,  and, 
wliile  not  assuming  a  leading  part  in  the  great 
ipiestions  affecting  woman  and  woman's  work, 
her  opinion  and  counsel  are  sought  and  respected. 
She  is  a  memlier  of  the  Ladies'  Library  Associa- 
tion, and  is  in  close  sympathy  with  the  advanced 
thinkers  of  the  ase. 


aOKNKLIUS  VANZWALIWKMURC;,  M. 
,  D.,  one  of  the  prominent  i)raclicing  phjsi- 
'  cians  of  Kalamazoo,  was  bt)rn  in  the  count3' 
which  is  still  liis  home,  November  17,  1862,  and  is 
a  son  of  R^-er  and  Sar.ah  (Kools)  A'an  Zwalnwen- 
burg,  botii  of  whom  were  natives  of  Holland  (the 
Netherl.ands).  AVlicii  young  tliey  came  to  Kalama- 
zoo County',  where  they  were  married,  hut  began 
their  domestic  life  on  a  farm  near  Holland,  Mich. 
Karly  in  1808,  the  fatlier  established  a  groeeiy 
store  in  Kalamazoo  and  continued  business  in  this 
line  until  1871.  He  is  now  residing  on  a  farm  in 
Ottawa  County  and  is  one  of  the  highly  respected 
citizens  of  the  community.  In  the  famil>'  are  five 
cliiblren,  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  our  subject  be- 
lugas follows:  .\braham,an  aii;d_vtii-al  chemist,  and 
a  graduate  of  the  I'liiversity  of  Michigan,  now  re- 
siding in  San  Luis  I'otosi,  Mexico;  .lunifs  (!., 
a  student  at  Hope  College;  Alice,  now  the  wife  of 
Dr.  Crimers,  ex-Mayor  of  Holland,  Mich.,  and 
.Vnna,  wife  of  .I.-icob  l'oppen,a  minister  of  the  He- 
foiriieil  Church. 

The  early  boyhood  days  of  our  subject  were; 
(t|»ciit  in  Holland  and  its  vieinity,  and  in  the  com- 
mon schf«>ls  f»f  (he  neighborhond  he  acipiired  his 
eai'ly  education,  lie  then  eiitereil  llojie  ColU-ge, 
where  he  remulned  as  n  student  from  1K77  until 
IMHO.  after  which  he  embiirUed  in  the  profession  of 
lenching,  which  he  followed  through  two  winters, 
and  nt  the  same  time,  in  his  leisure  hours,  he  re.ad 
iiieilieine,  hoping  to  miike  ll.s  piaclice  lii>  life-work. 
To  further  lit  himself  for  practice  In  that  line,  he 
enlereij  the  medical  department  nf  the  I'niversitv 


of  Michigan,  situated  in  Ann  Arbor,  and  after 
pursuing  a  thorough  course  of  study  w.is  gradu- 
ated from  that  institution  with  the  class  of  .lune, 
1885.  Being  now  tilted  to  begin  his  chosen  work, 
he  opened  an  ollicc  in  Kalamazoo,  and  has  since 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  continuously 
at  this  place.  The  liberal  patron.age  .accorded  him 
attests  his  ability  .and  skill,  and  he  has  won  a  place 
in  the  foremost  ranks  of  llie  mcdic;il  frattrnily  in 
this  count  J'. 

On  the  6th  of  Ainil,  1886,  the  Doctor  was 
united  in  marri.age  to  IMiss  Adriauna  AVabeke,  of 
Zceland,  Ottawa  County,  and  unto  them  liavel)een 
born  twochildren:  ]\Iabel  and  Bertha.  Himself  and 
wife  arc  members  of  the  Second  Reformed  Chiucli, 
of  which  he  hsis  been  Deacon  since  1886,  and  in 
social  circles  they  rank  high,  being  worthy  people, 
well  deserving  the  high  regartl  in  wliidi  they  are 
held. 

The  Doctor  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Kala- 
mazoo Academy  of  Medicine,  of  which  organiza- 
tion he  w.as  Secretary  for  some  four  years,  and  also 
belongs  to  the  State  Medical  Society,  with  uliich 
he  has  been  connected  since  1888.  In  April,  18!)1, 
he  was  made  a  health  ollicer  for  the  city  of  Kala- 
mazoo, and  h.as  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of 
that  ollice,  in  1892  being  re-elected  to  the  same 
office.  He  is  a  student  of  his  [irofession,  keeps 
abreast  with  all  its  discoveries  and  the  high  iii;in- 
ner  in  which  lie  is  S|>oken  of  by  all  is  indul'  that 
he  is  a  capable  and  earnest  i)hysician. 


-^i—*5^  II  <  i<  ■<■ 


^f?        VMAN     M.  (!ATKS   is   an    extensive    iiian- 
J   (?^   ufaeturer    of    lK)ilers   and    engines,  ami    is 
jlLJ^   rresident  of  the C.  II.  Dutton  Company,  their 
place  of   business  being  at   No.  826  (irace  Street, 
l\'.'il:uii:iz<i(i.     ( )l' the  above-named  company,  L.  M. 
(iatfs   is    l'resi(U'iit;     I'",.    L.   (i.ates.    Secretary    and 
Treasurer;  (leorge  F.  1  )nlt(iii.  N'iee-president,  and 
Mrs.  ('.  A.  Dutton.  stockholder.     The  cm  pita  I  sloili     ft 
is  Ji(2(i,(i(Ml.     'I'lie  business  wis  established  liy  C.  II.      " 
Dutton  in  tlic  lall  <if  issd.  .•uid   at    his  death,. I:in- 
uary  2.">,  1H9I,  w;is  in  :\  \rv\   priispcious  condition. 
C.  Ilolstcl  was  .a  incnilici-  of  the  lirni  until   \HM, 
The   C.  II.  Dutton  Company  Inis  just  erected   a 


PORTUAIT  AND  IJIOfUJAI'irC'AL   KECOUD. 


843 


two-story  addition,  42x50  feet  in  dimensions. 
Tli<:ir  iilant.now  covers  an  acre  of  ground,  with  fa- 
cilities for  shipping  on  the  flr.aiid  Rapids  and  In- 
diana, and  tlie  Lake  Shore  raih'oads.  They  give 
employment  to  thirty  or  forty  men,  and  rank  among 
tlic  leading  manufacttircrs  of  the  city,  (ieorge  F. 
Dntton  has  occupied  the  position  of  foreman  of  the 
shops  since  their  existence. 

Lj'man  M.  Gates  has  been  a  resident  of  Kalama- 
zoo since  1855,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business  at  Galesburgh. 

Lyman  M.  Gates  lived  for  one  year  near  La 
(irange,  Ind.,  and  made  his  advent  into  this  county 
in  the  spring  of  1855,  at  that  time  locating  five 
miles  east  of  this  city.  There  he  cleared  and  im- 
proved a  farm,  and  at  the  same  time  taught  school 
in  Galesburgh  for  four  3'ears,  having  attended  Gen- 
esee College,  at  Lima,  N.  Y.,  for  four  years. 

In  1870,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Kalamazoo 
County  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  was  re-elected 
to  that  responsible  position  in  1872.  lie  later 
bought  a  one-half  interest  in  the  Telegraph  and 
was  connected  with  that  paper  as  its  manager  a 
twelvemonth. 

In  1876,  Blr.  Gates  was  again  elected  to  the  of- 
fice of  Sheriff,  and  again  re-elected  in  1878  for  the 
fourth  time.  He  was  appointed  Postmaster  by 
President  Arthur  immediatelj'  after  Garfield's 
death,  and  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of  the 
otlice  for  four  years.  He  was  elected  Chief  of  Po- 
lice and  Marshal  of  the  cit}'  in  1887-88.  Though 
not  a  Prohibitionist  as  a  party  man,  Mr.  Gates  is 
strongly  in  favor  of  temperance,  and  has  done 
much  toward  furthering  the  interests  of  that  cause 
in  the  city. 

He  w.as  born  in  Monroe  County-,  N.  V.,  .lanuary 
7,  18.33,  and  is  the  son  of  Reynold  M.  and  Clarissa 
(Parmelee)  Gates,  also  natives  of  the  Empire  State. 
He  was  married,  March  13,  1854,  at  Mendon,  Mon- 
roe County,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  IMary  E.  Williams,  a  na- 
tive of  Newburg,  Ohio.  They  have  become  the 
[larents  of  one  son:  Albert  M.,  who  is  City  Passen- 
ger Agent  for  the  Santa  Fe  Railway,  at  Kansas 
C'ity,  where  he  has  been  for  the  past  five  years. 

Our  subject  was  an  exceedingly  popular  olticial, 
both  as  Sheriff  and  Postmaster.  He  is  a  shrewd 
politician  and  is  considered  one  of  the  party  lead- 


ers in  Kalamazoo  and  this  part  of  the  State,  his 
judgment  on  party  policy  being  very  sound.  He 
is  very  careful  in  business  transactions,  and  his 
personal  intluence  backing  any  venture  will  almost 
always  insure  its  success.  Mr.  Gates  is  of  fine,  ro- 
bust physique.  He  is  very  prompt  and  decisive  in 
action  and  enjoj'sa  story  or  a  well-timed  joke  with 
his  many  friends  and  associates.  His  handsome 
residence  is  located  at  No.  625  West  Main  Street. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gates  are  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church. 


EORGE  CHAPMAN.  The  countries  of  the 
Old  World  have  sent  us  many  young  men 
Ij  whose  home  op|)ortunities  were  limited, 
and  who  saw  in  the  new  country  beyond  the  sea  a 
chance  to  win  for  tiiemselves  both  name  and  for- 
tune. These  we  have  welcomed  to  our  shores,  and 
in  due  time  they  have  risen  to  positions  of  promi- 
nence and  wealth.  One  of  this  class  of  enterpris- 
ing young  men  may  be  found  in  the  person  of  our 
subject,  who  came  here  in  1873  a  poor  bo}',  begin- 
ning as  a  clerk  in  an  hotel,  from  which  he  entered 
the  West  Blichigan  Savings  Bank,  at  Bangor,  as 
bookkeeper,  and  his  industry  and  intelligence  be- 
ing recognized  by  those  interested,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  be  Assistant  Cashier,  which  responsible 
position  he  now  holds. 

George  Chapman  comes  of  good  old  English 
stock,  his  grandparents  on  the  paternal  side  being 
Robert  and  JMary  Chapman,  and  his  parents  James 
and  Esther  (Bladydon)  Chapman,  natives  of  Eng- 
land. Our  subject  was  born  at  Cambridge,  in  that 
country,  November  16,  1859,  and  was  the  eldest 
of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  remained  at  the  old 
home  in  Cambridge.  At  the  early  age  of  thirteen, 
our  subject  decided  to  cross  the  ocean  and  mark 
out  a  path  iw  himself  in  the  New  World.  On  ar- 
riving in  the  United  States,  he  came  to  Michigan, 
locating  first  at  Paw  Paw,  where  he  remained 
about  three  years.  He  then  went  to  Chrisman,  111.. 
where  he  spent  about  the  same  length  of  time, 
coming  from  there  to  B«ngor,  where  he  has  since 
resided.      He   became   identified    with    the   AVest 


S44 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Michigan  Savings  Rink  in  1881,  beginning,  as  has 
been  sLited,  lus  a  bookkeeper,  and  being  promoted 
to  Lis  present  jwsition.  He  is  industrious  and  en- 
ergetic and  a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity  of 
character,  and,  in  consequence,  has  gained  the 
esteem  and  respect  of  liis  employei-s  and  associates. 
Mr.  Cliapnian  was  married  in  July,  1883,  to  Miss 
hilUx  Ixtng.  and  to  llieni  have  been  born  four  cliil- 
dren:  Alfred  George,  Harry  Grover,  Ollie  G.,  and 
Una. 


^  AMl'EL  R  BROCKWAY  is  one  of  the 
suljstantial  and  well-to-do  farmers  of 
Brady  Township,  Kalamazoo  Countw  He 
was  lx)rn  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  Febru- 
ary 25,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  Aivin  Brockwa3',  a 
native  of  New  York,  of  Yankee  descent.  He  was 
a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  followed  farming.  He 
owned  forty  acres  in  Steuben  County.  The  jour- 
ney was  made  all  the  way  by  team  to  Michigan  in 
181.5,  by  way  of  Ohio.  The  family  located  on 
the  present  farm  of  our  subject,  which  was  school 
land  and  entirely  covered  by  woods.  A  log 
house  W.TS  erected  and  the  father  set  about  to  clear 
and  improve  the  place.  He  died  when  sixty-eight 
years  and  ten  montiis  old.  He  was  a  stanch  He- 
pulilican,  politically. 

The  father  of  our  subject  married  Ruth  A. 
Wiird.  a  native  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  they 
roared  four  boys  and  one  girl:  James  (deceased), 
.Samuel  R.,  .Mliert,  George  W.  and  Harriet  (de- 
ce-ised).  Tlie  good  wife  and  mother  died  when 
about  .sixty  years  old. 

( )ur  subject  W!LS  reared  to  manliood  on  a  farm 
anil  came  to  thi>  Slate  when  seven  ycni's  old.  Here 
lie  attended  the  primitive  log  sclmdl  Ikhisc,  with 
its  slab  benches  and  pin  legs,  open  (ireplace,  mud 
and  slick  chimney,  and  conducted  on  the  rntc-bill 
.system.  Deer  were  very  plentiful  in  thfwe  days,  as 
were  iM-arsand  other  wild  iinirnals,  and  at  one  tinu' 
when  our  subject  was  hunting  for  a  lost  hog,  he 
jumped  up  on  a  log  on  the  other  side  of  which 
lay  h  large  l)ear  There  were  also  eif«hiy  IndlMii 
wigwams  and  a  gi-eal  number  of  liiillanson  the 
bank  <>{  the  ere<'k  near  theii    place.     Our    subject 


was  very  much  afraid  of  them  and  in  going  after 
his  cows  would  keep  on  the  watch  ar^tumd  their 
camp  and  run  like  a  "whitehead"  at  llie  sight  of 
one. 

Samuel  R.  Brockway  rcniaiuoil  at  lioinc  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  then 
bought  fort}'  acres  and  lived  on  it  seventeen  years, 
when  he  purchased  forty  more  north  of  it  and  re- 
sided there  nine  years.  Selling  this  out,  eighty 
acres  were  purchased  where  he  lived  until  IJ^Tl, 
buying  the  old  homestead,  on  which  place  he  lias 
made  his  home  since.  He  was  married,  in  the  3'ear 
1852,  to  Jane  Vroman,  who  was  born  in  New  York, 
twentj'  miles  from  Buffalo,  in  1844.  They  have 
had  born  to  them  three  children:  Sardis  I.,  I'liilip 
S.  and  George  M.  Sardis  is  married  and  a  resident 
of  the  State  of  Washington,  where  he  is  teaching 
school;  he  owns  a  farm  there.  Philip  is  married 
and  resides  in  this  township;  (icorgc  is  still  at 
home.  Mr.  Brockway  carries  on  mixed  farming 
and  keeps  some  good  Durham  cattle  and  all  kinds 
of  stock  in  general.  Our  subject  has  always  been 
a  Republican  with  independent  i)roclivities.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of  Vicksburg, 
to  which  he  h.as  belonged  for  twent^'-fivc  years. 

Samuel  Brockway  in  the  early  days  had  to  go  to 
Flourlield  and  Kalamazoo  with  an  ox-tcam  to  mar- 
ket and  has  seen  this  country  converted  into  a  fer- 
tile region.  The  lirst  party  he  attended  he  took  his 
girl  with  an  ox-team  and  wagon.  He  is  now  the 
fortunate  possessor  of  two  hundred  l)road  ami  fei- 
tile  acres,  most  of  which  arc  under  splendid  culti- 
vation. 


-^^ 


ij*   »    •'*  " 


-^,l-;ORGK  N.  I)K.\KK,  one  of  the  pnniiiiiciit 
fanners  of   Kalamazoo,  is  making   his  home 

!J^  on  sectifin  1!),  K:ilaiiiazoo  Townsliip.  Ilr 
is  a  uativc-horii  citizen  of  tiiis  county,  having  had 
his  birth  in  Oshtemo  Township,  Kebrii.'iry  7,  1835. 
He  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  Dr.'ikc  a  luitive  of  New 
Jersey,  who  was  born  in  17H7.  This  gcntU'm.'in 
made  (piite  a  fortune  mi  I  he  Delaware  Kivei 
ill  the  luiiilicr  business,  liiil  mi  thr  lnc'ikiiig 
out  of  the  War  of  |HI2,  he  h>^l  all  his  inopcrly. 
AfUir  gelling  another  start  in  New  York,  the  father 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ft45 


of  our  subject  moved  to  Canada,  where  he  was 
married,  December  29,  1819,  to  Maria  Ogden,a  na- 
tive of  the  Dominion.  Tiiis  couple,  after  residing 
in  Ohio  for  two  j'ears  after  tlieir  marriage,  came 
to  Micliigan  and  settled  in  St.  Clair  County,  in 
182  1,  and  engaged  in  the  cattle  business  for  six 
years.  At  tlie  expiration  of  this  time,  Mr.  Drake, 
in  1 8.30,  came  to  tin's  county  and  located  in  Oslitemo 
Township,  on  section  13,  the  land  still  being  in- 
liabited  b}'  the  Indians,  who  helped  him  erect  a  log 
house. 

Tiie  elder  Mr.  Drake  had  to  walk  to  White  Pig- 
eon to  enter  his  land  and  on  the  way  passed  two 
Indians.  Paying  no  attention  to  them,  one  grabbed 
him  and  was  about  to  kill  him,  wlien  he  in  turn 
seized  tlie  Indian,  and  dragged  him  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  intending  to  put  an  end  to  him,  when  a  Mr. 
Campeau,an  Indian  trader,  happened  to  come  along. 
Mr.  Campeau  talked  to  the  Indians  and  detained 
them  until  Mr.  Drake  made  his  escape.  Our  subject's 
fatlier  improved  his  land,  and  at  his  death  owned 
three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fine  land.  It  is 
said  to  be  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  State.  In 
politics,  he  was  a  Republican  and  was  a  thoi'cugh 
business  man.  The  Oolden  Rule  was  his  religion, 
and  he  always  lived  up  to  it,  being  very  kind  to 
tlie  poor  and  unfortunate  and  did  mucli  to  assist 
people  in  locating  here.  Altogether  lie  was  an 
influential  and  respected  man.  He  died  at  his 
home  in  Oshtemo  Township,  in  September,  1883,  in 
his  ninety-eighth  year. 

To  I\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  Drake,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters  have  been  born.  Tiie  mother 
passed  away  in  1886,  aged  eighty-nine  years.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  remained 
under  tlie  parental  roof  until  reaching  his  majority', 
wlien  lie  engaged  in  shipping  stock  in  tlie  winter 
and  farming  in  tiie  summer.  Our  subject  purchased 
two  hundred  and  four  acres  of  his  father,  where  he 
now  makes  his  home  and  on  whicli  lie  has  erected 
all  the  buildings  and  made  the  splendid  improve- 
ments. He  has  dealt  quite  largely  in  stock  be- 
sides his  general  fanning,  in  which  lie  is  veiy  suc- 
cessful. Mr.  Drake,  of  this  sketch,  is  an  adlierent 
of  the  Republican  party,  liut  is  not  an  aspirant  to 
local  oflice;  socially,  lie  is  a  Master  Mason  and  a 
member  of  the    Kalamazoo  Lodge,    No.   22.     Our 


subject  was  (Mlucated  in  the  coimium  schools  of  Kal- 
amazoo and  also  the  Seminar}-  at  1  hat  |)lace.  I le  was 
a  member  of  the  State  Militia  ami  during  the  war, 
furnished  a  substitute,  as  he  could  not  leave  here, 
as  he  at  that  time  carried  (m  his  own  farm  and 
and  that  of  his  father. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Nettie  Allen,  in  Oshtemo  Township,  this 
county,  December  16,  1892.  Mrs.  Drake  is  a  native 
of  Barry  County,  Mich.,  and  is  a  daughter  of  .Toliii 
R.  Allen,  of  Oshtemo  Townshiji.  This  coujile  is 
well-liked  and  respected  b}'  the  entire  com  muni  t}- 
in  which  they  live. 


i=rr;^ 


/^EORGE  P.  HOPKINS.  This  prominent 
III  (—,  attorney  of  Kalamazoo  possesses  the   legal 

^^ii^J  acumen,  sound  common-sense  and  genial 
social  qualities,  which  have  won  for  him  the  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  well-dowered 
with  talents  of  no  common  order  and  has  con- 
ducted himself  in  the  various  relations  of  life  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  gain  the  esteem  of  all.  In  the 
various  official  positions  which  he  has  held,  he  is 
known  for  his  integrity  of  character,  his  careful 
examination  of  all  matters  coming  within  the 
range  of  his  authorit}',  and  his  efficient  discliarge 
of  his  duties. 

Mr.  Hopkins  has  passed  most  of  his  life  witliin 
Kalamazoo,  where  he  was  born  September  1,  18r)9. 
His  father,  David  S.,  was  a  native  of  New  York, 
born  in  Washington  County,  and  w.as  by  trade  a 
carpenter  and  architect,  manj-  of  the  llnest  struct- 
ures in  Kalamazoo  and  Grand  Rapids  having  been 
designed  and  constructed  under  his  suiiervision. 
Grandfather  Charles  C.  is  still  living  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety-one  and  resides  at  Lamont, 
Ottawa  County,  this  State.  He  was  a  very  early 
settler  of  Kalam.azoo,  where  he  settled  in  alioiil 
1843,  and  cleared  a  farm  near  the  village. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden  name 
w.as  Mary  A.  Eaton,  is  a  native  of  Allegan  County, 
and  the  daughter  of  A.  S.  Eaton,  who,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-two,  is  living  on  a  farm  in  this  county. 
The  oldest  of  four  children — all  sous — George  P. 
spent  his  childhood  in  study  at  the  common  schools. 


846 


PORTRAIT  AND  EIOGRAPfflCAL   RECORD. 


alternated  with  the  usual  l)0\ish  sports.  After  study- 
ing in  the  academy  at  Plainwcll,  Allegan  County, 
and  graduating  from  the  I'lainwell  High  School, 
he  entered  the  law  department  of  tiie  I'nivcrsity 
i>f  Michig.an  at  Ann  Arhor,  graduating  in  1882. 
Returning  to  Kalamazoo,  Mr.  Hopkins  spent 
tiiree  years  in  the  law  ollice  of  Dallas  Boudeman, 
iissisting  in  clerical  work  and  the  preparations 
of  briefs.  Afterward  he  was  elected  on  the 
Republican  ticket  to  the  position  of  Circuit  Court 
Commissioner,  which  he  filled  four  years.  In  the 
fall  of  1888,  he  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney, 
assuming  charge  of  the  otlice  .January  1, 1889,  and 
occui)ying  the  position  for  a  term  of  two  years. 
Resuming  his  law  practice,  he  opened  an  otlice  in 
the  Sebering  Block,  where  he  is  now  occupied  in  a 
general  law  business  and  pr.icticesin  all  the  courts. 
Aside  from  membership  in  Anchor  Lodge,  No. 
87.  A.  F.  A  A.  M.,  he  takes  little  interest  in  social 
organizations,  but  confines  his  attention  to  the 
duties  of  his  profession. 

IDWARD  N.  l)JNt;i,i;Y.  A  foremost  posi- 
tion among  the  journalists  of  iMicliigan  is 
occupied  by  this  gentleman,  who  is  tlie  edi- 
tor and  publisher  of  the  Daily  and  Weekly  Teh- 
ijraph,  of  Kalamazoo,  the  most  influential  organ  of 
the  ]{epul)lican  party  in  Southwestern  IMicliigan 
and  one  of  the  leadhig  newspapers  of  the  State. 
The  Tdofjraph  has  for  manj'  years  molded  the  po- 
litical seiitimenls  of  the  people  and  exerted  a 
powerful  influence  in  advancing  the  interests  of 
tlie  county.  It  is  a  welcome  guest  in  thousands 
of  homes,  and,  lieiug  conducted  on  sound  business 
principles,  h.as  proved  financially  remunerative. 

A  native  of  Maine,  .Mr.  Dingley  was  born  in 
.Auburn,  August  21.  1K(;2,  and  when  one  year  old 
w.as  taken  by  his  parents,  Nelson  and  Salonu'  (Mc- 
Keiiney)  Dingle}-,  to  Lcwiston,  that  State.  \U'. 
prepared  for  college  in  llu!  public  schools,  and  in 
the  fall  of  IKT'.I  entered  BaU's  College, at  Lewiston, 
remaining  there  for  <nie  year.  In  September, 
l««0,  he  »'nlered  the  Sophomore  class  of  \':\W  liii- 
versily,  where  he  was  graduated  in  188;j.  After 
ciiinplefing  his   liteniry   course,  ho  began  to  study 


law  at  the  Columbian  University,  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  in  .lune,  1888,  was  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  LL.B.  AVhile  in  the  Capitol  City,  he 
acted  as  newspaper  correspondent. 

Upon  passing  his  examinations,  Mr.  Dinglej" 
was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Bar  of  the  State 
of  Maine,  in  September,  188;'),  but  never  followed 
the  legal  profession.  About  that  time,  he  com- 
menced his  newspaper  career  as  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  the  Lewiston  Journal,  where  he  remained 
One  _\ear.  From  September,  1886,  until  .June, 
1887,  he  was  emplo^yed  as  a  political  writer  on  the 
Boston  Advertiser  &  Record,  and  from  October, 
1887,  to  May,  1888,  he  was  one  of  the  editors  of 
tho  Leavenworth  (Kan.)  Times. 

The  purch.ise  of  the  Kalamazoo  Daily  and 
Weekly  Telegraph  w.as  made  in  August,  1888,  since 
which  time  Mr.  Dingley  has  olliciated  ably  as  its 
editor  and  manager.  The  Weekly  Telegraph  was 
founded  in  1811,  ami  is  one  of  the  oldest  news- 
papers in  the  Stale,  while  the  Daily  was  estab- 
lished in  185i).  Under  the  management  of  its 
various  editors  and  publishers,  the  Telegraph  has 
assisted  in  developing  the  resources  of  the  State 
and  promoted  the  interests  of  the  city  in  early 
diiys  by  attracting  hither  a  good  class  of  settlers, 
and  aiding  in  the  eU'ction  of  clliciciit  men  for 
positions  of  trust. 


-f- 


-^^- 


^IIARLKS  W.  BARBKH  is  probably  one  of 
the  best-known  men  in  Alamo  Township. 
K.'ilaniazoo  County,  having  held  the  posi- 
tion of  station  agent  of  the  Michigan  Central  Uail- 
ro.ad  at  Alamo  since  its  completion,  .lanuary  12, 
1870.  lie  has  held  an  otlicial  i)osition  in  tiie  town- 
ship for  sixteen  consecutive  years  and  is  highly 
esteemed  liyall  who  h;ive  the  honor  of  his  ac(|iiain- 
tiince.  lie  owns  a  beautiful  trad  of  l.'iud  on  sec- 
tion 1  (I.  comprising  eighty  acres  and  which  bears 
all  the  improvements  to  be  found  on  a  first-class 
estate,  lie  is  a  wi^li-educated  and  ple.'isaiit  gentle- 
nniii,  and  is  making  a  success  of  his  undertakings. 
Charles  W.  Barber  was  horn  .Inly  l.'l.  182H,  in 
Onondaga  County,  N.  A'.,  and  is  a  son  of  I'el 
Barber,  a    native    of  the    (ireen    .MoiinlMin  Stale, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


f<.i' 


where  he  carried  on  the  trade  of  a  shoeiiiiikcT.  The 
elder  Mr.  Barber  removed  to  New  York  wlieii  a 
young  man  and  came  West  in  Marcli,  1814,  locat- 
ing in  Alamo  Township,  wliere  lie  died  in  18.52,  in 
his  sixty -second  year.  In  religious  matters,  he  was 
a  conscientious  meniher  of  the  Presbj'terian  Churcli. 
His  wife,  tlie  mother  of  our  subject,  was  known  in 
her  maiden  dajs  as  Peninnali  Searles,  also  a  native 
of  Vermont,  where  her  death  occurred  in  1838. 

Our  subject  is  the  3^oungest  of  a  family  of  four 
children,  two  of  whom   are  deceased.     His   educa- 
tion was   limited  to  the   common    schools,  but  he 
made  the  best  of  his  opportunities  and  is  to-day  a 
well-informed  and  intelligent  gentleman.     He  be- 
[gan  doing  for  himself  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen 
years,  working  out  by  the  month.     He  continued 
so  em[)loyed    until    reaching  his  nineteenth    year, 
Ireceiving  as  remuneration  for  his  labors    ^5  per 
I  month,  until    the   last  year,   when  his   salary  was 
raised  to  the  magnificent  sum  of  19  per  month. 
1      He,  of  whom  we  write,  emigrated  to  Michigan  in 
Octolier,    1847,  .and,  locating  in  Alamo  Township, 
purchased    eighty  acres    of  wild    land.     He    com- 
menced the  work  of  clearing   and   improving  his 
'  tract,  and  erected  thereon  a  plank  shanty.  Indians 
and  wild  game  were  plentiful  and   the    hardships 
I  through    which   he  passed  in  paving   the   way  for 
'  those  who  should  follow  liim   have  made  a  lasting 
I  impression   upon   his  mind.     In    1851,  Mr.  Barber 
I  was   married  to  Agnes  Tallman,  the    daughter  of 
'  James  Tallman,  whose  sketch  appears   on  another 
I  page  in  this    volume.     Five    children    have    been 
[born  to  our  subject  and  his  wife:  Elvira,  who  is  the 
wife    of  Daniel    Morrison,    lives    near    Paw  Paw; 
Lizzie  is  deceased;  Stella   is  Mrs.  James  D.  Fergu- 
son, and    resides    in   Bangor,  Van  Bui-eii  County; 
Warren  G.  is  also  deceased;  .and  Ora  P.  is  the  wife 
of  Frank  M.  Long,  and  makes  her  home  in  Alamo 
on  her  father's  farm. 

The  original  of  this  sketcii  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  has  represented  his  part}'  as  a  dele- 
gate to  county,  district  and  State  conventions.  He 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1854,  and 
served  in  that  responsible  position  for  several 
years.  He  was  Township  Clerk  six  years,  and  at 
different  times  was  Treasurer  .and  Supervisor,  hold- 
in"    the  latter  oltice  two  terms.     Durino-  the  Civil 


War,  Mr.  Barber  was  cnioliing  ullircr  lor  his  town- 
ship. As  before  mentioned,  he  has  served  for 
twenty-one  years  as  station  agent  at  Alamo  and  i.s 
widely-  I^nown  throughout  the  State  of  IMieJiigan. 
Both  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Barber  are  meinbei'S  of  the 
Congregational  Church.  In  connection  with  his 
duties  as  agent,  our  subject  buys  grain  f(jr  Sea- 
l)reing  &  Co.,  of  Kalamazoo.  He  is  a  thorougli- 
going  business  man,  and  ranljs  among  the  well-to- 
do  and  prfigressive  residents  of  the  county. 


<%p^LI  DOUGLASS  is  one  of  the  oldest  resi- 
h$l  dents  of  Kalamazoo,  and  also  one  of  tlie 
/*—  -^;  most  honored.  He  was  born  on  Onion 
River,  in  Chittenden  County,  ^'t.,  fourteen  miles 
from  Burlington,  and  is  a  son  of  Richard  and 
Rhoda  (Claw.son)  Douglass.  His  father  was  a 
tanner  and  shoemaker.  Under  the  parental  roof, 
the  d.ays  of  his  childhood  and  youth  were  passed, 
but  at  length  he  determined  to  leave  home  and  try 
his  fortune  for  himself.  In  1833,  lie  bade  good- 
bye to  his  family  and  friends  and  came  to  Wash- 
tenaw County,  iMieli.,  residing  for  two  years  ten 
miles  west  of  Lodi  Plains,  on  the  River  Raisin.  He 
then  located  Government  land  near  Grass  Lake,  in 
Jackson  County,  where  he  developed  and  im- 
proved a  small  farm.  In  1836,  we  find  him  a  resi- 
dent of  the  eastern  part  of  Texas  Townsliip,  Kala- 
mazoo County,  where  he  cultivated  a  lour  hun- 
dred acre  farm,  making  it  his  home  for  about 
thirty  years.  In  1866,  he  came  to  Kalamazoo  but 
has  since  spent  about  ten  years  on  his  farm,  the 
remainder  of  the  time  his  iiome  being  in  the  city. 
In  May,  1836,  in  Jackson  County,  Mr.  Douglass 
married  Miss  YXv/.-x  Walker,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Walker,  a  pioneer  of  Jackson  County.  Several 
of  Mr.  Douglass'  brothers  also  came  West  and  set- 
tled near  him.  The  parents  died  a  few  years  later. 
Mr.  Douglass  found  in  his  wife  a  faitliful  com- 
panion and  helpmate,  who  traveled  life's  journey 
hy  his  side  for  more  than  half  a  century  and  at 
length  passed  aw.ay,  November  26,  1888,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-two  years.  Unto  them  were  liorn  four 
children,  the  eldest  of    whom.   Maria    M.,    became 


848 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArHICAL  RECORD. 


the  wife  of  Moses  Longj-ear,  of  Grass  Lake,  Jack- 
son County,  who  died  nineteen  ye«ii"S  ago.  She 
is  now  living  with  her  fatiiorand  lias  five  children, 
as  follows:  Willis  D.,  wlio  was  connected  with 
the  Kalamazoo  National  Bank  until  two  years  ago 
and  is  now  teller  in  a  Los  Angeles.  Cal.,  bank;  Nel- 
lie, wife  of  Albert  Barnes,  of  Kalamazoo,  now  re- 
siding With  Mr.  Douglass;  Byron  O..  who  died  at 
tlie  age  of  tliirteen;  Marian  1..  a  slenograplier  and 
type  writer  who  graduated  from  I'arsons'  liusiness 
College;  and  Kittie.L,  who  graduated  from  the  high 
school  in  1891,  and  is  now  a  teacher  in  the  i)ublic 
schools.  Daniel,  the  second  child,  for  sonic  years 
resided  in  Western  Iowa  and  Nebraska  and  is  now 
in  California.  Kmily  is  the  widow  of  Charles 
Abbott,  of  Kalamazoo,  and  George  is  a  farmer 
operating  the  old  homestead. 

In  politics.  Ml-.  Douglass  has  been  a  life-long 
Democrat,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor 
and  Road  Commissioner  for  a  number  of  years. 
I  lis  integrity  is  prfiverliial  and  he  has  been  fre- 
(piently  chosen  as  administrator  of  estates,  having 
in  charge  more  than  thirty,  some  of  them  exten- 
sive properties,  and  allliougli  many  have  been 
comiflicated,  all  have  been  settled  satisfactorily. 
lie  possessed  good  business  ability,  was  progres- 
sive though  not  venturesome,  and  by  his  industry, 
perseverance  and  good  managomeiit  won  a  hand- 
some competence  which  surrounds  iiim  in  his  de- 
clining years  with  peace  and  plenty,  lie  is  now 
eighty-two  years  of  age,  yet  is  as  hale  and  hearty 
as  many  men  of  seventy  and  is  easily  and  ipiietly 
drifting  down  life's  stream.  In  looking  l>:ick  ovei 
his  past  life,  he  need  feel  no  regret  for  lost  oi)|)or- 
tunily. 


:<^[i^ 


^ll'OlIN  T.  liKTALLICK  stands  among  the 
foremost  of  the  wise,  jirogressive  and  ciiter- 
|)ri.sing  farmers  and  stock-i'ai.sers  to  wiioni 
Kal:iiiiM/.oo  Ctninty  is  largely  indebted  for 
iUt  high  standing  .as  one  of  the  richest  mid  best 
developed  ngrieultiiiMl  c('iiIit>  in  tlic  State  of 
.Michijjan.  lie  hiis  met  with  nnmeasui'ed  success 
III  his  riiriiiiiig  operations,  and  has  two  (inely  ap- 
pointed fiirin.s  lying  side  by  side  in  ('liiii!i.\  'I'owu- 


sln[i,  bis  beautiful  home  being  on  one  of  them  on 
section  2.  They  are  unsurpassed  as  to  fertility  of 
soil,  cultivation  and  imiirovenient  by  the  best 
farms  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

John  Retalliek  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Sept- 
ember 11,  1834,  a  son  of  Richard  Retalliek.  His 
father  w.as  a  native  of  Kngland.  He  was  a  car- 
penter and  joiner  and  came  to  this  country  when 
a  young  man  to  seek  employiiient  at  his  trade.  He 
afterward  went  b.ack  to  his  old  home  to  marry, 
and,  returning  to  America  witii  his  bride,  settled 
in  Pennsylvania.  His  career  was  cut  short  l\y  his 
untimely  death  when  his  son  of  whom  we  write 
was  only  a  babe.  But  very  little  is  known  of  hiiii 
or  of  his  antecedents. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  thus  bereft  of  lier 
husband,  was  left  in  very  poor  circumstances.  She 
came  to  .Michigan  witli  lier  child  to  make  her  home 
in  Cliaiieston  Township,  where  she  had  a  brother- 
in-law,  Robert  Hawk,  who  was  an  itinerant  Meth- 
odist i)reaclier.  As  she  was  so  very  poor  and 
scarcely  able  to  support  her  son,  the  preacher  in 
his  rounds  called  on  Daniel  Eldred  and  his  wife, 
who  were  childless,  and  asked  them  if  they  did  not 
want  to  take  a  boy  to  raise.  They  agreed  to  do  so, 
went  tc)  claim  our  subject,  who  was  a  little  ragged 
four-year-old,  t(n>k  iiiiii  to  their  home  and  hearts, 
and  tenderly'  reared  him  as  if  lie  were  of  llieir  own 
(lesh  and  blood.  His  mother  afterward  married  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Sjierinaii,  ;uid  died  while  yet 
young. 

Our  suliject  attended  school  in  his  boyhood  in  a 
log  house  which  w.as  fiiiiiished  with  slab  benches, 
and  the  school  was  conducted  under  the  rate-bill 
system,  the  teacher  boarding  .'iiiuind  lirst  with  one 
fainily  and  then  ,'inotlicr.  His  adopted  fntiier  died 
when  he  w.as  fourteen  ye;irs  old.  .miuI  wlieii  he  w.as 
sixteen,  so  capable  and  MMibilious  ;nid  helpful  was 
he,  he  took  the  full  iiiMiiagemcnt  of  the  farm,  and 
kept  it  up  finely.  His  adoptccl  parents  left  him 
one  huiiilred  acres  of  land,  but  the  rciii.'iiiHlei'  of 
his  three  hundred  and  thirty-two  niid  one-half 
acres  liMve  been  ac<|uired  by  himself,  lie  liveil  on 
the  old  pJMci'  mil  il  |SS|,;iii(l  Iheii  moved  to  the 
farm  on  section  2  upon  which  he  now  lives,  which 
joins  the  other.  It  is  snid  that  Ihere  is  not  n  finer 
farm  in  CliuiMx  Township  IIimii  Ibis,      lis  improve- 


RESIDENCE   OF    EDWARD    BIGELOW  ,  SEC.  52.,  A  L  AM  0   TR,    KALAMAZOO  CO. .MICH. 


-5IDLNCt&.  FARM    PROPERTY    OF  JOHN   T.  RETALLl  CK  ,  SEC.£.,CL1  MAX  TP,KALAMAZOO    C0.,M1CH. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


851 


iiients  .ire  modern  and  first-class,  including  one  of 
the  largest  liarns  in  the  townsliip,  liesides  two 
others,  and  a  new,  handsomely  built,  and  elegantly 
furnished  frame  residence,  a  view  of  wliicli  appears 
on  another  Jiage.  There  are  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  in  this  farm,  and  the  other  one  coni|)rises  the 
remainder  of  Mr.  Ri'tallick's  landed  estate.  That 
is  also  amply  supplied  with  good  buildings,  hav- 
ing a  large  fiame  residence,  a  half  mile  e.ist  of  his 
present  home,  and  four  barns.  Oin-  subject  raises 
both  grain  and  stock.  He  keei)s  some  of  all  kinds 
of  stock,  and  usually  ships  a  ear-load  of  sheep 
every  season,  keeping  about  a  hundred  head  on 
hand. 

Mr.  Retallick  was  married,  April  10,  18.56,  to 
Miss  Ililinda  Newton,  who  has  materially  .assisted 
him  in  the  .accumulation  of  his  proiierty  by  her 
cheerful  co-operation  and  careful  oversight  of 
household  mattei's.  She  was  born  in  Canada, 
(Xdober  30,  1837,  to  Dudley  and  Deborah  (Terry) 
Newton,  who  were  natives  respectively  of  Con- 
necticut and  N'ew  Yt)rk.  They  came  to  this  State 
in  1836  and  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Kent 
County.  ]Mr.  Newton  was  a  farmer,  and  took  vip 
eighty  acres  of  Land  from  the  Government.  He 
lived  to  be  an  old  man,  his  death  occurring  at 
eighty-one  years  of  age,  while  his  wife  died  at  the 
age  of  forty-three  years.  They  were  the  parents 
of  thirteen  children,  eleven  of  whom  grew  to  m.a- 
turity.  Mrs.  Retallick  was  their  eighth  child  in  or- 
der of  birth,  and  one  of  the  six  now  living.  Her 
pleasant  wedded  life  with  our  subject  has  been 
blessed  by  six  children,  of  whom  these  five  are 
living:  Newton  E.,  a  conductor  on  the  Cirand 
Trunk  Railw.ay,  who  married  Miss  Eunice  P'.ldred; 
.Tennie  T.,  wife  of  William  H.  Sheldon,  a  farmer, 
whose  estate  lies  on  the  edge  of  the  village  of 
Climax;  Milan  C,  who  married  Miss  Ilattie  Smith, 
of  Charleston  and  resides  in  Charleston  Township, 
Kalamazoo  County;  Eurie  B.  and  Etta  M.,  who  are 
at  home  with  their  parents. 

Our  subject  is  wealth}',  one  of  the  solid  citizens 
of  the  county,  owing  his  good  fortune  not  alone 
to  the  help  given  him  by  his  foster  parents,  but  in 
great  part  to  those  characteristics  that  mark  him 
as  a  man  of  more  than  aver.age  ability,  i)ush  and 
energy,  with  a  m.asterl}'  talent  for  business,  and  a 
39 


capability  of  judging  matters  with  discrimination 
and  accuracy,  lie  is  hxiked  u|)  to  1)V  his  fellow- 
citizens  with  crHilidence  and  esteem,  and  they  have 
shown  their  jippreciation  of  his  charactei' bv  calling 
him  to  public  life.  He  has  held  the  oflice  of  Town- 
ship Treasiuer  for  a  number  of  years,  and  other 
minor  otiices.  He  has  been  mentioned  as  candidate 
for  Supervisor  to  represent  the  township  on  the 
County  Board,  but  has  refused  to  allow  his  name 
to  he  used  in  a  caucus  in  that  connection.  Soci- 
ally, he  is  a  memljer  of  the  Masonic  order  in  the 
vill.age  of  Climax;  and  politically,  is  with  the  Re- 
publicans. He  gives  liberally  to  the  support  of 
churches,  but  is  not  a  member.  His  wife  belongs 
to  the  ]\rethodist  Church,  and  is  one  of  its  most 
effective  workers. 


-^1= 


*•  ^dbn    ' ■ 

<^|^DWARD  BIGELOW.  This  respected  anil 
successful  farmer  is  one  of  the  popular  citi- 
zens of  Alamo  Township,  Kalam.azoo 
County,  wliere  he  is  cng.aged  in  cultivating  one 
hundred  and  twenty  .acres  of  land  on  sections  31 
and  32.  He  was  born  in  Summit  County,  Ohio, 
.June  27,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Marlin  Bigelow 
who  w.as  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1800.  The  f.a- 
tlier  came  AVest  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Summit 
Count}'  in  an  earl}'  day.  There  he  cleared  and  im- 
proved a  wild  tract  of  land  on  the  banks  of  the 
Rock  River.  In  1864,  he  disposed  of  his  interests 
in  Ohio  and  removed  to  Shelby  County,  Mo.,  and 
located  at  Slielbyville,  where  he  w.as  cng.aged  in 
farming  and  also  in  money  loaning  to  some  ex- 
tent. He  was  captain  of  a  company  of  militia- 
men in  Ohio  in  .an  early  day  and  at  his  death, 
which  occurred  while  on  a  visit  to  the  Buckeye 
State,  in  1881,  he  left  a  comfortable  fortune.  He 
had  also  learned  the  trades  of  blacksmith  and  stone 
m.ason,  which  he  followed  for  some  time. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  w.as  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  where  he  carried  im  farm- 
ing. Mrs.  JNIarlin  Bigelow  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  Mabel  Sheldon  and  died  in  18.52,  after  having 
reared  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  six  of  whom 
are  still  living.  The  education  of  our  subject  w.as 
limited  to  three  months'  attendance  at  the  district 


852 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


school.  He  remaiueil  under  the  parental  roof  until 
reaching  his  nineteenth  year,  when  lie  began  to 
work  out  bj- the  month.  lie  thus  earned  money 
enough  to  stait  out  on  his  own  responsibility  and 
oanie  to  Michigan  in  18r)3,  wc)rking  in  Kalamazoo 
and  Allegan  Counties  until  he  purchased  his  pres- 
ent farm  in  ISCA).  His  projierty  was  .in  unbroken 
trad,  little  more  than  a  wilderness,  and  there  he 
erected  a  board  shanty,  lCx22  feet  in  dimensions. 
He  endured  bravely  and  uncomplainingly  the  li.ard- 
shipsand  i)rivatioiis  of  pioneer  life  and  the  result 
of  his  laboi-s  is  seen  in  his  beautiful  home  farm,  a 
view  of  which  accomjianies  this  sketch.  Soon  after 
he  had  paid  for  his  place,  he  w.as  drafted  into  the 
army  in  l.H(i3  and  was  compelled  to  hire  a  substi- 
tute, whom  he  paid  ^."iOd.  In  order  to  procure  the 
money,  he  w.as  compelled  to  mortgage  his  farm. 

In  the  spiing  of  lH(i I,  Edward  Higelow  w.as  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Louisa  Alcliin,  who  was  born  in 
Kent,  England,  Decenilier  20,  I8;SM.  Mrs.  Digelow 
was  the  daughter  of  Uichard  and  Ann  Alchiii,  na- 
tives of  England,  where  the  father  was  engaged  for 
a  time  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business.  .Mr.  and  Afrs. 
Alchin  came  to  Americain  18U)  and  spent  a  monlh 
in  .New  York.  At  the  end  of  that  tinic,  lliey  came 
to  W.'ishtenaw  County,  this  State,  and  located  in 
I'ittslield  'rown.-<hii>,  where  Mr.  Alchin  cng.-iged  in 
farming.  Ilediedin  188;?  when  eigiity-three  years 
old;  the  mother  survived  her  liusl)and  :\  nuniberof 
^•ears  and  died  in  I8k;i,  in  her  cighty-lliird  v<';ir. 
They  reared  a  family  of  seven  cliildren,  live  of 
whom  are  living.  In  religious  atfaiis,  they  were 
mcmlicrs  of  the  Episcopal  ('Imicli. 

Mrs.  IJigclow  w.is  given  a  coinmon-school  cduca- 
ti<m  ;iiid  after  ."ittaining  her  lifleentli  year,  ."us  her 
|)arcnt.s  were  unable  to  senrl  her  lo  school,  she 
worked  out  anil  earned  a  sullicient  sum  of  money 
lo  p:iy  her  tuition.  She  lauglil  licr  (irst  school 
when  .'M'venleen  y«^ai's  of  age  and  fiillcjwid  ihc  lii'c 
of  a  Ic'iclu-r  for  several  terms.  Mic  fully  a))- 
preciated  the  value  which  a  knowledge  of  books 
gives  lo  men  and  women  anil,  making  llir  best  of 
her  opportunities,  is  t.o-d:iy  a  well-ediiealcd  :ind 
iiilelligent  lady. 

l'"our  of  the  live  daughters  born  to  our  suliject 
and  IiIm  eslimable  wife  have  followed  in  their 
mother's  roiitstep.>4  ;ind  li:ive  been   school    teachers. 


Cora  N.  died  in  Vicksbnrg.  this  county,  while  teach- 
ing; Olive  married  Charles  11.  lloyt  and  is  living 
in  Rutland  Township,  Rarry  County,  this  State; 
she  was  also  a  school  teacher  as  were  also  Lizzie 
and  jM.abel.  Edith  is  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

The  Prohibition  party  claims  our  subject  as  one 
of  its  warm  adherents.  With  his  wife  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregation.al  Church.  He  de- 
sei-ves  a  great  deal  of  credit  for  the  success  he  has 
made  in  his  chosen  calling,  for,  as  we  have  stated, 
it  h.as  been  the  result  of  his  industry  and  good 
m.anagement,  together  with  tlic  aid  and  counsel  of 
his  eood  wife. 


E^ 


UDGE  .lAY  R.VNDOLPH  MONROE,  de- 
ceased. This  honored  and  respected  pio- 
neer of  Xan  l?uroii  County  w.as  born  in 
18(11),  in  Surrey,  N.  Y.  He  died  in  South 
Haven,  October  30,  1876,  when  seventy  3'cars  old. 
When  a  boy,  he  accompanied  his  father's  fauiily 
on  their  removal  to  New  York,  where  they  lo- 
cated in  M.adison  County.  He  there  grew  to  a 
vigorous  manhood,  and,  when  starting  out  for 
liiniself,  thinking  that  the  Western  country  af- 
forded better  op|ii>rl  unitie-.  for  young  men,  he 
came  to  Michigan  in  182(!  or  1827.  He  made  his 
home  in  Detroit  for  a  few  years,  where  he  was  em- 
plo^'cd  by  tlie  late  (ien.  Cass  and  a  Mr.  Cainpenu 
in  the  location  of  hinds,  lie  tlieii  returned  to 
New  York,  where  he  made  his  lioine  for  the  fol- 
lowing two  years,  but  in  ls;iO  or  l.s:!l  came  again 
to  Michig'in,  and  maile  liis  lieadipiartcrs  at  I'lairie 
Hoiide. 

Mr.  Monioe  was  the  lii'st  white  man  to  explore 
the  region  of  what  is  now  Van  TJuren  County,  and 
in  1833  or  1831  entered  the  land  which  is  now  the 
site  of  Sonlli  I  l:i\ en.  and  eiceted  the  lirst  house  in 
tiiis  locality,  wliieli  until  recently  was  standing  a 
lenanlless  ruin  near  the  shore  of  the  lake,  lie 
opened  llie  lirst  load  rroiii  South  Ibiveii  to  Prairie 
Konde,  and  in  |H3()  was  married  to  Miss  l''aunie 
liawson,  who  still  survives.  The  year  following, 
the  \iiuiig  eciu|ile  joe.'ited  on  section  2,  Lawronce 
Township,  wlierc  all  tlieii'  cliildren  were  born,  and 
where   three   died.     There    Mr.  Monroe    made   his 


i  I 


POETRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


853 


home  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  lieeanie  one 
of  the  hii'gest  landowners  in  the  county.  He  be- 
came a  trusted  confidant  and  advisor  of  the  in- 
liabitants  for  miles  around,  and  was  called  upon  to 
take  an  active  part  in  all  pulilie  matters.  He  was 
greatly  interested  in  educational  affairs,  and  did 
much  toward  organizing  the  schools  of  his  disti'ict. 
For  twenty-live  years  he  was  Commissioner  of  the 
Poor,  and  served  most  satisfactorily  in  the  otHce 
of  Judge. 

The  subject  of  fairs  enlisted  mucli  of  the  atten- 
tion of  our  subject,  and  he,  with  others,  was  the 
first  to  inaugurate  the  State  Agricultural  Society, 
and  subsequently  was  one  of  the  originators  of 
the  Counter  Society.  He  always  attended  and 
placed  his  products  on  exhibition  at  such  times, 
not  that  he  might  get  the  prize,  but  for  the  pur- 
pose of  stimulating  others  and  creating  a  mutual 
interest  in  improvements  of  all  kinds  and  elevat- 
ing the  character  of  society  in  intelligence,  re- 
finement and  morals. 

When  the  Centennial  Exposition  was  talked  of, 
Mr.  Monroe  was  very  anxious  to  take  his  family 
to  Philadelphia  that  they  might  gain  a  wider 
knowledge  of  the  growth  and  grandeur  of  our  na- 
tion during  the  first  century'.  While  returning 
from  the  fair  held  in  Grand  Rapids,  Mr.  Monroe 
received  an  injury  from  which  he  never  recov- 
ered, although  he  attended  to  his  business  and 
took  a  deep  interest  in  all  passing  events.  Our  sub- 
ject being  one  of  the  oldest,  if  not  the  oldest,  pio- 
neer in  Ya,n  Buren  County,  was  greatly  interested 
in  the  formation  of  the  Pioneer  Association,  and 
upon  its  organization  was  made  its  President. 

Mr.  Monroe,  with  his  family  and  a  few  friends, 
went  to  Philadelphia  to  attend  the  Centennial. 
But,  upon  arriving  in  that  city,  he  was  taken  sick 
and  was  enabled  to  attend  tlie  fair  but  one  day, 
and  then  only  for  a  few  hciurs.  His  heart  turned 
at  once  to  his  home  in  beloved  Michigan,  and  al- 
though watched  over  and  cared  for  Dy  his  loving 
wife  and  children,  they  at  once  hastened  home, 
where  his  death  occurred  at  the  residence  of  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Eunice  Moore. 

Judge  Monroe  was  a  man  of  strict  integrity  of 
character,  just  and  upright.  He  possessed  a  cordial, 
kindly  spirit  which  made  him   warm   friends    and 


stanch  adherents.  His  death  was  keenlj-  felt  by 
all  who  knew  him,  and  a  vacant  place  was  left  in 
the  many  enterprises  which  he  cherished  so  warml3' 
while  he  lived. 

(tl  ji;;ILLIAM  E.  UPJOHN,  M.  D.  Of  the  vari- 
\oJ//    ous  industrial  establishments  of  Kalamazoo, 

V^/\^  none  has  a  more  extended  infiuencc  or 
contributes  more  effecLivel}'  to  the  advancement 
of  mankind  than  the  Upjohn  Pill  &  Granule  Com- 
pany. This  manufacturing  plant  stands  unique 
and  alone.  Its  products  are  found  in  every  clime 
where  efforts  are  made  to  alleviate  human  ills,  and 
its  promulgators  and  proprietors  are  justly  entitled 
to  great  credit  as  public  benefactors. 

The  needs  of  the  medical  fraternity  had  long 
been  felt  and  endless  efforts  had  lieen  made  to  pro- 
duce a  medicated  pill  that  would  always  be  in  a  con- 
dition to  receive  prompt  action  by  the  gastric 
juice  of  the  stomach  and  would  not  with  age  be- 
come hard  and  unsuited  for  use.  Nothing  better 
had  been  found  than  the  old  form  of  paste  pill 
with  all  its  imperfections,  until  Dr.  I'pjohn  turned 
his  attention  to  the  production  of  the  desired  arti- 
cle. Having  in  view  the  idea  of  what  he  wished 
to  produce,  he  devoted  manj-  anxious  hoiu'S  and 
days  to  the  process  and  finally  was  rewarded  with 
success. 

The  Doctor  at  once  secured  letters-patent  on 
the  machiner}'  he  had  invented  and  began  in  a 
small  way  to  manufacture  the  long-sought  globule. 
He  had  succeeded  in  making  a  friable  pill  that 
would  pulverize  under  any  atmospheric  condition 
with  slight  pressure  and  that  would  not  lose  its 
friability  by  long  age.  His  letters-patent  covered 
three  principal  machines  for  shaping,  coating  and 
counting  the  pills.  Noexcipient  is  used  and  hence 
pills  do  not  dry  out  or  tecomc  hard  and  insol- 
uble. 

The  foundation  of  what  has  proved  an  immense 
establishment  was  laid  by  Dr.  Upjohn  ui  connection 
with  his  brother,  Dr.  Henry  U.,  in  1886.  The  be- 
ginnings were  of  course  on  a  limited  scale  but  met 
with  such  a  cordial  reception  at  once  from  the 
medical  profession  and  the  trade  that  in  one  year 


K.iJ 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilOGRAPmCAL   RECORD. 


the  i-M-ihi  ctmipanv  w.i*  incorporated  with  a  cap- 
ital stoc-k  of  ^GO.OOO  and  arrangement:*  perfected 
to  increase  many  time*  tlie  capacity  of  the  business. 
To  tlie  present  day.  success  lias  ci-owned  every  ef- 
fort. 

The  plant,  cousistinuf  of  a  handsome  fivc-story 
brick  factory,  laboratory,  ollice  and  salesroom,  and 
covering  a  floor  space  of  thirty-two  thousand  square 
feet,  W.1S  erected  at  a  cost  of  ^"20,000.  Employ- 
ment is  constantly  given  to  fifty  skilled  men  and 
wtiinen  and  *  150.000  is  now  invested  in  the  busi- 
ness. The  annual  output  exceeds  ¥200,000,  and 
more  than  two  thousand  kinds  of  pills  are  made, 
of  which  at  least  five  hundred  are  kept  as  staple 
articles  of  the  trade. 

This  institution  h:is  the  reputation  of  being  the 
largest  consumer  of  seveial  standard  drugs  in  the 
world.  It.s  use  of  caffeine,  acotanilid.  is  greatly  in 
excess  of  any  other,  as  is  its  consumplion  of  quin- 
ine, which  is  fref|iiently  from  twenty  thousand  to 
one  hundred  tliousand  ounces  per  month.  While 
the  main  ollii'C  is  in  Kalamazoo,  tlic  business  has 
assumed  such  immense  proportions  that  it  w.ts 
found  necessary  to  open  biaiich  odices  at  New  York, 
IJerliu  and  London.  Space  precludes  detailed  des- 
cription of  the  interior  workings.  Sullice  it  to  say 
that  no  similar  maclilnerv  is  in  use  in  any  otiier 
institution  and  that  the  simplicity  and  novelty  of 
the  machinery,  whieli  is  patented  by  Dr.  I  pjohn. 
are  simply  .•L-<touiiding  ami  are  excellent  examples 
of  machines  that  are  so  perfect  in  self-adjustment 
that  they  may  almost  be  said  to  ptissess  rcisoning 
powers  inherent  in  themselves. 

Dr.  William  E.  Ipjolm.  the  I'resident  of  this 
great  institution,  is  a  native  of  Kalaina/.oo  Countyj 
Ikm-ii  in  Hiehlaiid  Township,  .liine  .'i,  185.'?.  Ills 
falliiT,  Dr.  Iriidi  I  pjohn,  was  .-i  pioneer  physician 
in  tlii.s  MK-tion  of  the  SUit<'.  Our  subject  at  an  early 
age  was  ill i| need  to  eomineiiee  the  study  of  medi- 
cine, lie  spent  some  time  in  the  cap.'ieily  of  drug 
clerk  in  Kahima/oo,  afl<'r  which  lie  entered  the 
medli'al  department  of  (he  Slate  I  iii vei-sjl y,  grad- 
imtiiig  in  the  elass  of  'T.*!.  Me  opened  an  ollice 
for  pnu-tice  at  I  huttings,  where  he  met  with  suece.s.s 
ami  where  he  Itegaii  to  experiineiit  in  his  later  ile- 
v<-lopiMenl. 

For  ten  yi-nin,  hi.   I  pjolm  eoniiniii'cj  \,,  iii.'iciici' 


at  Hastings,  until  he  came  to  Kalamazoo  to  estab- 
lish what  is  the  most  successful  manufacturing 
plant  of  Western  Michigan.  He  was  married, 
Decemlier  24,  1888,  to  Miss  Rachel,  daughter  of 
Dr.  1.  .1.  Babcock,  of  Kalamazoo,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  ^^'inifred,  Harold  and 
Dorothy. 


^f|OIIN  W.  IJUDROW,  editor  and  proprietor 
of  the  Schoolcraft  Kqiress,  is  one  of  the  able 
and  successful  young  business  men  of  the 
village  and  under  his  active  supervision  the 
paper  is  rapidly  coming  to  the  front  .as  one  of  the 
most  newsy  and  influential  journals  of  Kalamazoo 
County.  .Strictly  independent  in  its  jwlitical 
opinions,  it  invariably  supports  the  best  candidates 
for  ollicial  positions  and  those  me.isures  which  are 
cak'ulated  to  in't>motc  the  public  welfare. 

Tlie  father  of  our  subject,  .lolin  L.  liudrow,  was 
born  in  Moscow,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 21,  1820.  His  mother,  known  in  maiden- 
hood as  Esther  Burson,  w.as  born  in  Columbiana 
County,  Ohio,  May  26,  1829,  whence  she  removed 
to  Schoolcraft  with  her  father,  Abncr  Burson,  when 
she  w.as  one  year  old.  Mr.  Biidrow,  Sr.,  followed 
his  tr.ade  of  a  carpenter  in  Schoolcraft  Township, 
where  he  was  married  and  has  since  made  hislioine. 
About  1888,  he  began  to  lose  his  eyesight  and  has 
since  that  time  been  nearly  blind. 

The  four  sons  who  coniiiiete  this  family  circle 
arc  .lames,  a  farmer  in  Scliooleraft  Township; 
Frank  L.,  a  c;ii|iinter  iii  the  village;  .lolin  W.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Joseph,  who  is  a  farmer 
in  Ainenia,  N.  Dak.  .lolin  W.  was  born  in  School- 
craft Township,  March  I,  18,^);),  Mild  was  educated 
i  in  the  common  schools  of  the  district,  lie  entered 
the  priiiting-ollice  of  \'.  C.  Smith,  in  Schoolcraft, 
when  he  was  about  sixteen  years  old  and  was  em- 
ployed there  for  two  years.  Afti'rwai'd  he  was  em- 
liloyed  in  ]irinting-oMiees  at  Ceiitreville,  Kalam.'i- 
zoo,  East  Saginaw,  Lansing,  Detroit  and  Allegan, 
this  Stab'. 

Ill  .Iaiiii:iry,  18811,  l\Ii-.  Iliidrow  boiiglil  out  the 
Scl Iciaft  /'J.r/x'ra.t,  since    wliicli  lime  he  has  bccu 


1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


855 


editur  and  pidjuielor  of  the  paiier,  wliicli  has  a  cii- 
culatioii  of  oiglil.  liundrcd  and  is  rapidly  takiiii,^ 
phice  among  the  solid  journals  of  the  count}'.  Jlr. 
Bud  row  was  united  in  marriage  at  Schoolcraft,  No- 
vember U),  1888,  to  IMiss  Lizzie  Campbell,  who 
was  born  in  Kalamazoo  County.  Mrs.  lUidrow  is 
the  daughter  of  the  late  llugii  Cam[)liell,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  liighl}'  esteemed  ladies  in  the  vil- 
lage. The  prosperity  of  Schoolcraft  is  ever  up- 
permost in  Mr.  Budrow's  mind,  and  as  a  member 
of  the  Village  Board,  he  does  all  in  his  [lower  to  ad- 
vance its  interests.  _  Socially,  he  is  connected  with 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees. 


^^ 


5^|» 


MOS  11.  I'ALMKU.  The  farmers  who 
have  played  so  important  a  part  in  the 
development  and  substantial  prosperity  of 
Van  Bureu  County  are  well  represented 
by  this  gentleman,  whose  valuable  farming  inter- 
ests lie  on  sections  4  and  9,  Paw  Paw  Township, 
and  who  is  prominent  in  political  and  social  circles 
in  this  part  of  the  State.  A  native  of  Niagara 
County,  N.  Y.,  he  was  born  May  7,  1838,  to  Amos 
and  Catherine  (Herkimer)  Palmer,  who  were  both 
natives  of  the  Empire  State,  the  father  of  Oneida 
County,  and  the  mother  of  Otsego  County.  Both 
had  been  previously  married,  and  the  latter  had 
come  to  Michigan  during  the  life-time  of  her  first 
husband,  who  died  in  this  State.  The  father  of  our 
subject,  losing  bis  lirst  wife  in  New  York,  subse- 
quently came  to  Michigan  on  a  visit,  and  here 
made  the  acquaintance  of  his  second  wife.  He 
married  her,  and  took  her  back  to  New  ^  ork,  where 
our  subject,  their  only  child,  was  born.  They  lived 
there  until  he  was  almost  eighteen  years  old,  and 
then  came  to  Paw  Paw,  and  here  passed  their  re- 
maining years,  making  their  home  with  their  son 
the  last  part  of  their  lives — the  father  dying  in 
1866,  and  the  mother  October  24,  1877.  The  fa- 
ther was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  a  man 
greatly  respected  for  his  excellent  character. 

Our  subject  had  good  opportunities  to  obtain  a 
sound  education,  and  was  not  slow  to  avail  him- 
self of  the  means  offered  to  improve  his  mind.    He 


pursued  the  prc|)aratory  course  in  the  college  at 
('oopi'rslowii,  N.  v.,  and  won  a  good  reputation  for 
scholarship  in  that  excellent  institution  of  learning. 
He  was  thus  well  prepared  for  the  duties  of  life, 
having  had  besides  a  careful  training  in  all  that 
goes  to  make  an  intelligent,  |)rosperous  farmer.  He 
early  acquired  a  taste  for  tli;il  calling  which 
Horace  (ireeley  so  aptly  termed  "the  noblest  of 
professions,"  and  was  giving  his  attention  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits  when  the  war  broke  out.  His 
patriotism  was  aroused  at  his  country's  [leril,  and 
belonged  to  enter  the  army  to  light  for  the  Union. 
He  attempted  to  enlist  two  or  three  times,  but  for 
some  reason  was  dis(iualitied  and  the  recruiting 
otilcers  would  not  acce[)t  him.  But  loyal  men  were 
needed  at  home,  and  perhaps  his  services  were  as 
cHlcient  here  in  the  harvest  fields  as  they  would 
have  been  on  the  battlefield,  for  food  was  needed 
to  feed  that  great  army  of  men,  and  the}'  needed 
strengthening  and  encouragement  in  other  di- 
rections. Our  subject  has  made  his  mark  as  a 
farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  his  fine  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres,  lying  partly  on  section 
U,  where  he  has  his  home,  and  the  remainder  of  it 
on  section  4,  compares  with  the  best  in  Paw  Paw 
Township  in  regard  to  its  cultivation  and  the  value 
of  its  improvements.  It  is  well  stocked,  especially 
with  Shropshire  sheep,  of  which  Mr.  Palmer  makes 
a  specialty. 

Our  subject  was  hainjily  married,  Novemljcr  28, 
1860.  to  Miss  Carrie  Mathews,  of  Marshall,  Mich. 
Mrs.  Palmer  is  a  native  of  this  State,  born  in  the 
town  of  Galesburgh,  December  15,  1840,  a  daugh- 
ter of  a  pioneer  family  of  Kalamazoo  Count}'.  Her 
parents,  Gideon  and  Matilda  (Mason)  Mathews, 
were  natives,  respectively,  of  Massachusetts  and 
Vermont.  They  were  married  in  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  came  to  Michigan  in  1837,  being  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Galesburgh,  where  Mr.  IMathews 
kept  a  hotel  manj-  years,  and  was  a  well-known 
figure  in  that  region.  He  died  January  21,  1876. 
His  wife  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  with 
her  daughter  and  our  subject.  She  has  attained 
the  venerable  age  of  eighty-three  years,  having 
been  born  August  11,  1808.  Mrs.  Palmer  is  the 
youngest  of  three  children,  of  whom  one  died 
youiiii-.  and  the  other.  Mrs.  Kssina    Streator.   is   a 


856 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


resident  of  Antwerp  Township.  Mrs.  Palmer  re- 
ceived a  good  education  in  the  public  schools,  .and 
W.1S  early  instructed  how  to  properly  care  for  a 
household,  so  that  she  was  amply  able  to  preside 
over  a  home  of  her  own  when  she  married.  One 
son.  Elmer  A.,  has  been  born  to  her  and  our  sub- 
ject. 

Mr.  Palmer  is  a  man  of  sagacious  and  thrifty 
business  habits,  a  skillful  farmer,  and  a  good  man- 
."iger.  He  is  fraukand  straiglitforward  in  his  man- 
ner, and  his  dealings  are  alw.ays  open  and  above- 
lx)ard.  He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  tliat  con- 
cerns the  welfare  of  his  township  and  county,  and 
is  especially  alive  to  the  political  questions  of  the 
day.  He  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  has  been 
since  he  fii-st  began  to  exercise  his  jn'ivilege  of 
voting  by  giving  his  enthusiastic  support  to 
Abraham  Lincoln  for  President.  He  is  a  familiar 
ligure  in  the  councils  of  his  party,  frequently  serv- 
ing as  delegate  to  county  conventions, of  which  he 
has  never  missed  but  one  since  he  cast  his  first 
vote.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  menibei"s  of  the 
Ma.«onic  fraternity  in  this  section,  has  held  all  the 
oHices  in  the  lodge,  and  is  thoroughJy  informed  in 
all  that  pertains  to  M.asonry.  His  son  is  also  prom- 
inent 111  that  order,  and  h.as  been  an  incumbent  of 
the  various  ollices,  and  is  now  Worshipful  M.ister. 
He,  too,  is  an  active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Rc|iublican  i)arty. 


II.A.s  III  1:|;A|;|).  The  hardy  froiilicrs- 
iimii  who  ventured  into  Michigan  as  early 
b)  .'IS  IK.'JC,  !iiii1  assisted  in  dove|oi)ing  its 
va>l  rexiiirees,  justly  deserves  the  hoii- 
iircd  iiunii'  of  |iioiiecr.  Such  a  one  is  the  gcntle- 
iiiaii  who  forms  Ihi'  subjeel  of  this  biographical 
notice,  and  who.  Ihrongh  a  long  .series  of  years. 
hiLH  lived  honorably  .'111(1  upnghlly  in  the  (piicl 
diJH'liarge  of  his  duties  as  a  citizi'ii.  fiicml,  ueigli- 
bor,  liiislMiiid  and  father. 

The  ancestors  fiom  whom  Mr.  I  lulili.Mid  traces 
his  descent  wcri'  Kiiglish  people  nf  sturdy  char- 
acter and  eiilcrprise.  His  gninrlfather,  .loii.'ithan 
Hiibbitrd,  wa.s  Imum  in  I7.'l'2.  in  .M.-i-^sachuselLs, 
wliere  he  remaiiie<l  unlil  IKOO,  going  ihcn  to  Cort- 


land, N.  Y.,  where  his  last  years  were  passed.  In 
his  remov.al,  he  w.as  accompanied  bj*  his  son  James, 
who  w.as  born  in  1782,  in  the  old  town  of  Brim- 
field,  ISIass.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose 
maiden  name  w.as  Huld.ah  Andrews,  w.as  born  in 
Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  in  1780,  of  English  an- 
cestry, and  in  1808  became  the  wife  of  James 
Hubbard. 

Settling  on  a  farm  in  Tompkins  Count}',  N.  Y., 
the  parents  of  our  subject  were  busily  occupied 
for  manj-  years  in  agricultural  duties  and  in  rear- 
ing to  usefulness  their  children,  four  in  number, 
viz:  Sylvester,  Silas,  lluldah  and  Harmon.  In 
1836,  the  father,  having  been  bereaved  by  the 
death  of  his  wife  si.x  years  previous,  sold  his  farm 
and  moved  into  the  vill.age  of  Cortl.and,  where  he 
died  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  He  was  a  man  of 
sterling  virtue  and  Christian  character,  whose 
influence  in  the  community  w.as  always  for  good. 

A  native  of  the  Empire  State,  Silas  Hubbard 
w.as  born  in  Groton,  Tompkins  County,  July  29, 
1812,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm.  His 
boyhood  days  were  somewhat  uneventfull}'  p.assed 
in  tilling  the  soil  and  attending  school  whenever 
occasion  offered.  In  1836,  he  started  out  for  him- 
self, coining  to  Michigan  and  settling  in  W.ashte- 
naw  County,  where  he  remained  two  years.  May, 
1838,  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Kalamazoo,  then 
sparsely  settled,  exceiit  by  Indians,  who  abounded 
in  the  surrounding  country. 

The  winter  following  his  ariivnl.  Mr.  Ilubhnrd 
was  employed  as  the  te.acher  in  the  village  .school, 
after  which  he  embarked  in  the  business  of  buy- 
ing, selling  and  improving  rciil  estate,  and  loan- 
ing money,  and  continued  successfully  operating 
in  that  line  until  1H70.  Meanwhile,  he  wiliies.sed 
the  growth  i>(  the  village  until  it  has  become  one 
of  the  most  imporlanl  cities  of  the  State,  foremo.sl 
in  educational  and  business  interests.  The  Kala- 
mazoo Pajier  Company  was  organized  through  his 
efforts  in  I8()8,  and  he  has  ever  since  been  closely 
connected  with  its  growth.  As  a  property-holder, 
his  interests  are  extensive  and  reniunerative,  in- 
cluding inlcresls  in  Iho  ]iaper  mill  at  Otsego,  this 
Slate,  besides  several  valuMbIc  f:irnis. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Iliilili.nd  U<  Miss  Mary, 
daughter  <ir    D.iniel     l.uoniis,    nf    Hudson,    Mich., 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


857 


was  (jelobrated  in  October,  1854,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  daughters,  to  whom  every  ad- 
vantage for  literary  and  musical  culture  was  given, 
and  wlio  now  preside  over  homes  of  their  own. 
Caroline  I.  is  the  wife  of  Carl  G.  Kleinstuck,  of 
Kalamazoo;  Jlary  II.  married  II.  B.  Iloyt,  of  Kala- 
mazoo; and  Frances  I.  was  the  wife  of  R.  1). 
Kulm,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  She  died  February  1, 
181)2.  Tlie  i)leasant  home  at  No.  203  West 
Lovell  Street,  where  Mr.  Hubbard  and  his  ami- 
able wife  have  resided  for  many  years,  is  the  cen- 
ter of  a  gracious  hosi)itality  often  enjoyed  by  their 
large  circle  of  personal  friends.  The  Republican 
party  linds  a  stanch  adherent  in  Mr.  IIuI)bard, 
who  has  served  his  fellow-citizens  as  Supervisor 
and  Assessor,  and  in  various  other  positions  of  re- 
sponsibiliti'  and  honor. 


EliK 
u, 
T( 


BENEZER  BARRINGER.  This  retired  gen- 
tleman is  a  resident  of  section  9,  Alniena 
ownship.  Van  Buren  Countj^  and  was  born 
January  10,  1807,  in  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.  His 
parents  were  Frederick  and  Martha  (Spring)  Bar- 
ringer,  natives  of  New  York  and  Connecticut,  re- 
spectively. The  father  was  a  farmer,  and  made  a 
permanent  home  in  his  native  State,  where  they 
both  died. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  four  children,  and  the  only 
survivor.  He  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
his  father  dying  when  he  was  but  three  and  one- 
half  years  old,  he  commenced  for  himself  in  active 
life  when  twelve  years  old.  He  lived  on  a  farm 
until  eighteen,  and  then  clerked  in  a  store  for 
a  short  time.  The  next  year  he  clerked  in  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  and  finally  bought  some  groceries  and  put 
them  in  a  room  in  the  tavern  owned  by  Henry 
1-Cnsign  at  Poestenkili,  N.  Y.,  and  kept  store  until 
1827.  He  then  rented  a  regular  sliop  and  in  the 
spring  of  1828  closed  up  and  started  out  to  seek  his 
fortune.  With  Daniel  Rhoades,  he  went  to  New 
York  City,  and  boarded  on  five  shillings  a  day  for  a 
few  days,  when  our  subject  bought  some  goods  and 
started  out  to  peddle.  He  traveled  along  the  Hud- 
son River,  .across  a  portion  of  Pennsylvania  among 


the  Dutch,  to  Phil.adelphia,  and  then  to  Baltimoi'e. 
He  returned  to  New  York  State,  and  tlience  went 
home  and  commenced  to  fit  himself  for  teaching. 
Tliat  same  year  he  went  to  I'ittstown  and  engaged 
to  teach  school  four  months  for  ^11  |)cr  month. 
He  soon  gave  it  up,  •■uid  taught  his  home  district 
school  eighteen  months,  wlicn  only  twenty. 

When  a  little  [last  twenty-three,  our  subject  was 
married,  the  ceremony  taking  place  Ma}'  1,  1830. 
He  was  united  to  Miss  Jane  .Sliter,  a  native  of 
New  York  State.  He  made  a  trip  in  1830,  toMich- 
igan,  and  came  fifty  miles  west  of  Detroit.  He  re- 
turned home  without  locating.  The  young  wife 
remained  with  a  brother-in-law  of  hei'  husband's 
during  his  absence.  That  fall  and  winter,  Mr. 
Barringer  taught  school  in  Sand  Lake  Village,  N. 
Y.,  for  $16  a  month.  The  spring  of  1831  found 
this  gentleman  the  owner  of  the  same  store  he  had 
rented  at  Poestenkili.  He  also  purchased  a  house 
and  lot  adjoining  his  store,  and  lived  there.  He 
was  in  debt  some  $1,800,  and  gave  a  mortgage  on 
his  property  at  seven  per  cent,  but  after  several 
j'ears  was  enabled  to  pay  the  debt.  In  the  year 
1834,  he  tended  both  his  store  and  the  tavern, 
and  remembers  well  the  great  snow  storm  in  the 
month  of  May  of  that  year.  In  1838,  Mr.  Bar- 
ringer gave  up  his  public  house,  but  his  purch.aser 
failed  and  wanted  a  release,  so  he  again  sold  to 
anothei'.  Our  subject  remained  in  the  store  until 
after  his  children  were  all  born.  They  are:  Charles, 
born  in  1831;  Charlotte  in  1831;  Albert  in  1838; 
and  Webster  in  1840. 

Our  subject  bought  a  farm  in  Sand  Lake,  in 
1840,  for  $800,  but  three  years  later  gave  it  up  and 
purchased  eighty-three  acres  in  Monroe  Count}-. 
He  sold  out  his  store  and  also  purchased'flft}' acres 
of  woodland  in  the  mountains,  and  subsequently 
sold  it.  In  connection  with  working  his  farm,  he 
sold  goods,  but  through  misfortune  lost  them  all. 
In  the  spring  of  1844,  our  subject  started  with  his 
family  by  canal  to  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  In  his 
old  home  he  served  twice  as  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
After  twenty  years  of  economy  and  thrift,  he  was 
enabled  to  pay  foi'  his  farm,  and  remained  there 
until  1860,  when  he  purchased  forty  acres  more. 
He  sold  out  his  old  farm  and  ijurchased  twenty 
acres,  on  wliieli  he  made  some  good  improvements. 


858 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


before  disjwsing  of  it.  lu  1870,  :\rr.  Bairinger 
removed  to  Michigan,  .ind  located  in  Aluieiia 
Township,  where  he  now  resides.  The  farm  con- 
sisted of  one  hundred  acres,  with  forty  adjoining  it 
on  the  south.  Considerable  improvements  have 
been  made  in  the  way  of  fencing,  clearing  and  the 
erection  of  necessary  buildings.  He  now  has  two 
hundred  acres,  one  hundred  and  forty  of  which  are 
improved. 

After  a  married  life  of  lifty-three  years,  his  good 
wife  w.as  cjillcd  away,  .January  22.  1884.  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-one,  and  of  their  family  of 
four  children,  one  is  dece.ised.  The  loving  motlicr 
was  a  member  of  the  IJaptist  Church,  to  whicli  her 
family  alsi)  belongs.  In  politics,  he  w.is  a  Whig, 
and  lias  voted  with  the  Republican  party  since  its 
formation.  His  first  ballot  w.as  cast  for  .lohn  (Juincy 
Adams,  and  his  last   vote  for   IJcnjamiii    Ilarnsoii. 


]^-f^ 


t=" 


,  Ain'.  ABNER  D.  DOlBLEDAY.  This  gen- 
tleman is  honored  .as  a  valiant  soldier  of 
^^Jif  the  late  war  and  a  public-spirited  citizen  of 
Kalamazoo.  He  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N. 
Y.,  March  9,  1829.  and  is  tlie  son  of  Demtis  A.  and 
Sally  (Calkins)  Doublcday.  Love  of  country  is 
his  inheritance,  for  his  grandfather  w.as  a  Revolu- 
tionary patriot,  and  with  live  brothers  fought  for 
his  country  at  ISunker  Hill.  His  cousin,  Gen.  Ab- 
ner  Doublcday,  is  famous  in  the  annals  of  our 
country  for  service  at  Sumter  and  (iettysburg. 

After  attending  common  schools  in  his  youlli, 
our  subject  began  to  U-iwh  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
and  continued  thus  employed  f(jr  live  years.  In 
1818,  he  entered  Olicrlin  College,  Ohio,  and,  after 
.slmlyiiig  there  for  some  time,  returned  to  the  Em- 
pire State,  where  he  followed  mercantile  i)ursuils  in 
New  York  City  for  seven  years.  Through  the  ad- 
vice of  physicians,  he  engaged  in  agricultural  i)ur- 
.HUitH  a.s  a  means  of  regaining  his  health,  then  some- 
what shattered,  and  so  tilled  the  soil  until  the  out- 
lucnk  of  the  wjir. 

When  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  oursuliject  look 
care  of  his  mothers  and  sIsUm-s  in  addition  to  the 
cliarjje  of  his  own  family,  and  his  brother,  I'lysses 
K.,  entered  service  a.s  Kii-st  Lieut(;iiant  and,  through 


the  death  of  his  superior  officer,  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Captain,  serving  in  that  cap.acity 
until  his  death  at  Fredericksburg  in  1863.  Prior 
to  th.at  battle,  he  had  participated  in  a  number  of 
engagements  with  conspicuous  valor. 

After  his  brother's  death,  Abner  D.  disposed  of 
his  business  affairs  and  sold  his  store  at  Richlield 
Springs,  N.  Y.  He  then  took  up  the  sword  that 
the  brother  had  carried  and  enlisted  in  the  Union 
service  as  a  member  of  Company  L,  Second  Regi- 
ment, New  Y'ork  Heavy  Artillery.  After  serving 
six  months  as  a  private,  he  was  promoted  for  val- 
iant services  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  June  10, 
18(51,  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.  During  the  continual 
lighting  at  Petersburg,  his  superior  officers  being 
killed,  he  acted  as  Captain  and  Adjutant  on  the  same 
day. 

August  15,  18(il,  Capt.  Dcnilileday  w.as  disabled 
by  sunstroke  and  sent  to  the  field  hospital,  after- 
ward being  transferred  at  different  times  to  three 
others  and  being  finallj'sent  to  Washington,  where 
the  surgeons  decided  that  he  was  unable  to  continue 
the  service.  He  then  resigned,  but  his  resignation 
was  not  accepted  until  1865.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  the  Captain  came  to  Michigan  and  located  on 
a  farm  in  Alamo  Township,  Kalam.azoo  County, 
which  his  father  had  purchased  from  the  Govern- 
ment. Our  subject  bought  the  same  farm  of  two 
hundred  acres  in  185.'?. 

Afterward  Capt.  I  )(inl)lfday  disposed  of  tiierann 
and  bought  a  small  farm  adjacent  to  K.alaniazoo. 
In  1883,  he  divided  the  place  into  town  lots  and 
it  is  now  known  .is  Doublcday 's  Addition  to  Kala- 
iHM/.oo,  being  one  of  the  linest  subdivisions  in  llie 
city  and  many  of  the  lots  are  already  built  upon. 
lie  retains  a  number  of  line  lots  in  liis  possession. 
The  public  measures  of  the  city  and  Nation  awaken 
Ills  deepest  interest  and  he  is  a  labor  sympathizer  in 
tli.at  important  issue.  In  OrcuttPost,  G.  A.  I\.,  lie 
is  a  prominent  ineniliiT  and  has  occnpied  the  vari- 
ous chairs. 

Mr.  and  Mis.  Doublcday  :iii' the  |)areiils  of  four 
children,  namely:  Ward,  who  lives  in  Kalaiiiazt)o; 
riy.sses  1'".,  maiiiiger  of  the  Bell  Telephone  Com- 
pany in  Battle  Creek,  this  State;  (irace,  widow  of 
C.  B.  I.ieder,  of  Chicago;  ami  one  that  died  in  in- 
fancy.   The  Captain  and  liis  cstiinable  wife  occupy 


caJlw^^  / hi^J). 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


861 


a  high  |)lace  in  tlio  legard  of  the  citizens  of  Kiila- 
mazoo,  to  wliich  they  are  entitled  bytlieii'  noliility 
of  character  and  genial  social  niialities.  I'olitically, 
lie  is  an  Independent. 


LBERT  S.  IIASKIN.  INI.  D.,  a  practicing 
(^/jll  physician  of  Lawrence,  is  a  native  of  Es- 
sex County,  N.  Y.,  having  been  born 
there,  .Septemlier  15,  1827.  His  parents 
were  Samuel  R.  and  Lusetta  (Smith)  llaskin,  both 
natives  of  Vermont.  The  father  returned  to  Ver- 
mont soon  after  tiic  birth  of  his  son  Albert,  located 
in  Brockport  when  he  w.as  seven  years  old,  and 
when  twelve  years  of  age  went  to  Indiana,  coming 
from  that  State  to  Michigan,  and  settling  in  Cass 
County  about  1848. 

Albert  Haskin  was  married, April  'J,  1854,  to  Miss 
Olive  Pickett,  who  died  nineteen  months  after  lier 
marriage.  Our  subject  then  began  the  study  of 
medicine  under  Dr.  William  E.  Clark,  then  of 
Dowagiac,  but  now  a  resident  of  Chicago.  He  also 
taught  school  for  the  sake  of  getting  funds,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1856  entered  the  medical  department  of 
the  Michigan  ITniversity  at  Ann  Arbor,  where  he 
studied  one  year.  He  then  came  to  Lawrence  and 
began  practicing  in  1857. 

December  17,  18G0,  is  the  date  of  the  second 
marriage  of  our  subject,  when  he  took  as  his  wife 
Miss  Martha  .J.  McKnight,  of  Lawrence,  a  daugh- 
ter of  .lohn  B.  and  Mary  (llaynes)  McKnight.  She 
was  born  in  Wood  County,  Ohio,  October  29,  1830, 
and  came  with  her  mother  to  Lawrence  when  seven 
years  old.  She  received  a  good  common -school 
education  and  has  made  this  her  home  since  first 
coming  here.  They  have  had  no  children  of  their 
own,  but  have  reared  several,  who  are  now 
married. 

Our  subject  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  in  a 
family  of  ten — two  d3ing  in  infancy,  eight  grow- 
ing to  mature  years  and  seven  now  living.  The 
youngest  brother,  Charles  H.,  is  a  physician  at 
Jackson,  IMicii.  Dr.  Haskin  has  been  successful  as 
a  practitioner  and  li.as  a  fair  share  of  this  world's 
goods.  He  has  been  especially  fortunate  in  doctor- 
ing young  children  and  was  called  for  a  great  deal 


during  the  epidemic  of  cerebro-spinal  menin- 
gitis in  18(M.  He  finally  took  the  disease  himself 
and  was  laid  up  for  eleven  months.  He  is  a 
pleasant,  whole-souled  man,  admired  and  respected 
by  all. 

Dr.  Haskin  is  a  stalwart  Republican  and  has 
stood  by  the  party  since  its  foundation,  casting 
his  first  vote  for  .John  C.  Fri^niont,  in  1856.  lie 
has  served  his  township  in  various  ways,  being 
.School  Inspector,  member  of  the  Board  nine  years, 
and  a  Director  for  six  years  of  the  nine;  Coroner 
two  terms;  President  of  the  village  two  years  and 
Delegate  to  County,  Congressional  and  State  Con- 
ventions. Socially,  the  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the 
National  Bee  Union  and  the  Bee  Keepers'  Asscxjia- 
tion,  both  the  Northwestern  and  the  Michigan 
State  Associations.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Kalamazoo  Academy  of  Medicine,  in  which  he 
takes  an  active  part. 

On  another  page  will  be  noticed  a  lithographic; 
portrait  of  the  Doctor. 


-i^^' 


\>^r<^ 


ON.  JAMES  B.  COBB.  The  first  represent- 
ative in  America  of  the  family  to  which  this 
gentleman  belongs  was  one  Sylvanus 
Cobb,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
somewhere  between  lfi20  and  1630  and  soon  be- 
came identified  with  the  vill.age  of  Canterbury, 
Conn.  His  son  Benjamin  was  the  father  of  El- 
kanah,  whose  son  Gideon,  born  at  Canterliury, 
July  7,  1716,  settled  at  Pawlet,  Vt.,  where  he  died 
July  24,  1797.  The  family  have  since  resided  at 
Pawlet,  .ind  the  line  of  descent  is  through  Elkanah, 
John  and  Horace  to  James  B. 

A  native  of  Vermont,  our  subject  was  born  in 
Orwell,  May  18,  1823,  and  is  a  sou  of  Horace  and 
Thankful  (Bascomb)  Cobb.  When  eleven  years 
old,  he  removed  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where  he  at- 
tended Ihe  Institute  and  engaged  in  teaching 
during  two  winter  terms.  He  then  became  agent 
for  a  paper  mill  at  Fair  Haven  Vt.,  and  for  four 
years  traveled  in  its  eraplo3'  through  \'ermont 
and  New  York.  Later  he  sojourned  in  Rochester 
two  years,  and  then  became  agent  for  a  fiouring 
mill  at  Burlington  Vt. 


862 


PORTRAIT  A>D  BIOGRAPHICAL  KECORD. 


In  1854,  Mr.  Cobb  came  to  Michigan  and  in  con- 
nection with  his  brother,  William  M.,  bought  a 
farm  in  Kalamazoo  Township,  two  and  one-half 
mile^  south  of  Kalamazoo  and  on  that  i)l!ice  of 
one  hundred  and  fifl^-  acres  he  resided  twenty 
yeai-s.  In  1863.  he  w.as  elected  to  the  Legislature 
and  served  through  three  sessions,  being  re-elected 
in  1865.  His  opponent  was  Tiiomas  S.  Cobb,  of 
KalamaziK),  recently  deceased.  While  an  incum- 
lient  of  that  honorable  position,  he  was  Chairman 
i>f  the  Committee  on  State  Affairs,  also  meml)er  of 
the  Committees  on  Asylums  and  State  Prisons. 

In  187."3,  Mr.  Cobb  w.as  apiKiinted  County  Treas- 
urer, to  (ill  the  v.aiancy  caused  by  the  death  of  the 
incunil)ent,  and  during  his  term  lie  engaged  in  the 
wool  trade,  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present. 
lie  and  his  brother  William  H.  have  operated  in 
that  way  for  seventeen  years  and  during  1891 
handled  six  hundred  thousand  pounds  of  wool 
for  a  RlK)de  Island  lirm.  Since  his  removal  to 
the  city  in  1873,  he  ha.s  served  as  Supervisor  of  the 
Fourth  Ward  ff)r  nine  years,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  Hoard  of  County  Buildings  at  the  time  of  the 
erection  of  the  present  Poor  House.  On  his  farm 
which  he  still  owns  aud  manages,  he  keeps  a  large 
thick  of  thorough-bred  Merino  sheep  and  other  tine 
stock. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Cobb,  .laiiuary  23,  1851, 
united  him  with  Miss  Helen  M.  McCall  of  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  and  their  family  comprises  the  follow- 
ing children:  Helen  Isabella,  who  died  in  infancy; 
.\nna  Louisa,  who  passed  away  wlien  fourteen 
years  old;  Maud  Mary  and  (iertrude  L.  (twins); 
Alice  CampU'll  and  Carlos  M.  (twins).  Maud 
died  l)cicnil)er  2,  IH«;(;  she  was  a  lovely  young 
lady  and  was  greatly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew 
her.  The  surviving  children  remain  with  their 
p.-iri'nt.x.  (Iertrude  is  nn  author  of  more  than  (>n\- 
inary  aliility  and  her  .-irlicles  have  bc-en  widely 
rviul  and  copied.  yVlicc  and  Carlos,  who  arc  grad- 
uates of  the  lliich  Scliool.  attend  to  all  the  clerical 
work  for  their  father, and  Carlos  is  al.su  interested 
ill  the  wrK)l  liiisinasN. 

The  br'.'iutifiil  home  of  this  f.'imily  is  located  at 
No.  ;')3()  S.  Buidiek  Street  and  wa.s  erected  in  1KH7, 
.Mrs.  Cobb  MipplyiiiK  the  designs.  The  family 
liohN  iiirinberslijp  in  tln'  I'lcsliytriJMii  Cliiircli  iind 


Mrs.  Cobb  is  a  member  of  various  clubs  and  ladies' 
societies.  She  and  daughters  have  done  much  to 
mold  the  opinions  of  their  friends  and  their  in- 
fluence is  felt  in  every  home.  Every  year  for  the 
past  seventeen,  Mr.  Cobb  has  gone  Eiist  and  fre- 
quently visits  the  scenes  of  his  boyhood. 

A  man  of  genial  temperament,  brimful  of  good 
nature,  Mr.  Cobb  possesses  the  excellent  attributes 
of  the  steadfast  friend  and  congenial  c:ompanion. 
His  liberal  views  have  been  cultivated  by  extensive 
reading  and  close  observation,  and  while  he  has 
decided  opinions  of  his  own,  he  recognizes  the 
rights  of  others  to  different  views.  He  is  scrupu- 
lously exacting  m  every  otlicial  transaction,  be- 
lieving that  i)ublic  service  demands  the  same  ex- 
alted talents  which  one  gives  to  his  private  bus- 
iness. 

As  a  legislator,  Mr.  Cobb  was  painstiiking,  care- 
ful and  methodical,  and  the  present  tine  condition 
of  many  of  the  State  institutions  is  the  result  of 
the  line  of  i)olicy  .ndvocaled  by  him.  His  judg- 
ment is  a  safe  guide,  and  its  iiilhience  is  felt  in 
almost  every  branch  of  municipal  and  county 
affair!-:.  Ever  having  a  good  word  for  the  unfor- 
tunate, a  helping  hand  for  the  needy,  his  friends 
are  numbered  in  every  walk  of  life,  .and  now  that 
the  sorrws  of  many  winters  have  whitened  his 
locks,  he  can  look  back  over  a  life  well  spent, 
knowing  that  a  warm  place  is  kept  for  him  in  the 
hearts  of  his  countrymen. 


r 


*^?fr^* 


AMLKL  APPLKTON  GIBSON,  Superin- 
tendent and  Manager  of  the  Kalamazoo 
Paper  Company,  i)ossesses  t,he  conlidence 
and  esteem  of  liis  luisincss  associates  to  a 
remarkable  degree,  and  his  business  ability,  t«act 
and  judgment  are  unquestioned.  I  Ic  is  a  native 
of  New  Hain|>shire  and  was  born  at  New  Iiiswicli. 
August  17,  183.5,  his  parentis  being  Col.  (ieorge  C. 
and  Alvira  (Appleton)  (iibsoii. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  horn  in  New  I|)s- 
wicli.  IMarcli  1(1,  I  HO.'),  and  served  in  the  New 
Ilanipshire  Slate  Militia  for  iii.'iny  years.  Ills  wife 
lic|i>ii;^cd    to   M  worlli\    nnd    ilisliniiuislicil    I'Minih', 


PORTEAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


863 


her  iiiu-lc,  John  Appleton,  having  Ijeen  a  iiioniinent 
member  of  the  IMaine  IJai-  and  having  served  several 
terms  as  Judge  of  the  Suiirenie  Court.  After  com- 
pleting the  course  of  study  in  the  schools  of  Ips- 
wich, Samuel  A.  entered  the  A|j()lelon  Acadein}-  at 
New  Ipswich,  where  he  linished  his  education.  In 
the  intervals  of  study,  he  aided  his  father  in  his 
sliO|i,  where  the  manufacture  of  carriages  and  sleighs 
was  carried  on. 

When  twenty  years  of  age,  Mr.  Gibson  entered 
the  postollice  at  Concord,  Mass., where  he  otiiciated 
in  the  capacity  of  clerk  for  two  years,  and  then 
accejjted  a  clerkship  in  a  general  store  at  Ashby, 
Mass.  Having  gained  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
that  line  of  enterprise,  he  embarked  in  business  as 
a  grocer  in  1859,  the  scene  of  his  operations  being 
Fitchliurg,  Mass.,  where  he  continued  successfully 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  1867,  he  removed  to 
Kalamazoo,  and  has  since  resided  in  this  city. 

The  Kalamazoo  Paper  Comiiany  was  organized 
October  1, 1866,  Mr.  Gibson  being  one  of  the  orig- 
inal stockholders.  A  mill  was  built  on  the  C4rand 
Rapids  Branch  of  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan 
Southern  Railroad,  two  miles  south  of  the  city  of 
Kalamazoo,  the  plant  being  valued  at  $100,000.  A 
capital  of  1200,000  was  required  to  conduct  the 
business,  which  rapidly  grew  to  its  present  propor- 
tions. Mr.  Gibson  entered  the  employ  of  the  com- 
pany  as  mechanic  and  hook-keeper,  retaining  the 
latter  position  until  1870.  He  then  assumed  the 
management  of  the  business  as  Superintendent, 
which  position  he  still  holds. 

During  the  first  year  of  its  existence,  the  com- 
pany employed  about  fifty  people  and  was  con- 
fined to  the  manufacture  of  conim<m  jiaper  and 
extra  newspaper.  But  the  mill  has  since  been 
greatly  enlarged,  new  material  has  been  added, 
and  lithogra))!!,  music  and  colored  papers  are  also 
made,  the  spccialt}-  being  lithograph  paper.  Among 
recent  improvements  is  a  water  filter,  with  a  capac- 
ity of  one  million  gallons  daily,  through  which 
what  was  formerly  considered  nearly  pure  water  is 
passed,  and  all  sediment  and  other  impurities  are 
drawn.  Other  equally  necessary  improvements  have 
been  added  to  increase  the  etHciency  of  the  plant 
in  the  output  of  its  justly  celebrated  finer  grades 
of    pai)er.     Mr.  (xibson  is  thoroughly  informed  as 


to  every  detail  of  the  immense  l)usiness  and  liis 
personal  attention  is  ex<-liisively  given  to  its  man- 
agement. 

Ill  addition,  Mr.Gibson  is  interested  in  other  en- 
terprises. He  is  Director  in  the  Kalamazoo  National 
Bank  and  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Kakimazoo  College.  He  united  with  the  Congrega- 
tional Churcli  in  1858  and  is  Trustee  in  the  church. 
Politically',  he  is  a  iirm  Republican,  although  by  no 
means  partisan  in  his  alliliations.  His  employes 
regard  him  as  their  warmest  friend,  and  tlieir  in- 
terests are  to  him  second  only  to  the  success  of  the 
institution 

October  14,  1860,  Mr.  Gibson  was  married  to 
Mrs.  JMary  A.  Bardeen,  daughter  of  Deacon  A. 
Farnsworth,  of  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Alice  Gertrude,  wife  of 
F.  D.  Haskell, and  Susan  Edith,  who  married  F.  M. 
Hodge.  Both  Messrs.  Haskell  and  Hodge  are  con- 
nected with  the  paper  company  and  reside  in  Kal- 
amazoo. 


N 1 1  p  >  p  t. 


'  I  '     I  I 


ZRO  HEALY,  a  retired  farmer  now  resid- 
ing in  Kalamazoo,  is  an  excellent  example 
of  a  self-made  man  who  has  achieved  suc- 
,^jj,  cess  through  his    own  efforts,  and  his  life 

might  well  serve  to  encourage  others  who,  like 
him,  have  to  make  their  own  wa3-  in  the  world. 
He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Shorcham,  Addison 
County,  Vt.,  January  20,  1814.  His  father,  Joshua 
Ileal^',  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Vermont  when  a  child.  He  took 
quite  a  prominent  part  in  public  affairs,  especially 
in  politics,  serving  as  County  Judge  and  repre- 
senting his  district  in  the  State  Legislature  for  two 
terms.  He  married  Lucy  Willson,  a  native  of  the 
Green  Mountain  State,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
Willson.  Removing  to  Steuben  Count}-,  N.  Y., 
the}'  settled  near  the  town  of  Dansville,  upon  a 
farm  which  continued  to  be  their  home  through- 
out the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the 
parents  of  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  grew  to 
manhood  and  womanhood.  Of  the  seven  sons  and 
four  daughters,  nine  arc  yet  living. 

The  subject  of   this  sketch  attended  the  district 


864 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPfflCAL  RECORD. 


schools  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  and  remained 
ujwn  his  father's,  farm  luilil  he  had  attained  his 
majority,  when  he  sUuled  out  in  life  for  himself. 
He  chose  the  West  as  the  scene  of  liis  fiilurc  labors, 
and  in  1835  came  to  Michigan,  where  he  was  fu-st 
employed  as  Ixiss  on  the  Michigan  Soiitliern  Rail- 
road for  ¥50  per  month.  In  the  sjiring  of  1937, 
he,  having  accumulated  some  monej',  went  to  Ohio 
and  bought  nine  yoke  of  oxen.  He  began  break- 
ing |)rairie  and  turned  the  furrows  upon  fourteen 
hundred  acres  of  virgin  soil.  Next,  purchasing 
one  hundred  and  sixty  .acres  of  land,  he  cleared 
and  L)egan  its  dcvelo|>nient,  placing  it  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  fii-st  sowing  it  in  wheat, 
and  when  the  crop  was  harvested  sold  his  grain 
for  forty-five  cents  per  bushel  delivered  at  St.  Jo- 
seph. He  lost  heavily  in  this  venture,  but  ere 
two  yeai-s  had  p.isscd  he  had  paid  all  indebted- 
ness and  .again  stiirted  s(iuare  with  the  world. 

On  the  nth  of  April,  1839,  Mr.  Ilealy  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza,  daughter  of 
Kzekiel  and  Catherine  (Shaw)  Everingham.  The 
lady  Is  a  native  of  Dansville,  Steuben  County, 
X.  Y.,  and  by  her  marriage  became  the  mother  of 
six  children,  four  of  whom  are  yet  living:  Wal- 
lace died  at  the  age  of  ten  j'ears;  Helen  was  the 
wife  of  William  Hoardm.an,  and  after  his  death 
she  wedded  Oliver  K.  Olmsted;  Marion  died  in 
infancy;  B.  ,1.  is  Chief  of  the  Eire  Department  of 
Kalamazoo;  Charlie  A.  resiiles  in  Kalamazoo;  and 
Callierlne  E.  Is  at  home.  During  llie  lime  of  the 
building  of  the  Mieiiigan  Central  Road,  he  took  a 
contract  to  grade  and  place  the  ties  on  the  grade 
from  the  Kalamazoo  bridge  to  one  mile  east  of 
the  city. 

.Mr.  Ilealy  ha.s  laken  no  active  part  in  political 
affairs  In  his  religious  views  he  is  a  rnitarian. 
He  owns  a  fine  residence,  and  li.as  built  several 
houses  in  Kalamazoo,  lie  also  Is  the  owner  of  a 
line  farm  .siluat*'d  n(!ar  the  cor|ioration  limits,  val- 
ued nt  4<2ii()  pi-r  acre.  In  politics  he  Is  a stnrdy  Dcmmi- 
rrat.  Among  the  honored  pioneers  of  the  county  is 
he  nnmliered,  having  lH)rne  the  trials  and  privations 
of  pioneer  life.  In  the  wintel' of  IH37,  he  took  from 
the  llinlN-r  over  four  hundred  thonsand  feet  of  linn- 
JH-r.nlii  limewhi-n  thr-snriw  on  thegronml  l.-iy  two 
feet    in  rieptli.      lie  sold    Ihi-  logs  at    'f\    per    IIhui 


sand  feet,  and  did  most  of  the  hauling  with  nine 
yoke  of  oxen.  His  first  home  was  a  board  shanty, 
20x20  feet,  in  which  his  men  slept,  and  in  which 
the  cooking  and  eating  were  done.  Overcoming 
all  obstacles  m  his  path,  he  worked  his  way  up- 
ward and  was  successful  in  his  undertakings.  He 
possessed  what  the  Yankees  called  "grit,"  and  his 
enterprise  and  industry'  won  him  |)rosperity.  At 
the  present  lime,  he  is  engaged  largely  in  raising 
and  shi|iping  celery — also  dealing  in  real  estate. 

In  1889,  Mr.  Ilealy  was  called  upon  to  mourn 
the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  died  on  the  5th  of  De- 
cember, at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  and  was 
buried  in  the  ISIountain  Home  Cemetery.  He  is 
now  well  advanced  in  years,  but  still  retains  much 
of  the  vigor  of  earlier  manhood  and  is  a  genial, 
cordial  old  gentleman,  whose  friends  are  almost  as 
many  as  his  acquaintances.  His  sterling  worth 
has  won  him  high  regard,  and  he  is  respected  by 

^1^  ARVEY  J.  EDGELL.  This  respected  gen- 
I)  tleman,  who  is  the  jiroprietor  of  Spring 
Hill  Fruit  Farm,  at  South  Haven,  is  .also 
a  dealer  in  real  estate.  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  was  his  native  place,  his  birth  occurring 
August  15,  1H35.  His  great-grandfather  w.as  Sir 
Willi.am  Edgell  of  England.  His  grandfather  was 
also  born  in  England,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  company  with  four  brothers.  He  first 
located  in  iVIaryland,  wliencc,  in  1802,  he  removed 
to  Ohio,  wlu-re  he  becanu'  a  pioneer  in  Licking 
County.  He  oidy  remained  there  a  short  time, 
however,  when  he  went  to  Franklin  County,  and 
later  to  Shelby  County,  where  he  died  at  the  age 
of  seventy-five  years,  lie  was  a  volunteer  soldier 
in  tlic  ^\'al■  of  1M12,  an<l  li;iil  four  sons:  .lanu's, 
William,  .loiin  !in<l  Wilson. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Williniii  iMlgeli,  was 
Imum  In  Oliio,  and.  in  caiiy  life,  learned  the  trade 
of  a  laiiner  and  currii  T.  In  lM:i.'!,  he  w,as  luiiled 
in  marriage  to  Saiali  Ibildrn.  She  was  the  grcat- 
granddanglitcr  of  Sir  William  I'arr,  wlio  caiiu' 
to  Ameiica  piioi'  lo  Ilic  K<'\i>1iitinn.  mimI  during 
t,he  struggle  for  iiii|i-|iriMlciicc  Milled  till'  ( 'olonists. 
'I'IimI   wms  coiisiilcri'il  Milliciriil  itmsoii  lor  con  fiscal- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BTOGRAnilCAL   RECORD. 


865 


inf>^  his  cstuU'  in  iMigland,  so  lie  did  iidt  ictuiii  Iml. 
settled  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  lli.s  duiighter  raar- 
rie(l  J^ewis  Iloldcn,  and  the3'  became  the  parents  of 
Sarah  llolden,  who  married  Mr.  Kdgeii. 

The  elder  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P^dgell  resided  in  Licking 
County  until  about  1847,  where  they  were  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1870,  they  removed  to  Chicago, 
where  tlie  mother  died  in  1873.  The  father  is  still 
living  in  tliat  city.  He  was  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  before  the  organization  of  that  party  was  a 
Whig.  The  parents  were  earnest  and  conscientious 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
reared  a  family  of  ten  children. 

Harvey  J.  Edgell  during  his  boyhood  assisted 
his  father  about  the  tannery  and  attended  the  dis- 
trict school.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  became  a 
clerk  in  a  general  store  and  four  years  later  was 
one  of  the  proprietors  of  a  country  store  at  Haven's 
Corners,  near  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  was  subse- 
quently engaged  in  business  in  Delaware  County, 
Ohio,  and  during  the  Civil  War  carried  on  a  whole- 
sale notion  ))usiness.  He  attended  to  his  duties 
closel}'  and  worked  so  hard  that  in  a  few  years,  his 
health  being  impaired,  he  was  obliged  to  retire 
from  active  life.  In  accordance  with  the  advice  of 
his  physician,  he  sought  a  home  near  the  lake  shore 
and  in  May  28,  1869,  reached  South  Haven.  Here 
he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber  land  located  on 
section  11,  South  Haven  Township,  locating  his 
tract  with  the  aid  of  a  compass.  He  laid  out  a 
road  to  iiis  pl.ace  and  commenced  the  arduous  task 
of  clearing  it  from  the  timber  and  underbrush. 
His  brought  his  farm  to  an  excellent  state  of  cul- 
tivation and  in  a  few  j^ears  began  to  grow  fruit. 

In  1886  our  subject  received  a  sunstroke  so 
that  it  became  necessary  for  him  to  give  up  all  out- 
door woi'k,  for  a  time  at  least.  He  tiien  engaged 
in  tlie  real-estate  business,  tiiinking  it  a  line  of 
work  out  of  which  he  would  be  able  to  drop  at  any 
time.  But  business  increased  so  rapidly  and  has 
grown  to  sucii  .an  extent  that  lie  will  no  doubt 
make  it  a  life  work.  He  is  wide-awake  to  the  in- 
terests of  South  Haven  and  has  been  tlie  leading 
spirit  in  advertising  and  making  it  the  popular 
summer  resort  which  it  has  become.  His  fruit  farm, 
on  which  he  resides,  contains  forty  acres  which  are 
thoroughly  anil  profitable  improved. 


Mr.  Edgell  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Mary, 
daughter  of  William  Headley,  a  pioneer  of  Frank- 
lin County,  Ohio,  where  Mrs.  Edgell  was  born.  Our 
subject  and  liis  estimable  wife  iiave  been  granted  a 
family  of  three  children:  Nellie  A.;  Mattie,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  four  years,  and  Carlos  L.  Mr. 
Edgell  is  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party  and  socially  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
He  is  also  connected  prominently  with  the  Enter- 
prise Club.  He  with  his  good  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  Church  and  is  most  highly 
esteemed  by  all  wlioare  acquainted  witli  thelustory 
of  this  section. 


|Pj\)EINI-IOLD  IHLING,  of  the  firm  of  Ihling 
IWj^  Bros.  &  Everard,  is  one  of  the  prominent 
/4i  \V  and  successful  business  men  of  Kalamazoo, 
^^and  has  attained  tolas  enviable  p(jsition, 
financially  and  socially,  through  the  exercise  of  in- 
domitable energy  and  unusual  perseverance.  The 
business  in  which  he  is  engaged  has  assumed  gigan- 
tic proportions  and  is  numbered  among  the  most 
successful  enterprises  of  Kalamazoo,  its  success  be- 
ing mainl}'  due  to  the  energetic  management  of  the 
Ihling  Bros. 

Among  the  foreigners  who  have  sought  homes 
in  the  IT^ited  States,  many  have  come  hither  from 
Germany  and  have  brought  with  them  qualities  of 
thrift,  perseverance  and  industry,  which,  while  es- 
tablishing tlieir  own  private  fortunes,  liavc  also  pro- 
moted the  public  welfare.  Mr.  Ihling  is  a  German 
by  birth  and  parentage  and  was  born  February  11, 
1818,  When  only  four  j-ears  old,  he  was  brought 
b}'  his  parents  to  the  United  Slates  and  grew  to 
manhood  in  Milwaukee. 

When  thirteen  years  old,  Mr.  Ihling  commenced 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker  and  afterward 
learned  the  book-binder's  trade  in  all  its  branches 
at  Milwaukee  and  has  since  followed  this  business, 
having  a  complete  knowledge  of  the  business  in 
every  detail.  He  then  entered  his  brother's  em- 
ploy and  for  eighteen  months  remained  in  that 
connection,  afterward  aiding  in  the  establishment 


866 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


of  the  present  business.     Ililing  Bios.  A-  Eveiaid,   |   omon    Forbes   and    died  a  number   of  years  ago. 
printers,  have  an  aisured  repuUition  in  Kalamazoo   |   Mercy  Ann  was  the  wife  of   Saiiiuil    Johnson,  of 
and  vicinity,   and  the  book-l)indinur  dep.irtnu'nt  is 
in  cliarge  of  our  subject,    who  employs  thirty-five 
iiands  and  is  pushing  his    branch  of    the  business 
with  great  energy. 

The  ple.'isant  residence  of  Mr.  Ihling  at  No.  508 


Kalamazoo  Township,  and  her  death  also  occurred 
many  years  ago.  Cordelia  is  the  wife  of  Anson 
Forbes,  of  Macon  County,  Mo.  The  father  of  this 
family  followed  fanning  throughout  his  entire  life. 
He  secured   quite   an  extensive  tract  of  land  and 


Wood  Street  is  presided  over  by  his  wife,  to  whom    :    became  well-to-do.     His   death    occurred  October 


he  w.as  married,  August  24,  1875.  at  Racine,  AVis. 
Miss  Alice  .Schum.acher,  as  Mrs.  Ihling  was  known 
in  maidenhood,  was  l)orn  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  and 
was  carefully  reared  under  the  tuition  of  etliciciit 
teachers  and  affectionate  parents.  She  is  the 
mother  of  seven  children,  viz:  Alma,  Carl,  Arno, 
Lillian.  Paul.  Walter  and  Alice,  blight  and  intelli- 
gent children  who  are  being  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Kalamazoo. 

In  his  social  alliliations,  Mr.  Ihling  is  identified 
with  the  M.asonic  fraternity,  151ue  Lodge  and 
Chapter  and  the  Germanic  Society.  AVhile  he  has 
but  little  time  to  devote  to  iiublic  affairs,  he  ad- 
heres U)the  i)rinciples  of  the  l{e|)ul)lican  i)arly  and 
advocates  those  enterprises  which  will  adv.ancelhc 
interests  of  the  coniinunitv. 


•^ 


-^ 


RUIN  nN<  »\V,a  retired  farmer  and  one  of  the 
,.,  resiweted  citizens  of  Kalamazoo,  claims  New 
'''  York  as  the  Stale  of  his  nativity.  He  was 
horn  in  Oswego  County,  September  27.  1H21I.  and 
is  n  son  of  Ansel  anil  Arbelia  (Wilmouth)  Snow, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  IMassachusetts  and 
came  of  ol<)  New  Kngland  families  of  iMiglish 
origin.  In  March,  18:57,  with  their  children,  they 
emigrated  to  Michigan,  locating  on  (Irand  Pi'airie, 
four  miles  northwest  of  Kalaina/.oo.  After  two 
or  three  years,  they  removeil  to  ( jshtenio  Township. 
where  one  of  the  ilnughlcrs  had  married  .and  settled 
the  preceding  August.  The  family  nnniliored  liiree 
S4»ns  aufl  four  ilniigliters.  They  are.  i'cirnelia.  who 
b(K-nme  the  wife  of  Alon/.o  Wyinan.  and  iiolli  .are 
now  ileeeas<'d;  I l:iiiiiali,  .Mercy  .\nii,  Cordelia,  ( )r- 
flon  and  <  Irrln.  One  biother,  (  hla.  was  born  aft<'r 
the  family  came  to  this  <'ounty.  In  I8(!(i,  Orson 
and  Orhi  removed  to  .Macon  County,  Mo.,  where 
llir-y  now  resith'.      Ilniiiiah  beeame  the  wife  of  Sol- 


14,  1864,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one,  and  his  widow 
died  in  August,  188t),  at  the  age  of  eighty-five 
years  in  Missouri,  where  she  had  gone  with  her 
.son. 

The  sulijeet  of  this  sketch  came  to  Michigan 
when  a  lad  of  eight  summers,  and  amid  the  wild 
scenes  of  frontier  life  w.as  reared  to  manhood.  He 
remanied  at  liome  until  twenty-four  years  of  age, 
when,  in  1853.  he  went  to  California,  making  an 
overland  trip,  and  for  a  year  and  a  half  was  en- 
gaged in  mining.  On  his  return,  he  resumed  the 
occupation  of  farming  and  after  a  year  and  a  lialf 
chose  as  a  companion  and  lieii>inate  on  life's  jour- 
ney Miss  Catherine,  daughter  of  A.  H.  and  Cath- 
erine (Chandler)  Hill,  now  of  I'lainwell.  The 
mother  is  deceased.  She  is  a  native  of  New  York 
and  when  two  years  old  was  brought  to  Michigan. 
Their  marriage  w.as  celebrated  A|)ril  Hi,  185(i,  and 
unto  them  have  been  born  four  children:  ISIilo  A. 
ojierates  his  father's  farm;  Frank  and  Fred,  who 
died  in  eliildliood;  and  Katie,  a  student  in  the 
High   School. 

Mr.  Snow  continued  to  engage  in  agricullnral 
pursuits  with  marked  success  (uitil  three  years  ago 
when  he  came  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he  h.as  since 
lived  a  retired  life.  He  engaged  in  breeding 
short-horn  cillle  :ind  was  very  successful  in  his 
business,  lie  still  owns  five  hundred  acres  of  val- 
u;ible  hmd  and  is  .accounted  one  of  the  well-to-do 
citizois  of  the  conmiunity.  He  certainly  deserves 
much  (ledit  for  his  success,  for  it  is  due  entirely  to 
his  own  elTorl.s.  lie  has  held  a  number  of  public 
ollices,  W!is  Township  Treasurer,  .lustiee  of  the 
Peace  and  Sup<'rvisor.  The  K<'p\ililican  party  linds 
in  him  a  stanch  advocate,  and  he  has  fre(|ucntly 
.'itlen<h'il  its  Slate  ;ind  cuuiily  eon  vent  ions,  lie 
has  been  connected  with  the  Kalama/.oo  t'ounty 
Agrieultur.al  Society  for  twenty  years  and  h.as  just 
been,  for  the   sixth    lime,  elected   to   the  olliee  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


867 


President.  We  find  in  Mr.  Snow  a  typical  repre- 
sentative of  the  honored  pioneer,  .1  ni.iu  in  wlioni 
every  one  has  implicit  confidence.  He  is  a  sup- 
porter of  all  that  tends  to  advance  the  interests  of 
the  county,  is  a  man  of  broad  views,  public-spirited 
anil  proi^ressive.  In  personal  api)earance,  he  is  a 
large,  line-looking  gentleman,  and  by  his  pleasant, 
genial  manner  readily  wins  friends. 


ALE  P.  KAUFFER,oneof  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  Kalamazoo,  is  President  of  the 
Page  Manufacturing  Company,  which  is  an 
outgrowth  of  the  factory  established  in  1873 
for  the  manufacture  of  handles  by  Calvin  Forbes 
and  Messrs.  Morse,  Darrin  and  Beebe.  Hale  W.Page, 
an  uncle  of  our  subject,  became  a  stockholder  in  the 
company  which  afterward  failed,  lie  later  resumed 
operations,which  he  carried  on  until  1881,  when  the 
plant  was  destroj^ed  by  fire.  In  that  year  Mr.  Kauffer 
became  .associated  with  him  and  they  rebuilt,  since 
which  time  the}' have  done  a  good  and  constantly- 
increasing  business.  The  plant  covers  between 
three  and  four  acres  with  the  building  and  lum- 
ber, and  about  $30,000  is  invested  in  the  business. 
P'orty  men  are  emploj'cd,  most  of  whom  are  skilled 
workmen.  They  make  a  specialty  of  handles  for 
feather  dusters,  which  are  finished  and  polished 
read}'  for  use,  also  manufacture  .agricultural  frames, 
counters,  tattles,  shelving,  etc.,  and  do  a  business 
amounting  to  160,000  annually.  Mr.  Kauffer,  who 
is  President  of  the  company,  li.as  full  charge  of  the 
business. 

Mr.  Page,  who  is  now  deceased,  was  born  in 
Shirley,  Mass.,  and  died  in  May,  1887,  at  the  age 
of  seventy- one  years.  He  engaged  in  manuf.actur- 
ing  almost  his  entire  life.  In  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  he 
made  all  the  piano  cases  for  the  Hallet  &  Davis 
Company,  and  during  his  residence  in  the  Bay 
State  was  twice  a  member  of  the  Legislature.  He 
came  to  Kalamazoo  in  1870,  and  thenceforward 
was  one  of  its  leading  citizens.  Forming  a  part- 
nership with  R.  F.  Lyon,  he  was  engaged  in  build- 
ing up  a  paper  mill  in  Plainwell,  which  was  known 
as  the  Commonwealth  Mills,  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death.     He  served  as  Alderm.an  of  Kalamazoo  and 


was  one  of  the  popular  and  highly  respected  citi- 
zens of  the  community.  He  ranked  high  ih  both 
business  and  social  circles.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Sarah  Wheeler,  survived  Iier  husband 
about  two  years.  Their  daughter  became  the  wife 
of  the  Rev.  Kendall  Brooks,  who  for  years  was 
President  of  Kalamazoo  College  and  is  now  in 
Alma,  Mich. 

Mr.  Kauffer,  whose  name  heads  this  record,  was 
born  in  Methuen,  Mass.,  January  1,  1840,  and  is  a 
son  of  Francis  and  Eunice  (Page)  Kauffer.  Learn- 
ing the  foundry  business,  he  for  some  time  hail 
charge  of  the  Gage  Works  in  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  or 
until  1872,  which  year  witnessed  his  arrival  in 
Kalamazoo.  He  here  became  connected  with  a  tin 
and  sheet-iron  company  and  ran  a  line  of  peddler 
wagons  until  1878.  The  two  succeeding  years  of 
his  life  were  passed  in  Colorado,  and  on  his  return 
to  Michigan  he  became  connected  with  his  uncle, 
Mr.  Page,  in  the  factory  of  which  he  is  now  the 
head.  He  has  bought  the  entire  |)lant  and' gives 
his  attention  exclusively  to  the  business. 

In  1871,  in  Manchester,  N.  H.,  Mr.  Kauffer  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Henrietta  St.  Clair,  a 
native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  and  unto 
them  has  been  born  a  daughter,  Nellie,  a  cultured 
young  lady  who  possesses  considerable  musical  .and 
artistic  talent.  The  family  have  a  pleasant  home 
at  323  South  Rose  Street  and  are  well  and  favora- 
bly known  throughout  the  community,  their  friends 
being  many  in  Kal.amazoo.  Mr.  Kauffer  is  a  straight- 
forward, upright,  business  man  and  is  meeting  with 
well-merited  success.  He  has  worked  his  way  stead- 
ily upward  and  has  now  a  handsome  competence. 


*)HERON  FRANCIS  GIDDINGS,  the  efli- 
'l(((ri\\\  t'ient  and  honored  Clerk  of  the  City  of 
'^^  Kalamazoo,  was  born  December  25,  1843, 
in  Charleston,  this  county.  He  is  the  eldest  of 
three  children  born  to  Orrin  N.  and  Harriet  A 
(Cock)  Giddings.  (See  sketch  of  the  father,  to  be 
found  elsewhere  in  this  work.) 

In  1853,  when  ten  years    old,  the  father   of  our 
subject  brought  his    family   to  this  city  from   Au- 


868 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


gusta,  and  it  was  here  that  he  received  his  educa- 
tion, taking  a  coui-se  finally  in  the  Kalamazoo 
College.  In  186.T.  our  subject eonimeiioerl  with  his 
father  as  assistant  in  tlie  State  tjuartermaster's  De- 
partment of  Michigan,  in  Detroit,  and  thus  became 
familiar  with  the  details  of  the  ollie-c  and  made 
the  acquaintance  of  a  large  nuinlwr  of  public  men 
of  the  State.  He  had,  prior  to  this,  served  three 
years  in  the  ortice  of  the  Auditor-General,  Eniil 
Ancke,  at  Lansing.  His  knowledge  of  business 
matters  and  otiicial  detail  eminenth'  fitted  him 
for  an  active  business  or  otiicial  career.  After 
leaving  his  position  in  the  C^uarteniiaster's  otlicc, 
he  returned  to  Kalamazoo  Cit3',  iiiid.  having  the 
desire  to  "go  West,"  he  settled  among  the  peo- 
ple of  Kansas  and  opened  a  real-estate  ofllee  at 
Topeka,  where  he  remained  with  varying  success 
for  some  time.  Not  realizing  tlie  fond  anticipa- 
tions hoi>e  had  pictured  the  Western  plains  would 
develop,  he  decided  to  return  to  Michigan. 

Our  subject  again  came  to  Kalamazoo,  and  soon 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  adding  the 
manufacture  of  saddlery  niid  harness,  hardware 
and  trunks,  and.  though  he  had  become  connected 
with  the  county  in  an  ollicial  capacity,  he  held  his 
business  until  IHSo.  In  ls7.")  he  w.is  elected  to 
the  resiMnisible  position  f>f  Township  Treasurer, 
.and  also  held  other  local  ollices.  Ilis  tempera- 
ment was  that  of  a  poliliciaii,  and.  licing  a  inan  of 
jreiial  character,  and  having  had  a  liainiiig  not 
usually  fouiicl  in  applicants  for  [niblie  life,  he  was 
chohcn,  in  1K79, County  Clerk  of  Kalamazoo  Countj' 
by  the  Kt-publican  party.  Proving  to  be  an  exceed- 
ingly |M>pular  mail  and  an  aceoininodatiiig  odicial, 
he  wju)  repeatedly  elected  and  held  the  ollice  con- 
tinually for  twelve  yi^ai's.  In  |h:mi,  he  declined  a 
rcnoiiiiiialion  .'iiid  became  ji  candidate  for  Audi tor- 
Oenernl  of  the  SUite,  but,  being  anight  in  a  Demo- 
cmli<'  landslide,  he  wils  ilefeated.  His  services 
have  bi-eii  of  so  valuable  ii  nature  that  .lanuarv  I. 
1  HIM,  he  wan  unnniiiuMi.sly  chasen  li\  llic  ('lt\- 
('oiiiii'il  as  Clerk  of  the  City.  No  man  luus  ever 
llllfd  a  clerical  position  in  the  county  or  city  ad- 
mi  nifttration  wh(»  v/nn  so  popular  with  llie  people 
ii';;arillrH-.of  his  party  prin<'iples,!i.M  is  Mr.  <  Jiddings. 

While  he  Iijls  Iicimi  an  active  KepiibliiMii  :ind  an 
nrdi-iil  r'am|mi|;iier,  lie  ha-s  not  antji^onj/iMJ  people 


of  opposite  political  attiliations,  many  of  his 
warmest  friends  being  members  of  the  Democracy. 

On  June  1,  1891,  Mr.  Giddings  was  appointed 
by  the  United  States  Comptroller,  Receiver  of  the 
National  Citv  Bank  of  Marshall,  and  he  is  at 
jiresent  engaged  in  closing  the  affairs  of  that  de- 
funct institution.  Possessing  an  attr.active  pei-son- 
ality  that  draws  friends  to  him,  Jlr.  Giddings 
h.as  become  identified  with  many  fraternal  asso- 
ciations, and  in  all  he  has  taken  an  active  part. 
He  has  filled  nearly  all  the  chairs  in  the  local 
bodies  of  the  IMasonic  order  and  is  at  present 
Past  Gr.and  High  Priest  of  the  High  Ciiapter  of 
the  State.  He  is  also  Past  Commander  of  the 
Uniformed  Rank  of  the  Knights  of  Pjthias. 

Mr.  (biddings  was  united  in  marriage  on  January 

4,  1869,  at  Bnff.alo,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  Julia  E.  D'Ar- 
camhle.     Mrs.  (iiddings  is  a    daughter  of    Charles 

5.  and  Agnes  S.  D'Arcamble,  of  Kalamazoo.  By 
this  union,  four  cliildion  have  been  born,  of  whom 
onl}'  one  is  living,  a  daughter,  Bessie,  who  is  a 
lovely  young  lady  of  seventeen  summers,  and  a 
student  of  the  High  School  of  this  city.  iSIrs.  (Jid- 
dings  is  an  .active  member  of  society  and  is  found 
Itrominent  in  the  Ladies'  Society  and  in  doing 
Christian  charitiible  work. 


:^^H^P- 


JACOB  DOUGHTY,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser 
on  section  2,  Paw  I'aw'  Township,  '\'an 
Buren  County,  w.as  born  in  Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,  June  3,  1826.  He  is  a  son  of  George 
and  Lmeliiie  (Storms)  Doughty,  both  natives  of 
the  Kmi)irc  State.  Our  subject  lived  in  New  York 
State  until  he  was  about  eighteen  years  old,  receiv- 
ing a  fair  coniinon-school  education  in  a  (Juaker 
school,  .'is  his  grandfather,  Thonu-us  Doughty,  was 
.•I  (Quaker.  The  father  of  our  subject,  who  was 
bom  y\pril  1,  IMOO,  niove<l  from  New  York  to 
llartforfl,  Ohio,  wluii  our  sulijecl  was  eighteen 
years  old.  He  only  reniaiiUMl  in  Ohio  nlnuit  live 
ye.ars  when  he  returned  to  New  York,  residing 
there  but  one  winter.  The  family  i-emoved  to 
Michigan  in  IH-l!). 

Our  subject  is  the  oldesl    in  a    family  of  twelve, 
the  two   yoiingei    eliildren    beiiiL;    lioni    after  com- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


871 


ing  to  this  Stale.  Eleven  of  this  family  are 
now  living.  After  the  family  had  been  here  about 
one  year,  our  subject  returned  to  New  York  and 
attended  school  a  year  and  a  half,  at  a  (Quaker 
school  in  Washington  Hollow.  The  father  at  one 
time  had  about  three  hundred  and  twent}'  acres, 
of  which  our  subject  now  owns  one  hundred  and 
twelve.  He  lives  in  the  same  house  in  wliicli  his 
father  lived  before  him. 

Jacob  Doughty  was  united  in  marriage  witli 
Mrs.  Hannah  Proal,  nee  Luce,  May  7,  1859.  Mrs. 
Doughty  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Rose  (Shel- 
don) Luce,  the  father  being  born  on  the  Mohawk 
River  of  mixed  Irisli  and  English  ancestry,  and 
the  mother  being  born  in  Connecticut  of  good  old 
Yankee  stock.  The  wife  of  our  subject  was  born 
in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  December  17,  1826.  Her 
parents  moved  to  Calhoun  County,  this  State, 
when  she  was  but  ten  years  old,  and  she  was 
about  eighteen  when  she  married  John  E.  Proal,  by 
whom  she  had  three  children,  two  still  living. 
Mary,  who  died  when  sixteen  years  old;  Alice,  the 
wife  of  Ricketson  Doughty,  the  brother  of  our  sub- 
ject. Her  sou,  Henry  Drake  Proal,  lives  in  Luding- 
ton,  Mich.  Our  subject  is  the  father  of  two  chil- 
dren :  Lottie  Louise,  the  wife  of  John  Clapp,  lives  in 
Paw  Paw  and  has  one  child;  Linda  married  Erastus 
L.  Moe,  who  lives  in  Paw  Paw,  is  a  carpenter  by 
trade  and  owns  eighty  acres  of  land;  they  have  two 
boys. 

Our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics, 
but  has  never  been  an  office-seeker.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church,  to  which  his 
wife  also  belongs. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Doughty  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  at  one  time  he  was  gone  so  long- 
that  the  family  thought  he  had  been  killed,  but 
an  Indian  brought  word  that  he  was  still  alive. 
Her  grandfather,  Drake  Luce,  was  a  noted  and 
wealtliy  man  of  New  Y'ork.  His  mairiage  took 
place  in  New  York,  and  his  wife  was  a  Miss  O'Neal. 
Her  father  leased  the  land  for  ninety-nine  years 
j'ears  on  which  Trinity  Church  now  stands.  It  is 
the  land  about  which  there  is  so  much  litigation  and 
Mrs.  Doughty  is  one  of  the  heirs.  Henry  Luce 
was  a  lawer  by  profession  when  in  New  York, 
and  on  coming  to  Michigan  bought  a  large  tract 
40 


of  land.  He  reared  a  family  of  thirteen  children, 
all  of  whom  came  to  Michigan.  Only  two  of  this 
familj'  now  survive,  Mrs.  Doughty, and  her  brother 
Zephaniah,  who  resides  in  Albion  and  is  a  poultrj' 

fancier. 


~o£- 


'  EROME  T.  COBB.  Perhaps  in  no  connec- 
tion is  Mr.  Cobb  so  widely  know  as  through 
his  labors  in  behalf  of  the  Grange.  For 
almost  a  score  of  years  he  occupied  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  State  Secretary  and  during 
the  greater  portion  of  that  time  he  was  editor  of 
the  Grange  Visitor.  So  eflicient  were  liis  services 
in  the  interest  of  this  organization  that,  at  the 
meeting  of  the  State  Grange  held  at  Lansing,  in 
December,  1891,  Ex-Gov.  Luce  presented  him 
with  an  elegant  gold-headed  cane  as  a  token  of 
the  appreciation  and  esteem  in  which  he  is  regarded. 
The  reader  will  note  with  interest  his  portrait  on 
the  opposite  page  and  the  following  outlines  of  a 
life  of  more  than  ordinary  interest. 

It  is  supposed  that  the  family  of  which  our  sub- 
ject is  a  memlier  originated  in  Wales.  Thej' 
were  early  residents  of  Suffleld,  Conn.,  where 
Grandfather  David  Cobb  passed  his  entire  life. 
His  son  Nathan  was  born  in  Tolland,  that  State, 
whence  he  emigrated  to  Michigan,  arriving  in 
Kalamazoo  County,  September  30,  1830,  when 
there  were  but  two  log  cal)ins  in  what  is  now  the 
city  of  Kalamazoo.  Settling  in  Schoolcraft  Town- 
ship, he  entered  a  tract  of  land  northeast  of  the 
village.  In  his  native  State,  he  had  engaged  a.s  a 
manufacturer,  but  operated  as  a  farmer  in  Kalama- 
zoo County  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
August  14,  1833.  He  was  a  man  of  sturdy  and 
honorable  character,  and  although  he  resided  here 
onlv  a  few  years,  gained  a  high  place  in  the  es- 
teem of  his  fellow-pioneers.  His  wife,  who  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Sally  Thompson,  was  born  in 
Cioshen,  Conn.,  and  died  in  Schoolcraft  Townshii). 
February-  4,  1865. 

The  fifth  among  eight  children,  Jerome  T.  was 
born  in  Goshen,  Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  Decem- 
ber 29,  1821.  He  was  a  lad  of  nine  years  when  he 
aecomi)anied  his  parents  to  Michigan  in  the  fall  of 


872 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


1830.  and  grew  to  manhood  upon  the  farm  which 
his  fatlicr  entered  from  the  Government.  It  re- 
mained liis  home  until  he  removed  to  tlie  village 
of  Sehoolcratt  in  1865,  and  here  he  has  since  re- 
sided. In.Sclioolcraft  Towuship,  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  pursuit.^  and  also  eng.iged  in  the  nian- 
ufacliiring  of  staves  and  heading  to  some  extent 
until  April,  1873.  when  he  aei-epted  the  respon- 
sible position  of  Secretary  of  the  State  tirange. 

During  the  years  which  intcrxencd  until  Decem- 
ber, 1890,  Mr.  Cobb  gave  his  attention  wholly  to 
the  lalKM-s  of  the  (Jrange.  and  in  1876  .assumed  the 
editorship  of  the  Graiiijc  Visil'ir,  which  he  con- 
ducted with  great  success  for  fourteen  years.  He 
h.as  also  been  closely  identified  with  the  ijolitical 
life  of  the  village  and  county,  serving  in  many 
lX)sitions  of  trust  and  honor.  He  was  County 
Superintendent  of  the  Poor  for  a  i)eriod  of  about 
twenty-live  years;  Oil  Inspector  for  four  years 
under  Gov.  Luce;  and  County  Agent  for  twelve 
yeai-s;  also  Supervisor  of  Schoolcraft  Township 
several  terms,  and  occni)ied  other  township  ollices. 
lie  has  tiiken  an  .active  interest  in  politics  and  casts 
his  ballot  .according  to  his  best  judgment,  being  in 
reality  an  indeiiendent  Republican. 

Mr.  Cobb  was  In-st  married  in  Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,  to  Miss  .lulianne  I'enton.  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  two  children,  only  one  of  whom 
.survives:  William  15..  wIk)  is  now  Supervisor  of 
Schoolcraft  Township.  Mrs.  .lulianne  Cobb  died 
.ScpK-nilxM-  20,  1850,  at  her  home  in  Schoolcraft 
Township.  Mr.  Cobb  contracted  a  second  iiiatri- 
nionial  alliance,  .\pril  22,  18r)2,  choosing  as  iiis 
wifr  .Mi.ss  Hari'iel  Fell,  who  was  born  in  Clienango 
County.  N.  Y.,  April  2,  lK2;i.  She  is  a  Imly  of 
noble  character,  a  faithfid  member  of  the  Metii- 
odisl  Kpis<-op;d  Cliurch,  and  |)residcs  over  their 
lieauliful  lionu'  with  gracious  hospitality. 

\f/  (IN.  WILLI. \.M  .1.  KIKUV,  of  Kalamazoo. 
y  w;uH  born  in  Alilford,  ( )lsego  (  ouiil  \-.  N.  Y., 
February  II.  IHI.').  His  paienis  wiic  Wil- 
*))  liiini  and  .lane  (Dickson)  Kirby.  both  na- 
tives of  Hie  Kmpire  Sl.ale.  Samuil  Dickson,  his 
molhcrV  greal-granilfallier.  wa^.  a  pioneer  of  ( 'licrr\- 


Vallej',  Otsego  County,  having  settled  there  as 
early  as  1745.  During  the  fearful  massacres  of  the 
time  of  the  Revolution  he  and  his  family  were 
identified  with  the  community  and  the  old  home- 
stead remained  in  the  possession  of  their  descend- 
ants until  quite  recently. 

When  William  Kirby  was  a  mere  boy,  his  jiarents 
returned  to  Cherry  Valley  and  lie  was  reared  on 
the  old  Dickson  homestead.  When  he  reached  the 
age  of  fifteen,  he  entered  the  engineering  depart- 
ment of  Yale  College  and  spent  some  time  in  jier- 
fecting  himself  in  the  science  of  a  civil  engineer, 
after  which  he  w.as  employed  some  time  on  railroad 
surveys.  However,  he  soon  returned  to  the  old 
farm  at  Cherry  Valley,  it  coming  into  his  possession, 
and  engaged  in  farming  operations  there  until 
1876.  He  then  disposed  of  his  extensive  interests 
and  two  years  later  came  to  Michigan,  becomins; 
identified  with  his  father-in-law,  Lewis  Haiglit.  in 
Pavilion  Township. 

Assuming  the  management  of  Mr.  Haight's  ex- 
tensive estate,  ]\lr.  Kirby  has  since  given  attention 
to  the  operations  of  that  large  farm  and  has  secured 
the  highly-imi)rovcd  pl.ace  formerly  owned  by  Sen- 
ator Walilbridge,  consisting  of  over  *>ne  thousand 
acres.  Much  of  his  business  attention  is  devoted 
to  tiiat  estate.  He  is  an  extensive  breeder  of  sheep 
and  a  successful  grower  of  wheat.  His  place  is 
well  adajjted  to  miscellaneous  farming  and  being 
well  improved  with  splendidly-ci|Uipped  buildings, 
finely  watered  and  kept  in  a  liigh  state  of  lultiva- 
tion,  is  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  most  desiralile 
farms  of  the  county. 

In  1875  Mr.  Kirby  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
Haight,  daiightei'  of  Lewis  llaight,  and  the  two 
families  have  been  closely  connected  ever  since.  The 
union  has  been  blessed  by  oiu^  son:  Lewis  llaiglit, 
wlio  x\as  born  in  I.S77.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Kirby  have 
erected  a  commodious  city  I'esidcnce  at  No.  616  S. 
West  Sli-eet,  and  much  of  their  lime  is  passed  in 
this  tastefiilly-fnrnislieil  iiiid  cosy  home.  Mitliougli 
the  farm  operations  are  given    personal   allention. 

Till  liusini'ss  sagacity  and  ability  of  Mr.  Kirby 
have  been  recogni/.ed  by  liis  fellow-townsmen  who 
elected  him  Township  Supervisor.  In  IH,S7liewas 
elected  as  the  cMiididate  of  the  Kepulilican  party 
for  l.'eliresenl.'il  i  \c   in    llic   I.iUMT  I  louse  of  i  he  Sl,;itc 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


873 


Legislature  am]  liis  service  during  that  session  was 
marked  1j3'  a  display  of  good  souse  aud  a  regard 
for  liie  needs  of  his  constituents.  He  w.as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Committees  on  Education  and  Agricul- 
tural Colleges.  His  mind  was  quick  to  gras[)  the 
various  phases  that  important  questions  assumed 
and  his  opponents  found  in  him  a  keen,  ready  in- 
tellect and  a  debater  whose  points  were  made  in  a 
clear,  forcible  style,  giving  due  deference  to  the 
honest  opinions  of  others. 

Mr.  Kirby  is  not  an  unyielding  partisan,  but  a 
man  who  recognizes  merit  wherever  it  is  shown 
and  holds  the  position  that  it  is  better  to  jield  a 
point  when  the  principal  features  of  his  measure 
can  thus  be  carried,  rather  than  to  lose  it  all  by  an 
obstinate  and  unreasonable  persistency.  He  holds 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  people  of  his  party 
and  no  citizen  of  the  county  is  held  in  bigiier 
estimation  by  all.  He  has  been  active  in  the  sup- 
port of  the  MetliodistEpiscopal  Church  at  Pavilion 
and  in  no  work  tending  to  advance  his  neighbor- 
hood has  he  stood  back. 


Jxf^T    -J"^ 


-F^ 


?    I    r    I    f       I  (      I 


1/  FRANKLIN  BOAVEN.  This  gentleman, 
who  was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y., 
May  2,  1810,  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
^  stock-raising  on  section  1,  Lawrence  Town- 
ship, Van  Buren  County.  He  is  the  son  of  Henr}' 
and  Lj'dia  (Snow)  Bowen,  both  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  New  York.  The  father  died  in  I'tica, 
that  State,  when  our  suliject  was  but  two  years 
of  age.  The  parental  family  included  three  chil- 
dren, of  whom  H.  Franklin  was  the  youngest.  The 
eldest  son,  Jared  W.,  died  in  New  York,  when 
forty-eight  years  of  age,  leaving  a  family  George 
W.,  the  tliird  child,  is  also  deceased,  passing  away 
in  Oswego  County-,  N.  Y.;  he  too  was  married. 

After  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  our  subject's 
mother  was  again  married,  this  time  to  E.  B.  Harris. 
II.  Franklin  made  his  home  with  her  until  reaching 
his  fifteenth  year,  when  he  started  out  to  m.ake 
his  own  way  in  the  world  b}-  learning  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  He  soon  abandoned  that  occupation, 
however,  and  engaged  to  work  on  the  Erie  Canal, 
beginning  as  driver  and  ending  as  a  Captain. 


August  27, 1843,  our  subject  and  Miss  Nancy  L. 
Hicks,  of  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  were  united 
in  marriage.  Mrs.  Bowen  was  born  in  the  above- 
named  coinity,  July  7,  1823,  and  was  the  daugiiter 
of  Barney  and  Jane  (I)ycknian)  Hicks.  Her  father 
was  a  sailor,  but  it  is  not  known  in  what  State  he 
was  born;  the  mother  was  a  native  of  New  York. 
The  maternal  uncle  of  Mrs.  Bowen,  Evert  B.  D.yck- 
man,  built  the  Dyckman  House  in  Paw  Paw.  After 
his  marriage,  our  subject  followed  tiie  canal  for  a 
twelvemonth,  and  in  the  spring  of  1845  came  to 
Michigan  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  2.5,  Arlington  Township.  There  thej'  re- 
mained for  about  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  they  moved  to  Pine  Grove  Township,  Van 
Buren  County,  where  Mr.  Bowen  was  engaged  in 
lumbering  for  Judge  Dyckman,  and  was  the  sec- 
ond voter  in  that  township. 

H.  Franklin  Bowen  remained  in  Pine  Grove 
Township  for  five  years,  having  in  the  meantime 
disposed  of  his  farm  in  Arlington  Township.  He 
then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  wild  land  three 
miles  east  of  Paw  Paw,  now  known  as  the  AVaite 
farm.  He  cleared  and  improved  sixty-jive  acres 
of  that  tract,  erecting  a  house  and  barn  on  the 
place,  and  made  it  his  home  for  about  six 
years.  He  then  sold  out  his  interests  and,  return- 
ing to  New  York,  located  at  Syracuse,  expecting 
to  make  that  his  permanent  home.  One  year  was 
enough  of  the  East,  however,  and  again  making 
Michigan  his  abiding  place,  Mr.  Bowen  purchased 
forty  acres  of  Land  in  Antwerp  Townshi|),  ujidn 
which  lie  remained  a  twelvemonth. 

In  1860,  our  subject  went  to  Lawton  and  opened 
up  a  grocery  and  meat-market,  in  which  he  en- 
gaged one  year.  He  then  returned  to  the  farm, 
which  he  carried  on  for  a  like  period,  and  in  186;') 
moved  to  South  Haven,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  livery  business.  For  three  years  he  ran  a  stage 
from  Lawrence  to  South  Haven,  carrying  the  mails. 
Then  disposing  of  his  liveiy  barn,  he  launched  out 
in  the  grocery  business,  operating  a  store  for  one 
and  one-half  years  and  later  trading  it  for  an  hotel 
in  South  Haven.  He  operated  as  "mine  host"  for 
two  years  and  a  half  and  then  traded  the  hotel 
for  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirt3--five 
acres,  which  is  his  present  home  and   on   to  wliicli 


874 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPmCAL  RECORD. 


be  moved  in  1872.  lie  remained  there  for  the  fol- 
lowing ten  ye.ii-#,  when  he  sold  lii,s  property  .and 
iKJught  sixty  acres  in  Paw  l':iw  Townsiiip.  upon 
which  he  lived  for  a  like  period  and  then  traded 
it  for  iiis  present  farm. 

Three  children  have  been  granted  .Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bowen:  Mertice  E..  who  was  born  in  ()nondai;a 
Countj-,  N.  Y.,  October  26,  1811,  married  Allen 
Ilarwick,  a  farmer  of  .\ntwerp  Township,  Van 
Buren  County  and  ha.s  three  children.  Ceoree  AV. 
was  born  in  Arlington  Town^^liiii,  Viiii  lUiren 
County,  June  25,  1846,  is  married,  has  one  child 
and  carries  on  a  farm  near  St.  Cloud,  Minn. 
Chauney  L.,  the  third  cliild,  was  born  October 
22,  1862;  he  married  Carrie  H.,  daughter  of  Kras- 
tus  and  .Jennie  (Pierson)  Cash,  wliose  sketch  ap- 
peal's elsewhere  in  this  work.  !Mrs.  Chauney  L. 
Bowen  was  born  in  I'mw  I'aw,  May  21,  1865,  .and 
has  borne  her  liusband  two  cliiidren :  Harry, who  was 
born  in  Paw  Paw,  Novcinlu'r  18,  1886,  and  liossic 
M.,  also  Ijorn  in  Paw  Paw,  December  27,  1887. 

Mr.  Bowen  in  early  life  w.as  a  AVliig  and  cast 
Ijis  tii-st  Presidential  vote  for  (ien.  Harrison.  He 
later,  however,  became  a  Dougl.as  Democrat,  and 
still  hitcr  a  (^ireenbacker  and  is  now  a  Prohiliition- 
i.'it.  I  n  Arlington  Township,  he  served  as  lligiiway 
Commissioner,  ami  while  in  Pine  tJrove  Town- 
ship w.as  elected  .lustice  of  the  Peace,  being  one  of 
the  lii-sl  two  elected  at  Lawton.  HehaslKen  Con- 
stable and  Marshal  of  .South  Haven  and  with  his 
wife  li.a.s  been  a  nu-mber  of  the  Free-will  l'.ai)tist 
Church  since  IK76.  in  wlii<'li  body  he  is  a  Deacon. 
He  is  ft  Ma.son  and  Imlils  ni<'nilicr>liip  ;it  l.:nvKiicc. 

> +^^^+'~+  / 


A  \M  M.  l;i:i;i;\.  ;i  retired  real  estate 
•lealer  of  K;ilaiiia/.oo,  and  one  of  the  well 
L/J  .iiiri  favorably  known  citizens  of  the  ciini- 
niuiiily,  elairtis  New  .lerscy  .as  the  .Stjite  of 
lii.H  nnlivity.  He  w.-i.h  born  .M.arcii  12.  IS2(),  in 
Morris  County,  and  is  a  son  of  Martin  S.  ISerry 
who  wft-M  born  in  New  .Jersey  in  I7kh.  He  followed 
fnru)in^  Ihronglioul  liiH  life  and  died  in  1826.  The 
paternal  grandfather,  .Samuel  Merry,  was  of  Hol- 
land deH<'ent,alMiul  livi'  u'enerfition--  reinole.and  the 


family  for  long  years  had  resided  upon  one  farm. 
The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Sophia  Terliune.  was  born  .Tune  1 1.  17SS,  in  ?\'ew 
.Jersey  and  her  father,  Albert  Terlnine,  was  also  of 
Holland  lineage.  After  the  death  of  her  husband, 
she  removed  with  her  family  to  Xew  York  in  1837, 
Iticating  in  Orleans  County  upon  a  farm,  where 
her  death  occurred  February  1,  1838.  The  famil}- 
numbered  seven  children,  six  of  wlioni,  three  sons 
and  three  daughters,  grew  to  mature  years. 

Mr.  lierry,  whose  name  heads  this   record,    was  j 

the  sixth  in  order  of  birtli.  His  educational  ad- 
v.ant.ages  were  limited,  being  only  those  afforded  by 
the  common  schools.  His  nn)tlicrand  older  l)rother 
died  within  six  weeks  of  each  other  and  the  care 
of  the  family  then  devolve<l  upon  him.  lie  oper- 
ated the  farm  of  two  hundred  and  lifty  acres,  con- 
tinuing its  cultivation  unlit  1850,  when  h<'  renuived 
to  the  village  of   Lindenwell,  aliout  two  and  a  iialf  I 

miles  fiom  the  farm.     He  there  made  Ins  home  un-  I 

til  1S57,  when  he  d(>termincd  to  try  his  fortune  in 
tiie  West,  and  the  young  but  rapidly  growing  city 
of  Chicago  was  chosen  as  a  faxorable  location. 
There  he  resided  for  live  years,  devoting  his  time 
and  energies  to  the  real-estate  business  and  money 
loaning.  AVe  next  (ind  him  a  resident  of  Joliet, 
111.,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  the  spring 
of  1865,  when  he  made  a  visit  to  tiie  old  home  in 
the  East.  It  w.as  a  pleasant  trij),  spent  in  visiting 
the  scenes  of  his  childhood  and  renewing  acquaint- 
ance with  many  old  friends. 

In  1859,  Mr.  Berry  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mi.ss  Sarah  McKcnnan,  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State,  born  in  Riehlield  Springs,  and  a  daughter  of 
Ezekiel  McEennan.  Into  them  have  been  born 
six  children,  three  sons  .and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  Charles  A.  .aiul  Artliiu'  II.  are  the  only  sur- 
vivors, the  latter  being  yet  a  student.  Tiie  family 
attend  the  Presbyterian  Chureh,  of  which  the 
mother  and  her  son  Arthur  are  members.  Mr. 
Berry,  although  not  a  member,  is  a  liberal  con- 
tributor to  the  chureh  and  to  ;ill  other  interests 
c:ilenlati>d  to  benelit  or  upbuild  the  comniimity. 
The  son  Ch.arles,  who  w.as  boiii  in  IK()(l,die(l  in 
1885.  when  a  young  man  of  I  vMiily-foiir  years. 
At  the  time  of  his  deatli  he  was  in  Ilie  employ  of 
Hurnham  A:  Koot, of  Chicago. 


I'ORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


875 


Mr.  Berry  returned  to  the  West  in  tlie  .s|)rinij;  (jf 
18()(),  and  tliLs  time  cliose  K.ilani.azoo  as  tlie  scene 
of  his  future  lalujrs.  For  some  time  he  was  en- 
gaged in  loaning  money  and  the  real-estate  Inisi- 
ness  but  is  now  living  a  retired  life,  having  by  his 
lal)or  in  former  years  ac(juired  a  competency'  wliich 
now  enal)h's  him  to  la)'  .aside  all  business  cares.  In 
187(1,  he  built  his  line  residence  at  No.  416  South 
West  Street.  lie  also  owns  a  three-story  brick 
block  whieli  he  erected  in  1880,  together  with  a 
good  farm  of  forty  acres  well  improved.  His  suc- 
cess in  business  is  due  to  his  own  enteri)rise,  in- 
dustry and  good  management  and  is  therefore  well 
deserved. 


*^^^l@'©@!^l^ 


'il^'RANK  C.  JIYERS,  M.  D.,  of  Kalamazoo,  is 
"'  one    of    the    native-born    citizens    of    this 


State,  who  have  contributed  their  enter- 
prise and  business  sagacity  as  well  as  professional 
skill  to  improve  the  mor.al,  educational  and  religi- 
ous status  of  mankind  and  to  alleviate  the  ills  to 
which  humanity  is  heir.  His  otlice  is  conveniently 
located  in  the  Chase  Block  and  consists  of  a  pleas- 
ant suite  of  rooms,  well  equii)ped  with  tiie  various 
ai)plianccs  of  the  healing  art. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  Rev.  W.  H.  II. 
]\Iycrs,  a  pioneer  minister  of  Van  liuren  County, 
who  settled  in  Bloomingdale  Township  as  a  mis- 
sionary and  preached  in  the  first  church  erected  in 
I'aw  Paw.  His  death  occurred  soon  after  the  close 
of  the  Civil  War;  his  widow,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Betsey  Herron,  still  lives  in  Gobleville,  and  at 
an  advanced  age  retains  full  possession  of  her  men- 
tal faculties. 

In  Bloomingdale  Township,  Van  Buren  County, 
our  subject  was  liorn  April  29,  18.'')6.  He  is  the 
si.\th  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  survive — 
all  sons — the  most  of  them  residing  in  Gobleville. 
On  the  homestead  of  his  father,  Frank  C.  was 
reared  to  manhood,  meanwhile  attending  the  High 
School  in  Gobleville  and  assisting  in  the  farm  work 
during  the  summer  season.  Having  resolved  upon 
undertaking  a  professional  carcei',  he  read  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  A.  K.  Bulson,  of  Gobleville,  and  in 
187'.>,  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  State 


I'niversity  at  Ann  Arbor,  graduating  with  the 
C'l.ass  of  '8:i.  Since  tiiat  time  he  has  taken  a  cleri- 
cal course  at  llu!  Chicago  Polytechnic  by  his 
own  efforts — in  other  words,  he  worked  his  way 
tiirough,  paying  all  tli('  expenses  of  his  education 
himself,  with  the  e.\ce|ition  of  $250  received  as  his 
share  of  the  estate. 

liesides  the  regular  studies  of  the  course,  the 
young  Doctor  devoted  special  attention  to  elec- 
tricity and  ui)on  receiving  his  diploma,  located,  in 
1883,  near  Ludington,  a  little  town  on  the  Flint 
and  Pere  Marquette  Kailroud,  going  thence  to 
Oshtemo  and  later  to  (J rand  Rapids.  He  returned 
from  that  city  to  Oshtemo,  where  he  remained  six 
years,  or  until  the  fall  of  188«,  when  he  located  in 
Kalamazoo.  He  hiis  established  an  extensive  and 
lucrative  practice,  the  demands  of  which  are  con- 
stantly increasing,  .and  in  addition  he  retains  many 
of  his  former  patients  in  Oshtemo. 

April  20,  1887,  the  Doctor  was  married  in  Osh- 
temo to  Miss  Emma,  daughter  of  W.  C.  and  Mary 
(Kenipsey)  Wilde,  of  Oshtemo,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  two  children:  I  Jessie  and  Rheta.  Mrs. 
Myers  is  a  lady  of  sui)erior  education  and  for 
about  four  years  followed  the  profession  of  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools.  She  isalso  a  musician 
of  great  skill  and  unusual  abilit}',  and  has  taught 
music.  Religiousl}',  the  memberslii|)  of  the  family 
is  in  the  Ba[)tist  Church.  IJoth  the  Doctorand  his 
wife  have  taken  the  Chautauqua  literary  and  scien- 
tific course,  in  which  they  are  graduates.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Re(iublican,  and  interested  in  all 
public  measures  for  the  welfare  of  the  citizens  of 
Kalamazoo. 


EDWIN  W.  DeYOE.     In  all    the    cities,    we 
find  citizens  whose  business  precepts  teach 
i  a  conservatism  which  is  too  often  a  clog  to 

progress,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  we  meet  with  gen 
tlemen  whose  energies  and  abilities  are  directed  not 
only  to  the  accumulation  of  individual  wealth,  but 
also  to  the  development  of  the  city's  resources,  tJie 
welfare  of  its  citizens  and  the  furtherance  of  its 
interests.     Among  the  latter  class  in    the   city    of 


876 


PORTRAIT  A]S'D  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Kalamazoo,  prominent  mention  belongs  to  Mr. 
DeYoe,  who  has  for  many  years  been  suecessf ull3' 
enjragetl  in  the  real-estate,  loan,  insurance,  claims 
and  collection  business. 

Bom  at  Waterloo,  .Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb- 
ruary 2.  183.5,  oui  subject  is  the  son  of  William 
ami  Hetta  (Clute)  ])eY(,>e.  His  father  was  born 
in  B.ilston.  .Saratoga  Count w  N.  Y..  in  ll'.H),  of 
Huguenot  ancestry,  and  his  motiicr  was  born  in 
Waterford,  Saratoga  C\>unty,  tlie  same  State,  iu 
1799,  being  a  descendant  of  good  old  Knickcr- 
l)ocker  ancestoi-s.  Orandfatlicr  Oradus  Chile,  in 
comi)any  witli  .Stephen  ^'an Rensselaer,  organized 
and  conducted  successfully  the  fii-stbank  in  Alliany, 
and  was  also  an  extensive  landowner. 

Tlie  paternal  graiidfatlier  of  our  subject,  Isr;u'l 
DeYoe,  resided  for  many  years  in  Ulster  County, 
X.  Y.,  and  was  prominently  connected  with  the 
Dutcii  Reformed  Church.  His  wife,  Ruth  Hall, 
was  burn  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  came  of  Pur- 
itan stock.  It  will  thus  be  seen  tliat  the  blood  of 
wortliy  and  patriotic  ancestors  tlows  in  the  veins 
of  Edwin  W.  DeYoe,  whose  life  has  liecn  such  as 
to  reflect  and  add  lustre  on  the  lionf)red  name  he 
l)ears  and  who  iniierits  from  liis  forefathers  qual- 
ities of  thrift, pei-severance  and  integrity. 

After  attending  the  common  sciiools  of  his 
native  town,  our  subject  entered  Waterloo  -Aca- 
demy, where  his  education  was  still  fiirlhci'  ad- 
vanced. I'pon  slartingout  to  earn  his  own  living 
in  IHlit,  lie  l)ecami'  salesman  in  a  wliolusale  and  re- 
lad  confectionery  cstablisliiMcnl.  Iml  in  the  foUow- 
ing  year  lie  rc-enlered  the  academy,  where  lie  |nii- 
sued  his  preparatory  course  for  lioliert  College, 
and  two  years  later  became  a  student  in  the  (ien- 
eva  Orammar  SeJKiol.  In  the  spring  of  IHC.'J,  he 
followed  the  '-Stjir  of  Empire"  as  fiir  West  .-is  Kal- 
amazoo, arriving  here  .June  1,  and  on  the  s.une 
day  entered  the  I'niled  States  s(m- vice  as  Deputy- 
Poslmaster  under  Ins  brother,  William  II.,  llic 
I*ostma.sler. 

I'lxni  his  retirement  from  the  ollicc,  .\pril  1, 
IHCI,  Mr.  DeYoe  established  himself  in  business 
nsftgcneral  real-cstale,  claim.s,  collecting  and  in- 
!«iirnnce  agent,  in  which  lie  has  become  widely  and 
hoiioriibly  known.  While  giving  to  lii.^  business 
hi.i  (^lom!  alien  lion,  he  iieverllnilesM    takes   consid- 


erable interest  in  public  afifairs  and  is  a  stanch  ad- 
herent of  the  jirinciples  of  the  Democrat  [larty. 
His  fellow-citizens  have  called  hiin  to  many  ollices 
and  he  has  invarialily  served  with  elliciency  .and  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all. 

In  1861  and  1861),  Mr.  DeYoe  w.as  Township 
Clerk;  in  1870,  Village  Clerk;  in  1878,  Trustee 
and  Chairman  of  Committees  on  Finance  and 
(^laiins;  in  1883,  President  of  the  village;  in  18iS"i, 
flavor  of  the  city.  This  was  a  town  of  Repub- 
lican politics  by  a  large  raajorit}',  and  he  was  the 
favorite  noiniiiec  of  his  party-the  Democratic- 
aiid  though  often  beaten,  defeat  never  diminished 
his  )iopularity  or  hurl  his  feelings,  lie  was  de- 
feated for  the  Legishituie,  both  for  Rei)reseiitalive 
and  Senator,  although  lie  made  a  close  run  each 
time,  fighting  the  political  battle  of  the  campaign 
against  suppihuman  effort  and  odds,  including 
barrels  of  money.  "Kd,"  as  he  is  familiarly 
called  by  his  friends,  is  in  constant  demand  in 
social  circles  and  has  joined  all  the  .secret  orders 
except  t'le  Ku-klux  and  Sons  of  Malta. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  DeYoe  to  Miss  Harriet  P. 
Freeman  occurred  at  Grace  Epi.scopal  Cliurcli. 
Sandusky  City,  Ohio,  .lanuary  ',),  1862.  Mrs. 
DeYoe  is  the  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  L.  V, 
Freeman,  former  rector  of  St.  Luke's  and  St.  .lolin's 
Churches,  Kalamazoo.  Two  children  have  been 
born  of  this  union,  a  daughter,  Lillian  (i.,  and  a 
.son,  AVilliain  M.,  the  latter  being  a  iiarlner  in  bus- 
iness with  his  father.  i\Ir.  DeYoe  is  a  llioroiigh 
believer  in  the  doctrine  of  the  .Viiostolic  Succession, 
is, -in  active  member  of  St.  Luke's  Kpiscojial  Church, 
and  was  for  about  twenty  years  a  Warden  and 
\'cslryiii:ni  (it  Ihc  old  SI.  .lohii's  C'liurcli.  of  Kal- 
amazoo. 


'^/OX.\l'll.\X  KLI.IAII  (IdULK,  who  is  en- 
gaged tn  general  laiiniiig  and  slocU-inising 
on  section  31,  Decatur  Township,  is  a  rep- 
resenlalive  of  one  of  the  honored  pioneer 
families  of  \';iii  P.iireii  County.  In  fact,  hisgrand- 
f.'ilhcr,  Klijiili  (Jolilc,  was  the  (li'sl  while  man,nsf;ii- 
as  is  known,  to  set  fool  on  \':iii  r>iiren  Coun(\ 
soil.      lie  w;is  liorn  eiulil   iiiilrs  nurlli  of  the  city  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


877 


C'iiRMiiiiiili,  in  the  year  1805,  .and  was  of  Holland 
linoajje,  his  (larents,  natives  of  Holland,  having 
emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  last  centnry,  locat- 
ing in  Morristowu,  N.  J.,  from  whence  they  re- 
moved to  Oiiio,  in  1801.  With  their  famil}-,  they 
removcil  to  Preble  County,  that  State,  in  18 18,  and 
two  years  later  became  residents  of  Franklin 
County,  Ind.,  where  Elijah  (loble  remained  until 
his  emigration  to  the  Territory  of  Michigan  in 
1828.  Accompanied  by  Jonathan  Goble,  he  made 
a  tour  of  inspection  over  the  State.  In  the  spring 
of  1829,  he  returned  and  made  a  location  on  Lit- 
tle Prairie  Roude.  Tiie  entire  county  was  then 
an  unlMoken  wilderness,  but  the  same  year  several 
other  families  moved  to  this  locality,  .and  our  pio- 
neer was  not  long  left  alone.  In  September,  1834, 
he  married  Eliza  Tittle,  who  died  several  years  ago. 
Mr.  Goble  kept  a  hotel  at  Charleston  for  twenty 
years  and  did  a  good  business,  for  Charleston  was 
a  stage  station  during  half  of  that  i)eriod.  He  is 
still  living,  his  home  being  in  Lawrence  Township, 
and  many  thrilling  and  interesting  incidents  can 
he  relate  of  the  pioneer  days  of  Van  Buren  County, 
when  the  Indians  were  far  more  numerous  than 
the  white  settlers,  and  wild  animals  made  it  often 
unsafe  to  venture  forth. 

Isaac  Goble,  father  of  our  subject,  and  a  son  of 
this  honored  pioneer,  was  born  in  Charleston, 
Cass  County,  Mich.,  and  amid  the  wild  scenes  of 
frontier  life  was  reared  to  manhood.  When  a 
young  man,  he  engaged  in  teaching  penmanship, 
but  made  farming  his  principal  occupation  through 
life.  He  married  his  cousin,  Elizabeth  A.  Goble, 
who  still  survives  him,  and  is  residing  in  Decatur. 
His  death  occurred  in  1861. 

Our  subject  was  the  only  child  born  unto  this 
worthy  couple.  He  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the 
light  of  daj'  on  his  father's  farm,  December  1 1, 
1859,  and  in  the  usual  manner  of  farmer  lads,  the 
days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed.  He 
began  his  education  in  the  common  district  school, 
and  completed  it  by  his  graduation  from  Shaws 
School,  in  Decatur  Township.  Until  twenty-eight 
years  of  age,  he  aided  in  the  operation  of  his  fath- 
er's farm  and  engaged  in  running  a  threshing 
machine.  He  now  owns  a  fine  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  all  of  wiiicli  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 


tion and  highly  improved,  the  well-tilled  fields 
giving  evidence  of  tiie  suiiervision  of  a  careful 
manager  who  thoroughly  understands  his  bu.sines 
in  all  its  <letails. 

On  Christmas  Day  of  1888,  Mr.  (Jobleled  to  the 
marriage  .altar  Miss  Gladys  Zimmerman,  daughter 
of  John  Zimmerman,  and  a  native  of  Cass  County, 
Mich.  She  wasboiii  iji  1807,  and  after  a  short 
wedded  life  of  about  three  months,  died  on  the 
25th  of  Jlarch,  1889.  llcr  icuiains  were  laid  to 
rest  m  the  cemetery  at  Charleston.  Mr.  Goble  is  a 
wide-awake  and  iudusti'ious  young  farmer  of  good 
business  ability,  and  is  making  his  life  a  successful 
one.  He  has  ti'aveled  considerably',  especially  in 
the  West.  This  h.as  had  its  part  in  m.akinghim  the 
interesting  coinp.anion  and  agreeable  conversation- 
alist that  he  is  known  to  be. 


/^EORGE  REESE.  A  life  well  spent  and  du- 
jll  (=p  ties  well  performed  deserve  a  serene  and 
^^1  happy  recess  in  the  afternoon  of  life,  pre- 
paratory to  the  greater  activity  to  begin  in  the 
other  dawning.  Our  subject  h.as  retired  from  the 
active  labor  of  life,  having  for  years  been  a  suc- 
cessful business  man  in  Kalamazoo.  He  has  a 
beautiful  home  at  No.  430  E.  South  Street,  wherfe 
he  is  enjoying  to  the  full  the  results  of  his  early 
economy  and  industry. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  western 
Oneida  County,  X.  Y.,  October  23,  1814,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Wagner)  Reese,  na- 
tives of  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.  The  mater- 
nal grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  as  w.as  also  his  paternal  grandfather. 
George  Reese  remained  in  his  native  count}'  until 
reaching  his  twentieth  year,  when  he  went  to  On- 
ondaga County,  and  near  Syracuse  was  employed 
on  a  farm  for  about  three  j'ears. 

When  twenty-three  years  of  .age,  our  subject  and 
j\liss  Eve  Hort  were  united  in  marriage.  Mrs. 
Reese  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  and 
after  marriage  resided  with  her  husband  on  a  farm 
in  Onondaga  County  which  was  her  property. 
They  continued  to  make  that  their  abiding-place 
until  lS51.wlii'ii    tliry    came    west  to  Kalamazoo, 


878 


PORTR.VIT  AJfD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


where  Mr.  Reese  engaged  in  the  livery  business. 
After  being  thus  engaged  for  tliree  \eai-s,  he  sold 
out  and  opened  up  a  restaurant  which  he  con- 
ducted for  two  years.  He  later  engaged  to  work 
in  a  livery  stable  by  the  month,  and  was  so  eni- 
ployi'd  two  yeai-s,  when  he  rented  tlie  barn  and  es- 
tablished a  feed  business.  lie  suffered  the  loss 
of  his  barn  by  fire  two  yeai-s  later,  losing  all  his 
earthly  possessions. 

Mr.  Reese  entered  inlu  partnersliip  with  Albert 
Boardman  in  the  hack  and  'bus  business.  They  op- 
erated together  for  fifteen  or  sixteen  years.  .Vt  the 
end  of  that  time,  oursiil)jeet  i)urchascd  the  interest 
of  his  partner  and  continued  alone  until  JIarch, 
1890,  when  lie  sold  the  '-line"  in  wliich  lie  had  in- 
vested *6,.')00.  .Since  then  he  has  erected  the 
Reese  Terrace  on  Pitcher  Street.  It  includes  four  de- 
partments, and  cost  ^'.j.OOO.  Ills  residence  is  loca- 
ted at  the  corner  of  Pitcher  and  South  Streets  and 
is  furnished  tliroughoiit  in  a  comfortable   manuei. 

Mrs.  Reese  died  .lanuaiv  11,  I8H8.  Their  family 
consistefl  of  Margaret,  who  married  Albert  Hoard- 
man  and  is  now  deceased ;  Nancy  C.  is  living  at  home 
with  her  father.  In  politics,  our  subject  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  has  held  the  position  of  Alderman.  He 
was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  two  broth- 
ers and  two  sisters  of  whom  are  living,  liut  Jlr. 
Reese  is  the  only  one  who  makes  his  home  in  Kal- 
amazoo. .\daiii  Keese,  his  brother,  .accompanied 
him  on  his  removal  to  this  place,  but  died  a  few 
veal's  later.  Mr.  Kc('S(!  is  a  well-|)reserved  old 
gentleman  .-iiid  takes  life  easy,  having  a  good 
income. 


St  KANDKIi  slMMdNS,  a  f:iriiier  and  slock- 
I  p  laixT,  ic.-iding  on  section  IJ,  Pine  drove 
, i  _\^  Township,  \'an  IWiren  County,  is  a  son  of 
Isaac  and  Mary  (Bccnian)  Simmons,  natives  of 
New  .Icrsey  .Miid  Canad.'i,  respectively.  The  father 
removed  toCiinadu  when  a  young  ni:in,  and  was 
there  married.  In  llic  full  <if  IK  12,  he  came  to  Mich- 
igan and  •K'tllcd  in  (Jun  i'lnins  Township,  nnd,  af- 
t<'r  remaining  there  a  short  time,  removed  to  Cooper 
Townshiji,  Kalamazoo  County,  and  settled  on  one 


hundred  and  sixtj'-six  acres  of  partly  improved 
land.  The  father  met  his  death  in  a  tornado,  April 
6.  1882,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  The  good  mother, 
at  the  .age  of  seventy-seven  years,  still  lives  on  the 
homestead,  which  is  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the 
county.  t)f  lior  three  children,  two  are  now  living. 
.She  is  a  memlier  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
in  wliich  her  luisband  had  served  as  Steward  and 
Class-leader. 

Our  subject  is  the  first-born  of  the  family,  hav- 
ing had  his  birth  .lanuaiv  2\K  1810,  in  Canada, com- 
ing to  ^lichigan  when  an  infant.  He  received  a 
good  (listricl-.school  education,  and  remained  at 
home  until  reaching  his  majority.  He  has  alwa3's 
carried  on  fanning,  and  in  April  27,  186.3,  came  to 
this  county'  and  located  on  his  present  farm.  It 
was  then  a  dense  forest,  niid  no  roads  opened  to 
his  place.  He  erected  a  little  board  shanty,  and 
was  a  bachelor  for  several  yeai-s.  For  six  long 
weeks  he  never  saw  a  liimi;ni  being.  The  woods 
were  infested  with  wild  MiiiiiKils  of  n\\  kind,  nnd 
Inilians  were  i)leiitiful. 

October  27,  186G,  is  the  date  on  wliieli  Leaiider 
Simmons  look  as  his  life  conipanion  .Miss  Margaret 
Ilazen,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  ((iillierl) 
Ilazen,  natives  of  New  .lersey  and  C:ui;\d:i,  resjiec- 
tively.  The  parents  were  married  in  the  latter 
plact',  and  lived  there  the  remainder  of  their  d.ays, 
she  dying  in  1851,  and  he  in  l.S,")7.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  six  now  living.  Mrs.  Sim- 
mons w'as  born  .laniiary  28,  1811,  in  Caii:id:i,  and 
received  a  district-school  education  there. 

Mr.  Siiiinions  has  three  Imiidred  and  eight  acres 
in  this  townslii|),  and  sixty-four  in  Cooper  Town- 
ship, Kalamazoo  County,  lie  li.'is  cleared  one  lniii- 
dred  and  sixty,  stiini|)ed.  stoned  and  fenced  it,  and 
erected  his  handsoinc  residence  in  1887.  at  a  cost 
of  !?3,200.  The  place  is  also  iiiloiiied  with  sub 
stanti.nl  and  neat  oiithiiiliiings.  lie  carries  on 
mixed  farming,  and  hiis  interested  liiinself  in  the 
raising  of  S|)anish  .Meiiim  sheep.  1  le  liiis  some  line 
specimens  now  among  his  one  hniidied  and  seventy- 
live  head,  and  bears  ;i  good  repiit.'iVion  lor  fine  sheep. 
In  horses  he  has  some  line  n>;idsteis  of  the  Wilkes 
and  Noble  f.'imilies.  The  cattle  :ii-e  of  the  Ked- 
jiolled  and  Devonshire  lirceds. 

Our  suliiect   nnd   lii.s  csliniaMi'  wife   have    hail 


/^./^..^^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


881 


horn  to  tlicm  four  children:  Elij;y,  Arthur,  Elmer 
and  Mary.  The  two  oldest  ones  are  students  at 
Parsons'  Business  College  at  Kalamazoo.  The  oth- 
ers are  attending  the  district  school  here.  Mr. 
Simmons  has  lieen  a  member  of  the  School  lioard 
nearl>-  all  the  time  he  has  lived  here,  and  in  i)oli- 
tics  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  has  served  as  High- 
way Commissioner  and  Township  School  Inspector. 
He  has  been  a  candidate  for  Supervisor  repeatedly, 
but  as  there  was  a  Democratic  majority  in  the 
township,  he  was  never  elected.  The  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Simmons,  Col.  Isaac  Gilbert,  of  the  British 
army,  who  was  stationed  in  Norfolk  County, 
Canada,  was  connected  with  military  affairs 
for  over  forty  years,  and  was  one  of  the  finest  drill 
masters  in  the  British  army.  He  served  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years, 
leaving  a  widow  and  five  children.  The  pater- 
nal grandfather,  Beemer  Simmons,  died  at  Lundy's 
Lane  in  the  "War  of  1812.  Our  subject's  father 
walked  one  day  from  7  a.  m.  to  5  p.  Ji.,  a  distance 
of  seventy-five  miles,  by  the  Queen's  survey.  Next 
day  he  was  feeling  as  well  as  ever.  He  was  a  very 
powerful  man  phj'sieally.  The  maternal  great- 
grandfather was  William  Gilbert,  his  wife  being 
Mary  (Rowland)  Gilbert,  both  natives  of  P^ugland, 
who  emigrated  to  Nova  Scotia,  then  Lower  Canada, 
and  their  remains  lie  buried  there.  The  grand- 
mother's people  were  from  Germany. 


URIHLL  A.  OLNEY.  For  the  following 
^,  genealogy  of  the  Olney  family  we  are  in- 
ll'  debted  to  James  II.  Olney,  of  Providence, 
R.  I.  From  what  has  been  gathered  across 
the  seas,  it  appears  that  the  name  has  a  Saxon  ori- 
gin. It  was  in  existence  very  early  in  the  ninth 
century,  and  was  probably  derived  from  the  local 
surroundings  of  the  place  where  the  family  lived. 
By  others  it  is  claimed  that  the  first  bearing  the 
name  was  Rogerus,  or  Richard,  DeOlney,  who  came 
from  Normandy  with  William  the  Conqueror,  in 
1066,  and  after  the  conquest  of  England,  with  a 
number  of  others,  became  permanent  occupants  of 
the  soil.  The  name  appears  in  the  Doomsdaj'  Book, 
which  describes  the  apportionment  of  land  to  the 


followers  of  the  Conqueror.  To  sonu;  future  anti- 
quarian is  left  the  laluM-  of  deciding  to  a  certainly 
the  true  origin,  the  family  meanwhile  being  content 
to  be  descended  from  the  sturdy  stock  of  old 
England,  whether  it  be  Saxon,  Norman,  or  both. 

The  first  representative  of  the  family  in  America 
was  Thomas  Olney,  who  was  born  in  Hertford, 
Hertfordshire,  England,  a  city  that  formed  part  of 
the  parish  of  St.  All)ans,  the  seat  of  one  of  tlie 
most  ancient  monasteries  and  long  celebrated  in 
English  history  as  the  center  of  spiritual  influence. 
Of  his  earl}'  life  nothing  is  known.  Me  received 
a  permit  to  emigrate  to  New  England,  April  2, 
163.5,  and  came  to  Salem,  Mass.,  in  the  ship 
"Planter."  He  was  appointed  a  surveyor  in  Janu- 
ary, 1636,  and  granted  forty  acres  of  land  at  Jef- 
ferey  Creek,  now  known  as  Manchester,  near  Salem. 
During  the  same  year,  he  was  made  a  freeman  and 
early  associated  with  those  who  accepted  the  pecu- 
liar views  of  Roger  Williams.  With  a  numl)er  of 
others,  he  was  excluded  from  the  colony  Jlarcli  12, 
1638. 

However,  prior  to  that  event,  Mr.  Olney,  with 
others,  visited  Narragansett  Bay,  seeking  some 
place  where  they  might  live  outside  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  and  had  decided 
upon  the  west  side  of  the  Seekouk  river.  Accord- 
ingly with  eleven  others,  a  new  settlement  wa,s 
formed  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  which  they  named 
Providence,  in  remembrance  of  their  deliverance 
from  their  enemies.  They  thus  became  the  thirteen 
original  proprietors  of  Providence,  having  pur- 
chased their  rights  from  the  Indians  in  July,  1639. 
His  prominence  in  the  colony  is  shown  by  the 
various  duties  he  was  called  upon  to  perforin.  In 
1638,  he  was  chosen  the  first  Treasurer;  in  1617,  was 
made  Commissioner  to  form  a  town  government; 
the  following  year  was  apiiointed  Assistant  for 
Providence  and  held  that  oflfice  almost  continuously 
until  1663.  In  1655,  with  Roger  Williams  and 
Thomas  Harris,  he  was  chosen  Judge  of  the  Jus- 
tice's Court,  and  in  the  ensuing  year  was  ai)i)ointcd 
to  treat  with  Massachusetts  Bay  about  the  Paw- 
tuxct  lands.  In  1663,  his  name  appears  among  the 
grantees  of  the  Koyal  Charter  of  Charles  H,  and 
in  the  same  year  he  was  chosen  Assistant  under  tlie 
new  charter. 


882 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArfflCAL  RECORD. 


The  next  in  order  was  Ejieuetus,  wbo  wfis  born 
in  England  in  1634,  and  was,  probably  le^s  than 
one  year  old  when  brouirlit  lo  tliis  country.  He 
uiarricd  Mary,  daughter  of  -loliu  Whipiile,  Mareh 
;•,  1G66,  and  died  June  3,  lGit«.  Though  not  so 
prominent  in  )iul>li(.-  matters  as  iiis  ulder  brother, 
yet  we  liud  him  an  active  member  of  the  little 
colony,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  administration 
of  its  affaii-s,  and  serving  as  a  member  of  the  Col- 
onial Assembly  and  of  the  Town  Council. 

John,  the  next  in  line  of  descent,  was  born  in 
1G78,  and  married  Rachel  Cogge.<lialI.  August  11, 
Ui99.  His  home  was  in  Smitlilield,  R.  I.,  where  he 
died  November  9, 1754.  Following  John,  was  Ne- 
debiah,  l)orn  Februarv  10.  1714.  He  married  Nan- 
cv  or  Marcy  Davis,  and  moved  to  New  Ymk 
State  about  1760  or  17(!2.  Of  liis  eliildicn  Inil  little 
has  been  learned,  althougii  it  appears  there  was  a 
large  family. 

The  next  in  order  was  Nedcbiah.  who  was  born 
about  1746,  married  Susan  Brown,  and  died  in 
1829.  With  his  fatiier,  he  went  to  New  York  State 
as  earl^' as  1762  or  1763.  With  forty  others,  he 
w:u<  captured  by  the  Indians,  carried  to  the  l>order 
of  tlic  Ohio  River,  and  subjected  to  every  torture 
from  their  inhuman  captors,  such  as  running  tlie 
gauntlet,  etc.  From  tlieirsufferingsall  perished,  ex- 
cept young  Olney  and  one  other,  and  they  were 
adopted  hy  the  Chief's  wife.  After  several  yeai-s' 
c.aplivity,  tiiey  made  their  escape  and  found  tiieir 
way  ba<'k  llirough  the  wilderness  to  their  iionies. 
While  among  the  I  ndians,  Nedebiah  Olney  nctjuircd 
what  was  then  callecl  the  ''black  art"  and  in  after 
yoai-s  he  f)CCJUsioiially  gave  specimens  of  the  science, 
lo  the  great  wonder  and  amu.scincnt  of  his  friends. 

The  lineage  is  traced  next  to  Davis,  who  was 
iMirii  Decemiicr  7,  1777,  and  married  Olive  Kowe, 
Decfinlier  31,  |H(»(;.  His  home  was  in  New  ^'ork 
Slate,  and  he  ilie<l  Oclolier  1  I,  IHdH.  Following 
hint  is  the  subject  of  Ihis  sket<'h,  Hnrrill  A.,  who 
wan  lM)rii  Februarv  11^,  IHl  2,  m.-inicd  l'',l\'ir:i  K\\. 
.Xuu'U.Ht  2,  1«27,  and  died  August  26,  IHHK.  lie 
resided  in  Hartford,  Mich.,  and  was  extensively 
cnf<iiged  in  the  IutiiIh-i'  trade,  front  which  he  ac- 
tpiired  an  ample  fortune.  He  was  born  in  the 
Township  of  Rutland,  .lelTersoii  Couiily,  N.  Y.,  and 
made  IiIn  home  with  his  parenl.s  during  his  youth. 


By  working  out  and  saving  what  he  earned,  at  the 

age  of  twenty-four,  he  liatt  lioughl  and  paid  for 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section 
33,  in  the  township  of  Hartford,  this  Slate,  at  the 
Government  price  of  *1.25  per  acre. 

At  that  time  there  was  no  township  of  Hartford, 
the  territory  of  Keeler  and  Hartford  not  having 
been  divided  and  all  lieing  known  as  Keeler.  When 
the  division  was  made,  the  naming  of  the  new  town- 
ship was  left  to  one  Ferdino  Olds,  who  called  it 
Hartland,  but  that  name  was  rejected  on  account 
of  another  township  of  the  same  name  in  the 
State.  As  a  coin()roinise,  Mr.  Olnc}'  gave  the 
township  the  present  name  of  Hartford.  He  had 
trusted  the  locating  of  his  land  to  others  and  did 
not  kiu)w  the  nature  of  the  property  until  he  came 
West  to  inycstigatc  it.  He  arrived  March  14,  1837, 
in  company  with  James  Spinnings  and  Thomas 
Conklin,  but  fortune  seemed  inclined  his  way,  when 
he  found  his  land  in  the  midst  of  a  dense  wilder- 
ness, and  it  proved  to  he  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  Southern  Michigan's  best  soil. 

Willi  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Spinnings,  our  snb- 
jei't  built  a  log  shanty,  choi)|)ed,  cleared  and 
l)lanted  with  corn  and  iiotatoes  six  acres,  by  June 
1.  He  returned  lo  the  Finpirc  Slate  in  the  nionlh 
of  Juneand  remained  until  his  marriage  in  .Vugnst, 
when  he  broughti  his  bride  to  their  future  home, 
arriving  in  September.  The  lirsl  year  they  lived 
in  a  log  shanty  covered  with  a  bark  roof,  doing 
the  cooking  without  a  stove  and  enduring  all  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life.  Their  linances  had 
been  depleted  l)y  their  Westward  journey,  until 
Mr.  Olney  had  only  *'1.2.'')  and  his  wife  about  *7, 
which,  with  a  little  credit,  secured  the  liisl  cow. 
The  farming  was  doiuUiy  hand  laboi-  until  l,S3.S, 
when  a  pair  of  oxen  was   purchased. 

I  )uring  much  of  the  lirst  summer  here,  .Mr.  ( )liiey, 
with  .Mr.  Spinnings,  worked  out  in  Little  I'raiiic 
Konile.  twenty  miles  distant,  leaving  Mrs.  Olney 
.'iloiii'  in  IIh'  liltlc  (•.•iliiii  ill  till'  woods,  and  toiler 
bravery,  economy  and  eiiti'iprise,  much  of  their 
success  was  due.  .\l  night  wolves  would  howl 
aliuiil  llii'  liiinsc  :ind  ilniiiiu  llie  d;iy  nuiiieroiis 
linliaiis,  of  the  I'olta watomie  trilu',  would  come  to 
the  windows  and  look  in,  but  they  wcii'  friendly 
;ind    were    never   Unown    to  comniil    .iiiy  dcpreda- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


883 


tions.  It  required  the  efforts  of  men  and  women 
of  no  small  energy  to  go  into  such  a  country  and 
brave  the  privations  of  pioneer  life. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olney  became  the  parents  of  five 
children,  namely:  Davis,  who  resides  at  Luding- 
ton,  Mich.;  Luman  D.,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years;  Lodema  O.,  wife  of  D.  W.  Gooden- 
ough,  of  Ludington;  Horace  M.,  of  whom  mention 
is  made  below;  and  Isidore,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  three  years.  Mr.  Olney  lived  on  his  farm  until 
1862,  and  at  that  time  had  accumulated  a  hand- 
some projjerty.  He  was  the  first  Township  Clerk 
of  Hartford,  served  as  Supervisor,  and  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  many  j'ears  in  succession.  His  coun- 
sel was  sought  by  his  neighbors  and  his  sound 
judgment  on  all  questions  was  remarkable.  Up  to 
1862,  his  whole  energy'  had  been  exerted  in  chang- 
ing his  land  from  a  wilderness  into  a  productive 
farm.  In  the  spring  of  that  year,  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Watervliet,  Mich.,  engaging  there  in 
the  lumbering  and  milling  business,  in  company 
with  I.  N.  Swain  and  G.  M.  Fisher,  of  Detroit, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Swain,  Olney  &  Fisher. 

Two  years  thereafter,  the  firm  was  succeeded  by 
Swain,  Olney  &  Co.,  Mr.  Fisher  retiring  and  George 
Parsons  and  W.  M.  Baldwin  entering  the  new  firm. 
Mr.  Olney  still  superintended  operations  on  his  old 
farm,  as  well  .as  several  others  which  he  had  ac- 
quired, in  addition  to  which  he  was  interested  in 
an  extensive  mercantile  business  and  superintended 
the  manufacture  of  lumber  and  flour.  In  later 
years,  he  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  purchase 
of  grain,  wool  and  live  stock.  He  made  Water- 
vliet his  home  until  1885,  when  he  removed  to 
Chicago  and  there  made  a  large  purchase  of  real 
estate.  A  short  time  prior  to  his  decease,  he  again 
took  up  his  residence  at  the  old  farm  and  thence 
quietly  passed  to  the  world  beyond  in  1888,  his 
wife  having  [ireceded  him  five  years. 

In  the  truest  sense  of  the  term,  Mr.  Olney  was  a 
self-made  man.  He  possessed  great  physical  energy 
and  business  ability,  had  the  faculty  of  making 
friends  and  a  lasting  imijiession  upon  those  whom 
he  met.  As  may  be  judged  from  the  acconqiany- 
ing  portrait,  he  was  of  a  fine  i)eisonal  apiwarancc. 
He  was  scrui)iilously  upright  in  his  dealings,  and 
one  of  his  common  sayings  was  that  "he  could  tell 


his  money  from  others  as  quick  as  be  saw  it."  It 
is  told  of  him  that  while  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  one 
morning  as  he  was  taking  a  stroll  along  one  of 
the  princii)al  streets,  a  tranq)  came  along  and  asked 
him  for  a  fiuartcr  to  get  breakfast.  Mr.  Olney  re- 
plied, "Go  right  back  on  the  other  side  of  the 
street  and  work  there.  I  am  working  this  side 
myself." 

In  politics,  R.  A.  Olney  was  a  Democrat,  and  he 
had  great  sympathy  for  the  Indian  and  colored 
man,  one  of  his  Inst  political  utterances  being, 
"The  Indians  are  nearly  all  gone;  the  colored  man 
will  be  the  next.  This  is  the  white  man's  country." 
In  all  legislation,  he  believed  that  the  interests  of 
the  masses,  and  not  the  few,  should  be  protected, 
and  he  often  said  that  "the  rich  man  is  getting  too 
rich  and  the  poor  man  too  poor."  As  to  foreign 
emigration,  he  expressed  it  as  his  opinion  that 
"this  country  has  been  a  free  country  too  long 
already." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olney's  last  resting  place  with  that 
of  their  two  children  is  in  Keelcr  Cemetery,  where  a 
granite  monument  of  elegant  design  marks  their 
last  resting  place.  The  names  of  Burrill  and  Elvira 
Olney  will  be  as  lasting  in  the  memory  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Southwestern  Michigan  as  the  monu- 
ment that  marks  their  graves. 

Horace  BI.  Olney,  the  son  of  our  subject,  resides 
in  the  village  of  Hartford,  where  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  various  business  enterprises  for  the  last 
twenty-four  years.  In  company  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  D.  W.  Goodenough,  in  1868,  he  entered  the 
mercantile  business,  and  continued  in  that  partner- 
ship for  two  years.  Then,  in  connection  with  G. 
W.  Smiley,  he  built  six  miles  of  the  Chicago  ck 
West  Michigan  Railroad,  between  Bangor  and 
Hartford.  In  1871,  he  embarked  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness at  Hartford  and  after  being  thus  occupied  for 
seven  years,  took  up  his  present  line  of  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Olds,  Olney  &  Co.,  with 
headquarters  at  Hartford,  engaging  in  buying  and 
shipping  grain,  seeds  and  wool.  He  also  carried 
on  a  large  business  at  Bangor,  Watervliet  and  Paw 
Paw.  Mr.  Olds  retired  from  the  firm  in  1884, 
after  which  the  business  was  conducted  under  the 
firm  name  of  B.  A.  Olney  &  .Son,  the  father  being 
a  silent  partner  for  two  years. 


884 


PO:?TRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD, 


In  1889,  Mr.  Olney  associat-ed  with  him  Edward 
Finley,  under  liie  present  title  of  H.  M.  Olne^-  <fe 
Co.  He  has  worked  uj)  a  flne  trade  iu  Hartford, 
and  liis  integrity  is  siiowii  Ijv  tlic  fact  that  he  lias 
shipped  more  than  sixty  thonsand  bushels  of  wheat 
on  orders  simply  for  the  wheat,  leaving  tlie  price 
to  lie  fixed  by  him,  and  the  lirst  complaint  has  ^et 
to  be  made  of  an  overcharge.  He  has  filled  vil- 
lage, township  and  county  ottices  with  ability  and 
credit.  While  ."^uperiutendent  of  the  Poor  of  Van 
Buren  County,  he  originated  the  first  set  of  blanks 
ever  used  by  the  Board,  which  greatly  siniplilied 
the  business, and  have  since  been  adopted  through- 
out the  State.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

January  .3,  18t!7.  Mr.  Olney  was  married  to  Miss 
Chifje  A.  Landon,  of  Hartford,  the  (laughter  of 
Daniel  and  Polly  (Curtis)  Landon,  formerly  of 
Niagara,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Olney  is  a  refined,  cultured 
lady  and  by  her  many  graces  and  kindness  of  heart 
has  endeared  herself  to  her  large  circle  of  friends. 
She  es])ecially  delights  in  deeds  of  charity  to  the 
needy  and  many  a  heart  has  been  lightened  by  her 
timely  aid  and  counsel. 

IAIN  P.  IIOL.MES,  a  resident  fanner  of 
l(;SO,  section  '.Hi,  -Vliiiena  Township,  Van  Burcii 
Is  County,  is  the  son  of  Reziii  and  Jlerindil 
(Tayh)r)  Hnlines,  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Connecticut,  respectively.  The  granill'allier, 
William,  was  a  soldii  r  in  Ihc  b'evolutionary  War, 
:tiid  till- grandfatlier  on  liic  iiiother's  side  was  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  also  a  Kevoiiilionary  hero. 
He  was  in  llic  lirilish  aiiiiy,  but  deserted  and 
joined  the  .Vinerican  lines.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  were  married  in  Ohio,  where  (hey  resided 
until  coming  Uj  Michigan  in  1830,  luciting  In  i 
Kalamazoo  County.  In  IK.'ifi,  they  came  to  \an  1 
Ihiren  Count v  and  locate<l  on  section  1,  Antwerp  I 
'I'own.sliip,  which  wils  little  less  than  ;i  howling  uil- 
dcrness,  with  plenty  of  Indians,  wolves,  deer,  bears 
anil  p:iutliers.  I le  M-ttled  upon  one  liiiiidred  and 
seventy-live  acres  of  Ooveinmeiil  IuimI  .ukI  our 
sulije<-t  now  hiLs  Iheorigiiiiil  deed,  signed  by  Presi- 
dent Nan  lluren.  lie  ere<  U-d  a  shanty  of  Itoards, 
in  which  he  lived  for  a  short  time,  and  then  irecled 


a  frame  house  which  was  the  first  iu  the  township. 
There  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  springs  on  this 
farm  that  can  be  found  iu  Michigan,  it  giving 
forth  mineral  water.  The  father  resided  on  that 
farm  for  thirty  years  and  died  in  August,  1868, 
his  good  wife  passing  away  m  1857.  They  were 
the  worthy  parents  of  six  children,  two  only  now 
living.  Two  of  their  sons  grew  to  maturity  and 
both  served  in  the  Civil  War.  The  father  and 
mother  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Ejiiscojial 
Church,  the  father  being  Steward  and  Class-leader. 
I  n  his  politics  he  was  first  a  Whig,  and  later  a  stsmcli 
Republican,  lie  served  his  fellow-citizens  .as  .lus- 
tice  of  the  Peace  sixteen  years  and  was  also  High- 
way Commissioner  and  w.asa  very  prominent  man 
here.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  jury  that  con- 
vened iu  Kalamazoo  County. 

Our  subject  was  born  August  2.  1828,  in  Fair- 
field County,  Ohio,  and  w.is  an  infant  when 
brought  to  Michigan.  He  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  old  homestead  amcuig  tiie  Indian  children. 
His  education  was  obtained  iu  the  little  "white 
schoolhouse"  in  this  district.  When  seventeen 
years  of  age,  he  began  an  ap|)renlicesliip  to  a  wag- 
on-maker and  followed  tiiat  business  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Civil  W^ar. 

Alvin  Iloliiies  enlisted,  Octolier  ;">,  18G1,  in  Com- 
pany II,  Tiurleenlh  Michigan  Infantry  and  was  a 
Sergeant  in  his  company,  lie  took  part  in  tiie 
following  named  battles:  ShiU)h,  Fariiiiiigtoii, 
Owl  Creek,  Corinth,  Mumfordsville,  PerryviUe, 
Danville,  (i.-iilatin.  Stewart's  Creek,  Stone  River, 
Eagleville,  Pelhani,  Lookout  Valley,  Mission 
Ridge,  Chickaniauga,  ChattaiH)oga,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Florence, Savannah.  Catawba  River,  Averys- 
boro  and  Hentonville.  lie  took  |)art  in  Sherman's 
March  to  the  sea.  At  Heiitonville  he  was  wounded 
ill  the  lef I  kin'c  by  ;\  rillc  ball  and  was  in  the  lio.s- 
pital  at  New  IJeiiie,  and  gangieue  si'itiiig  in,  lie  w.'is 
sent  to  Detroit  and  honorably  discharged  from  the 
ll;M|iei'  Hospital  .lnl\  2'.l,  1  .S(;,"i,  after  a  service  of 
three  years  and  nine  inontlis,  during  which  he  w.'is 
continually  on  iliity  with  his  reginunl. 

iMr.  Ilolincs,  after  his  discharge,  n^t  iiiiird  to  Ills 
home  in  \aii  Uiiicii  ('oiinl\,  .•iiid  on  .April  I'.l, 
1H(!(),  was  married  to  Miss  Cordeli.'i  I').  I'.ail,  a 
daughter  of    .le.sse  ami     M:\\\    ((lapp)     E;iil,   both 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


885 


nntives  of  New  York,  who  came  to  Michigan  before 
tlieir  marriage  in  1832,  and  witli  Iheii-  parents  set- 
tled in  Kalamazoo  County.  The  father  was  a 
mdlerand  farmer  by  trade  and  resides  on  a  farm 
in  that  county  where  he  has  lived  for  fifly-tlireo 
years.  His  wife  died  in  1888  and  was  the 
motlier  of  live  children.  Mrs.  Holmes  was  liorii 
August  1,1840,  on  the  liomestead  in  Kalamazoo 
County  and  ii.as  been  a  student  at  High  School  and 
the  Seminary  at  Kalamazoo.  She  has  tauglil  three 
years.  Mr.  Holmes  has  cleared  off  and  im|)r(>vcd 
his  farm  splendidly.  The  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Mattawan.  During  the 
Civil  War,  she  was  an  active  worker  of  the  Sanitary 
Commission,  and  was  Secretary  of  Comstock,  Kala- 
mazoo County,  and  forwarded  the  supplies  to  the 
front.  She  served  during  the  existence  of  tlie  so- 
ciety which,  was  three  years.  Mr.  Holmes  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  jNIattawan,  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  both  connected  with  the  lo- 
cal Grange.  He  is  Lecturer  and  she  is  Cliai)lain. 
In  his  political  views,  he  is  Republican  and  is 
at  present  on  the  School  Board,  also  serving  as  the 
ellicient  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this  township.  He 
has  always  been  a  temperate  man  in  his  habits  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  well-known  and  respected 
people. 


^^T'LBERT  W.  EARL,  Postmaster  at  South 
(©"O  Haven,  has  been  a  resident  of  tliis  place 
since  1866.  He  is  a  native  of  Allegan 
Count}',  his  birth  occurring  .July  22,  1843. 
His  parents  were  Henry  and  Lovina  (Weed)  I-Carl, 
natives  respectively  of  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,and 
Mt.  Eaton,  Wayne  County,  Ohio.  The  parents 
were  married  after  coming  to  Allegan  County, 
this  State. 

Henr>-  Earl,  the  great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  a  soldier  on  an  English  man-of-war,  and 
was  born  in  England.  The  grandfather,  Henry 
Earl,  was  born  in  New  York  Cit}-,  and  fought  in 
the  War  of  1812.  In  1840,  he  came  to  Allegan 
County  from  New  York,  and,  locating  upon  a 
tract  of  unimproved  land,  at  once  set  about  its 
cultivation.     Our    subject's    father    was    also    a 


farmer  and  died  in  Van  Buren  County,  August  31, 
1881,  when  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  His  good 
wife  survived  him  tiulil  April,  18H6,  when  she, 
too,  passed  away. 

The  parental  family  of  Albert  W.  Earl  included 
nine  children,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  reach  ma- 
ture years,  and  of  whom  we  make  the  following 
mention:  Maiy  E.  is  now  Mrs.  Ball,  of  Cass 
County,  this  State;  Albert  W.  was  the  second 
child;  Nathaniel  E.  died  in  July,  1891,  at  his 
home  in  Grand  Rapids,  where  he  was  a  prominent 
lawyer;  Henry  was  a  teacher  in  South  Haven  and 
died  in  187.5;  Bertha  is  now  Mrs.  Westgate,  also 
of  South  Haven;  Hattie  is  Mrs.  Marsh  and  re- 
sides in  Peoria,  III.;  Charles  is  a  farmer  in  Lin- 
coln County,  Kan. 

Albert  W.  Earl  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
and  was  six  }'ears  of  age  when  his  parents  came 
to  Arlington  Township,  A'an  Buren  Count}'.  In 
1861,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Thir- 
teenth Michigan  Infantry,  and  with  his  regiinent 
participated  in  the  following-named  battles:  Cor- 
inth, Miss.;  Stevenson,  Ala.;  Perryville,  Ky.;  Stony 
River,  Chickamauga,  and  was  with  Sherman  on 
his  memorable  march  to  the  sea,  participating 
in  all  the  engagements.  He  went  thence  to  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  witnessed  the  Grand  Review. 
August  5,  186.5,  he  was  mustered  out  at  Louis- 
ville with  the  rank  of  Sergeant. 

After  peace  was  declared,  our  subject  returned 
to  his  home  in  Van  Buren  County  and  aided  his 
father  in  clearing  his  farm  in  South  Haven  Town- 
ship. Miss  Eliza  Conrad  became  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Earl  December  13,  1869.  Mrs.  Earl  was  the 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Hannah  Conrad.  She  was 
born  near  Phrenix,  N.  Y.,  and  came  with  her 
family  to  jMichigan  in  1855.  Our  subject  con- 
tinued on  the  farm  until  1«87,  when  he  came  to 
South  Haven.  In  Dcccml)er,  1889,  he  received 
the  appointment  of  Postmaster  under  President 
Harrison. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Earl  have  become  the  parents  of 
six  children:  Mabel,  Mary,  Daniel,  John,  Nellie 
and  IScnjamin  II.;  all  remain  with  their  parents. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Earl  is  a  true-blue  Republican, 
casting  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  when 
in  Kingston,  Ga.,  in  1864.     He  has  been  iiuicli  in- 


886 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


terested  in  iwlities,  and  has  i-ppresented  liis  partj' 
as  delegate  to  county  conventions.  He  is  promi- 
nently connected  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen.  He  is  lilieral  in  liis  religious 
views,  and  gives  liberally  to  the  sui)port  of  all 
!>o«'d  works. 


_v-<S> 


/AMES  HKNHY  KINXAXE,  Attorney  at 
Law  in  Kalama/.oo,  was  born  in  Kalamazoo 
Township,  February  18,  1858,  and  is  the 
son  of  Patrick  and  .Mary  (Sullivan)  Kiu- 
nane,  natives  of  County  Clare,  Ireland.  He  w.as 
the  eldest  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  eight  of 
whom  are  now  living,  and  w.as  reared  on  the  farm 
where  his  |)arcnts  made  settlement  in  1855,  and 
which  is  still  their  liorae. 

At  the  age  of  twenty,  Mr.  Kiiuianc  cominciiccd 
to  teach  in  a  district  .school  aiul  afterward  attended 
Kalamazoo  High  .Vhool, graduating  with  the  Class 
of  '81.  After  si)cnding  one  year  in  Kalamazoo 
College  and  teaching  one  term,  he  entered  the  law 
department  of  the  SUitc  I'liiveisity  at  Ann  Arbor 
and  graduated  in  188  1.  In  ilic  literary  work 
there,  he  took  a  conspicuous  [larl,  being  .Society 
President  one  term,  and  also  rc{)resentiiig  his 
society  in  the  inter-society  oratorical  contest. 

In  18H:i,  Mr.  Kinnanc  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  W.'Lshlenaw  Country  ami  p!is.sed  the  summer  of 
that  year  in  the  olllce  of  Thomas  U.  Sherwood,  the 
Supreme  .Iiidge.  After  graduating  in  1881,  he 
immediately  o|iened  an  odice  at  Kalamazoo  for 
practice  and  continued  alone  until  1888,  when  he 
formcil  a  partnership  with  Dorr  ().  French,  under 
the  linn  name  of  Kinnane  A-  French.  In  the  fall 
of  188  1.  he  wa.s  candidate  for  pro.seculing  attorney 
on  the  iJemocratic  lieket.  but  suffered  defeat,  ow- 
ing to  the  large  Kepublic:in  majority.  The  Cit\- 
Council,  ill  April,  IHK'.),  ap|>oiiited  him  City  .\ttoi- 
ney,  which  otllce  he  (illc(l  two  years  ill  a  very  satis- 
factory way. 

For  four  years  Mr.  Kiniumc  w.as  .attorney  for  the 
Mir-liigaii  Iloaid  of  I'liarmacy  :is  prosecutor  .and 
coiidiict<-d  ill  a  skillful  manner  the  prosecution 
tlirou;;lioiit  llu'  Stale  of  the  violiilioii  of   llic  p|i;ii- 


mac}'  law.  He  practices  in  all  the  courts  of  the 
States  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost 
members  of  his  profession.  From  1886  until  1890, 
he  was  Chairman  of  the  Democratic  County  Com- 
mittee, and  has  been  on  the  stump  during  each 
Congressional  cam paign. 

.September  1,  1887,  Mr.  Kinnane  was  married  to 
Miss  Ilattie  Blanej-,  of  Kalamazoo,  the  ceremony 
being  performed  by  Bishop  Borgess,  of  the  Cath- 
olic Church.  They  have  one  child,  Charles  J., 'who 
w.as  boru  in  1889.  Mr.  Kinnane  is  a  brilliant 
young  attorney,  and  one  whose  opinions  are  not 
hastily  formed,  but  after  due  consideration  and 
careful  investigation.  His  mind  is  characteris- 
ticall}'  a  legal  one,  and  he  brings  to  bear  upon  le- 
gal discussions  a  fund  of  general  information.  He 
is  an  able  advocate  and  is  r.apidly  taking  front 
rank  .as  a  trial  lawyer.  Coming  from  the  ranks  of 
the  farm,  his  native  t.alent  urged  him  on  to  a  higher 
ambition  and  no  man  possesses  to  a  greater  degree 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  former  friends 
and  childhood  associates. 

The  ability-  of  Mr.  Kinnane  was  early  recognized 
by  .Judge  Sherwood,  whose  counsel  and  .assistance 
were  freely  given  to  assist  the  rising  3'oung  attor- 
ney'. His  Democracy  is  inherited  and  has  since 
lieen  confirmed  by  independent  research  and  com- 
l)arison.  His  kiK)wlcdge  of  constitutiimal  history 
and  law  is  profound  and  he  possesses  to  a  remark- 
able degree  the  power  of  inde|)endcnt  reasoning 
from  the  fundamental  law  iniiiciplcs.  Any  case 
placed  in  his  liaiids  will  not  fail  for  luck  v(  re- 
search or  able  su|)port  of  its  advocate. 

.\  man  of  broad  princiiilc,  .Mr.  Kinnane  uses  ev- 
ery honorable  means  to  carry  his  point,  but,  his 
cxfillcd  scriH)lcs  will  not  allow  him  to  sloop  to  the 
petty  tricks  of  the  unscrupulous  lawyer  whose 
only  thought  is  to  win.  He  is  a  fearless  advocate, 
•and  ill  making  his  plea  before  .ludge  and  .lury,  is 
.'inimatcd  by  his  subject,  and  his  eloipieiu-e  becomes 
the  beacon  light  that  iiulic;ilcs  the  phiiu  way 
through  the  labyiiulli  of  error  or  the  sophistry  of 
opponcniLs.  As  Chairmau  of  the  County  Demo- 
cratic Committee,  he  served  Ins  paity  fMithfully 
and  enthusiastically,  and  much  of  the  success  of 
his  party  has  been  owing  to  his  brilliant  leadership 
and  :iliU'  counsel. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOaRAPIIICAL  RECORD. 


887 


As  a  puhlio  S|)e:iker,  Mr.  Kinnniu'  sUuids  pre-cm- 
inent.  lie  lias  a  ijleasini;-  addiess,  is  self-conlaiiied, 
and  no  matter  liow  riyoroiis  liis  assailant,  ho  never 
loses  his  sclf-uontrol,  and  his  arguments,  being- 
based  npon  the  experience  of  years,  are  ever  given 
with  an  energj'  and  cnlhnsiasm  that  bring  con- 
victifni.  His  happiest  efforts  are  when  surrounded 
by  friends  on  occasions  of  social  banquets,  when 
after-dinner  speeches  arc  in  order.  His  extempo- 
raneous remarks  on  those  occasions  are  models  of 
elegance  and  diction.  His  mind  is  given  full  scojie  to 
draw  upon  its  fund  of  humor  and  pathos,  either  of 
which  he  handles  with  dexterity. 

i\Ir.  Kinnane  is  the  liapp}'  possessor  of  a  m.agnif- 
icent  physique,  not  unlike  the  great  Donnelly,  in 
common  witli  whom  he  has  many  other  points  of 
resemblance,  such  as  a  ijoetical  temperament,  a 
remarkal)le  command  of  lucid  language  and  a 
vigorous  and  forcible  manner  of  expressing  his 
well-matured  thoughts.  His  love  of  truth  and 
candor  are  no  less,  and  he  devotes  his  whole  soul 
to  his  principles  with  no  less  vigor  than  charac- 
terizes Ignatius  Donnelly. 


*»*^»fc*>  ii  F  *  !■  *" 


^R.  NATHANIEL  D.  THOMAS,  who  is  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  farming  and  dairy- 
ing on  section  36,  Decatur  Township,  Van 
Bureu  County,  was  born,  March  5,  1826, 
in  Logan  Count3',  Ohio,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eight 
children  born  unto  Abel  and  Rebecca  Thomas. 
His  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1803, 
and  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel  Thomas,  also  born  in 
that  State.  The  latter  was  a  jjrominent  Quaker,  a 
serious,  sober-minded  man,  and  a  preacher  in 
the  church  of  his  choice.  He  married  Dorcas  Har- 
ris, and  unto  them  were  born  seven  children.  They 
removed  to  Ohio  when  Abel  was  two  years  old. 
There  he  acquired  an  education  and  learned  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  few 
years.  Removing  to  Logan  County,  Ohio,  he  there 
engaged  in  farming  for  about  six  j-e."a-s,  when  he 
embarked  in  merchandising  in  East  Liberty,  being 
thus  employed  for  eight  jrears,  when  he  went  to 
LTnion  Count3-.     He  there  operated  a  gristmill  on 


llic  b:uik  III'  Mill  Ci'eek  for  six  years,  aftei-  whicli 
we  lind  him  residing  in  I'lain  City,  while  as  a  con- 
tractor he  w.as  engaged  in  the  building  of  the  Pan- 
Handle  Railroad  through  that  section  of  country. 
On  his  removal  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  he  retired  from 
business.  His  death  occurred  in  that  cit^^,  March 
20,  1888,  and  his  wife  died  in  Union  County,  Ohio, 
in  1848.  Mr.  Thomas  w.as  a  Whig  in  early  life,  and 
afterward  became  a  Republican  and  served  as  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  for  manj'  years.  His  affable, 
cordial  manner  made  him  quite  pO[)ularand  he  had 
many  friends  who  esteemed  him  highly  for  his 
strict  integrit}'  and  sterling  worth. 

After  his  parents  left  East  Liberty,  our  subject 
engaged  in  teaching,  which  profession  he  followed 
for  twelve  winter  seasons,  and  also  attended  college. 
Eor  two  terms,  he  was  a  student  in  Ohio  Central 
College  and  for  two  3ears  pursued  his  studies  in 
the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Universit3%  Wishing  to  make 
the  practice  of  medicine  his  lifework,  he  began 
acquainting  himself  with  that  profession  in  the 
ofHce  of  his  uncle,  Dr.  M.  N.  Thomas,  of  School- 
craft, Mich.,  and  after  studying  three  3'ears  at- 
tended Starling  Medical  College,  of  Columbus, 
Ohio,  for  one  year.  On  his  return  to  Michigan,  he 
began  the  practice  of  his  i)rofession  in  Flowerfield, 
St.  Joseph  Connt3',  where  he  remained  for  three 
3'ears,  and  during  that  time  was  married,  on  the 
24th  of  October,  18,50,  to  Marcia  Smith,  daughter 
of  James  Smith,  a  prominent  merchant  of  School- 
craft, Mich. 

On  leaving  Flowerfield,  Dr.  Thomas  removed  to 
Little  Prairie  Ronde, where  he  entered  upon  [iractice, 
continuing  the  profession  at  that  place  until  1879, 
when  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  has  since 
devoted  his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
own  a  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  and  twelve  acres, 
three  hundred  of  which  are  under  cultivation,  and 
he  means  to  bring  it  up  to  a  higher  state  of  devel- 
opment b3'  the  use  of  fertilizers.  He  is  also  exten- 
sivel3'  engaged  in  the  daiiy  business  and  feeds  his 
stock  with  ensilage  food.  He  supplies  butter  to  a 
number  of  private  families  in  Chicago,  and  the  in 
come  which  he  derives  from  the  dairy  is  not  a  little. 
The  Doctor  jjossesses  industiy,  perseverance  and 
an  enterprising  spirit,  ch.araeteristics  which  are  es- 
sential to  success  in  anv  line  of  trade. 


888 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


The  famil}-  of  Mr.  and  Jlrs.  Tliomas  numbers  five 
c-liildreu:  Mareus  S.,  a  resident  of  Volinia,  Cass 
County,  and  a  graduate  of  the  State  Agricultural 
College;  .Jessie,  a  graduate  of  the  Slate  Normal,  now 
engaged  in  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  Grand' 
Rapids;  Willard  L.,  also  a  graduate  of  tiie  State 
.Agricultural  College;  Isabella  S..  a  graduate  of  the 
State  Normal,  who  is  also  a  teacher  of  Grand 
Rapids,  and  May.  at  liomc. 

In  his  political  alliliations,  the  Doctor  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  though  he  feels  an  interest  in  politics, 
as  every  true  American  citizen  should  do,  has 
never  sought  or  desired  public  ollice.  The  family 
h.TS  a  pleasant  home  which  was  erected  by  our  sub- 
ject and  is  the  abode  of  hospitality.  The  members 
of  the  housdiold  rank  high  in  social  circles  and 
are  widely  and  favorably  known  tiiroughout  the 
coninninitv. 


M^ 


\B\ 


m^ 


•ilMOTIIY  COOLKY.  who  is  a  well-known 
farmer  in  Rloomingdale  Ti)\vnshiii,  \'an 
Ruren  County,  is  a  self-made  man,  wiio  is  de- 
serving of  all  the  good  tilings  of  life  which  he  now 
enjoys,  and  also  of  the  high  esteem  in  wliich  he 
is  iield  by  his  fcliow-citlzens.  He  w.as  born  in  Wcth- 
crsfield,  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  November  14, 
1H23.  His  fatlier,  Cliester  Cooloy,  was  the  son  of 
Timothy  Coolcy,  wlio  w:i.s  tlie  fifth  generation 
from  Scoltisli  ancestry.  Timothy  Cooley  married 
Kcbecca  Smith,  and  they  were  tiie  |)arents  of  four 
sons  an<l  liiree  daughters. 

Chester  Coolcy  was  born  in  Berkshire,  Mass., 
removing  to  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  at  an  early 
day.  Ml-  w.'is  a  wagoninaker  by  trade  and  served 
in  till-  War  of  1H12.  lie  removed  in  1H28,  to 
l'orl.'igf  Coiiiily,  Ohio;  from  there  to  Katoii,  Lorain 
County,  and  .'ibout  IMi'td,  came  to  Michigan.  He 
Wfts  liorn  .March  2!t,  IT'.MI,  ami  died  in  Chesliin', 
Allegan  County,  this  Sljitc,  Dccemhci'  21,  IHTiT.  He 
W.'IS  ji  Di'inocrat  and  a  iiu'iiibcr  of  the  Christian 
Clinrch. 

Born  in  IJiidgewal<T,  .M.ass.,  .lanuary  .'11,  17!I7, 
the  mollicr  of  our  sulijcct  was  known  in  inaidcn- 
lioiid  as  A/uliah  .lohnson.     She  Inices  her  geneal- 


ogj'  as  follows:  Polly  Johnson,  her  mother,  was 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  Johnson,  and  through 
him  the  ancestry  is  traced  back  to  Slajor  Isaac, 
Capt.  David  and  Isaac,  the  latter  a  Captain,  Rep- 
resentative, and  magistrate,  who  came  to  Bridge- 
water  in  1700.  On  the  paternal  side,  the  mother 
of  our  subject  is  descended  from  this  same  Isaac 
Johnson,  grandson  of  John  Alden  of  historic  fame, 
whose  estates  passed  into  tlie  possession  of  the 
Johnson  family. 

The  union  of  Chester  Cooley  and  Azubah  John- 
son, which  was  celebrated  in  1812,  brought  to  them 
ten  children,  nine  of  whom  were  reared  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood,  as  follows:  Chester,  Rebecca, 
Harrison,  Latlirope,  Timothy;  George,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war;  Egbert,  Mar}'  and  Maria. 
The  mother  of  these  children,  who  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  died  in  Bloomingdale, 
June  8,  186<l. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  w.as  reared  upon  a 
farm,  and  from  eiglit  years  of  age  has  earned  his 
own  living.  His  educational  advantages  were  ex- 
ceedingly limited,  .as,  when  thirteen  years,  old  he 
was  liound  out  and  worked  until  twenty-one  years 
old  for  ^100  in  money  and  ^TiO  in  stock.  During 
this  time  he  bought  three  months  of  liis  time  .so 
that  he  might  attend  school.  He  was  married 
when  twenty-three  years  old,  and  since  that  time 
has  been  engaged  in  fanning.  He  came  from 
Lorain  County,  Ohio,  to  Blooniingdalc,  in  Febru- 
ary, IHC).'),  and  purchased  eiglity  acres  of  land, 
where  he  now  resides  and  which  he  has  mostly- 
cleared  himself.  He  now  owns  forty-two  :icres,  on 
which  he  lias  one  of  the  most  dcliglilfnl  liomes  in 
the  vicinity.  A  view  of  tliis  place  is  shown  else- 
where in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Cooley  was  married,  Januaiy  21,  IHUi,  to 
Margaret  A.  Stone,  who  w:is  born  in  New  York, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Polly  (Mailey) 
Stone.  Two  children  were  born  of  tiiis  marriage, 
llnttie  A.  and  George  L.,  the  Latter  dying  Octol)er 
;!,  1S(!.").  Mis.  Cooley  departed  this  life  July  .'i. 
1K73.  She  was  an  excellent  woin:m,!iiid  hiul  been 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Cliristi.an  Church  from 
her  fifteenth  year.  The  second  wife  of  our  subject, 
whose  maiden  name  w;is  I'',li/..'i  II.  W.-ird,  was  born 
in  Sweden  Township.  .Monroe  Coimly,  N.  Y.,  and 


t»si;i.,v.vi.W-' -"'-•':-"  ■ 


V■^:^i:;^!■•f:^:'-^~'i-i:•'.■i'\y'A^V^A~i'^^':i'MJ^^<.'^■^lf^,,^^^ 


RESIDENCE   OF    G.    G.     BON  D  ,  5EC.1., BRADY   TP,  KALAMAZOO    CO., MICH. 


VERGREEN     HILL'.'         RESIDENCE   OF  '  TIMOTHY    COOLEY  ,    BLOOMINGDALE,  VAN  BUREN  CO.,M  ICH. 


RESIDENCE  OF    HORACE     COYKEN  DALE  ,  SEC.  29.  ALAMO    TR,  KALAMAZOO    CO.,M  ICH  . 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


891 


is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Betsey  (Stone)  Ward, 
natives  of  Madison  and  Monioo  Cmnities,  N.  Y., 
res])ectively.  Ilcr  fatlior  was  a  son  of  Willinni 
Ward,  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  followed 
the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  Mr.  Cooley  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church  and  Ids  wife  of  liie 
Baptist  Church.  They  are  honored  and  resiiected 
citizens,  and  foremost  in  all  good  works. 


ORACE  COYKENDALL,  who  is  one  of  the 
j)  well-to-do  farmers  of  Kalamazoo  County, 
is  residing  on  section  29,  Alamo  Township. 
He  was  born  in  Springwater,  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y'.,  June  1,  1848,  and  is  the  son  of 
Daniel  C.  Coykendall,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State,  who  came  to  Michigan  in  1856  and  located 
in  Jackson  County.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  died  in  1860,  when  in  his  forty-fourth 
year. 

The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Louisa  Strowbridge.  She  was  born  in  New  York 
and  died  in  1874,  after  having  become  the  mother 
of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Our 
subject  w.is  given  a  very  limited  edueatif)n,  for 
during  three  years  of  his  eaily  life  he  was  crippled 
and  was  thus  prevented  from  walking  to  school. 
He  started  out  to  make  his  own  vfa.y  in  the  world 
when  fifteen  j'ears  of  age  and  received  ^1  per 
month  for  his  first  year's  wages.  He  was  in  the 
employ  of  one  man  for  five  years  and  when  reach- 
ing his  majority  had  saved  a  sutlicient  s\un  to  en- 
able him  to  purchase  a  farm.  His  first  property 
was  located  in  Jackson  County,  just  six  miles  east 
of  Jackson. 

In  1869,  Horace  Coj'kendall  sold  his  farm  in  the 
above-named  county  and  two  years  later  came  to 
Kalamazoo  County  where  he  jjurchased  eight3^ 
acres  on  section  29,  Alamo  Township.  Twenty' 
acres  of  that  tract  had  been  partially  improved  but 
did  not  boast  of  either  house,  barn  or  fence.  He 
has  since  added  to  his  estate  until  he  now  has  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres,  and  tiie  splendid  barn 
which  he  has  erected  thereon  is  one  of  the  finest  in 
41 


the  township.  The  farm  i.s  under  tlie  very  I)e.st 
cultivation  and  one  of  wliicii  its  owner  ma}'  well 
be  proud.  Miss  Laura  I'utnam,  a  native  of  .lack- 
son  County,  this  State,  was  married  to  our  subject 
May  29,  \S6^.  One  daughter  has  been  liorn  to 
them — Ettie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Foster  Deal  and 
h.'is  three  children,  viz:  Linn,K(ili  II.  and  Arlie  L. 

Mr.  Coykendall  keeps  a  good  grade  of  stock  on 
ills  farm,  raising  Siiort-horn  cattle  and  fine-wool 
sheep.  He  started  out  in  life  with  notiiing  more 
than  his  strong  and  willing  luiiidsand  a  determin- 
ation to  succeed,  and  now  ranks  among  the  i)ro- 
gressive  and  thrifty  farmers  of  Alaino  Township. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

In  this  connection  will  be  noticed  a  view  of  the 
attractive  residence  of  Mr.  Coykendall,  and  its 
pleasant  rur.al  environments. 


■€^ 


~ — ^g* 


^^EORGE  G.  BOND,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
III  J— ^  raiser,  owning  one  of  the  best  equipped 
V^Jl  farms  in  Brady  Township,  finely  located  on 
section  1,  is  a  native-i^orn  citizen  of  Kalamazoo 
C'ount}-,  and  is  distinguished  as  being  one  of  the 
heroes  that  represented  his  State  at  the  front  dur- 
ing the  trying  times  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  was  born  March  15,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  Amos 
Bond,  who  was  a  pioneer  of  Brady  Township. and 
one  of  its  leading  citizens  during  his  life. 

The  father  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1790.  He 
came  to  Michigan  in  the  '30s,  and  was  an  early  set- 
tler of  Oakland  County,  where  he  lived  until 
1840.  He  then  came  to  this  county  with  a  team, 
and  pre-empted  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  1, 
Brady  Township,  which  is  now  occupied  by  his 
son  of  whom  we  write.  It  was  a  part  of  the 
Pottawatomie  reservation,  and  was  in  its  natural 
condition.  He  built  a  log  house,  and,  in  the 
years  that  followed,  cleared  forty  acres  of  the 
land,  and  put  it  under  excellent  cultivation.  He 
died  November  21,  1851,  and  his  fellow-citizens 
deplored  the  loss  of  one  who  was  an  active  factor 
in  the  great  work  of  redeeming  the  country  from 
a  wilderness,  and  one  to  whom  they  looked  for  ad- 
vice or  assistance  if  they  were  in  doubt  or  trouble. 


892 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


He  was  a  hard  worker,  and  was  a  very  strong  man, 
of  coniniandinj;  stature,  six  feet  and  one  inch  in 
hciglit. 

As  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1H12,  Amos  Bond 
made  an  honorable  record,  serving  throughout  the 
entire  contest  between  the  I'liited  .States  and  Eng- 
land as  a  member  of  tlie  Twenly-sixtii  New  York 
Cavalry.  He  toi>k  an  active  i)art  in  politics,  and 
was  a  lirni  Democrat.  While  a  resident  of  Oakland 
County,  he  was  .Sheriff,  and  afterliis  removal  here, 
he  w.-is  Postmaster  of  Brady  Township,  He  was  a 
charter  niemlwr  of  the  first  Masonic  lodge  in  the 
county,  which  was  established  at  Schoolcraft.  Ilis 
wife  survivetl  him  until  IS.")'.*,  and  then  died  attlie 
age  of  forty-eight  years.  They  had  been  nun  ricd 
in'  1811,  at  Galeslmrgh,  this  county,  and  she  l>ore 
him  two  children:  Anna  (Mrs.  Canavan),  and  our 
suliject.  Mi's.  Bond  was  btirn  in  ( Sreencastle,  Pa., 
February  1,  IHl  1,  her  maiden  name  being  Nancy  A. 
(ios-sard.  .She  was  lirst  married  in  J'cniisylvania, 
to  William  Downey,  by  whom  she  had  live  chil- 
ilren:  K.ichel,  Robert,  William,  .lolin  and  Mary. 
She  an<l  her  lirst  husband  came  to  Michigan  in 
1837,  where  he  died  three  years  later. 

Born  on  the  farm  which  is  still  his  home,  our 
subject  grew  up  here  under  the  invigorating  in- 
lluences  of  the  pioneer  life  that  i)rcvailed  when  he 
was  a  boy.  He  went  to  .school  in  a  primitive  log 
house,  that  was  furnished  with  slab  benches,  sup- 
ported by  pin  legs,  the  llnor  lieing  made  of  pun- 
cheon; it  was  liealeil  by  the  lirst  stove  used  in 
the  county.  The  school  was  conducted  under  the 
nil<'-bill  system.  He  attended  m-IkhpI  winters,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  in  the  Mimmi  r  time.  The  war 
broke  out.  and  found  him  thus  employed,  lie  was 
but  ."i  Ikiv,  but  III'  was  eager  lu  drop  the  hoe  for  the 
rill<-,  and  his  patrioticnmbilioii  to  bea  soldiei',  that 
he  might  help  light  his  country's  battles,  even  as 
his  fathitr  had  <lone  nearly  h.'df  .'i  century  before, 
was  gnitilied  by  his  enlistnn-nt,  September  ITi.  ISfil, 
at  the  age  of  scvtMiteen.  His  name  was  enrolled 
as  n  nicnilK-r  of  Company  I,  l''irst  Michigan  C.-iv- 
nlry,  which  wits  subsequently  ciiusulidaled  with 
Ciimpnny  L. 

Allliougli  NO  young,  our  subject  proved  in  h.ave 
the  right  spirit  for  a  .solilier,  and  he  did  \alianl 
htTvicc  ill  the  Nixty-eight  battles  and  skirmishes  in 


which  he  met  tlie  enemy  face  to  face.  The  most 
prominent  of  these  areas  follows:  Winchester,  A'a.; 
Orange  Court  House,  Va.;  Hull  Run,  Va.;  Clettys- 
burg.  Pa.,  where  he  had  a  horse  shot  from  under 
him  while  he  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  tight;  the 
battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Va^;  Beaver  Dam,  Cold 
Harbor,  Trevilian's  Station,  Winchester,  ()}iei|uan. 
Brandy  Station,  Yellow  Tavern,  Riclunond,  Ml. 
Crawford,  Cedar  Creek,  Madison  Court  House, 
Five  Forks,  .South  .Side  Railway,  Sailor's  Creek  and 
Appomattox  Court  House,  all  of  the  above  b:ittles 
from  that  of  (lettysburg  being  fought  on  ^'ilgillia 
soil;  and  at  AVillow  Springs,  Dak.,  he  took  [lart  in 
a  desperate  battle  with  the  Indians,  he  having  ac- 
companied his  regiment,  after  the  t!rand  Review 
at  Washington,  acro-ss  the  plains.  At  Tnion  Mills, 
^'a.,  he  was  thrown  from  his  horse,  made  senseless 
liy  the  fall,  and  his  comrades  had  a  luird  time 
bringing  him  to.  He  was  linall\'  mustered  out  at 
Salt  Lake  City,  ITtah,  ]M:uvli  10,  ISGii,  after  more 
than  four  years'  long  and  arduous  .service,  which 
entitles  him,  in  common  with  the  thousands  of  other 
noble,  self-sacrilicing  soldiers,  who  gave  up  the 
best  years  of  llieir  manhood  to  their  country,  to 
live  in  peace  .'0111  happiness  under  a  reunited  (io\'- 
crnnient. 

^Vhen  he  lelireil  from  the  army,  Mr.  Bond  re- 
turned to  his  old  home,  ami  was  gladly  welcomed 
back  by  his  many  friends,  and  ere  many  months 
elapsed,  liis  patriotism  and  liraveiy  diu'ing  his  mil- 
itary career  were  well  rew:uded  by  the  hand  of  one 
of  the  fair  daughters  of  his  native  State,  Miss  I'lli/.a- 
beth  Eber.stein,  to  whom  lie  w;is  wedded,  December 
I,  IHOI).  She  is  a  very  line  woman,  lilling  in  a 
perfect  measure  her  ])osition  as  the  Ikuiic maker, 
the  ti'uc  wife  and  mother.  I  lei-  union  with  our 
subject  has  brought  them  one  son,  (lecu'gc  Amos. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  l>ond  celebrated  their  silver  wedding 
Dccemlici'  I.  lis;il,  wliicli  mrnki'd  a  eoiigcnial  m.'ii- 
1  i.age  of  ;i  (piaiter  of  a  century.  Ihey  had  sixly- 
sevtMi  guests  from  .'iinong  their  hosts  of  fric'iids, 
who  g.'ive  them  m;iiiy  subslani  i:d  evidences  of  their 
r("g!ird,  among  the  loiinerous  presenl.s  iieing  a  hand- 
some silver  .set. 

Mrs.  liond  was  boi-n  in  Ciilhonn  ('oinily,  Mich.. 
November  20,  IK  II,  a  daughter  of  Conrad  and 
Lena  (Sct/ler)   ICberstein,  pioneers  of   that  county, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


893 


I 


and  both  natives  of  Germany.  Her  father  was 
born  in  1808,  and  her  muthei-  in  1817.  He  came  to 
America  in  1829,  and  she  in  1830.  He  landed  in  Bos- 
ton, and  spent  a  year  in  that  city,  afterward  passed 
six  months  in  Detroit,  wlience  he  went  to  Sandusky, 
Ohio.  He  was  there  married,  his  bride  liaving set- 
tled on  a  farm  at  that  point  witli  her  i)arents. 
That  year,  1831,  they  came  to  Michigan,  and  lo- 
cated in  Calhoun  County,  making  the  journey  with 
an  ox-team,  and  while  swimming  the  Maumee 
River,  they  came  near  being  drowned.  In  the 
spring  of  1840,  Mr.  Eberstein  pre-empted  tlie  north- 
east quarter  of  the  same  section  on  which  our  sub- 
ject lives  from  the  Government,  it  tlien  forming 
a  part  of  the  Indian  reservation,  lie  developed  a 
good  farm,  where  he  and  his  good  wife  dwelt  in 
comfort  and  happiness  many  years.  After  a  mar- 
ried life  of  fifty-three  years,  they  died  m  18i(0,  his 
deatli  occurring  in  February,  and  hers  in  April. 
They  reared  eleven  children,  all  of  wliom  are  mar- 
ried and  living  at  tlie  present  time. 

After  his  marri.ige,  our  subject  took  posses- 
sion of  this  part  of  the  old  lioniestead  on  which  lie 
lias  ever  since  lived.  But  fifteen  acres  were  under 
cultivation,  and  tlieie  w.as  not  a  building  on  the 
place.  With  characteristic  energy,  lie  entered  upon 
liis  pioneer  labors,  lirst  building  a  log  liouse  for 
himself  and  his  bride,  b.ack  of  tlie  site  of  his  pre- 
sent residence.  He  worked  hard  to  fell  the  timber 
and  prepare  his  land  for  tillage,  and  in  time  brought 
it  into  a  fine  condition.  He  has  purchased  other 
realty,  and  now  has  a  choice  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  nineteen  and  one-fourth  .acres,  one  hundred 
of  which  are  finely  imiiroved.  In  187;'),  he  erected 
a  large  frame  barn,  i)ainting  it  red;  in  1891,  he 
built  a  handsome  frame  house,  a  view  of  which  is 
shown  on  .another  p.age,  and  which  is  fitted  up  in 
modern  style.  A  neat  and  attractive  set  of  build- 
ings further  embellish  the  place,  lie  conducts  a 
good  business  in  mixed  farming,  keeping  some  fine 
Norman  horses  and  roadsters,  and  has  a  lloek  of 
fine  wool  sheep. 

Mr.  Bond  is  a  man  of  line  presence,  tall,  muscu- 
lar and  well  formed,  has  a  keen,  intelligent  eye  and 
a  vigorons,  comprehensive  mind,  and  withal,  he 
has  a  frank,  pleasing  personality.  He  is  greatly 
interested  in  National  polities,  and  stands  with  the 


Republicans  in  regard  to  the  issues  of  the  day.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  since  1867, 
belonging  to  Lodge  No.  208,  at  Vicksburg.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  Lodge, 
No.  36,  in  the  same  village,  and  his  niilitaiw  life 
is  commemorated  by  hismemliership  with  the  (I  mud 
Armv  Post  at  Vicksburg. 


i  .5.4.  .5.4.1- 

rl-i-i-i-i-P 


llA  A.  RANSOM,  President  of  the  Kalamazoo 
Gas  Light  Company,  was  liorn  in  C.astleton, 
Vt.,  P^ebruary  21,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Justice 
II.  and  Sarah  (Northrop)  Ransom,  natives  of  Ver- 
nunil,  and  now  deceased.  Ira  A.  was  the  third  of 
the  four  children  whom  his  parents  reared  to  ma- 
turity, three  being  sons  and  one  a  daughter. 

Amid  the  picturesque  scenery'  of  tlie  (Ireeii 
Mountain  State,  and  .associated  with  his  father  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  the  lad  grew  from  boy- 
hood to  man's  estate,  acquiring  meanwhile  those 
sturdy  virtues  of  character  and  enterprising  busi- 
ness qualities,  which  were  carefully  developed 
through  parental  training.  The  rudiments  of  his 
education  were  gained  in  the  common  school  of 
the  district,  and  the  knowledge  there  acquired  was 
later  supjilemented  by  a  course  in  the  home  acad- 
emy and  Flushing  Institute. 

In  1865,  Mr.  Ransom  came  to  Michigan,  and, 
stopping  at  Kalamazoo  to  visit  a  friend,  was  so 
pleased  with  the  place  that  he  concluded  to  remain. 
Soon  after  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Michigan 
Central  Railroad  T'ompan}'  and  remained  in  the 
freight  and  baggage  department  for  two  years. 
He  afterward  accepted  a  clerkshii)  in  the  hat  and 
cai)  store  of  H.  S.  Parker,  with  whom  he  was  en- 
gaged about  three  years.  The  business  knowlpdge 
which  he  gained  while  in  the  emplo3'  of  others,  he 
utilized  in  a  pr.actical  manner,  and,  moving  to  Mar- 
shall, this  State,  embarked  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
business,  which  he  carried  on  successfully  for  nine 
months. 

Selling  out  his  stock  and  returning  to  Kalama- 
zoo, Mr.  Ransom  became  connected  with  the  Kal- 
amiizoo  Gas  Light  Company  as  Superintendent,  and 
retained  that  position  until  the  death  of  Mr.Wood- 
buiy,  when   he  succeeded   that  gentleman    to  the 


894 


PORTRAIT  A^•D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Presidency.  The  arduous  duties  of  tliat  position 
he  is  ably  qualified  to  discharge  tiirough  cmineut 
native  abilities  and  an  unusual  amount  of  sound 
com nuin -sense.  Me  is  one  of  the  |)rincipal  slock- 
holdei-s  of  the  company,  in  addition  to  which  he 
is  largely  interested  in  various  public  measures. 
He  is  President  of  the  .\merican  Playing  Card  Com- 
pany, Director  of  the  Phelps  and  Bigek>w  Wind- 
mill Company,  Director  in  the  Upjohn  Pill  and 
(Iranulc  Coni)>any.  stockholder  and  Director  in 
the  FeatherlK)ne  Coi'set  Company,  and  Director  in 
the  Michigan  National  Bank;  also  stockholder  in 
the  Kimball  Knginc  Com|)any.  lie  is  closely  con- 
nected with  some  of  the  most  famous  and  prosi)er- 
ous  organizations  of  Kalamazoo. 

Ill  18G!t,  Mr.  Ransom  was  married  to  ]\Iiss  Eninia. 
the  youngest  daughter  of  Hon.  J.  P.  Woodbury, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  sin\i\ing  child: 
Woodbury,  who  assists  his  father  in  the  otlice. 
Allen  A.  died  in  infancy.  ^Ir.  Ransom  and  his 
cultured  wife  have  established  an  altiactivc  and 
co/.y  home  at  No.  201  S.  Park  Street  and  are  pr<^>ni- 
inent  in  the  social  circles  of  the  city.  Mr.  Rnnsoiii 
is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
an<l  is  identilicd  with  Kalamazoo  Lodge  No.  'i'l. 
where  he  ha.s  occupied  the  liighcst  chairs. 


^OlIN  C.  (iOOD.M.K.  funeral  director  and 
undertaker,  is  one  of  (he  piiimineiit  busi- 
ness men  iif  Kalamazoo.  lli>  keeps  a  full 
line  of  undertaker's  giiods  and  has  in 
stock  as  line  an  ass<»rtinenl  as  can  lie  found  Ix'- 
Iwecn  Detroit  and  Chicago.  A  genial  gentleman, 
his  plcas.'inl  maiiiiei-  is  a  part  of  a  sunny  disposi- 
tion, and  while  his  business  is  one  of  the  most 
iioUMiin  nature,  he  is  capable  of  enjoying  the  good 
thiii(.'s  of  life,  and  his  ciimpaninn.-iblc  attributes 
piirb'ike  of  no  char.'icteristic  of  .-1  funereal  nature. 

The  .store  in  which  Mr.  (iondale  coiiiliict,s  his 
business  is  a  four-story,  j;ray  stone  front  struct  lire, 
with  a  frontage  of  fifty  feet  on  Soulli  Hiirdiek 
Street  anil  a  depth  of  two  hiindicd  feel.  In  llie 
rear  is  the  morgue  and  1  lie  s|;ili|es  for  his  handsoiiie 
oiiltlt.M.      'I'hoiigli  coiiiiiig  to  Kalania/.oo    a  larl  with 


but  fifty  cents  in  his  possession,  and  having  met 
with  financial  reverses ata  time  when  thefuniiture 
business  was  depressed,  he  had  that  indomitable 
])erseverancc  which  always  wins.  By  close  appli- 
cation to  his  work,  he  h.as  made  steady  financial 
advancement  and  has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  an  lumestcomiietence  has  been  gained  through 
his  etTorts. 

A  native  of  this  State,  Mr.  Goodale  was  born  at 
Ann  Arbor,  July  15,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  Leon- 
ard C.  and  Pliebe  F.  (Cranilall)  Goodale,  natives 
of  New  York.  His  father,  who  was  an  early  settler 
in  W.ashtcnaw  County,  was  editor  of  the  Washte- 
naw IF///;/,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  184(i, 
was  serving  as  Country  Clerk,  ^\■ilon  fourteen 
years  of  age,  our  subject  left  home  and  came  to 
Kalamazoo,  where  his  brother  was  working  as  a 
caliinet-maker.  With  him  he  learned  the  trade, and 
after  working  in  his  employ  for  three  years  bought 
out  the  business,  which  he  has  since  continued. 

Abdiit  18.")8,  .Mr.  Goodale  embarked  in  the  niaii- 
uf-tcturing  business  at  Battle  Creek.  Init  the  ap- 
proach of  war  decreased  the  rates  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  was  forced  to  aliMiidon  the  plant.  During 
the  following  two  years,  he  was  employed  at  .\nn 
Arbor,  and  tiien  icturned  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  show-cases.  After- 
ward he  added  the  undertaker's  business,  to  which 
he  finally  gave  his  entire  attention  and  increased 
it  to  its  present  m.agnitude. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Goodale  to  Miss  ICllen  (i. 
Sterling  took  jilace  at  Kalamazoo,  .lanuary  21, 
1S(!I,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  eight  living 
children,  of  whom  the  live  youngest — ISert,  Pigeon, 
Anna,  .loliii  C..  Jr.,  and  Hazel — roinain  in  the  par- 
ental home,  on  llie  ( (liner  of  Soutli  and  I'.iirdicU 
Streets.  Nettie  married  II.  A.  McCrary,  a  ticket 
brokiT  of  Kansas  City;  Ivlward  is  in  the  furniture 
;iii<l  undertaking  liiisiness  .at  Paw  I'.aw;  ■lennie  is 
the  wife  of  Clark  A.  Shaw,  whoowns  a  raisin  vine- 
\ard  in  llesperia,  Cal.;  .and  Pert  is  em|)loyed  In  the 
Michigan  Central  Freight  Ollieeal    l\:il:iiiiazoo. 

Mr.  (ioodalc  has  excellent  business  siigacity, 
;iiid  his  \-entures  ill  real-estate  investiiient.s  have 
proved  the  correctness  of  liis  foresight.  He  was 
insi  iimieiital,  amongothcrs,  in  securing  the  present 
loealioM  for  the  posliillicc,  and  invested  iiioiiey  m 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


895 


l)n)i)t'rt y  in  that  vk-iiiity.  With  his  family,  lie 
owtipics  a  hi<>;h  i)laee  in  tho  oslccni  of  liis  fclh>\v- 
cilizuns,  anil  he  and  liis  wife  are  identilied  with  lh(^ 
Congregational  Cliiuch.  Air.  (iooilale  has  leeentlN- 
added  to  his  undeilaliinjj;  Ijiisiness  a  line  line  of 
marble  and  granite  cemeteiy  work,  at  No.  3  Bur- 
diek  Street,  opposite  the  postoflice. 


@r- 


_gi<., 


"S]- 


f-^[ 


^  I  CHARD  A.  SYKES,  who  is  Secretary  of  the 
ir       Farmers'    Mntual   Insurance  Company,  of 
Kalamazoo  County,  is  one  of  tiie  worthy 
|i  citizens  that  New  York  lias  furnished  to 
Michigan.     He  was  born  in  Niagara  County,  Oc- 
tober 17,  1836,  and  is  the  only  livingsou  of  Alau- 
son  and  Hannali  (Strickland)  Sykes,  the  former  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  and  the  latter  of  the  Em- 
pire   State.     In  the  spring  of  1837,  the  family  re- 
moved Westward  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Poi'tage 
Township,  six   and  a  half    miles   from    the    city 
of  Kalamazoo.     The  death  of  the  father  occurred 
in  1857,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years,  and  his 
wife  died  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 
We  now  take  up  the   personal    history  of   our 
subject,  who,  in  the  usual  manner  of  farmer  lads, 
was    reared  to  manhood    and  remained  at    home 
until  the  spring  of  1870,  having  charge  of  the  farm 
after  his  father's  death.     As  before   stated,  he    is 
the  only  surviving  son.     However,  he  has  one  sis- 
ter,  Martha,  now  the  widow  of  Isaac  AVeeks,   of 
Kalamazoo.     Abandoning  the  occupation  to  which 
he  was  reared,  in  1870,  Mr.  Sykes  came  to  Kalama- 
zoo, and  for  four  years  was  engaged  in  the  agri- 
cultural imi)lcment  business,  when  he  returned  to 
the  farm  and  there    remained  for    ten    j'ears.     In 
1885,  he  became  Secretary  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual 
Insurance  Company,  which  was  organized  in  1863. 
He  was  one  of  its  first  one  hundred  members,  and 
has  since  carried  insurance  with  it.     On  the  1st  of 
.January,  1892,  there  were  one  thousand,  eight  hun- 
dred and   fifty-five  members,  and   the  amount  of 
the   policies  was   $4,514,350.     The  percentage  of 
cost  since  the  organization  amounts  to  .00134  per 
annum.     Tiie  oHicers  of  the  insurance  company  at 
liiis  writing,  are  W.  H,  Cobb,  President;  Richard 
Sykes,    Secretary'    and    Treasurer;    and     William 


Strong,  David  R.  Chandler  and  Malaclii  Cox, 
Directors.  The  original  nieinbers  of  tiie  company 
were  .John  Millhani.  .Moses  Kingsley,  Samuel 
Crooks,  William  Trumbull,  Isaac  Cox,  .losejth 
IJeckly  and  Albert  l.alta.  The  three  last-named 
are  still  living. 

jAlr.  Sykes  has  been  twice  married.  In  December, 
1865,  he  wedded  Miss  Ophelia  Harris,  of  Portage, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann  L.  (Carijenter)  Har- 
ris, who  settled  in  Portage  in  1856.  The  parents 
were  married  in  New  York  City,  and  the  mother  is 
still  living  with  IMr.  Sykes.  His  first  wife  died 
August  26,  1881),  and  on  the  1st  of  July,  1891,  he 
wedded  Miss  Jlary  V.  llalleck,  of  Kalamazoo,  a 
half-sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  is  a  lady  of  culture 
and  refinement  and  for  eleven  ye.ars  was  a  success- 
ful teacher  in  the  city  schools. 

Aside  from  his  l)usiuess  interests,  Mr.  Sykes  has 
found  time  to  devote  to  public  affairs  and  from 
1875  until  1879,  inclusive,  served  as  Supervisor. 
He  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  Republican  principles 
and  does  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  interests 
of  that  party,  but  his  father  was  a  Democrat.  He 
is  a  man  of  great  itersonal  iufiuence,  popular,  and 
has  an  extended  acquaintance  throughout  the 
community.  His  life  has  been  well  and  worthily 
spent,  and  those  who  know  him  respect  him  for 
his  sterling  worth. 


!Asi^20_ 


rso" 


SAAC  A.  BROWN,  one  of  the  well-to-do  citi- 
zens of  Kalamazoo,  now  living  a  retired  life, 
is  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  his 
birth  having  occurred  in  Windsor  Countj',  on  the 
nth  of  April,  1817.  His  father,  Israel  P.  Brown, 
a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation and  died  on  the  old  homestead  in  Vermont, 
where  he  had  lived  for  sixtj'-five  years.  The 
grandfather  was  Adam  Brown,  and  he  was  of 
Scotch  descent.  The  mother  of  our  subject  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Sally  Briggs.  She,  also,  was  a 
native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Asa  Briggs,  who  was  of  English  lineage.  In 
the  family  were  thirteen  children,  eleven  of  whom 
grew^  to  mature  years. 

Our   subject    was   IIk'  ninth   in    order  of  birth. 


896 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL   RECORD. 


Upon  his  father's  farm  he  spent  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  and  youth  and  in  the  winter  season  at- 
tended tlie  common  schools,  wliere  he  acquired  a 
giK)d  English  education.  On  leaving  home  he  be- 
g.in  life  for  himself  as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store, 
where  he  remained  for  three  years,  when,  having 
aciiuired  some  experience  and  a  small  capital,  he 
emlwrked  in  the  mercantile  l)usiness  on  Ins  own 
account,  continuing  for  three  years,  when  he  sold 
out.  The  gold  fever  was  then  prevailing  in  the 
cuunty,  and  to  California  went  5Ir.  Brown,  by  way 
of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  His  friend  who  ac- 
companied him  died  soon  after  their  arrival,  so 
Mr.  Brown  started  back  witli  the  remains,  which 
were  taken  to  ^'ermont  and  there  interred.  The 
trip  to  him  proved  an  expensive  one  and  his  health 
also  l)ccame  greatly  impaired  thereby.  On  his 
recover}',  he  secured  emplovnient  with  the  Rutland 
it  Burlington  R:iilroad  Comi)any,  having  charge  of 
its  store,  and  also  acting  as  freight  and  pas- 
senger and  ticket  agent.  Thus  his  time  was  em- 
l)loyed  for  ten  years,  and  he  carried  on  a  successful 
business  jn  the  interest  of  the  company. 

In  1K12,  Mr.  Brown  led  to  the  marriage  altar 
Miss  Mary  A.  Brown,  a  native  of  Essex  County, 
N.  Y..  where  the  days  of  her  maidenhood  were 
passed.  I'nto  them  have  l)een  born  two  children: 
Rev.  Bclno  A.  Brown.  I).  I).,  an  Episcopal  clergy- 
man of  Milwaukee,  wlio  is  also  a  medical  practi- 
tioner, having  made  a  specialty  of  the  eye  and 
ear.     Angela  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years. 

Mrs.  Brown,  in  these  later  days  of  lior  life,  has 
taken  up  painting  as  a  recreation  and  pleasure,  and 
lia.s  exhibited  a  great  deal  of  skill,  and  many  beau- 
tiful landscapi's  .ailoiii  the  w.alls  of  llicir  home, 
|iaiiilc(l  by  her  hand.  Particularly  has  her  skill 
Ijocn  exhibited  in  an  eminent  degree  in  artistically 
arranging  the  vari-colorerl  sea-moss  of  the  I'acilic 
ocean  into  beautiful  pictures  of  mountain  and 
forcHt  Mfcncs,  es|M'cially  noticeable  among  which  is  a 
repre^^entalioM  of  Minnelialia  l''all>. 

In  l«<>2,  llic  family  came  to  Kalaiiia/.oo,  Mich., 
where  Mi-.  Mrown  engaged  in  the  loan  business  as 
:i;;eTit  for  EaMlern  parlies.  .\t  the  sanu'  time,  he 
built  businev*  bliM-ks,  wliich  he  .afterward  sold  be- 
fore completed,  nnil  dealt  in  real  esUite  for  himself 
and    olliei-s.     lie  carried   on   a  suc(a!.>wful   l)usin(>ss 


for  some  years,  and  as  the  result  of  his  industry, 
good  management  and  well-directed  efforts,  has 
accumulated  considerable  property.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican.  At  each  election  he  exercises  his 
right  of  franchise  in  support  of  that  party,  of 
whose  principles  he  is  a  stalwart  advocate.  His 
home  is  a  handsome  brick  residence  situated  at 
No.  427  South  Burdiok  Street,  where  he  is  now 
living  a  retired  life,  surrounded  by  man}'  comforts 
and  luxuries,  the  fruits  of  his  own  labor.  Mr. 
Brown  is  well  deserving  of  a  reprcsentalit)n  in  this 
volume  for  he  is  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of 
Kalamazoo,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  record 
his  sketch. 


v_ 


y 


OIIN  K.  R.\NKIN,  M.  I).,  who  is  a  promi- 
nent ])hysician  in  l$looiningdale.  Van  Uuren 
County,  was  one  of  tiie  many  citizens  of 
foreign  birth  who  enlisted  in  the  service  of 
their  adopted  country  during  the  late  war  and  gal- 
lantly fought  on  the  Union  side.  He  was  born 
December  29,  1841,  in  County  Longford,  Ireland. 
His  parents,  Robert  and  Catherine  ((iovers)I\ankin, 
were  .also  natives  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  who  came  to 
the  United  States  in  the  spring  of  1842,  settling  in 
Vandeburg  County,  Ind.,  where  the  father  died 
about  18  1;'),  leaving  a  widow  and  two  sons,  .lulm 
E.  and  .lames  A.  Tiie  latter  is  a  resident  of  Dow- 
agiac,  this  Slntc.  He  w.as  also  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  the  Hebellioii,  serving  in  the  Sixteenth  New 
York  Cavalry.  The  niother  of  our  subject  resided 
with  him  until  her  death,  in  KH7K.  She  and  her 
husband  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

<  )ur  subject  received  his  e.arly  education  in  tiie 
liublic  schools  lit  UulTalo,  N.  Y.,  to  wliicli  piiice  his 
mother  had  removed  after  her  husband's  death. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  was  ciniiloyed  as  clerk  in 
a  store,  and,  in  .laniiary,  18.')8,  came  to  Hloomiiig- 
dale,  where  he  worked  by  the  iiioiilh  on  a  farm, 
until  August  I'i,  lH(i'2,  al  which  d.alc  lie  eii!isti'(l  in 
CoinpMiiy  M.  ImuiiIIi  Alichigan  ( 'mx  .iliy.  lie  took 
pari  ill  tlic  battles  of  Sparta,  'rciiii.,  mim!  I.avergiie, 
al  wliich  lattt'r  place  he  was  cMpdiicd  .■iiid  conrnicd 
in  l,ilib\'  Prison  for    three    iiioiilhs,  liciiiu;   then  ex- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


897 


changed.  He  w.as  in  the  battles  at  Cliiekamauga 
and  ]\Iission  Kidgc.  In  the  spring  of  1HG.'5,  ho  was 
thrown  from  his  horse  and  fractured  his  left  wrist, 
and  w.as  sent  to  Coluinliia,  Tenn.,  where  he  re- 
mained nine  months,  most  of  the  time  .■leting  as 
Steward  of  Post  Hospital  No.  1.  He  then  rejoined 
his  regiment  at  Nashville,  and  was  in  the  battles  of 
Selma,  Ala.,  and  at  Columbia,  Ga.,  and  was  with 
the  party  that  captured  .letT  Davis.  He  was  dis- 
charged at  N.'isiiville  in  .Inly,  18C>5,  and  w.as  mu.s- 
tered  out  as  Corporal 

Iletuining  to  lUoomingdale,  our  subject  soon 
after  entered  Buffalo  Medical  University,  being 
graduated  from  that  college  in  1881,  and  at  once 
began  the  pr.acticc  at  Bloomingdale,  where  he  has 
resided  ever  since.  He  was  united  in  marriage, 
.lune  6,  1867,  to  Miss  Phdihe  L.  Lane,  who  was 
boiii  in  Brockport,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Orrt  (Cooley)  Lane,  natives  of  New 
York.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
^'ashti  and  Cora.  Dr.  Rankin  is  a  Re|>ublican  in 
pf)litics,  and  a  member  of  tiie  M.asonic  fraternity. 
He  enjo_ys  a  good  pr.ictice,  and,  with  his  estimable 
wife,  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  community. 


-      w<Q-1 


m>-^^<ri 


(.cto--> 


LARENCE  HERBERT  LINDSLEY,  who 
owns  and  operates  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  laud  on  section  (5,  Decatur  Town- 
shi|),  is  a  rei)resentative  of  one  of  the  early  fami- 
lies of  Van  Buren  County.  His  father,  Henry  Lind- 
sley,  was  l)orn  in  Genesee  County,  N.Y.,  October  7, 
1818,  and  was  a  son  of  Elihu  Lindsley,  who  emi- 
grated from  New  York  to  New  .lersey,  where  he 
lived  to  a  rii)e  old  .age.  Henry  Lindsley  came  to 
JMichigan  in  an  early  day,  locating  in  Washtenaw 
County,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  In 
April,  185.3,  he  came  to  Van  Buren  County,  lo- 
cating on  section  6,  Decatur  Township,  where  he 
bouglit  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 
Of  this  amount,  he  himself  cleared  eighty  acres, 
and  he  also  cleared  a  part  of  the  farm  on  which 
our  subject  resides. 

In  1817,  Mr.  Lindsley  married  Irveua  N.  Brown, 
a  native  of  this  State,  who  died  in  1S,")7.  He  was 
again  married  in     18.5i),    his    second    union    being 


with  Mrs.  Helen  M.  AVilcox,  who  w.as  born  in  New 
York,  and  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  resided  in 
Decatur  Township.  Mr.  Lindsley  followed  farm- 
ing throughout  his  entires  life,  and  was  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  business  dealings.  He  was  a  self- 
educated  man,  a  great  reader  and  student,  and 
was  much  better  informed  than  many  who  had 
good  school  privih^ges.  He  provided  his  children 
with  good  educational  advantages.  His  speech 
was  free  from  all  [irofanity,  his  life  was  free  from 
wrong-doing,  and  the  friends  whom  he  won  were 
many.  He  died  March  1,  1888,  and  w.as  Iinried  in 
Decatur  Cemetery.  The  .second  wife  still  sur- 
vives him. 

In  the  Lindsley  family  were  seven  children, 
six  of  whom  grew  to  manluKKl  and  womanhood, 
and  are  still  living:  Clarence  II.,  of  this  sketch; 
James  H.,  born  September  22,  18,50,  now  a  farmer 
of  Texas;  Frank  PI,  born  April  7,  18,55,  is  a  school 
te.aclier  of  Decatur  Township;  William  (x.,  born 
October  1-1,  1863;  Nellie  S.,  born  August  8,  1865, 
now  the  wife  of  Albert  Hidlack,  of  Hamilton 
Townshii);  Charles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years;  and  M.abel,  who  was  born  ,Inne  20,  1875. 

We  now  take  n[)  the  |)ersonal  history  of  our 
subject,  who  has  spent  nearly  his  entire  life  in 
Van  Buren  County.  He  was  born  in  Saline, 
Wayne  County,  February  11,  18  li),  and  was 
therefore  only  four  years  of  ;ige  when  he  became 
a  resident  of  Decatur  Townshii).  In  the  usual 
manner  of  farmer  lads,  he  was  reared  to  manhood, 
and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  had 
attained  his  majority,  when  he  left  home  on  a 
visit  to  the  E.astern  i)art  of  JNIichigan.  Return- 
ing at  the  end  of  two  mouths,  he  continued  to 
aid  his  father  until  .Vugust,  when  lu;  hired  out  .as 
a  farm  hand.  In  November  following,  he  took  a 
contract  for  clearing  land,  to  which  he  devoted 
his  energies  during  the  winter. 

An  important  event  in  the  life  of  I\Ir.  Lindsley 
occurred  December  18,  1873,  when  was  celebrated 
his  marriage  with  Miss  .lennie  Mt'Williams,  daugh- 
ter of  Archiliald  and  Ann  McWilliams.  The  fol- 
lowing spring  they  removed  to  the  farm  which  is 
still  their  home.  It  first  comprised  only  forty 
acres,  which  our  subject  hail  [uirchased  of  his  fa- 
ther, but.  from  time    to    lime,  as  his    financial    re- 


898 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGliAPHICAL  RECORD. 


sources  increased,  he  extended  its  boundaries, 
until  it  now  comprises  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  that  yiehl  a  golden  tribute  to  his  care  and 
cultivation.  In  his  farming  operations  he  is  quite 
successful.  The  past  year  his  yield  of  wheat  was 
eleven  hundix-d  bushels.  In  connection  with  gen- 
eral farming,  he  engages  to  some  extent  in  stock- 
i-aisiug.  keeping  on  hand  good  grades  of  horses, 
cattle  and  hogs. 

The  cause  of  temperance  has  ever  found  in  Mr. 
Lindsley  a  standi  advocate  and  the  licjiior  tratlic 
a  bitter  opponent.  His  views  on  the  question  liave 
led  him  to  alHliate  with  the  Prohibition  party, 
wliich  he  now  supports  by  his  ballot,  lie  is  a 
member  of  the  Kquitable  Aid  Union  and  belongs 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Decatur,  in  which 
he  holds  the  ollice  of  Elder.  In  the  Master's  vine- 
yard he  is  an  active  worker,  having  labored  long 
in  both  church  and  .Sunday-school.  The  Lindsley 
household  is  tlie  aljode  of  hospitalit_v,  and  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  rank  iiigh  in  social  circles. 

Unto  this  worthy-  couple  have  been  born  six 
children:  Hlanclie  Oerlrude,  liorn  .liine  12,  187.5; 
Charles  llerljert,  September  17,  187G;  Bessie  Irv- 
ena,  June  8,  1879;  James  Ward,  April  26,  1882; 
Lora  Louisa,  June  .'L  188,');  and  (irace  llardenia, 
December  1,  1888. 


">»-»'T-H 


•^r^*^?^A.« -.f^*..  ■ 


^'LPIlONso   1- 


K  »\\'l*;  i>  ;i  iiu'iiilicr  nf  llic 
linn  of  Tailiot  it  Howe,  coiilraclors  and 
jj  A  builders  in  .\llegan.  Tiiis  partnership  lias 
l)een  formed  during  the  last  three  yearsi 
and  they  have  been  engMgcd  in  erecting  sonic  (if 
tiie  finest  residences  and  business  blocks  in  Ihc 
city.  At  the  present  time,  thej-  arc  erecting  the 
High  .S<-houl  Ibiihiing,  which  will  cost  *2(),(»(l(), 
and  wiiicii  will  be  tiic  (iiiesl  in  the  county.  Tliey 
give  employment  to  a  number  of  men,  and  in  ad- 
dition to  the  busini's.s  rtf  contiactor  and  liuildei', 
.Mr.  Howe  in  liu'  pro|)riet(jr  of  a  brickyard  on  the 
Paw  Paw  road,  which  he  estiiblislied  seven  years 
!igo.  He  is  IhiiN  (-nablcd  U>  furnish  the  best  grade 
of  brick  for  tlu^  buildings  in  this  vicinity,  the 
HIkIi  School  spoken  of  above  re<|iiiriiig  four  hun- 
dred llioiHaiid.      Ml.  Howe  wjlh   given    llii'    cliarire 


of  the  building  of  the  Grand  Plank  Hotel,  at 
Mackinac,  tliis  State,  which  is  the  largest  hotel  in 
the  .State.  lie  also  superintended  the  erection  of 
the  Michigan  Buggy  Company  building  at  Kala- 
mazoo. 

Mr.  Howe,  of  this  sketch,  was  boni  in  tJiicida 
Count}-,  N.  Y.,  in  1838.  He  is  the  son  of  Joseph 
and  Sally  A.  (^filler)  Howe,  natives  respectively 
of  New  York  and  Connecticut.  His  father  was  a 
distiller  and  died  in  1839  in  Paris,  Oneida  County, 
N.  Y.  His  luothor  came  to  ^lichigan,  where  her 
decease  occurred  in  Grand  Rapids.  Joseph  Howe 
was  a  Captain  in  the  State  Militia,  holding  that  of- 
fice at  the  time  of  Lis  decease.  Two  of  the  four 
children  comprising  the  parental  family  are  still 
living:  our  subject  and  Joseph,  Jr. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in 
the  Michigan  schools,  and  early  in  life  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  twenty 
years  ago,  when  he  combined  with  it  the  business 
of  an  architect.  He  purchased  a  farm  on  the  Paw 
Paw  Road,  within  the  corporate  limits  of  that  city, 
where  he  has  a  good  home.  He  manufactures 
brick  and  drain  tile  upon  his  place,  for  which  he 
has  a  read}-  and  ever-increasing  sale. 

Mr.  Howe  was  married,  in  1860,  to  Miss  Candacc 
E.,  the  daughter  of  James  Caske3^  To  tlicni  have 
been  born  three  children:  William  J.,  Kate  M.and 
Xi'llie  L.  In  iiolitics,  our  subject  is  a  Democrat, 
:uid  has  held  the  otiices  of  Townsliip  Treasurer  and 
Clerk,  and  has  also  served  in  the  village  council. 
.Socially,  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a  Mason,  .'uid  a 
Knight  of  Pythias.  Mr.  Howe  is  one  of  the 
wide-awake,  enterprising,  business  men  of  Allegan 
County,  and  we  are  pleased  to  be  able  to  give  a 
brief  outline  of  his  history,  as  well  as  a  view  of  his 
place. 


♦^=^1 


m 


\H)I 


3^*^. 


DWIN  T.  CKISK.  The  Mrilish-.American 
i-Sf]  cilizeiisof  Micliig.in  ;ire;i  line  class  of  sturdy, 
stalwart  men  of  pliirU  ;nid  princiiile  :iii(l 
among  them  we  lind  the  gentleni;\n  whose  name 
appears  at  the  head  of  this  sUelcli.  He  is  doing  a 
line  business,  dealing  in  corn,  oats,  wheat,  clover 
seed,  lialed  hay,  etc.      I'-dwin  T.  Cruse    was  boiii  in 


RL5.D€\\CZL    .icv....-;    jf     E  .  T.   CKO  JL,  AMEGA;-;  ,  I/IICH.GAN. 


RFSlDEilCE    Of     PARKER   S.TRUAX,    STC.  11.  ,■  HOPKI  N5  1  f"'.,  ALL  tGAN    CO.,iVilCH. 


■4i 


RF,SIDENCE   OF     A.    F.    H  OW  E,  ALLEGAN,    IVIICHi>j. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIHCAL  RECORD. 


;)oi 


the  Parish  of  Stokeeliiiishmd,  County  of  Cornwall, 
England,  January  6,  1812,  and  is  the  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Mai-y  (Falley)  Cruse, also  natives  of  Eng- 
land. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  an  engineer,  and 
emigrated  to  America  nineteen  years  ago.  Com- 
ing directly'  to  Micliigan,  he  settled  in  the  Upper 
Peninsula,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  an 
engineer  until  1888,  the  date  of  his  advent  into  Al- 
legan County.  He  is  now  engaged  in  running  the 
engine  in  the  elevator  of  his  son,  our  subject. 

The  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  John 
and  Mary  (Cruse)  Cruse,  who  lived  and  died  in 
their  native  England.  William  Cruse  was  reared 
on  a  farm  until  tvventy-three  years  of  age.  When 
starting  out  for  himself,  he  worked  in  a  mine  for 
twenty  years,  then  eng.aged  in  running  a  station- 
ary engine  until  coming  to  America,  nineteen 
years  ago.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  about 
1875,  while  tiie  family  were  living  on  Lake  Super- 
ior. 

Edwin  T.  Cruse  received  a  good  education  in 
his  native  land,  after  which  he  commenced  mining, 
which  occupation  he  followed  until  coming  to 
America  in  1864.  Landing  in  New  York  on  the 
6th  of  June,  he  C!ime  West  immediately  to  the  Lake 
Superior  regions  where  he  was  engaged  in  mining 
for  three  years,  after  which  he  clerked  in  a  general 
store  at  the  Central  Mine  at  Central  Michigan.  He 
later  clerked  in  the  store  in  the  Atlantic  Mine  and 
then  with  North  &  Briggs  at  the  Hackley  Mines. 

Wishing  to  fit  himself  for  mercantile  life,  Mr. 
Cruse  went  to  Kalamazoo  and  took  a  course  in  the 
business  college  in  that  city.  He  also  took  a 
twelvemonths'  course  in  the  Theological  Seminary 
in  Chicago,  after  which  he  came  to  Allegan,  the 
date  thereof  being  August  6,  1877.  Soon  after 
locating  here,  he  purchased  of  H.  B.  Peck  the  only 
elevator  in  the  place,  and  now  carries  on  a  large 
business,  shipping  grain  over  three  different  rail- 
roads. His  elevator  has  a  capacity  of  over  twenty 
thousand  bushels  of  grain  and  is  supplied  with  a 
twelve-horse  power  engine. 

Our  subject  was  married,  in  1886,  to  Miss  Nellie, 
daughter  of  AVilliam  B.  Jenner.  She  is  a  most 
estimable  and  cultured  lady  and  presides  with 
grace  and    dignity    over   their    beautiful    home,  a 


view  of  which  appears  in  this  connection.  Our 
subject  is  a  Repulilican  in  politics,  and  a  memljcr 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  has  four  brothers 
and  one  sistei-:  .Lames,  William,  John,  Alfred,  and 
Hannah,  now  IMrs.  Thomas. 


JARKER  S.  TRUAX  is  at  present  engaged 
J  in  cultivating  a  lieautiful  tract  of  land  on 
section    11,   Hopkins   Township,  Allegan 

I  [  County,  of  which  he  is  the  proprietor. 
His  father,  Andrew  Truax,  was  a  native  of  Canada 
and  a  farmer,  although  in  early  life  he  ran  a  saw- 
mill for  twelve  years.  His  mother  was  known  in 
her  maidenhood  as  Edith  Fordyceand  was  l)orn  in 
New  Brunswick;  she  died  in  1854.  Andrew  Truax 
was  again  married  and  at  the  present  time  is  liv- 
ing with  his  third  wife  in  Canada,  being  over 
eighty  j'ears  of  age.  By  his  first  marriage,  he  be- 
came the  father  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living. 

Our  subject  was  the  fifth  child  of  his  parents,  his 
Ijirth  occurring  July  27,  1844,  in  Canada.  He  was 
given  a  limited  schooling  and  remained  with  his 
father,  aiding  in  the  development  of  the  farm,  un- 
til reaching  his  nineteenth  year.  At  that  time  he 
bought  his  time  of  his  father  and  as  he  was  anxious 
to  come  to  the  States,  in  1863  made  his  advent  into 
Michigan  and  engaged  to  work  out  in  Martin 
Township,  Allegan  Count3'.  He  enlisted  in  the 
Union  Army  in  the  spring  of  1864,  and  was  mus- 
tered into  Com[);in3'  II,  Fu'st  Regiment  of  Michi- 
gan Engineers  and  Mechanics.  He  joined  his 
regiment  at  Cartersville,  Ga.,  where  the}'  were  en- 
gaged in  building  bridges.  He  then  went  to  At- 
lanta, a  portion  of  his  regiment  in  the  meantime 
having  been  sent  up  the  Chattahoochie  River  where 
they  were  occupied  in  bridge-building  for  four 
weeks.  He  later  started  with  his  regiment  for 
Savannah  under  Gen.  Sherman  and,  when  one  day's 
march  from  that  city,  his  regiment  was  ordered 
back  and  sent  by  Ijoat  to  Beaufort,  in  order  that 
they  might  rest  up. 

Previousl\-,  however,  while  at  Savannah.  Mr. 
Truax  had  been  detailed  on  five   foraging  expedi- 


902 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGR^^PHICAL  RECORD. 


tions,  each  occupying  about  three  days.  When 
leaving  Savannah,  the  regiment  of  which  our  sub- 
ject w.as  a  member  w.os  in  advance  of  tlie  army  un- 
der Gen.  Sherman.  The  enemy  in  the  city  were 
prepared  for  them  and  they  were  lircd  upon  from 
batteries  placed  on  Hat  cars.  One  solid  shot  struck 
the  file  of  men  in  which  Mr.  Truax  was  marching, 
knocking  him  down,  and  one  of  his  comrades,  who 
was  marching  near  him.  was  thrown  thirty  feet  in 
the  air  and  instontly  killed.  Our  subject  refused 
to  lie  taken  to  the  iiospital.  altiiough  quite  se- 
verely injured,  and  remained  with  his  company  un- 
til fully  restored. 

The  Michig-an  regimcnl.in  company  with  a  com- 
pany of  Missouri  Kngineers,  built  a  ro.ad  live  miles 
and  tliree-quartei-s  in  length  through  a  deep  swamp. 
Tliey  existed  sometimes  on  very  >li()rt  rations  and 
often  their  meal  consisted  of  rice  whicli  tliey  picked 
from  the  lields.  They  remained  at  Savann.ah  for 
two  or  three  weeks  and  then  left  with  the  army  for 
Norlii  Carolina  and  were  about  thirty  miles  from 
Haleigh,  X.  C,  when  Gen.  .loiinslon's  army  sur- 
rendered U)  Sherman.  Mr.  Truax  later  took  part 
in  llic  (irand  Review  at  \V;u^liington,  I).  C,  was 
mustered  <uit  a  few  days  later  and  received  hisdis- 
diarge  at  .lackson.  tiiis  State,  in  .lune.  IKG;"). 

.Vfler  the  close  of  llic  war,  Mr.  Truax  came  to 
Martin  Townshi[i,  Allegan  County,  and  as  lie  was 
unable  to  do  any  kind  of  work  went  to  iiis  home 
in  Canada  and  spent  *.'ii)0  in  doctor's  bills.  Wlien 
fully  recu|KM-aled.  he  returned  to  Michigan  and 
puri'lia--^;)!  his  prf>ent  proiierty,  wiiicli  tlii'ii  was  in 
its  primitive  condition.  Il(^  paid  ^.'iOD  down  on 
his  land  and  begun  industriously  the  work  of  clear- 
in;;  and  improving  it. 

In  April,  IK77.  .Mr.  Truax  and  .Miss  ICveline  1)., 
dautjliler  of  Uu.sscll  and  Charily  (Dymon)  Ciaylor, 
wen-  united  in  mairiagc.  The  parents  of  Mrs. 
Truax  were  early  ^ettlersof  Allegan  County,  where 
the  father  died  in  IKHIt;  the  mother  is  still  residing 
in  ( It.sego  Township. 

.Mr-*.  Truax  was  born  .luly    !(!,    iK.'id,   in    Otsego    , 
Tonnsliip,  nnci  by  her  union  with  our  subject   has   i 
beeome  the  mother  of  six  chihlren,  vi/.:     .Jessie  L., 
Leonard   A.,  JCdiMi    Aufjusla,  Orville  G.,    George 
Oliti  and  an   infant   not  yet    iianu'd.      Mr.   Truax 
ha."!  nixly  acres  (»f   b'u  <vMlnte   under  excellent    im- 


provements and  is  ranked  among  the  intelligent 
farmers  of  this  locality.  A  view  of  liis  honiestejvd 
a))peai's  on  another  page.  He  is  a  memlier  of  the 
Grand  Array  of  the  Repul)lic  and  is  also  a  Patrtni 
of  Industry.  In  polities,  ho  is  a  Kepublit-ui  and 
has  been  Road  Overseer  of  his  township. 


W'OIIN   W.  IIOOVKR  is   the  proprietor   of  a 
I     "general    meat  market,    located  at    No.   524 


J  Oak  Street,  Kalamazoo,  where  he  is  doing  a 
very  profitable  business.  He  is  a  native  of 
Canada,  having  been  born  in  Welland  Comity, 
May  16,  1842.  His  parents  wore  David  and  JIary 
E.  (Pew)  Hoover,  the  father  a  native  of  Canada 
where  he  carried  on  farming.  He  continued  to 
reside  in  the  Dominion  until  1866,  at  which  tiuie 
he  emigrated  to  the  States  with  his  family  and  lo- 
cated in  .VUegan  County,  on  a  farm.  He  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  the  soil  until  his  death  in  the 
spring  of  1888,  his  wife  passing  away  on  the  same 
farm  in  the  fall  of  1888. 

.lohu  W.  Hoover  was  roared  on  the  home  farm 
until  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  liic  meantime  at- 
tending the  district  school.  He  tiion  learned  tlie 
trade  of  a  butcher.  In  1865,  he  also  came  to  this 
Strife,  and,  locating  at  Ganges,  Allegan  County, 
opened  a  meat  market  and  was  fairly  successful  in 
his  undertiiking.  In  1882,  lie  came  to  Kalamazoo 
where  he  established  a  market  on  Potter  Street, 
and  pnjseculod  liis  business  there  for  four  years. 
He  later  removed  to  his  present  location,  where  he 
has  erected  a  Imildiug  suitalile  for  the  iiroper 
carrying-on  of  liis  line  of  business,  lie  has  one  of 
the  finest  markel-s  in  the  city,  and  keeps  con- 
stantly on  hand  a  splendi<l  assortment  of  choice 
mealvS,  making  his  i>wn  sausage,  lard,  etc.  He  eon- 
tracts  for  most  of  his  suiiplies  from  Chieago  parties 
and  his  patrons  arc  thus  assured  that  they  will 
receive  the  very  best  the  market  atTords. 

He  was  married  to  .Mi.ss  I'jiiily  A.  Kitchen, in  .lune, 
1866,  and  to  them  liave  been  honi  one  daughter: 
IMary  ('.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Delno  llensliaw,  of 
Morgan  I'rirk.  III.  Mr.  Hoover  cnniiiH'iieed  jit  the 
bot-toni  III'  \\\r  l:iilder  in  stnrlini:  "ul.  in  IH'e  Mini 
now   has  one    of   the   linesl    Imsinesses   in    liis   line 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


903 


in  Kalamazoo.  He  owns  a  pleasant  residence  lo- 
cated at  No.  522  Oak  Street,  and  is  so  situated 
that  he  is  enjoyinii;  a  liandsonie  income.  Socially, 
he  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and.  Villi  his  wife,  is  a  nieiii- 
hor  of  the  First  Baptist  Churcii.  I'oiitically,  he  isa 
Pi'ohibitionist. 


-(•{••{••{••{•"^iB 


^.^.{..{..^L^ 

^♦•{••{•^F 


■^1  AMES  GARNER  CLARK,  one  of  the  prom- 
inent business  men  of  Gobleville,  Van 
Bui  en  Count3',  is  a  prosperous  merchant  and 
is  also  engaged  in  carrying  on  a  gristmill. 
His  father  was  Benjamin  Clark,  a  native  of  England, 
where  he  was  born  in  1800,  and  was  a  miller  by 
occupation.  Tiie  mother  was  Elizabeth  Motley 
in  her  maiden iiood,  and  also  a  native  of  England, 
born  in  1808.  They  were  married  in  England  and 
came  to  America  in  1830,  and  settled  in  Monroe 
Count}',  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  carried  on  farm- 
ing until  his  death  which  occurred  in  1854.  The 
good  wife  and  mother  died  in  Michigan  in  1869. 
The}'  were  the  worlliy  parents  of  eleven  children, 
those  surviving  bearing  the  names  of  Benjamin 
R.,  Mary  E.  (Mrs.  II.  T.  Ilerron),  Thomas  M., 
Eliza  S.,  James  G.  and  Marian  Z.  The  deceased 
are  Rebecca  A.,  Hiram  A.,  Joseph  A.,  Henry  and 
Louisa.  The  famil\'  came  to  Michigan  in  1857, 
and  settled  in  the  "north  woods"  of  Van  Buren 
County. 

Our  subject  was  born  September  10,  184(1,  in 
Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  eleven  j'ears  old 
when  he  came  to  this  State.  His  education  was 
obtained  in  the  district  schools  and  at  Hillsdale 
College,  after  which  he  taught  three  terms.  In 
1868,  he  embarked  in  the  merchandise  business  in 
Geneva  Township,  and  two  years  later  came  to 
Gobleville  and  put  up  the  first  store  lieie.  The 
building  is  now  occupied  by  W.  S.  Crosby  <fe  Co. 
This  he  carried  on  ten  years,selling  dry  goods,  boots 
and  shoes,  groceries  and  hardware.  In  1882,  he 
purchased  his  mill  whicii  was  then  a  small  grist^ 
mill,  with  a  portable  engine.  He  has  remodeled 
it  completely  and  now  has  a  full  rftllcr  .system  with 
a  large  elevatoi.  He  liuys  and  handles  all  the  wheat 
that  is  offered  here.  The  capacity  of  the  mill  is 
fifty  barrels  [ler  day.     It  is  run  all  the  year  round 


and  does  a  gi'ueral  iiiilliiig  business.  I''rc>i]i  tince 
to  four  hands  are  employed  in  the  place  all  the 
time  and  Hour  of  all  grades,  feed,  and  buckwiieat 
Hour  are  nianfactured.  His  market  is  mostly 
local  trade,  but  he  sends  some  to  New  York  City 
and  Baltimore. 

In  addition  to  his  mill,  ;\Ir.  Clark  has  a' grocery, 
boot  and  shoe  store.  He  will  erect  a  good  brick 
building  the  coming  spring  for  mercantile  [uirpose. 
Mr.  Clark  was  married  in  May,  1875,  to  Ilattie  A. 
Goble,  a  daughter  of  Warren  and  Cordelia  (Walle) 
Goble,  now  residents  of  Gobleville.  Mrs.  Clark 
was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  March  24,  1855, 
and  to  her  has  been  born  two  children:  Pearl  .1. 
and  Ruby,  born  July  25,  1876,  and  November  14. 
1887,  respectively.  The  eldest  daughter  is  attend- 
ing the  High  School  department  of  the  GoVilevillc 
graded  schools.  Mv.  Clark  and  his  daughter  Pearl 
are  members  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church  and 
he  has  been  Trustee  and  Clerk  of  the  same  and  also 
took  charge  of  the  erection  of  the  present  church 
here.  He  was  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school  until  his  hearing  was  affected.  IMr.  Clark 
has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  school  affairs  and 
has  been  on  the  School  Board.  When  in  Geneva 
Township,  he  served  as  Township  Clerk  on  the 
Republican  ticket,  hut  the  last  few  years  he  has 
cast  his  influence  with  the  Prohibition  party,  hav- 
ing alw.ays  been  a  strong  temperance  man.  He 
built  his  fine  residence  in  1875  and  has  also  |)Ht 
up  one  other  residence,  two  stores  and  his  mill. 
The  church  and  parsonage  were  erected  mainly 
through  his  efforts  and  support.  For  several  years 
Mr.  Clark  was  interested  in  bee  culture.  He  is  a 
thorough  business  man  and  is  a  good  examitle  for 
3'oung  men  just  starting  in  active  life  to  follow. 


-^~) 


ENRY  SHERMAN  PARKER,  deceased,  was 
one  of  the  prominent  and  successful  busi- 
ness men  of  Kalamazoo.  He  was  born  in 
i^i  Waterbury,  Conn.,  April  2,  182.3.  and  was 
the  son  of  Charles  and  Deborah  Isabella  Parker. 
the  fatlier  a  manufacturer  of  hats  and  trunks  m 
Tarrytown,   N.    Y.       Our  subject's  mother    was  a 


904 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


native  of  Connecticut  and  of  English  descent. 
The  family  lat«r  removed  to  Medina,  N.  Y.,  where 
they  made  tlieir  home  until  coming  to  Battle 
Creek,  this  State,  in  1857.  Our  subject  came  to 
Kalamazoo  during  the  same  year,  and  here  the 
elder  Mr.  Paiker  started  a  trunk  factory,  in  which 
business  he  continued  until  his  death,  in  1878. 
lie  was  of  Scotch  and  English  extraction  and  stood 
high  in  linancial  circles  in  his  community. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  was  the  eldestof  the  paren- 
tal family  of  twelve  children  and  passed  his  boyhood 
days  in  Medina,  X.  Y.  His  primary  studies  were 
conducted  in  the  common  schools,  which  were  later 
supplemented  by  attendance  at  the  Medina  Acad- 
emy. He  engaged  to  work  in  a  hat  factory  when 
twelve  yeai-s  of  age  and  while  thus  employed  met 
with  a  serious  accident  by  having  his  hand  caught 
in  the  machinery,  which  caused  him  to  lose  that 
member. 

The  father  of  our  subject  having  met  with  finan- 
cial revei-ses,  Henry  S.  was  early  in  life  thi'own 
upon  his  own  resources.  His  pluck  and  energy, 
however,  won  him  success  wherever  he  went,  which 
wiu-i  greatly  needed  .as  he  had  to  care  for  the  fam- 
ily for  a  lime.  In  1841,  Henry  S.  Parker  was  mar- 
ried to  H.achel  Gregory,  of  Ontario  Count}',  N.  Y. 
She  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  Pliilo  and  Rachel 
(Card)  Gregory  and  soon  after  her  marriage  lo- 
c^ited  with  her  husband  in  Medina,  Orleans  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  Mr.  Parker  was  engaged  as  a  hatter 
and  furrier. 

The  originiil  of  this  sketcli  came  to  Michigan  in 
1K.">7,  and  made  his  home  in  Kalamazoo,  where  he 
wif*  succe.'wfully  engaged  in  business  until  his 
death,  February  ."),  IHH;').  The  following  children 
weie  iKirn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker,  viz:  Sarah 
]■',..  Mn*.  A.  A.  Ilaz/.ard  of  this  city;  Henry  P.,  de- 
cen.sed;  Villa  C.  who  icsides  with  her  mother; 
Frances  V.,  also  at  home;  Charles  M.,  .lulia  I,,  and 
Flla  i..     'I'wo  children  died  in  inriiiicy. 

In  religions  inatu-i^,  Mr.  I'arker  was  a  devoted 
inenilier  of  the  Chiisd.-in  Chnreh,  and  in  politics,  a 
Ktanr-h  Kepubliean.  lie  was  always  a  liberal  and 
rln-erful  contributor  to  all  charitidile  enterprises 
and  n  man  greatly  respected  in  his  eoniniunitv. 
His  family  make  their  home  in  a  I'onifoil.Mblr  and 
plensanl  residence,  located  at    No.    I.'t.'i    Woodward 


Avenue.  Few  men  have  done  ni(ire  for  Kalamazoo 
than  our  subject.  lie  built  four  stores  and  several 
houses  and  was  always  keenly  alive  to  everything 
that  tended  to  the  upbiiilding  of  his  community, 
and  we  can  truh'  s-a^'  the  world  was  better  for  his 
having  lived.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Gregory  made 
his  home  with  our  subject  until  1884,  when  he  died 
in  his  ninety -second  year,  lie  was  a  Class-leader 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ('hurch,  of  which  body 
he  had  been  a  member  for  fifty-scvcn  years.  His 
remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Mountain  Home  Cem- 
etery. 


<*  MLBUR  F.  REED.  This  gentleman,  who 
\pj//  is  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Kal.a- 
\^/^  mazoo,  is  Chief  Engineer  and  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Water  Works.  His  beautiful  home 
is  located  at  No.  1026  .South  Park  Street,  and  i.; 
presided  over  by  his  amiable  wife.  He  was  born 
at  Gr.ass  Lake,  .T.acksou  County,  this  State,  August 
8,  1851,  and  was  the  son  of  Mulford  and  l^ura 
(Jackson)  Reed.  The  fatiier,  who  was  a  native  of 
the  Empire  State,  came  to  this  city  in  1866,  where 
he  died  in  1872;  his  wife  still  makes  her  home 
here. 

When  eighteen  years  of  age,  our  subject  began 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  and  was  thus 
employed  in  dilferent  places  in  this  State,  at  one 
time  being  foreman  of  the  Kalamazoo  Foundry  it 
iMachine  Comiiany.  In  July,  1890,  he  became 
Assistant  Engineer,  .and  April  20,1891,  w.as  ap- 
])oiiitcd  Chief  Engineer  and  Superintendent  of 
the  Water  Works,  succeeding  George  II.  Chand- 
ler. He  gives  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  his 
position,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 

A|)ril  2.'),  1875,  Wilbur  F.  Reed  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Ella  L.  .lacobs,  of  Kalamazoo. 
They  h.-ive  become  the  parents  of  two  sons:  Ernest 
and  ,\rtliur.  Suci;dly,  our  subject  is  an  Odd  Fel- 
low and  a  Free  and  Accepted  M.asoii.  Mr.  Reed 
is  a  thorough  master  of  his  trade,  .as  is  evidenced 
by  the  condition  and  systematic  arrangement  of 
everything  conncrlcd  uilh  llic  engine  house.  Me 
had  naturally  a  niccliiinicMl  mind  iind  never  was 
more  ;il  home  llian  when  :il  wnvU  on  sonic  piece 
of    in:iiliincr\  .      Itcini;     I  lioronL;hl\     vciscii    in  llic 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


90o 


technical  systems  of  mechanical  enginceiini;;,  !is 
well  as  on  tlie  [n'aftioal  side  of  the  question,  he 
makes  a  most  desirable  man  as  Superintendent  of 
such  an  imi)ortant  plant  as  the  water  system  of 
the  city  of  Kalamazot). 

Mr.  Reed  has  strong  social  proclivities  and  is  a 
"hail  fellow  well  met,"  and  no  more  popular  man 
can  be  found  in  the  city.  Kalamazoo  is  supplied 
with  over  thirty  miles  of  water  main  and  the  cost 
of  maintaining  the  department  is  $10,000  per  an- 
num. The  number  of  gallons  pumped  is  two  hun- 
dred millions  per  day.  They  use  the  direct  S3-s- 
tera,  with  no  reservoir  or  stand-pipes,  and  have 
four  engines — a  Holly  Quadruplex  of  one  million 
capacity,  a  Worthington  Duplex  of  two  millions, 
and  two  Gaskill  Compound  engines  of  three  mil- 
lions each. 

IIUBAEL  AUSTIN  LINCOLN,  of  Kalama- 
zoo, was  born  near  Chelsea,  Yt.,  May  5, 
1805,  which  was  the  fifth  day  of  the  fifth 
month  of  the  fifth  year  in  the  nineteenth 
centurj',  and  he  is  the  fifth  child  in  a  family  of 
twelve  children.  Two  brothers  of  the  name  of 
Lincoln  came  from  England  to  America  and  were 
tlic  founders  of  the  family  in  this  country.  One 
settled  in  Connecticut,  the  other  in  Kentucky, and 
from  the  latter  Abraham  Lincoln  was  descended. 
Shubael  Lincoln,  father  of  our  subject,  was  boin 
on  the  6th  of  March,  1770,  in  Connecticut  and 
spent  his  lioyhood  on  his  father's  farm.  He  be- 
came an  expert  mechanic,  and,  in.  the  year  1825, 
emigrated  to  the  Westci'ii  Reserve  in  Ohio,  locat- 
ing in  Lake  County,  where  he  made  his  home  un- 
til his  death.  He  was  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  tree 
in  Ashtabula  County,  January  30,  1835.  His  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Ellis,  was  born  in 
New  Hampshire,  April  25,  1775,  and  when  a  young 
maiden  went  with  her  family  to  near  Chelsea,  Vt. 
Some  3'ears  after  her  marriage,  ]\Larch  21, 1793,  they 
removed  to  Grand  Isle  County,  Vt.  vShe  survived 
her  liusband  some  years  and  died  in  Kalamazoo, 
September  19,  1854,  her  remains  being  interred  in 
Mt.  Hope  Cemetery. 

The  subject  of  this   sl<etch   remained   under   the 


p.-ircnlnl  rnnf  uiilil  he  Mtt,;iined  ills  iiKijorily,  ■■iiul 
in  connection  witli  liis  father  built  and  operated 
a  mill  near  C'hariton,  Ohio.  He  is  numbered  among 
the  pioneers  of  Kalamazoo  of  1838.  After  locat- 
ing here,  he  carried  on  a  store  for  about  three  years 
as  a  partner  of  his  brother  Horatio,  when  he  be- 
came Deputy  Sheriff  under  John  Parker  and  for 
two  years  had  charge  of  the  jail.  AVe  next  find 
him  engaged  in  keeping  a  hotel  and  the  stage  sta- 
tion in  Texas  Township,where  he  purchased  a  farm, 
making  his  home  thereon  for  two  years.  Return- 
ing on  the  expiration  of  that  period  to  Kalamazoo, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  David  Burrell  in  the 
manufacture  of  wagons,  in  which  line  of  trade  he 
continued  for  eight  years,  after  which  he  turned 
his  attention  to  the  real-estate  business  and  also 
built  a  store  on  Church  Street.  The  grocery 
trade  also  engrossed  his  time  and  attention  for 
some  years,  and  he  again  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff 
under  George  Rix.  In  1874,  he  purchased  his 
home,  which  is  situated  on  a  four-acre  tract  of 
ground  on  a  hill  near  the  asylum  and  commands 
a  fine  view  of  the  entire  city.  In  connection  with 
this,  he  also  owns  a  fine  fruit  farm  of  nine  acres 
and  a  number  of  houses  which  he  rents. 

In  Chariton,  Ohio.  June  15,  1824,  Mr.  Lincoln 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Janet  Starr,  who  died 
ten  years  later,  and,  September  14,  1846,  in  New 
.  Castle,  Pa.,  he  married  Mrs.  Cynthia  Somerville,  ?)ee 
Brown.  She  was  born  in  Ashtabula  County,  Ohio, 
and  for  more  than  forty-five  years  they  have  trav- 
eled life's  journey  together.  By  his  first  marriage 
three  children  were  born:  Horatio,  now  residing 
in  California;  Julia,  who  became  the  wife  of  James 
Kelly, died  in  Piersons,  Mich.,  in  1887;  and  Carlos 
1).,  telegraph  operator  and  station  .agent  at  Potters- 
ville,  Mich.  The  children  of  the  second  marriage 
are  Ellen,  Emily,  Marietta  and  Austin,  all  of  whom 
are  yet  at  home. 

Formerly,  Mr.  Lincoln  w.as  a  Wliig  in  political 
sentiment  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for 
John  Q.  Adams  but  since  the  organization  of  the 
Rcpulilican  party  lias  been  one  of  its  stanch  sup- 
porters. He  is  a  great  admirer  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, whom  he  met  while  making  a  speech  in  Kala- 
zoo.  Religiously,  he  liclongs  to  the  Congregational 
Church,  which  he  joined  in   1812.     Mr.  Lincoln  is 


906 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


a  genial  geiitlemau  and  an  entertaining  conversa- 
tionalist. He  and  his  family-  are  well  and  favora- 
bly known  tliroiigliont  the  coninuinity  where  they 
have  resided  for  so  many  years,  lie  having  been  a 
resident  of  Kalamazoo  City  and  coiiiily  for  a  half 
ecuturv. 


i  PIIRABI  T.  MILLS,  Treasurer  of  the  Kala- 
mazoo Pul)lishing  Company,  was  born    in 

_^  Ann  Arbor,  this  State,  February  13,  1830. 
llis  father,  Sylvester  W.,  removed  in  IXiCt  from  his 
home  in  ?sew  York  to  Ann  Arbor,  and  five  years 
later  e;ime  t(j  Kalamazoo  County  and  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  at  Richland.  A  partner- 
.ship  formed  with  Mumford  Eldred  continued  un- 
til 183!i,  when  he  removed  to  \'croua,  Calhoun 
County,  and  was  in  a  mercantile  business  there 
with  Jeremiah  Teed  until  1841,  when  he  went  back 
to  Richlanil  and  from  tiiere  to  Galesburgh,  Marcli  1, 
1843.  In  1844,  he  built  a  gristmill  with  David  Ford 
and  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  W.  Mills  &  Sons, 
engaged  in  merchandising.  Removing  in  1859  to 
Chicago,  he  wa*  foreman  in  a  machine  shop  until 
his  death,  in  1803,  at  the  .age  of  fift\'-four. 

The  marriage  of  Sylvester  W.  Mills  and  Louisa 
Terry  took  place  in  Ann  Arbor,  in  1828.  The 
bride,  who  w.as  a  native  of  Connecticut,  accom- 
panied her  jiarents  to  Michigan  at  an  carl^-  day 
and  spent  the  greater  part  of  her  life  in  the  State, 
dying  at  lieiilon  Harbor,  at  her  daughter's  home, 
in  18K(;,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy -seven. 
Her  mortal  remains  lie  in  the  cemetery  at  Ciales- 
burgh,  by  the  si<le  of  her  husband's.  Two  of  their 
live  children  died  in  infancy.  The  youngest  sister, 
Kllen  \..,  married  N.  .1.  ICidrcfl,  of  iicnlon  Harbor, 
where  she  now  resides. 

Willlaiii  T.,only  brother  of  our  sidiject,  an<l  now 
n  resident  of  Itenlon  Harbor,  enlisted  during  the 
late  war  in  the  first  com))aiiy  from  K:damazoo. 
undi-r  Cobinel  l)wight  .May,  and  was  di>cli;irged 
for  disabililv  but. soon  after  re-enli.sted  in  the  Six- 
teenth He^iinental  Ifcind  and  served  througout  the 
iMiliri-  war.  He  was  struck  with  par.ajysis  and  for 
two  years   wa-«    unable    lo   --il     up.   Iml    liiialU     re- 


covered. He  became  blind  through  injuries  re- 
ceived while  in  service. 

Our  subject,  as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  to  be 
of  .assistance  to  his  father,  clerked  in  his  store,  be- 
coming a  partner  when  he  was  twentj'-one  and 
continuing  in  that  connection  until  1859.  In  1860, 
he  was  elected  County  Registrar  at  a  special  elec- 
tion (the  regular  candidate  having  died  of  heart 
disease)  and  was  twice  re-elected,  serving  for  six 
years.  In  1867,  in  conip.any  with  L.  B.  Kendall, 
he  bought  a  milling  business  at  Kendall  Station, 
twenty  miles  from  Kalamazoo,  and  together  they 
operated  a  sawmill  and  stave  factory  ftir  three  j'ears 
with  great  success. 

In  1869,  Mr.  Mills  went  to  Kansas  City  and  w'.as 
connected  with  A.  L.  IM.ason,  formerly  of  Gales- 
burgh,  in  a  steam  cr.acker  factory,  which,  unfortu- 
nately, was  burned  ten  days  after  being  established 
but  was  rebuilt  at  once.  In  1873,  he  became  Assist- 
ant Cashier  and  Payni.aster  of  the  Leavenworth, 
Lawrence  <k  Galveston  Railroad,  with  headquarters 
.at  Lawrence,  Kan.,  and  held  the  position  until  he 
returned  to  Kalamazoo  in  1875.  Here  he  became 
connected  with  the  Kalamazoo  Publishing  Com- 
pany, and  for  seven  years  w.as  Assistant  I'ostmastcr 
under  L.  B.  Kendall,  having  entire  cjiarge  of  the 
postollicc  on  account  of  Mr.  Kendall's  absence 
from  the  city  a  good  deal  of  the  time.  The  ollice 
under  his  supervision  had  the  reputation  of  being 
the  l)est  managed  of  any  in  tiic  Stale. 

November  28,  1851,  Mr.  Mills  was  married  to 
Miss  Helen  L.,  daughter  of  Koswell  Ransom,  and  a 
niece  of  the  ex-(iovernor.  Mrs.  Mills  was  born  in 
1836,  at  (!alesi)urgli.  where  her  father  settled  in 
1831,  and  w.-is  the  third  of  seven  children,  six  of 
whom  survive.  Her  father,  .a  native  of  N'ermont, 
was  a  merchant  and  miller  of  (Salesburgh,  and  died 
there  in  Xovember,  1877,  aged  seventy-live.  Her 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  w.as  Loretla  Shafler, 
was  a  daughter  of  (ien.  William  l{.  Shatter,  an  ex- 
member  of  the  \'ermonl  Legislaturi',  and  is  now 
making  her  home  with  a  daughter,  Mrs.  .\.  ,1. 
Uurdick,  at  Kalamazoo. 

.\  brother  of  iMrs.  Ransom,  Hon.  ()sc;\i'  L.  Shaf- 
ter,  was  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Coiul  of  California, 
and  when  the  two  brothers  were  together  had 
ninct\   tliousan<l  acres  of  ImihI  .'nul  the  largestdairy 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RFX'ORD. 


907 


ill  the  world,  owiiiiin'  fniir  llioiisiuid  cows.  Aiiotlicr 
biotlicr,  Jiidiife  .lames  iM.  JM.,  is  a  wealthy  laiieli- 
iiian,  of  San  Francisco.  llo  has  twelve  liuiulrcd 
inilch  cows  and  has  twent\'-six  thousand  acres  in  his 
ranch. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mills  arc  the  parents  of  six  children, 
three  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Glen  W.  resides 
at  Jackson,  and  is  one  of  the  firm  in  the  music 
house  of  S.  B.  Smith  ife  Compan}';  Frank  R.,  an 
actor  in  the  Alcazar  Stock  Compan}'  Theater  at 
San  Francisco,  promises  to  be  a  future  star  of  the 
stage,  and  has  already  received  many  flattering 
press  notices;  Mamie  E.,  the  only  daughter,  resides 
at  home. 

Although  a  Republican,  Mr.  IMills  is  not  a  part- 
isan. He  was  reared  in  the  Congregational 
Church,  hut  is  not  now  connected  with  any  relig- 
ious organization,  although  his  belief  tends  to  that 
of  the  Unitarian  Church. 


"5- 


m>-^<m= 


^-^ 


ORACE  M.  PECK.  We  are  pleased  to  give 
in  our  list  of  the  best  citizens  of  Kalama- 
zoo the  old  pioneers  and  prominent   busi- 

^j  ness  men,  and  we  therefore  take  special 
pleasure  in  presenting  to  our  readers  the  name  of 
Horace  M.  Peck.  He  was  born  in  Litchlield 
County,  Conn.,  in  the  town  of  Watertown,  August 
7,  1814,  and  is  the  second  in  order  of  birth  of  a 
familj-  of  three  children  born  to  Benjamin  M.  and 
Salima  (Atwood) Peck,  also  natives  of  Connecticut. 

Deacon  Benjamin  Peck  was  a  ver}'  prominent 
agriculturist  in  the  Nutmeg  State  and  for  several 
years  took  second  premium  for  his  neat  and  well- 
cultivated  estate.  The  Pecks  were  of  Scotch  des- 
cent and  the  parents  of  our  subject  wci'c  members 
of  the  Congregational  Church.  The  original  of 
this  sketch  attended  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  town  and  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  and 
improving  the  home  f;iriii  until  reaching  his  ma- 
jority. 

Horace  M.  Peck  came  to  Michigan  in  1836 
where  he  remained  for  a  short  time  and  then  re- 
turned to  Connecticut.  In  the  spring  of  1838,  he 
again  made  the  Wolverine  State  his  home,  this 
tune  locating  in  the  village  of  Yoikville.     He  later 


improved  a  good  fiirm  where  he  made  his  home 
for  the  live  suc(-eediiig  years  and  then  came  to 
Richland  Tovviishi|)  and  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing. He  made  a  specialty  of  sheep-raising  and 
assisted  other  farmers  in  starting  their  Hocks.  Mr. 
Peck  has  done  a  great  deal  of  pioneer  work  in 
this  county.  He  also  carried  on  a  brokerage  busi- 
ness. His  home  place  consisted  of  two  hundred 
acres  which  he  placed  under  most  excellent  culti- 
vation and  improved  with  all  the  buildings  nec- 
essary for  the  carryingon  of  a  first-class  farm.  He 
continued  to  cultivate  his  farm  until  October,  1869 
when  he  moved  into  the  then  village  of  Kalama- 
zoo, where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 

Mr.  Peck,  in  company  with  Charles  Dayton,  C. 
II.  Hall  and  Col.  F.  W.  Cortenius  organized  the 
Kalamazoo  Savings  ISank.  He  was  made  its  Vice- 
president,  which  position  he  continued  to  hold  un- 
til 1889,  when  his  failing  health  caused  liiiii  to 
sever  his  connection  with  the  institution.  He 
still  owns  his  beautiful  farm  in  Richland  Township, 
which  nets  him  a  fine  income. 

July  4,  1838,  he  of  whom  we  write  and  Miss 
Amelia  B.  Baines,  of  Yorkville,  Mich.,  were  united 
in  marriage.  Mrs.  Peck  is  the  daughter  of  Tillot- 
son  and  Clarissa  (Byington)  Barnes,  natives  of 
Litchfield  County,  Conn.  Mrs.  Peck  was  born  in 
Camden,  Oneida  County,  N.Y.  By  her  union  with 
our  subject  six  children  have  been  born,  four  sons 
and  two  daughters,  namel}':  Susan  C.;  Horace  B.; 
Frances  S.,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Burrows,  present 
member  of  Congress  from  this  district;  Herbert,  a 
capitalist, of  Minneapolis,  Minn.;  Charles  A.,  Vice- 
president  of  the  City  National  Bank  at  Kala- 
mazoo; and  Benjamin  M.,  who  died  in  1876,  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  years. 

Mr.  Peck  has  accumulated  a  large  property,  ha^-- 
ing  been  interested  in  many  of  the  successful  en- 
terprises of  the  city.  He  is  very  liberal  with  his 
means  and  contributes  cheerfullj'  to  the  support 
of  churches  and  all  worthy  objects.  He  donated 
$1,000  to  the  Children's  Home  in  this  city  and 
also  the  large  hell  on  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  is  a  large  stockholder  in  the  City  National 
Bank  and  ranks  among  the  wealthy  citizens  of  the 
county.  His  beautiful  residence,  which  is  located 
at  No.  219  West  Cedar  Street,  is  a  handsome  frame 


908 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  REGORD. 


structure,  tastefully  funiislied  tliroughout  and 
l)eai-s  evidence  of  the  refinement  and  culture  of  its 
inmates.  The  kindly  nature  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peck 
leads  them  U^>  make  life  pleasant  for  others,  and 
their  influence  in  the  community  is  always  for 
sood. 

■^  ""''  "^   I  I  I  I     I  <   <  ' 

^AMES  E.  SELKIRK,  who  resides  \\\»'n  his 
I  farm  on  section  1.'?,  Hopkins  Townsliij), 
Allegan  County,  is  a  representative  of  one 
of  the  most  i)roniinent  pioneer  families  of 
this  locality  and  one  that  has  been  identified  with 
the  history  of  the  county  since  its  earliest  days. 
His  grandfather,  Jereir.iah  Selkirg  (for  such  was 
the  original  spelling  of  the  name),  was  a  native  of 
New  York  and  served  in  the  Revolutionari'  War 
.as  Aide-de-Camp  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Washington. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-seven  years,  six 
months  and  eleven  d.ays  and  was  buried  in  the 
family  cemetery  at  Selkirk  Lake. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  James  Selkirk,  Sr., 
was  Iwrn  in  New  York  in  1790,  and  married  Han- 
nah Gunn,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1806.  I$y  trade  he  was  a  cabinet-maker.  In 
early  life. he  ma<1e  long  voy.ages  on  the  Atlantic, 
visiting  England  and  .Scotland,  and  in  Uie  latter 
country  took  the  Thirty-third  Degree  of  M.isonry. 
lie  served  with  Napoleon  on  the  high  se.-isand  par- 
ticipated in  several  naval  engagements.  He  w.as 
an  or<Iaine(l  minister  of  the  Methodist  Cliurch,  but 
in  later  life  changed  his  views  and  was  ordained 
an  Kpi^*<•o|>nl  clergyman  by  I!ishop  Onderdonk,  of 
New  York.  In  lK.'?.'i,he  emigrated  toNiles,  Mich.. 
where  he  served  xs  |)astor  for  three  years.  The 
chureli  was  too  poor  to  afford  an  organ,  so  ho  set  to 
work  to  make  one,  eonslrucling  pipes  snid  all.  and 
tuned  it. 

Sul»se<plPiitly,  llie  Uev.  .Mr.  Selkirk  was  appninleil 
niissionnrv  to  the  OlL'iwa  Indians  and  loejited 
ground  on  what  is  now  the  banks  of  Selkirk  \,;i\u\ 
in  Wayhuid  Township,  Alleg.'iu  CoJinty.  The  In- 
dians were  then  under  Iheir  chief,  Sagen;iw.  lie 
InlHireil  with  them  for  twenly-onc  years,  and  to 
supp<irt  his  family  carried  on  farming.  Mis  life 
was  one  of  sncrifl*'*-.  but  llie  woihl  is  siirel\-  belter 


for  his  having  lived.  In  p(ililie>.  lie  was  a  stanch 
Deniocratand  was  a  prominent  Mason,  belonging  to 
Carson  Lodge,  of  Detroit.  He  had  studied  medi- 
cine and  practiced  considerably  in  an  early  day 
here. 

The  name  of  Rev.  Mr.  Selkirk  is  insei)arably  con- 
nected with  the  history  of  this  county,  for  he  was 
among  its  honored  founders.  He  died  Octol)er  !>, 
1877,  and  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  family 
cemetery.  His  wife  passed  awaj-  May  24,  1890. 
By  his  (iist  marriage,  he  had  three  ciiildren,  two  of 
whom  are  now  living.  I'^our  children  were  born 
of  the  second  union,  Imt  our  subject  is  the  only 
one  who  now  survives.  One  brother,  Jeremiaii, 
was  killed  by  an  Indian,  at  Crow  AVing,  Minn.,  in 
1858,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four. 

The  yongest  brother,  Charles  C,  actjuired  a  su- 
jierior  education  and  jiartially  fitted  himself  for 
the  Episcopal  ministry.  He  is  said  to  have  been 
the  most  proficient  Indian  interpreter  in  the 
United  States.  He  was  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  several  Indian  tongues,  and  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen was  inter[)reter  to  .T.  L.  I'reck,  missionary 
among  the  Ojipawa  Indians  in  Minnesota.  While 
there  a  plan  was  formed  to  murder  him  and  the  mis- 
sionaries. The  Indian  chief,  Hail-iii-tiie-D.ay,  sent 
two  braves  to  commit  the  deed,  but  a  sub-chief. 
Crow  Feather,  informed  the  white  traders,  who  thus 
interfered.  While  among  the  Leach  Lake  Indinns, 
.lames  E.  and  Charles  E.  Selkirk  were  attacke<l. 
One  Indian  stood  over  the  brother  witii  uplifted 
tomahawk,  but  our  sul)ject  stood  with  a  revolver, 
which  intimidated  the  Indian  and  he  thus  saved 
his  brother's  life,  diaries  C.  returned  to  his  home 
in  Michigan  and  died  while  teaching  an  Indian 
.school  at  Point  Water,  November  19,  18C(l,  .'it  tlu 
age  of  twenty-two  years  and  eleven  months.  On 
another  occasion  aside  from  those  already  men- 
tioned, a  band  of  one  lnmdi(>d  and  fifty  Indians 
p.a.'ised  the  night  in  the  Selkirk    log  eabin. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  w.as  born  Mareli  4, 
18.'?2,  in  Pomjiey  Townshi]),  Onondaga  County.  N. 
Y.  I''ew  have  had  the  wild  experience,  which  was 
iiis  h)t  in  early  life.  The  Indians  were  his  play- 
mates in  boyhood,  and  he  in.MiIe  sueli  use  of  their 
language  that  his  father  had  to  .send  him  to  school 
in  Kalaimuoo  to  rc-learn  tlie  l'!iiglisli    toiii;ue.      At 


SELKIRK'S     CLOCK 
PUM  PING  MOTOR. 


:.:,^./ii)'<-''fjii'r.Ci^^'!i^'',  ;■  ,■■.:„'..;■.,;'■■■  rM--'-^'.""  '■'>!•  ^-il':,  '''-  ■:.-—'!'     ■  i  "i  ■■.-■-»-4i'~- 


'mMirnks 


J- 


OLD    GRISWOLD    MISSION,  PROPERTY   OF  JAMES    E. SELKIRK.  SEC.  ^a.,WAYLAND  TP,  ALLEGAN   CO.,. 

MICHIGAInI. 


RESIDENCE   OF    J.    B.  BREED,  5EC.8.,  ALWIENA   TR^VAN   BUREN    CO., MICH 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD, 


911 


twenty  years,  lie  left  liuine,  ijoiiig-  to  New  York, 
|A  where  lie  learned  the  pioc-ess  of  making  (laguerreo- 
"  types.  He  then  carrierl  on  a  gallery  in  Tap  pan - 
town,  N.  Y.,  one  svuiinier,  after  wliich  he  returned 
to  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
for  .Schuyler  IJaldwin.  He  then  traveled  in  Min- 
nesota until  his  mai'riage  and  was  taliing  views  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Itasca  when  tliat  event 
occurred. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Selkirk  and  Miss  Henrietta 
E.  Legg  was  celebrated  in  July,  1860.  She  was 
born  in  New  York,  September  4,  1839,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Alfred  and  Maria  (Manley)  Legg,  of 
the  Empire  State.  The  death  of  her  father  oc- 
curred in  1842,  and  her  mother  died  in  1869,  at 
the  age  of  lifty-two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Selkirk 
began  their  domestic  life  upon  the  old  homestead 
on  the  mission  grounds,  there  residing  until  about 
eight  years  ago,  when  he  purchased  eightj'  acres  of 
land  on  section  13,  Hopkins  Township,  his  present 
farm.  However,  he  still  owns  one  hundred  and 
sixty-six  acres  of  the  old  homestead.  He  carried 
on  general  farming  until  two  3'ears  ago,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  constructing  an  invention  which 
embodies  the  idea  of  pumping  water  from  wells 
without  the  use  of  windmills.  He  has  just  com- 
pleted the  machine,  which  is  called  the  Clock  Pump- 
ing Motor,  has  had  it  patented  and  expects  to 
place  it  on  tiie  market  in  the  spring  of  1892.  It 
has  many  admirable  qualities  and  will  doubtless 
have  a  ready  sale.  A  view  of  this  motor  and  also  of 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Selkirk  will  be  noticsd  on  an- 
other page. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Selkirk  were  born  three  chil- 
dren: Addie  B.,  now  the  wife  of  1!.  McDennott, 
who  resides  in  Elmira,  Mich.,  with  his  wife  and 
child;  Charles  E.,  who  operates  the  old  homestead, 
married  Jennie  Kelle^',  by  whom  he  has  two  sons; 
Lulu  is  the  youngest  of  the  family.  The  parents 
are  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  this 
community  and  rank  high  in  social  circles,  while 
their  own  home  is  the  abode  of  hospitality.  Mr. 
Selkirk  is  a  blaster  Mason,  and  has  held  nearly  all 
the  offices  in  the  Blue  Lodge.  He  also  belongs  to 
several  farmer  societies  and  in  politics  is  a  Demo- 
crat. A  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  he 
has  won  for  himself  an  enviable  position  and  has 
42 


the  high  rcgaid  nf  all  with  whom  he  has  been 
brought  in  contact.  His  life  has  been  a  varied 
one — his  childhood  spent  among  the  Indians,  his 
early  manhood  in  travel,  his  more  mature  years  in 
farming  and  now,  in  his  later  life,  he  has  turned 
his  attention  to  invention. 


^ 


E^^- 


\l  OSHUA  B.  BREED.  This  gentleman  is  one 
of  the  well-known  and  representative  farm- 
ers of  Almena  Township,  "Van  Buren 
Count_v.  The  origin  of  this  family  in  Amer- 
rica  is  centered  in  Allan  Breed,  who  came  from 
Southampton,  England,  to  America  in  1630,  and 
from  him  the  present  family  is  descended.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Nathaniel  Breed,  was 
born  at  Cape  Cod,  Mass.,  and  a  son  of  Nathaniel, 
also  of  Cape  Cod.  The  former  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Whitcomb,and  they  had  eleven  children. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  the  youngest  in 
the  family  circle,  and  was  born  September  10,  1800, 
in  New  Hampshire.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Nancy  (Bangs)  Breed,  born  April  18,1806. 
They  were  married  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  in 
1825,  and  the  husband  was  engaged  in  farming 
and  mercantile  business.  They  came  to  Michigan 
in  1835  to  live,  Mr.  Breed  having  been  here  two 
years  before.  They  located  in  Columbia  Township, 
where  Breedsville  now  is.  There  our  subject  erected 
a  sawmill  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers.  A  few 
years  later,  he  moved  to  Antwerp  Township,  near 
Paw  Paw,  and  settled  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres.  After  moving  several  times,  in  1850 
he  came  to  Almena  Townshii),  and  made  a  perma- 
nent home  on  section   7.     He  died  in  1876. 

The  parental  family  included  the  following  five 
children:  Stillman  F.,  Jonathan  H.,  Joshua  B.,  and 
Albert  T.,  Phoebe  Ann,  deceased.  The  mother  of 
this  family  died  in  1839,  and  the  father  took  for 
his  second  wife,  in  1841,  Mary  Ann  Miller,  now 
deceased.  She  bore  him  three  children:  Nancy  M.. 
Mary  E.  and  Silas  A.  The  father  was  a  Deacon 
for  fifty  years  in  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church  and 
was  the  main  stay  in  the  church.  He  was  a  Wiiig 
and  afterward  a  Republican  in  his  political  affilia- 
tions.    He  helped  to  organize  the  townshi]).  and 


912 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


was  Supervisor  for  seventeen  years,  also  Supervisor 
of  Antwerp  Township,  holding  the  otlice  of  High- 
way Commissioner  liere,  and  taking  a  lively  interest 
in  >fliouls.     Ih'  was  a  strong  temperance  man. 

Our  subject  is  the  fourth  child,  lioiii  .Tnly  5, 
1><.'5.').  in  Monroe  County.  N.  Y.  lie  came  to  Mich- 
igan when  a  baby  witli  his  parents,  and  received 
his  education  here.  Mis  brothers,  Stillniau  F.  ami 
.Tonatlian  II..  received  splendid  educations,  tlie 
former  a  graduate  v(  Hillsdale  College,  studied  for 
the  ministry,  also  law  and  medicine.  He  moved  to 
California,  and  is  (iracticing  medicine  there,  .lona- 
Ihan  n.  was  a  student  at  Hillsdale  College,  but  grad- 
uated at  the  Kalamazoo  Business  College. 

Mr.  IJrced  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twen- 
ty-one, and  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming. 
He  had  to  begin  ciniity-handed  and  worked  out 
on  farms  for  two  yi'ars.  He  then  bought  a  farm 
in  Waverly  Townsiiip,  in  section  12,  whicli  lie  im- 
proved. In  the  year  18.58,  our  subject  was  mar- 
ried to  llattie  Maria  Clark,  born  May  28,  ISSit,  in 
Onondaga  County,  X.  Y.  Mrs.  Bi-eed  is  tlie 
daughter  of  Tiiomas  and  Sarah  (Skulllioi  p)  Clarlv. 
both  natives  of  Kngland,  who  came  to  America  in 
\K.U't  and  settled  in  New  York  Stale.  They  came 
to  Michigan  in  1818  and  settled  in  this  township 
on  a  fai-m  wiiich  they  improved.  She  died  in  IH.'iH, 
an<l  he  in  1«M().  Four  of  their  eleven  chilcbeu 
are  now  living:  James,  William,  .Mrs.  I>r(>ed  .and 
Rolx'rt.     Mr.  Clark,  in  politics,  was  a  l\ei)ublican. 

Our  subject  sold  out  in  Waverly  Townsiiip  and 
came  to  this  place  in  18(>o  and  located  on  section 
17,  just  .across  the  road  from  his  piescnt  f.arm.  He 
purchased  lii.s  present  farm  in  IKM2,  andtwo  years 
ago  built  hi.s  present  line  brick  residence  at  a  cost 
of  ^1,(1011.      The  beautiful  abode,  a  view    of  which 

aecompjinies  this  sketch,  is  hands ely  linished  in 

hard-wood  an<l  grained;  is  heateil  by  a  fiiriiacc  and 
tini.-licd  from  basement  to.atlic.  The  exterior  of 
this  palatial  icsidcnce  is  ailoincd  wilii  ba\'  win- 
dows .'mil  balc<»nleH,  while  llic  interior  sliows  the 
tiLste  and  cultnri-  of  the  l.ady  who  so  graciousl\- 
pre.sidi-s  over  It.  The  chambers  are  each  deeoi-;il<'d 
in  one  color,  such  .as  blue,  red  and  mahogany.  The 
arlistic  sinircase  and  large,  liin-  hallway  adil  greatly 
to  Ihe  alliiictiveiiess  of  Ihe  place  anil  contribute 
ill  making  it  one  of  llie   linesl  home-.   In  ihe   lown- 


ship.     Mr.  Breed    is   also    the   jiossessor   of   three 

other  residences  and  owns  two  liuiidred  and  eighty 
broad  acres,  of  which  the  most  are  splendidly  im- 
proved. He  actively  carries  on  his  farm  himself, 
and  is  a  sagacious  and  enterprising  farmer,  as  his 
place  testities. 

I\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Breed  arc  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren, one  deceased.  The  living  are  Berdette  I,., 
born  in  1859,  married  Anna  OeLong,  and  lives  on 
the  home  farm.  Lester  K.,  born  in  18(18,  resides 
at  home  with  his  parentis.  The  children  have  re- 
ceived splendid  educations  and  the  father  has 
been  an  officer  in  this  school  district.  He  is  a 
nienilicr  of  the  Masonic  order  at  Paw  Paw,  aii<l 
has  been  forover a  (jnarter of  acentury.  Ileaiid  his 
amiable  wife  arc  memliers  of  the  Paw  Paw  (Jraiige 
and  were  formerly  members  of  the  Waverly 
Grange.  Both  have  held  oflices  in  this  society. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Iheed  casts  his  vote  with  the 
Republican  party,  and  has  served  his  fellow-citi- 
zens .as  Sii|iervisor,  Treasurer  and  Highway  Com- 
missioner. He  helped  to  establish  local  option 
here.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ureed,  with  llieir  family, stand 
anioiig  the  best  circles  in  the  township,  and  are 
held  ill  respect  by  all. 


^^^RMSTRONti    P..    I.VSTKK.       On    the    old 
^.^//Jll     homestead    in    Nan   Biiren    County   which 
///   Ifc    his  father  purchased  many  years  ago,   this 
<^^  geiillemaii    is  assiduously    performing  his 

part  as  one  of  the  thorinigh-goiiig  farmers  of 
Columbia  Township.  The  place  eoiiiiirises  a  tract 
of  one  liuiidr<'cl  aiid  four  Mci'cs  on  section  1  (!,  and 
is  ciiiliellishcd  with  a  sulistantial  set  of  buildings 
for  (he  storage  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock, 
as  well  as  by  the  coiiiiiiodioiis  residence  which 
is  the  aboile  of  Ihe  faiiiil\.  As  ;v  public-spirited 
citizen,  obliging  neiglil)orand  open-hearted  friend, 
he  has  won  a  place  anioiig  the  proiniiiciil  and 
represenlali ve  citizens  of  the  commuiiily. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  w:is  William  .1. 
Lyster,  a  ('apl:iin  in  llir  l'iiiti>li  ariiiy,  whose 
wife  was  in  inaidenlioo(l  Miss  Martha  llatton,  a 
daughter  of  Col.  ,)ohii  llatton,  of  (he  llritish  army. 
.\f(er    his    inarriagi',    ('apt.  Lyster    settled    in    his 


Portrait  and  biograi'iiical  record. 


913 


native  countr3"-Ireland-where  he  died  at  the  age 
of  more  tluiii  four-score.  lie  was  ;i  devoted  mem- 
ber of  the  Episcopal  Churcli  and  an  upright  man. 
He  and  liis  wife  liad  a  family  of  tince  cliildren, 
namely:  Armstrong  T.,  father  of  oiu'  snliject; 
William  N.,  one  of  the  Mrst  Episcopal  mission- 
aries in  Michigan;  and  Matilda.  Tlie  eldest  in 
the  family  was  born  in  (he  Emerald  Isle  April  3, 
1803,  and  received  a  splendid  education  at  Trin- 
ity College,  Ireland.  He  studied  law  andeng.aged 
in  its  practice  as  well  as  in  the  supervision  of  his 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventeen  acres. 

On  October  19,  1848,  Armstrong  T.  Lystcr  and 
his  family  landed  in  New  York  City,  having  em- 
igrated hither  from  their  native  countr}'.  They 
at  once  proceeded  west  to  Lenawee  County,  this 
State,  where  the  father  purchased  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  and  on  the  homestead  he  there  estab- 
lished resided  five  years.  Afterward  he  sojourned 
in  Toledo,  Ohio,  for  two  years,  and  was  there  oc- 
euiiied  in  the  office  of  the  Toledo  Blade.  In 
March,  18.55,  he  came  to  Columbia  Township,  Van 
Buren  Count}',  and  after  I'esiding  for  a  few  years 
on  section  16,  removed  to  their  present  farm,  .same 
section  and  same  township,  where  he  cleared 
and  unproved  a  farm.  His  death  occurred  on 
that  place  September  21,  1876.  In  religious  con- 
victions he  was  a  member  of  the  Epi.scopal  Church, 
while  his  political  belief  In'onght  him  into  aflll- 
iation  with  the  Republican  party. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  a  large 
family  of  children,  of  whom  the  following  facts 
are  noted:  Isdell  D.,  who  served  as  First  Sergeant 
in  the  Second  Michigan  Cavalr_y  during  the  late 
war  and  afterward  died  in  this  State;  Armstrong 
B.,  who  died  in  Ireland  when  only  six  years  old; 
Gertrude  ]\I.,  now  Mrs.  Ely;  William  .].,  who  served 
in  the  First  New  York  Light  Artilleiy  and  died 
in  Denver,  Col.;  Edmund  F.,  now  a  resident  of 
Oregon,  and  who  also  served  in  the  First  New 
York  Light  Artillery;  Armstrong  B.,  our  subject; 
Isabella  II.  F.,  who  died  when  eight;  Florence  I., 
who  passed  awa}'  at  the  age  of  four,  and  two 
others  who  died  in  childhood. 

The  mother  of  this  family  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Anna  Isdell,  and  was  horn  in  County 
Mayo,  Ireland,  while  her  fatliei-  was  there  on  duty. 


She  was  one  of  five  children  born    to  Patrick   H. 

and  Anna  M.  (L'Estrange)  Isdell,  natives  of 
(bounty  W'cslmealh,  Ireland.  Her  fatiier  was  a 
Captain  in  the  British  army,  and  the  .son  of 
Frank  Isdell,  a  farmer.  In  County  Westmeath, 
Ireland,  Armstrong  B.  Lysler  was  born  April  IT), 
1847,  and  when  little  more  than  one  year  old 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States. 
He  pas.sed  his  youth  on  the  farm  where  he  still 
lives,  and  early  gained  a  practical  knowledge  of 
agriculture.  He  now  makes  a  specialty  of  peaches 
and  grapes,  in  which  he  is  very  successful. 

The  marriage  of  Mr  Lester  to  Miss  Mary  Lsa- 
bella  Cossar  took  place  February  19,  1871.  Mrs. 
Lyster  was  born  in  Chatham,  England,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Walter  and  Kale  (Lyster)  Cossar, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Berwickshire,  Scotland, 
and  County  Wexford,  Ireland.  Mr.  Cossar  en- 
tered the  British  army  at  nineteen  and  served  in 
the  Royal  Marines  as  Captain.  In  1865,  he  emi- 
grated to  Montreal,  Canada,  and  two  years  later 
came  to  Chicago,  where  the  family  have  since  re- 
sided. Mr.  and  Mrs.  L^'ster  are  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  as  follows:  Martha  K.,  Bessie  G., 
Anna  F.,  Edmund  B.,  iSIary  A.,  Walter  I.,  Ger- 
trude E.,  Lizzie  E.,  Florence  I.,  Nona  M.,  Wini- 
fred F.,  and  Rowland  J.  C.  The  members  of  the 
family  find  a  religious  home  in  the  Episcopal 
Church  and  enjoy  the  esteem  of  their  large  circle 
of  warm  personal  friends. 


GEORGE  N.  MASON.  A  beautiful  and  taste- 
,  ful  home,  placed  in  attractive  surroundings 
^^JJl  and  furnished  according  to  the  dictates  of 
a  cultured  mind,  is  an  educative  power  in  any 
community.  The  "new  education"  of  which  we 
hear  so  much  nowad.ays  teaches  that  we  learn 
through  the  eye,  and  that  a  lesson  which  is  agree- 
ably taught  has  double  force.  For  that  reason  we 
hold  to  the  truth  with  which  we  open  this  para- 
graph. 

Mr.  Mason  operates  a  fine  farm  on  section  32. 
Portage  Township,  Kalamazoo  County.  He  is  the 
son  of  John  L.  and  Ruth  (Wright)  .Ala.son,  natives, 
respectively,    of     Massachusetts     and     Schoharie 


914 


POI^TRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD 


Count\',  N.  Y.  The  father  was  sixteen  years  of 
age  when  he  migrated  to  Wayne  County,  Js'.  Y., 
where  he  met  and  married  the  mother  of  our 
subject.  He  was  l)orn  in  liSdd. and  died  in  Marion, 
X.  Y.,  iu  iiis  seventietli  year.  JIi-s.  Mason,  wlio  was 
born  in  1804,  .^lill  survives  at  an  advanced  age. 

Of  the  parentid  family  of  four  sons  and  seven 
daughters,  George  N.  was  the  scventii  child,  his 
l)irth  occurring  in  Marion,  Wayne  County,  N.  Y., 
January  ;">,  ly.'JO.  lie  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
given  a  good  education  in  the  comuion  schools  of 
the  neighl>orhfH>d.  When  reaching  his  eighteenth 
year,  he  came  West  to  this  county,  and  in  Cooper 
Township  w.ns  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-rais- 
ing for  a  period  of  twenty-two  years.  His  lirst 
marriage  occurred  November  2.'5,  IH'iiS,  in  Cooper 
Township,  at  winch  time  Miss  Ellen  Delano  became 
his  wife.  ^Irs.  Mason  was  born  in  that  towiisiiip, 
August  28,  1840,  and  l)ccame  tiic  mother  of  the 
following-named  four  children:  Etta,  who  was  the 
wife  of  Frank  Young,  died  in  Cooper  Township, 
August  7,  1888,  when  twenty-nine  years  of  age; 
Jennie,  who  died  when  four  years  of  age;  llallie 
and  Carl.  Mrs.  Ellen  JIason  died  February  I, 
1882. 

George  N.  Mason  was  a  second  lime  married,  No- 
vember 25,  1884,  this  time  to  .Mis.  .Meliissa  Nash, 
the  widow  of  Horace  Nash,  who  died  in  Williamson, 
Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  November  2G.  l«7;i.  She 
had  l)eeome  the  mother  of  one  daiighler  by  that 
marriage,  Jennie  E.  The  maiden  name  of  Mrs. 
Mason  was  Me]i.ssa  Cogswell,  the  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Eliza  Cogswell,  residents  of  Marion,  X.  Y., 
wiiere  she  was  born,  .lunc  1  1,  1H|(I. 

Our  s\ibjcct made  his  home  in  Cooper  Township 
for  four  years  anil  then  removed  to  Hopkins,  Alle- 
gan Coiinly,  in  which  place  he  resiclcd  for  nine- 
teen montlis.  lie  next  removed  In  l';i\ilion  Town- 
ship, and  after  a  sl;ty  of  two  years  there,  came  to 
('lini:ix  Township,  this  county,  where  he  lived  foi- 
three  years,  L.'iter  lie  reliiincd  to  (  doper  Town- 
ship and  after  making  this  pl;icc  his  home  foi- 
eighteen  years,  went  to  Charleston  Township.  Six 
montiis  tiiereafter,  he  made  the  city  of  Kalama/oo 
his  abiding  place,  where-  he  w.-i-s  a  resident  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  spent  iv  ye.-u' 
aiirj  a  half  in  Charleston  Township.   y\i,':iin  reluin- 


ing  to  Kalamaz-oo,  he  enjoyed  life  there  for  another 
six  months  and,  in  1887,  settled  in  Portage  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Mason  was  the  first  man  to  engage  in  the 
wholesale  meat  business  in  Kalamazoo.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  part  in  political  affairs,  and 
is  a  strong  Hepublican.  Socially,  he  is  a  IMason, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  has  been  Chairman  of 
the  Township  Committee.  He  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  educational  affairs  and  for  fifteen  years  was 
a  member  of  the  School  Board.  Mr.  !Mason  has 
always  been  engaged  in  farmini;'  and  stock-raising 
and  ranks  among  the  wealthy  members  of  the  agi  i- 
cultural  ccmimunity.  He  owns  one  hundred  and 
eighty  .lyresof  excellent  land  which  is  under  thor- 
ough cultivati<in.  He  is  liberal  in  his  religions 
views  and,  with  his  estimable  wife,  is  highly  es- 
teemed in  his  community  for  his  excellent  ipialities 
of  mind  and  heart. 


••<^^^^i^?- 


SCAR  D.  AFARTIN  is  a  well-to-do  farmer 
and  stfK'k-raiser  on  section  3fl,  Lawrence 
Township,  \;\\\  Ihiren  County.  His  place 
consists  of  I'iglity  acres  which  he  cultivates  in  a 
most  jirolilable  manner.  He  was  born  in  New 
York,  August  1(!,  18.'!H,  and  is  the  son  of  Ilai'i'v 
and  Emily  (llnngerford)  Martin,  liotli  of  whom 
were  natives  of  New  York. 

Our  subject  was  fifteen  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  came  West  to  Micliig;ui.  at  which  time 
they  located  in  Waverly  Township,  \':in  Hnren 
Countw  where  the  father  puicliased  sixty  acres  of 
land.  September  !(!,  l.Sl!l,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  Third  Michigan  C.'naliy  and  joined  the  Army 
of  the  West,  lie  (lai't  iciprited  in  llie  battles  of 
New  Madrid.  Island  No.  10,  luka,  Iludsonville, 
Holly  Spiings,  Hopkins  Mills,  T.-dlahatchie.  Ox- 
ford and  ( 'olTeeville.  lie  look  ;ui  active  p.art  in  :ill 
the  battles  in  which  his  regiment  was  engaged  anil 
received  his  honorable  dischariic  at  .Arkansas  in 
()elolier,  ISdl.  He  was  in  the  hospital  at  llambnrg 
Landing  .'ind  at    Cincinnati  for  a  short  period. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  wiile  w.'is  married. 
April    12.  IHi;.-).  to   Miss   Ib'Miiella    Smilli.    of  I'aw 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


;m5 


l';i\v.  Slie  wiis  born  in  Orleans  t'ountyi  N.  Y., 
Kolii-nnry  fi,  184.'5,!uh1  cnine  to  INIicliiyiin  in  1864 
from  lyorain  Coiinly,  Oliio,  wliitlier  the  family  had 
removed  in  IHUl.  Her  iiarents  were  Amos  and 
Orcelia  (Sheldon)  Smith,  natives  of  New  York. 
Jlr.  Smith  died  in  Ohio  in  1861.  After  his  niar- 
ri.age,  onr  snhjcet  rented  a  piece  of  land  and  farmed 
for  about  four  years,  when  he  took  charge  of  the 
old  homestead  until  the  death  of  his  parents.  Ho 
then  bought  out  the  heirs  and  o|)erated  the  home 
farm,  whicii  he  sold  a  few  years  later  and  pur- 
chased his  present  estate,  moving  here  in  April, 
1883. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  Lave  become  the  pa- 
rents of  two  children:  Harry  A.,  who  was  born 
on  thi^  old  homestead,  December  2, 1865,  is  married 
antl  has  two  children;  Nellie  w.as  also  born  on  the 
old  homestead,  May  i»,  1866.  The  son  has  been 
given  a  fine  education,  being  graduated  from  the 
Lawrence  High  School  and  the  Agricultural  Col- 
lege, receiving  his  diploma  from  the  latter  institu- 
tion in  1889.  He  is  now  engaged  in  teaching. 
The  daughter  has  also  been  a  teacher,  having  been 
employed  in  Paw  Paw. 

hi  politics,  Mr.  Martin  is  a  Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at 
Lawrence. 


^_^  ARRIS  B.  OSBORNE,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Sherman,  Chautaucpia  County,  N.  Y'.,  Au- 
gust 11,  1841.  His  parents,  Piatt  S.  and 
Mary  A.  (Piatt)  Osborne,  were  natives  of 
Kingsbury,  Washington  County,  of  the  same  State. 
His  maternal  grandfather  was  Nelieniiah  Piatt,  for 
whom  our  suliject's  father  was  named,  he  being 
an  old  friend  of  David  Osborne.  The  Osborne 
family  traces  its  ancestry  back  to  the  old  Norse 
conqueror  who  spelled  his  name"Asjouru."  Three 
brothers  who  had  emigrated  to  America  at  an  early 
d.ay  were  driven  from  Long  Island  and  their 
IH'opcrty  confiscated  on  account  of  their  joining 
the  ranks  of  the  Colonists. 

Piatt  Osborne  wasa  musician  in  the  Warof  1812, 
and  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years. 
He  w;is    n    merchant    and    nianufacturino-    tanner. 


Our  subject  worked  in  hi.s  father '.s  tannery  until 
reaching  his  sixteenth  year,  when  he  started  out 
as  a  i)eddlerof  musical  in.strnments  and  Y.ankee 
notions  through  Ohio  and  Illinois,  .and  liiially  loca- 
ted in  Kane  (!ounty,  the  latter  State.  After  three 
years  spent  there,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine 
under  Dr.  Samuel  McNair,  of  Blackberry,  111.,  at- 
tending school  at  Elgin  and  Aurora  until  1861, 
when  he  entered  the  State  University  of  Michigan. 
After  attending  there  for  a  period,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Third  Bo.ard  of  Trade  Regiment,  at  Chicago, 
serving  in  the  field  in  Mississippi  and  Tennessee. 
He  passed  examination  before  the  Army  Board, 
and  was  commissioned  Surgeon  at  Vicksbuig,  May 
9,  1863,  and  after  the  f.iU  of  that  city  was  made 
Post  Surgeon  and  health  officer  at  that  place.  I  le 
occupied  that  position  until  October,  1866,  when 
the  city  was  turned  over  to    the  civil    authorities. 

Ill  1866-67,  our  subject  was  graduated  from 
the  medical  department  of  the  Bellevue  Hospital, 
New  Y'ork,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  prof e.ss ion 
at  his  old  home  in  Sherman,  New  Y'ork,  remaining 
there  until  1880.  In  1874,  Dr.  Osborne  took  a 
post-graduate  course  at  the  New  Y'ork  College  of 
Physicians  &  Surgeons,  and,  in  1880,  came  to  Kal- 
amazoo, thinking  the  climate  would  prove  benefi- 
cial to  him  as  he  was  a  great  sufferer  from  asthma. 

Dr.  Osborne  enjoys  a  lucrative  practice,  and 
stands  high  in  the  profession.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  State  Medical  Society  of  New  Y'ork,  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association,  the  State  Medical 
A.ssociation  of  Michigan,  and  the  Association  of 
Railroad  Surgeons  of  the  United  States.  He  is  at  the 
present  time  Surgeon  of  the  Kalamazoo  Division  of 
the  Lake  Shore  ife  Michigan  Southern  Railroad,  and 
is  President  of  the  Borgess  Hospital  Staff.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  stockholder  in  va- 
rious manufacturing  and  Inisiness  enterprises  in 
the  cit}'. 

C)ctol)er  29,  1878,  Dr.  Osborne  was  married  tf) 
Miss  Nettie  J.  Ames,  a  native  of  Rutland,  Xi. 
She  was  a  teacher  in  Kaneville,  Kane  County,  111., 
at  the  time  of  her  marri.age.  The  Doctor  is  a  Free 
and  Accepted  INIasoii,  bekmging  to  both  Chapter 
and  Council.  lie  was  for  a  number  of  years  mem- 
ber of  the  Pension  Board  of  Examinei-s.  He  is  a 
menilier  of  the  (!rniid  Army  of  the   Re])ublic.     \\v 


916 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


has  been  President  of  the  Chautauqua  County 
Medical  Soc-iety.  With  his  wife,  lie  is  a  nieniber 
of  the  Congregational  Chuieh.  They  make  their 
home  at  No.  122  East  Lovell  Street,  where  the 
Doftor  has  erected  a  handsome,  modern  brick  res- 
idence. 


-^ 


-i- 


li„„^ON.  A.  .1.  Sll  A  K  KSPEARE.  l-Oroiiiost 
^j:  among  llic  newsiiaiHTS  of  Southern  Michi- 
gan stands  the  Kalamazoo  Gawtte,  which 
^^  Is  one  of  the  most  i)opular  and  inlluential 
journals  in  this  section  of  the  country.  Not  only 
is  it  a  welcome  guest  to  jnany  liomes,  hut  it  has 
always  been  effective  in  molding  public  sentiment 
and  advancing  the  interests  of  the  city,  politically 
and  socially.  When  any  measure  is  brought  for- 
ward which  is  calculated  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
the  eonimuiiity,  it  finds  a  stanch  friend  in  the  edi- 
tor of  the  Gazette,  who  is  alike  courageous  in  bat- 
tling against  unjust  and  illegal  measures,  and  firm 
in  advocating  what  is  right  and  true. 

Mr.  Shakespeare,  who  is  owner  and  editor  of 
the  Gazette,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  was  born  in 
Paris  Township,  Portage  County,  .Tanuary  1.'!,  18.39. 
When  about  four  years  old,  he  was  bj-ought  by  his 
parents  to  Michigan,  remaining  for  two  j'ears  in 
Yorkville,  Kalamazoo  County,  and  then  accoiii- 
panying  the  family  to  a  wild,  uiiiniprove<l  farm 
in  Richland  Towii.ship.  In  IhIH.  ;i  linal  removal 
wai  made  to  what  was  then  the  uniniportant  vil- 
lage of  Kalamazoo,  .■ind  here,  witiiin  a  week  after 
the  arrival  of  the  family,  the  father  was  taken  ill 
and  died. 

At  the  age  of  thirteen,  our  sulijecl  eiilerc(l  the 
office  of  the  Gazette  on  an  ai)pn^ntiee,  serving  four 
years,  and  later,  working  during  the  summer  as  a 
journeyman  ami  altending  college  in  winter.  For 
one  year  he  wn-s  employed  on  (lie  Chicago  morn- 
ing papers  and  in  ISfiO  returneil  lo  Kalam.'izoo  to 
lake  charge  of  the  flnvlli'.  whili'  the  proprietor 
8|)cnt  the  year  in  Kurope.  lie  Ihin  piir(  li.M-^ed  the 
Nlles  Tti'iniuTiil  which  he  conducted  foi'  nine  and 
onr'-jiajf  yenrx  with  marked  success.  In  1870,  he 
bought  the  Gazelle  which  he  >lillowii^  :iii<l  pub- 
lislies.     During  the    more    Ih.'ui    twenty    vears    in 


which  he  has  been  jnoprietor  of  this  i)aiier,  he  has 
increased  its  size  from  a  four-i)age  lo  a  twelve-page 
weekly,  and  has  also  established  an  eight-page 
daily,  which  is  one  of  the  leading  organs  of  the 
Democratic  i)arty  in  IMichig.an. 

For  more  th,an  thirty  years,  our  subject  has 
served  as  delegate  to  almost  every  county,  CVm- 
gressional  and  .Stale  convention,  and  was  also  del- 
egate to  the  Democratic  National  Convention  held 
in  Cincinnati  in  1880.  In  1885,  he  was  appointed 
I'ostmaster  of  Kalamazoo,  and  held  that  responsi- 
ble positit)n  for  four  years  and  six  inonlhs,  until  a 
change  in  the  administration  was  made.  His 
course  in  life,  lK)tli  as  a  lnisiiies>  man  and  citizen, 
has  been  such  as  to  command  the  respect  of  all  with 
whom  he  has  been  brought  in  contact,  ami  while 
he  stands  especially  high  in  the  regard  of  those  of 
his  own  political  l)elief,  yet  he  maintains  to  a 
marked  degree  the  esteem  of  those  whose  political 
alHliations  are  not  the  same  as  his  own. 


•    »    ^%- 


E^ 


llAKLKS  CARROLL  Cl'RTENIUS,  the 
jjresent  capable  Street  Commissioner  of 
K.alamazoo,  is  a  native  of  (ilenn  Falls,  War- 
ren County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  had  liis  birth  Novem- 
ber 23,  183.5.  He  is  the  second-lioi-ii  of  liis  father's 
lirst  family.  He  received  his  educalion  in  the  dis- 
trict school  and  the  Uaptisl  College  of  K;ilamnzoo. 
He  remained  on  his  father's  old  fii'in  in  K;il;una- 
zoo  Township,  and  in  llie  year  I8(')|  came  into  pos- 
session of  the  farm    liimself.      It    is  situated  three 

miles  northwest  of  the  citA'   of   Kalamaz n  the 

(iraiid  I'rairie.  One  hundred  and  ten  acres  com- 
prise the  estate  on  which  Mr.  Curlonius  carried  on 
farming  until  April.  b'^S'.l.  when  lie  renioveil  to 
the  city  of  Kalamazoo. 

The  wortli\'  subject,  of  this  notice  was  ni;irried, 
.I:nni:iry  2.S.  18(;2,  to  Miss  I'ln-lie  Smil  h,  a  daiigli- 
ler  of  C,  15.  and  Lllen  (Itour)  Smith.  She  is  a 
nativeof  iMigljind,  where  her  p.arents  were  farmers. 
Ilei  fatliei  ilied  in  K'alani!izoo  in  1 8H'.).  Two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  Mr.  .'uid  Mrs.  CurtcMiius: 
Ivlward  I'".,  and  h'.lizabeth  I'",,  who  resi<les  with  her 
pan'iil.s.      Fdward  is  carrying  on  the  farm. 

.Mr.    Curlenins    was  ehcleil    Supervisor  of   Kala- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAriUCAL  RECORD, 


917 


m.izoo  Township  in  1885  and  served  until  1889. 
lie  lias  held  nian^'  other  townshi|)  ofliccs,  and  is 
)io\v  Street  Coinniissioner  of  tlie  city,  apiioiuted  in 
the  spline:  of  1891.  Tlie  most  of  his  attention  is 
jriven  to  the  siii)ervision  of  his  farm.  In  his  politi- 
cal views,  he  aftiliates  with  the  IJci>nl}lican  party 
and  is  quite  active  in  conventions.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cui-teniiis  have  a  pleasant  home  at  No.  i;3()  West 
Dutton  Street,  where  the  family  coininand  the  re- 
spect of  the  entire  cuminunitv. 


^jfp*  DWIN  IMARTIN.  This  well-known  citizen 
1^  of  Kalamazoo  was  born  in  Castile,  Genc- 
!}' — ^  see  County(now  part  of  AVyoming  County), 
N.  Y.,  November  24,  1828.  Mis  parents,  Zala  and 
Lucretia  (Ilarwood)  Martin,  were  natives  respect- 
ively of  New  York  and  Connecticut,  the  father 
being  engaged  as  a  manufacturer  of  plows  in  the 
Emiiiie  State,  also  managing  a  hotel  and  conduct- 
ing farming  operations.  In  1837,  he  removed  to 
^'irginia  and  several  years  afterward  died  at 
Foiestville,  Jld. 

In  1860,  the  widow  and  orphaned  children  re- 
turned to  New  York,  where  Edwin  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  llindsburg,  Orleans  County, 
until  1865.  During  the  following  year,  he  came 
to  Michigan  and  with  his  mother  located  at  Paw 
Paw.  He  was  also  accompanied  by  his  sister  Char- 
lotte ]\I.,  the  widow  of  Horace  Nichols,  formerly 
of  Forestville,  Md.  She  now  resides  in  De- 
troit, the  mother  having  died  In  Paw  Paw  about 
1880. 

For  some  years  Mr.  Martin  engaged  in  the  saw- 
mill Ijusincss  fourteen  miles  north  of  Paw  Paw;  he 
also  conducted  a  meat  market  in  the  village  and 
later  carried  on  a  hardware  store  for  fourteen 
years  under  the  firm  name  of  Free  it  Martin  This 
linn  owned  one-third  interest  in  the  Toledo  & 
South  Haven  Railroad,  being  among  its  incorpora- 
tors, and  Mr.  jNIartiii  being  Treasurer  of  the  Com- 
pany. The  firm  also  purchased  the  old  Paw  Paw 
Railroad  of  four  miles  and  changed  it  to  a  narrow 
gauge  road,  incorporating  it  with  the  Toledo  & 
South  Haven  Railroad. 

hi    1886,  Mr.  :Martin    disposed  of  both  his   rail- 


road and  hardware  interests  and  one  year  later 
removed  to  Kalamazoo,  where  he  Inus  a  pleasant 
home  at  No.  .325  S.  IJiirdick  Street.  He  was  mar- 
ried, October  11,  1851,  at  Murray.  N.  Y.,  to  Miss 
Mary  (4.  Thomas,  who  died  in  Paw  I*aw,  February 
5,  1881.  She  had  two  children,  one  of  whom  died 
in  infancy;  tlie  otiicr,  Chiiii  M.,  is  now  Mrs. 
George  G.  Uogiie,  of  Detroit.  l\Ir.  Martin  con- 
tracted a  second  alliance,  choosing  as  his  wife  the 
widow  of  Alexander  lUicll,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Cornelia  M.  Granger. 

Mrs.  Martin  is  the  daughter  of  David  and  Lucy 
(Canfield)  Granger,  natives  of  Sandisfield,  IMass., 
and  is  of  English  descent,  her  grandfather,  Elihu 
Granger,  having  emigrated  from  Shellield  to  this 
country.  Her  parents  took  u|i  (iovernment  land 
in  Jefferson  County.  N.  Y.,  and  there  resided 
forty  years.  January  23,  1850,  Cornelia  was  mar- 
ried to  Charles  M.  Curtis,  a  merchant  at  Sackett's 
Harbor,  who  in  1857  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Paw  Paw.  One  year  later,  he  engaged 
as  a  nurseryman,  in  which  he  (•ontinued  until  his 
death  in  April,  1863. 

October  28,  1869,  the  widow  was  married  to 
Alexander  Buell,  whose  death  entailed  upon  her 
extensive  business  interests.  She  is  a  shrewd, 
careful,  business  woman.  She  became  the  wife  of 
Mr.  Martin,  September  6,  1887,  and  in  their  pleas- 
ant home,  amid  happy  surroundings,  they  are 
wont  to  entertain  their  extensive  circle  of  friends. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  have  a  large  develoi)- 
ment  of  social  qualities  and  are  welcome  guests  in 
gatherings  where  sjiarkling  wit  and  easy  repartee 
are  found.  Politically,  Mr.  Martin  is  a  Democrat. 
Mrs.  Martin  is  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Flpiscopal 
Church. 


"iT/OHN  ANDERSON  CAIMPBELL,  a  resident 
at  No.  322  Henrietta  Street,  Kalamazoo,  is 
by  trade  a  contractor  and  builder.  lie  was 
born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  November  II. 
1833,  to  Henry  and  Mary  (Anderson)  Carajibell. 
Our  subject  served  some  time  with  a  firm  of  ship 
builders  on  the  Clyde  and  after  a  short  time  went 
to  Ireland,  where   he  was  married    in  Belfast.  An- 


918 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


gust  15, 1854,  to  Miss  Jane  iMille:-,  a  native  of  the 
same  place  as  our  subject.  Slic  was  bom  Septcm- 
Ijer  30,  1834,  to  .lohn  and  Jane  (Smith)  Miller,  and 
had  moved  to  Ireland  with  her  parents  four  j-ears 
Ix'fore  her  marriaifi'.  Mr.  Miller  w.as  in  the  nurs- 
ery business  at  Helfast. 

The  day  of  the  marriage  of  our  subject,  llic 
young  couple  set  sail  for  .\nierica  from  hivcriuH)!, 
and  after  a  voyage  of  twenty-eight  days'  duration 
they  landed  in  New  York  City.  A  brother  of  Mrs. 
Canipljell  came  with  them,  and  a  Maj.  Saufoi-d.  of 
Durhamville,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  a  tanner,  hired 
them  all, .and  with  him  they  remained  a  year.  From 
there  they  went  ti)  Toronto,  Canada,  and  after  a 
sta^' of  one  yc  ar  at  tliat  pi.ace  journeyed  to  near 
Gait  and  cleared  a  farm,  residing  thereon  until 
1873. 

In  the  last  year  given,  our  sulijecl  and  iiis  fam- 
ily came  to  Kalamazoo  County.  .\nother  brother 
of  Mrs.  Cani])liell  had  located  here  antl  engaged  in 
carriage  manufacturing.  Our  subject  had  expected 
to  go  South,  but  instead  was  engaged  as  carpenter 
in  the  manufactory,  where  he  worked  only  one 
3Car,  at  the  expiiation  of  which  time  he  joiu'neyed 
to  Austin,  Tex.  Mr.  CmmiiiIkII  remained  in  the 
I>one  Star  Slate  only  one  winter,  when  he  decided 
to  return  to  Kalamazoo  and  remain  here.  His  work 
since  that  time  has  been  contracting  and  building  on 
his  own  account. and  he  h.is  in  his  employ  from  ten 
to  thirty  men  nearly  all  the  time,  lie  h.is  erected 
a  number  of  large  selioolhouses  and  the  better  class 
of  dwellings,  store-houses,  etc.  Ills  business  at 
times  ranges  from  'fM),(m)  to  *50,000  annually, 
and  l)esides  his  contracting  business  he  is  interested 
to  some  extent  in  real  estate.  In  his  political 
views,  .Ml-.  Campbell  votes  for  tlii'  man,  iiiespci't- 
ivc  of  parly,  in  the  local  elections,  but  in  Natioiinl 
affairs  jx  a  staiicli  Democrat.  The  I'resbvU'rian 
faith  was  that  in  which  he  was  reared,  but  he  is 
now  iw-sociated  with  that  of  Ihc  Congregationalists. 

To  ^Ir.  Campbell  and  his  estimalilc  wife  llie  fol- 
lowing children  have  been  born:  Marion.  Mrs.  I). 
N.  White,  whose  husb.-ind  is  a  merchaiil  at 
I'etoskey;  .lane  married  Anthony  Taylor,  of  Kula- 
ma/.oo;  Henry  is  a  ranchman  on  the  I'ppei'  I'.lk 
River,  in  Kouit  County,  Col.;  Willi.im  is  i\  sales- 
man for  a  Chicago    House;    Isabelle    i>    :il    home; 


Eliz.abeth,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  High  School, 
is  a  teacher  in  the  Lake  Street  public  school;  Mary- 
is  an  artist  and  resides  at  home;  James  is  with  the 
Gilmore  Bros.,  merchants  of  Kalamazoo;  and  Jes- 
sie, who  is  attending  the  High  School,  lives  at 
home.  The  hon^)red  parents  of  these  children  are 
po|)ular.  plea.sant  and  upright  people  and  in  their 
comfortalile  home  a  gr.icious  hospitality  is  dis- 
pensed. 


/i 


OKNEI.irs  .MASON,  a  representative  pio- 
neer of  Kalamazoo  County,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent here  since  1825,  at  which  time  he 
accompanied  his  i)arents  to  Richland  Township, 
coming  from  Connecticut  by  lake  and  canal  to  De- 
troit, and  making  the  remainder  of  the  journey 
by  ox-team  and  wagon.  Our  subject  is  a  son  of 
Kdwin  and  Clarissa  (Johnson)  Mason,  natives  of 
Connecticut.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  a  Rev- 
olutionary soldier,  and  he  was  also  born  in  Con- 
lu'clieul. 

Till'  father  settled  in  tiiis  township  and  county 
in  the  year  .above  mentioned  and  took  u()  land 
which  was  only  partly  covered  with  limber,  the 
rest  being  natural  prairie.  The  family,  of  course, 
had  to  endure  the  usual  hai-dships  and  privations 
comnKui  to  pioneer  life.  l'"oiir  of  the  family  of 
cliildrcn  born  to  the  parents  of  our  subject  are  still 
living:  Maria,  the  wife  of  John  Nevins;  ]5ct,sey, 
the  wife  of  Frank  Storms;  Cornelia,  who  married 
M.-irliii  t  lliiistcad,  and  our  subject,  Cornelius.  The 
father  is  among  the  veneralile  !ind  honored  |)io- 
neers  of  IJic-hland  Township,  and  is  now  in  his 
eighly-iiiiitli  year. 

Till'  suliject  of  this  notice  is  a  native  of  Litcli- 
lield  County,  Conn.,  where  he  was  born,  Seplcmber 
211,  IH22.  He  was  reareil  and  educated  in  I  his 
county  amid  scenes  of  [lioncer  life,  choosing  farm- 
ing as  his  life  vocation.  He  has  seen  this  county 
(•onvei-led  into  llcuiiisliiiig  cities  and  fiTlile  faiiiis 
Mild  he  himself  has  cleared  over  two  liiiiidied 
acre-  of  timber  land,  on  which  he  carries  on  general 
raiiiiiiig  Mini  slock-raising. 

Mr.  Mason    wm-;    iiiiile<l    in  iiiMrriMge.  in   IM."il,  to 


RESIDENCE  OF   CORNELIUS    MASON,  SEC.  3., RICHLAND  TP,r\ALAMAZOO    CO.,  MICH. 


RESIDENCE&FARM    PROPERTY  OF  MARION    MEAD,  SEC. l.,CHARLEiMj:.   i  r^,r,ML..;v:,^ZO( 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


:)2i 


Frances  Slater  who  bore  him  six  chihlreii,of  wlioni 
five  survive,  namely:  Grace,  the  wife  of  Coiiiad 
Miller;  Ida,  the  wife  of  Oscar  Barius;  Ivlwin  S.; 
Bertie,  and  Edith,  who  is  the  wife  of  Cliarles 
(iraiiger.  Minnie  is  the  name  of  the  deceased 
child.  Mr.  Mason's  second  marriage  took  jjlace  -Jan- 
nary  13,  1885,  this  wife  being  Mrs.  Margaret 
Gibson,  the  widow  of  II.  A.  (iibson,  of  Kalamazoo 
County.  She  was  born  in  this  county,  April  30, 
1850,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Alexander  (deceased) 
and  Eva  .Jackson.  The  mother  now  resides  in 
Barry  County,  and  is  a  native  of  Ohio;  the  father 
was  a  native  of  Vermont.  When  about  eight  years 
old,  Mrs.  IMason's  father  died  and  the  mother  was 
married  to  William  Scott,  who  is  also  deceased. 
The  home  of  Mr.  and  ill's.  Mason  lias  been  bles.•^ed 
by  the  advent  of  one  son,  Bruce,  who  is  attending 
school. 

Mr.  Mason  is  a  member  of  tiie  I'resbyterian 
Church,  while  the  faith  of  his  wife  is  in  the  IMeth- 
odist  Episcopal  Church,  and  l)Oth  are  active  mem- 
bers of  society.  In  politics,  the  vote  of  Mr.  Mason 
is  cast  with  the  Republican  body.  lie  is  known 
as  one  of  the  most  skillful  hunters  in  this  part  of 
the  State,  and  has  hunted  more  or  less  during  his 
whole  life.  He  killed  many  deer  when  he  first 
came  here  near  his  own  door,  but  now  has  to  go 
to  Northern  Michigan  to  find  game.  He  is  also 
very  fond  of  fishing. 

On  another  page  of  this  volume  appears  a  view 
of  the  homestead  of  Mr.  Mason. 


ARION  MEAD,  coming  of  the  old  pioneer 
stock  of  Kalamazoo  County,  and  belonging 
to  one  of  its  well-known  families,  has  him- 
self materially  contributed  to  its  growth, 
and  is  to-day  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
wealthy  farmers.  He  has  large  farming  interests 
liere  and  elsewhere,  besides  other  valualile  proi)erty, 
and  his  home  on  liis  farm  on  section  1,  Charles- 
ton Township,  is  a  very  pleasant  abode,  the  center 
of  true  comfort  and  genuine  hospitality. 

Mr.  Mead  is  one  of  the  native-boin  sons  of 
Michigan,  his  birth  taking  place  May  6,  1836,  near 
Grass   Lake,   in  Washtenaw  County.     His    fatlier, 


Thomas  Mead,  who  was  born  in  1804,  came  to 
Michigan  in  1833,  wlien  in  the  full  flush  of  early 
manhood,  and  took  up  (iovernment  land  in  Wash- 
tenaw County.  Three  years  later,  he  sold  that 
l)Iace,  and,  coming  u>  Kalamazoo  County,  he  |)ur- 
chased  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  acres  of  land 
ill  Charleston  Township,  and  was  among  the  first 
settlers  of  this  vicinity.  He  moved  witii  his  family 
into  a  log  caliin  that  lie  had  erected,  and  while  he 
dwelt  here  he  did  good  pioneer  work,  and  was 
greatly  respected  as  a  man  and  as  a  citizen.  His 
last  days  were  i>assed  in  Battle  Creek  Township, 
where  he  died  in  May,  1878.  He  was  a  well-known 
figure  in  the  early  history  of  this  couiit\-.  He 
kept  a  breaking  team,  and  he  broke  land  where  the 
city  of  Battle  Creek  now  stands.  He  was  a  sound 
Democrat,  and  was  well  posted  in  political  matters. 
He  was  also  well  informed  in  history,  and  was  as 
conversant  with  the  BiJjle  as  many  a  minister,  al- 
though he  was  not  a  church  memJjer.  He  had  a 
broad,  tolerant  mind,  and  was  liberal  in  his  religi- 
ous views,  and  generous  m  contributing  of  his 
means  to  churches,  or  to  anything  that  would  in 
any  way  prove  beneficial  to  the  public. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  who  Jjore  the  maiden 
name  of  Fanny  Bloom,  was  a  native  of  Tompkins 
County,  N.  Y.  She  was  reared  within  six  mik's  of 
Ithaca,  and  died  in  1886.  Four  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters were  born  of  her  marriage,  all  but  one  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity,  and  six  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Christina,  the  widow  of  Henry  Eberstein,  and  a 
resident  of  Battle  Creek;  Marion;  AYilliam,  who 
resides  on  section  1,  Charleston  Township;  George 
W.,  a  resident  of  Battle  Creek;  Maiy,  the  wife  of 
.James  McDonald,  of  Kalamazoo;  and  Almira,  a 
resident  of  Battle  Creek.  Henry  B.  and  Almeda 
are  the  names  of  those  deceased. 

Marion  IMead,  of  whom  we  write,  is  the  second 
son  and  third  child  of  the  family.  He  was  two 
years  old  when  his  parents  came  from  Washtenaw 
County  to  this  county.  His  first  schooling  was 
obtained  in  Bedford  Townshii),  Calhoun  County, 
in  a  i)rivate  house.  The  next  school  that  he  at- 
tended was  partly  in  Kalamazoo  County  and  partly 
m  Calhoun  County,  and  his  education  was  com- 
pleted in  Bedford  Township.  He  remained  an  in- 
mate of   the  pai-ental   home   until  he  attained  his 


922 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


majoi'ity.  ami  in  the  lueaiiUuu'  was  thoroughly 
grounded  in  all  that  pertain-s  to  agriculture.  He 
was  only  l€U  years  old  when  lie  began  to  drive 
oxen  to  help  his  fatiier  break  sod.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one.  he  st,art<?d  out  for  himself,  and  worked 
four  years  with  a  threshing  maehino.  lie  liad  no 
money,  but  he  had  a  Ijetter  capit-'d  in  his  strength, 
capability  for  work  and  clear  brain. 

After  his  marriage,  in  the  suininer  of  18(;0,  Mr. 
Mead  took  up  his  residence  on  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Charleston  Township,  and  entered  actively 
upon  the  pioneer  t.ask  of  developing  a  farm,  build- 
ing the  first  house  and  barn  on  ilic  jjlaeo,  and 
iitlierwise  improving  it  dining  the  lifteen  years 
that  he  stayed  thereon.  At  the  end  of  that  time, 
he  removed  to  the  farm  that  he  now  occupies  on 
the  same  section.  This  comprises  one  hundred 
and  eighty-eiglit  acres  of  very  fertile  land,  which 
IS  under  fine  cultivation,  is  neatly  fenced,  well 
drained,  and  sui)plied  with  all  the  modern  im- 
provements and  macliinei-y  necessary  to  carry  on 
agriculture  in  a  proper  manner.  In  1M7,"),  he  erected, 
at  a  cost  of  *.'i,(H)(l,  a  commodious  residence,  two 
stories  in  height,  a  view  of  which  acconii>auies 
this  sketch.  He  has  roomy,  conveniently  arranged 
barns,  and  in  all  res|)ect,s  his  farm  is  a  model.  He 
still  retains  his  lirst  farm  on  this  section,  which 
contains  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  is 
pr<>vide<l  witli  a  gi>i)d  dwelling  house,  a  barn  and 
otiicr  iifccssary  Iniildings.  lie  also  has  a  valuable 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  lifty  acres  in  15attle 
Cicck  Township,  which  lie  bought  eight  years  ago, 
and  on  wliicli  is  a  neat  house  and  two  good  barns. 
Uesides  this,  he  has  valuMblc  lucpcrty  in  lliecityof 
ISattle  Creek,  !ind  he  i.>  numbered  among  onr  most 
.-iili!,t.'inlial  citizens. 

.V  resirlent  of  tlii>  (■oimt\  foi-  hkhc  lliaii  hall'  n 
century,  liie  name  of  .Mr.  Mca<l  is  iiKlissoliibly 
connected  with  the  history  of  its  growth,  lie  is  a 
fine  type  of  our  M'lf-niade  nicMi.  his  steadfast  cour- 
age, persisl«'nt  mdll^lrv,  .-iiid  far-seeing  business 
Ijict,  together  with  his  adherence  to  right  i)rinci- 
plest  and  correct  habits,  m:tkiiig  his  life  n  success, 
whi-re  a  man  of  less  sLimina  might  have  failed.  As 
a  good  citizen  should,  he  Inkes  an  intclligi-nt  inler- 
c»t  in  politics,  having  a  clear  Miiderstaiiding  of  the 
vnrioiiN    i.H.<*ues  of  the   diiv,  aixl    favois   Ihc  l)eiini- 


cratic  party,  but  does  not  let  thai  interfere  with 
his  voting  for  the  candidate  whom  he  considers 
best  fitted  tor  the  ollkc.  wilhout  regard  to  party 
ties.  He  has  niingleil  in  the  public  life  of  the 
township  as  an  inciunbeiit,  of  various  local  olliccs. 
Our  subject  went  to  New  York  for  his  bride, 
and  was  there  married,  in  ( )ntario  County, .Itine  27, 
1860,  to  ^[iss  Electa  Roy,  the  second  daughter  and 
fourth  child  of  William  and  Harriet  (Harris)  Hoy. 
]\Irs.  Mead  was  born  in  the  town  of  Phelps,  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y.,  August  28,  1842.  Her  father  was 
a  native  of  that  county,  while  her  mother  was  liorn 
in  Dutchess  County,  the  same  State.  The  father 
of  Mr.  Harris  was  from  Scotland,  and  the  father 
of  Mrs,  Harris  was  a  native  of  Dutchess 
County.  Mrs.  Mead  was  reared  in  her  native 
place,  and  besides  receiving  a  careful  home  train- 
ing, was  given  a  good  education  at  Lyons,  in 
AVayne  County,  her  native  State.  She  w^as  thus 
early  fitted  for  the  profession  of  teacher,  and 
taught  from  the  time  she  was  fifteen  years  old  until 
her  marriage.  Her  marriage  with  our  subject  has 
been  a  congenial  union, and  has  brought  them  two 
children:  Kstella,  wife  of  K.  R.  Cowles,  a  traveling 
man.  with  his  residence  at  Battle  Creek;  and  Ma- 
bel, who  is  attending  school  at  Battle  Creek. 


^ 


^ 


'^ 


MASA  :\1.1;R()WN.  Uy  means  of  pcnsever- 
'@/Yj|i  ancc  .'ind  energy,  Mr.  Rrown  has  become 
'/  (4)  well  known  as  one  of  the  most  successful 
farmers  of  Columbia  Township,  \:\u  Ituren 
County,  lie  owns  and  opcr.-ites  a  line  tract  of 
land,  comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and 
upon  his  farm  lias  ;in  attractive  residence,  besides 
the  numerous  (aim  buildings  necessary  to  the 
proper  inanagcmenl  of  tin'  place.  Ills  upright  life 
not  only  sustains,  but  even  advances,  the  honorable 
name  made  by  his  ftirelathcrs,  who  were  e;irl\'  set- 
tlers of  Michigan  and  contriinited  not  a  little  to 
the  development  of   its  vast  resources. 

The  gramir.'illHT  of  our  siiliject,  Aiiios  liiown, 
w.'us  for  many  years  n  farmei-  in  his  native  State, 
Vermont,  whence  he  removed  to  Monroe  County, 
N.  \ ..  and  later  came  West  In  \  :in  Unreii  County, 
this  State,  in   IH.'i.").      lie  settled  on  section  M2,  ( 'o- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


923 


liiiii))ia  Township,  uiitcriiiii'  fr<jiii  the  Oovenimcnt 
one  hundred  juid  sixty  acres  and  residing  u|)()n 
that  |>lace  until  death  called  him  liciiee.  Of  his 
lirst  marriage  eight  children  were  horn,  namely: 
Aniasa  IM.,  a  (jhysician  in  A'erniont;  Amos  S.,  Jesse 
H.,  Lyman,  Wells  G.,  Eliza,  Sarah  and  ]\Iinerva,  all 
of  whom  married  and  reared  families.  The  second 
marriage  of  Grandfather  IJrown  was  childless. 

Vermont  was  the  native  State  of  Wells  (i.  Brown, 
father  of  our  suliject,  and  tlicnce  he  accompanied 
his  parents  to  New  Y(jrk,  later  coming  with  them 
to  Michigan.  The  journey  hither  was  made  by 
way  of  the  lakes  to  St.  Joseph,  from  which  place 
they  came  overland  to  Columbia  Township.  Al- 
though he  had  no  money  with  which  to  gain  a 
start  in  life,  he  possessed  abundant  courage,  unre- 
mitting industry  and  a  seemingly  inexhaustible 
fund  of  energy,  and  with  these  qualifications  for 
capital,  it  is  not  strange  that  success  crowned  his 
efforts.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  was  passed  in 
Columbia  Township,  where  he  died  September  2, 
1879.  His  father's  estate  had  been  divided  among 
the  heirs  in  1860,  and  the  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  which  he  received  for  his  share  was  traded 
for  a  body  of  land  of  the  same  size,  located  on 
section  32. 

Besides  cultivating  that  place,  i\Ir.  Brown,  Sr., 
supervised  a  mill  in  Breedsville,  which  he  built  in 
company  with  George  Hann'ih,  and  in  which  he 
owned  a  one-half  interest,  lie  possessed  the  vari- 
ous qualifications  which  ada|)t  one  for  public  offices, 
and  his  fellow-citizens,  realizing  that  fact,  called 
upon  him  to  fill  various  local  positions.  He  was 
an  adherent  to  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
l)aity  and  cast  his  infiuence  .ind  l)allot  in  behalf  of 
its  candidates.  After  his  death,  the  mother  of  our 
subject  was  united  in  marriage  with  Abram  Cramer, 
and  still  survives,  making  her  home  in  l?reeds- 
ville. 

Amasa  M.  Brown  was  born  Octobers,  1845,  upon 
the  old  homestead  where  his  gr.andfather  and  father 
so  long  resided.  Ills  educational  advantages  were 
limited  to  a  brief  attendance  at  the  common 
schools  of  this  district  and  at  an  early  age  he  be- 
gan to  assist  his  father  on  the  farm.  He  now  re- 
sides on  section  32,  and,  with  his  mother,  owns  the 
old  homestead.     From  the  time  he  was  twenty-six 


until  he  was  thnty-six  years  old,  he  served  as  Su- 
pervisor of  Columbia  Township,  and  was  instru- 
mental in  advancing  the  interests  of  his  felhjw- 
citizens.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  ranks  of 
tlKnJepublic.'in  party, and  a  leading  nu-niber  in  the 
Masonic  order,  having  attained  to  the  Thirty-sec- 
ond Degree. 

On  November  11,  1867,  l\Ir.  Brown  was  married 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  A.,  the  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Jemima  Laferty,  and  a  native  of  Albion,  N.  V. 
Mr.  Laferty,  who  was  a  farmer,  came  to  Michigan 
about  1860,  and  is  now  deceased.  One  child  has 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown,  a  son,  Wells  G. 
In  the  social  circles  of  the  community,  they  possess 
marked  infiuence  and  are  welcome  guests  in  the 
best  homes  of  this  vicinity. 


~oi 


,,...  SIILEY  CLAPP,  Commissioner  of  Schools 
/LJI  in  Kalamazoo  County,  was  born  in  S^ua- 
cuse,  N.  Y.,  September  1,  1844,  and  is  the 
son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Almira  (Rose)  Clapp. 
natives  of  Vermont  and  Connecticut,  respectively. 
The  father,w"ho  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  died  when 
Ashley  was  but  four  years  of  age;  the  mother 
still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Fairport, 
N.  Y. 

Ten  children  in  the  parental  family  lived  to 
manhood  and  womanhood  and  five  still  survive, 
one  sister,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Bolles,  being  a  resident  of 
Oshtemo  Township,  Kalamazoo  County.  The 
eighth  in  order  of  birth  was  the  subject  of  this 
biographical  notice,  who  received  a  fair  education 
in  the  district  schools,  supplemented  by  a  course  in 
an  academy  at  Mexico,  N.  Y.  In  July,  1864,  he 
enlisted  at  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  in  Company  II,  One 
Hundred  and  Eighty-fourth  New  York  Infantry, 
and  served  in  the  Virginia  Campaign  of  1864, 
taking  part  in  various  actions  around  Richmond 
and  Petersburg.  At  the  time  of  the  final  sur- 
render of  Gen.  Lee,  he  was  stationed  at  Cit^- 
Point. 

After  a  service  of  one  year,  Mr.  Clapp  received 
his  houorable  discharge  at  Syracu.se,  in  July,  186."), 
and  then  came  West  to  Kalamazoo  County,  where 
for  one  year  he  worked  at  the  trade  of  a  carpenter. 


924 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Later  he  found  employment  in  a  store,  where  he 
clerked  for  one  year,  and  then  engaged  in  school 
work,  fii'st  teaching  in  Oshtemo  Township  and 
then  pursuing  a  coui-se  of  study  at  Kalamazoo  Col- 
lege. Next  he  assumed  control  of  the  graded 
schools  at  Vicksburg  and  filled  that  position  with 
marked  success  for  a  period  of  sis  years. 

Prof.  Clapp  early  became  connected  with  the 
school  system  of  this  county  olliciall\-,  serving  as 
SuiK-'rintendent  of  Oshtemo  Township  for  six 
years,  and  being  identified  with  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation as  one  of  its  most.ictive  members  for  eleven 
years.  lie  is  now  (1892)  in  the  seventeenth  year 
of  his  connection  with  the  examination  of  teachers. 
For  ten  years  he  was  County  Secretary  of  Schools 
and  was  elected  to  tlie  [wsition  of  .School  Commis- 
sioner (the  office  tliat  succeeds  County  Secretary) 
by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  .June  22,  1891. 

The  present  high  position  in  educational  circles 
wliicli  is  held  by  Prof.  Clapp  is  largely  dei)endent 
upon  liis  native  talent  and  will  power,  and  his  edu- 
cation has  l)een  acquired  b3'  actual  teaching  and 
independent  nietliods  of  study.  Although  iiis 
special  talent  is  in  the  direction  of  mathematics, 
his  mastery  of  tlieir  nitricacies  being  compara- 
tively easy,  he  is  accomplished  in  other  branches  of 
literary  and  scientific  study,  lie  is  an  all-around 
man,  well  read  in  all  fields,  and  conversant  with 
the  classics,  science  and  philosophy. 

A>  a  teacher.  Prof.  Clapp  stands  high  among 
educators  in  the  State  and  his  administration  of 
the  schools  over  which  he  has  presided  has  been 
characterized  by  firmness  and  Uict  in  management, 
excellence  of  dis<'ipline  and  the  thoroughness  of 
knowledge  attained  by  his  pupils.  Realizing  the 
iK-nelits  of  independi'nt  study  and  investigation, 
lie  hft.'<  ever  attempted  to  have  his  pupils  secure  a 
thoroughly-grounded  knowlcdgtr  of  the  fundn- 
ment.'il  principles,  rather  than  a  sujierficial  polish 
for  the  purpose  of  display  or  exhibition. 

'I'lioroMglily  dctcNting  superficiality  himself,  his 
mo.'-i  e-iinot  efforts  havi!  been  toward  eradicating 
.surface  display  and  sham  in  all  s(  hool  work,  and 
the  teacher  who  is  niialih-  to  reach  the  b;L'<is  of 
all  educJition,  or  nndcrstjiiid  the  dllTcri'ure  bet  ween 
education  and  knowledge,  finil"  in  him  a  weak 
^up|K*rt.  but  the   conscientious   ami    hard-working 


teacher  has  in  hitn  a  friend  and  advisor.  Recog- 
nized on  all  sides  as  an  earnest  educator,  he  was  se- 
lected .as  instructor  in  Kalamazoo  College  during 
a  course  when  the  expected  teachers  were'  not 
available, 

Kalamazoo  County  schools  are  among  the  best 
in  Michigan  and  no  small  part  of  their  present  ef- 
ficiency is  due  to  the  personal  efforts  of  Prof.  Clap|). 
The  schools  have  been  placed  under  a  regular 
system  or  course  of  stud}%  prepared  by  a  committee 
of  County  Secretaries,  of  whom  Prof.  Clapp  was 
one.  The  regular  work  has  been  largely  advanced 
and  nuicli  more  rapid  and  systematic  work  is  thus 
acconi[)lished.  Reading  circles  are  established,  to 
which  each  active,  progressive  teacher  is  attached. 
Two  local  teachers'  associations  have  been  organized 
meeting  each  month,  and  a  county  associatum 
meeting  once  in  two  months.  Prof.  Clapi)  was 
also  one  of  the  committee  that  prepared  a  course  of 
reading  for  the  State  Reading  Circle. 

No  more  painstaking  or  kindly  official  can  be 
found  in  the  State  or  one  who  has  the  advance- 
ment of  the  school  system  more  at  heart  than  Prof. 
Clapp.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  so- 
cially, is  a  member  of  the  IMasoiiic  fraternity,  the 
Indeiiendeut  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  Orcutl 
Post,  0.  A.  R.  Helms  a  cosy  home  at  No.  820 
( )ak  Street,  presided  over  by  his  cultured  wife, 
to  whom  he  was  married  in  0,shtenio,Se|)tember  19, 
1809.  She  was  formerly  known  as  Miss  Fran- 
ces A'.  Drummond.  Their  children  are:  Mina,  a 
student  in  P;iisons'  Business  College;  Rert,  who  is 
clerk  in  the  Michigan  National  Bank;  Wesley  and 
Leah,  who  are  attending  the  Kalamazoo  schools. 


(il  j»ll.l,IAM  i;i.lSIIA  .lOllNSON.  Siipcriiitcn- 
\/\//l  '''■"'  of  Construction  at  the  ln>an<' Asylum, 
W^  has  for  about  thirty-seven  \ears  been  con- 
nected with  this  work,  lie  was  born  m  Krie 
County,  Pa.,  .\pril  25,  18:51,  and  is  a  son  of  Rob- 
ert and  l'",lizabeth  (Murray)  .lohnson,  the  former  a 
native  of  the  Keystone  State  and  the  latter  of 
Maryland.  His  father  w.-is  a  laniici-  and  in  the 
usn.al  manner  of  f.'uiner   lads  otu'   siiliject  spent  his 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOORAPHICAL  RECORD. 


925 


I 


boyhood  days  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  Wish- 
ing, however,  to  engage  in  other  pursuits  than  tliat 
to  which  he  was  reared,  he  then  began  learning  tiie 
trade  of  a  carpenter,  serving  an  apprenticesiiip  of 
tiiree  years  with  B.  R.  Tuttle,  in  tlic  county  of  iiis 
nativity.  In  1854,  at  the  age  of  twent}',  lie  came 
to  Kalamazoo,  believing  that  in  this  new  city  on 
the  Western  frontier  he  would  have  better  advan- 
tages tlian  in  the  older  and  more  tiiielily  populated 
cities  of  the  East.  For  some  time  lie  worked  by 
tlie  day  for  various  partners.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  time,  Mr.  Johnson  accepted  a  position  at  the 
Asj'lum,  where  he  remained  for  five  and  a  half 
years,  wlien  the  financial  panic  of  1857  deterred 
the  continuance  of  the  work  tliere  for  about  live 
years.  When  he  first  went  to  the  Asylum,  the  main 
building  was  only  partially  completed  and  he  was 
tlie  first  carpenter  employed  after  the  foreman. 
He  assisted  in  building  the  Kalamazoo  House  in 
1861,  and  subsequently  spent  three  and  a  half 
years  in  the  employ  of  Kellogg  A  Co.,  operating 
the  machinery  in  their  sash,  door  and  blind  fac- 
tory. A  year  later,  we  find  him  engaged  in  business 
for  himself  and  in  March,  1866,  he  resumed  work 
on  the  Asylum,  and  for  almost  eight  years  was  em- 
ployed as  a  journeyman. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1861,  in  Kalamazoo,  Mr. 
Johnson  formed  a  matrimonial  alliance  with  Miss 
Alice  E.  Pershall,  daughter  of  William  W.  Pershall, 
who  came  from  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  to  Kalamazoo, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  harness  business  and  made 
his  home  until  his  deatli. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  were  ))orn  tlie 
following  children:  Anna,  the  wife  of  F.  P. 
Johnson,  of  Kalamazoo,  who  is  connected  willi 
the  B.  S.  Williams  Manufacturing  Company.  The 
lady  was  for  seven  years  employed  as  teacher  of  elo- 
cution in  the  public  schools,  and  of  lier  Prof.  French 
said,  "It  is  impossible  to  fill  her  place."  She  still 
occasionally  gives  private  readings.  Edward  is 
connected  with  the  Continental  Clotliiiig  House,  of 
Omaha,  Neb.;  Laura  E.  shows  a  decided  talent  in 
painting,  and  the  house  is  adorned  with  many 
splendid  specimens  of  her  handiwork;  William  A., 
who  is  also  in  Omaha,  and  Kate  Isabel,  who  grad- 
uated from  the  Higli  School  in  the  Class  of  '91. 

After  eight  years'    labor   as  a  jounievman,  IMr. 


.lolinsoii  was  made  fi>reiiian  of  construction  at  the 
Asylum,  wliich  position  he  still  fills.  During  this 
time  many  of  tiie  l)mldings  have  been  completed. 
He  oversees  the  entire  work  from  foundation  to 
gariet.  He  has  also  constructed  the  buildings  on 
tlie  Asj'Iuin  dairy  farm,  two  miles  north  of  Kal- 
amazoo, and  all  of  the  details  of  the  architectural 
work  are  prepared  by  himself.  In  politics,  he  votes 
with  the  Re})ublican  party  on  all  questions  of  Na- 
tional importance  but  at  local  elections  votes  for 
tlie  man  whom  he  tliinksbest  qualified  for  the  pos- 
ition, regardles  of  party  alHliations.  In  his  relig- 
ious views,  he  is  a  Congregationalist.  We  find  in 
Mr.  Johnson  a  companionable  and  agreeable  gen- 
tleman, thorougiily  an  optimist,  for  he  is  ever  look- 
ing on  the  bright  instead  of  the  dark  side  of  things. 
He  is  conscientious  in  tlie  discharge  of  all  his  ob- 
ligations and  is  regarded  as  an  upright,  straight- 
forward business  man. 


-^1. 


^+^1 


jEOROE  FULLER,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Fuller  &  Son,  proprietors  of  a  livery, 
hack  and  'busline  in  Kalamazoo, established 
business  in  this  way  some  twenty'  j'ears  since  and 
has  since  continued  his  operations.  He  is  one  of 
the  well-known  citizens  of  the  community  and  it 
is  with  pleasure  that  we  present  his  sketch  to  our 
readers.  Mr.  Fuller  is  a  native  of  New  York.  He 
was  born  in  the  village  of  Whitehall,  January  28, 
18.34,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Dorcas  Fuller. 
When  he  was  only  two  years  of  age,  his  parents 
removed  to  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood.  His  education  was  .acquired  in  tlie 
common  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  and  he  be- 
gan to  earn  his  own  livelihood  by  working  as  a 
farm  hand,  whicli  lie  followed  until  twenty  yeai-s 
of  age. 

Believing  that  the  West  furnislied  young  men 
better  opportunities  tlian  the  older  and  more 
thickly  populated  States  of  the  East,  Mr.  Fuller 
liade  good-by  to  his  New  York  home,  in  1854,  and 
emigrated  to  Michigan,  locating  first  in  Kalamazoo 
County'.  He  worked  both  in  this  county  and  in 
Van  Buren  County  as  a  farm  hand  for  a  time,  and 
then  went  to  the  cifv  of  Kalamazoo,  where  he  en- 


926 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


gaged  in  the  cooperiDg  business  for  five  years, 
luanufacturing  fiour  barrels.  At  the  same  time,  he 
carried  on  farinino-.  lie  tlien  began  buying  grain 
and  produce  and  carried  on  the  shipi)ing  luisiness. 
He  was  quite  successful  in  this  undertaking  but 
in  .lune,  1874,  again  changed  his  line  of  work  and 
embarked  in  the  livery  business,  in  connectiuu 
with  which  he  runs  a  hack  and  'bus  line.  He  also 
Ijegan  buying  and  selling  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and 
hogs,  shipping  to  the  Eastern  markets,  and  this 
yields  to  him  a  considerable  income. 

At  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  Mr.  Fuller  was 
married  to  Hester  Slack,  of  Wayne  County,  >«'.  Y.. 
daughter  of  .lames  .SLick.  15y  their  union  have 
been  born  two  children,  sons:  .lames  Hudson  and 
Hor.ice  .!.,  the  latter  the  junior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Fuller  S!  Son.  The  family  is  well  known 
throughout  this  community  where  they  have  .so 
long  resided.  Mr.  Fuller  has  represented  his  ward 
in  the  City  Council,  being  elected  to  that  ollice  by 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Fraternal  Alliance,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  In  his 
l)usine.ss,  he  has  met  with  good  success,  and  although 
he  l)egan  life  cmpty-lianded,  has  now  a  comfortable 
competence  and  is  enjoying  a  lucrative  patronage. 
His  barn  is  fitted  up  in  modern  style  and  lie  ii;is 
all  tlie  appurtenances  of  a  first-class  livery.  Will- 
ing and  anxious  to  please  his  patrons,  he  li:is  se- 
cured many  customers  nn<l  his  success  in  business 
is  well  deserved. 


f(_^()N.  .lOSlAII  !,.  llAWi;s.  Tlie  lirilli:int 
:itt;iimiients  and  legni  eriidilion  whicli 
^  have  cliMrMctcMized  the  entire  professional 
career  of  .ludge  Ihiwes  have  made  him  not- 
able among  the  citizens  of  K'Mlainii/.oo  mikI  con- 
.spicnous  among  the  eminent  men  of  .Micliigiin. 
F"or  a  nnndier  of  years,  he  served  elliciently  rind 
honorably  ns  .ludge  of  the  Ninth  .liidiciMl  Oistriel 
and  Inis  filled  other  positions  with  credit  In  hini- 
self  and  the  party  which  he  represents. 

Some  time  during  tlie  last  cent  my.  there  wjis 
born  ill  till-  town  of  Lyme.  Coiiii..  of  Fnglish 
aiieextrv,  a  chihl  to  whom  was  given  the  iiiinie  of 
l.vmaii  llawes.      lie  in:in  ied  .'ind  l>ee.'iin<'  the  f:itlier 


of  a  son,  Lawrence,  who  was  born  at  Kinderhook, 
N.  Y.  The  latter,  who  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  married  Ursula  Lord,  who  was  born  at 
Lj-me,  Conn.,  January  8,  1792  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Marvin  and  Family  (Wolcott)  Lord.  After 
their  marriage,  the  young  couple  settled  in  Scho- 
harie Count}',  iS'.  Y..  where  three  children  were  born 
to  them:  .losiah  L.;  ^lary  Fl,  now  deceased,  and 
Emil}',  who  now  lives  in  Nebraska. 

After  residing  for  a  number  of  years  in  Sclio- 
harie  County,  the  parents  of  our  subject  removed  to 
Kalamazoo  County  and  located  upon  a  farm  in  the 
town  of  Comstock,  where  the  father  died,  January 
8,  1884,  .iged  eightj'-six  years.  The  mother  had 
preceded  him  to  her  final  rest,  dying  June  8,  1871. 
The  oldest  son,  Josiah  L.,  was  born  in  Schoharie 
County,  N.  Y.,  October  12,  1823,  and  passed  his 
boyhood  in  his  native  county,  where  he  attended 
the  district  schools.  Later  he  entered  the  academy 
of  GallupviUc  and  afterward  studied  at  Syracuse, 
N.  Y. 

His  literary  education  completed,  vuv  subject 
commenced  the  study  of  law  .and  entered  the  office 
of  Hon.  J.  Miller,  of  Schoharie  County,  with  whom 
he  contniued  to  read  for  some  time.  His  studies 
were  completed  at  Unadilla,  N.  Y.,  and  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar,  in  1847,  during  the  session  of 
the  Supreme  Court  at  Cooperstown,  N.  Y.  F'or 
several  years,  he  continued  his  practice  alone  in 
Unadilla,  then,  returning  to  his  native  county, 
there  followed  his  jn-ofession  atCobleskill  in  18.'j2. 

Thence  removing  to  Kalamazoo,  our  subject  as- 
sociated himself  in  partnership  with  Thomas  H. 
Sherwood,  a  former  nieniher  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
and  continued  in  partnership  with  that  gentleman 
for  sevenil  years,  lie  took  an  active  jiart  in  poli- 
tics, first  ns  a  Whig  and  afterward  as  a  Democrat. 
He  was  appointed  liy  <lov.  Itagley,  who  was  a 
stanch  Kepuldiean,  to  fill  tlie  unexiiiied  term  sis 
Cireiiil  .Iiidge,  which  was  caused  by  the  resignation 
of  lion.  Charles  Brown.  At  the  expiration  of  thai- 
term,  he  was  elected  to  the  same  ollice  for  the  term 
of  six  years  ami  while  acting  in  tli.Ml  capacity 
g.ained  llie  lordial  esteem  of  inembcrs  of  the  Har 
and  his  constituents.  On  reliiiiig  from  the  Bench, 
he  resiimeil  his  practice,  which  he  has  since  <on- 
dncteil. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIHCAL   RECORD. 


927 


. I  line  3,  1850,  Judge  llawcs  was  inari'ied  to 
Ijicia  I\.,  (laughter  of  leliabod  C.  Foote,  of  Frank- 
lin, N.  Y.  She  was  horn  in  1820  and  died  .Sept- 
ember 8,  1880,  leaving  one  daughter,  Maria  W., 
wile  of  Thomas  A.  Soaker,  wlio  resides  at  Halifax, 
Nova  Scotia.  October  24,  1883,  the  Judge  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  Edger- 
ton,  of  Delhi,  N.  Y.,  the  daughter  of  Sheldon 
(Jriswold.  By  her  previous  marriage  to  Tiiomas 
Eilgerton,  Mrs.  Hawes  became  the  mother  of  two 
childi'en.  Siie  is  an  active  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church,  the  Judge,  being  an  attendant  of  the 
same,  and  both  are  prominent  in  the  social  circles 
of  the  cit3'. 


'-vtSI 


i>^^<^^ 


^— 


'fZ_^  ON.  ALEXANDER  CAMERON.  This  ven- 
*^  erable  citizen  of  Kalamazoo  was  born  in 
Deerfleld,  Oneida  County-,  N.  Y'.,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1813,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Dan- 
iel and  Jennette  (McYain)  Cameron,  who  were 
liorn  in  Scotland  m  1779  and  1784,  respectively. 
The  mother,  who  belonged  to  an  aristocratic  fam- 
ily, accompanied  her  brother  to  Canada  and  mar- 
ried Mr.  Cameron,  Sr.,  against  the  wishes  of  her 
relatives.  They  removed  from  New  Y'ork  to  Minn- 
esota about  1854,  settling  in  a  little  hamlet  oppo- 
site La  Crosse,  where  both  died,  the  father  Septem- 
ber 3,  1860,  and  the  mother  April  23,  1865. 

After  completing  his  education  and  engaging 
for  a  few  months  as  a  teacher,  our  subject  came  to 
Miciiigan  in  1834,  and  after  landing  at  Detroit, 
started  afoot  and  alone  for  the  interior  of  IMichigan. 
In  due  time,  he  arrived  at  Kalamazoo  (then  known 
as  Bronson),aud  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  Land  OtHce 
for  a  time.  He  was  married,  March  14,  1838,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Paul,  whom  he  had  known  in  New 
Y'ork,  and  who  had  removed  to  Barry  County 
with  her  step-father.  Squire  Leonard.  Mrs.  Cam- 
eron was  the  first  school  teacher  in  Barry  County, 
and  their  marriage  was  tiie  first   celebrated    there. 

To  the  home  in  Kalamazoo  which  he  had  al- 
ready prepared,  Mr.  Cameron  brought  his  bride, 
and  that  house  is  still  standing,  within  a  few 
rods  of  where  it  was  first  ei-ected.  Afterward 
thev   removed   to  a  new    himsc.  which    contained 


greater  conveniences  and  was  more  commodi- 
ous than  the  (irst  Iidiik'.  From  the  first,  Mr. 
Cameron  prosi)ered,  and  held  a  position  among  Iii.s 
neighliors  to  wiiicii  he  was  entitled  l)y  liis  abilities, 
his  decision  of  character  and  practical  good  sense. 
Tiie  gold  excitement  of  1849  led  him  to  take  a 
trip  across  tiie  plains  to  California,  whence  he  re- 
turned home  witii  a  large  experience  .'ind  bllh!  d! 
the  precious  ore. 

LTpon  his  return,  Mr.  Cameron  embarked  in  l)iiy- 
ing  and  shipping  slock,  a  business  with  which  he 
has  since  been  identified.  lie  owns  a  fine  farm,  a 
convenient  distance  from  the  citj',  and  is  carrying 
on  farming  operations  with  success.  In  1835,  lie 
was  elected  School  Inspector,  and  in  1854  was  a 
candidate  for  the  Legislature,  his  successful  oppo- 
nent being  Gov.  Ransom.  In  1860,  he  w.as  elec- 
ted to  the  State  Legislature  and  continued  to 
serve  his  district  in  that  body  until  1873.  He  iiad 
been  present  at  the  organization  of  the  Rejiublicaii 
part}'  at  Jackson,  in  1854,  and  always  took  a  live- 
ly interest  in  political  matters — first  as  a  Whig  an<l 
later  as  a  Republican. 

To  Mr.  Cameron  is  due  much  of  the  credit  for 
the  advanced  position  taken  by  Michigan  upon  the 
subject  of  the  education  of  women.  He  introduced 
and  strongly  advocated  a  bill  to  institute  a  uni- 
versity for  the  education  of  women,  separate  from 
the  State  University,  but  being  unsuccessful  in  se- 
curing its  passage,  he,  in  conjunction  with  Col. 
Phillips,  in  the  Senate,  secured  the  adoption  of  a 
resolution  opening  the  University  to  educate  the 
women,  and  this  became  the  first  movement  to- 
wards the  popularitv  of  the  L^niversity.  He  had 
the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  first  fruits  of  his 
efforts,  in  the  matriculation  of  the  first  lady  student 
in  the  I'niversity — Mrs.  Adeline  Stockton,  of  Kala- 
mazoo. 

For  more  than  forty-five  years,  Mr.  Cameron  has 
been  a  member  of  tiie  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
F^ellows  at  Kalamazoo,  and  has  filled  all  otiices 
with  credit  to  iiimself  and  benefit  to  the  order,  l)e- 
ing  repeatedly  elected  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  is 
also  a  charter  member  of  the  Kalamazoo  County 
Pioneer  Society.  In  his  religious  belief,  he  is  lil> 
eral,  although  inclined  to  the  belief  of  the  Presby- 
terian   Ciiurcli.    and    has    been     Chairman   of   the 


928 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArmCAL  RECORD. 


Board  of  Trustees  of  the  society  for  a  long  time. 
In  ever\'  position  to  wliich  he  has  been  called,  he 
liiis  discharged  his  duties  with  intelligence  and  fi- 
delity, winning  the  praise  of  all.  lie  has  served 
as  .Supervisor  of  Kalamazoo.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Ladies'  Library  Association,  held  at  their  rooms 
November  1,  1855.  he  was  elected  an  honorary 
member  for  valuable  services  in  behalf  of  the  .asso- 
ciation. 

Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Cameron  are  the  parents  of  live 
children,  namely:  .lanet  E,  wife  of  .lames  B.  Ayres; 
Don  Carlos;  Isabelle,  now  Mrs.  Arthur  Brown; 
Douglass  and  Kmma,  who  married  Ileber  C.  Reed. 
The  family  circle,  which  has  never  been  broken  by 
death,  is  a  happy  one  and,  surrounded  by  loving 
children,  affectionate  friends  and  all  the  comforts 
of  life,  the  aged  couple  are  p.issing  their  declining 
years.  Their  golden  wedding  w.is  celebrated 
March  14,  1888,  but  owing  to  the  illness  of  Mrs. 
Cameron,  only  the  immediate  members  of  the  fam- 
ily circle  were  present.  An  unusual  interest, 
however,  was  felt  by  all  in  the  happy  event,  on 
account  of  their  long  residence  in  Kalamazoo,  and 
the  high  esteem  in  which  they  have  always  been 
held.  Congratulation  and  presents  were  numer- 
ous, and  many  wishes  were  expressed  Hint  llic 
pair  might  enjoy  life  for  years  to  come. 


Ap^EOROK  W.  rAKKKIt.  This  geiitlcinMii. 
fjl  ^—1  who  is  one  of  the  active  business  men  of 

NiijJll  Kalamazoo,  is  at  present  engaged  in  coii- 
ilucting  a  line  meat  market,  located  at  No.  222 
West  Main  Street.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
his  natal  d:iy  being  April  21,  1815.  Mis  father, 
Isaac  M.  I'arker,  was  a  native  of  Ohio. 

In  1832,  the  elder  Mr.  I'arker  came  to  Kalama- 
zoo and  w!is  married  to  the  mother  of  our  subject, 
who  liiife  the  maiden  name  of  Catherine  Pat- 
terson. .She  wiis  a  native  of  N'irginia,  and  the 
flanglitcr  of  a  Mr.  Patterson,  who,  with  his  family, 
emigiated  to  Kalama/.oo  County  in  18.'):!,  where 
llicy  were  among  the  earliest  pioneers.  After  Ills 
marria>rc.  Isaac  M.  Parker  loc!ite(l  on  a  farm  two 
and  n  half  miles  north  of  K.'ii.-iina/oo,  now  occu- 
pied   In   till-    liis!ine  Asylum,  when    lie  I'arried   on 


general  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1882,  when  in  his  seventieth 
year.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  bettor  land 
several  j'cars,  her  death  occurring  in  1852.  They 
were  the  parents  of  two  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy. 

George  W.  Parker  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  district  school,  remaining 
under  tlie  parent.al  roof  until  reaching  his  major- 
ity, when  he  beg.an  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  butcher, 
lieing  in  the  employ  of  Thomas  Richardson,  in  the 
then  village  of  Kalamazoo.  Two  j'ears  later,  our 
subject  worked  for  Wicks  it  Tyrrell,  in  the  same 
line  of  business,  being  thus  engaged  for  three  suc- 
ceeding years.  He  then  launched  out  in  the  meat 
business  on  his  own  account,  in  partnership  with 
C.  Miller,  their  market  being  located  on  Burdick 
Street.  They  continued  together  for  two  j'ears, 
when  the  stock  was  divided,  and  Mr.  Parker  con- 
tinued alone  at  the  old  stand  for  fourteen  j'ears. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  removed  to 
his  present  location,  whore  he  has  a  neat  and  con- 
venientlj-  arranged  market,  which  is  fitted  up  with 
all  the  appliances  of  a  first-class  establishment.  Mr. 
Parker  packs  all  of  his  own  meats  and  manufac- 
tures his  own  sausage,  which  is  of  a  superior  qual- 
itj".  He  carries  constantlj'  a  large  supply  of  the 
choicest  meats,  and  is  doing  one  of  the  finest  busi- 
nesses in  the  citj'.  He  is  a  i>ractical  butcher,  and 
his  long  .and  varied  experience  in  that  line  gives 
him   the  .advantage  over  nianj'  of  his   competitors. 

In  186C,  the  original  of  this  sketch  and  Miss 
Laura  A.  Norton,  of  this  citv,  and  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  Norton,  wore  united  in  marriage.  Tlicv 
have  become  the  parents  of  a  son:  Herbert,  who  is 
a  bookkeeper  in  the  City  National  Hank,  having 
held  that  i)ositi<m  for  the  past  seven  years. 

Soci;illy,  our  subject  is  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  22,  F.  iV  A.  M.,  also  CImptor  No.  8,  and  the 
Kalamazoo  CoininMndeiy,  Knight  TeniplMi's.  He 
is  also  an  Odd  Keilow  and  stands  high  in  that  or- 
der. In  addition  to  the  lino  business  ahcridj-  men- 
tioned, Mr.  Parker  owns  a  s|)leii(li(l  f;iiin  of  one 
hundred  acres  in  Cooper  Township,  Kalamazoo 
County,  which  is  under  his  supervision.  The 
])leasaiit  home  of  our  subject  is  lo('ale<l  at  No.  1  I',) 
Dill  Ion  Street. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOMRAPIIICAL   RECORD. 


929 


^LTVER  E.  COX  is  a  yonno;  man  whose  pro- 
gressive spirit  ;iiid  ii;i1,ur;il  ;iljility  li;i\c  ill- 
ready  won  liitn  a  liigli  lepiiUitloii  as  a 
farmer,  and  these  traits  oontrihiile  to  liis  elliciency 
as  a  menilier  of  the  \'an  Uuren  County  Board  of 
Siiiiervisors,  representing-  Arlington  Tovvnslii|),  his 
iiome,  wliere  lie  has  a  line!}'  managed,  \vell-.st<ieked 
farm.  Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Cass  County,  this 
State,  born  in  18.52,  and  a  son  of  fine  of  the  pio- 
neer families  of  Southern  Michigan.  His  jiarents, 
Samuel  and  Caroline  (Williams)  Cox,  were  liorn, 
reared  and  married  in  Oxfordshire,  Engl.and,  the 
father's  birth  oecuriing  in  1816.  lie  had  one 
brother,  William  Scott,  who  came  to  America,  and 
had  his  name  changed  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature. 
He  died  in  Abington,  Ind.  In  .Tune,  1844,  Sam- 
uel Cox  and  his  wife  emigrated  to  this  country, 
and  for  some  years  were  identified  with  the  pio- 
neers of  Cass  County,  but  in  1869  they  came  to 
Van  Buren  County  and  located  where  our  subject 
now  lives  on  an  unimiiroved  tract  of  land.  They 
were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Sarah,  wife 
of  Charles  Bryant,  of  South  Haven;  Maiy,  wife  of 
William  Brown,  of  Willow  Springs,  Mo.,  and 
Oliver  E. 

Oliver  Cox  grew  up  under  good  home  influences 
on  his  father's  farm,  and,  receiving  a  liberal  edu- 
cation, brought  a  well-trained,  keen  mind  to  his 
work,  when  he  began  to  engage  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits on  his  own  account,  and  has  coped  success- 
fully with  the  problems  that  confront  the  intelli- 
gent farmer  of  to-day,  such  as  how  to  till  the  soil 
most  advantageously,  what  breeds  of  horses,  cattle 
and  other  stock  are  best  adapted  to  the  locality, 
and  other  considerations  too  numerous  to  mention- 
The  farm  upon  which  he  has  lived  since  he  was 
seventeen  years  old  has  been  transformed  within 
the  last  twenty-three  years  from  a  wilderness  into 
a  valuable  )iiece  of  property,  and  the  eighty  acres 
of  land  that  he  owns  are  under  perfect  cultivation, 
are  well-equipped  with  good  buildings  and  amply 
supplied  with  all  kinds  of  modern  machinery  for 
facilitating  agricultural  operations. 

Mr.  Cox  was  married,  December  4, 1879,  to  Miss 

Delia  M.  Flagler,    a  daughter    of  Morgan  Flagler, 

who  understands  well  the  art  of  making  their  home 

comfortable  and  cozy,  and   cordially    unites   with 

43  V 


him  in  hospitable  and  courteous  welcome  of  friend 

or  stranger  who  iiiay  (Miter  their  door.  l''ivc  cIjiI- 
dren  have  been  born  uiito  them,  who  are  named 
Caroline,  Lenore,  Elbert,  Delia  and  Sarah,  respect- 
ively. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a  Republican  and  as 
such  waselected  in  the  S|)ring  of  1891  to  the  otHce 
of  Su|)ervisor  from  Arlington  Township,  to  fill  the 
vacancy  on  the  County  lioaril  caused  by  the  resig- 
nation of  Mr.  Wells.  His  course  since  entering 
upon  his  duties  shows  that  his  selection  for  this  im- 
portant position,  for  which  by  character  and  capa- 
bility he  is  so  well  fitted,  was  a  wise  one.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  well 
known  and  liked  for  his  pleasant  social  qualities, 
as  well  .as  for  those  stable  traits  that  have  gained 
him  the  confidence  of  liis  fellow-cilizens. 


■^OHN  B.  POTTER,  the  station  agent,  at 
Lawrence.  Van  Buren  Count}',  was  born 
in  Wyoming,  N.  Y.,  September  1,  18.31,  a 
son  of  Chauncj' and  Martha  (Bord  well)  Pot- 
ter, both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  The  father  was 
a  shoemaker  l>y  trade  and  came  to  Lawrence,  .luly 
3,  1846.  He  had  traded  his  property  in  Wyoming 
for  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  wild  land  in 
Lawrence  Township,  and  partially  cleared  and  im- 
proved his  place.  He  had  three  daughters  and 
one  son,  our  suject;  one  daughter  died  about  1882, 
in  Berrien  County,  Mich.,  leaving  two  children; 
another  is  living  with  our  subject  and  the  third 
died  when  young,  in  New  York  State. 

Our  subject  lived  with  his  father  in  Michigan 
until  he  was  twenty-one,  when  he  returned  to  New 
York  and  clerked  in  a  store  in  Cowlesville,  Wyom- 
ing County,  for  about  four  years.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Lawrence  and  was  appointed  Postra.as- 
ter  under  Franklin  Pierce  and  continued  during 
Buchanan's  and  Lincoln's  administrations.  He 
then  put  in  a  stock  of  groceries,  and,  after  quitting 
that,  engaged  in  the  sawmill  business,  and  when 
the  Toledo  &  South  Haven  Railroad  was  built,  he 
became  the  station  agent  and  has  held  the  jiosition 
continuouslv  since.     He    was    originally   a   Demo- 


930 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


crat  and  cist  his  first  vote  for  President  Pierce, 
but  when  tlie  \v:ir  broke  out  he  became  ;i  liepubli- 
ean  and  lias  been  identified  witli  that  party  ever 
since. 

Mr.  Potter  lias  held  the  Township  oHices  of  Sup- 
ervisor a  numlwrof  years;  Clerk  of  the  Township 
for  thirteen  years,  of  which  ollico  he  is  still  the 
incumbent;  served  as  a  member  of  the  A'illage 
Board  for  a  number  of  years;  was  one  of  the 
S-hool  Board  ami  was  one  of  the  active  founders 
of  the  present  Union  School,  there  beint>:  no  better 
in  any  town  of  its  size  in  the  State.  He  is  also  ex- 
press agent  and  Township  l>ibrarian. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Miss 
Anna  K.  Boole,  October  26,  185G,  in  Lawrence. 
They  had  four  children  born  to  them,  three  of 
whom  died  when  young.  The  only  one  now  liv- 
ing is  Frank  W..  who  was  born  November  !),1H(;7. 
He  is  engaged   in  the  lumber  trade  at  Lawrence. 


:MBR0S  H.    long,   an    honored    and    rc- 
specteil  resident  of  (iobleville,  \'[\n  IJuren 
14'    County-,  is  engaged    in    tanning   and    the 
**"'  produce  business,  wiiicli   he  is  carrying  on 

with  great  success.  He  is  a  son  of  Dr.  David 
Ix>ng,  a  native  of  N'irginia,  who  came  Ui  lii<liana 
when  a  young  man.  He  received  an  <'lemcnlary 
education  in  his  native  Stale,  ami  .sludieil  medi- 
cine and  was  graduateil  in  liiiliMii.i.  lie  MiMnicd 
Sarah  Riissey,  a  native  of  Indiana,  who  became 
till'  mother  of  our  subject.  They  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  IKI6  and  settled  at  Sunineiville,  Cass 
County,  where  he  pracliccil  his  profession  for  a 
niimlKT  of  yeai-s.  He  removed  lo  a  farm  near 
Brownsville,  in  the  same  coiiiil\-,  in  1K.">!).  and 
died  August  2,'),  IXH'.t,  his  good  wife  aiwl  hel|)male 
dying  previously,  in  April,  IM8.'t.  They  had  six 
eliildreii,  all  now  living,  'i'lic  mnilicr  was  a  mem- 
lier  of  the  Friends'  Church,  and  the  father  w;is  an 
I'lpix'opaliaii.  lie  look  an  active  interest  in  poli- 
tics, and  vot«il  with  \\u-  Repubiican  parly.  He 
was  .Justice  of  the  I'e.'ice  and  Township  Clerk,  and 
belonged  to  the  MiL-^oiiic  order.  A  man  of  line 
ediiratioii.  hi'  always  kept    himself    posted    mi    the 


topics  of  the  day.  His  children  are  Mary  C,  of 
Cass  County;  Win  field  T..  of  Chicago;  our  subject; 
Klizabeth  A.,  of  this  county;  Martha  .1.,  a  resident 
near  the  t>ld  homestead  in  Cass  County;  Minnie 
!M.,  a  resident  of  Chicago.  The  ehililren  are  all 
married  and  have  homes  of  their  own. 

Our  subject  was  born  March  17,18-19,  at  Sum- 
iicrville,  Cass  County,  this  State,  and  there  re- 
ceived a  good  district-school  education.  He  re- 
mained at  lunne  until  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
helping  to  clear  up  the  old  homestead.  At  that 
age  he  rented  a  farm  for  three  years,  and  then 
b()ught  a  place  in  Ganges  Townshi)),  AUegaii 
County,  and  carried  on  a  pe.acli  farm  lliere  tVir 
three  years.  In  March,  1880,  he  removed  to  this 
county  and  settled  at  (iobleville,  and  since  then 
has  been  engaged  in  pitiduee-bnying;  he  also  car- 
ries on  a  farm  of  fi)rty  acri^s,  adjoining  the  village, 
.•ill  under  cultivation.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  a 
fruit  farm  of  forty  acres,  near  Kemhills,  \'an  Biii-eii 
County-. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married,  October 
10,  1872,  to  Miss  Launa  S.  Wilcox,  a  daughter  of 
.\m,asa  and  Parthena  (Easton)  Wilcox,  both  na- 
tives of  New  York.  He  is  now  a  resident  of  Seat- 
tle. Partliena  Kaston  Wilcox  died  in  1857, 
leaving  her  only  daughter,  Launa  S..  when  she 
was  but  four  years  v]i\.  Mrs.  Long  was  born  in 
1853,  in  Cass  County,  Mich.,  and  Ihere  received 
her  education.  This  couple  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  llarley  1).,  Otis  ,\.,  Myrtie 
.M.,  Leo  M.,  Bessie  M.,  and  Jessie  F.  All  these 
chihben  have  and  are  receiving  excellent  school- 
ing, and  the  eldest  son  is  a  graduate  of  the  (loiile- 
ville  schools,  ;unl  is  now  a  telegraph  operator. 
Mrs.  Long  is  an  active  and  consistent  worker  of 
the  Methodist  l""piscopal  Church,  and  also  takes 
an  interest  in  the  SuiKlay-seliool.  Mr.  Long,  .so- 
cially, is  a  member  of  the  Knights  ol  rytliias,  and 
is  \'ice-chancellor  of  the  same.  In  politics,  he  is 
a  llepulilie.'in,  is  an  active  woiker,  ami  fre(|iieiitly 
serves  as  deleg.'Ue  to  conventions.  lie  is  a  warm 
and  active  member  of  the  School  Board,  of  which 
he  is  now  the  Assessor  .and  Treasurer,  lie  is  the 
correspondent  of  one  of  the  leading  jKijiers  of  the 
State.  Mr.  Long  is  jis  large  a  purchaser  of  eggs 
as  there  is  in  llie  State  n(  Miehi^Mii,  and  i-uiis  over 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPinCAL  RECORD. 


'J31 


110,000  per  year  in  tliis  product  alone.  He  and 
his  wife  are  well  and  f;iv()ral)l\-  known  tlii-ougli- 
out  the  townslii|i,  and  command  the  respect  of  all 
with  whom  the_v  come  in  contact. 


4^ 


_years. 


ENRY  F.  NORTHAM.  This  gentleman 
occupies  a  worthy  place  among  the  farmers 
of  Van  Buren  Count}',  and  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Arlington  Township  for  many 
In  the  meantime,  he  has  assisted  his  fellow- 
citizens  in  developing  the  vast  agricultural  re- 
sources of  this  region  and  while  so  doing  has  re- 
claimed a  good  farm  from  the  wilderness.  Now 
in  his  declining  years,  he  has  sold  much  of  the 
immense  amount  of  land  which  he  had  formerly 
owned  and  is  living  retired  from  the  hard  labors 
which  beset  his  early  manhood,  in  the  comfortable 
home  which  represents  the  fruits  of  his  own  toil. 
He  is,  however,  by  no  means  idle,  but  in  superin- 
tending his  estate  finds  plenty  of  work  to  occupy 
his  time. 

The  family  to  which  our  subject  belongs  has 
been  distinguished  for  valor  in  the  dark  days  of 
our  nation's  history.  His  parental  grandfather 
served  during  the  entire  eight  years  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary War;  his  maternal  grandfather  was  a 
patriot,  while  his  fatherserved  in  the  War  of  1812. 
The  latter,  Julius  by  name,  was  born  in  Connecti- 
cut, and  was  married  to  Miss  Sai'ah  White,  a  na- 
tive of  Massachusetts.  Their  family  numbered 
four  children,  as  follows:  the  subject  of  this  bio- 
graphical sketch;  Harriet,  who  first  married  Henry 
Caldwell  and  after  his  death  became  the  wife  of 
George  North;  Delia,  the  wife  of  Morgan  Flagley, 
and  a  resident  of  Arlington  Township,  .and  Festns 
M.,  of  Tonawanda,  N.  Y. 

The  eldest  member  of  the  family,  Heniy  F.,  was 
born  in  1817,  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  .and 
reached  maturity  in  his  native  place.  His  boy- 
hood was  uneventfully  passed  and,  as  he  w.as  reared 
on  a  farm,  he  early  gained  a  practical  knowledge 
of  agricultural  pursuits.  His  educational  advan- 
tages were  meager,  but  by  reading  .and  observa- 
tion he  has  become  a  well-informed  man.  He  was 
married,  in  184.3,   to  Miss  Sarah  D.  Raymond,  and 


thirteen  years  after  hi.s  marriage,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  children,  who  numl)ered  five,  he  came 
West  to  IMichigim  and  purch.ased  his  present  fai-m 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Success  crowned 
his  efforts  and  he  increased  the  acreage  of  his  land, 
until  at  one  time  he  w.as  a  very  large  propertj' 
holder. 

There  were  seven  children  in  the  familj'of  Ilenrj' 
and  Sarah  (Raymond)  Xorlhrim,  namely:  Edward; 
Henry  F.,  who  is  in  the  mining  business  in  M(jn- 
tana;  Harriet,  wife  of  Albert  .lohnson,  of  Utah; 
Laura,  who  married  Charles  Cole,  of  lien  ton  Har- 
bor; Hannah,  the  wife  of  .Jasper  Burrell;  Sarah, 
who  is  now  Mrs.  Ford  Murch,  of  South  Haven, 
and  Henrietta,  wife  of  Fred  .1.  Hamlin.  In  18,37  or 
1838  Mr.  Northam  was  called  into  the  United  States 
service  and  remained  in  the  army  a  short  time.  Dur- 
ing the  War  of  the  Reliellion,  he  w.as  a  loy.al  citizen 
and  contributed  liberally  of  his  means  to  the  su|)- 
port  of  the  cause.  The  Republican  party  finds  in 
him  a  stanch  adherent  and  in  religious  lielief  he  is 
identified  with  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church.  Mr. 
Northam's  wife  died  May  13,  1884, 


X 


^S^DWARD  C.  TUCKEY,  who  is  numbered 
1^1  among  the  prominent  young  citizens  of 
J' — ^  Van  Buren  County,  is  engaged  as  a  farmer 
and  fruit-raiser  in  Paw  Paw  Township.  He  w.as 
born  on  the  10th  of  October,  1865,  in  Paw  Paw, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Helen  (Doughty)  Tucke^-, 
whose  sketch  will  be  found  in  another  portion  of 
this  volume.  His  youthful  days,  until  he  was 
seventeen,  were  passed  in  the  village  of  his  birth, 
where  he  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was 
about  ready  to  graduate. 

When  his  parents  removed  to  Charleston,  III., 
our  subject  accompanied  them  thither  and  was  a 
pupil  in  the  schools  of  that  place  one  year.  From 
there  he  removed  to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Mich.,  where  he 
spent  two  years  in  learning  the  trade  of  a  tinner, 
but  instead  of  following  it,  went  West  to  Kansas 
and  pre-empted  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  where  he  remained  about  twelve  months. 
He  returned  thence  to  Mt.  Pleasant  and  one  year 


932 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRArfflCAL  RECORD. 


later  iDade  a  touv  of  some  of  the  Western  .States, 
visiting  Colorado,  Kansas  and  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory. 

I'pon  n  turning  to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Mr.  Tuckey  was 
married,  June  1.  1887,  to  Jliss  Clara  R.,  daughter 
of  George  G.  and  Mary  (.lackson)  Whitney.  Mrs. 
Tuckey- was  born  in  New  York,  August  31,  1866, 
and  died  July  26,  1891,  leaving  one  child,  Nina 
Augusta,  who  was  born  in  Paw  Paw  August  31, 
1889.  On  his  pleasant  place  where  he  located  in 
April,  1891,  Mr.  Tuckey  is  industriously  pursuing 
his  calling  of  a  farmer  and  fruit  raiser,  and  is 
meeting  with  fair  success.  lie  is  at  present  de- 
voting special  attention  to  grape  culture  and  al- 
ready lias  sometliree  thousand  plants  and  expects 
to  set  out  five  thousand  more  in  the  spring  of  1892. 


^^1@^@I^I^ 


Ji\  AMES  W.  BURLINGTON.  This  gcutlpmaii 
is  successfully  prosecuting  his  calling  as  an 
agriculturist  on  section  17, Porter  Township, 
!'  Van  Buren  County.  His  father,  .lohn  Bur- 
lington, was  born  in  isi'i,  in  Somersetshire,  Eng- 
land, where  he  was  a  fanner.  Tiie  111:1  i den  name 
of  his  mother  was  Mary  Cress,  a  n.iiive  of  the 
same  shire  in  England  as  her  husliand:  she  is  still 
living  at  Jlarcellus,  Onondaga  (oniity,  N.  Y.,  in 
her  seven t^-eigh 111   yeai'. 

The  jiarents  of  our  subject  came  to  America  in 
18.00,  and  made  their  permanent  home  at  Marcellus, 
N.  Y.  There  the  father  died  August  l.'i,  ISli:?.  Our 
subject  was  born  August  9,1839,  in  England  ;uid  was 
eleven  yeai-sold  when  lie  came  witli  his  pareuls  lo  the 

New  World.    He  was  given  a  g 1  education  in  his 

native  country,  which  was  supjilemented  by  attend- 
ance at  the  schools  in  New  York  Stale.  He  later 
workeil  out  on  a  farm  liy  Hie  iiioiitli  until  the  fuil- 
break  of  tlie  Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted,  in  .lime, 
1862,  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Tweiity- 
tiecond  New  York  Iiifanli^,  joining  the  .\riiiy  of 
tlie  I'otomae  just  .after  the  .second  li:illli'  of  I'.nll 
Run.  With  his  regiineiil,  Mr.  Huriingloii  partiei- 
paled  in  the  following  engageiiients:  South  Moun- 
tain, AntietJini,  Williamsport,  Fredericksburg,  in 
1863;  Mary's  Heights,  Salem  Heights,  Deep  Hun, 
Hnnk.s   Fonl.   (lettysbuig,    Kappahannoek    Station 


FunkstownandMineRunin  1864.  He  was  on  duty 
at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  from  January  13  to  April  13,was 
under  Grant  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  from 
May  .5  to  7;  was  at  Spottsylvania  and  Cold  Harbor, 
at  the  latter  of  which  places  he  was  wounded  in  the 
left  foot.  He  was  then  taken  to  Judiciary  .Scpiare 
Hospital,  and  from  there  to  David's  Island,  then 
removed  to  Hutfalo  Hospital  and  then  to  Emory 
Hospital.  From  January  10  to  March  18,  our  sub- 
ject acted  .as  Ward  Master  at  l<;mory,a  general  hos- 
pital at  Wasliington,  D.  C.  Mr.  Burlington  received 
his  honoralile  discliarge  March  18,  1865,  for  disa- 
bility, which  w.as  occasioned  by  wounds  received  at 
the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor. 

In  August,  1863,  our  subject  received  a  sunstroke 
at  Goose  Creek,  A'a. , which  resulted  in  deafness  and 
heart  disease.  He  had  been  promoted  from  Cor- 
poral to-  Sergeant,  which  oHice  he  held  at  the  time 
of  his  discharge.  He  acted  .as  Color  Guard  of  his 
regiment  from  its  organization  until  A|)ril  1.'),  1861. 
He  took  part  in  eveiy  liattle  in  wiiieli  his  regiment 
was  eng.aged  until  receiving  his  wound  at  Cold 
Harbor.  On  returning  home  at  the  close  of  the 
war,  our  subject  wt)rked  on  his  fatlier's  farm,  the 
latter  having  died  in  1863. 

In  March,  1860,  Miss  Jlary  K.  Kieh,  daughter  of 
William  ;in<l  -Iiilia  (Whitney)  Rich,  became  tlie 
wif(>  of  our  subject.  The  jiarents  of  Mrs.  Buriiiig- 
toii  were  residents  of  New  York  State,  where  her 
paternal  grandfather  was  one  of  the  jiioneers  of 
Onondaga  County.  His  native  Slate  was  Connec- 
j  tic'Ut,  wliere  lie  was  a  very  prominent  man.  Mrs. 
Iliiiliiigtoir  was  boiii  at  Kov  :iltoii,  N.  Y.,  in  IHI.'i, 
i  where  her  parents  kept  an  liotel.  Tlie\'  are  both 
now  deceased  They  reared  a  family  of  live  cliil- 
dreii.  only  one  of  whom  is  living. 

Our  subject,  with  bis  family,  came  West  to 
Michigan  in  I8(')7,  and  afti'r  spending  one  year  at 
Lawloii,  rented  the  old  Weldiii  iMriu,  which  he  op- 
er.'ited  for  four  ye;iis.  lie  then  purchased  his 
presi'iil  estate,  upon  which  hi'  has  |»'iiiiaiieiil.ly  re- 
sided. Ills  propiTly  now  inchides  one  liiiudred 
and  eigiity  acres, .'il most  all  of  which  is  under  ciilli- 
v.Mlioii.  His  wife  died  .Inly  2,  18.S(;,  ,iftcr  having 
bccoiiie  the  inollicr  of  nine  cliildicTi,  .'ill  of  whom 
are  living.  I'lJinc  ( '.  iii:iiriec|  liwiii  M.  Barker  and 
resides    in     Porter      I'ownship;     , Lames    C.   married 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


933 


Martha  Cook  and  also  makes  his  luniic  in  tho 
above-named  lownship.  lie  has  two  children.  The 
remaining  meinl)ers  of  the  family  are  (!racc  T., 
Guy  T.,  Nellie,  Floyd,  Roy,  Jay  W.  and  George. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  married  again,  .Inimary 
IM,  1888,  this  time  to  Mary  A.,daiigiiter  of  Thomas 
Cornisli,  a  resident  of  Porter  Townsliii),Van  lUiren 
County.  Mrs.  Burlington  was  horn  Deeeml)er  13, 
1849,  in  Cornwall,  England,  and  came  to  America 
in  1852  with  her  parents.  She  became  the  mother 
of  a  son,  Calvin,  by  a  former  marriage  with  Elmer 
R.  Kinney.  Onr  subject  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  in  which  so- 
ciety Mr.  Burlington  is  Trustee.  His  wife  is  Pres- 
ident of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  with  her  hus- 
band teaches  in  the  Sunday-school. 

Mr.  Burlington  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  and 
has  been  Master  and  Secretary  of  that  order.  With 
his  wife,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Club  and 
served  as  its  President  and  Secretary  for  several 
terms.  He  is  connected  with  the  Grand  Army 
Post  at  Lawton  and  was  its  first  Commander,  serv- 
ing for  two  and  a  half  years;  he  has  been  Quarter- 
master ever  since  that  time.  He  has  been  Clerk 
of  Porter  Township  for  ten  years  and  has  filled 
the  office  of  -Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  does  a  gen- 
eral fanning  bnsiness  and  is  widely  and  highly  es- 
teemed in  this  locality. 


=^>^r<i 


^ll/^-^ON.  CHARLES  JAY  3I0NR0E,  residing  at 
South  Haven,  is  a  native  of  Van  Bnren 
County,  and  has  always  held  a  prominent 
position  in  its  history.  He  is  a  man  of  keen 
intellect,  good  judgment,  and  integrity  of  charac- 
ter, and  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens 
with  many  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
His  financial  ability  is  demonstrated  by  the  present 
offices  which  he  is  holding,  he  being  President  of 
the  First  State  Bank  of  South  Haven,  as  also  of  the 
West  Michigan  Savings  Bank  of  Bangor,  and  the 
Kalamazoo  Saving  Bank  at  Kalamazoo.  Mr. 
Monroe  was  born  in  Lawrence,  Van  Buren  County, 
November  20,  1839.  His  parents  were  Jay  and 
Fanny  (Hawson)  Monroe.  The  grandfather  of 
our. subject,  Isaac  Monroe,  was  of  Scotch  parentage 


and  a  physician  liy  profession.  He  resided  the 
greater  portion  of  his  life  at  Surry,  N.  H.,  after- 
ward removing  to  Hamilton.  Madison  County,  N. 
Y.,  where  he  pjissed  to  his  final  rest.  He  reared  a 
family  of  ten  children,  (if  wlioiii  .lay  I{.  was  the 
eighth  in  number. 

Jay  R.  Monroe,  the  father  of  our  suiiject,  was 
born  at  Surr^',  N.  11.,  April  II,  18l)(;.  His  educa- 
tional advantages  were  very  limited  and,  when  a 
boy,  he  removed  willi  liis  father's  family  to  Ham- 
ilton, N.  Y.,  where  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  trade 
of  a  mason.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  started  for 
the  great  West,  which  in  those  days  meant  an^'- 
where  beyond  Buffalo.  He  made  his  lirst  stop  at 
Detroit,  whore  he  pursued  his  trade  for  a  time  and 
then,  with  Mr.  Campean's  men,  made  the  circuit  of 
the  lakes  as  an  emi)laye  in  the  fur  trade.  After  his 
return  he  located  lands  for  two  years,  being  em- 
ployed by  Mr.Carapeau  and  Gen.  Cass, subsequently 
returning  to  New  York.  In  1830,  he  again  came 
to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Prairie  Ronde,  but 
most  of  his  time  was  occupied  in  traveling  over 
the  Territory  of  Michigan,  locating  lands  for  oth- 
ers. His  commissions  he  applied  to  the  purchase  of 
lands  for  himself.  He  was  the  first  white  man  to 
pass  through  what  is  now  South  Haven  and  in 
1833  built  the  first  house  where  that  town  now 
stands.  He  was  unmarried  at  the  time  and  a  fami- 
ly by  the  name  of  Thomas  occupied  his  house.  In 
this  familj'  a  child  was  born  and  died,  which  w.astlie 
first  birth  and  death  in  the  place.  Mr.  Monroe 
made  a  village  plat,  now  embraced  in  Hannah's  plat 
of  1852,  and  jirovided  for  a  school  lot.  In  1835, 
with  Charles  IJ.  Cross,  he  laid  out  a  road  from 
South  Haven  to  Paw  Paw  and  what  remains  of 
that  highway  is  still  known  as  Monroe's  Road.  He 
had  previously  laid  out  a  road  from  South  Haven 
to  Prairie  Run.  Mr.  Monroe  was  married,  Septem- 
ber 10,  1836,  to  Fanny  Rawson,a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  for  some  time  after  their  marriage 
they  boarded  in  Kalamazoo.  The  following  year, 
however,  he  settled  on  tlie  land  he  owned  in  Law- 
rence Township,  expecting  that  the  county  seat 
would  be  located  near  his  farm,  but  the  prize  was 
subsequently  won  by  Paw  Paw.  He,  however, 
C(mtinued  to  reside  in  Lawrence  and  there  improved 
a  portion  of  a  fnriii    of   nine   hundred    acres.       He 


934 


PORTRAIT  A^'D  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


also  continued  to  act  as  land  agent,  becoming  liim- 
self  one  of  the  largest  landownei-s  in  this  section 
of  the  country,  owning  at  one  time  eiglity  eighty- 
arre  tracts,  or  sixty-four  hundred  acres.  He  w.as 
appointed  Judge  under  the  Territorial  Government 
ami  w!is  always  known  as  .Judge  Monroe.  He  was 
the  friend  and  adviser  of  tlie  early  settlers  and 
was  Commissioner  of  the  Poor  for  twent^'-five 
years.  He  w.as  one  of  tiie  organizers  of  the  State 
Agricultural  .Society  and  the  Van  Buren  County 
Pioneer  Society.  In  politics,  he  was  a  life-long 
Democrat.  He  w.as  a  believer  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion but  not  ideutilicd  with  any  church.  His 
death  occurred  at  .South  Haven  in  October,  1876, 
soon  after  returning  from  a  visit  to  the  Centen- 
nial Exp<jsition.  Ilis  wife  survives  liini  and  resides 
with  a  daughter  at  South  Haven.  She  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church. 

This  wortii}"  couple  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  namely:  Mary,  who  married  J.  R.  Foot 
and  died  in  Lawrence  Township;  Charles  Jay;  An- 
drew II.,  a  farmer  of  South  Haven;  Isaac,  who  re- 
sides on  the  old  homestead  in  Lawrence;  Eunice, 
wife  of  David  F.  Jloore,  a  resident  of  South 
Haven;  Fannie  L.,  who  died  in  cliildliood;  Lj-man 
S., a  cashier  of  the  First.State  Bank  at  South  Haven; 
Flora  Eliza,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen;  and 
Jay  Rand(ili>h.  .Jr.,  who  died  at  Kalamazoo,  where 
he  wasengagedni  the  lianking  business. 

Ciiarles  J.iv  Monroe  attended  the  district  school 
and  assisted  liis  fatiier  upon  the  farm  until  seven- 
teen years  of  age.  The  State  Agricultural  College 
was  then  established  and  he  was  one  of  its  (irst 
students,  being  present  at  its  opening.  Here  he  re- 
mained two  and  one-half  years,  when,  on  account 
of  his  eyes,  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  study.  His 
father  then  gave  him  charge  of  his  land-agenc.y 
business,  in  connection  with  which  he  taught 
eight  terms  of  school  and  followed  surveying  in 
Van  Buren  and  Allegan  Counties,  being  County 
Surveyor  of  the  former  for  two  terms. 

In  .January,  1867,  with  S.  R.  Boardnian,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  private  banking  business,  that  being 
the  first  enterprise  of  the  kind  in  Soulb  IImvcm.  In 
IH7l,the  Fii-st  National  l?ank  ofSoulli  Haven  wiis 
organized,  with  a  capital  slock  of  i<.'»(),(KI().  S.  |{. 
Boardnnin    being     President     ami    ('.    .1.    .Mdiircpc, 


Cashier.  After  serving  In  this  capacity  for  some  four 
years,  Mr.  Monroe  was  made  Vice-President  and  the 
following  year  elected  President,  which  position  he 
held  until  1889,  when  the  bank  w.as  re-organized 
as  the  First  State  Bank  of  South  Haven,  in  which 
he  was  given  the  same  position.  In  1880,  he  es- 
tablished Monroe's  Bank  at  Bangor  and  two  j-cais 
later  organized  it  as  the  West  Michigan  Savings 
Bank,  of  whicli  he  is  also  President.  He  also  or- 
ganized the  Kalam.azoo  Savings  Bank  and  h.as  held 
the  olHce  of  President  in  it  since  1884. 

In  1879,  Mr.  Monroe  took  a  course  in  the  Law 
Department  of  the  University  at  Ann  Arbor,  not 
with  the  intention  of  practicing  but  to  assist  liiiii 
in  carrjing  on  his  complicated  business  affairs.  He 
refers  to  it  in  this  w.ay — •'that  he  had  more  business 
than  knowledge  and  so  quit  business  for  a  lime  to 
obtain  knowledge."  Mr.  Monroe  h.as  erected 
several  brick  l)locks  in  the  town  and  has  done 
much  for  its  improvement  and  advancement.  He 
resides  on  his  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  near  South  Haven  and  for  fifteen  years  has 
kept  a  dairy  and  supplied  the  town  with  inilk.  lie 
also  raises  various  kinds  of  fruit. 

In  politics,  j\lr.  Monroe  is  a  thorough-going  Re 
publian  and  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citi- 
zens with  a  number  of  responsible  offices.  He  has 
served  as  Supervisor  three  terms,  School  Inspectt)r 
and  County  Surveyor  for  two  terms  and  in  18H;$ 
was  elected  State  Senator,  representing  Allegan 
and  \'an  lUiren  Counties  and  served  three  con.secu- 
tive  terms.  During  his  Legislative  experience,  he 
was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Banks  and 
Banking,  and  was  ;i  member  of  other  iiiiixirtaiit 
committees.  During  his  last  lenn  in  the  Senate,  lie 
was  President,  pro  tein,  to  wliicli  position  he  was 
chosen  un.Miiiinously  .•ind  (hiring  (lie  session  was  in 
llic  chnir  almost  every  day.  lie  is  the  aulJinr  of 
the  [ireseiit   State  Banking  Law. 

.Mr.  Monroe  was  manied,  in  December,  18(i(i,  to 
Haltie,  daiiyhter  of  Slrpliin  1'..  ;iiul  Lucy  More- 
house. .Slie  was  born  in  Alliion,  and  now  has  the 
distinction  of  being  tiic  oldest  settler  in  point  of 
residence  in  South  llnvcii.  having  resided  here 
since  1H,')2.  Her  father  was  ;\  merchant.  l\Ir.  and 
.Mrs.  MdiiiDc  have  live  children,  namely:  .Stephen 
II.  WMs  ;i  stiiilc'iil   Ml    the    .VgiicMJIur.'il    College   and 


i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


'J35 


is  a  graduate  from  the  law  department  of  the 
University  at  Ann  Arbor;  fleorge  C,  wlio  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Agricultural  College;  Cora  J.,  a 
graduate  of  tlie  schools  at  Soutli  Haven,  is  now  at- 
tending the  Chicago  Musical  College;  I^ucy  K.  and 
Cliarles  <).  are  still  at  school  at  South  Haven.  Mr 
Monroe  lias  a  delightful  home   and    South    Have 


,vcn 


has  no  better  citizen  than  he.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason  and  is  very  |)0])ular  throughout  the  com- 
munity. 


"^I^  ASPP:R  p.  WARNER,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
luml)ering  business,  oiieraling  a  sawmill  in 
Decatur,  has  S|)ent  almost  his  entire   life  in 

'i/J  this  community  and  is  a  representative  of 
one  of  its  jnoneer  families.  Ilis  father,  .Joseph 
Warner,  was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  Maj' 
10,  1812,  and  was  a  son  of  Josiah  and  Achsah 
(Eastman)  Warner,  natives  respectively  of  Massa- 
chusetts. By  trade  Josiah  Warner  was  a  mechanic. 
He  removed  to  North  Anihersi,  Mass.,  and  in 
the  old  training  days  served  in  tlie  militia.  He 
was  a  great  athlete,  being  six  feet  high  and  weigh- 
ing one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds.  He  was  of  a 
roving  disiiosition  and  his  liberality  was  pro- 
verbial. He  would  give  away  his  last  cent  rather 
than  see  any  one  suffer. 

.losepii  Warner  was  only  two  3eais  old  when  his 
parents  went  to  North  Amherst,  Mass.  At  the  age 
of  sevente(>n  years,  he  went  to  Ohio,  where  he 
worked  at  various  things  untd  twenty-tliree  years 
of  age.  In  11S34,  he  came  to  Michigan,  locating  in 
Volinia  Townshii),  Cass  County,  where  lie  operated 
a  sawmill  and  carried  on  other  l>usiness  until  18-19, 
when  he  [)urchased  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  to  wliich 
he  afterward  added  until  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acresof  land  yielded  him  a  golden  tribute.  In  1843, 
he  lost  his  rightleg,  which  was  cut  off  by  a  threshing 
machine,  but  this  did  not  prevent  him  from  work- 
ing, lie  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Cass 
County,  coming  to  Michigan  when  the  Indians 
were  more  numerous  than  the  white  settlers.  There 
was  one  old  Indian  called  Sliavc  Head,  who  was 
the  terror  of  all   the    white    peoiilc    near.      It    w.as 


said  that  he  had  ninct\-iiine  scalps  and  wanted 
one  more.  One  day  while  Mr.  Warner  was  away 
from  home,  he  came  to  the  cabin  and  demanded 
bread.  Mrs.  Warner  .said  she  had  none,  but  just 
then  the  wind  blew  the  curtain  from  before  llie 
cujjboard,  displaying  one  loaf.  Old  Shave  Head 
made  for  it,  but  Mrs.  Wainer  was  there  before  him 
and  secured  it.  They  contested  over  that  last  loaf 
for  some  time,  when  some  other  Indians  came  in 
and  took  Shave  Head  away.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  was  Miss  Eliza  Ann  Fox,  daugliter  of  James 
and  Susan  Fox,  who  were  natives  of  New  Jersey, 
from  whence  they  removed  to  Pennsylvania  and 
afterward  to  Ohio,  where  Miss  Fox  became  ac- 
quainted with  Mr.  Warner.  They  were  married 
March  20,  1836,  and  lived  to  celebrate  their  liftietli 
anniversary,  the  festivities  being  participated  in 
by -a  large  concourse  of  friends  and  relatives.  The 
death  of  Mr.  Warner  occurred  May  10,  1888,  and 
he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  I'ioneer  Cemetery  of 
Volinia  Townshii).  I'^  politics,  he  was  a  Whig 
and  afterward  a  Republican  and  he  filled  many 
township  offices  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  He  was  a  great 
reader  and  was  always  well  informed  on  the  cur- 
rent events  of  the  day.  For  about  forty  years,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  took  an 
active  part  in  its  ui)building.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  strength  of  character  and  unswerving  integ- 
rity, and  method  marked  every  thing  he  did.  He 
believed  in  having  a  jilace  for  every  thing  and 
every  thing  in  its  place.  His  widow,  a  most 
estimable  lady,  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead, 
live  miles  south  of  Decatur.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  seven  .sons  and  three  daughters,  and,  with 
the  exception  of  one  daughter,  all  grew  to  matnic 
years,  while  eight  are  yet  living,  namely:  Jasper 
P.;  Josiah  S.,  of  Decatur  Township;  Mary,  wife  of 
C.  W.  Wilson,  of  Decatur;  Louisa  J.,  who  lives  on 
the  old  homestead;  ISIilton  F.,  also  residing  there; 
Lucian  E.,  a  farmer  of  Nebraska;  Albert  C,  a  resi- 
dent of  Volinia  Township,  Cass  County;  Asa  A.,  of 
Dowagiac;  Frank,  who  died  in  early  manhood,  and 
Ada  A.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half 
years. 

.lasper  Warner,   whose  naiiic   heads  this    record, 
was  born  in  ^■(>lini.•l  Townshii),  Cass  County,  Nov- 


936 


PORTRAIT  AKD  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


eraber  3,  1837,  being  one  of  the  first  ■white  children 
boiTi  in  that  locality.  Under  tlic  |)arental  roof,  he 
remained  until  bis  marriage,  on  the  29lb  of  Nov- 
ember. 1860,  when  Miss  Zerilda  Gol)le  became  his 
wife.  .She  is  a  daughter  of  Elij.ah  Goble,  wlio  was 
tlie  lirst  white  settler  on  Little  Prairie  Ronde  and 
his  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  The 
young  coui)le  lx>gan  tlicir  domestic  life  upon  a 
farm  which  Mr.  Warner  rented  of  liis  fatlier-in-law. 
and  after  a  year  he  purchased  eighty  .acres  in 
Volinia  Township,  where  he  spent  a  year  and  a 
lialf.  Three  months  were  spent  in  Decatur,  after 
wliicli  he  operated  a  rented  farm  for  six  months. 
Wc  later  find  iiim  in  Charleston,  and  afterward  in 
.lohnsonville.  where  he  ran  a  sawmill  for  six 
months.  Next  he  purcii.ased  a  farm  adjoining  his 
father's  in  C.n.'fs  County,  which  he  operated  for  two 
yeai-s,  when  he  came  to  Decatur,  where  for  half  a 
year  he  .again  carried  on  a  sawmill  .-inil  gristmill. 
In  other  pl.accs,  he  carried  on  sawmills  and 
ultimatel3-  returned  to  the  old  homestead  ui)on 
which  he  wa.s  born.  He  there  p.ossed  two  years, 
when  he  removed  to  Dowagiac,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  farming  implements  with 
excellent  success  for  ten  years  and  also  carried  on 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near  the 
city.  He  has  owned  at  various  times  about  twelve 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  Volinia  Township.  While 
in  Dowagiac,  he  made  several  inventions  which 
have  since  become  (juite  valuable.  On  discontinu- 
ing manuf.icturing  interests,  Mr.  Warner  came  to 
Decatur,  where  he  has  since  carried  on  the  milling 
and  lumbering  business,  lie  was  also  proprieloi- 
of  a  gr<K;erv  stf)re  for  .some  time  and  is  recognized 
as  one  <>(  the  leading  liusiness  incii  of  the  com- 
munity. 

The  union  ol  .Mr.  .'ind  Mrs.  Warnfr  was  blessed 
with  M'vcn  eliildrcn:  AilaC.,born  October  I!),  IHOl, 
is  the  wife  of  K.  W.  Van  Antwerp,  of  Dowagiac; 
Jyorin  v..  born  March  3,  1863,  resides  in  Decatur; 
Minnie  !•",.,  born  November  20,  IHIUi,  is  the  wife  of 
I'lof.  Willi.-iiu  .h'sstip,  I'lineipal  of  the  .schools  of 
Knu  Claire.  Mich.;  (ail  \V.,  born  December  l(i, 
IHCM,  I'liul  ('.,  March  10,  IH72,  aii<l  Koe  P.,  Sept- 
einlx-r  27,  I  H7  1.  .'iri'  >lill  mI  limne.  <  >ne  child  died 
ill  infancy. 

In  connection  willi  his  othei    business  intereuts, 


Mr.  Warner  owns  forty-two  acres  of  laud  in  De- 
catur Township,  where  he  raises  mint  and  manu- 
factures pei)permint  oil.  He  is  a  sagacious  and 
far-sighted  business  man  who  is  now  enjoying  a 
lucrative  trade  that  he  has  secured  through  his  own 
efforts  and  his  fair  and  honest  dealing.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Prohibitionist,  has  served  as  a  member  of 
the  Village  Council  as  Treasurer,  li.as  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  School  Board  and  Director  of  the  school 
district.  He  belongs  to  the  Legion  of  Honor  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  he 
is  a  prominent  and  faithful  worker.  While  in 
Dowagiiic,  he  was  instrumental  in  building  a 
church  at  that  place  and  has  also  done  much  for 
the  same  cause  in  Decatur.  For  sixty-eight  days, 
he  was  upon  the  grounds,  personally  supervising 
the  building  of  the  house  of  worship  in  Dccaiur. 
For  about  nineteen  years,  he  has  served  as  Super- 
intendent of  the  .Sunday-school,  and  ill  his  labors 
in  the  Master's  vineyard  is  untiring.  His  integrity 
is  above  (jnestiou  and  his  honorable,  uiiiight  life  is 
well  worthy  of  emulation. 


=e$^H^^-= 


,i^SMK\{  LKTSON.  M.  D.,  located  at  Covert 
il  j  Noveinlicr  16,  1887.  His  residence  in  Van 
^^Sy  Biireii  County  dates  from  November  19' 
18.')5,  at  which  time  he  settled  at  South  Haven. 
He  was  born  in  ,\nrora.  N.  Y.,  August  18,  183!), 
and  [lassed  liis  luiyhood  days  in  liis  native  county, 
attending  the  district  school  and  at  the  same 
lime  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  Blakesley,  of 
-Vuroia,  for  whom  lie  gathered  roots,  b.irks  and 
herbs  and   compounded  inediciiio. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen,  our  subject  accoiiipaiiit'd 
his  parents  to  Michigan,  and  for  a  time  was  em- 
l)loyed  in  sawmills.  When  the  Civil  War  broke 
out,  he  w.'is  anxious  to  enlist  in  his  country's 
service,  hut,  on  the  solicitation  of  his  niollier, 
))romiscd  that  he  would  not  enlist  while  she  lived. 
lie  remained  true  to  his  promise,  but  soon  .after 
her  ileatli  enlisted,  ,\ugust  .">,  1H62,  and  was  mus- 
tered into  service  with  ('oni|iaiiy  (I,  Nineteenth 
Michigan  Infantry.  lie  ui:iiclied  to  Cincinnatii 
Covington,  Nicholas\  iUc,  1  )MM\ille  (  wlu're  lie  i)a.ssed 
the  winter  of    IS62-63),  .'iiid  from  tlieic  pr<K'eeded 


POKTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


037 


to  Nashville,  Franklin  and  Brentwood,  wiicrc  he 
went  on  a  reconnoitering  expedition. 

The  first  battle  in  which  our  subject  partici- 
pated was  at  Thompson's  Station,  where  he  was 
captured.  He  was  held  a  prisoner  twenty-eight 
days,  nine  of  which  were  jjassed  in  Libby  Prison, 
and  after  being  exchanged  went  to  Camp  Cliase. 
Ohio.  From  there  he  marched  to  Nashville,  and 
was  in  the  advance  on  Tallalionia  July  3,  whence 
he  was  ordered  to  Murfreesboro.  October  25,  he 
went  to  Meadville,  Tenn.,  and  engaged  in  provost 
duty  until  April  21,  1864.  lie  then  went  to  Look- 
out Valley  and  joined  Sherman's  army  in  the 
march  to  the  sea,  participating  in  all  the  engage- 
ments which  made  that  niaich  memorable  in  the 
history  of  the  United  States.  At  Washington, 
D.  C,  he  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review,  and  was 
mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

After  service,  our  subject  returned  to  Miciiigan 
and  located  on  a  fruit  farm  at  Watervliet,  to 
which  he  gave  his  attention  until  1876.  Then, 
selling  out,  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine at  McDonald,  Van  Buren  Countj^,  whence 
he  removed  to  Covert.  F'or  twelve  years  he  has 
prosecuted  pension  claims,  and,  although  not  an 
attorney,  has  been  very  successful,  never  having 
liad  an  original  pension  claim  rejected. 

August  11,  1860,  Dr.  Letson  was  married  to 
IMiss  Sarah  L.,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Lucy  (Cole) 
Young.  Mrs.  Letson  was  born  in  Watertown, 
N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Michigan  with  her  parents,  re- 
siding for  a  time  at  Jackson.  Thence  she  re- 
moved to  Wisconsin,  and  on  her  return  to  Miciii- 
gan made  her  home  at  Paw  Paw  and  Keeler  until  her 
marriage.  One  child  has  been  born  of  the  union, 
a  dauglitcr,  Rosa  Belle.  Politically,  the  Doctor 
is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  served  for  six  years  as 
Postmaster  at  McDonald.  He  was  agent  for  the 
Western  Miciiigan  Railroad  for  six  j'cars.  He  is 
a  member  of  tlie  Independent  Order  of  Good 
Templars,  and  George  Allen  Post,  No.  ."55 1 ,  C!.  A.  U., 
of  which  he  is  surgeon. 

Tlie  parents  of  our  subject,  John  and  Mary  (Staf- 
ford) Letson,  were  natives  of  Germany  and  New 
York  State,  respectively.  Grandfather  Isaiah  Let- 
son  was  born,  reared  and  married  in  Germany, after- 
ward emigrating  to  the  United  States  and  liecom- 


ing  a  pioneer  of  Kiie  County,  N.  Y.  He  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  covered  with 
lieavy  tinil)er,  wliich  he  cleared  and  made  one  of 
the  finest  homes  in  the  county.  He  died  tiieie 
about  1848,  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife  at- 
tained to  the  great  age  of  one  hundred  and  tiiree 
years.  They  reared  a  large  family,  among  wliom 
were  the  following  children:  Isaiah,  Samuel,  John, 
Harry,  Orin,  Levi,  Sarah,  Racliel,  Hannah,  Mary 
and  Calista.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  our 
subject  were  also  pioneers  of  Erie  Count3',  and 
occupied  and  owned  a  farm  adjoining  that  of 
Isaiah  Letson. 

The  father  of  our  subject  followed  his  trade  of 
a  shoemaker  for  a  time,  and  also  engaged  as  fore- 
man in  a  pail  factory  at  Spring  Brook.  In  1855, 
he  removed  to  Michigan  and  settled  at  South 
Haven,  where  at  first  he  worked  at  whatever  em- 
ployment he  could  secure.  Subsequently,  he  was 
employed  in  a  pail  factor}-,  and,  when  that  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  he  gave  his  attention  to  bees 
and  kept  a  large  apiary.  He  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-seven  years.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1862. 
They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen  children,  six  of 
whom  grew  to  mature  years,  namely:  Ellen,  who 
is  married  and  resides  in  Casco,  this  State;  .loseph, 
a  carpenter  at  South  Haven;  our  subject;  Mary 
Jane,  who  married  James  Mayo  and  resides  in 
Geneva,  Van  Buren  County;  Calista,  who  became 
the  wife  of  Nicholas  Newman  and  afterward  mar- 
ried George  Bliss,  her  death  occurring  at  Geneva; 
and  Ann  Eliza,  who  is  deceased. 


ED.  WHITNEY.  Another  illustration  of 
tiie  fact  that  industry,  perseverance  and 
enterprise  will  almost  invariably  bring  their 
possessor  success  is  furnished  by  the  life  of  Mr. 
Whitney.  When  he  came  to  Michigan,  in  1856, 
and  purchased  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  acres 
on  section  23,  Aliuena  Township,  Van  Buren 
County,  he  commenced  to  clear  the  place,  which 
was  in  its  primeval  condition.  Although  unac- 
customed to  the  laborious  work  of  clearing  the 
land  and  preparing  the  soil  for  the  first  cro|)s,  lie 
worked  with  determination,  and  success  crowned 


938 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


his  exertions.  He  has  cleared  more  than  ninot}' 
acres  of  the  farm,  besides  twenty-five  acres  on  liis 
wife's  estate,  and  lias  also  fenced  the  land,  erected 
suitable  buildings  and  cultivated  the  soil. 

The  Whitney  family  originated  in  America  very 
early  in  the  history  of  this  country,  when  five 
brothers  emigrated  hither  and  established  homes 
in  Vermont.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Moses  Whitney,  was  a  farmer  of  A'ermont, 
while  his  maternal  grandfather,  Thaddeus  Merrill, 
W.1S  bora  in  M.assacliusetts  and  followed  fanning 
operations  there.  The  parents  of  our  subject, 
William  A.  and  Cynthia  M.  (Merrill)  AVhituey, 
were  natives  respectively  of  A'crmont  and  ISIassa- 
chusetts,  and  were  married  in  the  old  Ba}*  State, 
where  they  resided  on  a  farm  in  the  northwestern 
part.  The  mother  died  in  IM/i4,  and  the  father  in 
1872,  the  demise  of  both  occurring  at  Shelburne 
Falls,  Mass. 

The  paternal  family  consisted  of  six  children, 
four  of  whom  are  now  living,  our  subject  being 
the  only  member  of  the  family  who  resides  in 
Michigan.  lie  was  Ijorn  in  the  township  of  Howe, 
Franklin  County,  Mass.,  February  13,  1823.  lie 
grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  pl.ace,  receiving  an 
academic  education  at  a  Baptist  institution.  He 
.served  an  appreiiticeship  of  three  ^-cars  at  the 
trade  of  a  cabinet-maker,  but  never  followed  that 
occupation,  being  mainly  occupied  in  agricultural 
pursuits  and  the  meat^markel  business,  prior  to 
coming  to  Michigan. 

The  lady,  wlif),  in  IK.")!,  became  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Wliitncy,  wjis  Miss  Mary  C.  Hanney,  a  native  of 
Miissachusetts.  They  became  the  parents  of  four 
cliildreii.  two  of  whrmi  survive,  namely:  Lnra 
-M.,  wife  of  Reuben  She:irer,  of  Soulli  Haven,  this 
State;  and  Cora  W.,  who  m.-iiricd  Frederick  Mon- 
roe, of  Flinidge,  N.  Y.  .Mrs.  .Mary  ('.  Wliitncy 
died  Feliruary  7,  1873,  at  the  ;igc  of  forly-ninc 
years.  Some  years  later,  Mr.  Whitney  was  again 
married,  clior»Hiiig  as  his  wife  .Miss  Anna  B., 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Kiinice  (Clark)  Shaw. 
Her  parent't  were  natives  of  Kiigland,  and  came 
1«  Ami-rica  in  IK.')(),  settling  some  years  after- 
ward on  section  7,  Almciia  Township,  where  he 
I'ienred  a  farm.  Mr-.  Shaw  died  in  1«K2,  and  his 
wife  pa.ssed  away  the  i^isiiing  year.     Their  fMiiiily 


consisted  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  survive. 
Mrs.  Whitney  wiis  born  March  22,  18.')0,  in  ling- 
land,  and  received  a  good  common-school  educa- 
tion. Three  children  have  blessed  her  union: 
Ralph  E.,  Willie  Claude  and  Katie  Kunicc. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  part^-, 
Mr.  Whitney  has  been  idcntined  with  its  princi- 
ples, and  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  its  coun- 
cils. Me  has  served  as  Towni^hip  Clerk  vf  .Vlincna 
for  six  years,  and  h.as  filled  various  positions  of 
trust  and  honor.  The  cause  of  education  finds  a 
warm  adherent  in  Mr.  Whitney,  who  li.as  been  a 
memlier  of  the  School  Board  for  many  years,  and 
has  also  served  as  its  Chairman.  During  the  war 
he  was  Treasurer  of  the  to\vnsl[i|)  fund  and  fur- 
nished recruits  to  fill  the  (juota  of  Almcna  Town- 
ship. His  attention  is  closely  devoted  to  farm 
work,  and,  in  addition  to  general  farming,  he  buys 
:uul  ships  slock.  He  erected  a  barn  fifty  feet  long, 
but  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  it  b}'  fire.  He  also 
built  a  barn,  56x36  feet,  and  a  shed,  50x20  feet  in 
dimensions,  on  the  other  farm.  He  planted  three 
hundred  ajiple  trees,  and  in  every  way  h.as  aimed 
to  increase  the  value  of  his  property.  A  man  of 
keen  discernment,  strong  personality,  ami  liiin 
convictions,  he  occu|)ies  a  foremost  position  among 
the  citizens  of  the  community. 


***'>^*^^^^^>^*'^^ 


ILTON  H.  PUGSLKV,  :i  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  of  Van  Buren  County,  is  following 
his  chosen  calling  on  section  7,  I'.aw  Raw 
Township.  He  was  born  Decemhcr  2'.), 
1856,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  M.  and  l\Iary  .\.  (Pra- 
ter) Pugsley,  whose  sketch  appears  in  another  por- 
tion of  this  volume.  After  completing  the  course 
of  study  in  the  district  schools,  he  entered  the  Raw 
Raw  High  School,  where  he  reniiiined  about  six 
months.  Rrior  to  studying  tlicic,  lie  taught  one 
Icnii.  Mild  :iflerward  followed  the  |)rol'ession  of  a 
Ifacher  for  two  terms  in  the  ( Jliddenbiirg  School. 
Not  satisfied  with  the  educatiiJii  he  had  lliiis  far 
i-eceived,  Mr.  Rugslcy  proceeded  to  \;dparaiso, 
Ind.,  where  he  took  a  i)art  of  the  leathers'  course 
Mild  the  full  commercial  coiiisc.  receiving  his  di- 
ploiiiM  ill  .Novi'iiilicr.  1H81.      l''or  the  three  ensiling 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD, 


939 


winter  seasons,  he  was  engaged  in  teacliing,  and 
during  the  summers  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  May  24,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Jennie  F.  Cash,  who  was  born  in  LeRoy,  Genesee 
County,  N.  Y.,  April  11,  1863,  the  daughter  of 
Krastns  and  Sarah  J.  (Pearson)  Cash, of  vvlioni  fur- 
ther mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  tiiis  volume. 
Mr.  and  Mr.  Pugsley  are  the  parents  of  one  child. 
Earl  Cash,  who  was  born  on  the  old  homestead, 
April   17,  1885. 

Since  his  marriage,  our  subject  has  made  his  home 
(Hi  the  old  homestead  of  his  father,  and  by  follow- 
ing tiie  dual  occupation  of  farmer  and  teacher, 
and  by  economy  and  peiseverance,  he  has  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  good  start  in  life.  In  1887, 
lie  purchased  the  eighty  acres  on  section  7,  where 
he  carries  on  farming  and  stock-raising  with  marked 
success.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat  and  is  quite 
prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  was  honored  by 
his  party  with  the  nomination  for  County  Clerk, 
but  owing  to  the  Republican  majority  in  the 
county,  failed  to  secure  the  election.  He  has  served 
as  delegate  to  various  county  conventions  and  in 
every  position  which  he  occupies  represents  his 
liarty  with  fidelity  and  success.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church, and  he 
has  been  especially  active  in  Sunday-school  work, 
having  been  Superintendent  of  two  schools  for  two 
years  and  of  anothor  for  a  period  of  about  ten 
years. 


AMLIEL  CONSALUS,  a  worthy  member  of 
the  farming  community  of  Van  Buren 
County,  having  a  substantially    improved, 

well-stocked  farm  on  section  14,  Paw  Paw 
Township,  is  a  native  of  the  township  of  Tyre, 
Seneca  County',  N  Y.,  born  March  15,  1823.  His 
parents,  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Hendrick)  Consalus, 
were  natives  of  Saratoga  County,  that  State.  His 
father,  who  was  born  August  25,  1790,  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  War  of  1812.  He  departed  this  life  in 
Seneca  County,  August  17,  1868.  His  wife,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  his  native  county,  died 
many  years  before,  her  death  occurring  May  10, 
1847,  lacking  one  month  of  being  fifty  years  of  age. 


she  having  been  born  June  10,  1797.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  our  subject 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  there  being  two 
daughters  t)lder.  Four  of  the  family  are  yet 
living:  One  sister,  ]\Iis.  Mary  Curtis,  residing  in 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.;  David,  a  farmer  in  Reading,  Midi.; 
and  John  L.,  a  resident  (jf  Henry  County,  Mo., 
formerly  a  merchant,  but  now  a  farmer. 

Our  subject's  maternal  cousin,  Theodore  Edwin 
Hendrick,  was  born  December  21,  1813,  in  Charl- 
ton, Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.  He  lost  his  mother 
when  nine  }'ears  old,  and  his  father  died  in  1865, 
at  Vienna,  Fairfax  County,  Va.  Theodore  Edwin 
was  about  six  years  old  when  his  father  removed 
to  Phelps,  N.  Y.,  where  the  child  had  for  a  play- 
mate his  future  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  in 
Bedford,  Ohio,  in  the  autumn  of  1833.  Fora  while 
he  followed  farming  in  that  State,  but  subse- 
(juently  returned  to  Phelps,  where  he  remained 
about  twelve  years.  On  account  of  failing  health, 
he  took  up  his  residence  in  Galesburg  in  1855. 
whence  he  came  to  P;lw  Paw  in  1857.  He  was 
well  known  in  this  community,  and  held  promi- 
nent positions  in  both  church  and  civil  society. 
He  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  fourteen  years, 
and  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  qualified  himself  for 
tlie  Bar,  to  which  he  was  admitted  in  April,  1870, 
having  conducted  his  studies  and  gained  a  keen  in- 
sight into  law  while  carrying  on  a  remarkably  large 
Inisiness.  He  never  practiced  his  profession  as  an 
advocate. 

Mr.  Hendrick  was  known  and  respected  for  his 
exemplary  Christian  life.  He  was  converted  to 
the  Methodist  faith  in  January,  1831,  and,  though 
never  demonstrative  in  his  religion,  was  ever  after 
a  faithful  follower  of  the  Lord,  and  for  nearly 
forty  jears  was  a  member  of  the  IVIethodist 
Church  serving  it  faithfully  as  Steward,  Trus- 
tee, Treasurer,  Secretary,  etc.,  and  always  fill- 
ing with  honor  and  ability  any  position  which  he 
consented  to  accept.  For  eighteen  years, he  was  a 
sufferer  from  an  incurable  disease,  but  he  was  al- 
ways cheerful  and  benign  under  the  great  inflic- 
tion, and  never  let  it  interfere  with  the  prompt 
discharge  of  his  duties.  He  was  a  valued  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
witii  whatsoever  he  w.a-s  connected,  he  thoroughly 


940 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


identified  hi^l^elf  with  its  best  interests.  This 
good  man  passed  from  the  scenes  of  earth,  Jan- 
uary 13,  1872,  leaving  a  vacant  place  in  his  com- 
munity that  can  never  be  filled,  but  his  inlluence 
still  lives  and  is  [lotent  for  good,  and  his  mem- 
ory is  tenderly  cherished  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  knew  and  loved  him. 

Samuel  Consalus,  of  whom  wc  write,  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  received  liis  education  in  tlie  com- 
mon schools.  He  continued  to  work  with  and  for 
his  father  until  he  was  nearly  twenty-ti\e  years 
old.  After  that  he  was  variously  employed  until 
his  marriage,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine.  He  then 
hired  a  farm,  p.iying  cash  rent,  and  operated  that 
|ilace  until  1857,  when  he  removed  to  Elkliart, 
Ind.  He  staid  there  but  one  summer,  however,  as 
he  did  not  like  that  part  of  the  country,  and,  be- 
coming homesick,  returned  to  New  York  and 
bought  his  father's  old  farm.  He  sold  it  after- 
ward, and  farmed  .is  a  renter  until  1869.  In  that 
year  he  came  to  Paw  Paw,  and,  in  the  month  of 
May,  located  in  his  present  home,  in  which  he  lias 
dwelt  in  eomfoit  and  happiness  for  the  past 
twenty  and  more  yoar;^.  His  farm  comprises 
eighty-five  acres  of  hind  of  exceeding  fertility, 
and  he  has  cver^'tiiing  almul  tiif  place  in  good 
ordci-. 

-Mr.  Consjilus  w:l-<  married  to  Miss  Lucy  C. 
r.ridgcs,  May  2!l,  18.")2.  Mrs.  Consalus  w.as  born 
in  -Milfonl.  Utsego  County,  N.  Y.,  September  20, 
1828,  a  daughter  of  Alonzo  and  Fidelia  (Barber) 
l!ri<Iges.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  ()t.sego 
County,  and  was  born  .June  3,  1794,  and  her 
mother  was  Ixirn  at  Windsor,  Hartford  County, 
Conn.,  .luly  31,  IKdo.  Her  father,  who  served  as 
a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  w.as  a  merchant  at 
.Milford.  Mrs.  Consalus  is  the  third  of  eight  chil- 
dren of  licr  parents,  (if  whom  six  are  still  living: 
.Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  .Noilh,  of  Kalamazoo  County; 
Albert  C.,  a  merchant  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  who  is 
married  and  has  three  children;  Mrs.  .Iiilia  I'".  I5ar- 
num,  of  l.a  I'orle,  Ind.,  who  lias  one  son;  Henry 
('.,  a  veltirnn  of  llic  laic  war,  and  now  a  farmer  of 
Healriee,  Neb.,  who  is  mairied  and  has  three  chil- 
dren; Mrs.  Anna  C.  Harrows,  a  resident  of  La 
I'orle,  Ind.;  and  Mrs.  Con.salus.  One  scm,  Dexter 
A.    IJriflge^,    was  ;i  soldier  of  the    Civil    War.    .■iriil 


died  of  rheumatism  of  the  heart,  ct>ntracted  while 
in  the  army.  ^Nlr.  and  Mrs.  Consalus  have  no 
children  of  their  own.  but  they  took  to  their  home 
and  hearts  a  young  girl,  whom  they  carefully 
reared,  and  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  Fred 
Mitchell,  of  Chicago. 

Mr.  Consalus  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  his 
younger  days,  and  cast  his  first  vote  in  1811.  In 
18o(),  lie  voted  for  Gen.  .lolin  C.  Frenioiil  for 
President,  and  has  ahv.ays  su|)ported  the  Kepiilili- 
can  ticket  ever  since.  He  has  never  been  ollice- 
seeker,  but  he  has  served  his  party  acceptably  as  a 
delegate  to  county  conventions.  He  and  his  wife 
are  among  the  leading  members  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  with  which  he  li.as  lieen  connected 
since  1877,  and  t)f  which  he  is  a  trustee.  He  gives 
cheerfully  of  his  means  to  the  support  of  religion, 
and  does  all  in  his  power  to  forward  the  highest 
interests  of  the  conimunitv. 


•n4» 


-^ 


II.BKRT  IMITCHKLL.  This  pleasant  and 
(^i^,  res|)ccted  gentleman  has  been  Supervisor 
^^Jijj  of  Geneva  Township  since  the  fall  of  1885. 
He  conies  of  good  old  New  England  stock,  his  pa- 
ternal grandfather  having  been  born  in  Connecti- 
cut, where  he  reared  a  family  of  three  children, 
namely  :.hidas  S.,  fiilbert,  Sr.,  and  Mercy.  The  elder 
son  and  the  father  of  our  subject  married  Ursula 
Brainard,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  settled  in  an 
earl^'  day  in  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  where  Ihey 
reared  a  family  of  four  children:  Hrainard  is 
now  a  resident  of  Kalamazoo,  this  .State;  Cor- 
delia became  the  wife  of  .Iiihn  15.  Orton,  of  (iirard, 
this  Stale;  Olive  married  (ieorge  Kittinger  and 
makes  her  home  in  Loekport,  N.  Y.,  .and  Gilbert, 
our  subject,  was  the  youngest. 

Our  subject,  who  was  born  in  1838,  in  New  York 
State,  came  to  Michigan  in  185(5  and  located  near 
K.alamazoo,  where  he  resided  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  War.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Second  Michigan  Cavalry,  .•iiid  iii  l''(liiii:iiy,  1KI!2, 
went  to  St.  Louis, .and  thence  down  the  Mississippi 
River  to  New  IMadrid,  where  he  p!irtieip;iled  in 
iiiiiiieroiis  engageiiieMl>  with  his  regiment,  being 
.Ml  ( 'li;i1lanooga  :iiid  FranUliii,  Tenii.      Attlieelo.se 


38 


I 


.4 


PHILOTUS    HAYDON. 


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PORTRAIT  AND  BTOGRAPIIICAL  RECORD. 


911 


of  the  war,  Mv.  Milclicll  iPtunu'd  to  j\Iicliii;!Ui  ,iii(i 
the  following  year  was  married  to  Miss  Kiiiil\', 
the  daughter  of  Robert  W.  Blaine,  who  came  to 
this  State  in  an  early  day  and  was  engaged  in 
staging  from  Detroit  to  Chicago. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  and  his  wife  have 
one  son,  Charles  (I.  Van  Bureu  County  has  been 
the  home  of  our  subject  since  1876,  and  he  is  thus 
widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  in  this  locality. 
He  has  been  the  popular  Supervisor  of  fJeneva 
Township  since  1885,  and,  in  addition  to  holding 
that  responsible  office,  has  been  Township  Treas- 
iirer  for  two  _ycars.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republi- 
can and  socially,  he  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of 
Zach  Chandler  Post,  No.  35,  G.  A.  R.,  at  South 
Haven.  In  1891,  he  wasappointed  Aide-de-Camp 
from  Michigan  by  Gen.  Palmer.  He  was  mustered 
into  the  Union  service  as  a  private  and  was  pro- 
moted to  be  Captain  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct,  which  commission  he  held  at  the  close  of 
hostilities.  He  also  served  as  First  Lieutenant  one 
year  and  had  many  friends  among  the  boys  in 
blue. 


vIHLOTAS  riAYDON,  deceased,  was  promi- 
Ji  nently  connected  with  the  history  of  Van 
Buren  County  in  an  early  d.ay.  Born  in 
Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1810,  he 
was  a  son  of  Abijah  Haydon.  William  Maydon, 
to  whom  he  traced  his  ancestiy,  was  probably  a 
native  of  England,  and  in  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tuiy  he  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Connecticut,  which 
is  still  owned  by  his  descendants.  Our  subject 
had  very  meagre  school  privileges,  but  b}'  later 
private  study  gained  a  liberal  education,  largel3'  of 
that  practical  kind  which  is  acquired  b^'  contact 
with  the  world  when  one  has  to  make  his  own  way 
in  life.  When  a  young  man,  he  went  to  Brandon, 
Vermont,  where  he  eng.aged  in  clerking  for  about 
four  years. 

During  that  time,  in  1830,  Mr.  Ha3-don  was 
joined  in  wedlock  with  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Aaron 
W.  Broughton,  of  the  Green  Mountain  State.  The 
year  1836  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Michigan  and 
saw  him  located  in  Hamilton  Township  at  a  time 
when  there  were  not  more  than  six  families  within 


its  borders.  He  took  up  a  large  tract  of  land  from 
the  (iovernment  and  began  the  ilevelopment  of  a 
farm,  sharing  all  the  trials  and  hardships  of  pio- 
neer life  in  a  new  country'  where  there  were  no  roads, 
no  near  markets  and  where  the  work  of  progress 
and  advancement  seemed  scarcely-  begun. 

Mr.  Haydon  lost  his  wife  in  1848,  and  was  mar- 
ried again,  in  1854,  this  time  to  Adeline  E.  Buck, 
daughter  of  John  Buck,  of  Keeler,  formerly  of 
Livingston  County,  N.  Y.  He  had  two  children 
bj*  his  first  wife:  Charles  B.,  and  Arthur  W., 
sketches  of  whom  we  append  below.  The  chil- 
dren by  the  second  wife  were:  F.  Mortimer,  who 
married  Frances  P.  Skinner  and  lives  upon  the 
old  homestead.  M.  Adelaide,  wife  of  Docttjr  F. 
C.  Williams,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.;  and  Blanche  G., 
who  died  January  12,  1891,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years. 

Philotas  Haydon  was  a  Republican  and  took  an 
active  part  in  political  affairs,  being  a  stanch  ad- 
vocate of  his  party's  principles.  He  served  as 
Supervisor  of  Hamilton  Township  ten  years;  in 
1847  represented  his  district  in  the  State  Legisla- 
ture, was  State  Senator  in  1851  and  again  in  1859, 
and  m  1860  served  as  Presidential  Elector.  His 
fearless  bearing  and  open  defense  of  what  he  be- 
lieved to  be  right  w(m  the  respect  of  even  his  politi- 
cal enemies.  He  was  intensely  patriotic  and  his  stir- 
ring, eloquent,  off-hand  speeches  were  enthusias- 
tically received  and  did  much  to  secure  enlistments 
and  a  hearty  support  of  the  Government  during  the 
war.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  owned  over  seven 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  Hamilton  Township  and 
was  accounted  a  wealthy  man.  He  was  also  a  self- 
made  man,  for  his  possessions  were  acquired  entire- 
ly through  his  own  efforts.  He  had  a  somewhat 
brusque  manner,  but  was  remarkably  kind-hearted 
and  magnanimous,  was  genial  in  disposition  and 
popular  with  all  classes.  He  was  ever  read3- 
to  support  any  good  cause  and  was  greath'  inter- 
ested in  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  the 
county.  He  died  in  1866,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in 
Hamilton  Cemetery.  His  second  wife  survived 
him  about  eleven  years,  passing  awaj-  in  1877. 

Charles  B.  Haydon,  eldest  son  of  the  honored 
pioneer,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  was  a 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Miller  A-  Haydon.  of 


944 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


after  which  he  sold  out  and  came   to   Lawrence, 

taking  up  the  present  business. 

Mr.  and  ilrs.  Hess  have  become  tlie  parents  of 
three  children:  t)ra  Lurana.  born  in  Muskegon, 
May  5,  1884;  Glenn  Sylvester,  born  .Tuly  1!»,  1887, 
in  Muskegon,  and  Belle  .\lnnra.  burn  in  Lawrence, 
OctoIxM-  31,  1889.  Mr.  Hess  is  a  Dcniuerat  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Hancock.  He  is  a  iiicni- 
ber  of  the  order  of  the  ^laccabees,  in  wliich  lie  is 
•Secretary. 


\T  RA  W.  HULBERT,  a  retired  citizen,  residing 
I  in  Paw  Paw.  \'nn  P.iiren  County,  was  born 
ilii  near  Marshall,  Mich.,  on  August  24,  1838.  He 
is  a  son  of  Loreii  and  Augusta  (Sackett)  Ilulbert, 
both  natives  of  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.  They  were 
married  in  their  native  Stale  and  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  1835,  where  the  father  carried  on  farming. 
Our  subject  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight,  and 
when  finly  eight  years  old  he  lost  his  mother, 
and,  with  his  sister  Maria,  went  back  to  New 
York  to  live  with  a  cousin  in  the  town  of  Owego. 
He  received  a  gc)od  coiiunon-scliool  education, 
and  attended  an  .icademy  three  or  four  terms. 
In  18G1,  he  returned  to  Michigan  and  settled  in 
Hattle  Creek,  where  lie  worked  in  a  bakery  for 
about  a  year. 

On  July  22,  \xi'r2,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Com- 
paii}-  C,  Twcntiilli  .Michigan  Infantry,  and  served 
under  Capt.  liaincs.  He  was  in  Gen.  Burnside's 
Divi-^ion,  Ninth  Army  Corps,  and  participalcfl  in 
the  battles  of  I'"rt'di'rifk>burg,  N'icksbiirgand  Horse- 
shoe Hciid.  lie  tlicii  Ifft  the  regiment  on  account 
of  sickness  and  came  home  on  a  furlough  of 
thirty  days.  He  was  not  able  to  return  to  tlie 
front  so  was  sent  to  Detroit  and  Jackson  lo  do 
guard  duly.  He  was  honor.ably  discharged  nt'lvv 
the  close  of  the  w.ar.  In  IHOi'j,  and  returned  to 
Owego,  N.  \..  wliiic   he  remained  some  five  years. 

The  •^ubjeel  of  this  notice  chose  ;is  his  life  coiii- 
)i;iiiioii  .Miss  Anna  .Merical,  and  the  ceremony  look 
place  June  3,  IHfiK.  Mrs.  Hulliert  is  a  daughter  of 
Henry  an  r|  Catlieiine  ( ,\<l!iiny)  Merical.  Iiolli  na- 
tives of  Cortland  Counly,  N.  V.  She  is  a  native  of 
Selifdiarie  County,  N.  V.,  anil  was  born  Nov cniber 


10, 1839.  She  is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  seven 
children.  Her  mother  dying  when  she  w.as  five 
years  old,  her  father  moved  to  Marshall,  Mich., 
when  Mrs.  Ilulbert  was  seven  years  old,  and  died 
one  year  later.  She  received  a  good  common- 
school  education,  and  after  her  marriage  to  our 
subject,  they  lived  in  New  York  some  thirteen 
months.  Mr.  Hulbert  succeeded  in  getting  a  start 
in  life,  when,  through  unfortunate  investments,  he 
lost  all  he  had  accumuhited.  He  had  enough  left 
to  make  his  way  to  Paw  Paw,  in  1871,  and  began 
to  clerk  for  E.  Smith  in  the  general  merchandising 
business  for  eight  months.  He  then  started  in  the 
grocery  business  with  $60,  in  a  building  across  the 
road  from  the  Clifton  House.  He  followed  this 
trade  until  1890,  when  he  sold  out  for  the  last  time. 
He  has  made  enough  so  that  he  is  in)w  retired  and 
in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  and  his  wife 
have  never  been   blessed  with  any  children. 

Our  subject  is  independent  in  politics  and  has 
suppf)rted  the  Greenback  party.  He  has  been 
both  \illagc  and  Township  Treasurer,  the  duties 
of  which  otlicc  he  discharged  faithfully  and  cim- 
scicntiously.  Mr.  and  ISIrs.  Ilulbert  were  reared 
in  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  beliefs,  and 
both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
before  coining  to  Paw  I'aw,  but  arc  now  con- 
nected with  the  Disciples  Church,  in  which  Mr. 
Hulbert  is  a  Deacon.  Our  subject  had  two  brothers 
in  the  army;  (me,  Nathan,  served  four  years  and 
lives  in  (ilintonburg,  \'an  Ihiren  County.  Chester 
W.1S  with  Sherman  on  the  march  from  Atlanta  to  the 
sea,  where  he  lost  his  health  and  was  sent  to  a 
hospital  near  New  York  City,  where  he  died  in 
18(il. 


m>^^<m^- 


<X{  IV  II.  IvANDAl.L,  a  prominent  farmer  of 
\/sJil  ^  '"'  ""''^'"  (^'ounty,  residing  on  section 
\y\y  2(1.  Pine  Grove  Township,  is  the  son  of 
one  of  the  pioiu'ci'  fanners  of  this  eoiinty.  'I'liomas 
Kaiiilall,  whose  name  is  revered  in  the  hearts  of 
his  eliildren  and  friends,  w.as  born  in  Vermont, 
where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Maria  Dyinond, 
Some  ycju's  later  they  removed  to  Essex  County, 
N.  Y.,  thence  to  St.  Lawrence  County,  .•ind  linally 
.sought  a  lujuie  in  the  West.     Coming  to  Mi(?liigan 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


945 


about  1850,  tlicy  settled  in  (Inn  Plain  Townsiiip, 
Allos::an  Counly,  and  one  year  later  removed  to  llie 
village  of  Otsego,  where  tliey  resided  four  or  five 
years. 

The  next  home  of  the  family  was  in  Pine  Orove 
Township,  where  the  father  purchased  a  farm  of 
forty  acres  on  section  27.  He  built  a  log  house 
for  his  family,  and  commenced  to  clear  and  im- 
prove the  place,  which  he  brought  to  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  The  third  in  a  family  of 
six  children  is  our  subject,  who  w.as  horn  in  Essex 
County,  N.  Y.,  December  25,  1841.  When  ten 
years  old,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  State, 
where  he  became  self-supporting  at  an  early  age. 
His  first  employment  was  driving  a  team  and 
breaking  ground;  afterward  he  was  engaged  in  a 
sawmill  at  Old  Pine  Grove  for  five  years,  and 
from  there  went  to  Saugatuck  to  work  in  a  saw- 
mill for  Stockbridge  &  Johnson, 

In  1864,  Mr.  Randall  enlisted  in  Comp.any  B, 
Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  joined  his  reg- 
iment at  Lexington,  Ky.  At  Nicholasville,  three 
miles  distant,  he  joined  the  army  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Thomas  and  prepared  to  meet  Gen. 
Hood,  but  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital 
at  Nashville,  where  he  remained  one  month.  He 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Edgefield,  thence  marched 
to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  and  hunted  bushwhackers  as  far 
South  as  Mississippi.  Returning  to  Nashville,  he 
was  honorably  discharged  in  May,  1865. 

Returningto  Van  Buren  County,  Mr.  Randall 
commenced  to  work  in  a  sawmill  in  Almena  Town- 
ship, where  he  remained  one  year.  In  1866,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Hannah,  daughter  of  Elias 
Aldrich,  an  early  settler  of  Van  Buren  Count}'. 
Mrs.  Randall  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1844,  and 
became  the  mother  of  two  children:  Bertha,  wife 
of  Ed  Earle,  of  Kansas;  and  Amy,  who  attends 
school  in  Holton,  Kan.  After  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Randall  resided  on  his  present  farm  one  year  and 
then  for  a  twelvemonth  was  employed  in  a  saw- 
mill, but  owing  to  ill  health  returned  to  farming 
pursuits.  His  estate  consists  of  eighty  acres,  and 
twenty  and  one-half  acres  of  woodland.  He  has 
embellished  the  place  with  a  substantial  set  of 
buildings,  the  most  important  being  the  residence 
which  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 
44  V 


The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Randall  united  him 
with  Miss  Martha,  daughtci-  of  Robert  Thompson, 
of  Trowbridge  Township,  Allegan  County.  Mrs. 
Randall  was  born  in  Trowbridge  Township,  in 
1856,  and  her  mairiagc  has  been  blest  by  the  birth 
of  one  child,  Bessie,  now  four  years  old.  A  sin- 
cere Christian,  Mrs.  Randall  holds  membership  in 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Kendall,  and  is  a 
lady  of  refinement  and  noble  character.  On 
national  issues,  Mr.  Randall  alliliates  with  the 
Democratic  party,  but,  in  local  elections,  votes  for 
the  man  whom  he  considers  best  (jiialified  to  rep- 
resent the  people.  He  is  a  hard  worker,  and  his 
success  has  been  gaine<l  by  arduous  exertions  and 
untiring  energy. 


McKELLAR,  Postmaster  at  Paw  Paw,  was 
born    in     Brooklyn,    N.    Y.,    December    31, 

7-'  1853.  His  parents,  Dougal  and  Isabella 
I  \  (Fleming)  McKellar,  were  natives  of  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  where  they  were  married,  and 
where  two  of  their  sons,  John  and  Robert,  were 
born.  About  1851,  the  family  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, and  soon  after  the  birth  of  our  sul>ject  pro- 
ceeded Westward  to  Michigan,  where  a  settlement 
was  made  in  .Jackson  and  later  in  Watervlict.  The 
father  was  a  tailor  bj'  trade  and  served  three 
years  in  defense  of  the  Union  during  the  late 
war. 

During  the  childhood  of  our  subject,  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  in  their  removal  from  Water- 
vlict to  Paw  Paw,  where  he  gained  a  good  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a 
jeweler  and  served  an  apprenticeship  of  about  four 
years.  Later,  he  conducted  a  store  at  Bangor  for 
five  years  and  gained  an  enviable  reputation  as  a 
skilled  workm.an  and  honoralile  dealer.  August 
27,  1878,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sadie, 
daughter  of  Horace  and  Eunice  (Harper)  Sebring, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Hor- 
ace, who  was  born  in  Bangor,  April  13,  1880,  and 
Ennabelle,  in  Paw  Paw,  in  August,  1884. 

In  1884,   INIr.   McKellar  removed    from  Bangor 


942 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


Kalamazoo,  Mich.  He  entered  the  service  as  meni- 
l)cr  of  tlie  Second  Jlicliigan  Infantry  and  through 
successive  promotions  became  Lieutenant-Colonel 
of  the  regiment.  At  .Jackson,  Miss.,  he  was  wound- 
ed in  llie  lungs  and  sent  to  the  hospital  in  Cin- 
cinnati, but  afterward  recovered  sutlieiently  to 
join  his  regiment  and  was  with  Burnside  in  the 
campaign  in  Tennessee.  Exposure  to  a  drenching 
rain  on  a  long  march  brought  on  pneumonia  and 
he  died  at  the  hospital  in  Cincinnati,  in  1864,  at 
the  age  of  thirty  years.  In  his  profession,  by  right 
principles  and  thorougli  pei-sistent  study,  he  had 
entered  upon  a  highly  successful  practice.  As  a 
soldier  he  w.is  careful,  fearless  and  determined. 
Just  before  his  death,  he  had  been  largely  instru- 
mental in  securing  the  re-enlistment  of  the  regi- 
ment. 

Arthur  W.  Haydon,  llie  second  son,  has  spent  his 
entire  life  in  Van  Buren  County.  He  was  born  in 
Hamdton  Township,  April  22,  1844.  His  early 
education  acquired  in  the  district  schools  was  sup- 
plemented l>v  study  in  the  Union  .School  of  Kala- 
mazoo and  he  graduated  from  the  High  School  of 
that  pl.acc,  after  which  he  comiileled  his  education 
by  two  and  one-half  yeai-s' attendance  at  the  Ann 
.Xrbor  rnivcrsity.  He  then  settled  down  to  life 
upon  the  farm  and  has  become  one  of  the  inlhion- 
tial,  prominent  and  extensive  farmers  of  tlie 
county. 

In  1H68,  .Mr.  Il.-iydon  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Baker,  and  unlo  them  li.is  been  born  one  daughter, 
lone,  Iwirn  .January  2.  1H7.').  The  family  have  a 
plea-sant  home  on  section  IK.  The  residence,  which 
was  erected  by  Mr.  Haydon  in  187(1,  is  supi)licd 
with  all  modern  conveniences  Mis  land  posses- 
sion.'j  aggregate  seven  hundred  and  thirty  acres, 
about  tlve  hundred  of  which,  being  under  culti- 
tivation,  yield  to  him  a  golden  tribute.  He  is 
al.to  extensively  engaged  in  sl<x-k-raising.  making 
a  specially  of  I'creheron  hoi-ses.  Merino  sheep  and 
.lersey  cattle.  In  lii.f  political  allllialions  he  is  a 
Republican  and  the  party  finds  in  him  an  inllexible 
aillierent.  lie?  hiut  lichl  several  school  and  lown- 
sliip  iillii'cs  but,  has  nevi-r  been  an  olllce-seeker.  lie 
liolils  member.ihip  with  the  (Irange  of  Hamilton, 
of  which  he  is  |y<-cturer,  and  is  President  of  the 
I'liniierM'  Alliance  in  this  coiiiniunil v.  Mi-.  II.miIoii 


is  a  worthy  representative  of  one  of  the  honored 
pioneer  families  of  the  county  aiid  liis  own  merit 
entitles  him  to  representation  in  this  volume 
among  the  earl^'  settlers,  leading  business  men  and 
best  citizens. 


ylLLIAM  H.  MrLAIN.  This  respected  citizen 
of  Porter  Township,    Van  Buren   County, 

^^^  who  has  proved  his  worth  as  a  member  of 
society  and  a  successful  farmer,  is  a  son  of  .Tohn 
McLain,  who  was  born  in  1778  in  Eastern  Penn- 
sylvania. The  McLain  family  are  of  Scotch  ori- 
gin, the  grandfather  of  our  sul)ject  coming  from 
Scotland  in  an  early  da}'  and  settling  in  Penn- 
sylvania. The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier 
in  the  War  of  1812,  and  his  mother,  who  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Rachel  Cowan,  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  Her  father,  William  Cowan,  was 
a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Mrs.  John 
McLain  died  in  1828. 

The  parents  of  our  sul>ject  were  married  in  the 
Keystone  State  and  reared  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren, only  one  of  wlioin  is  deceased.  The  eldest 
is  now  eighty  ycai'S  of  .age  and  the  youngest  sixty- 
four.  Our  subject  was  born  January  1,  1819,  on  a 
farm  in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.  He  attended 
the  district  school  and  after  reaching  his  sixteenth 
year  served  a  four-years'  ai)iirenticcship  at  the 
slioemaker's  trade.  He  then  established  in  that 
line  a  business  for  himself,  which  he  followed  with 
fair  success  for  fourteen  years. 

November  21,  IK.'JIt,  oursubject  and  Miss  Fannie, 
daughter  of  John  and  Deborah  (Lemison)  Clubine, 
were  united  in  marriage.  The  father  was  a  native 
of  New  Jersey  and  the  mother  of  the  Keystone 
Stat<'.  'i'liey  made  Westmoreland  ("ounty,  Pa., 
their  abiding  place  uiil  11  (lie  iIi'mIIi  (if  the  mother 
in  18,'Jl.  Mr.  Clubine  was  again  mairied  and  re- 
moved to  Ohio.  About  1812.  he  came  to  St. 
Joseph  County,  this  State,  ami  in  I  S,"),")  nidved  to 
Iow;i,  where  he  died  in  IH77,  ;\l  liic  .•igc  <if  eighty- 
four  years. 

Ml'-.   Mc-l,;iiii   \\:is    burn    Nuveiiibi'i-   II,     1821),    in 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD 


943 


Westniorohind  County,  I'li.,  and  was  hut.  ten  years 
of  age  at  the  doatli  of  lier  mother.  She  met  and 
was  married  to  our  subject  in  her  native  count}', 
and  in  1817  aecom|)aiiied  him  to  Michigan.  Tliey 
located  in  St.  Jose|)h  Covinty,  wlicre  Mr.  Mci/iin 
worked  at  his  trade  of  a  siioemaker  for  four  years. 
In  the  si)ring  of  1852,  he  came  to  Van  Buren 
County  and  located  on  his  present  farm,  which  at 
that  time  bore  no  im|irovements,  wli.itever.  He 
erected  a  small  frame  house  on  his  tract  and  im- 
mediately set  aliout  the  work  of  clearing  and  cul- 
tivating his  propert}'.  lie  has  erected  all  the  nec- 
essary buildings  on  his  farm  and  is  proud  to  know 
that  his  possessions  are  the  result  of  his  own  indus- 
try and  good  management.  He  gives  liis  atten- 
tion exclusively  to  fanning,  although  he  has  at 
times  aided  his  neighbors  in  "odd  jobs,"  being 
very  handy  with  tools. 

Of  the  ten  children  born  to  Air.  and  Mrs.  Mc 
Lain,  eight  are  now  living:  John  C,  Philip  F., 
Hamilton  IL,  George  W.,  Maiy  R.,  David  M., 
Frances  F.,  Charles  LT.  Those  dead  are  James  W. 
and  an  infant.  John  C.  married  Almira  Upham 
and  lives  in  Dakota;  lie  has  five  children.  He 
served  two  terms  as  County  Treasurer  of  Van 
Buren  County.  Philip  F.  married  Mary  E.  Gibson, 
who  is  now  deceased;  he  makes  his  home  in  Hous- 
ton, Tex.,  and  has  two  children.  Hamilton  H.  be- 
came the  husband  of  JIartha  Upham,  has  two  chil- 
dren and  lives  in  Mitchell,  S.  Dak.  George  W. 
married  Mary  Lathop  and  lives  in  Jackson,  this 
State.  IMary  R.  is  Mrs.  C.  L.  Balch,  has  two  chil- 
dren and  makes  her  home  in  Lawtoii.  David  M. 
married  Clarissa  Valliquette  and  makes  Porter 
Township  his  home.  P^rances  F.  is  Mrs.  James  C. 
McLain  and  has  one  child.  Charles  U.  married 
Sarah  Hazelton,  has  one  child  and  resides  in  Jack- 
son, this  State. 

The  three  sons  of  our  subject — John,  Pliili|i  and 
Hamilton — served  in  the  Civil  War.  John  was 
wounded  in  the  ankle  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga. 
I'hilip  was  taken  prisoner  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn., 
and  released  on  parole.  The  home  farm  is  carried 
on  b}'  James  McLain,  a  son-in-law  of  our  subject. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McLain  of  this  sketch  are  members 
of  the  Grange,  and  our  subject  has  been  a  member 
of  the  School  Board  of  his  district  for  a  number  of 


years.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Rcpubliran  and  has  been 
Road  Overseei-  and  Highway  Commissioner  of 
his  township. 

Mr.and  Mrs.  McLain  cclelirated  their  gfjiden 
wedding  in  1HH9,  at  which  time  they  were  made 
hapjiy  by  the  presence  of  all  their  children  and 
friends.  The  second  wife  of  John  Cliibine  after 
the  death  of  her  hiistiand  made  her  home  with  our 
subject  until  her  death,  September  27,  18SG,  in  her 
eighty-first  year.  There  were  seven  children  born 
of  that  marriage,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Ros- 
anna,  Daniel  and  Lena.  Daniel  served  in  the 
Civil  War  as  engineer  and  mechanic. 

Our  subject  has  an  orchard  of  two  hundred 
apple  trees  on  his  farm  and  thirteen  hundred  grape 
vines. 


eHARLES  S.  HESS  is  junior  member  of  the 
firm  of  S.  M.  &  C.  S.  Hess,  of  Lawrence,  en- 
gaged in  the  general  merchandising  business 
which  they  are  carrying  on  successfully.  He  was 
born  June  11,  1859,  in  Portage  County,  Wis.,  to 
AViUiam  C.  and  Margaret  (Myers)  IIcss,  and  is  a 
brother  of  Sylvester  M.  Hess,  his  partner,  whose 
sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  book.  He  was 
about  six  years  old  when  he  and  his  brothers  went 
to  Laporte  Count}-,  Ind.,  to  live  with  Peter  M. 
Hess,  an  uncle,  and  where  our  subject  lived  until 
he  was  ten  years  old.  He  then  made  his  home 
with  Aveiy  I.  Barnes  until  he  was  twent^'-one.  He 
had  saved  -^200,  and,  wanting  more  monej^,  he 
hired  himself  to  Mr.  Barnes  by  the  month  for  two 
years.  Going  to  Bureau  Count}',  111.,  he  worked 
on  a  farm  by  the  month  for  two  summei's.  Jluske- 
gon,  Mich.,  was  his  next  destination,  where  he 
worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  then  took  the 
position  of  janitor  in  the  public  school,  which  he 
held  three  j'ears. 

Mr.  Hess  was  married  February  29,  1H80,  in  La- 
porte County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Rachel  M.  Brown,  of 
that  place,  where  she  was  boi'n.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  AY.  and  Lorana  Brown.  After  giving 
up  the  position  of  janitor,  INIr.  Hess  entered  into 
partnership  with  L.  C.  Mangold,  his  brother-in-law, 
in  the  tea  business,  and  carried  it  on  for  four  years, 


944 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


after  which  he  sold  out  and  came   to   Lawrence, 
taking  up  the  present  business. 

Mr.  and  3Irs.  Iless  liave  beeoine  tlie  parents  of 
three  chililreu:  Ura  I.orana.  boru  in  Muskegon, 
May  5,  1884;  Glenn  Sylvester,  born  .Inly  l!l,  1887, 
in  Muskegon,  and  Belle  Almira,  bt)rn  in  Lawrence, 
Octoljer  31,  1889.  Mr.  Hess  is  a  Democrat  and 
east  his  fii-st  vote  for  Gen.  Hancock.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  order  of  tiie  Maccabees,  in  wliicli  lie  is 
Secretary. 


HA  \y.  HULUKHT,  a  retired  citizen,  residing 
in  Paw  Paw.  \':iii  Buren  County,  was  born 
/li  near  Mai-sliall,  Mich.,  on  August  24,  1838.  He 
is  a  son  of  Loren  and  Augusta  (iSackett)  Hulbert, 
bfitli  natives  of  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.  Tiiey  were 
married  in  their  native  State  and  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  1835,  where  the  father  carried  on  farming. 
Our  subject  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight,  .'iiid 
when  only  cigiit  years  old  he  lost  his  motlicr, 
and,  with  his  sister  Maria,  went  back  to  New 
York  to  live  with  a  cousin  in  the  town  of  Owego. 
He  received  a  good  common-school  education, 
and  attended  an  academy  three  or  four  terms. 
In  18R1,  he  returned  to  Michigan  and  settled  in 
Battle  Creek,  where  he  worked  in  a  bakery  fur 
about  a  year. 

On  .Iiily  22,  \xi',-2,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany' C,  Twentieth  .Miciiigan  Infantry,  and  served 
under  Capt.  Barnes.  He  was  in  Gen.  Burnside's 
Divi-^ion,  Ninth  Army  Corps,  and  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Fredcrick.sburg,  N'icksburgand  Horse- 
shoe Bend,  lie  then  left  the  regiment  (m  account 
of  sickness  and  came  lir)me  on  ;i  furlough  of 
thirty  days.  He  was  not  able  to  retiiin  to  the 
front  so  was  sent  to  Detroit  and  .hickson  to  do 
guard  duty.  He  was  honorably  discliargccl  ni'lvr 
the  close  of  the  war,  in  IhO.'),  ami  retuined  to 
Owego,  N.  Y.,  where   he  remained  some  live  years. 

Thr  "ubject  of  this  notice  chose  :is  his  life  com- 
panion .Miss  Anna  Merical,  and  the  ceremony  took 
place  .June  3,  18(59.  Mrs.  Iltdbcrl  is  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Calheiine  ( .\ilamy)  Merical,  both  na- 
tives of  Curt  hind  Coiinly.  N.  Y.  She  is  a  native  of 
S<'holiarie  County,  N.  V..  and  w.-is  born  November 


10, 1839.  She  is  the  j'oungest  in  a  family  of  seven 
children.  Her  mother  dying  when  she  was  five 
years  old.  her  father  moved  to  Marshall,  Mich., 
when  Mrs.  Ilulbcit  was  seven  years  old,  and  died 
one  year  later.  She  received  a  gooil  cominon- 
school  education,  and  after  her  marriage  to  our 
subject,  they  live<l  in  New  York  some  thirteen 
months.  Mr.  Hulbert  succeeded  in  getting  a  start 
in  life,  when,  Ihrougii  unfortunate  investments,  he 
lost  all  he  had  accumulated.  He  had  enough  left 
to  make  his  wa^'  to  Paw  Paw,  in  1871,  and  began 
to  clerk  for  Iv  Smith  in  the  general  merchandising 
business  for  eight  months.  He  then  started  in  the 
grocery  business  with  $60,  in  a  building  across  the 
rond  from  the  Clifton  House.  He  followed  this 
trade  until  1890,  when  he  sold  out  for  the  last  time. 
He  has  made  enough  so  that  he  is  now  retired  and 
in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  and  his  wife 
have  never  been  blessed  with  an^-  children. 

Our  subject  is  independent  in  politics  and  has 
supported  the  Greenb.ick  party.  He  has  been 
both  \'ill.age  and  Township  Treasurer,  the  duties 
of  which  otlice  he  discharged  faithfully  and  con- 
scientiously. INIr.  and  Mrs.  Hulbert  were  reared 
in  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  l)eliefs,  and 
both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
before  coming  to  Pnw  Paw,  but  are  now  con- 
nected with  the  Disciples  Church,  in  which  Mr. 
Hulbert  is  a  Deacon.  Our  subject  had  two  brothers 
in  the  army;  one,  Nathan,  served  four  years  and 
lives  in  (;iinlonl)urg,  \'an  l>uren  County.  Chester 
was  with  Sherman  ontlieniMrch  from  Athuita  to  the 
.sea,  where  he  lost  his  health  and  was  sent  to  a 
hospital  near  New  York  City,  where  he  died  in 
18C4. 


^^1' 


':>-^<m=^- 


yll.  RANDAI.!,,  ;i  piomiiuMit  farmer  of 
Van  Buren  County,  residing  on  section 
2(i,  Pine  (irove  Township,  is  the  son  of 
one  of  till'  pioncci-  fiunicis  of  this  county.  Thomas 
l{;ind:ill.  whose  name  is  revered  in  the  hearts  of 
his  cliildren  and  friends,  was  bfirii  in  Vermont, 
where  he  was  marricil  to  Miss  Maria  Dymoiid. 
.Some  years  later  they  removed  to  Kssex  Coiinlv, 
N.  Y.,  thence  to  St.  Lawrence  County,  and  linally 
sought  a  home  in  the  West.     Coining  to  Michigan 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


945 


al)Oiit  1850,  llicy  settled  in  Oiin  Plain  Township, 
AUogan  County,  and  one  year  latei-  lemovod  to  the 
village  of  Otsego,  wiiere  tliey  resided  four  or  live 
years. 

Tlic  next  home  of  tlie  family  was  in  PineOrove 
Township,  whei'e  tlie  fatlier  purchased  a  farm  of 
forty  acres  on  section  27.  He  built  a  log  iiouse 
for  liis  famil3^  and  commenced  to  clear  and  im- 
prove the  place,  which  he  brought  to  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  The  third  in  a  family  of 
six  children  is  our  subject,  who  was  horn  in  Essex 
County,  N.  Y.,  December  25,  1841.  AVlien  ten 
years  old,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  State, 
where  he  became  self-supporting  at  an  early  age. 
His  first  employment  was  driving  a  team  and 
breaking  ground;  afterward  he  was  engaged  in  a 
sawmill  at  Old  Pine  Grove  for  five  years,  and 
from  there  went  to  Saugatuck  to  work  in  a  saw- 
mill for  Stockbridge  <fe  Johnson. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Randall  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  joined  his  reg- 
iment at  Lexington,  Ky.  At  Nicholasville,  three 
miles  distant,  he  joined  tlic  army  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Thomas  and  prepared  to  meet  Gen. 
Hood,  but  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital 
at  Nashville,  where  he  remained  one  month.  He 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Edgefield,  thence  marched 
to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  and  hunted  bushwhackers  as  far 
South  as  Mississii)pi.  Returning  to  Nashville,  he 
w.ashonorabl}'  discharged  in  Ma}',  1865. 

Returning  to  Van  Buren  County,  Mr.  Randall 
commenced  to  work  in  a  sawmill  in  Almena  Town- 
ship, where  he  remained  one  year.  In  1866,  lie 
was  married  to  Miss  Hannah,  daughter  of  Elias 
Aldrich,  an  early  settler  of  Van  Buren  Count}'. 
Mrs.  Randall  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1844,  and 
became  the  mother  of  two  children:  Bertha,  wife 
of  Ed  Earle,  of  Kansas;  and  Amy,  who  attends 
school  in  Holton,  Kan.  After  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Randall  resided  on  his  present  farm  one  year  and 
then  for  a  twelvemonth  was  employed  in  a  saw- 
mill, but  owing  to  ill  health  returned  to  farming 
pursuits.  His  estate  consists  of  eighty  acres,  and 
twenty  and  one-lialf  acres  of  woodland.  He  has 
embellished  the  place  with  a  substantial  set  of 
buildings,  the  most  important  being  the  residence 
which  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  11,000. 
44  V 


Tiie  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Randall  united  him 
with  Miss  Martha,  tlauglitor  of  Robert  Tliompson, 
of  Trowbridge  Township,  Alleg.an  County.  Mrs. 
Randall  was  born  in  Trowbridge  Township,  in 
1856,  and  her  marriage  lias  been  blest  by  the  birth 
of  one  cliild,  Bessie,  now  four  years  old.  A  sin- 
cere Christian,  Mrs.  Randall  holds  membership  in 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Kendall,  and  is  a 
lady  of  refinement  and  noble  char.acter.  On 
national  issues,  Mr.  Randall  aHiliates  with  the 
Deniocralic  party,  but,  in  local  elections,  votes  for 
the  man  whom  he  considers  best  qualified  to  rep- 
resent the  people.  He  is  a  hard  worker,  and  his 
success  has  been  gained  liy  arduous  exertions  and 
untiring  energy. 


llnv\   McKELLAK,  Postmaster  at  Paw  Paw,  was 

Jj)  born    in     Brooklj'n,    N.    Y.,    December    .SI, 

•^    1853.      His    parents,    Dougnl    and    lsal)clla 

j\  (Fleming)  McKellar,  were  natives  of  (Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  where  they  were  married,  and 
where  two  of  their  sons,  Jolui  and  Robert,  were 
born.  About  1851,  the  family  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, and  soon  after  the  birth  of  our  sul)jcct  pro- 
ceeded Westward  to  Michigan,  wiicre  a  settlement 
was  made  in  .Tackson  and  later  in  Watcrvlict.  The 
father  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  served  three 
years  in  defense   of   the   Union    during    the    late 


During  the  childhood  of  our  subject,  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  in  their  removal  from  Wnter- 
vliet  to  Paw  Paw,  where  he  gained  a  good  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a 
jeweler  and  served  an  apprenticeship  of  about  four 
years.  Later,  he  conducted  a  store  at  Bangor  for 
five  years  and  gamed  an  enviable  reputation  as  a 
skilled  workman  and  honorable  dealer.  August 
27,  1878,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sadie, 
daughter  of  Horace  and  Eunice  (Harper)  Sebring, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Hor- 
ace, who  was  born  in  Bangor,  April  13,  1880,  and 
Ennabelle,  in  Paw  Paw,  in  August,  1884. 

In  1884,   Mr.   McKellar  removed    from   Bangor 


946 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


to  Paw  Paw,  where  be  engaged  in  the  jeweler's 
business  until  he  was  a[)i)ointed  Postmaster.  Mr. 
McKellar  is  a  Democrat,  and  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Postmaster  under  the  administra- 
tion of  President  Cleveland,  and  now  (1S92)  has 
the  honor  of  Ijeing  the  only  Democratic  Post- 
master left  in  his  State.  He  has  been  so  faith- 
ful in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  oHice,  so 
considerate  of  othei-s  and  active  in  the  interests 
of  the  people,  that  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  ctlicient  and  successful  postraastei-s  who  have 
ever  occupied  that  position.  He  is  iutci-ested  in 
all  measures  which  will  promote  the  welfare  of 
tiic  community  and  lias  served  as  delegate  to 
I'ountv,  Stjite  and  coniiressioiial  conventions.    He 


attended   the    National  Postmasters'    Convention 
at  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1888. 

As  a  man  of  broad  culture,  keen  observation 
of  men  and  events,  shrewd  discrimination,  and 
the  adherent  of  all  progressive  measures,  it  gives 
us  pleasure  to  present  to  our  readers  this  brief 
account  of  the  life  of  Mr.  McKellar.  He  inherited 
the  thrift  and  energy  of  his  Scotch  ancestors,  and 
to  these  qualities  has  added  the  keen  business 
ability  which  is  an  American  characteristic.  '  He  is 
the  j'oungest  of  a  family  of  nine,  of  whom  all 
have  passed  from  the  scenes  of  earth  save  himself 
and  his  two  brothers,  Robert  and  John,  residents 
of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  lie  and  his  family  occupy  a 
high  place  in  the  social  circles  of  Paw  Paw  and 
in  the  esteem  of  those  who  know  them. 


BIOGI^p^P^I^P^- 


Ackley,  Levi thi'l 

Adatiis,  John 23 

Adams,  John  Q 39 

Adams,  N.  H (513 

Alger,  Russell  A 173 

Allen,  S.  P 737 

Anderson,  Hon.  David 7"23 

Anderson,  Wdliam  519 

Anderson,  R.  T 722 

Andrews,  Burritt 6!t8 

Andrews,  William  B 103 

Anns,  Albert 481 

Arthur,  Chester  A 9U 

Arthurs,  S.  R 461 

Austin,  A.  S (187 


B 


Basloy .  John  J LIT 

Bailey,  L.  H IM 

BaWwiii,  Henry  P 15:i 

Baldwin,  C.  A 837 

Bale,  James  671 

Balfour,  Harrison 507 

Barber,  C.  W 84fi 

Barker,  C3.  H 45C 

Barker,  J.  C 720 

Barnes,  H.  G 702 

Barnes,  William  M (ill 

Barrett,  Charles  L 571 

Barringer,  Ebenezer 857 

Barry,  John  S HS 

Bartlett,  A.  E 829 

Barton ,  Henry 448 

Barton,  Jesse  S GIO 

Bej^ole.  Josiah  W IGK 

Beniier,  Alexander 450 

Bennett,  J.  C 7!« 

Bennett,  John 708 

Bentley,  S.  A 11)5 

Berry.S.  M 874 


Bigelow,  Edward 851 

Big-elow,  Samuel 269 

Bilsborrow,  Charles .323 

Bingham,  Kinstey  S 137 

Bird,  Henry,  Jr 360 

Bishop,  Henry 780 

Bishop,  H.  W 617 

Blair,  Austin 145 

Blaisdejl,  John 551 

Bond.G.  G 891 

Bowen,  H.  F 873 

Bradley,  Capt.  \V.  S 488 

Brason,  Joint 4(^0 

Breed,  J.  B oil 

Briggs,  E.  S 770 

Brigham,  J.  \V 361 

Brigham,  Mrs.  A.  L 798 

Brigham,  Lyscom 543 

Bristol,  E.  S 614 

Brockway,  S.  R 844 

Brooks,  L 732 

Brott,  Charles 832 

Brown,  A.  M 0-22 

Brown,  Mrs.  E.  E 738 

Brown,  H.  A 757 

Brown,  I.  A 895 

Brown,  Philo  M 655 

Brown,  R.  M 367 

Brown,  Hon.  S.  F 779 

Brownell,  VV.  W 624 

Bryant,  Noah 419 

Buehanan,  James 75 

Bildrow,  J.  W 8.54 

Bugden,  Marshall 369 

Burger,  F.  A .,509 

Bltrliugton,  J.  W 032 

Bitsh,  Eli 561 

Buskirk,  William 831 

Butterlield,  C.  VV 496 

Byers,  Tobias 445 


c 


Cady.C.  P 751 

{'ameron,  Hon.  Alexander.  ..927 

Campbell,  James 455 

Campbell,  J.  A 917 


Campbell,  O.  F 610 

Cannon,  Leander 666 

Ca.se,  Chester  J   714 

Cash,  John  C 686 

Cash,  Erastus 726 

Cliaddock,  A.  P 213 

Chamberlain.  C.  G .542 

Chapin,  L.  C,  M.  D 8al 

Chapman,  Alvin 379 

Chapman,  George 813 

Charles,  W.  S 696 

Chase,  A.  B .587 

Chase,  E.  A 535 

Chase,  W.  F 694 

Chase,  Milton,  M.  D (.58 

Cheney,  William  A 626 

Clapp,  Ashley 923 

Clark.  Benjamin  W .547 

Clark,  F.J 4.30 

Olark,  J.  G !t03 

Clark,  L.  F 450 

Clement,  J.  L 510 

Cleveland ,  S.  Grover 103 

Cobb,  Hon.  J.  B... 801 

Cobb,  J.  T 871 

Cobb,  W.H 820 

Colburn,  B.  W 5'i5 

Coleman,  O.  F 816 

Conkling.  H.  M .557 

Conner,  W.  F .532 

Consalus,  Samuel 939 

Converse.  W.  H 79:i 

Cook,  William  N 749 

Cooley,  Tinioth.y 88< 

Coojjer,  William 6(i5 

Copley,  Hon.  A.  B 390 

Corbyn.Hon.  S.  H 4.57 

Corey,  Henry 6!»o 

Cornell,  J.  B 293 

Cornish,  Thomas 515 

Cornwall,  B.  W 719 

Cory,  W.  H 242 

Coy,  C.  P s:!5 

Coykcndall,  Horace 891 

Cox,  O.  E 929 

Cramer,  Abram .5.54 

Crapo,  Henry  H 149 

Crispe,  John 433 

Crispe,  William  462 

Cris.sey,  Newell 490 

Cronin.M.  C,  M.  D 073 


Cross,  Calvin 73,3 

Cross,  Hon .  John  S .548 

Cro.ss,  Tliom.as 729 

Croswell,  Charles  M 161 

Crow,  Joseph 417 

Cru.se,  Edwin  T 8.98 

Cummings,  S.  S 618 

Curnmings,  L.  B 679 

I'urry ,  David 778 

Curtenius,  C.  C !II6 

Curtis,  John  S 446 


D 


Dane,  Lyman  J 520 

Davis,  Charles Sfia 

Davis,  J.  M 731 

Davis.  William  L 620 

Deal,  Frank  L 415 

Dean,  Rev.  K.  S 343 

Delano,  W.  S 610 

De  Long,  Silas 636 

Deming,  Willi.am 721 

Deming,  William  F. .5.53 

Denison,  Capt.  K.  C 826 

Denniston,  E.  H S22 

Dewey,  Isaac  S 709 

DeYoe,  E.  W 875 

Dilley,  V.  H 418 

Dillman,  P.  J 478 

Dingley,  E.  N 846 

Dix,  J.H 788 

Dodge,  James  S «5.59 

Dodge,  Jo.seph .558 

Donahue,  Capt.  J.  S .*B5 

Doubleday,  Capt.  A.  D 858 

Doughty,  Jacob 80S 

Dougla.ss,  Eli 847 

Dowd,  Horace .522 

Downey.  W.  S m\ 

Doyle,  Patrick .535 

Drake,  G.N 814 

Dutclier,  Capt.  George  N 202 

Diitcher,  Thoin.-us  J? 42  : 

Dyckman,  Hon.  A.  S 7.38 


INDEX. 


E 


Eanies,  Lovelt ^70 

Earl,  A.  W SS5 

Eutoii,  Hon.  C.  L S5« 

E.lfell,  H.J SCJ 

EtUell,  Hon.  W.  C 3(M 

Ellis,  James 501 

Ellis,  S:\mucl 4ii!) 

Einftcrio,  Manuel 437 

Engle,  Columbus 507 

Enjlle,  W.  A.,  M.I) HID 

Enjjiisli,  William 410 

ErkenlX'ck,  t'oruflius 4t><J 

Evaus,  LconartiS 58** 

Everest,  D.  0 212 


Falconer,  Daniel 437 

Fanckboncr,  G.  C 671 

Farman,  William .^00 

Felch,  Alpheus 117 

Follows,  Hon.  O.  H .588 

Fenner,  R.  B ri07 

Ferguson ,  E.  B 74fi 

Ferguson,  J.  E.,  M.  D "flfi 

Ferris,  Hon.  R 389 

Filield,  F.  W 471 

Fillmore,  Millard (17 

Fini-h.  Willuun  T Wll 

Finlcy,  Edward 6(37 

Finli-y,  James,  Sr 4i)8 

Fit.-h,  J.  I' 415 

Flelchcr,  Calvin  H 230 

Fletcher.  Rev.  John 439 

ForhCM,  Mrs.  M.  V 428 

Fonl.  Henry 193 

FonI,  William 2.M 

Foster,  Ira ,521 

FoBter,  MiUw 41G 

Fox,  John  C 3(iM 

Fox ,  Santson 31W 

F(ix,Kulomuu  .S lao 

Fowler,  H.  A HKi 

Fowler,  Rev.  8.  M 427 

Free,  John 4116 

yrtf.J.  W 78M 

Fn»emnii,  Frank 270 

French,  TIiouuim  E 424 

Fn*nch,  W.  F 5H0 

Frit/.,  I>ftvid  1 706 

Fuller,  (M'..rk-i'  ire, 


(innliior.  JaiiHvi , . 

Oarfluld,  JuifiuM  A 

m 

lift 

ClaU*.  L.  M 

W2 

Gates,  Michael 4G7 

Gay,  Francis 76!> 

Gibson,  Charles 602 

Gibson,  S.  A S62 

GIddings,  T.  F SG7 

Gilbert,  Henry 283 

Gilkey,  W.  E 4U6 

Gillespie,  John 7(U 

Gleason,  H.  L 71,'i 

Glidden,  W.S 718 

Goble,  J.  E S7fi 

Goldsmith,  O.E 412 

Goodale,  J.  C 8!M 

Goodrich,  A.  C  M.  D 417 

(iraham,  J.  D 414 

tJranj^er,  ThoinaiJ  A 48(i 

Ciran^'cr,  Rile.v 452 

Grant,  Ulysses  S 87 

Gray,  James  M 33il 

Grt'cn,G.  L 475 

Greenly,  William  L 121 

Grillin,  C. N 745 

GriHin.G.  W 401 

Grillin,  W.  B 438 

Gunn,C.  C 838 

Gunsaul,  Jacob 3!)3 


H 


Hadaway ,  Samuel 3!I4 

Haight,  P.  S 310 

Hale,  C.P 44li 

Hale,  J.  F 407 

Hall,  James  H 734 

Hall,  ,Iame«  M ,524 

Hall,  R.M.J ,521 

Hall,  W.  D 431 

Hamilton,  J   D.,  M.  D 815 

Hamlin,  S.  H 12.1 

Hammond,  J.  H 807 

Hare.D.  W 435 

Harnden,  Simon 420 

Harris,  B.  S 531 

Harris,  D.  l> in 

Harris,  J.  D 704 

Harrison,  Benjamin  F 107 

Harrison,  \\'illiani  Henry ,51 

Hart,  llannihal 301 

llaskin.  A.  S.,M.  !>..  801 

Hathaway,  Charles ,500 

Haven,  (leorgo  W 7J!) 

Hawes,  Hon.  J.  L 020 

Hawkins,  Samuel 821 

Hawley,  Moses  8 01!) 

Haydon,  riiilotas Oil 

HaycH,  Rulherfonl  B 81 

Hayne,  John ,501 

Hayncs,  R.  M 5i» 

Hoaly,  Azro 803 

Heath,  C.  K (188 

Heath,  John  M 401 

Ileekert,  B.  F 078 

Hcin|mle,id,  Benjamin ,50(1 

McmiiNtead,  ('.  ,1 713 

lli'udnek,  A.  W.,  M.  I) 227 

lIcrrlnKton,  Oliver 701 


Herscy,  E.  P 620 

Hess.C.S !>43 

Hess.S.  M 013 

Hewitt,  Lott 318 

Hice,  Henry 550 

Hicks,  E.B.D 4Ki 

Hicks,  I.  V S3(i 

Hicks.  J.  W 334 

Hill,  Giles  H 229 

Hilton,  Robert 234 

Hinkloy  Marvin 700 

Hoag.O.S 326 

Hoag,  Peter  G 315 

Hoek,  Jacob 347 

HolVman,  Jacob .503 

Hollister,  F.  L 390 

Holloway,  Levi 713 

Holmes,  A.  J 709 

Holmes,  A.  P 884 

Hoover,  J.  W  902 

Hopkins,  G.P 845 

House,  W.  A 191 

Howard,  (i.  S 055 

Howard,  H.H 7.50 

Howard,  J.  M 382 

Howe,  A.  F 898 

Howland,  Hon.  S 641 

Hoyt,  J.  C 667 

Ho.vt,  L.  R 0.50 

Hubbard,  Luther 776 

Hubbard,  Silius 856 

Hudson,  J.  S 113 

Hulbert,  Ira  W 944 

Hulbcrt,  Nathan .550 

Hum|)hrey,  J.  W ;iS5 

Hurlbut,  Hon.  W.  H .514 

Hut  chins,  H.'ii'rison .583 

Hutchins,  K.  E 735 


Ihling,  John 510 

Ulling,  Kcinliold ! . .  ..8'i5 

lugrahani,  Frank 757 


Jackson,  Andrew 43 

J*.ll'ei*sou,  Thou-.as 27 

Jerome,  David  H 105 

Jewett,  Nathaniel 2i»!l 

Jick ling,  Robert 787 

Johnson,  Aiuirew 83 

Johnson,  J.  H 327 

Johnson,  W.  E tm 

Johnston,  William  W 317 

Joyce,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 572 

Judson.  I'ixley OOI 


Kellogg,  H.J .574 

Kellogg,  John 025 

Kellogg,  N.  P 318 

Kclly.J.H .508 

Kendall,  S.  W 799 

Kennedy,  Franklin 725 

Kenncy,  J.  W 3.50 

Kenney ,  W.  M 31 1 

Kent,  C.  S .579 

Kern,  M 741 

Killefer,  William 513 

Kinnanc,  J.  H ,S86 

Kinney,  H.  A 710 

Kinney,  W.  W 7.5u 

Kirby,  Hon.  W.J 872 

Kirkland,  Helen  M.,  M.  D  . .  .811 

Kolvoord,  Hon.  John 30S 

Krause,  Levi 325 


K 

Kiiiiir..!-,  II.  1' 

Ka.\s,  Hugh 

Kcablcs,  J.T.,M.  D. 


..807 
.701 
.7*1 


l.,ammon,  Gilbert Ol'.l 

Lane,  E.  J 345 

Lay,  John  M 2(i8 

Lee, D.J 717 

Lee,  William  F 730 

Leighton,  Capt.  L.  A .5;!0 

Lemon,  Jacob 597 

Letson ,  Osmcr,  M.  D 930 

Lewis,  C.  H 411 

Lincoln,  Abraham 79 

Lincoln,  S.  A !KI5 

Lindsley,  U.  H 8il7 

Lindscy,  Joseph 280 

Lilly,  Alanson 327 

Little,  Frank 31 1 

Little,  Henry 197 

Loelir,  Edwin  A 6-24 

Loehr,  Josiah  051 

Long.  A.  H 930 

Loomis,  Levi 270 

Loveridge,  S.  W 335 

Luce,  Cyrus  Gray 177 

Lurk  ins,  George 742 

Lyle,  William  M 7,50 

Lyon.llon.  T.  T 273 

L.vsler,  A.  B 912 

Lytic,  I).  W.  C 477 


M 


Madden,  J.  It 285 

Mailison,  .lames 31 

MaJTicr,  Henry 752 

Mallow,  John 809 

Marble,  Darius 279 

Margi'son,  Edward 192 

Marsh,  II.  V 2»4 

Marshall,  II.  M 772 

Marslwill,  J.  II 479 

Marshall,  John 504 

Martin,  A.  C 8U 


INDEX. 


Martin,  Edwin 917 

Martin, O.D 914 

MarLiiidalo,  Sainnel 519 

Marvin,  H.  M.,  M.  D 298 

Mason,  Cornelius 918 

Mason,  G.  N 913 

Mason,  Stephen  T 10.5 

Maynard,  t:.  S.,  M.  D (u7 

Mayriard,  H.  O.,  M.  D -172 

Mc Alpine,  John t90 

Mf  Alpine,  James  M '275 

MeAlpine,  M.  V.  B *0 

MeHride,  John 258 

Mc( 'lelland,  Robert 129 

MoColluin,  C.  H SaO 

McDowell,  Mortimer 277 

MeKarlin.H.  P 692 

MeFarlin,  J.  A 689 

MeFellin,  J.  (-■ 749 

MeKee,  Darwin fUt! 

MeKellar,  P 915 

McKenzie,  George 297 

McKenzie,  Capt.  J.  H 105 

MeKeyes,  Juan 587 

MeLain,  William 942 

Mc Lin,  Jacob 257 

McNeil,  Minard 705 

McVay,  John  H 470 

Mc  Williams,  Alex 5i;3 

McWillianis.  James 54(; 

Meabon,  Georffe 754 

Meacheu,  Lafayette 194 

Mead,  Marion 921 

Meredith,  Walter 30C 

Merrill,  D.  B 792 

Merriman,  Burse 708 

Merriman,  G.  W 744 

Merritt,  Rev.  A.  C 2!X) 

Milham,  Ambrose 235 

Milham,  F.  H 288 

Milham.  William 433 

Miller,  Daniel  W 755 

Miller,  H.  L.,  M.  D 320 

Miller,  J.  G 244 

Miller,  Josiah  J 832 

Miller,  Madison 303 

Mills,  Charles  S ;»7 

Mills,  E.  T 906 

Mitchell,  Gilbert .940 

Mix,  Gen   Eli.sha '.211 

Monroe,  Hon.  C.  J 9;}3 

Monroe,  Isaac 727 

Monroe,  James  35 

Monroe,  Joel  D 219 

Monroe,  J.  R 852 

Monroe,  L.  S 562 

Monroe,  Miles 716 

Morse,  Levi 386 

Moses,  J.  J 603 

Mottram,  William,  M.  D 267 

Hunger,  A.  J 3Si 

Munson.  Henry 485 

Myers,  F.  C,  M.  D 87.1 

Myers,  O.  A 668 

Myers,  James 703 

N 


Newcomb,  L.  A 251 

Nicholas,  Philip 2:!0 

Nichols,  G.  B.,  M.  D 333 

Nichols,  J.  A 523 

Nies,  John :i83 

Nilcs,  John  W .526 

Northam,  H,  F 931 

Noyes,  K.  W 800 

Nutting',  Ransom 78t; 

Nymaii;  Joseph  II 529 


o 


O'Brien,  William  L :181 

Odell,  Stephen 373 

Olds,  Orson 7'28 

Olin,  Arvln 772 

Olney.B.  A  881 

Orr,  Robert 240 

Orr,  William 356 

Osborn ,  Erastus 547 

Osborne,  H.  B.,  M.  D 915 

Overhiser,  Henry '278 


Nesbitt,  Thomas. 


Packard,  A.  S 279 

Packard,  Hon.  William  O... 744 

Palmer,  A.  H 8.55 

Palmer,  E.  A.,M.  D 571 

Palmer,  Hiram 536 

Palmer,  Theo  A 198 

Parker,  G.  W 928 

Parker, H.S 903 

Parker,  Orrin 2128 

Parsons,  Andrew 133 

Partridge,  U.  H 718 

Peabody ,  Brewster 206 

Peck,  H.  M 907 

Peet,  William 245 

Phillips,  William 589 

Pierce,  Franklin. 71 

Pierce,  H.  H 782 

Pierce,  K.  T 565 

Pike,  S.N 578 

Piper,  G.  A.,  D.  D.  S 380 

Plopper,  M.H 199 

Plummer.  Andrew 629 

Plummer,  W.  G 623 

Polk,  James  K .59 

Potter,  J.  B 929 

Potts,  James  M '207 

Powell,  M.  A 391 

Powell,  Orrin 093 

Pratt,  Daniel 390 

Pratt,  Hon.  Foster 775 

Pratt,  William :158 

Prentiss,  C.  H 346 

Preston,  E.  M 6.53 

Prouty,A.  M 485 

Pugsley ,  George  H 747 

Pugsley,  Henry  M 740 


PuRsloy,  M.  H 938 

I'ugslcy ,  VVilliain .502 

Pugsley,  W.  n 585 

Putnam,  D.  C 371 

Putney,  0.  A 2(M 

Py  1,  Andrew 3!r2 


R 


Randall,  W.  H 044 

Rankin,  J.  E.,  M.  D 896 

Ranney,  A.  L 609 

liansom,  Epaphroditus 125 

Ransom,  Ira  A 893 

RaiLsom,  Maj.  W.  C 797 

Ransom,  W.  C,  M.  D 802 

Rathbun,  N.  S 578 

Read,  Hon.  G.  E 630 

Redp.-lth,  George  P 608 

Reed,  Joseph  W 297 

Reed,  W.  F 904 

Reese,  George 877 

Reese,  J.  H 201 

Remington,  O.  H 767 

Retallick,  J.  T 848 

Reynolds,  C.  C 650 

Reynolds,  O.  G 730 

Richardson,  M.  U 759 

Richardson,  N.  D 684 

Rine,  .Tohn 771 

Ripley,  S.  L .598 

Ritchie,  William 468 

Robbins,  James 699 

Robbins,  John   491 

Rockwell,  H.S 577 

Rockwell,  James  R 289 

Rockwell,  8.  D.T 374 

Rogers,  W.  M 284 

Rosevelt,  John  V 488 

Rosewarne,  William  V 711 

Rowe,  W.  G 319 

Rowland, O.  W 196 

Ryan,  Laurence 686 


Schorno,  O.  S 813 

Schuh,P.H 577 

Schuyler,  O.  R 661 

Sebring,  J.  E 722 

Sebring,  John 252 

Selkirk,  James  E 908 

Selkirk,  James 541 

Shakespeare,  Hon.  A.  J 910 

ShelVer,  S.  G 381 

Sheldon,  H.  O 526 

Shepard.E.S 2U 

Shered,  John  B 573 

Sherrod,  J.  A 214 

Sherwood,  D.  fi 697 

Sherwood.  M.  C 8-25 

Sias.D.  W '223 

Sill,  Joseph,  M.  D 2.55 


Simmons,  H.  P 712 

Simmons,  I.«andcr 878 

Simpson,  Hon.  E.  H 785 

Skinner,  H.  V 04.^ 

Slawson,  Nathan ua 

Slotm.'iii,  L f;73 

Smitli,  Benjamin 552 

Smith,  David i^m 

Smith,  O.  W 7;» 

Smith,  H.  S.,  M.  D 671 

Smith,  W.  D 423 

Know,  Orrin yiaj 

Snyder,  Capt.  W.  H ilia 

Southanl,  0.  A .502 

Spaulding,  A.  N 7.53 

Spayde,  W.  H w.i 

Spear,  Charles  C 317 

Spicer,  Daniel  ;!)i 

Squier,  D.  A 6)^5 

S<iuier,  H.  E 715 

Staring,  Simeon 289 

Stevens,  W.  H 7(,'2 

Stewart,  Capt.  W.  E 479 

Stewart,  Thomas 3(iu 

Stillwell,  John iiH 

StimsoD,  H.  H.,  M.  D 32;i 

Stinson,  Alexander 751 

Stockbridge,  Hon.  F.  B -219 

Stone,  Mrs.  L.  H (Wi 

Stone,  Rev.  J.  A.  B 662 

Storms,  F.  M ,328 

Stoughton,  J.  W Oiil 

Stowman,  Edmund .501 

Stratton,  Charle-s 810 

Strealor,  P.  T fas 

Stuart,  G.D 223 

Stuart,  Hon.  C.  E '205 

Stuck,  U.  M.,  M.  D :{r)2 

Sutton,  Luther 614 

Sykes,  R.  A 895 


Talbot,  R.  W 765 

Tanner,  A '208 

Tanner,  Seth  K »12 

Taylor,  A.  B 329 

Taylor,  Zachary 13 

Tead,P.N 497 

Thayer,  Cyrus 6.52 

Thomas,  A.  P 218 

Thomas,  N.  D.,  M.  D 887 

Thomas,  W.  L 481 

Thornton,  D.  L 495 

Tomkins,  John  B '268 

Tomlinson,  Ogdcn JOt 

Trask,  L.  11 239 

Trowbridge,  Philander 524 

Truax,P.  S 901 

Tuckey,  E.  C 931 

Tuckey,  Johns 506 

Tuttle.  A.  H  7;B 

Tyler,  John » 

Tyner,  T.  C 655 


INDEX. 


U 


Upham,  E.  S Ml 

Upjohn,  H.  U..  M.  D 639 

Upjohn,  Uriah,  M.  D 261 

Upjohn,  W.  E.,M.  D K3 


Vahue,  O.  Q Ml 

Van  Antwerp.  Freeman M5 

Van  Anken,  J.  M 777 

Van  Buren,  A.  D.  I» 645 

Van  Bnren,  Martin  47 

Van  Duspn,  S.  M 2Cfi 

Van  Hise,  «".  K •'■24 


Van  Zwaluwenburg,  C,  M.  D.S12 

Vaughan,  O.  M.,  M.  D 710 

Vickers,  Robert •TTi.'i 

Vosburgh,  Edwin R72 

Vroinan,Seth .'»S0 


w 


Wade,  John  P Wi 

Wadsworth ,  V.  K 307 

Walker,  H.  A 371 

Wallace,  A.  T 4fiS 

Wanl,  F.  T :i2« 

Warner,  Elijah ()33 

Warner,  J.  P 935 

Washington,  George 19 

Waters,  H.  P 558 

Webster,  William 222 

Weldin ,  George  H U51 


Welker,  Samnel 471 

Wells.  Henry  A 514 

Welsh,  W.  L 804 

Westeott,  William 477 

Wetheral),  William 244 

Wetmore,  A.  D 294 

Whalen.  M.  E.,  M.  D 701 

Wheeler,  J.  C 340 

Wheeler,  John  L 310 

White,  Daniel Mt 

White,  D.  E .1:10 

White,  Joseph  H S19 

White,  William 336 

Whitney,  L'alvin 34S 

Whitney,  E.  D 937 

Wickett,  Henry 470 

Wiggins,  Hon.  Milan (HI 

Wilcox,  W.  H OSl 

Wilder,  Ebenezer 321 

Williams,  H.  W 700 

Williams,  Hon.  William  B.  ..217 

Willison.  C.  W SOS 

Willison,  E.  B 618 


Wilson,  George  S 189 

Wilson,  Henry 482 

Wilson,  John 709 

Wilson,  J.  M KB 

Wilson,  S.  P 3."i2 

Winans,  Edwin  B 181 

Winn,  U.  G :109 

Wise,  Ch.^uneey 70G 

Wisiier.  Closes Ill 

VVoiid,  I'olk  A 707 

Wooilard.  O.  J :»fl 

Woodbeck,  J.  D .295 

Woodbridge,  William 109 

Woodbury,  J.  P 233 

Woodrnir,  N.  P B:U 

Woodworth,  W.  A 305 

Wright,  C.  J 748 


Young,  P.  M 241 


I^OI^TI^j^ITS. 


Ailams,  John 22 

Adnm.«,  John  Q 38 

Alger,  Ru.ssell  A 172 

Anderson,  Hon.  David 722 

Arthur,  Chester  A 98 

Iljigley,  John  J 156 

Baldwin,  Henry  P 152 

Barrett,  Charles  L filO 

Barry,  John  S 112 

Bartlelt.  A.  E 828 

Begole,  Josiah  W 168 

BiLsborrow,  Charles 322 

Bmghnm,  Kinsley  S 136 

Bishop,  H.  W 010 

Blair,  Austm 144 

Brigham,  John  W :teo 

Buchanan,  James 74 

Byers,  Tobias 442 

Byers,  Mrs.  T 443 

CamptH'll.  James I.M 

Chapman,  Alvin 370 

Cliapriian,  Sirs.  A 377 

Cleveland ,  8.  drover Iir2 

Cubb,  J.  T 870 

Culburn,  B.  W 5lr2 

Colliurn,  Mrs.  B.  W .'iHH 

Copk-y ,  Hon.  A.  B 398 


Cornell,  J.  B 292 

Crapo,  Henry  H 148 

Cr«.swell.  Charles  M IW 

Davis,  J.  M 790 

Donahue,  Capt.  J.S ;154 

Ed.sell,  Hon.  W.  C 302 

Engle,  W.  A i'AS 

Felch,  Alpheus 116 

Fenner,  K.  B. .  .^ 006 

Ferris,  Hon.  Kiehard 388 

Fillmore.  Millard re 

Finch,  W.  T 600 

Oarlleld,  J.  A 91 

Gilbert,  Henry 282 

Grant,  U.S 86 

Gray,  J.  M 3;i8 

Green,  G .  L 474 

Greenly,  William  h 120 

Hammond,  J.  H 806 

Harrison,  Benjamin IU(i 

Harrison,  W.  H .ilJ 

Haskin,  A.S. ,  M.  D 860 

Hayes,  H.B !I0 

Hcmlriek,  A.  W.,M.  D 226 

House,  W.  A 190 

Hntehins,  Harrison M'i 

Jackson,  Andrew 42 


Jeirerson ,  Thomas 26 

Jerome,  David  H 164 

Johnson ,  Andrew 82 

Kirkland,  Helen  M.,M.  D. ..  .840 

Lane, E.J 344 

Lewis,  C.  H 410 

Lincoln,  Abraham 78 

Little,  Frank 312 

Luce,  Cyrus  Gray 176 

Lyon.  lion.  T.  T 272 

Madison,  James 30 

Mason,  Stephen  T 101 

Maynaid,C.  S,,  M.  D 076 

McClellamI ,  Robert 128 

Milham,  William 432 

Mi.N,(ieii.  ElLsha 210 

Monroe,  J.anies 34 

Moltram,  William,  M.  D 260 

Munsoii,  Hcnr.v 484 

Nichols,  G.  B.,  M.  D 3.12 

Nynian,  J.  H ms 

OIney ,  B.  A 880 

Parsons,  Anilrew 132 

Pierce,  Franklin 70 

Plummer,  W.  (! 622 

Polk,  J.  K 58 

Pratt,  Foster,  M .  D 774 


Ransom,  Epaphrodilus 121 

Rjinsoni,  :\Iaj.  W.  C 796 

Scliiih.l'aul  11 '•.71; 

Selkirk,  .lames 510 

Sill,  Jo.scph,  M.  I) 2.'i4 

Simpson,  Hou.E.  H 7S4 

Smith,  W.D 421 

Smith,  Mrs.  W.  D 420 

Snyder,  Capt.  W.  H 401 

Stockbridge,  Hon.  F.  B 248 

Stone,  Rev.  J.  A.  B 0.')8 

Stone,  Mrs.  L.  H (tV.I 

Stowman,  Edmund .500 

Stuart,  Hon.C.  E 204 

Talbol.R.  W 704 

Taylor,  Zacliary 62 

Tr.ask,  L.  II 2;!8 

Upjohn.  II.  U.,  M.  D 638 

Upjohn,  Uriah,  M.  D 260 

Tyler,  John 64 

Van  Hiiren,  Martin 46 

Washinglon,  George 18 

White,  Joseph  H ,''18 

Williams,  Hon.  W.  B 216 

Winans,  K.dwin  H   180 

Wisner,  IMiwes. ...      140 

Woodbridge,  William 108 

Woodbury,  J.  P 2:12 


VIE^V^S. 


Blgelow,  KilwanI HI9 

IbimLG.  (I MM) 

Bn-<-<l.  J.  B 1109 

Ur.ill.  <  'hnrleii 833 

•  lieney,  Wllllnin  A 1127 

( ill r,  W  .  K .533 

C<Kili-y.  Ttinolliy 889 

Coy keiiilnll,  Horace m< 


Cruse,  K.T  899 

Doyle,  Mrs.  Mary 633 

Engle,  tVdumbuH .V>5 

llayne,  John 5(15 

Hemey,  E.  P (127 

Howe,  A.  F 899 

Ihliiig,  John 517 

Luehr,  Juslab 655 


Marshall,  John 505 

Mason,  Cornelius 919 

Mead,  Marion OIU 

Miller,  J.  J 8:t3 

Mycin,  (I.  A VU) 

IMummiT,  Andrew (!27 

HeljillIek,  J.  T 849 


.Si-hoi  no,  ( >.  S 811 

Selkirk.. lames  E 909 

Stillwell,.lohll 193 

Stral  I  on,  Charles 811 

Thoriilon,  D.  1, 4113 

Tnia.\,  P.  S 899 

White, Daniel 811 


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